Scottish Rite

[badbrad]

Last night I was in the 16th degree as Zerrububel. I guess I did a pretty good job because they asked me to take the part of Ben Franklin for the 25th degree in April. They've never done this degree in my valley and this is the top part, it's called the Ben Franklin degree. I guess I have to brush up on my old man persona as he's 82 years old in

Comments

[autumnalmonk]

Again, congratulations! And yes please, pictures will be very welcomed!

This may sounds a bit strange, but masonry is obviously a big part of your life and I'm very curious about it. Would you mind me asking what you get out it, or what it is that makes it valuable in your life?

[badbrad]

I feel the principles masonry are based on can help make this a better world if only more people would live by them. Masons are supposed to respect, trust and help their fellow brothers and for the most part they do. I also feel masonry is in a transitional time, the largest part of the membership, the ones who joined post WWII are dying out. Now more then ever they need the younger generation to join and take over the leadership as the Vietnam generation didn't join. I want to see masonry get back to it's esoteric roots. I think that's what most of the younger generation is interested in and if I can bring some small amount of light to only a few new brothers (or older brothers) than all my work will be worth it. Like when I did the 16th degree the other night I had a new brother who was really interested in the historical biblical stories tell me how great it was and I had a long time brother who had seen the degree dozens of times tell me it was the best one he had ever seen. We were able to make a deep impression and

[thiamoon]

Congrats to you. I'm sure you'll enjoy the role.

Can you suggest a good tour for the mansions, in your area? A friend and I have a day off and we want to take a tour and then eat out somewhere marrvelous. Thanks!

[badbrad]

the three biggest mansions are The Breakers, Marble House and the Elms. You'll want to see the Breakers, it's the biggest and most famous, it's modeled after an Italian villa and was designed by Richard Morris Hunt and built by Cornelius Vanderbilt. The Marble House is the most opulent, it actually has a gold plated ballroom. It also was designed by Richard Morris Hunt and built by William K. Vanderbilt. It was modeled after a pavilion at Versailles. The Elms is modeled after a French palace and was built by a coal magnate. The Elms is interesting because it used the most advanced technology at that time. The whole house was wired for electricity and had it's own generator, it also has a nice formal sunken garden. However the house was sold and most of it's original furnishing were sold off so it's kinda bare compared to the others. For lunch you might try the Brick Alley Pub down on Thames St. It has a great selection and the food there always is good. Make sure to stop by the Marriott on the way out and take a look,

[thiamoon]

Thank you so much for all the details. I really appreciate it. Will let you know what we end up seeing. Thanks, again!