Benjamin Franklin Lodge #83, Madison, WI

Masonic Learning Center for Children and Scottish Rite Degrees are Subjects of Guest’s Night at Benjamin Franklin Lodge #83 by WM Paul Gordon

Two prominent Scottish Rite Masons from the Valley of Madison presented informative and inspirational programs at a Brothers and Guests evening of Benjamin Franklin Lodge #83 on January 24th in Madison. Brother Erv Carpenter presented a before dinner program about Learning Centers for Children and the school operated at the Madison Masonic Center by the Scottish Rite of the Valley of Madison. After dinner Brother Bob Canfield spoke about the Scottish Rite degrees and the other charities supported by Scottish Rite after first giving a brief history of Masonry and its spread to North America in Colonial days. Several guests, two with petitions pending, joined the Lodge Brothers in learning about these very worthwhile efforts.

Among the topics covered in Brother Carpenter’s slide show presentation were the nature of dyslexia and learning disabilities that hinder learning to read, write, and do mathematics. His talk was punctuated with demographics and trends in learning. The connection between illiteracy and incarceration was not lost. He then explained the teaching techniques that are successfully used at the Learning Center to not only help children learn to read, but in the most real sense positively change the lives of the children and their families. He then explained how the Learning Center for Children is organized, how it operates, and what the expense structure is. All services for the children are at no cost to the child or family. Efforts at developing collaborative relationships with the area school systems are part of the measures to help the children. Currently 31 students from south central Wisconsin attend the school two evenings per week as part of the usual two year program. As more volunteers are certified, more children on the waiting list can be helped.

Brother Canfield’s talk explained how the Northern and Southern Jurisdictions in Scottish Rite came to be organized. He gave some background on the development of the various Scottish Rite degrees and some of the influential Masons who help grow the organization. He then explained some of the subject matter and topics covered in the various degrees. Special mention was made of the Benjamin Franklin Degree, and the opportunity to for the Lodge Brothers who are also Scottish Rite Masons to participate in that. The presentation included photographs of some Brothers prepared for degree work. Schizophrenia research and treatment, the Learning Centers for Children, and other charitable work of Scottish Rite was noted. The Scottish Rite Museum in Lexington, Massachusetts was also highlighted.

After the presentations Brothers Carpenter and Canfield shared their Masonic insights in the popular “You Ask, We Answer” part of every Brothers and Guest’s Night at Benjamin Franklin Lodge. This is an opportunity for Guests to inquire about various aspects of Freemasonry, and the Brothers also learn from the responses offered.