NEW HAMPSHIRE COLLEGE SOCIETAS ROSICRUCIANA IN CIVITATIBUS FOEDERATIS

NEW! CHIEF ADEPT'S LATEST MESSAGE.

The Northeast Corner

January 29, 2012

Avete Fratres,

It has been several meetings since my last written communication to you, and the gap was not without a certain degree of intent.  Our Society is predicated on the search for knowledge and development of wisdom.  Sometimes for me wisdom is recognizing that I have nothing substantial to contribute to the pool of knowledge, and choosing the wise path by not attempting to do so.

Did you ever really sit down and consider this thing called “Wisdom”?  True wisdom is really a unique concept, and one many people confuse or use interchangeably with knowledge, which is understandable when one considers that there are the same substantially similar elements in both.  Knowledge can be obtained with a diligent amount of study and practical application.  Knowledge is learned behavior assisted by intuitive thinking and experience.  If I do this, then this, I know from past experience that this will happen.  Knowledge can then be taught to others in a perpetuation of learning and practical application.

Wisdom also has an element of learning in its make up.  It is usually, but not always, an accumulated learning gained more from experience than practical application.  Practical application implies a trial and error process of learning through determining what works or doesn’t work, but sometimes a single event is sufficient for both learning and wisdom to occur.  For me, one negative experience with high voltage was enough for both knowledge and wisdom to develop (a somewhat Pavlovian response, but effective).  The sparks and flying screwdriver gave me the knowledge of where a significant ground could occur.  The ozone smell and dent in the steel wall behind me gave me the wisdom to understand that I had been lucky.  There was a visceral reaction to this event that I still remember.  Knowledge is attained as a function of the mind; wisdom is developed as a function of the mind and body together.  Where knowledge can be taught, wisdom can only be shared.

Frater Ted Rohr never imparted any real knowledge to me over the many years we knew each other.  I did not become more proficient in any task or more knowledgeable about Masonry or any other topic because of our associations.  What Frater Ted shared with me was his wisdom and counsel.  He taught me gently and indirectly with the wisdom he had obtained through his own flying screwdriver events.  I do not know what shaped his wisdom; I only know that I respected it and him greatly.  I have stated on several occasions that, for me, each member of New Hampshire College has a special quality.  You now know Frater Ted’s.

On a personal note, I have known Ted since I was a young child and he lived in Exeter.  Masonry brought us together again when I joined Star in the East Lodge and Ted came to my Raising.  I learned many years later that it was partly out of respect for my family.  For over 60 years, my family’s business never had anyone outside the family working there – except Ted Rohr.  My grandfather hired him when my father and uncles were away and Ted was a teen looking for work. 

My grandfather was a very private and reserved man born in England with an immigrant English family upbringing.  He was very selective with his friends and acquaintances, and really only opened up at all with his family.  For my grandfather to hire Ted meant he saw something special in him.  Ted and I would frequently sit around after meetings and share remembrances of my grandfather, and there was always very evident respect in his voice when he talked about him.  He was my last living non-family connection to my grandfather. I will deeply and sorely miss him and those talks. 

Fratres, I very much look forward to seeing and being with each of you in Exeter on February 4.  For those who cannot be with us because of other commitments, I understand and you will be missed.  Since no lunch will be provided, I suggest those who are coming earlier in the morning plan on something local.  I might suggest the Loaf and Ladle just up the block from the Temple and in easy walking distance.  May God continue to watch over you and yours during this New Year.

Yours in the Mxxxxx Cxxxxx,

Richard F. Cole, IX°, Chief Adept

New Hampshire College, SRICF

absque bonitate ego nihili habeo

THE NORTHEAST CORNER

March 31, 2011

Avete Fratres,

The end of another Rosicrucian year is rapidly approaching, and from my seat in the northeast corner as Chief Adept of our College I cannot be happier.  Over the past year, we have successfully performed a significant number of the degrees of our Society, and have increased our membership with a number of dedicated and deserving Masons.  We again demonstrated the ability of our College to the High Council, and our degree team members received the recognition and accolades they so richly deserve.  As a result of the latter, the College has been asked to consider degree exchanges with other Rosicrucian Colleges in the area.  This concept of College interactions has been an eventual goal of mine since the beginning, and I am pleased to see the potential starting to develop into a reality.

Our next meeting being our Annual, I am now in the process of considering what our Officer make-up should look like for the up-coming year, and I need your help.  Anyone at Grade IV or above is eligible to hold office, and we now have more people eligible than offices to be filled.  I have full confidence in the ability of every Frater of this College to perform any function, but I also want to make sure I am meeting your needs.  As a reminder, offices in a Rosicrucian College are not progressive.  Someone could be Torch-bearer one year, Celebrant the next and Herald the third.  Election to office is determined by the interest of any individual Frater and the vote of the College.  The offices of Celebrant, Exponent and four Ancients are elected and all others are appointed by the Chief Adept.  During the last High Council Session, a change was made and the office Secretary/Treasurer is now appointed by the Supreme Magus, as is the Chief Adept.  If you are in office and wish to continue in some position, please let me know.  If you are not in office and wish to be, please let me know that.  I will make no promises, but I will try to the best of my ability to keep everyone as reasonably satisfied as possible.

Along the same lines, the more senior members by longevity have been carrying the bulk of the degree parts for several years now.  I would like to invite anyone and everyone to consider the ritual you have witnessed and consider playing a role in at least one of the degrees.  There is no degree level requirement for participation on a degree team like there is for holding office.  If you have received a degree, you can participate as a team member.   The Rosicrucian Society values and encourages the individual growth and enlightenment of its Fratres and direct involvement is a proven path to understanding.  I ask you to consider getting involved and notifying the Celebrant of your interest for First Order degrees, and me for Second Order.

I want to sincerely thank the Fratres of New Hampshire College who went to Alexandria in February – both for the interest and willingness to participate they demonstrated, and for the quality of the work performed.  I truly regret not being able to be present to provide support.  I also want to thank the College for the sympathies expressed to my wife and me on the loss of her sister.  It was a difficult time for us, and your thoughts and prayers were greatly appreciated.

THE NORTHEAST CORNER

October 4, 2010

Avete Fratres!  With the passing of the Fall equinox and the prospect of more physical darkness than light for a time in our daily lives, I pondered the idea that Masonry as a fraternity experiences episodes of expanding or contracting light and darkness similar to those represented by the equinoxes and solstices, albeit spiritual rather than physical.

A review of world membership in the Masonic fraternity, especially in the United States, shows many peaks and valleys, the peaks frequently centered on significant patriotic events.  The call to arms to protect freedom, either here or abroad, sparks a fervor for brotherhood that can easily be filled by the tenets of our great fraternity, and membership applications abound.  This infusion of Brothers creates periods of expanded light for Masonry from the individual talents and experiences each new Brother brings with him – his deposit in the archives of the Lodge.  We, as Masons and Rosicrucians, have the opportunity to provide light, more light and further light to nourish and refresh both ourselves and our Brothers.  These infusions are the Summer solstices of our fraternity - those periods when Masonic Light is at its brightest.

Conversely, just as each peak is eventually followed by a void, each Summer solstice is eventually followed by a Winter solstice, when darkness is predominant upon the face of the earth.  Such events as the Morgan Affair with its resultant Anti-Mason political party, the persecution of Masons in South America during the early to mid 19^th Century and the political sanctions against the fraternity in Nazi Germany and the Communist bloc countries have all been dark periods in Masonic history.  Masons abandoned the fraternity for self-preservation in the face of tremendous social and political pressure, or, as in the case of the persecutions in South America, to escape physical torture and death.

The winter of darkness must have appeared to be eternal for our Brothers snared in those distressing times.  But even under these dire circumstances, the Light of Masonry continued to shine, no matter how dimly, in the breasts of the faithful.  Like the cycles of Mother Earth, Masonry came out of the darkness of its Winter solstices and progressed on through its own equinoxes to again arrive at its own Summer solstice.

Fratres, as Rosicrucians a part of our duty is to ensure we do all in our power to understand the influences of nature and the past on the present and, while we cannot change the cycles of nature, maybe we can positively impact the cycles of Masonry.  Maybe we can be an influence that shortens the dark cycles and adds significantly to the Light.

Our Secretary and I had the opportunity on October 2 to visit with the Chief Adept, Officers and Fratres of Connecticut College in East Hartford, and were pleased to find the Chief Adept and another Frater from Rhode Island also in attendance.  We were very well received, and their praise and recognition of your work to date was almost embarrassing.  I sincerely appreciate the honors and courtesies received, and hope New Hampshire College can return the favor in the near future.

Fratres, I look forward very much to meeting with each of you in Exeter on October 30 and resuming our work in Rosicrucianism.  I especially look forward to another presentation of our wonderful ritual by our Officers, and know neither I nor the Aspirants will be disappointed.  We have invited our Fratres from Connecticut and Rhode island to be with us, but do not know yet if they will be able to fit it into their schedule.

Yours in the Mxxxxx Cxxxxx,

Richard F. Cole, Jr. IXº

Chief Adept, New Hampshire College

THE NORTHEAST CORNER - September 2009

Now that Labor Day is over, the Masonic season begins in earnest, with all Masonic bodies getting back into the routine of regular meetings, degree work and visitations.  New Hampshire College, SRICF, is no exception.  After one informal get-together during the summer months, we start our activities with a rehearsal for Zelator on September 26.  Hopefully, we will have two Aspirants to work at our regular Convocation in October.  I am looking forward to what I know will be an excellent introduction to Rosicrucianism for two deserving Masons.  In addition to the reception of our new Fratres, the work will fulfill another function.

Most of you are already aware that New Hampshire College has been presented with a singular honor at a very early stage of our existence.  We have been invited – and have agreed – to present the full Zelator Degree at the Annual Convocation of the High Council, SRICF, in Alexandria, VA during AMD Week in February, 2010.  I firmly believe this honor is a direct result of the impression each of you made on the Supreme Magus during his May visit to Consecrate our College.  During our rehearsal in September, I want to confirm who will or will not be able to attend in February and make sure we have every part covered.  I will have more information available at the rehearsal, but can tell you that normally SRICF meets on Thursday morning during AMD Week.  At the rehearsal we can also look at room-sharing and travel arrangements to reduce individual costs.

The presentation of Zelator in Alexandria will indeed be an unique opportunity and not without some degree of trepidation, at least on the part of your Chief Adept.  We will be presenting work to a large and knowledgeable audience which many of us have not seen done in full form if at all.  I am not the least concerned about the presentation of the ritual.  I know everyone is and will be ritualistically solid!  My concern is more for the visual and ensuring we have the appropriate properties and floor work required for the degree.  (We will have to bring our own.)  To this end, we have asked the Supreme Magus to cover the cost of a High Council member attending one of our meetings to examine and comment on our presentation and props.  Additionally, the Secretary and I will conference call with someone to try to clarify some inconsistencies between the ritual wording and the property list for the degree.  I may call on you to assist with addressing any discovered needs.

This is indeed the start of an exciting time!  The initial euphoria of coming into existence as a College now becomes replaced with the labor of love we have all embraced – the internal and external growth and sharing of true Masonic Light through our Rosicrucian experiences.  Let’s make sure that light burns brightly.

Richard F. Cole, Jr. IX°, Chief Adept

Absque sinceritate ego nihili habeam

Chief Adept's Message May 2009

The Northeast Corner
It above title somehow seemed appropriate for several reasons for my first message as Chief Adept of New Hampshire College.  During a business Convocation of the College, that is the Chief Adept’s proper location.  I suppose one interpretation could be that the Chief Adept is the first stone laid in the foundation of a new College, and the remainder of the foundation builds on him.  Should this be true, to be accorded such an honor is both humbling and a new personal growth cornerstone.  I hope I prove worthy of your and the Supreme Magus’ faith in my abilities.
Symbolically, on May 8, 2009 we laid a cornerstone in the Northeast Corner of a new foundation of New Hampshire Masonry.   Masonic Rosicrucianism brings to the State an organization dedicated to researching and gaining a better understanding of the philosophical, theological and natural influences on the development of early Masonry.  Our Masonic predecessors were the product of their environments, cultures and beliefs, and to not understand those influences on the development of our Fraternity is to not fully understand Masonry.
I am especially proud of those Fratres who recommended Aspirants and those Aspirants who accepted the invitation to become members of New Hampshire College, Societas Rosicruciana in Civitatibus Foederatis.  I gave the four active Fratres in New Hampshire two charges.  The first was to find those Masons who were dedicated to and active in the Craft to an extent that their contributions were noteworthy in some manner.  They had to convince me of that fact before an invitation was given.  The second was that membership in bodies outside of Craft Masonry was not to be a sole consideration for recommendation.  I did not and do not want this College to be perceived as a York or Scottish Rite body.  It is a Masonic body for those who seek, learn and teach.  I look at our members and see a strong foundation of Seekers, Learners and Teachers.
Following the Constituting ceremony, Most Worthy Frater Koon made the comment that SRICF is more of an autocracy than a democracy.  While my disagreements with M.W. Frater Koon have usually, but not always, revolved around the quality and palate of blends (Bill) v. single malts (me)(I’M KIDDING!!), I will not argue with him on this one.  The regulations of the Society grant me the right of final say in many areas.  However, my intent is not to do anything without significant input from all the Fratres of the College, and especially my Advisory Council, to the extent possible while still preserving the integrity of the Office.  This is our College, not mine, and I am very proud to be associated with each and every Frater individually and all of you as a whole.
May God keep and watch over you and yours until our next Convocation.
Yours in the Mxxxxx Cxxxxx,
Richard F. Cole, Jr., IX°, Chief Adept
New Hampshire College, SRICF
Absque sinceritate ego nihili habeam