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Title

Creator

Corcuera, Aurelio L.

Language

English

Year

1966

Rights

In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted

Fulltext

WB AURELIO L. CORCUERA (4) PM 136. Ia it absolutely necessary that a brother undergoing an examination for proficiency use the very exact words of the catechism? Can he not use his own words? In our opinion it is not absolutely necessary that the precise words of the catechism be used. The brother being examined can use his own words, if he can not recall the exact words, provided they express the correct sense. It is, of course, desirable for him to repeat the catechism word for word. But what should be tested is his understanding of the catechism, not his memory. 137. Can a brother not satisfied with the decision of the Master appeal the decision to the Lodge? In accordance with Par. 229 of the Constitution (rev. 1962) he can not-, but he can present to the Grand Master his opposition to any decision of the Master of the Lodge. 138. Can the previous question be moved in Masonic meetings? The Rule of Order governing procedure in the communications of the Grand Lodge of the Philippines, the motion can be moved under Rule XVIII, and disposed of under Rules XIX, XX, and XXI. These rules are for the government of the Grand Lodge alone and not for Subordinate Lodges (Rule XXIII, page 118 of the Constitution, rev. 19C2). The motion can not be moved in the meeting of a Subordinate Lodge. Mackey, quoted on page 205 of A New Standard Monitor (Kentucky) by Henry Pirtle, says: “Although there is no positive law on the subject, • yet the spirit of comity and courtesy which pre vails in the Institution, the authority of the best Masonic jurists, and the general usage of the Fraternity, have concurred in the decisions that the pre vious question can not be moved in a Masonic Lodge.’ He adds, "I have never, in my own experience, known the motion for the ‘previous question’ to be made in any Masonic body, and I supposed that the incompetency of such a motion has never been doubted.” 139. Can charges be preferred against the Master of a Lodge? Yes, according to par. 287 of the Constitution (rev. 1962), which says: “charges may be preferred against the Master of a Lodge for abuse of his power, violation of the Constitution or Regulations, un-Masonic conduct of any kind, by any five (5) Master Masons in good standing; which charges shall be in writing over their signatures, and shall be presented to the Grand Lodge, if in session, otherwise to the Grand Master.” 140. In the lecture of the Third Degree this statement occurs: “That pro mise was verified in the person and character of Solomon, his son, who ascended the throne, and, after David vias gathered to his fathers, wielded the sceptre of Israel. ..." How Solomon succeeded to the throne of David is recounted in 1 Kings (1:26-53). This occurred before the death of David (1 Kings 2:46). This Turn to pogo 21 18 MORE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS... <From P*e* ,8) fact illustrates the practice in Israel, Babylon, and Persia with regard to state chronology, which was to reckon events according to the rulerships of the kings, and which was carried into the Bible. The rule for counting the years of the rule of a king, his regnal years, began in the spring (1st of Nisan, or Abiv, the first month of the Hebrew sacred year). The months in tervening between a king’s succession to the throne and the following spring is known as his accession year. Solomon’s official regnal term did not com mence until the first of Nisan following David’s death, although he had already been annointed and set on the throne while David was still alive. 141. When was the building of the Temple of Solomon commenced, and completed? Because different authorities give different dates, according to the method employed in caculating backwards from some date recorded in secular history of an event recorded in the Bible, we will take what Mackey (,4>i En cyclopedia of Freemasonry, 1919, vol. 2, p. 757) says: “Accordingly the monarch (Solomon) laid the foundation of the edifice in the fourth year of his reign, 1012 B.C., and with the assistance of his friend and ally, Hiram, King of Tyre, completed it in about seven years and a half, dedicating it to the service of the Most High in 1004 B.C. This was the year 3000, according to the Hebrew chronology; and although there has been much difference among chronologists in relation to the precise date, this is the one that has been generally accepted, and it is therfore adopted by Masons in their calculations of different epochs.” 142. The eighth of the twenty five Landmarks listed by Mackey (Constitution, rev. 1962, p. 153) says that it is the "prerogative of the Grand Master to make Masons at sight." Has this prerogative ever been exercised by a Grand Master of Masons of the Philippines? Yes. M.W. Samuel R. Hawthorne, Grand Master (1935-1936) made General Douglas MacArthur a Mason at sight at the Masonic Temple on the Escolta, now the Philippine National Bank building. A EDITORIAL... (From pi3o 2) days for the dearth of Masons in the government service. Some would even remark that were there more Masons- in the government service today, we might have a better government. It may be true; it may not be so trub. We think otherwise. An outsider, when informed that there is a Lodge composed mostly of men in the Bureau of Internal Revenue, gave a knowing smile. He was made to know that we are proud of that Lodge because its members, because of Masonry, have kept themselves in the straight and narrow path and not one of them has been linked to any anomaly or even put under a cloud of suspicion. In this issue, we begin a series of thumb-nail sketches of men and women in the public service, whether Masons or not, who render efficient and exemplary service to the government and people. Executive Secretary Rafael M. Salas is the first in the series. Though not a Mason, we selected him on his own achievement*. Mr. Salas is the oldest of the three children of our late WB Dr. Ernesto Salas of Kanlaon Lodge No. 64. A June, 1966 21

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