Many readers will probably be familiar with Bill Hosler – he is a much-respected and veteran American Freemason and a regular contributor to the Midnight Freemasons blog. His passion for his Craft is tangible and below we have a great review, and an exclusive chapter from his new book ‘Meditations of a Flawed Ashlar’.
Sharing his observations from his historied Masonic career, Confessions of a flawed Ashlar is Bill Hosler’s love letter to Freemasonry.
Bill blends fiction and non-fiction to tell poignant stories about the mystic tie of brotherhood.
While so many modern Masonic writings look externally for solutions to some of Freemasonry’s issues, Bill looks internally finding them readily available at the local Lodge level.
His friendly and humerous prose makes for an easy read. Both the novice and experienced Freemason will find wisdom in this book.
Masonic education is a tricky thing; you need to write deep enough content to be valuable, that will not alienate the reader who is new to Freemasonry, will not bore the experienced member, will not scare away the brother who is just looking to learn about famous historical Freemasons, and still reach the deepest esotericist.
Through his various writings across the internet, Brother Hosler has proven time and again that he has the ability to meet these obstacles, and he has focused that vision on a full length book.
The book itself is divided across 32 lectures, any of which can easily be adopted for use in a lodge setting.
Topics range from reflections on a lodge that has already failed (and the lessons which may be learned from it) to the roll of Freemasonry in modern society, and the things that our more seasoned members can teach our newer members.
Most of the entries are positive and hopeful, and make for great reads when you’re feeling discouraged in your Masonic journey.
The lectures include a curated selection of Brother Hosler’s many years of Masonic writings, but far from just being a “best of” rehashing, included are some lectures which (to the best of my knowledge) have not been published anywhere else.
If you have read Brother Hosler’s works on the various Masonic websites he writes for, you have an idea of the tone you can expect, although I believe you may be surprised at how personal some of the lectures can get.
Throughout the book, Brother Hosler highlights some of the greatest aspects of the Masonic spirit in a way that can’t fail to bring a smile to the face of the most hardened grumpy past master, in a down to earth manner which is reminiscent of talking to a friend in the dining hall after a lodge meeting.
When the book does tackle the more negative aspects of the fraternity, it does so in a loving way, and always presents multiple solutions to the reader which can be implemented for improvement.
In addition to being a reflection on the fraternity as a whole, it is also a good representation of Brother Hosler’s own Masonic journey; at various points in the lectures, he discusses his own challenges with burnout, working through the various chairs in multiple bodies, going from naive to disillusioned to hopeful, and even provides caution against following his footsteps.
The final lecture, “Plenty, Health, and Peace” is a sombre reflection on a lifetime of mistakes and regrets, before reaching a healthy physical and mental outlook through the teachings of Freemasonry.
Mixed in with these personal reflections and anecdotes are the occasional fictional accounts of happenings at a lodge which, while fictional in nature, are familiar enough to most seasoned Freemasons that they could have been true recordings between brothers in our own lodges.
Of special note is the short story “The Box,” which portrays a passing of the torch that all fathers wish for.
While there is value in reading the book straight through to get a feeling for the concepts presented, the true usefulness of the book is seen when each lecture is examined individually and contemplated thoroughly.
There is significant wisdom presented in most of the work presented, and a deep investigation will reveal the deeper layers hidden within.
The best use for this book is to present these lectures with your lodge’s education, and to discuss them after the meeting in an open format, to obtain more thorough insights into the nature of our gentle craft.
Through this method, you will find many new ideas and point of views from the brothers in attendance, which will hopefully drive your lodge forward in its mission of making men into Masons.
(As an aside, I purchased two copies of this book, once in Kindle format and once in Kobo format, so that I will always have a copy ready for my own lodge meetings.)
The book is available in paperback from Amazon, and in digital format on both the Kindle and Kobo bookstores.
I compared the Kindle and Kobo versions, and did not find any difference in formatting, so whichever is your preferred format you will receive the same quality product.
I do not have the paper book for review, but those who do have reported that it is well formatted also, and is 142 printed pages long. I read this in approximately 2.5 hours.
I highly advise purchasing at least one copy to have at your lodge for last minute education, along with a personal copy for your consideration.
I hope to see more books coming from Brother Hosler in the future (especially a compendium of his excellent series “The 50 Year Member”).
Reviewed by: Adam Thayer
Chapter 13. On yonder book
Elmer Herendeen was sitting in the passenger seat of his daughter’s car.
He hated being driven around instead of just jumping in his car and driving himself. He had been driving for more than eighty years and seen no reason why he shouldn’t continue.
Several near misses and a couple of fender benders convinced his kids that he should no longer drive. He hated relying on someone else to drive him to the places he needed to go but he was thankful he was still living in his own home and not in a nursing home.
As his daughter pulled into the lodge’s parking lot she told her dad, “Have a good time. Call me on my cell phone when you are ready to go home”.
She kissed Elmer on the cheek and gripped his hand. “See you in a little while” he said as he got out of the car and walked to the door of the temple.
As he opened the door, he saw a group of men sitting around the tables in the dining room. There were so many new faces!
Many of the men in the room he had known for decades but recently the lodge had been getting a lot of new members. Something had made the younger generation discover Masonry.
It did his heart good to see young men knocking on the lodge’s door. There were so many that the usual team of men teaching the memory work couldn’t handle them all, so the Master of the lodge asked Elmer to join the team and help these youngsters advance through the degrees.
Elmer was happy to help. For many years he had been on the memory work team until he felt it was time to step aside and let the younger men take up the work.
But since his wife died, he had been living alone in his house. It was a lonely life although his kids would visit him, and several members of the lodge would come to check on him and drive him to his doctors’ appointments.
As he walked in the door Elmer removed his overcoat and fedora and hung them in the coat closet. The Master of the lodge came and greeted him, “Hi Elmer, I have your candidate over here for you. Elmer,
I would like you to meet Zac Morrow. You are going to teach him the EA lecture”. Elmer took Zac’s hand and led him into the temple’s library.
Zac was the newest Entered Apprentice, just nineteen years old and eager to learn. He couldn’t wait to advance through the degrees.
The two sat down at a beautifully crafted hardwood table and the old man opened his briefcase and removed his cipher book. The book had seen better days, the once beautifully tooled leather had become cracked and worn; the Grand lodge seal embossed in gold on the front cover had lost its luster to the point the gold could barely been seen.
Pages were yellowed and some had torn, scotch tape had been used to hold the torn pages together. You could barely read the printing on the pages under the tape.
The book’s binding had given way and the pages were loosely contained within the two covers, the duct tape the old man had used to try and fix the binding had stopped working a long time ago.
“Wow!” Zac said, “That book is ancient! You should get a new one! I’m sure the lodge has others you could use”. The old man frowned “I’ll admit it has seen better days but there is still a lot of life left in it.” Zac laughed, “Are you kidding? The pages are just lying in there. It’s not a book it’s just a folder of old pages!”
“Son. Let me tell you a little story. When I was just a little older than you, I got this book when I was on leave from the army. I was raised as a Master Mason right after I got out of basic training, before I was shipped overseas.
The men in this lodge rushed to get me raised in the short time I had at home. As I was leaving to go back to the army, I placed this book in my back pocket and started to learn the symbols that make up the cipher as I rode the train back to camp.
I read it religiously on the troop ship that carried all of us to England. I found some waterproof material to wrap it in and carried it in the breast pocket of my uniform as I waded into the water of Omaha beach during the Normandy invasion.
I recited parts of the ritual to myself as I waded in those waters, trying to distract me from the bullets zipping by my head and watching men die as I advanced to the beach.
I think that is what kept me sane during that awful time. I felt like by reciting it to myself the Grand Architect of the Universe was watching over me.
This book comforted me whilst fighting all the way across Europe, until the day we heard Germany had surrendered. And with tears of joy, I read it on the troop ship all the way home.
When the Army recalled me to fight in Korea, the book went with me as we served the country once again. I even had it with me when I got to attend lodge in Japan when I was on leave!
Back home this book helped me learn the ritual when I was going through the chairs into the very East of this lodge, and it allowed me to help other men gain more light in Masonry, just like today as I teach you.
This book has been my friend, my companion, my inspiration for over seventy years. It has been in my back pocket through wars, weddings, the births of my children. Good times and bad.
Through all of my travels. And when I put down my working tools and pass to the celestial lodge above, I have instructed that this old book will be in the pocket of my suit as they lower me into my final resting place, so I can continue to learn at the feet of the Master of the Grand Lodge above.
“You see my Brother, this book and I have a lot in common. At one time we were both new and we have both traveled some.
Neither of us are in perfect condition. We both share a lot of wear from all the years of use, but we are still in pretty good shape for everything we have been through.
I feel like both of us are in pretty good shape considering the shape we are in.”
The young man lowered his head in shame. Zac had tears in his eyes, “I’m sorry Sir, I meant no disrespect. I can see why that little book means so much to you. It’s your life between two covers.” The old man smiled and placed his hand on the young man’s shoulder.
“You are right Son. Masonry has been my life and I learned a lot of it from that little book. And I charge you to do the same thing. The teachings of Masonry will carry you through life’s challenges if you apply them and don’t worry, I took no offense. That is why you are here to learn to subdue your passions.”
With that the old man opened the book and said, “let’s get your life in Masonry started.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Bill Hosler
Bill is the eldest of three children born to Bill and Margaret Hosler, raised in Huntertown, Indiana.
Since his earliest days Bill has had a vivid imagination and a flair for writing. In third grade Bill’s mother was called into school by his teacher convinced that he had plagiarized a fictional story that he was asked to write for an assignment. The teacher told his mother “It’s just too good to be written by a child!” It took quite a bit of convincing to get the teacher to believe that Bill had written the story himself.
Bill has had several separate and interesting careers through his adult life, including a decade driving a truck, which allowed him to visit all of the forty-eight continental United States and two provinces of Canada. Bill also worked as a Security, Emergency services officer at a General Motors plant.
For several years Bill also was the building manager for the Fort Wayne, Indiana Masonic Temple. Many of the inspirations for Bill’s fictional pieces come from his time as caretaker to the old Masonic edifice.
Today he resides in Bentonville, Arkansas, with his lady Tammi and their yellow Labrador named Happy.
W.Bro Bill Hosler was made a Master Mason in 2002, in Three Rivers Lodge No. 733 in Indiana. He served as Worshipful Master in 2007 and became a member of the internet committee for Indiana’s Grand Lodge. Bill is currently a member of Calvin Prather Lodge No. 717 in Indianapolis.
He also holds Masonic memberships outside his mother jurisdiction, amongst which is perpetual membership of Ardmore No. 31 in Ardmore, Oklahoma and a lifetime member of Lebanon Lodge No. 837 in Frisco, Texas.
Bill is also a member of the Valley of Guthrie Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite in Oklahoma and the Valley of Indianapolis, Indiana. He has also served as the High Priest Fort Wayne Chapter of the York Rite No. 19 and was commander of Fort Wayne Commandery No. 4 of the Knight Templar. During all this he also served as the webmaster and magazine editor for the Mizpah Shrine in Fort Wayne Indiana.
Bill is a founding member of the Masonic Society he also holds membership in the Dwight L. Smith Lodge of Research in Indiana, Oklahoma Lodge of Research, Texas Lodge of Research and The Missouri Lodge of Research, and the Texas Lodge of Research. His writings have been published in the Working Tools magazine and is currently a Regular Contributor for The Midnight Freemasons and Co-Host of the Meet, Act and Part podcast.
Check out Bill’s website: https://billhosler.com/
Follow him on:
Instagram @billhoslerpm
Twitter @BillHoslerpm
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 Book Review - A Glossary Of The Craft And Holy Royal Arch Ritual Terms This handy little book describes the origins and original meanings of the sometimes obscure words used in our ritual by Brigadier A.C.F. Jackson |
 Book Review - A Path to Providence: The Creation of the Middle Chamber Program Masonic Education has regrettably been reduced to teaching protocol, traditions, and catechism while ignoring the esoteric essence of the ritual. By Shaun Bradshaw (Author), Ben Wallace (Author), Flynn Ryan (Cover Art) |
 Book Review - Nobly Born: An Illustrated History of the Knights Templar The Templars were an unusual Order in that they lived both an active and contemplative life; making them effectively the first warrior-monks in the western world. by Stephen Dafoe |
 Book Review - A Deserving Brother: George Washington and Freemasonry Like several of America’s founding fathers, George Washington was a Freemason. In 'A Deserving Brother', Mark Tabbert presents a complete story of Washington’s known association with Freemasonry. |
 Book Review - Taken by Surprise Never again will a Freemason be caught out by a last-minute request to make a response. - Taken by Surprise by Yasha Beresiner |
 Book review - The Tracing Boards of the First Degree The Tracing Board is a picture that encloses the quintessence of the ritual of the Degree and transmits it through symbols and images. By Enrico Marcia |
 Book Review - The Other Brotherhood: When Freemasonry Crossed the English Channel An excellent book, being perfect for Freemasons and non-Freemasons alike who want to explore the origins of Freemasonry and to examine how it influenced French thought in the eighteenth century |
 The message of the book is essentially one of Freemasonry being unequivocally esoteric – spiritual – and that is something that many Masons may balk at but it is a topic that needs discussing rationally. |
 Book Review - Becoming a Craftsman -The Masonic Tutor's Handbooks: Volume 3 Becoming a Craftsman -The Masonic Tutor's Handbooks: Volume 3 - The relationship between a Fellowcraft and their Master is how the traditional wisdom of our Craft is passed on. |
 Book Review - Freemasonry in London from 1785 This book is a well-researched study by a competent masonic scholar who has welded links from the changing scenes that arose in an era in which the most important step forward in organised Freemasonry was taken… |
 Book Review - The Masonry of the «Moderns»: History and Rituality The Masonic ritual world dates back to the 18th century, both from England and from France, which is still our most valuable reference. |
 Book Review - Meditations of a Flawed Ashlar Many readers will probably be familiar with Bill Hosler – he is a much-respected and veteran American Freemason and a regular contributor to the Midnight Freemasons blog. |
 Book Review - Three Stages of Initiatic Spirituality - Angel Millar Angel Millar is a well-known lecturer on Freemasonry, initiation, and esotericism as well as an artist and student of the martial arts. The author of several books. |
 Book Review - The Rite of Seven Degrees This book examines the deeply esoteric eighteenth-century Rite of Seven Degrees. |
 Book Review - The Green Book of the Elus Coens The Green Book of the Élus Coëns is the most fascinating insight yet into the secrets and mysteries of the eighteenth century’s most esoteric of masonic societies – The Order of Knight-Mason Elect-Cohens of the Universe. |
 Book Review - Freemasonry for the Heart and Mind Freemasonry for the Heart and Mind: A glance at Freemasonry during the Enlightenment and the American and French revolutions. |
 Book Review - The Masonic Pageant The Masonic Pageant is published by Cornerstone Book Publishers and features a nice foreword by Chris Hodapp, 33°. |
 DVD Review - A Mighty Good Man A drama-documentary of the life of Elias Ashmole including a reconstruction of the first personally recorded Free Masonic Initiation into a Lodge anywhere in the world. |
 It is reasonable to suggest that when published, Invisibles was the most comprehensive, comparative study, to date, of the Rosicrucian mega-meme. |
 Book Review - Mnemonic Methods Within this book 'Mnemonic Methods by Robert Fludd', translator Paul Ferguson introduces us to the English translation of two of Fludd's short treatises on memory |
 Book Review - English Illuminati This book gives us a deep look into the European occult revival of the late nineteenth century and some of its key figures… |
 Book Review - Emulation: A Ritual to Remember How does one begin to review a masonic classic which has faithfully served generations? Perhaps starting with the title Emulation: A Ritual to Remember. |
 Book Review - The Rosslyn Hoax Robert Cooper asks, would you like to know the truth about Rosslyn Chapel ? |
 Book Review - Mastering Masonic Ritual Mastering Masonic Ritual is focused on preparing for a successful and fulfilling journey around the floor to the Chair. |
 Book Review - Companions of Christian Rosenkreutz A review of Companions of Christian Rosenkreutz - Collected Papers 2008-2016 |
 Book Review - Freemasonry: Material Moral and Mystical A review of Freemasonry: Material, Moral, and Mystical by Tony Baker |
 Book Review - The Masonic Tutor's Handbook 2 A review of The Masonic Tutor's Handbooks: Vol 2 - Freemasonry - After Covid 19 by Robert Lomas |
 Book Review - Three Distinct Knocks - John Meeks "Why don't these new guys come back?" This is the question I often hear; and it is this same question that pushed me to write this book. - John Meek |
 Book Review - Soldier and Mason Soldier and Mason: The Life of Charles Warren Napier-Clavering |
 Book Review - Bohemian Masonic Glass A completely unique narrative publication mapping the phenomenon of glass production for the needs of Masonic lodges |
 Book Review - This Chequered Existence Gerald Reilly reviews this new book covering the near-modern history of Freemasonry in England and Wales during the 20th-century. |
 Book Review - The EA, FC, MM Handbooks Essential reading for every Entered Apprentice, Fellowcraft, and Master Mason - these seminal books by J.S.M Ward are what every Mason needs! |
 Book Review - The Freemasons who won America's War for Independence Find out who were the Freemasons who won America's War for Independence |
 Book Review - Black Freemasonry: From Prince Hall to the Giants of Jazz A book review of Black Freemasonry: From Prince Hall to the Giants of Jazz by Cécile Révauger |
 Book Review - Crime and the Craft Crime and the Craft reveals that the Freemasons have been involved in treason, murder, conspiracy, fraud, and scandal from the time of the English Civil War to the 1980s. |
 Book Review - Focus on Ric Berman Focus on Ric Berman a British historian who writes about the intersection of freemasonry, politics and society. |
 Book Review - The Temple That Never Sleeps Freemasons and E-Masonry Toward a New Paradigm |
 Book Review - The Secret School of Wisdom The Authentic Rituals and Doctrines of the Illuminati is a pioneering text |
 Book Review - Charles Warren: Royal Engineer in the Age of Empire Sir Charles Warren, the Police Commissioner who failed to catch 'Jack the Ripper' |
 Book Review - Freemasonry and the Press in the Twentieth Century During the latter part of the twentieth century, the Press and Freemasonry had a tense relationship. |
 Book Review - Who was Hiram Abiff? Every Freemason must have at some point asked himself the above question. |
 The new MBC will have a different business model than the old. |
 Book Review - Jesse James and the Lost Templar Treasure Lost Templar Treasure: Secret Diaries, Coded Maps, and the Knights of the Golden Circle |
 Book Review - The Enigma of the Royal Arch Royal Arch What's it all about |
 Review of the new book The Craft by John Dickie, Professor of Italian Studies at University College London |
 Book Review - For Hills and Valleys For Hills and Valleys, Mobile Schools and Republicanism in the Zêzere Valley By Aires Henriques |
 DVD Review - 33 and Beyond: The Royal Art of Freemasonry 33 & Beyond: The Royal Art of Freemasonry, is perhaps the most fascinating and important documentary ever made on the on the subject matter of Freemasonry. |
 Book Review - History of Freemasonry in Bessarabia Book review by guest reviewer Gheorghe Bichicean on the History of Freemasonry in Bessarabia by Alexandru Rufanda |
 A new Board Game based on The Freemasons |
 Book Review - The Lost Keys of Freemasonry Introduction to The Lost Keys of Freemasonry by Manly P. Hall |
 A system of morality – Aristotle and the making of the ritual by Professor G.R. Boys-Stones |
 Book Review - History of the Grand Orient of Italy In depth book review in to the History of the Grand Orient of Italy by the author |
 Book Review – Freemasonry It's Hidden Meaning Youtube Book review by Baruti KMT-Sisouvong |
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