Old Tiler Talks

The Old Tilers talks first published in 1925, by Carl Claudy, is a series of short anecdotal stories told in the setting of a new member asking an old tiler for his opinion on various masonic topics. These short articles are still very relevant, 100 years on, and hopefully provide some insight to new members today. 

“I don’t believe in a Christmas celebration by the lodge.

I don’t think we ought to have one, or be asked to contribute to one or in any way engage in Christmas festivities.”

The Junior Mason spoke emphatically and with marked disapproval of the little ante-room group nearby, making happy plans for Yule-tide.

“That’s very interesting,” commented the Old Past Master. “I like to hear points of view unfamiliar to me. Would you mind telling me why?”

“Of course not. It’s very simple. Masonry is not Christian.

King Solomon, of course, wasn’t a Christian, nor were either of the Hiram’s. Masonry admits to her ranks any good man of faith; Christian, Jewish, Mohammedan, Buddhist… it makes no difference, so he has a Faith.

Then, as a lodge, we celebrate a holiday belonging to one faith.

Now I personally am a Christian, and of course I celebrate Christmas. But my brother across the way is a Jew, who does not recognize Christianity.

To ask him to spend his proportion of lodge funds in celebrating the birth of a Leader in Whom he does not believe would be exactly like asking me to celebrate, with my proportion of lodge money, the birth of Confucius.

Of course, I have only one vote and the majority rules, but when it comes to personal contributions to a Masonic Christmas celebration, my hands will never come out of my pockets.’

He shoved them deeper in as he spoke to emphasize his intention not to spend.

“Hm!” answered the Old Past Master. “So you think your Jewish brother across the way doesn’t recognize Christianity?

Don’t you mean he doesn’t recognize Christ as the Son of God?

Wait a minute… Oh, Brother Samuels.” The Old Past Master called across the ante- room. “Here a minute, will you?”

The Jewish brother rose and came forward.

“I just wanted to ask you if you are in favor or against the lodge Christmas celebration?” asked the Old Past Master.

“Me? I am in favor of it, of course, both for the lodge appropriation and the individual contribution.”

“Thank you,” nodded the Old Past Master. Then as the Jewish brother went back to his seat, he turned to the Junior Mason.

“You see, my son, our Jewish friend is not narrow. He does not believe in Christ as the Redeemer, but he recognizes that he lives in a country largely Christian, and belongs to a lodge largely Christian.

To him the Christmas celebration is not one of His birthday, but of the spirit of joyousness and love which we mean when we sing, at Christmas time ‘Peace on earth, good will towards men!’

If you argue that ‘peace’ is only a Christian word, he might even quote to you the words of One who said ‘I bring you not Peace, but a Sword.’

“Now let me explain something to you.

The Jew has just as much right to refuse to recognize Christ as the Son of God, as you have to refuse to consider Mohammed the Prophet the followers of Allah say he is.

But as an educated man, you must know that Mohammed was a good man, a devout leader, a wise teacher.

As an educated man, you admit that the religion founded by Buddha has much in it that is good, and you admit that Confucius was a wise and just leader.

Were you in the land where the birthdays of any of these were celebrated, would you refuse your part in the people’s joy in their Leader, simply because you followed another? I trust not.

Well, neither do our Jewish brethren or our Mohammedan brethren, desire to be left out of our celebration.

They may not believe in the Divinity of Him we, as Christians, follow, but if they are good men and good Masons… they are perfectly willing to admit that the religion we follow is as good for us as theirs is for them, and to join with us in celebrating the day which is to us the glad day of all the year.

“Believe me, Christmas doesn’t mean Christ’s birthday to many a man who calls himself Christian.

It is not because of joy the He was born that many a good man celebrates Christmas.

It is because his neighbor celebrates it, because it is a time of joy for little ones, because it is a day when he can express his thanks to his God that he is allowed to have a wife and family and children and friends and a lodge, because of that very ‘peace on earth’ spirit which is no more the property of the Gentile than the Jew, the Chinese or the Mohammedan.

“It is such a spirit that Masons join, all, in celebrating Christmas.

It is on the Masonic side of the tree we dance, not the Christian side.

When this lodge erects its Christmas tree in the basement and throws it open to the little ones of the poor of this town, you will find children of all kinds there; black, white, yellow, and brown, Jew and Gentile, Christian and Mohammedan.

And you will find a Jew at the door, and among the biggest subscriptions will be those from some Jewish brethren, and there is a Jew who rents cars for a living who will supply us a dozen free to take baskets to those who cannot come.

And when the Jewish Orphan Asylum has its fair, in the Spring, you will find many a Christian Mason attending to spend his money and help along the cause dear to his Jewish brethren, never remembering that they are of a different faith.

That, my son, is Masonry.”

“For Charity is neither Christian nor Jewish, nor Chinese nor Buddhistic.

And celebrations which create joy in little hearts and feed the hungry and make the poor think that Masons do not forget the lessons in lodge, are not Christian alone, though they be held at Christmas, and are not for Christians alone, though the celebration be in His honor.

Recall the ritual: ‘By the exercise of brotherly love we are taught to regard the whole human species as one family, the high and low, the rich and poor, who, as created by one Almighty Parent, and inhabitants of the same planet, are to aid, support and protect each other’.

“It is with this thought that we, as Masons, celebrate Christmas, to bring joy to our brethren and their little ones, and truly observe the brotherhood of man and the Fatherhood of God, whether we be Jew or Gentile, Mohammedan or Buddhist.”

The Old Past Master ceased and stood musing, his old eyes looking back along a long line of lodge Christmas trees about which eager little faces danced. Then he turned to the Junior Mason.

“Well,” he said smiling, “Do you understand?”

“I thank you for my Christmas present,” came the answer. “Please tell me to which brother I should make my Christmas contribution?”

Article by: Carl H. Claudy

Carl Harry Claudy (1879 – 1957) was an American author, magazine writer, and journalist for the New York Herald.

His association with Freemasonry began in 1908, when, at the age of 29, he was raised a master Mason in lodge Harmony No. 17 in Washington, DC. He served as its master in 1932 and eventually served as Grand Master of Masons in the District of Colombia in 1943.

His Masonic writing career began in earnest when he became associated with the Masonic service Association in 1923, serving as associate editor of its magazine, The master mason, until 1931.

Under his leadership the service Association was brought to a place of predominance through his authorship and distribution of the short talk bulletin which made his name familiar to virtually every lodge in the country.

Old Tiler talks (Paperback)

By: C. H Claudy (Author)

 

Recent Articles: by Carl Claudy

Old Tiler Talks - Eyes Lifted High

The Old Tiler Talks first published in 1925, by Carl Claudy, is a series of short anecdotal stories told in the setting of a new member asking an old tiler for his opinion on various masonic topics. These short articles are still very relevant, 100 years on, and hopefully provide some insight to new members today.
 

Old Tiler Talks - Masonic Libraries

The Old Tilers talks first published in 1925, by Carl Claudy, is a series of short anecdotal stories told in the setting of a new member asking an old tiler for his opinion on various masonic topics. These short articles are still very relevant, 100 years on, and hopefully provide some insight to new members today.
 

Old Tiler Talks - So Many Rascals

"Why are there so many rascals in the Fraternity, and why don't we turn them out?" a new member voiced to the old tiler for his opinion. These short articles are still very relevant, 100 years on, and hopefully provide some insight to new members today.
 

Old Tiler Talks - The Greatest Work

The Old Tiler asked, "what is the greatest work of Masonry?" The New Brother sat by the guardian of the door and pulled out his cigar case. - Another instalment of wisdom by Carl Claudy, The Greatest Work
 

Old Tiler Talks - Why Men Love Freemasonry

The 'Old Tiler Talks' first published in 1925, by Carl Claudy, is a series of short anecdotal stories told in the setting of a new member asking an old Tiler for his opinion on various Masonic topics. These short articles are still very relevant, 100 years on, and hopefully provide some insight to new members today.
 

Old Tiler Talks - Seeking a Little Light

The Old Tilers talks first published in 1925, by Carl Claudy, is a series of short anecdotal stories told in the setting of a new member asking an old tiler for his opinion on various masonic topics. These short articles are still very relevant, 100 years on, and hopefully provide some insight to new members today.
 

Old Tiler Talks - Failure

The new mason laments that practically speaking, Masonry is a failure, and it depresses me … Masonry cannot be a failure, because men fail as Masons. The Old Tilers talk by Carl Claudy
 

Old Tiler Talks - Country Lodge

A lesson in the importance of an open mindset to observe, not to judge, but to learn and accept that we can achieve the desired outcome employing a different process. by Carl Claudy
 

Old Tiler Talks - The Ideal Mason

"What's your ideal of Freemasonry?" asked the Younger Mason - A short anecdotal story told in the setting of a new member asking an old tiler for his opinion on various masonic topics by Carl Claudy
 

Old Tiler Talks - Learning the Work

A short anecdotal story told in the setting of a new member asking an old tiler for his opinion on various masonic topics by Carl Claudy
 

Old Tiler Talks - Promotion

Masonic first appointments and promotions might appear to be inequitable for one point a view, but some times, one point does not show the whole picture. A perfectly articulated story by Claudy, we should not compare one persons abilities with another.
 

Old Tiler Talks - Masonry's 'Failure'

Masonry fails because it doesn’t interest men sufficiently to make them practice what they preach. A perfectly articulated story by Claudy Masonry does not fail men. Men fail Masonry. Masonry has the teachings.
 

Old Tiler Talks - Judge Not!

A perfectly articulated story by Claudy reminds us of a lesson from the Second Degree Charge; in the decision of every trespass against our rules, judge with candour, admonish with friendship, and reprehend with mercy.
 

Old Tiler Talks - A Masonic Speech

A Masonic Speech - I can tell you the essence of appeal. It is drama. If you want your hearers to hang on your words, dramatize your subject
 

Old Tiler Talks - A Mason's Christmas

A Mason's Christmas - Do you believe in Christmas celebrations should be held by the lodge ? Should members be asked to contribute to one and engage in Christmas festivities ? What is the old tilers take on this ?
 

Old Tiler Talks - Advertising

Advertising - We would do more good in the world if we advertised ourselves more… Why ?
 

The All Seeing Eye

Uncover the mystery behind one of the oldest and most widespread symbols denoting God.
 

The Five Points of Fellowship

Do you want to discover the originals of the five points of fellowship ?
 

The Two Pillars

The mystery behind the two great pillars that stood at the porchway entrance of King Solomon Temple
 

Three Five Seven

Three numbers, what are their masonic significance? Pythagoras has something to say about them
 

Three Grand Pillars

What are the Three Grand Pillars ?, wisdom, strength, and beauty - then later we hear of the Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian columns
 

The 47th problem of Euclid

This emblem contains more real food for thought than any other in the lecture of the Sublime Degree.
 

The Hiramic Legend

The Hiramic Legend is the glory of Freemasonry; the search for that which was lost is the glory of life
 

The Five Senses

How are the Fellowcraft's five steps connected the five senses of human nature
 

The Principal Tenets

How to explain the principle tents of the craft to a newly made brother
 

The Lesser Lights

What are the lesser lights and where are they placed on our Lodges
 

The Winding Stairs

Like so much else in Freemasonry the Middle Chamber is wholly symbolic
 

Secrecy

In the true sense of the words Freemasonry is not a secret society but a society with secrets.
 

Three Great Lights

Three Great Lights – the Volume of the Sacred Law, the Square, and the Compasses
 

Lambskin Apron

Entered Apprentice Lambskin Apron; More ancient than the Golden Fleece or Roman Eagle, more honourable than the Star and Garter ...
 

Penalties

To the initiate, the penalty in his obligation comes with a shock of surprise and sometimes consternation.
 

Point Within A Circle

What is a point within a circle
 

masonic knowledge

to be a better citizen of the world

share the square with two brothers

click image to open email app on mobile device

Masonic Apparel

made to order

Share this article ....

Contents