As is our wont, the November book
review column suggests gifts for Masons—things fun to give
as well as receive. First, a couple of books.
Langley, I. Lewis (ed.), The American Revolution and the Craft, Published 2000, hardbound, 607 pages, more than 150 B&W illustrations. Anchor Communications, Drawer 70, Highland Springs, VA 23075–0070 $49.95 + $3 S&H. Fax 804–328–2386 Toll-free order line: 888–231–8506 (U.S. & Canada) VISA & MasterCard accepted. Part of proceeds goes to support The Scottish Rite Center for Childhood Language Disorders in Greenville, S.C. Order from address above or www.goanchor.com.
This is a hefty book, both physically and academically. Langley has gathered more than 75 articles by the best Masonic writers of the 20th Century. Most of them were originally published in the Philalethes magazine. It is very convenient to have the articles collected between the covers of a single book. They trace Masonry's involvement in the founding of the United States. It is hard-edged research, not the "should-have-been-that-way-even-if-it-weren't" type of writing which sometimes characterizes Masonic papers on the topic.
You will find a wealth of information here—everything from Army Lodges to flags, to biographies of Masons in the Revolution, to George Washington, to the role of the clergy. This is not only a good book for your own Masonic library, it is an excellent work to donate to your public library or school. As an exciting and informative compilation, it is well worth the cost.
Crosswell, Jack, Murder of a Brother, 236 pages, Pentland Press, 2001 list $18.95 through your bookstore or order on the Internet.
It is always interesting when Masonry appears in a work of fiction. In this first book by Brother Crosswell, a retired ATF agent, reporter and police chief, a man who happens to be a Mason is killed and his friend and Brother, the deputy sheriff, sets out to find the killer. Masonry is peripheral to the plot and is cast, at times, in a quite negative light. Also, I must mention that the book contains some language and incidents which stress my mid-Victorian heart, but it has a compelling plot with an exciting climactic scene. It is an especially good gift for those of us who collect any work of art with a Masonic reference.
It's no surprise to readers of this column that I think the Masonic Service Association of North America has some of the best values available when it comes to Masonic information. A small gift I like to give Masonic friends at Christmas is to hand them an envelope containing a copy of the MSANA Catalogue and a $10 bill. With that $10, they can buy 20 "Short Talk Bulletins." These little treasures cost 50 cents each, and there are hundreds of different topics, from the ritual to biographies of famous Masons, to philosophy, to history, to almost anything else you can think of. You can get a free catalogue by writing to MSANA at 8120 Fenton Street, Silver Spring MD 20910–4785, calling 301–588–4010, faxing 301–608–3457, or e-mailing to msana@ix.netcom.com.
A beautiful reproduction of a painting is available from DeMolay International. Completed in 1845 by the French artist François Marius Granet, the painting is titled the "Initiation of Jacques DeMolay in 1265." There are many works depicting DeMolay's martyrdom, but very few show the beginning of his career. It is a gripping and powerful work.
The original, 5' x 7' in size, is owned by the Baroness Beatrice de la Peine, who loaned it to DeMolay International so that reproductions could be made. Reproductions are available in two sizes: 8.5" x 11" (cost, $25) and 24" x 36" (cost $100). Shipping and handling is included. The small size is good for your study, and the larger size makes a great gift to your Lodge, Scottish Rite Temple, DeMolay Chapter, or Commandery. With a credit card, you can order by phone at 1–800–DEMOLAY or by fax at 1–816–891–9062. E-mail to development @demolay. For more information, visit the DeMolay web site at www. demolay.org.
The 32°, 32° K.C.C.H., or 33° Double-headed Eagle is available, embroidered in color, on a man's short-sleeve knit shirt through the office of the Grand Lodge of Oklahoma. The shirts are available in purple, lilac, royal, navy, black, rose, red, peach, sand, maize, burgundy, green, white, or light blue, in sizes small through 3X. The prices for 32° and 32° K.C.C.H. are: S–XL, $32; 2X, $35; 3X, $38. Prices for the 33° are: S–XL, $35; 2X, $38; 3X, $41 Include $3 shipping per shirt. Note that the shirts are prepared to order, so please allow three weeks for delivery. When ordering, state color & size of shirt and whether you want 32°, 32° K.C.C.H., or 33°. Order from the office of the Grand Secretary, Grand Lodge of Oklahoma, P.O. Box 1019, Guthrie, OK 73044, or fax to 405–282–3244. Check, money order, VISA, or MasterCard accepted.
A Scottish Rite Belt Buckle, featuring the philanthropy, is available for $25 which includes S/H, from Brother Darrell J. Brown, 32°. It is a beautiful belt buckle, 4 inches in width, with the double-headed eagle and the words Scottish Rite Masons Help Children Communicate. Proceeds benefit the Childhood Language Centers. Order from: Flight for Afflicted Children, c/o D. J. Brown, 9457 Mills Ave. Whittier, CA 90603. You can see a photograph of the buckle on page 35 of the August 2001 issue of the Scottish Rite Journal.
Finally, I refer you to the online store for information on ordering the 2001 Bicentennial Book and Bicentennial Plate—both excellent commemoratives of the Supreme Council's 200th anniversary. Both the book and plate are now available at a special 40% Bicentennial Celebration discount! Each makes a wonderful holiday gift as well as a uniquely appropriate presentation for Masonic Officers. Happy holidays!
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Jim Tresner is Director of the Masonic Leadership Institute and Editor of The Oklahoma Mason. A frequent contributor to the Scottish Rite Journal and its book review editor, Illustrious Brother Tresner is also a volunteer writer for The Oklahoma Scottish Rite Mason and a video script consultant for the National Masonic Renewal Committee. He is the Director of the Thirty-third Degree Conferral Team and Director of Work at the Guthrie Scottish Rite Temple in Guthrie, Oklahoma, as well as a Life Member of the Scottish Rite Research Society, author of Albert Pike, The Man Beyond the Monument and Vested in Glory, The Regalia of the Scottish Rite, and a member of the steering committee of the Masonic Information Center. Ill. Tresner was awarded the Grand Cross, the Scottish Rite's highest honor, during the Supreme Council's October 1997 Biennial Session. |