Marshall James Kern

Marshall James Kern

A Mason for 24 years, V.W. Bro. Marshall Kern held the office of Grand Historian for three terms in the Grand Lodge A.F.& A.M. of Canada in the Province of Ontario.  In addition to the required reports on matters pertaining to the history of Freemasonry, he has updated the biographies of the 80 Past Grand Masters of his jurisdiction, delivered two significant papers to the research lodge in his jurisdiction, and published a book on the ‘Master’s Emblem’ which is one of very few symbols unique to Freemasonry. 

V.W. Bro. Marshall Kern has earned the distinction of being a Fellow of the College of Freemasonry in his jurisdiction.  A panel of Past Grand Masters selected him to receive the William James Dunlop award of the research lodge in Ontario for outstanding contributions to the Craft within Ontario.

After a successful career with an international chemical company, he taught undergraduate courses at a Canadian business school for a decade.  Marshall Kern has exercised leadership on the boards of organizations in the fields of health care, education, and tourism.  He is the volunteer president of a sustainable energy think-tank.

The Master’s Emblem Explained for Masons

Some symbols used in Freemasonry have been rigorously explored and explained by scholars.  Other insights are earned by the casual fellowship of Brethren sharing their experiences and observations.  ‘The Master’s Emblem Explained for Masons’ explores and explains just one symbol used in Craft Masonry.  The subject of this research is the emblem on the apron to distinguish the Worshipful Master and all Past Masters: the Master’s Emblem.  

This emblem has existed since Tuesday, February 15, 1814.  It was codified in the 1815 Constitution of UGLE, and has spread since then.  While sometimes made of ribbon, sometimes of detailed embroidery, and often made of metal, this emblem has remained essentially the same size and shape since it was first defined.

This book guides the reader through several common – and incorrect – explanations for the Master’s Emblem.  The documented origin of the emblem is shared.  The conclusion that the Master’s Emblem is the diagrammatic proof of the 12th Problem of the First Book of Euclid is demonstrated by visual similarity, literary congruence, contextual relevance, and a moral connection to the Ceremony of Installation of the Worshipful Master.