Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Great Freemasons: Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (August 28, 1749 – March 22, 1832)

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749 - 1832)

"A Mason’s ways are
A type of existence,
And his persistence
Is as the days are
Of men of the world.
The future hides in it
Good hap or sorrow,
We pass through it-
Naught there abides in it
Daunting us- onward.
And silent, before us,
Veiled the dark portal,
Goal of all mortal;
Stars silent rest over us,
Graves under us silent.
But heard are the voices-
Voices of the sages
Of the world and the ages-
Choose well, your choice is
Brief, but yet endless.
Here eyes do regard you
In eternity’s stillness,
Here is all fullness,
Ye brave, to reward you,
Work and despair not."


Johann Wolfgang von Goethe was a German writer, pictorial artist, biologist, theoretical physicist, and polymath. He is considered the supreme genius of modern German literature. His works span the fields of poetry, drama, prose, philosophy, and science. His "Faust" has been called the greatest long poem of modern European literature. His other well-known literary works include his numerous poems, the "Bildungsroman Wilhelm Meister's Apprenticeship," and the epistolary novel "The Sorrows of Young Werther." ~wikipedia

(Lodge Amelie, Weimar)

Great Freemasons: William Potter Ross (August 28, 1820 – July 20, 1891)

William Potter Ross (August 28, 1820 – July 20, 1891), also known as Will Ross, was the Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation. Born to a Scottish father and a mixed-blood Cherokee mother (the sister of future chief John Ross), he was raised in a bilingual home. He also attended English-speaking schools. He attended Princeton University, where he graduated first in his class in 1844.

Will served in several different roles in the Cherokee Nation. By then, his uncle had been elected as principal chief. Will became clerk of the Cherokee Senate in 1843. He became the founder and editor of the Cherokee Advocate Later, he was appointed director of the Cherkee Male and Female seminaries, then served as Treasurer of the Cherokee Nation.

He was chosen by the National Council on October 19, 1866 and served for several months until the election in 1867. He was later elected to succeed Lewis Downing, and served from 1872 to 1875. After his term ended, Will Ross retired to Fort Gibson, where he became a merchant and practiced law. He died there on July 20, 1891.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_P._Ross



( Federal Lodge 1, Washington, DC)

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Great Freemasons: Joseph-Michel Montgolfier (26 August 1740 – 26 June 1810)

Joseph-Michel Montgolfier (26 August 1740 – 26 June 1810) and Jacques-Étienne Montgolfier (6 January 1745 – 2 August 1799) were the inventors of the Montgolfière-style hot air balloon, globe aérostatique. The brothers succeeded in launching the first manned ascent, carrying Étienne into the sky. Later, in December 1783, in recognition of their achievement, their father Pierre was elevated to the nobility and the hereditary appellation of de Montgolfier by King Louis XVI of France.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montgolfier_brothers

(Initiated: 1806 Loge des Neuf Soeurs, Paris)

(His brother Jacques-Etienne had been initiated in 1784).

Sunday, August 25, 2013

Nerd?


Arthur Schopenhauer (February 22, 1788 – September 21, 1860)


Meistens belehrt uns erst der Verlust über den Wert der Dinge.
(Mostly it is loss which teaches us about the worth of things.)
Arthur Schopenhauer (February 22, 1788 – September 21, 1860)

(Art by Alex Ross)

Great Freemasons: Frederick Louis Maytag I (July 14, 1857 – March 26, 1937)


"In all business, there is a factor which cannot be compensated for in dollars and cents or computed by any measure. It has no relation or connection with the mercenary and is represented only by the spirit of love which the true craftsman holds for his job and the things he is trying to accomplish."
Frederick Louis Maytag I (July 14, 1857 – March 26, 1937)



Frederick Louis Maytag I also known as F. L. Maytag, founded the Maytag Company.
http://www.nndb.com/people/533/000165038/


(Newton Lodge 59, Newton, Iowa)