QSA Members Forum

For Masonic Research

Masonic Essays And Papers

The Legacy and Collected Works

of

M.W. Bro. Raymond S.J. Daniels

Raymond Sydney James Daniels, the 74th Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Canada in the Province of Ontario, born in Orillia, Ontario September 2, 1937, passed to the "Grand Lodge Above" January 24, 2016, of age-related illness, was perhaps the most rigorous, intellectual, prolific, and visionary Masonic writer ever to serve the Ontario fraternity.   In the past few years, you have found published in this website some of his later works, the "Masonic Minutes", which have brought a fresh, clear, and engaging study and understanding of Freemasonry, particularly related to the Craft in Canada in general, and of Ontario in particular.   His works are well researched, easy to read and a source of pleasure both to the newly made Mason as to the seasoned Masonic researcher.   After his passing early this year, the Hamilton Masonic District C has collected all Daniels' works and has published them on the District's website.   Smartly, this anthology is introduced with Bro. Daniels' own words:

"These Masonic Minutes are intended to supply a short instructional note that may be used by the Worshipful Master to provide a Learning Opportunity at every meeting of the Lodge, thereby fulfilling his stated duty: "to employ and instruct the Brethren in Masonry".   Ideally, they could be used to initiate a discussion among the Brethren present.   The ideas expressed and the interpretations suggested are strictly personal, and are not sanctioned or authorized by the Grand Lodge or any of its Committees.

If you find them interesting or informative, please feel free to share them with your Brethren. As free-thinking or Speculative Masons, I cannot tell you how to think, nor can I tell you what to think, but hopefully I can give you something to think about."

RSJD

MASONIC MINUTES

According to Merit and Ability

A Christmas Carol

Am I My Brother's Keeper?

A Personal Note to a Potential Candidate from an Old Past Master

Basic Training — Masonic Knowledge

CIRCUMSPICE — Masonic Symbols Hidden in Plain View

Freemasonry is not an End in Itself, but a Means to an End

From Darkness to Light — The Hoodwink

Getting to the Heart of the Matter

Lest We forget

Meritocracy

On Minding our own Business

Our Fraternity has been formed and maintained in perfect Unanimity and Concord

Pillars and Columns

Some must of necessity Rule and Teach

The Birth of Our Grand Lodge

The Canadian Maple Leaf Flag

The Certificate of a Master Mason

The Craftsmen have done their Duty

The Examination of Visitors and the Introduction of Candidates

The Form of the Lodge

The Grand Design

The Lesson of the Third Degree

The Lodge

The Mosaic Pavement

The Most Worshipful Grand Lodge A.F. & A.M. of Canada in the Province of Ontario

The Rights and Responsibilities of the Ballot

The Second Degree

The Secrets and Mysteries of the Order

The Secret Handshake

The Symbolism of Stone

The Tracing Board in the Third Degree

The Value of History

To the Newly Made Mason

To the Queen and the Craft

Ubi Caritas et Amor, Deus ibi est (About Charity and Love)

Under The Wands

Veiled in Allegory and illustrated by Symbols

What are we trying to save?

What is a Lodge?

Words are highly prized among Masons — A Cautionary Note

MASONIC MOMENTS

An Apple for the Teacher

As MEN and as MASONS

At the Round Table

Change — Antiquity cannot privilege an Error, nor Novelty prejudice a Truth

Closing Remarks as Grand Master

Convivial Freemasonry

Countryside Rambles — In Search of Famous Canadian Freemasons

For every WHY there is a WHEREFORE!

Let's Talk Symbolism!

Masonry and Education are Synonymous Terms

Meet Your Friends at the Library

MOZART: Musical Genius — Devoted Freemason

Restoration & Reformation

Something to Think About — Is Freemasonry a Secret Society?

Something to think about — Once a Mason Always a Mason

Something to think about — Te Mosaic Pavement

Succession Planning

SYMBOLS — What do the symbols teach us?

THE GLOBES — Historical Anachronism — Significant Symbol

The Grand Masters Project - 2009-2011

The Loyal Toast — "To the Queen and the Craft"

The Moon to Rule the Night

THEN and NOW — Touch the Past - Embrace the Future

The Protractor — There is nothing "higher" than the Master Mason Degree

The Queen and the Flag — Symbols of Canada

These are not Books but MINDS Alive on the Shelves

The Season of Festivity

The Trowel

The Well-Dressed Mason

The Universal Brotherhood of Man

Welcome to the World of Freemasonry — To a Mason's Family

What Freemasonry means to me

Curriculum Vitae of Raymond S. J. Daniels

MASONIC RESEARCH

2000 - Fact-Fiction-Fantasy: It's our History

2001 - Blue - The Colour of Freemasonry

2002 - The Lyf so Short - The Craft so long to Lerne

2003 - Geometry or Masonry - Originally Synonymous Terms

2006 - Common Origins - Shared Traditions

2013 - The War of 1812-1815 — The War That Shaped Our Nation

MASONIC PRESS

September 7, 2009 - Freemasonry is Better than Fiction

October 20, 2009 - Unlocking the mystery of a not so secret society

October 25, 2009 - Masons enjoying renewed interest

April 17, 2010 - Freemasonry organization has long history in Kingston area

June 30, 2010 - Masonic Secrets - out for good

March 2, 2010 - LAMP FOR THE GRAND MASTER'S OFFICE