MOSES PAUL LODGE #96 DOVER, NEW HAMPSHIRE
Free and Accepted Masons Dover, N. H.
November 2016
Organized Under Dispensation December 20, 1889
Chartered May 21, 1890
November Calendar
Event: Square and Compass Date and Time: Thursday 3
rd 6:30 pm at the Lodge
Dress Code: Casual
Cost: Usually less than $10.00
Description: Monthly fellowship dinner. Chili Night
Who can attend: All Masons and Guests
Event: Dine Around Club Date and Time: Tuesday November 15
th 6:30 pm at Patty “B”
Restaurant on Dover Point Road
Dress Code: Casual
Cost: Order from Menu: Web site: www.pattybs.com
Description: A Night of Fellowship outside of the Lodge, a good
time to introduce a friend to Masonry
Who can attend: All Masons and Guests
Event: Stated Meeting Date and Time: Thursday November 17
th Dinner at 6:30 pm
Lodge opens at 7:30 pm
Dress Code: For all jacket and ties and aprons
Cost: $10.00 for Dinner, Donation for Collation
Description: Fund Raiser Dinner by the Rainbow Girls, with
Auction ! Bring extra money to support the cause. Monthly
business meeting and program
Who can attend: EA’s and above
Event: Special Communication DDGM Visitation Date and Time: Thursday December 1
st Lodge opens at 6:15
pm, Dinner at 6:30 pm Labor resumes at 7:30 pm.
Dress Code: Officers Tux and Gloves, All others Jacket and ties
Cost: $10.00 for Dinner, Donation for Collation
Description: Fund Raiser Dinner by the Rainbow Girls, with
Auction ! Bring extra money to support the cause.
Who can attend: All Master Masons
District 5 Calendar
Event: Winnipesaukee Lodge Breakfast Buffet
Date and Time: Sunday November 20th 7:30 am-11:00 am at
Winnipesaukee Lodge in Alton NH
Dress Code: Casual
Cost: $10.00
Description: Famous Breakfast Buffet
Who can attend: Public event All are welcome!
Event: Visitation Morrison Lodge #90 Northwood NH
Date and Time: Monday November 28th
Lodge opens at 6:15 pm
Dinner at 6:30 pm, Work resumes at 7:30 pm
Dress Code: For all jacket and ties and aprons Cost: Usually less than $10.00
Description: Official DDGM Visitation
Who can attend: All Master Masons
Event: Masters and Wardens/ Masters Class Date and Time: Tuesday 22
nd 6:30 pm-8:30 pm Location to be
determined
Dress Code: Casual
Cost: Usually $5.00 or less for refreshments
Description: Masters and Wardens monthly meeting and Masters Class-
Topic TBD
Who can attend: All Master Masons
Grand Lodge Calendar
Event: Grand Lodge Semi-Annual Communication
Date and Time: Saturday November 19th
9:00 am -2:30 pm
Manchester NH.
Dress Code: Officers Jacket, tie, jewels and Aprons, all others
Jacket, tie and apron Cost: Varies depending on lunch and book purchases.
Description: Grand Lodge Semi-Annual Business meeting.
Current Dues cards are required.
Who can attend: Worshipful Master, Senior and Junior Wardens,
and Grand Lodge Representative required! All Master Masons are
encouraged to attend.
Moses Paul Lodge #96, Dover, NH
Officers & Appointments for 2016
Worshipful Master: David Akridge 603-781-4453
Senior Warden: John T. Pond, Jr. 603-978-8940
Junior Warden: Wor. George McGee 603-969-4766
Treasurer: Adam M. Hughes 603-335-3617
Deputy Treasurer:
Secretary: David Martinelli 603-749-8916
Deputy Secretary:
Representative to Grand Lodge: Richard Lapointe 603-905-9953
Chaplain Wor. Kristopher G. Furtney 603-776-1235
Asst. Chaplain Wor. James S. Miller 603-742-6691
Senior Deacon: Robert P. Johnson Jr. 603-319-8757
Junior Deacon: James E. Lewis 603-767-8698
Marshall: Wor. Donald Meserve 603-742-2845
Senior Steward: Brett Cossaboon 603-833-1492
Junior Steward: Michael P. Couturier 603-285-5580
Tyler: Richard Lapointe 603-905-9953
Organist:
Lodge Ambassador:
Historian: David Akridge
Finance Committee: Jean L. LaBrack 603-743-4066
Trustees of Charity Fund Wor Kristopher Furtney 2016
Wor. James S. Miller 2016, & 2017
John T. Pond, Jr. 2016, 2017, &2018
Widow’s Program Chairman: Vincent R. Puleo 603-491-1639
John T. Pond, Jr. 603-978-8940
Gates: #1-, Richard Lapointe
#2-,
#3-Wor. Donald Meserve
Representative to Evergreen Place: Kevin M. Schultz 603-953-5256
Building Assoc. Representatives: Richard Lapointe
Adam M. Hughes
Robert P. Johnson
Wor. Robert Corsetti
Public Affairs Officer: Wor. Kristopher G. Furtney 603-664-7920
Lodge Care Taker: Richard Lapointe 603-905-9953
Web Master : John T Pond, III 603-841-6113
MASTER’S MESSAGE
It is hard to believe that winter is upon us. The fall has flown by.
Moses Paul Lodge has been well represented at all of the
Visitations.
For those of you who may not have attended a Visitation in the last
few years, the format has changed and we are usually finished by
9:00pm and on our way. More importantly, there is always a
Masonic discussion by our DDGL, Paul Smith, and DEO, Dennis
Tuttle. This year they are doing the Master Mason Degree. It is
not a lecture. It is conversational in nature and more importantly, I
think it is safe to say that anyone attending walks out with “More
Light”. The next two Visitations are at Morrison Lodge on
November 28th
followed by our own Visitation on December 1st,
2016. Note our Visitation is taking place on our normal Square
and Compass night. Lodge is open at 6:15pm, go to refreshment,
and then receive the DDGM, David Cumming , followed by the
Program for that evening. This would be a wonderful time to visit
your Lodge if you have not been with us in a while.
In addition to our normal Visitation Schedule, six of us attended
St. John’s Lodge official Visitation in South Berwick, Maine. We
had a great evening, although some of us who had never been in a
Maine Lodge were surprised by some of the significant differences
in Opening and Closing the Lodge. So much so that we did a
program at our October Stated, noting some of the significant
differences.
As we approach the end of the Masonic year for our Lodge, we
have begun laying out plans for next year. We continue to have
significant decisions before us that must be attended to. I would
hope that we would have input for all Moses Paul members.
Elections will be held in December at our Stated Meeting. I would
encourage anyone that has any particular interest in an appointed
position to contact me. My contact email is in this Trestle Board.
A Masonic Thought
As we continue to improve ourselves in Masonry, we are
indeed improving life. We know from history that without
ideals to guide us, the garden of a man's life will not grow into
a place of beauty.
Stanley F. Maxwell
A Masonic Thought
A FAMILY AFFAIR
The Blue Lodge is the bed-rock of the Masonic family, yet there
are several appendant organizations which a Mason's family
members can join to share many more of their common interests
and activities.
Family-oriented activities include a range of social and
entertainment programs, family outings, and community service
projects, as well as numerous occasions for statewide or regional
travel.
Among the appendant groups for adults, both men and women may
be welcome as members, but women typically hold the principal
offices. These groups include, among others, the Order of the
Eastern Star, Order of Amaranth, and Ladies Oriental Shrine.
Groups for young people build self-esteem and prepare them for
citizenship through successful experience with responsibility and
leadership. Masonic youth groups include the Order of Rainbow
for Girls, the Order of Job's Daughters for young women, and the
Order of DeMolay for young men.
With many opportunities for growth and friendship, these family-
centered groups typically develop active social calendars, so the
"Masonic family" truly is a family affair.
FREEMASONRY: THE CRAFT
For centuries, millions of men of every race, color, creed, and
political persuasion throughout the world have found in the
Symbolic Lodges of Freemasonry the light to guide their search for
answers to eternal questions: What is the meaning of life? The
nature of God and man?
Freemasonry is a system of morality, veiled in allegory, illustrated
by symbols. Not a religion but religious in character, it is a
philosophy of ethical conduct which imparts moral and social
virtues and fosters brotherly love. Its tenets have endured since
man turned the first pages of civilization. They embody the
understanding by which man can transcend ordinary experience
and "build a house not made with hands" in harmony with the
Great Architect of the universe.
Yet Freemasonry can never conflict with a man's relationship to
God or fellow man. Sectarian religious or partisan political
discussion in a lodge is strictly prohibited. Every Mason stands
equal among his brothers, regardless of walk of life, and none is
turned away for financial need.
The purpose of ANCIENT CRAFT OF FREEMASONRY is to
unfold a message where "truth abides in fullness," invoking greater
understanding of the inward life and a spirit of fellowship in which
every Mason can also lead a better outward life.
BROTHERHOOD AT WORK
Freemasonry has been characterized as a fraternity devoted to high
ideals and admirable benevolence. Community service and
charitable work are, in fact, principle Masonic activities.
Easily the best-known is the world's largest single charitable
institution, the Shriners Hospitals for Crippled Children and Burns
Institutes, which are located throughout Canada, the U.S., and
Mexico.
Other Masonic bodies support their own statewide and national
foundations for research, teaching, and treatment or rehabilitation
services for children with learning or speech disorders, cancer,
visual problems and need of dental restoration.
Masons everywhere assist distressed brother Masons and their
families. They also sponsor or support local projects ranging from
the recognition of the achievements of others to scholarship
programs. Masons support community volunteers and quietly
extend help for countless thousands - from providing a child with
shoes to assisting the handicapped.
Altogether, the budgets for these community services exceed two
million dollars per day, which Masons support without regard to
the Masonic affiliation of their recipients. With this spirit of
working together to serve mankind, brotherhood works well,
indeed.
A PROGRESSIVE SCIENCE
Once raised to the "sublime degree" of Master Mason in his "Blue"
Lodge, a Freemason steps onto a broad vista of opportunity for
fellowship and advancement.
First, concordant bodies of the York Rite and the Scottish Rite
offer ritual instruction for advanced degrees. Then, every Shriner is
a Mason first... as are members of other Masonic groups, each
serving a particular need or interest.
Advancement through these concordant bodies not only invites
participation in this Masonic network, but also promotes a more
comprehensive understanding of its sacramental system of
ceremonies, doctrines, and symbols.
A statewide Grand organization governs every Masonic body, and
all but the Blue Lodge have national governing councils as well.
These offer further opportunity for growth and responsibility.
No Mason is required to advance beyond his Blue Lodge or
participate actively in its ritual or business affairs, but those who
do so find personal fulfillment in the rewards of public speaking,
teaching, community work, and even music and the dramatic arts.
Whether their commitments are to Masonic ritual, study or
organizational and charitable work, most active Masons simply
speak of the camaraderie among trusted friends and a satisfying
sense of purpose.
ANCIENT TRADITIONS
Through its heritage in antiquity is unmistakable, modern
speculative Freemasonry was founded more recently upon the
structure, ceremonies, and symbolism of the lodges of operative or
working freemen stonemasons, who built the magnificent
Medieval Gothic structures throughout much of Europe and
England.
Dated in 1390 A.D., the Regius Poem details the charter of a lodge
operating in the 900s A.D. "Masonry" then meant architecture and
encompassed most of the arts and sciences. Because lodges held
knowledge as competitive secrets, only trusted, capable
companions were instructed in the craft - and then only by degrees,
orally and through symbols, because of widespread illiteracy.
In the late Renaissance, lodges of freemason began to accept as
speculative masons those educated men who were attracted by the
elegance of Masonic traditions for their philosophic expression. In
time they were passed through the inner circles.
Thus, the framers of speculative Freemasonry began to describe a
code of conduct through the symbolic nature of architecture and
the stonesmason's craft. Signaling modern speculative
Freemasonry, the first Grand Lodge was chartered in 1717.
Constituent Symbolic Blue Lodges were soon established
throughout the world.
The first Lodge in the Colonies was chartered in Boston in 1733,
and the first Masonic Lodge communication was held in the Ohio
Territory at Marietta in 1790.
Masonic Humor
A Word from the West.
Brother John T. Pond Jr.
Greetings Brethren
Time is flying by! Here it is November and Thanksgiving and
Christmas is just around the corner. We have had a very busy
October with several visitations, as well as our own meetings. I
must comment at this point that I only see the same 6-7 brothers at
our events. It is very hard to run a lodge with the same people all
the time. We need all our brothers engaged. We need new ideas,
and new strength in order to be successful. Over half of our Lodge
members live within the Dover area, and most haven’t been to
Lodge in years. If the Lodge has done something to turn you off
from Masons then you owe it to the Lodge and yourself to allow us
to try and correct the issue, but we can’t fix it if we don’t know
what the problem is. As we approach the holidays please think
about coming to one of the upcoming events, to renew your
fellowship with your brothers.
Veteran’s Day is November 11th
take time to thank a Vet for his
service.
This Month also is a time of Thanksgiving, a time to stop and give
thanks for all that we have!
The Holidays are a time to come home, so don’t forget your
Masonic home this year!
I look forward to greeting you in Lodge soon.
Stay safe Brothers and have a great Thanksgiving!
Fraternally
John T. Pond, Jr.
The Trowel
MASTERING THE ART OF LEARNING RITUAL by Bro. Graeme J. Beresford
It seems strange to me how the routine of something which we all
have to do in Freemasonry doesn't have any guidance given to our
Brethren. From our first steps into the Lodge room we see others
quoting, from memory, pages and pages of text, some better than
others, only to beg the question; "How can they do that?"
Well brother like everything else in the world of knowledge. If you
don't know the rules of the game, how do you expect you will ever
be able to play?
There has been countless experiments done with memory over the
years and many books written as well. I have two books which I
believe are useful for general memory, the second will I believe be
of best use to fellow Brethren.
This second book is nearly 400 pages long and so I wont be going
through it all in depth, just to offer a summary of part.
The core for our purposes is a method they term their MASTER
plan. Seems a good idea for Freemasons as you would agree it is
an easy word for us to remember.
This word is an acronym for the six steps in remembering. Our
purpose is to learn those pages of ritual.
M
The M is for Motivating your mind. If there is lack of purpose or
reason in anything you do then chances are you are setting yourself
up for failure right away. Ritual was not invented to confuse and
torture us, nor to show how some Brethren are smarter than others,
nor was it meant as a showcase for the ridicule of others.
Ritual is a means of teaching moral lessons. By memorizing the
ritual, you are remembering those lessons and it gives you the
basic tools to ponder these lessons for your own life. The analogy
of the ritual increases this capacity for learning from the ritual and
aims for a deeper understanding of yourself.
This is one of the goals for learning ritual. I believe it is one worth
remembering. Other Brethren tell me that after years in
Freemasonry that they still learn much from the ritual. The ritual
doesn't change much over that period of time, even if some
Brethren would disagree with me there, it is the individual who
changes and learns more as his knowledge grows. This growth
continues for the rest of your life. It never ends.
Other reasons for ritual include helping the Lodge with ceremonial
and to take an active part in the proceedings. Taking part and
working in this team can be very rewarding and enriching as you
work together for a common goal and to make that meeting a
success. A meeting with good ritual does leave a good impression
for listeners and does get them thinking about the lessons you have
learnt yourself.
Personal growth as a ritualist is also very important. You may have
your favorite charges under your belt, but then you stagnate by not
pressing yourself to take on new challenges.
We are all taken by the path in getting to that chair. It is a goal
placed before us and can be a challenge for some and a scary
undertaking for others. If you have in your mind a way of a
learning the ritual on that path, it will make the challenge more
appealing and less scary. Not forgetting that there is always life
after the chair.
So you want to learn ritual? What do you learn? If you are a newly
made Master Mason you might consider looking at the Inner Guard
and Tyler's work. You might also take on a small charge, see your
Director of Ceremonies for advice. As a rule for climbing offices
you should during your year, learn the ritual of your one up office.
Make full use of practice nights to fine tune your current work and
Lodge of Instruction for your preparation for the following year.
Yes at first it sounds like a lot to take on, and we still haven't really
started the memory process. At this point you should feel a hunger
to learn your ritual and to enjoy all that it will give you.
A
The A is for Acquiring the information. Firstly you have to get the
ritual into your mind. The memory has three ways of receiving
information;
Visual (Seeing/ Reading)
Auditory (Listening)
Kinaesthetic (Doing / Writing / Typing)
To get the most out of the acquiring of your ritual, you must do all
three. You must read the ritual. Read it by looking at it about 5
times. You will have made a visual impression of the words in
your mind. Then listen to the words as you again read the ritual 5
times aloud. Listen to your tone of voice. Look for the patterns of
expression as you speak. Then write or type out the ritual by hand.
Read and repeat the words in your mind.
Once you have learned your ritual at home, then comes the step
most often missed by Brethren. Practicing in the Lodge. But be
clear that at this stage you are not ready for a Lodge practice night,
but rather a Lodge of Instruction. Be clear of your cues in moving
to your place to deliver your ritual, where do you stand, how do
you stand, how do you trigger your first line? All these questions
need to be answered. You should have a place worked out where
best to sit. You should know when you should rise and move to
your place of delivery. You should know if you need to
acknowledge the chair. You should be able to face the Brethren
calm and collected. You should have your cue set for the first line
and be thinking a few words ahead of yourself as you deliver at a
slow, calm and steady pace.
Once you have acknowledged these steps, you can move on.
S
The S is for Searching out the meaning. Most ritual comes about
from events. They may be based on fact and can easily be
researched. Others are biblical and may require a depth of
interpretation and others are mythical and may only be known
within Freemasonry. One should take the time to discover
something about the ritual in its deeper meaning and the symbols
which it represents. It helps images to come to mind if you know
something of the background of the events which took place. Make
use of the libraries and Brethren who may be able to share material
with you.
T
The T is for Triggering the memory. When delivering ritual it is
important to ensure the sequence is known and kept. Once you
move into place and are ready to deliver your first line, you should
have it ready to go and be thinking of the next one to deliver.
Visualize the text on the page. See the next paragraph coming, feel
the tone of your voice as you deliver it. Feel when you are ready
for the next line.
E
The E is for Exhibiting what you know. First look into a mirror and
repeat your ritual as you learn. Feel confident that you can achieve
your goal. Speak at Lodge of Instruction and experiment freely
with how you are going to deliver your work. Then prepare for the
practice night already knowing where you should be sitting,
knowing what cues there are to rise and move into place. Have that
first line in your mind when you rise and when start delivering the
first line, have ready the next one to go. Feel relaxed and feel
confident as you have done the hard work and this is the reward.
R
Finally the R is for Review. Take the time to sit quietly and review
your ritual. Was it received well? Did you feel that you were
comfortable? What could you have done to improve the
experience.
Take note of these details and add them into your personal plan for
Mastering the Art of Learning Ritual.
Secretary’s Desk Thank you to all who have paid their dues on time! There are still 12 that have
not paid to date! Please make every effort to pay these quickly as the Lodge
depends on this money to be able maintain our building and pay the bills. If you
can’t afford your dues or have other issues preventing you from paying them
please contact me or any officer, we may be able to work out a solution.
To all members, the bills for 2017 Dues will be coming out shortly, there has
been an increase in the Grand Lodge Assessment of $2.00 which will bring
our Dues and Assessment to $120.00 per member for this year.
When was the last time you came to a meeting? We as your officers know that
your time is valuable and should not be wasted! The meetings are fun and
informative. Can’t remember the signs or you don’t feel you know anyone, don’t
worry, we are all brothers and will greet you with open arms.
This month’s education article is The Sponsor/Mentor and don’t miss the
Trowel Article What is...
Please visit our website www.nhfreemasons.org for upcoming events.
The District 5 Calendar at:
https://www.google.com/calendar/embed?src=5thmasonicdistrictofnh%40gmail.com
NH Grand Lodge Web site at: www.nhgrandlodge.org
Webmaster: [email protected]
Facebook: www.facebook.com/MosesPaulLodge96
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MASONIC EDUCATION
DARE TO BE DIFFERENT
Thoughts on increasing Lodge Attendance
by Jordan S. Levitan, P.M.
Wor. Bro. Levitan was asked by M.S.A. to develop an update of
the October 1928 Short Talk Bulletin "Increasing Lodge
Attendance." This paper reflects the thinking which made his year
as Worshipful Master one of the most successful years in the
history of Norfolk Lodge No. 1. We thank him for his cooperation
in sharing these challenging words of inspiration.
At a gathering of Worshipful Masters, inevitably one will ask,
"How's your attendance holding up?" It is, for the most part a
rhetorical question.
The intent of this paper is to show that substantial increases in
attendance are possible provided the Master dares to be different.
This does not imply the need to experiment with so called "up-to-
date" methodology. On the contrary, it requires stimulating those
members we already have as well as those who will be voluntarily
attracted into our midst with pure and unimpaired Freemasonry.
The sooner we stop blaming poor attendance on the failure of the
Craft to modernize, the better.
The last substantial influx of new members into Freemasonry
occurred over forty years ago. Since then, many reasons have been
suggest for the decrease in attendance.
Members have moved away from the metropolitan area lodges.
Once in suburbia their become accustomed to more leisure time,
more holidays, and longer vacations. Some turn to service clubs,
where the results of their participation may be more apparent.
Others find that civic responsibilities take up their evening hours.
Family ties now take precedence over fraternal ties. For some,
longer work hours and the pressure of doing business at night are
contributing factors.
The majority, however, do not attend simply because they choose
not to attend. They are bored to tears with business meetings.
Those who are not ritualists find little inspiration sitting on the
sidelines listening to the same brethren perform the degree work
and give the lectures time after time. Their contentions are real and
cannot be brushed aside.
We live in an achievement oriented society that views ambiguous
programs with skepticism. Mediocrity no longer suffices. It's time
Masonic leaders stopped saying "something should be done" and
begin saying "I'm going to do something about it."
The call to the Master is the same today as it was when candidates
petitioned in droves: to create an atmosphere for intellectual and
spiritual growth so that the members know from experience they
are missing something by not attending lodge.
Merely to suggest programs that others find helpful is only part of
the answer. What may work for one lodge may not necessarily
work for another. Symbolic Lodge Masonry cries out for an
enlightened membership responsive to the Master who carefully
lays his designs upon the trestleboard. The approach, therefore,
includes preparing the members as well as the Master. There are no
shortcuts.
THE CANDIDATE
THE LODGE INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE
The Masonic life of the prospective candidate begins with the
Lodge Investigating Committee. A committee that consists of one
Past Master, one line officer, and one member at large represents a
cross section of the lodge.
The Master who dispatches the committee to the candidate's home
with clearly defined directives takes the first step in laying a solid
and dependable foundation.
In its visit with the petitioner and his family, the committee should
emphasize what Freemasonry is and what it is not. Their
discussion should include the following:
1. The purpose of our Ancient Order is to build temples in the
hearts of men;
2. The pursuit of excellence is one of Freemasonry's noblest
aims;
3. Freemasonry is religious in nature, but it has no Creed or
theology and it is not incompatible with one's religious
beliefs;
4. Freemasonry has an obligation to the community, hut it s
not a service club;
5. Freemasonry stands for citizenship of the highest caliber,
hut it does not engage in political activity;
6. Freemasonry emphasizes one's obligations to assist the
needy, but it is not a welfare organization;
7. Freemasonry is not a benevolent society providing
insurance benefits; a Mason must make proper provisions
for the protection of his family in the event of illness of
death.
These and many other points are proper for the Lodge
Investigating Committee to discuss with the petitioner and his
family. This approach enables the petitioner to gain a better
understanding of our principles and purpose, and the lodge can
better judge his motives for seeking membership.
DEGREE WORK
Few candidates arrive totally prepared for the ordeal of initiation.
Even fewer receive a kindly briefing in the preparation room.
Whatever fears the candidate might have should be put to rest at
the outset.
Initiation requires a sense of reverence. It should be impressed
upon the candidate that he is about to enter a solemn and dignified
ceremony. Degrees must then be performed with a like measure of
dignity. Anything less raises doubts in the candidate's mind about
the worth of the experience.
The best way of' assuming that new members return is to not only
confer the degrees, but to also make Masons.
Through its appropriate committee, every Grand Lodge determines
the procedure for conferring degrees. The symbolic Lodge,
however, makes Masons at its own pace. There is a distinction.
And we should always remember that a Master Mason cannot be
made in three easy lessons. It takes time.
To the average candidate, the philosophical depth of the ritual is
overwhelming. He hears a set of references that he has never heard
before and phraseology he does not use in daily conversation. We
then compound matters by delivering the lectures immediately
upon conferring the degrees.
Clearly we have no reason to congratulate ourselves when a
candidate rapidly memorizes the catechism and receives his dues
card four weeks after initiation. So, why not slow down the
process. Dare to be different.
The Masonic Service Association is an invaluable source for
information to complement the degrees. An index of current
publications is available for the asking. The candidate who
receives good and wholesome instruction at a leisurely, informal
pace away from the lodge room is likely to become an enthusiastic
member who returns frequently.
There is an old Chinese proverb that if you are planning for one
year, plant grain. lf you are planning for ten years, plant trees. If
you are planning for a hundred years, plant men.
THE WORSHIPFUL MASTER
Knowledge Beyond Ritual Grand Lodges appoint instructors at all
levels to teach Masonic ritual. Few Masters, however, receive
training in how to conduct lodge meetings. Little is done to assure
that the incoming Master has a grasp of the history, philosophy and
symbolism of the Craft. The fundamentals of' lodge management
and good programming are rarely talked about in detail. For these,
lodge officers are left to educate themselves. Many never do.
Others start too late.
Prior to setting his designs on the trestleboard, the future Master
would do well to spend at least two years becoming a
knowledgeable Freemason. This is not to suggest that he must
become a Masonic scholar, only that he become familiar with the
writings of learned brethren--Joseph Fort Newton, Thomas Sherrod
Roy, H. L. Haywood, Albert Mackey, Robert Gould, Roscoe
Pound, Dwight Smith, Alphonse Cerza, Harry Carr, Conrad Hahn,
and Carl Claudy among others.
The Grand Lodge library is an excellent source for material, as is
the Masonic Service Association. There are, in addition,
outstanding Masonic publications in the United States. One is The
Indiana Freemason, which features articles on contemporary
Masonic thought as well as essays by distinguished Masonic
writers of the past. Membership in the Correspondence Circle of
Quatuor Coronati Lodge No. 2076, London, England, the premier
Masonic research lodge in the world, is recommended.
The Master who acquires a background in the history, philosophy,
and symbolism of the Craft understands the mission of
Freemasonry. Lodge attendance will reflect the extent of his
preparation.
SETTING THE CRAFT TO WORK
Setting the Craft to work implies more than initiating, passing, and
raising candidates. It implies that the lodge is a dynamic rather
than a static entity. The Master should encourage each member to
take part in the activity suited to his character or abilities and to
make sure there is an activity in which lie can participate.
In one particular lodge, a member rarely set foot in the lodge room
for almost twenty years. A Past Master remembered that the
brother spent his leisure hours interviewing applicants for
admission to a major University. The lodge wanted to start a
scholarship program for needy, and deserving students, so the Past
Master asked the brother for assistance. The rest is history. The
scholarship program has been a major commitment of the lodge for
fifteen years and the brother later served the lodge as Master.
Brethren involved in something they like to do value their
membership and return frequently. For those who like to putter
around the kitchen, help is always needed on the Refreshment
Committee. For those handy with axe, hammer , arid saw, there is
wood to be chopped or a fence that needs mending at the home of
an infirm brother or Masonic widow. The lodge publication
requires the assistance of brethren with writing skills. For brethren
with experience in fund raising, help is needed on the lodge
Charity Fund or Masonic Home appeal.
We cannot expect brethren to return to lodge week after week,
month after month, if not given a specific responsibility. With
nothing to do, sooner or later they tire of sitting on the brow of the
hill and before we know it, stop attending altogether.
PROGRAMS
The composition and character of the lodge are determining factors
in the selection of' programs. Masonry teaches that men of every
sect and opinion meet on the level. We aim for common objectives
among men with dissimilar backgrounds. The Master who
combines programs of' Masonic interest with fellowship and
establishes a continued line of communication with his lodge will
sustain interest and induce attendance.
Most Worshipful Dwight L. Smith, Past Grand Master of Masons
in Indiana, in his widely acclaimed essays "Whither Are We
Traveling?", suggests that Masonry should be a social, cultural,
and intellectual experience. A balance of all three elements is the
Master's objective in setting his designs in the trestleboard.
Programs for a typical year might include patriotic observances,
Ladies' Night, Past Master's Night, Founder's Day Observance,
Youth Night, Father and Son Banquet, lodge picnic, Mother's Day
Breakfast, and Masonic plays.
By the time he becomes a Senior Warden, a line officer should
have assembled sufficient material to begin looking around for
brethren to present papers on selected topics. Masonic book
reviews should also be considered.
The distinguished Masonic scholar, Most Worshipful Conrad
Hahn, observed ". . . the lack of educational work in the average
lodge is the principal reason for the lack of interest and the
consequent poor attendance in Masonry over which spokesmen
have been ringing their hands for at least a Century. "
The educational meeting is for enlightenment and fellowship.
Lodge business is not discussed. Ample time should be allowed for
those present to ask questions and make comments. Meetings .of'
this type usually last one hour and often the discussion continues in
the dining room at refreshment. A well balanced program of'
Masonic education includes films, video tapes, arid slide
presentations, some of which are available through MSA or the
Grand Lodge.
THE MEETING
Ask those who at one time regularly attended why they stopped
and the most frequent reply is, "The meetings are boring and much
too long. If the Master doesn't put me to sleep, the Secretary does."
Not all Masters are comfortable in the role of presiding officer.
However, there are steps the Master can take which minimize the
anxiety of sitting in the East.
One is to smile from within. A lodge senses devotion and
understanding from the Master.
Another is to control the meeting. The Master who looks to the
sidelines for a Past Master to tell him every move to make does not
have control.
Nor should the meeting come unraveled at the Secretary's desk.
Most correspondence read word for word can be Summarized,
including communications from the Grand Lodge. Usually,
whispering good counsel in the Secretary's ear gets the point across
without creating an adverse relationship.
Interminable introductions are the downfall of many meetings,
particularly when Masonic dignitaries are present. By the time for
the man event, the members are worn out from jumping up and
down to salute each group the Master paraded to the East.
One innovative Master said, "Enough!" Laying aside the manual of
ceremonies, he announced, "Brethren, tonight we are honored to
have as our guest speaker a distinguished Freemason. In addition,
we have with us two Past Grand Masters and several Grand Lodge
officers. In order that you will have an opportunity to meet our
visitors, we will dispense with the usual procedure for
presentations and salute you in a manner we trust is worthy of your
high office. "
Instead of appointing committees to present four separate groups
of dignitaries in the East with accompanying salutes and responses,
the Master introduced them at their seats Past Grand Masters,
Grand Lodge officers, District Deputy Grand Masters, and
Worshipful Masters. Other groups were recognized at their seats
without individual introductions. A forty minute procedure was
reduced to ten minutes, and the lodge enjoyed the extra time at
refreshment following the meeting. It came as no surprise when the
Master received an overwhelming endorsement for the way he
handled the introduction.
The festive board is an ideal way to divide a long meeting. When
there is an unusual amount of business to come before the lodge in
addition to the program, the Master would be well advised to start
the meeting one hour early, take care of lodge business, call off for
dinner, and return for the program. Those who want to come for
the business portion will be present, and no one complains about
having to sit through an overly long meeting.
Some lodges guard against lengthy meetings by convening two
stated meetings by each month-the first to conduct lodge business
and the second for a program.
CONCLUSION
Good attendance is the natural result of stimulated interest.
Stimulated interest is the natural result of preparation, planning and
execution.
First, the Candidate must be prepared to receive the benefits of
Freemasonry.
Second, the Master must be prepared to execute a year by planning
intelligently, communicating effectively, and conducting meetings
with dispatch, dignity, and diligence.
Continuity among line officers is required to sustain an increase in
attendance. Nothing kills momentum quicker than the failure to
follow an up-tempo year with another up-tempo year. Regenerated
enthusiasm becomes contagious. Word spreads about the
enjoyment of returning to lodge. increased attendance feeds on
itself. And Freemasonry's light burns brighter because the Master
dared to be different.
A Masonic Poem
What Makes A Mason?
By George H. Free
What makes you a Mason, O brother of mine?
It isn't the dueguard, nor is it the sign,
It isn't the jewel which hangs on your breast,
It isn't the apron in which you are dressed,
It isn't the step, nor the token, nor grip,
Nor lectures that fluently flow from the lip,
Nor yet the possession of that mystic word,
On five points of fellowship duly conferred.
Though these are essential, desirable, fine,
They don't make a Mason, O brother of mine.
That you to your sworn obligation are true-
Tis, that, brother mine, makes a Mason of you.
Secure in your heart you must safeguard your trust,
With lodge and with brother be honest and just,
Assist the deserving who cry in their need,
Be chaste in thought, in your word and deed,
Support him who falters, with hope banish fear,
And whisper advice in an erring one's ear.
Then will the Great Lights on your path brightly shine,
And you'll be a Mason, O brother of mine.
Your use of life's hours by the gauge you must try,
The gavel to vices with courage apply
Your walk must be upright, as shown by the plumb,
On the level, to bourn whence no travelers come
The book of your faith be the rule and the guide,
The compass your passions shut safely inside
The stone which the Architect placed in your care
Must pass the strict test of His unerring square,
And then you will meet with approval divine,
And you'll be a Mason, O brother of mine.
The Old Past Master Speaks
ANCIENT LANDMARKS
"I bought me a Masonic Manual today," announced the Very New
Master Mason to the Old Past Master. "Into what strange paths I
am about to venture I don't know, but I am going to try..." rather
shyly..."to learn some of the work.
"That is very commendable" agreed the Old Past Master. "You will
find it a fascinating study."
"But there are a lot of things in it I don't understand," went on the
Very New Master Mason. "For instance, in the charge to a Master
Mason the Master says, 'the ancient landmarks of the order,
committed to your care, you are carefully to preserve and never
suffer them to be infringed' and so on. But nowhere can I find any
explanation of just what the ancient landmarks are!"
"Well, that is a problem, isn't it?" smiled the Old Past Master. "If
you will get Mackey's Jurisprudence you will find a list of twenty
five, Roscoe Pound has a list of seven in his book of the same
name, Brother Joseph Fort Newton considers five is the number
and several Grand Lodges have lists up to fifty or sixty!"
"Do you mean to say there are no universally known and
understood list of ancient landmarks?" demanded the Very New
Master Mason.
"I do. There is no such list."
"But... but... but then how can we 'carefully preserve them' and
'never suffer them to be infringed?'"
"Well, it really isn't as difficult as it sounds!" smiled the Old Past
Master. "There is none, or hardly any, disagreement among
Masonic authorities on the fundamental Masonic law. The ancient
usages and customs of the fraternity are the same the world over
and generally recognized as such by all Grand Bodies. But a
'landmark' is something that cannot be changed, according to our
understanding of it. Therefore, different authorities have thought
differently about our ancient usages and customs, some saying that
such and thus, while ancient and honorable, is not a landmark, and
therefore can be changed, while others hold that the same custom
is a landmark and cannot be changed.
"The old manuscripts which give us so much light on our Masonic
forbears; the Regius, the Harleian; the Antiquity, etc., have various
charges, rules, regulations and laws. These are all very old, yet
many of them could hardly be considered a landmark; for instance,
one such old regulation forbids Masons to indulge in games of
chance except at Christmas! That would hardly do for a Masonic
landmark, would it? So just because a rule or custom is old does
not make it, per se, a landmark.
"On the other hand, much that is beautiful in our fraternity is new;
that is, it is less than three and often less than two hundred years
old. There was no Grand Lodge before 1717, and Masonry was not
divided in three degrees at that time, I believe. Yet many
authorities consider the division of the work into three degrees as a
landmark.
"So where doctors disagree, only the patient can decide!"
"There are a certain body of laws, usages and customs which are
universally recognized and regarded. From these, different
authorities select certain ones which in their judgment are
landmarks. Other authorities say 'no, thus and such is a law,
statute, rule, judgment, agreement or custom of the fraternity but
isn't a landmark!' Brother Shepard has just brought out a book on
the subject which gives the ideas of many authorities, writers and
Grand Lodges. What strikes me on reading it, is not the difference
in the lists of what are called landmarks, but the fact that all so
well agree as to what is fundamental in Masonry!
"Now it is a fact that we agree that the 'ancient landmarks' are
fixed and unalterable. It is also a fact that Masons themselves have
altered their own unalterable landmarks! The very fact that Grand
Lodges were invented, or discovered, or created, is a change in an
old, old custom, made necessary by change in times and people.
The issuing of diplomas was a change; for ancient brethren had
only the 'Mason word' to prove themselves Master. We do not
prepare a man to be made a Mason as was done two centuries ago,
nor is our ritual the same, nor our obligation the same; antiquarians
have even discovered where parts of our obligations came from,
and it was not from a Masonic source that all of them were
derived!
"But let not your heart be troubled! Masonry herself says of herself
that she is a progressive science. How can she progress and stand
still? Brother A. S. McBride than whom no more spiritually
minded or common-sense writer ever spread Masonry before the
Craft for their better understanding, asks the literal-minded Mason
who says nothing can be changed in Masonry, why not work in
Hebrew, since Solomon and his workman used that tongue? And
does Masonry suffer because the English of today is not the
English of the 17th century?
"I personally believe that the ancient landmarks which cannot
suffer change are few in number; a belief in Deity, a belief in a
future life, a book of Law on the altar, a secret mode of
recognition, that only men, of good character, can be made
Masons; these and one or two more seems to me to be real
landmarks. Other landmarks so prescribed seem to me... and to
many deeper Masonic students... to be common law, custom,
usage, rather than landmarks.
"But I only think these things. I do not try to convince any one I
am right, for those who decide have authority and scholarship
behind them. I follow where they lead. Bit Masonry teaches a man
to think, and so I do her no injury if I do think. And if my Grand
Lodge says forty-seven laws are landmarks, I keep them like
Kipling's Mason 'to a hair.' That I choose to disagree with my
Grand Lodge in my heart doesn't make me a law-breaker; only a
minority. And there is no harm in being a minority as long as one
conforms!
"Therefore, read your manual, learn your ritual, consult your
Grand Lodge records, and abide by the laws, resolutions and edicts
you have sworn to uphold. And when you have done that, tolerant
charitable Masonry says to you 'my brother, having done as you
pledged you would, you may now think whatever you want is
right!'"
Masonic Humor
Prospective candidate to proposer: "Oh do tell what happens at the
initiation ceremony".
Proposer: "Sorry I can't - its a secret"
Prospective candidate: "Come on - I'll be joining in a few weeks.
Surely you can tell me something"
Proposer: "Well there are are WALKERS, TALKERS AND
HOLY MEN"
Prospective candidate: "What do you mean "WALKERS"
Proposer: "Well they are the men who walk you around in the
Lodge".
Prospective Candidate: "What about the TALKERS".
Proposer: "Well they are the people who talk. To you and to other
people in the Lodge".
Prospective Candidate: "I see - well who are these HOLY MEN"?
Proposer: "Oh those - Well they are the ones who when they see
the Walkers and the Talkers say ... Ohhh My Goddd!!!!!
THE GREATEST WORK
Old Tiler, what is the greatest work of Masonry?" The New
Brother sat by the guardian of the door and pulled out his cigar
case.
"Persuading new brethren that Old Tiler’s need something to
smoke!" returned the Old Tiler promptly.
The New Brother laughed as he handed over a cigar. "I hope you
will smoke with me," he said, "But that wasn't just what I had in
mind. Masonry has so many different jobs to do -- I was
wondering which is the greatest." "Suppose you tell me what you
think these jobs are," suggested the Old Tiler. "I can answer more
intelligently if I know what you have in mind."
"Masonry teaches and practices charity," began the New Brother.
"I suppose the brotherly love and relief she teaches are among the
greatest of her works. She teaches men to agree to disagree, and to
avoid dissension while meeting on a common level. She teaches
brotherly love, which makes society run more smoothly and makes
us all happier. One of Masonry's works is education, since she
admonishes us to learn and to study. But I don't know that I could
say that any one of them is the most important."
"That is rather difficult," answered the Old Tiler. "Besides, you
have left out a number of things. Masonry helps us to make
friends-and surely in the struggle for happiness, friends add much
to the joy and take away much from the burden.
"Masonry helps men to come closer to their Maker-she does not
ape the church in teaching men how to worship God, but only that
God is, and that one can commune with the Great Architect
without sect or creed. She teaches sympathy and understanding.
She teaches toleration of the other fellow's views. Democrat and
Republican, saint and sinner, meet on the level in a lodge and
forget their differences in their sameness, lose sight of the quarrels
in their oneness. All this Masonry does for those who accept her
gentle ministrations."
"But that doesn't tell me which is the greatest thing she does,"
objected the New Brother as the Old Tiler paused.
"I don't think there is a greatest thing, except for the individual,"
answered the Old Tiler. "The greatest thing Masonry may do for
me may not be your greatest thing. To one man her brotherly love
may be the greatest; to another, the friends; to a third, the charity.
Doesn't it depend on the man?"
"You wouldn't say, then, that you think relief is Masonry s greatest
accomplishment?" asked the New Brother.
"For those it relieves, yes; and it often is for those who have
contributed to it. But suppose a man is engaged all day as a charity
visitor or a doctor or a Red Cross official. Relief by Masonry won't
be anything new to him. He must look elsewhere for the greatest
thing."
"Well, what is Masonry's greatest accomplishment for you, as an
Old Tiler?"
"Opportunity for service!" answered the Old Tiler, promptly. "It
gives me a chance to do things for my fellowman I wouldn't
otherwise have. I am an old man. I am not very active, and I have
always been poor. But in Masonry I can be active, even if not very
spry. Not having much, means doesn't seem to count. Now let me
ask you, what is Masonry's greatest accomplishment for you?"
The New Brother laughed. "I knew that was coming. It's sort of
hazy when I try to put it into words. But it is clear in my mind. The
greatest thing which I get out of Masonry, save one thing only, is
my kinship with the past. My sense that I am part of a living chain
which goes back into the years which are gone, for no one knows
how many centuries. I do what George Washington did in a lodge.
I see the same things Elias Ashmole saw. As I do, so did Bobby
Burns. I am mentally akin with the Comacine builders and the
Guild craftsmen of the Middle Ages."
"Back to Solomon and beyond," agreed the Old Tiler. "I
understand."
"Perhaps you do, but I can't make it clear when I try to put it into
words." The New Brother looked off into the distance, frowning. "I
feel a mystic sense of strength and inspiration from this oneness
with so many millions of brethren who have gone this way before
me-it seems to me that I have an added strength for my daily life
because I am a part of so great a chain. -
"All who love the Craft have that feeling," smiled the Old Tiler.
"But you said there was one other benefit which Masonry
conferred on you, and which you thought was the greatest of all.
What is that?"
The New Brother looked at the Old Tiler, without smiling. "The
privilege of talking to a man as wise as you," he answered.
A Masonic Thought
Brotherly love is not a tangible commodity. We cannot touch it
or weigh it, smell it of taste it. Yet it is a reality; it can be
creative, it can be fostered, it can be made a dynamic power.
The Master who has it in his Lodge and his brethren will find
that Lodge and brethren give it back to him. The Master too
worried over the cares of his office to express friendliness need
never wonder why his Lodge seems too cold to his effort.
Carl H. Claudy
NOVEMBER BIRTHDAYS
HAPPY BIRTHDAY BROTHERS
James M. Clark Brett A. Cossaboon
Larry M. Coward Robert A. Currier, Jr.
Samuel A. David
Robert B. Kirklin Ralph E. MacKinnon
Garfield L. Trumble, Sr
Brothers Fred and Barney enjoy their Lodge! How about you?
Moses Paul Lodge #96
Living Past Masters
Gerald E. Brown..…..……………..1965
Ronald C. Bartlett…..……………..1968
Donald S. Meserve..…………….…1972
Raymond E. Allen..………..………1975
William H. Carswell, II……1976, 77, 78
David R. Spiller…….………….1984, 85
Edwin F. Mitchell, Jr.………..……..1986
Anthony Zizos.…………………1989, 90
James S. Miller...1991, 98, 01, 02, 03, 04
John F. Torr…………….1993, 94, 99, 00
Stephen E Wawrzkiewicz…………..1995
Robert H. Stewart..…………………1996
Jay A. Edgerly………………………1997
William C. Hill, HPM……………….2003
Michael J. Mawson…..……………2005
George M. McGee III.……………….2006
Christopher Piehler……………2007, 2008
Robert D. Berry..…………………….2009
Kristopher G. Furtney…………2010, 2011
Vincent R. Puleo……………....2012, 2013
Robert J. Corsetti……………...2014, 2015
Brothers All
By Silas H. Shepherd
In the Lodge we meet the fellows,
Who, in other walks of life,
We would seldom ever contact,
And then perhaps in strife.
They are men of every leaning
Whom we good and honest call,
And the splendid thing about it
Is, that we are Brothers All.
They are men of every station
Some are rich and some are poor
But they all are full of friendship
And of service have a store.
We may differ in our methods,
But our objects we recall
And it binds us in a labor
And it makes us Brothers All.
They are men of truth and honor
Trusting always in the right
Seeking always further light.
What a power for perfect justice!
How can failure e′er befall
Such a firmly founded body––
For the Lodge makes Brothers All?