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Montana Freemason May 2015 Volume 91 Number 2

Master Craftsman III Program

Blake Gardiner (3)

For those interested in advancing their knowledge and improving their knowledge of the
history and meaning of Blue (Symbolic) Lodge history and the meaning and development
of lodge signs, symbols, words and ritual the Supreme Council of the Scottish Rite is offering
a self-paced course on those subjects. The Master Craftsman III program is a stand-alone
course that is available to everyone, the Master Craftsman II and III programs are not
required as prerequisites, and you do not need to be a member of the Scottish Rite to take
the course.

The course is based on Albert Pike`s “ESOTERIKA”, Edited by Arturo de Hoyos, 33°, Grand
Archivist and Grand Historian. “Esoterika of the Blue Lodge Degrees”, was originally
published by Pike in 1888 in a limited edition of 100 copies. The recently published volume
was edited and heavily annotated by Arturo de Hoyos.

The course covers early development of the Masonic Lodge, and includes rituals going back
to the early 1700s covering the development transition of the signs, symbols and words, their histories
and meanings. The Course is self-paced, open book, and consists of 7 tests on the content. Each test is
mailed back to the Supreme Council and graded, and corrections are noted and returned with notations
explaining any errors. Subjects include "The Compasses and the Square," "The Weapons and Blows of the
Assassins," "The Three Grips," "The Substitute for the Masters Word," "The 47th Problem of Euclid," "The
Truth," "Is the Cable-tow a Symbol?," "Corner Stones," "The Ladder of Jacob," "Tubal Cain," "Shibboleth,"
and "Solomon and Hiram." The book alone is a must have for anyone’s personal masonic library.

Upon completion of the course the student receives a certificate of completion and a distinctive lapel
pin. The course, including the handsome book, “Esoterka” from the Scottish Rite store at http://www.
scottishritestore.org for $60 (the book alone sells for $52.95). If you already have a copy, or access to a
copy, the course is available for $35.00.
I highly recommend this book and course to all brothers.

Doric Lodge No. 53 Raises new Master Mason

Brian Murphy, RWDGM
What an evening at Doric #53! I had the honor of
wielding the gavel from start to finish, i.e. Open, Obligate,
KS, Raise, Charge, Close, etc… *whew.
MWB Jack and I were accompanied by Brothers Chuck
Gordon and Troy Baccus who presented the Q&As word-
perfectly.
Brother Troy is one of the newest members of Bozeman
#18, having been raised on March 12th.
The Brother raised was Joseph Robert Hensley, (tall man
next to me) the local highway patrol officer in Big Timber.
WB Byron Manly, age 96, was Chaplain.

pictured left to right: Chuck Gordon, Jack Levitt, Brad McGann, Brian Murphy, Torben Vik, Joe Hensen, Tom Winters, Joe Hensley,
Gale Lair, Eddie Crawford, Brian Engle, Sox Ullman, Charlie Bassett, Dave Strand, Troy Baccus, Byron Manley, Dave Hodges

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