Though once thought lost, the 18th century records of Williamsburg Lodge No. 6, A.F.& A. M., Williamsburg, Virginia have been recovered. An entry in the Secretary's Minutes of November 9, 1775 indicates that James Monroe was balloted upon and made an Entered Apprentice in Williamsburg Lodge. Also, the surviving Treasurer's Accounts for the corresponding date indicate that the Reverend Doctor William Yates, a professor at the College of William and Mary, and member of Williamsburg Lodge, paid to the Lodge a total of £4 or $6.16 the fee for "initiating James Monroe, a student at the College." Although not yet 18, the age of admission was at the discretion of each Lodge at that time. Although unproven, it is generally accepted that Monroe may have taken other degrees in St. John's Regimental Lodge in the Continental Army. Cumberland Lodge N 0 8 in Tennessee, June 8, 1819, show a reception for Monroe as “a Brother of the Craft.” possibly a Master Mason in 1776. The Masonic president James Monroe, was an “Episcopalian of Deistic tendencies who valued civic virtues above religious doctrine.” Stating in his first inaugural address the concept of religious freedom, “boasting that Americans may worship ‘the Divine Author’ in any manner they choose.” He was the last President that was a Founding Father. President Monroe is best known for being the author of the Monroe Doctrine (December 2, 1823). The American continents, by the free and independent condition which they have assumed and maintain, are henceforth not to be considered as subjects for future colonization by any European power. In the wars of the European powers in matters relating to themselves we have never taken any part, nor does it comport with our policy so to do. We owe it, therefore, to candor and to the amicable relations existing between the United States and those powers to declare that we should consider any attempt on their part to extend their system to any portion of this hemisphere as dangerous to our peace and safety. With the existing colonies or dependencies of any European power we have not interfered and shall not interfere, but with the Governments who have declared their independence and maintain it, and whose independence we have, on great consideration and on just principles, acknowledged, we could not view any interposition for the purpose of oppressing them, or controlling in any other manner their destiny, by any European power in any other light than as the manifestation of an unfriendly disposition toward the United States.
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Though once thought lost, the 18th century records of Williamsburg Lodge No. 6, A.F.& A. M., Williamsburg, Virginia have been recovered. An entry in the Secretary's Minutes of November 9, 1775 indicates that James Monroe was balloted upon and made an Entered Apprentice in Williamsburg Lodge. Also, the surviving Treasurer's Accounts for the corresponding date indicate that the Reverend Doctor William Yates, a professor at the College of William and Mary, and member of Williamsburg Lodge, paid to the Lodge a total of £4 or $6.16 the fee for "initiating James Monroe, a student at the College." Although not yet 18, the age of admission was at the discretion of each Lodge at that time. Although unproven, it is generally accepted that Monroe may have taken other degrees in St. John's Regimental Lodge in the Continental Army. Cumberland Lodge N0 8 in Tennessee, June 8, 1819, show a reception for Monroe as “a Brother of the Craft.” possibly a Master Mason in 1776. The Masonic president James Monroe, was an “Episcopalian of Deistic tendencies who valued civic virtues above religious doctrine.” Stating in his first inaugural address the concept of religious freedom, “boasting that Americans may worship ‘the Divine Author’ in any manner they choose.” He was the last President that was a
Founding Father. President Monroe is best known for being the author of the Monroe Doctrine (December 2, 1823).
The American continents, by the free and independent condition which they have assumed and maintain, are henceforth not to be
considered as subjects for future colonization by any European power.
In the wars of the European powers in matters relating to themselves we have never taken any part, nor does it comport with our
policy so to do.
We owe it, therefore, to candor and to the amicable relations existing between the United States and those powers to declare that we should consider any attempt on their part to extend their system to any portion of this hemisphere as dangerous to our peace and safety. With the existing colonies or dependencies of any European power we have not interfered and shall not interfere, but with the Governments who have declared their independence and maintain it, and whose independence we have, on great consideration and on just principles, acknowledged, we could not view any interposition for the purpose of oppressing them, or controlling in any other manner their destiny, by any European power in any other light than as the manifestation of an unfriendly
disposition toward the United States.
Most people believe being vulnerable is dangerous. We’re all afraid to say too much, to
feel too deeply, to let people know what they mean to us, but this isn’t healthy. Love is
vulnerability. Happiness is vulnerability. The risk of being vulnerable is the price of
opening yourself up to beauty and opportunity. Being vulnerable is not about showing
the parts of you that are polished; it’s about revealing the unpolished parts you would
rather keep hidden from the world. It’s about looking out into the world with an honest,
open heart and saying, “This is me! Take me or leave me!” It’s hard to let go and be
vulnerable like this though, because the stakes are high. But remember, nothing
worthwhile in this world is a safe bet. Since love and happiness are born out of our
willingness to be vulnerable to open up to something wonderful that could be taken away from us when you hide from
your vulnerability, you automatically hide from everything you desire.
Being alone is a problem. – Wrong! If you don’t like who YOU are when you’re with someone else, that’s the real
problem, and it’s time to change things. Relationships must be chosen wisely. Don’t let loneliness drive you back into
the arms of someone you know you don’t belong with. Fall in love when you’re ready, not when you’re lonely. Strive to
discover true love – the kind of relationship that motivates you to be a better person the kind of Intimacy that’s rare
rather than right there. “But I don’t want to be alone!” you say. Change your mind about that. Be alone. Eat alone. Take
yourself out on dates, and sleep alone when you get back. By doing so you will learn about yourself. You will grow,
you will figure out what inspires you, you will realize your own dreams, your own beliefs, your own stunning clarity, and
when you do meet the right person who makes you feel even more like yourself, you’ll be sure of it, because you’ll be
sure of yourself. Bottom line: Don’t rush love. Wait until you truly find it. A great relationship is worth waiting for.
Fitting in is a good thing. – Sometimes you likely catch yourself asking, “Who am I to think I can do this?” When in fact
you should be saying, “Who am I to think I can’t?” Ignore your doubts. Forget about fitting in. Stand out! Think about
it. If you spent your entire life focusing on what everyone else thought of you, would you forget who you really were?
What if the face you showed the world turned out to be a mask… with nothing beneath it? That’s what happens when
you spend all your time trying to be who you think they want you to be. Don’t sell yourself short. Don’t save face and
lose your soul in the process. Doing so does not serve the world. There’s nothing helpful about shrinking so that
others won’t feel insecure around you. You are meant to shine in a way only YOU can. You were born to manifest all the
brilliance inside you, and as you let your light shine, you subconsciously give others permission to do the same. As you
are liberated from your own fear of standing out, your presence automatically liberates those around you too.
SUN CITY LODGE SHIRTS
Sun City Lodge N0 72 is coordinating an order for short sleeve collared polo shirts embossed with the Square and Compasses. The shirts have the following features: + Port Authority is the shirt manufacturer; + Shirt is short sleeve with a collar; + Left breast pocket with Name above the pocket; + Square and Compasses with SUN CITY LODGE N0 72 on the Right breast; and + Shirts are in Light Blue or White. Price is $25.00 per shirt with payment made to SUN CITY LODGE N0 72. If you are interested in ordering a shirt, please when ordering, include: + your shirt size; + the shirt color; and + Name you want place above the shirt pocket. CONTACT: Dave Miller at 623.875.2149 or [email protected]
Scouting makes a direct and positive impact on our communities by teaching positive values and leadership skills to youth. The mission of the Boy Scouts of America “Is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law”. The Vision of the Boy Scouts of America “is to prepare every eligible youth in America to become a responsible, participating citizen and leader who is guided by the Scout Oath and Law”. Sun City Lodge N0 72 is proud to support Boy Scout troop 938.
Welcome Brethren to this month’s installment of ‘On the Level’. This month I would like for us to consider the concept of Benevolence. Benevolence is a term that we see throughout our Masonry work. The philosophy of being helpful, expressing goodwill, or giving aid to others has been the focus of Masons throughout history. We all know that Masons have been giving generously since the first days of the Craft; in 1724, the first Charity Committee was set up in America to provide ‘Relief to distressed Brethren’. Following this effort, when General Oglethorpe began his settlement of the colony of Georgia in 1732 He received active support from the Craft, whose members raised a collection ‘to send distressed persons to Georgia where they may be comfortably provided for’.
These types of actions, and many more like them, started a long tradition of relief between Masons and non-Masons in the United States. William Preston, author of Illustrations of Masonry (1772), highlighted the duty of Masons to ‘give in the cause of charity’. He wrote, “To relieve the distressed is a duty incumbent to all men, but particularly on Freemasons, who are linked together by an indissoluble chain of sincere affection. To soothe the unhappy, to sympathize with their misfortunes, to compassionate their miseries, and to restore their troubled minds, is the great aim we have in view.” Since the early years in our country, Masonic charities have been providing relief to human suffering. Today, hundreds of millions of dollars are collected and distributed worldwide for medical care, relief in natural and manmade disasters, social warfare, and much more. There is considerable support for Masonic hospitals, homes for aging Masons and their dependents, and for Masonic widows and orphans. Many Masonic Bodies in the United States support a wide range of research programs too. The bottom line is that Freemasons are dedicated to the relief of mankind, and the examples of benevolence throughout history are a testimony to our ideals. Bringing it down from the world to the United States to our lodge, individual cases of distress are met by the Lodge. It is our pledge of benevolence to each other, our families, our lodge, our communities, and our country that demonstrates that, we too, are honoring the traditions that have gone before us. Have you thought about your contributions to benevolence in the lodge? What are you doing to honor the traditions of providing relief to others? As you think about benevolence this month, I would like each of us to pledge to do something we have never done before. Think about it. How can you contribute?
Matthew 7:17-20 (KJV) brings meaning to the act of benevolence:
17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit; neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
Final thought:
“When benevolence moves from your head to your heart, great things happen.”
Sun City Lodge N0 72 would like to preserve our heritage and Lodge by building upon
the Irrevocable Trust Fund. To do this, the Brothers of Sun City Lodge N0 72 can
consider Including in their will a Gift to the Irrevocable Trust Fund of Sun City Lodge N0
72, Peoria, Arizona. This absolutely will preserve our heritage that the Brothers above
have established. The funds will be used to maintain the building and for possible
renovations in the near future. The Lodge is in need of replenishing this fund. The
Brothers may contribute to this fund at any time.
This month in Freemasonry history has got me thinking, which in itself is a bit scary.
On March 3, 1753 George Washington at age 20 received his Fellowcraft Degree.
March 17, 1848 found Prince Hall becoming an Entered Apprentice at age 40, Sir
Arthur Conan Doyle became a Master Mason on March 23, 1887 at the age of 28.
Winston Churchill also at the age of 28 was raised on March 25, 1902 and Arizona
became a Grand Lodge on this same date in 1882.These young men joining the
Fraternity had no idea what role they were going to play in history, let alone the fact
that we would be talking about them a hundred years later. All of them however,
made references to their Masonic teachings in addresses and speeches saying the lessons they learned in their
Lodges were very important in the manner in which they led their life. As I look around Sun City Lodge N 0 72,
average age 70ish, I have to chuckle at the “average age”, some of you qualify for that group, though most of you
don’t look or act that old, but let’s face it, no one is going to be talking about you in a hundred years. Then there’s
those of us that will be seeing 70 sooner than we would like or realize. Chances are no one is going to be talking
about us a hundred years from now. Now that leaves our younger members in the age bracket of 20’s -30’s of whom
quite a few come to Lodge on a regular basis. Some have offices while others have parts in the various degrees.
They come to Lodge with a thirst for knowledge and it is our duty to give them that knowledge because in a
hundred years people may still be talking about one of them and that they thanked the Fraternity for helping them to
learn the way to live their life.
Greetings Sir Knights! I hope you all are enjoying the beautiful New Year so far as we head into the spring season. Activity at St. Andrew is continuing as usual as we work to improve our ritual opening, sword drill and mechanics. I have seen this Commandery improve so much over the last year and I cannot commend you all enough. With the 2015 well underway let us use this as an opportunity to continue improving St. Andrew in every way we can. You all have set the bar high for yourselves and continue to surpass my expectations. As a reminder our officer practice is still at 7:30 AM, coffee and donuts at 8AM and Conclave at 9AM. I hope to see you all there!
Companions, at this year’s outdoor quarry degree Oasis Chapter were proud to perform the Mark Master degree on
approximately 20 new Companions, on February 28TH near Wickenburg. Besides many of these candidates being for
our own Oasis Chapter N0 15, courtesy work was performed for several Chapters in attendance from around the state.
Most Excellent Grand High Priest Chad Burks, by dispensation opened and closed the Chapter with our own degree
team led by Past Grand High Priest David Miller performing the work. Thanks to all who pitched in and made this event
a success. Thanks also go to PHPs Glenn Cummings and Errol Hawksley for scouting the location.
Pot Luck- - - - - - - - - - 6:30 PM
Education- - - - - - - - - 7:00 PM
Meeting- - - - - - - - - - - 7:30 PM
Brethren and Ladies:
The next monthly meeting of the WV Scottish Rite Breakfast Club will be held on Monday March 24TH at 8:30 AM in the hall of Sun
City Lodge N0 72 at 18810 N. 107TH Ave, Peoria, AZ .The guest speaker will be Bro. James Rolle speaking on the role of the
Scottish Rite Almoner and what happens to funds collected by him. All masons and their guest are invited and encouraged to
attend. The Club President encouraged those attending the January meeting to call at least one other masonic member to
encourage them to attend the fun breakfast and share in the activities as well as in a tasty breakfast. For March the breakfast will be
tortilla cups, sausage, fruit, and orange juice. The normal coffee and tea will be available as always. Please place your reservation
with Jack Daniels at [email protected] or by phone 623.556.2116. Reservations are a must to save money on the cost of food and/or
to insure there is enough to eat by everyone present. Please make your reservations by Friday March 20TH to help in determining
the amount of food to prepare. See you at The Club on March 23RD.
Fraternally,
Dan Robison, President [email protected] Home 623.523.1642 Cell 623.363.5948
These tiles are 8 inches by 8 inches with your name or other name of choice and desired Masonic Emblem. The tiles will be placed on the patio on the
south entrance to the lodge. Several brothers have purchased them so far. They will be installed in groups of 6 to 10 tiles. Pricing is $100.00 each. See
our Secretary Dick Flinton for information. 623.972.2217
Junior Warden Message: Brethren, Please RSVP Craig Montgomery at 623.521.5580 or [email protected] with your dinning reservation. March’s Menu: Beverages, salad, meatloaf, mashed potatoes and gravy with vegetables.
. This is a change from previous months and is being made for more rapid
processing and release of information for the upcoming month.
“Remember him before the silver cord is severed, or the golden bowl is broken; before the pitcher is shattered at the spring, or the wheel broken at the well and the dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it”. ~ Ecclesiastes 12:6-7
I would like to contribute to The Sun City Trestleboard for the 2014 year at the following level:
Enclosed is my donation in the amount of $ ___________________________ Make checks payable to and mail to: Donation is IN MEMORY OFHONOR OF: (circle one _____________________ Attention: Sun City Lodge N0 72 Secretary: Please
n ___________________________________________
*Robert L Carne Jr. Jack Daniel Richard Albrecht: IMO James Leber: IMO Robert J. Cole
OES Sister *Jan Lilley Duane S. Kennedy PM Margaret Leber WM OES *John W. Geyer
*WV LOP Charles Maurice *O.F. AMARANTH Joseph Setticase *David Miller
*Jack Richey *Mr. & Mrs. William P Clark James Miller Jr. IMO
Mr.& Mrs. William Stam George Coxey Scott Ellis PM
Ruth Thomas: IMO Charles Hardy *Ben Strasser
Warren E. Thomas Arthur F. Hart * Fred Tomlin
John D. Spooler Gary M. Bing
Frank Visceglie
Masonic Lodge N0 72 needs current telephone numbers, current addresses and email addresses from all brothers
and Trestleboard subscribers. You will be receiving the Electronic Trestleboard if we have your email address unless
your preference is a mailing edition. Please notify W.M. Charles Hardy [email protected] or 623.271.1871
Our First annual Pancake Breakfast will be on March 14, 2015 at the Sun City Lodge from 7:30 to 10:30 A.M. This promises to be
a nice event for all attendees. Not only do we have a good menu planned but we will have a drawing every 30 minutes from 8:00
through 10:00 AM. This will provide a chance to win $20.00 at each drawing to add to the interest of all attendees. You get one
ticket for each meal you purchase and when you arrive you may buy extra tickets for $1 each which will add to the possibility for
you to win one of the $20.00 prizes. Bring your neighbors, friends and relatives to let them enjoy the morning. Master Masons are
always welcome to attend our meetings and any of our special events. Our next meeting on March 13TH promises to be very
interesting with our speaker from Luke Air Base telling us about the activities there including the new plane We also welcome you
into our membership so you can enjoy our Famous ‘Masonry in Action’ every month as we meet from October through May in
Tivoli Gardens at 8 A. M. on the second Friday of those months. The popular summer, informal luncheons with the ladies are
held at noon in the Briarwood Country Club on the third Thursdays of the months of June, July, August and September when our
club is dark. We choose our own lunch from the special menu provided for us. Our ladies enjoy these luncheons and I am sure
your lady will too. If you have not attended any of these luncheon, do it this summer. All members and any one else interested in
a tax deductible donation should give serious consideration to our High Twelve International’s charity -The Wolcott Foundation.
See John Geyer at any of our meetings. He will be happy to give you any information you may need Please remember to attend
the Sun City Lodge No. 72 to enjoy the great ritual and fellowship as well as a dinner which is held at most evenings of Stated
and called meetings. The Lodge is still the best place to find a new High Twelve member and it is fine to encourage any Master
Mason to join us.
The stairs also play an important role in two other parts of Freemasonry, namely
Jacob’s ladder in the first degree, and the 30TH degree of Knight Kadosh. The ladder
symbolizes the lessons learned in life, which, if properly used, brings us higher and
higher in knowledge; however, if lessons are forgotten the danger of falling is
continuously present. The most common usage of the ladder is indeed ascension to
Heaven, or coming closer to God. In Islam, Mohammed is said to have seen a ladder
which he climbed up to reach God. In Egyptians tombs, many amulets have been
found in the shape of a ladder. In the Book of the Dead it says, “My steps are now in
position so that I may see the Gods.” Most usage of the ladder is symbolizing to go
from this world to the next. However, this thought only assumes that there are two
worlds, whereas most cultures assume three, the present, the higher (like Heaven)
and the lower. Thus, the ladder can be seen to symbolize the different stages. Each
stage can then be subdivided into smaller ones (like three, five and seven) to
symbolize further, smaller, breakthroughs needed to be able to advance. It is also interesting to note that the number of steps is
an odd number. Indeed, Vitruvius noted that most ancient temples had odd numbered steps. He cited the reason for this to be
that any pilgrim climbing the stairs would necessarily arrive at the top with the same step as the one he started out with. Hence, if
the first step was taken with the right foot, it would be the right foot to reach the top. This was considered a good omen. It could
also be because in the Pythagorean system, odd numbers were considered more perfect that even numbers. It can therefore be
said that the usage of odd-numbered stairs was intended to symbolize the perfection the candidate was expected to reach. Also
interesting is the exact number of stairs. Some tracing boards of the 18TH century show only 5 steps, whereas in Hemming
lectures (used in England) the total number of steps was given as 25, divided into series of one, three, five, seven, and nine.
Several members of Sun City Nile attended the November stated meeting at Qadesh Temple when we were one of the groups recognized by Queen Betty. A number of members of our club were in attendance at the December meeting as well when we had an opportunity to sell items to support our charitable giving. In January many of our members attended the Supreme Queen’s Official Visit. This gave us a chance to visit with SQ Marsha as she is a member of our Club. We are looking forward to having her and Queen Betty able to attend our meetings next year when their year of constant travel is over. We were impressed with the ceremonial work. Three of the new members live in the West Valley and we hope to welcome them as members of our club. The evening banquet and entertainment was also a lovely event. Sun City Nile Club has had a good year honoring our own Queen Betty and Supreme Queen Marsha; welcoming new members, supporting our ways and means efforts; participating in many events; and providing gift cards and many useful items for the children in the Shrine Hospitals. Installation of new officers will take place April 6TH at 10:30 AM at our stated meeting held in the Masonic Center in Sun City. Please join us if you are able.
The Past Master fellowship meets on the second Tuesday at 8:30 AM in the Jackson Room. Coffee & doughnuts will be served. Our purpose is to assist the Worshipful Master and make recommendations. At our next meeting on March10TH we should have the masonic funeral booklets ready. We will also receive nominations for the Beehive & Silver Trowel awards. W.M. Hardy has scheduled the awards dinner sometime in May.
Brethren, at this time we have 234 members. We had one Golden Scroll: John Jobe. We have one affiliated waiting for a demit: Jan Milo Hoskins. We have one demit: John Brunello. I think we are doing very well. Our average age is 70.55. Do good unto all.
Issues of the Trestleboard are available to individual e-mail accounts electronically. The advantage of the electronic release is that
the recipient will be receiving the Trestleboard at the time it is sent to the printer, which is a week or more before the end of the
calendar month. To receive the Trestleboard electronically released in pdf format, please send your request and e-mail address to
WHAT: THIS TABLE COUNCIL MEETING WITH DINNER AND TRADITIONAL TOAST IS CONDUCTED IN THE OFFICIAL TABLE COUNCIL RITUAL OF THE GENERAL GRAND COUNCIL OF CRYPTIC MASONS INTERNATIONAL
WHY: TO PERSONALLY EXPERIENCE THE JOY OF MASONRY AS OUR BRETHREN LIVED IT IN THEIR LODGES LONG AGO
WHEN: MARCH 23, 2015 AT 7:00 P M (4TH Monday regular meeting night)
WHERE: SUN CITY LODGE N0 72 (just north Union Hills Rd. on 107th. Ave.)
ATTIRE: APPROPRIATE ATTIRE FOR STEWART COUNCIL MEMBERS
MENU BEEF WITH ALL THE TRIMMINGS
HOW: SEND THE ATTACHED RESERVATION A WITH CHECK FOR A DONATION OF $20.00 PAYABLE TO STEWART COUNCIL N016 ON OR BEFORE MARCH 18, 2015
TO: PAT HAYES 10318 W. Garnette Drive Sun City, AZ. 85373 email [email protected] or call 623.815.7063
ROSE ON THE ALTAR
A Scottish Rite Play Performed by the Valley of Phoenix
You are invited to attend this special event sponsored by Sun
City Lodge No
72 on Sunday, March 8th
2015.
The presentation begins at 2:00 PM and will be at the Sun City
Masonic Center, 18810 N 107th
Ave.
This is open to any Mason, his Special Other, and their friends and neighbors.
RSVP requested to Richard Flinton, Sun City Lodge Secretary
Contact Number and e-mail 623.972.2217or [email protected]), to assist with
planning of refreshments that will follow the performance.
Ad space is now available on the Trestleboard. You may purchase a business card size for $120 for one year, or a larger ad for $200 for one year. (11 issues) Please support our Brothers and Friends of the Lodge who advertise in our Trestleboard.
