From the East
Brethren,
CONGRATULATIONS to our newest Master Masons; Brother Matthew Richter and Brother Robby Saye were raised to the Sublime Degree on April 2nd. A huge Thank You as well to all those who joined us for breakfast and their degree!
Feel the heat? Summertime is in the offing and while many of us are planning some time off in the next couple of months, please make time later this month as we cap our spring with another Master Mason Degree. That’s right, CONGRATULATIONS to our newest trio of Fellow Craft! The plan is to have a 3rd Degree for these three men on Saturday morning, May 21st. Breakfast at 8. We want a healthy turnout for this degree; extra conductors, plenty of ‘spectators’, and veterans … one of your own is to be raised, so let’s gather for breakfast and a 3rd Degree.
A ‘tip of the cap’ is in order for Brother Jeff Ordonio. He attended the April 22nd, 23rd Scottish Rite Reunion and received his 32nd Degree. It was great to see him in the class that included many from nearby lodges and a group from Asheville. Next month, Oasis Shriners will hold the Spring Ceremonial for new members in Blowing Rock. Those of you interested in joining, grab one of the many Shriners in our lodge for a petition.
I know we have had a busy spring thus far, but there are some additional dates for you in the Secretary’s comments.
Make sure to mark them/enter them on your calendars and join us! Your cable-tow is being tugged.
Fraternally,
John Harder – Worshipful Master, PM
From the West
At our last Stated Communication, I had the pleasure of presenting a Short Talk Bulletin from 1927 titled Secrecy by an unknown author. One of the sections particularly stuck in my mind and I would like to share it with you. It repeated the Eulogy of the Signs and Tokens of Masonry by Benjamin Franklin.
Benjamin Franklin wrote:
These signs and tokens are of no small value; they speak a universal language, and act as a password to the attention and support of the initiated in all parts of the world. They cannot be lost so long as memory retains its power. Let the possessor of them be expatriated, ship-wrecked or imprisoned; let him be stripped of everything he has in the world; still these credentials remain and are available for use as circumstances require.
The great effects which they have produced are established by the most incontestable facts of history. They have stayed the uplifted hand of the Destroyer; they have softened the aspirates of the tyrant; they have mitigated the horrors of captivity; they have subdued the rancor of malevolence; and broken down the barriers of political animosity and sectarian alienation.
On the field of battle, in the solitude of the uncultivated forests, or in the busy haunts of the crowded city, they have made men of the most hostile feelings, and most distant religions, and the most diversified conditions, rush to the aid of each other, and feel a social joy and satisfaction that they have been able to afford relief to a brother Mason.
The world today seems to be finding many ways to drive us apart from each other. It is fitting that as we battle these storms of life that we remember that Masonry is there to bring us together.
Fraternally,
Bill Stout, SW
From the Secretary
Brothers,
Please note the upcoming dates on the next page. All are certainly important, but I will call your attention to the Sat, May 21 Master Mason Degree and the Tue, May 31 Service Awards presentation. Your presence and possible assistance in the Degree is most welcome. Our Tue, May 17, 7PM practice is our last opportunity to ready ourselves to present a very meaningful and impactful ‘next step’ for our three Brothers. Also, the May 31 Service Awards will be a fairly compact evening with fellowship and dinner, followed by the first of our two Service Awards scheduled this year. Please consider joining us as we honor our Brothers who have reached 25, 50 or 60 years in good standing in our fraternity. I will remind you that the Lodge will not be tiled that evening, except for just a brief 10-15 minute period. This is a great opportunity to perhaps invite family, or even a friend who might one day ask about Masonry.
As of this publication, we still have 40 Brothers who have not yet sent payment for 2016 dues. Please check your dues card to see if it has 2016 on it. If you’ve misplaced your dues notice, please contact me using the contact info on the last page. I will be glad to forward another.
Fraternally,
Mike Hamrick, PM
Secretary