National Scout Jamboree

by Senior Midnight Freemason Contributor

WB Gregory J. Knott

This past week in West Virginia, the Boy Scouts of America held the 2017 National Scout Jamboree. I have attended this once every four-year event three times, in 1981 as a Scout, in 2010 as an adult leader and staff member, and in 2013 in visiting with my son Hayden.

This scouting event is unlike anything else the Boy Scouts put on.  45,000 scouts from around the United States and the world gather together to celebrate the world-wide brotherhood of Scouting.  Held at the Summit, which is the BSA’s new high adventure base, scouts can participate in an almost limitless number of activities such as fishing, zip lines, boating, swimming, learning a new skill such as movie making merit badge or engineering merit badge.

The scouts are organized into Troops of 36 scouts and four adult leaders.  Within the troop many of the scouts will have a leadership role such as Patrol Leader, Quarter Master, Chaplains Aide, etc.  These troops are made up of scouts from a large geographic area or Council.  The scouts will be with other scouts they may not know well, but will by the end of this two-week trip.

The troops must prepare their own meals, keep their campsite in an acceptable condition, and be active in the daily planning of the activities the troop will participate in.  The scouts are learning and applying leadership skills daily.  The transformation that you see in these young scouts in this short of time is nothing but remarkable.  

I often think of scouting in parallel with Freemasonry.  Both organizations share similar values, provide leadership opportunities, allow for individual skill development, encourage the growth of the individual character, and ultimately improve your ability to serve your god, your country, your neighbor and yourself.

There is a song that the scouts often sing at a campfire to end the day, the Scout Vesper sung to the tune of “O Tannenbaum”.  The first verse is as follows:

Softly falls the light of day, 

While our campfire fades away. 

Silently each Scout should ask 

Have I done my daily task? 

Have I kept my honor bright? 

Can I guiltless sleep tonight? 

Have I done and have I dared 

Everything to be prepared?

Whether it be scouting or freemasonry this simple but powerful message applies. Are you doing everything you can in your lodge to be prepared?

~GJK

WB Gregory J. Knott is the Past Master of St. Joseph Lodge No. 970 in St. Joseph (IL) and a plural member of Ogden Lodge No. 754 (IL), Homer Lodge No. 199 (IL) and Naval Lodge No. 4 in Washington, DC.  

Dedicated to Service

by Midnight Freemason Contributor

WB Greg Knott

One of the great things about Freemasonry are the brothers you meet along the way.  They come from all walks of life and Freemasonry is that common bond that has brought you together.  Many individuals have had a positive influence on my journey in masonry.   RWB Denver Phelps is one of these who stands out in particular.

Denver presided over all three degrees, as I was coming through Ogden Lodge No. 754 a few years ago.  I had never met him before I came into the lodge, but he immediately left a very strong and positive impression on me regarding his ability for ritual and kindness to a new brother.  He was what I thought masonry would be about.

But more than just this initial impression, what I have come to really respect about Denver is his dedicated service to others.  He is a Veteran, having served in the United States Navy during the Vietnam era.  Denver has been extremely involved with veterans’ affairs at the local, state and national levels as a member of Royal (IL) American Legion Post No. 996.

He is one of the best ritualists in our area and frequently travels to other lodges to provide a lecture, serve as a steward or preside as Master over a degree.  Whatever is needed, Denver can be counted on to show up.  He has been made an honorary member of most lodges in our area, because of this service.

Whenever I have needed Denver he has been there.  When I was about to become Worshipful Master of St. Joseph Lodge No. 970, Denver worked with me on the ritual so that I could get off to a strong start.  It was Denver who told me many years ago, when I was considering becoming a plural member of St. Joseph Lodge, that if I was going to become a plural member, to be more than just someone who paid dues and was on the roster.  

I took this advice seriously and along with others we literally kept St. Joseph Lodge from turning the lights out forever.  This lodge was later recognized with multiple Illinois Grand Masters awards of excellence and the coveted Mark Twain Award in 2011 from the Masonic Service Association.

As a scout leader, we frequently put together events that recognize and honor our local veterans.  Whenever I have needed a speaker or contact within the veterans’ community, Denver is the first person I call.   He has been the guest speaker at our community Memorial Day event and participated in our community 9/11 remembrance event on the tenth anniversary of the attacks on America.

There are countless other examples that I could provide of Denver’s dedicated service.  If you ever needed a reason to consider joining Freemasonry, there is no better reason or example than Denver Phelps.  I am grateful and thankful to call him a friend and brother.

~GJK

WB Gregory J. Knott is the Past Master of St. Joseph Lodge No. 970 in St. Joseph (IL) and a plural member of Ogden Lodge No. 754 (IL), Homer Lodge No. 199 (IL) and Naval Lodge No. 4 in Washington, DC. He’s a member of the Scottish Rite, the York Rite, Eastern Star and is the Charter Secretary of the Illini High Twelve Club No. 768 in Champaign-Urbana. He is also a member of ANSAR Shrine (IL) and the Eastern Illinois Council No. 356 Allied Masonic Degrees. Greg serves on the Board of Directors of The Masonic Society and is a member of the Scottish Rite Research Society and The Philathes Society. Greg is very involved in Boy Scouts—an Eagle Scout himself, he is a member of the National Association of Masonic Scouters

A Scout is…A Mason is?

By Midnight Freemason Contributor

WB Gregory J. Knott

As a Boy Scout, one of the first things I had to learn was the 12 points of the Scout Law.   I still say them often.  The Boy Scout Handbook¹ provides a brief description of what the 12 points mean to a Scout.  I wondered what they might read like if we applied them to Freemasonry.

A Scout is Trustworthy.

A Scout tells the truth. He is honest, and he keeps his promises. People can depend on him.

A Mason is a true and trusty brother, his bond is his word, and his brothers can count on him.

A Scout is Loyal.

A Scout is true to his family, friends, Scout leaders, school, and nation.

A Mason has a duty to God, his country, family, friends, neighbors and himself.

A Scout is Helpful.

A Scout cares about other people. He willingly volunteers to help others without expecting payment or reward.

A Mason practices faith, hope and charity.

A Scout is Friendly.

A Scout is a friend to all. He is a brother to other Scouts. He offers his friendship to people of all races and nations, and respects them even if their beliefs and customs are different from his own.

A Mason is always ready to extend his hand in friendship to a fellow Mason.

A Scout is Courteous.

A Scout is polite to everyone regardless of age or position. He knows that using good manners makes it easier for people to get along.

A Mason exemplifies a demeanor of respect towards his brothers.

A Scout is Kind.

A Scout knows there is strength in being gentle. He treats others as he wants to be treated. Without good reason, he does not harm or kill any living thing.

A Mason shows brotherly love to his brothers and may gently correct their errant ways. 

A Scout is Obedient.

A Scout follows the rules of his family, school, and troop. He obeys the laws of his community and country. If he thinks these rules and laws are unfair, he tries to have them changed in an orderly manner rather than disobeying them.

A Mason is loyal to his country, respects the rule of law and squares his actions by the square of virtue.

A Scout is Cheerful.

A Scout looks for the bright side of life. He cheerfully does tasks that come his way. He tries to make others happy.

A Mason greets a fellow brother with a smile, a firm handshake and a greeting.

A Scout is Thrifty.

A Scout works to pay his own way and to help others. He saves for the future. He protects and conserves natural resources. He carefully uses time and property.

A Mason thrives to preserve the ancient usages and customs of the fraternity.

A Scout is Brave.

A Scout can face danger although he is afraid. He has the courage to stand for what he thinks is right even if others laugh at him or threaten him.

A Mason understands that wisdom, strength and beauty are the pillars of a well governed lodge.

A Scout is Clean.

A Scout keeps his body and mind fit and clean. He chooses the company of those who live by high standards. He helps keep his home and community clean.

A Mason is pure in thought, words and deeds.  

A Scout is Reverent.

A Scout is reverent toward God. He is faithful in his religious duties. He respects the beliefs of others.

A Mason has a belief in God, living his life by that great book and seeks the blessing of deity.  

¹ Excerpted from page 47-54, Boy Scout Handbook, 11th Edition,
(#33105), copyright 1998 by BSA, ISBN 0-8395-3105-2

~GJK

WB Gregory J. Knott is the Past Master of St. Joseph Lodge No. 970 in St. Joseph (IL) and a plural member of Ogden Lodge No. 754 (IL), Homer Lodge No. 199 (IL) and Naval Lodge No. 4 in Washington, DC.  He’s a member of the Scottish Rite, the York Rite, Eastern Star and is the Charter Secretary of the Illini High Twelve Club No. 768 in Champaign-Urbana.  He is also a member of ANSAR Shrine (IL) and the Eastern Illinois Council No. 356 Allied Masonic Degrees.  Greg serves on the Board of Directors of The Masonic Society and is a member of the Scottish Rite Research Society and The Philathes Society.  Greg is very involved in Boy Scouts—an Eagle Scout himself, he is a member of the National Association of Masonic Scouters.