Masonic chat rooms buzz with questions, and others come in by telephone, fax, letter, and e-mail. Most of them are asking where to find information—about Masonic organizations, history, ritual, or symbolism. The materials which follow are described by question. Most of what I'm recommending to answer those questions comes from the Masonic Service Association of North America, simply because these materials are inexpensive, available, and good. In a very few instances, I'm recommending a book which is out of print. That fact is noted, and your best chance of getting a copy is looking for it on the Internet.

To order from MSANA, you can write to 8120 Fenton Street, Silver Spring, MD 20910–4785, or fax to (301) 608–3457, or e-mail them at msana@ix.netcom.com. Shipping and handling: orders up to $5.00, add $2.50; from $5.01 to $10.00, add $4.50; from $10.01 to $20.00, add $5.50; from $20.01 to $30.00, add $6.50; from $30.01 to $40.00, add $7.50.

I keep hearing different names and numbers of Masons who signed the Constitution of the U.S., the Declaration of Independence, etc. Where can I get a good answer? There are several sources, but a good one is Masonic Membership of the Founding Fathers (MSANA #238) $4.50. You might also want Masonic Membership of the Signers of the Constitution of the U.S. (MSANA #270) $3.00, and Masonic Membership of General Officers of the Continental Army, (MSANA #222) $2.50

I've heard of several Masonically related organizations like True Kindred and Amaranth. What are they? Coil's Masonic Encyclopedia has good information on these topics. For a quick and easy reference, order Allied Masonic Groups and Rites (MSANA #204) $2.50

How can I find out if a famous person was a Mason? This is a field which badly needs to be updated. Up through the 1960s, the best source is 10,000 Famous Freemasons. The books are long out of print, but you can sometimes locate used copies through the Internet. MSANA offers Famous American Freemasons (#219) for $2.50 and The Craft's Noyse: Composers Who Were Freemasons (#288) $4.00.

How can I find out what role Masonry has played in history? In this column, I've recommended Revolutionary Brotherhood, Working the Rough Stone, and Living the Enlightenment—all are excellent. MSANA offers Freemasonry and Democracy: Its Evolution in North America by Allen Roberts and Wallace McLeod ($6.00) which is also excellent.

The minister told my wife that Masons are satanic. Why do some churches keep beating us up? What can I say to him? I'd start with Is It True What They Say About Freemasonry, by Arturo de Hoyos, 33°, and S. Brent Morris, 33°, G.C. (MSANA #BK-510) $7.50. There are also three good brochures: "A Response to Critics of Freemasonry" (MSANA #BR-120) $0.05, "Get a Life: Thoughts on Freemasonry and Religion" (MSANA #BL-203) $0.60, and "There Is No Sin in Symbols" (MSANA # BL-201) $0.25.

I'd like to know more about the Masonic ritual—where it comes from, why we use the strange words we use, etc. Where can I get more information? First of all, one of my favorites from MSANA is Vistas of Masonry in Language, Symbolism, and History (#242) $3.00. Then there are Language Landmarks (#207) $2.50; Masonic Dictionary (pocket digest #135) $2.50; Encyclopedia of Masonic Symbols (pocket digest #170A) $2.50; and Masonic Vocabulary (pocket digest #198) $2.50. You can also order a videotape through MSANA "History of the Blue Lodge Ritual" by Robert G. Davis, 33°. The videotape is $20.00 + $5.00 shipping and handling.

Also the MSANA catalogue lists more than 70 Short Talk Bulletins under "Symbols & Symbolism" and many more which relate to ritual. Ask them for a free catalogue. Short Talk Bulletins cost $0.50 each.

Information is out there—one of the most exciting things in Masonry is the number of Brothers who are seeking it.

Jim Tresner is Director of the Masonic Leadership Institute and Editor of The Oklahoma Mason. A frequent contributor to the Scottish Rite Journal and its book review editor, Illustrious Brother Tresner is also a volunteer writer for The Oklahoma Scottish Rite Mason and a video script consultant for the National Masonic Renewal Committee. He is the Director of the Thirty-third Degree Conferral Team and Director of Work at the Guthrie Scottish Rite Temple in Guthrie, Oklahoma, as well as a life member of the Scottish Rite Research Society, author of the popular anecdotal biography Albert Pike, The Man Beyond the Monument, and a member of the steering committee of the Masonic Information Center. Ill. Tresner was awarded the Grand Cross, the Scottish Rite's highest honor, during the Supreme Council's October 1997 Biennial Session.