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array_files[0]=new Array(0,1,"./about_the_author.html","2010-05-24","6K","About the Author - R.J. Hollins    ","",""," About the Author - R.J. Hollins Who is this fellow Ray Hollins? Ray Hollins has been a Freemason in the Masonic Province of Worcestershire for over fifty-six years. He has been Installed into the Chair of King Solomon four times. He has been a Grand Officer in the Craft for twenty five years. As a member of many different Orders in Freemasonry he is a Founder Member of six Lodges and various Higher Degrees. He was formerly both Senior Lecturer at The University of Central England and Principal Examiner in Management subjects for the Chartered Institute of Building. He is the author of several text books on Business Management and Planning and Organisation. In addition to A Daily Advancement in Masonic Knowledge he was a regular contributor to MQ Masonic Quarterly, the official magazine of The United Grand Lodge of England. He has now been appointed to write a new regular feature Back to Basics for the new style and format for The Square Magazine published quarterly by Lewis Masonic. W. Bro. Ray Hollins and Bro. Tony Ingram have collaborated to re-write William Prestons Second Lecture of the Fellowcraft Degree into modern prose. The original work found in the Green Book of lectures is in the form of a catechism; which is rarely delivered in our Lodges these days. This is a great pity, because the original does contain the most remarkable explanation of the mysteries of the Second Degree that, in its present form, is mistakenly considered by many to be nothing more than a stepping stone between the First and the Third Degrees. The new book will make the Second Degree a far more meaningful and enjoyable experience! Click here to go to The Three Craft Degrees page for details [Top of Page] Home | Short Talk Details | Selected Extracts | How to Order | Use of the Short Talks | What Others Say | The Three Craft Degrees | Other Publications | Links | About the Author | Contact | Site Map Copyright © 2003-2010 RJ Hollins All rights reserved     ");
array_files[1]=new Array(0,1,"./what_others_say.html","2010-05-24","6K","What Others Have Said About the Short Talk Booklets    ","",""," What Others Have Said About the Short Talk Booklets What people say about the First Series Volumes One - Five The set of five are an ideal addition to a Lodge library, as anyone can give the talks, and will make for a much more interesting meeting. With these booklets, Lodge meetings need never to be boring again. John Jackson - Editor - Masonic Quarterly (MQ) Magazine These booklets edited and produced by W. Bro. Ray Hollins - I could not have hoped for them to arrive at a more important time. They are most informative - yet easily read, completely portable, and also make good bedtime reading - I commend them to you Rt.W.Bro. B.M.Cooper JP, Past Provincial Grand Master (Worcestershire) Now heres a nice idea; booklets, each containing around ten short ten minute talks (or reads) pertaining to an aspect of Freemasonry. So next time you dont have any working to perform in lodge, someone can read out one or more of these chapters before the stampede to the bar. So theres something for everyone. I suggest you buy one as a sampler; Im sure you will then buy the rest Jack Chisholm - The Square I have begun to read your excellent booklets - I have to tell you that this publication of Short Talks is the answer to a Worshipful Masters prayer! R.W.Fountaine, P.Prov.SGW (Bucks) SLGR. The Province of Worcestershire has just successfully completed an ambitious scheme to address this question of education: five booklets have been produced containing fifty short talks on areas of Masonic concern. Each is presented clearly, simply and in a short enough form to be read to a Lodge in ten or fifteen minutes I would recommend all Freemasons to buy these booklets; and every Lodge to purchase a set of them. Michael Baigent MA, Editor - Freemasonry Today Fifty splendid Short Talks on the Craft - and great value for money - they will be reviewed in our December issue Leo Zanelli, Editor - The Square [Top of Page] Home | Short Talk Details | Selected Extracts | How to Order | Use of the Short Talks | What Others Say | The Three Cra      ");
array_files[2]=new Array(0,1,"./the_three_craft_degrees.html","2010-05-24","15K","The Three Craft Degrees - ebook Publications    ","",""," The Three Craft Degrees - ebook Publications Welcome! Here you will will find details of a series of e-books providing in-depth detail and comment on the Three Craft Degrees of Freemasonry The first two volumes are now available: The First Degree - The Tongue of Good Report The Second Degree - The Hidden Mysteries of Nature and Science The third volume in the series - Raised on the Five Points of Fellowship will be available soon The Tongue of Good Report An understanding of William Prestons First Degree Lecture Researched and Written by W.Bro. R.J. Hollins, PAGDC and Bro. A. Ingram SYNOPSIS The Origins and Progression of Freemasonry Veiled in Allegory the First Degree Ceremony The Meeting Place of Free and Accepted Masons Own Free Will and Accord and the Tongue of Good Report In Whom Do You You Put Your Trust? The Making of a Mason - In Due Form The Three Lesser Lights The Teachings of the North East Corner The Movable and Immovable Jewels The Four Cardinal Virtues FOREWORD to The Tongue of Good Report The Craft, when considered by thoughtful Masons, is a complex subject. All too often we read, learn and recite ritual without seeking to truly understand the meaning of the words and phrases we use. Too much time cannot be spent in studying the passages we are to recite to a Candidate and it is only when some understanding has been achieved that a presentation will reflect emotion and has real meaning. It is also true to say that it is never too early to seek to understand and learn ritual. For those of us who love our Freemasonry and are constantly striving for further knowledge and understanding every new publication is a bonus. No publication has all of the answers and every publication makes claims that can be challenged. This First Degree book adds to the fund of knowledge and Bros Ray Hollins and Tony Ingram provide a great wealth of material to prepare an Initiate for Passing to the Second Degree. This book will cause more thought and raise more questions, and in a progressive science that is to be we      ");
array_files[3]=new Array(0,1,"./selected_extracts.html","2010-05-24","14K","Selected Extracts from the Masonic Short Talks    ","",""," Selected Extracts from the Masonic Short Talks Selected Extracts from the First Series... Volumes One - Five Short Talk No. 37 - Mystic Tie Finally, only a Freemason can understand the more solemn expression of Brotherhood which may come to him as he visits the bedside of a dying Brother, who in his feeble, speechless condition responds to sympathetic ministrations with a certain pressure of the hand, as if they were about to say to each other It is about time to say farewell my Brother. That my dear and precious Brethren - is what The Mystic Tie is all about! Short Talk No. 7 - What I Have Learned From Freemasonry Over the years and through the many happy experiences that I have had in Freemasonry I find that a conviction has grown in my mind that the warm heart of Freemasonry, the source of its great power, is friendship and brotherly love. Here we have something that is unique, something that exists between men of goodwill. This is friendship without any mercenary motive - we use the strange phrase disinterested friendship- friendship that has no motive, other than friendship for its own sake. The shared experiences that unite men from all walks of life and every age. These things do indeed form a silver cord running from heart to heart that unites us into one sacred band or society of friends and brothers. To fill every human relation with the spirit of friendship! Is there anything better that the wisest and best of men can do? Short Talk No. 24 - Globes The Celestial and Terrestrial Globes atop of the Pillars as depicted on the Second Degree Tracing Board, frequently arouse the curiosity of new Fellowcrafts It is true that their existence is described in Tracing Board explanation. We are informed that the Pillars in the porch of King Solomons Temple are further adorned with two spherical balls on which were delineated maps of the celestial and terrestrial globes. What is quite extraordinary is of course the fact that in the time of King Solomon when his Temple was completed in about 960 BC - there was      ");
array_files[4]=new Array(0,1,"./other_publications_main.html","2010-05-24","4K","Other Masonic Publications    ","",""," Other Masonic Publications A Number of Interesting Masonic Articles May be Accessed from Here Planning a White Table Meeting Home | Short Talk Details | Selected Extracts | How to Order | Use of the Short Talks | What Others Say | The Three Craft Degrees | Other Publications | Links | About the Author | Contact | Site Map Copyright © 2003-2010 RJ Hollins All rights reserved     ");
array_files[5]=new Array(0,1,"./how_to_use_the_short_talks.html","2010-05-24","8K","How to Use the Short Talk Booklets    ","",""," How to Use the Short Talk Booklets A Daily Advancement in Masonic Knowledge HOW TO USE THE SHORT TALK BOOKLETS These Short Talk Booklets have been compiled and specifically produced for members of the Craft within the English Constitution. They are presented in a format of specially arranged short, entertaining and thought provoking talks, which can easily be read out aloud in twelve to fifteen minutes. Consent from the Author to use the material for this purpose is not required. They are intended to provide individuals, Lodges and Classes of Instruction with a valuable resource of information that can be used to create lectures of stimulating interest, which can be combined with a more formal Masonic Education Programme. Whilst no claim is made that they are exhaustive treatments of any Masonic subject, they do represent as accurate information as possible with scholarly and thought provoking insights into the symbolism, philosophy and ethics of the Craft. The sets of booklets were originally created to provide the Authors Craft Lodge with a small library, as a source of information, to assist Masters to create entertaining items of labour into the business of the Lodge, when no ceremonies were to be conducted. It has also been used to help the Lodge Mentors by providing them with educational material to guide and assist Brethren making progress through the Craft ceremonies. Many Lodges have now introduced a regular item of Labour into the programme of work to include a Masonic Short Talk at each meeting. Some Lodges have seized the opportunity to encourage younger Brethren who are not yet in office to deliver a Short Talk in open Lodge, thereby providing unique entertainment for the Lodge and giving confidence to the young Mason upon his maiden voyage to undertake work on the floor. Another application for using these booklets is to create a theme for the evening, when several Short Talks relevant to each other, provides an informative and entertaining programme of work, which can be delivered by any comb      ");
array_files[6]=new Array(0,1,"./contact_details.html","2010-05-24","4K","Contact Details - Send an Email    ","",""," Contact Details - Send an Email If you have any questions or require further information about any aspect of the Masonic Short Talks or other publications shown on this site or how to order them, please feel free to contact Ray Hollins by e-mail. Send an e-Mail to Ray Hollins Home | Short Talk Details | Selected Extracts | How to Order | Use of the Short Talks | What Others Say | The Three Craft Degrees | Other Publications | Links | About the Author | Contact | Site Map Copyright © 2003-2010 RJ Hollins All rights reserved     ");
array_files[7]=new Array(0,1,"./summer_offers.html","2010-05-24","5K","Summer Sale Offers    ","",""," Summer Sale Offers Summer Sales Offers from masonicshortalks.com We are pleased to offer a huge 36% reduction in the price of a random selection of 5 Volumes of the Short Talk Booklets You will receive a selection of 5 Volumes from the 8 that are currently available in booklet format This offer is only available while stocks last, and may be withdrawn at any time. Summer SALE Price: £16.00 Click here to purchase via PayPal: (this offer includes all Postage and Packing to the UK) NOTE: The usual price for 5 Volumes of the Short Talk Booklets is £25.00 Click here to review the Short Talk Titles for the FIRST Series or the SECOND Series Home | Short Talk Details | Selected Extracts | How to Order | Use of the Short Talks | What Others Say | The Three Craft Degrees | Other Publications | Links | About the Author | Contact | Site Map Copyright © 2003-2010 RJ Hollins All rights reserved     ");
array_files[8]=new Array(0,1,"./st_site_map.html","2010-05-24","4K","Site Map for Simple Navigation on www.masonicshortalks.com    ","",""," Site Map for Simple Navigation on www.masonicshortalks.com Welcome Brethren! This is the site map for www.masonicshortalks.com Home Page Short Talk Details First Series Second Series Foreword to the Second Series Selected Extracts from the First and Second Series How to Order the Short Talks Use of the Short Talks What Others Say... Summer Offers on a random selection of the Short Talk Booklets The Craft Degrees The First Degree of Freemasonry - The Tongue of Good Report and The Second Degree of Freemasonry - The Hidden Mysteries of Nature and Science Other Publications Planning a White Table Meeting Links to Other Masonic Web Sites About the Author Send an e-Mail to Ray Hollins [Top of Page] Home | Short Talk Details | Selected Extracts | How to Order | Use of the Short Talks | What Others Say | The Three Craft Degrees | Other Publications | Links | About the Author | Contact | Site Map Copyright © 2003-2010 RJ Hollins All rights reserved     ");
array_files[9]=new Array(0,1,"./other_publ_MQ_Mag_wht_tbl.html","2010-05-24","9K","Other Masonic Publications - White Table Meeting    ","",""," Other Masonic Publications - White Table Meeting Planning a White Table Meeting Published in MQ Magazine - January 2005 Issue Written by RJ Hollins The objective of a white table is to stimulate an interest in Freemasonry from wives, family and friends and to dispel fears and misconceptions that prevent suitable candidates from seeking membership of the Order. Planning arrangements are crucial, and a satisfactory outcome depends on the quality and quantity of initial research and planning. Responsibility for planning should not be left to one individual - it is a matter of teamwork. Past Masters and officers should be well experienced to contribute to creative ideas, carry out research, e.g., history of the Lodge etc, and meetings should take place with the planning team to establish a sensible and practical format. An agenda might be: Open the Lodge Read the minutes of the last regular meeting Deal with any important items of business Close the Lodge Members remain in their places in regalia and the Director of Ceremonies invites ladies and invited guests - Masonic and non-Masonic may attend - to enter and are seated. It is most important to maintain a friendly and relaxed atmosphere - a Lodge room may be unusual and solemn to the guests. The Master gives a brief address of welcome and explains the purpose of the meeting. He also introduces his officers with a brief explanation about who they are and their duties. It is most important that the meeting is not advertised as a recruitment campaign. A very brief history of Freemasonry can be given, perhaps a short resume of the history of the Lodge, and an explanation of the layout of the Lodge room. This is an opportunity for a member to pass around the Lodge to describe the furniture, the Warrant etc., and a description of the Lodge Banner and its history may be of interest. Regalia worn by the principal officers and those depicting the Three Degrees, followed by those of Provincial Grand Lodge and Grand Rank is explained. As reference is made to each item o      ");
array_files[10]=new Array(0,1,"./ordering_info.html","2010-05-24","7K","Order Your Copies of the Masonic Short Talks    ","",""," Order Your Copies of the Masonic Short Talks A DAILY ADVANCEMENT IN MASONIC KNOWLEDGE A Compilation of ONE-HUNDRED SHORT TALKS on The Craft - Published in TEN VOLUMES Researched and Edited by R.J.Hollins, PAGDC The FIRST Series comprises Volumes ONE through FIVE The SECOND Series comprises Volumes SIX through TEN - and all are available NOW! The booklets are printed A5 size (145 mm X 210 mm approx.) - and are soft bound with a stiff card, glossy cover. Each booklet contains between 50 and 60 pages. These publications are only available within The English Constitution. The nominal price covers the cost of production and postage. Strictly no commercial gain is intended. Proceeds after the production costs will be donated to Masonic Charities. The Daily Advancement Series is Published and Distributed solely by the Stechford Lodge No. 3185 Benevolent Fund Published by the Stechford Lodge No. 3185 If you have any questions about the booklets please send an e-Mail to: sales@masonicshortalks.com The booklets are available at a cost of £5.00 each, which includes post and packing within the UK Click HERE for details of our great Summer Offer! You may place your order either by Cheque as detailed below - or via PayPal by clicking on the Add to Cart buttons displayed on the Short Talk Details (Series 1 - Series 2) pages Please address your orders (specifying which Volumes you require) to: The Stechford Lodge c/o C4C, 259 Stratford Road, Shirley, Solihull, West Midlands, UK. B90 3AL Payment by cheque only, drawn upon a British bank and made payable to: The Stechford Lodge No. 3185 ALL volumes may be purchased individually - buy one or buy them all. A FULL SET makes a Wonderful Present! Why dont you boost your Charity Box collection and RAFFLE a set of booklets at your Festive Board? Home | Short Talk Details | Selected Extracts | How to Order | Use of the Short Talks | What Others Say | The Three Craft Degrees | Other Publications | Links | About the Author | Contact | Site Map Copyright © 2003-2010 RJ Hollins All righ      ");
array_files[11]=new Array(0,1,"./foreword_second_series.html","2010-05-24","7K","Welcome to the Masonic Short Talks Website    ","",""," Welcome to the Masonic Short Talks Website A Daily Advancement in Masonic Knowledge Foreword to the Second Series by R.W. Bro. Richard George Hamilton Goddard, M.A. (Oxon) I am delighted to learn that Worshipful Brother Ray Hollins intends to double the number of short talks from fifty to one hundred, published in another five slim volumes over the next few months and on the same terms as before with all profits going to Masonic charities. And I am both delighted and honoured to be asked to write the Foreword to this second batch. The success of the first five volumes, published during 2003, has been nothing short of phenomenal with sales being made quite literally all over the Masonic world, and leading to an article in the most recent edition of our Grand Lodges official publication MQ. This fully supports the assertion of my predecessor, R.W. Bro. Barrie Cooper, which he made in the Foreword to the first set: that they came at a most opportune moment clearly for the Craft as a whole and not just for our own Province nor even our own Constitution. The appeal of these short talks lies particularly in their variety; there is something there for everyone. One may not agree with all the assertions made, but one cannot help but be provoked into further thought and, in some cases, research. And they can stimulate the more experienced Mason just as easily as they can inform the newer recruit. Additionally, their length and easy informality enables one or more to be slotted into a lodge programme that, for one reason or another, may be a little thin; this has already happened to good effect in Worcestershire. Brother Ray Hollins is to be congratulated on his further endeavours to provide us all with interesting material both to instruct and to debate. Freemasonry in the modern world will not flourish if we do not take steps to stimulate and retain the interest of our newer brethren, and these booklets are one of several means by which that aim can be achieved. Brother Ray produced the first five volumes to celebr      ");
array_files[12]=new Array(0,1,"./talk_details_vol_1_5.html","2010-05-24","14K","Titles of the Short Talks - FIRST Series    ","",""," Titles of the Short Talks - FIRST Series A DAILY ADVANCEMENT in MASONIC KNOWLEDGE FIRST SERIES Volumes One - Five These One Hundred Short Talks have been produced in the form of short, entertaining and informative Lectures to provide Lodges at Regular Meetings and Lodges of Instruction with a valuable resource of information to be used as a manual of educational material. The subject matter is very wide ranging and provides an authoritive set of Talks on Craft Freemasonry. The following is a listing of the Contents of each of the Short Talk Volumes [Volume 1] [Volume 2] [Volume 3] [Volume 4] [Volume 5] A DAILY ADVANCEMENT IN MASONIC KNOWLEDGE (First Series) VOLUME ONE Short Talk No. 1 Whence Came We? Short Talk No. 2The Regius Manuscript Short Talk No. 3The First Grand Lodge - Anthony Sayer - The First Grand Master Short Talk No. 4The Ancients and Moderns Short Talk No. 5 Veiled In Allegory and Illustrated By Symbols Short Talk No. 6A Progressive Science Short Talk No. 7 What I Have Learned From Freemasonry? Short Talk No. 8 Numerology of Freemasonry Short Talk No. 9 A Sprig of Acacia Short Talk No. 10 Seven Cardinal Virtues VOLUME TWO Short Talk No. 11 A Point Within A Circle Short Talk No. 12 The Masonic After Dinner Speaker Short Talk No. 13 Bro. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Short Talk No. 14 The Rough and Smooth Ashlars Short Talk No. 15 The Legend of Hiram Abiff Short Talk No. 16 Who Were Isis And Osiris? Short Talk No. 17 The 47th Problem of Euclid Short Talk No. 18 One Hundred Lost Words Short Talk No. 19 Daylight Lodges Short Talk No. 20 The Sound of The Gavel VOLUME THREE Short Talk No. 21 Hoodwink Short Talk No. 22 Sanctum Sanctorum Short Talk No. 23 Bro. William Preston Short Talk No. 24 Globes Short Talk No. 25 Geography of The Ritual Short Talk No. 26 A Touch of The Hand Short Talk No. 27 The Masonic Fire Short Talk No. 28 Learning and Delivery of The Ritual Short Talk No. 29 Cord, Rope, and Cable Tow Short Talk No. 30 The Moon In Masonic History VOLUME FOUR Short Talk No. 31 Tylers - Operative and       ");
array_files[13]=new Array(0,1,"./talk_details_vol_6_10.html","2010-05-24","17K","Titles of the Short Talks - SECOND Series    ","",""," Titles of the Short Talks - SECOND Series A DAILY ADVANCEMENT in MASONIC KNOWLEDGE SECOND SERIES Volumes Six - Ten The following is a listing of the Contents of each of the Short Talk Volumes [Volume 6] [Volume 7] [Volume 8] [Volume 9] [Volume 10] A DAILY ADVANCEMENT IN MASONIC KNOWLEDGE (Second Series) VOLUME SIX Short Talk No. 51 The Apron Short Talk No. 52 A Masonic Mentoring Programme Short Talk No. 53 The Holy Saints John Short Talk No. 54 Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Short Talk No. 55 Shekinah Short Talk No. 56 The Rite of Destitution Short Talk No. 57 The Letter G Short Talk No. 58 King Solomons Quarries Short Talk No. 59 Mosaic Pavement and Blazing Star Short Talk No. 60 So Mote It Be VOLUME SEVEN Short Talk No. 61 Five Points Short Talk No. 62 Tyre, The City of the Rock Short Talk No. 63 Masonic Etiquette Short Talk No. 64 Robert Burns Short Talk No. 65 The Perfect Cubit Short Talk No. 66 The Stupid Atheist Short Talk No. 67 The Significance of the Hand Short Talk No. 68 Horizontals Short Talk No. 69 A Living Perpendicular Short Talk No. 70 Corn, Wine and Oil End of Vol Seven PayPal -- NOTE: Currently out of print. Contact the Author regarding availability VOLUME EIGHT Short Talk No. 71 Free and Accepted Short Talk No. 72 Sublime Short Talk No. 73 Ancient Symbolic Penalties Short Talk No. 74 Sir Alexander Fleming Short Talk No. 75 Why Freemasonry Has Enemies Short Talk No. 76 The Table Lodge Short Talk No. 77 Masonry by Example Short Talk No. 78 To Have and To Hold Short Talk No. 79 Apprentice Short Talk No. 80 Put a Log on the Fire End of Vol Eight PayPal -- NOTE: Currently out of print. Contact the Author regarding availability VOLUME NINE Short Talk No. 81 Freemasonry and the Comacine Masters Short Talk No. 82 The Compasses Short Talk No. 83 Elias Ashmole Short Talk No. 84 The Ancient Landmarks of the Order - Part One Short Talk No. 85 The Ancient Landmarks of the Order - Part Two Short Talk No. 86 Rights and Privileges of the Master Mason Short Talk No. 87 The Twenty-Four Inch Gauge Short Talk No. 88      ");
array_files[14]=new Array(0,1,"./links.html","2010-05-24","9K","Links to Other Masonic Websites    ","",""," Links to Other Masonic Websites Links to Other Interesting Web Sites Provincial Grand Lodge of Worcestershire Provincial Grand Lodge of Warwickshire The United Grand Lodge of England Freemasonry Today The Square www.masonicshortalks.com is a member of the British Isles Masonic WebRing target=_blank WebRing Inc. British Isles Masonic Webring << Prev | Ring Hub | Join | Rate| Next >> The Masonic Network Home | Short Talk Details | Selected Extracts | How to Order | Use of the Short Talks | What Others Say | The Three Craft Degrees | Other Publications | Links | About the Author | Contact | Site Map Copyright © 2003-2010 RJ Hollins All rights reserved     ");
array_files[15]=new Array(0,1,"./index.html","2010-05-24","5K","Welcome to the Masonic Short Talks Website    ","",""," Welcome to the Masonic Short Talks Website Welcome Brethren! On this web site you will find details of a Compilation of 100 Short Talks on the Craft Published in Ten Volumes Entitled: A Daily Advancement in Masonic Knowledge Researched and Edited by R.J. Hollins Past Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies of the United Grand Lodge of England These One-Hundred Short Talks have been specifically produced for members of the Craft within the English Constitution in the form of specially arranged short and entertaining Lectures to provide Lodges at Regular Meetings and at Lodges of Instruction with a valuable resource of information that is intended to be used as a manual of Masonic Educational material. The Three Craft Degrees The first two volumes of an exciting series of new e-books are now available. See The Craft Degrees page for full details of: The First Degree of Freemasonry - The Tongue of Good Report and The Second Degree of Freemasonry - The Hidden Mysteries of Science and Nature For further information explore this site or send an e-Mail to Ray Hollins We are a member of the British Isles Masonic WebRing Click here to go to the Links Page Home | Short Talk Details | Selected Extracts | How to Order | Use of the Short Talks | What Others Say | The Three Craft Degrees | Other Publications | Links | About the Author | Contact | Site Map Copyright © 2003-2010 RJ Hollins All rights reserved     ");
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