GRAND LODGE OF MASONS IN MASSACH USETTS ● W I N T E R 2 0 1 2

Raising aMonument

Masonic Anniversaries in 2012

From the East of Grand Lodge

RICHARD JAMES STEWART

Brethren and Friends,

We will mark the 300th anniversary of Freemasonry in Massachusetts in 2033. It will be ahistoric milestone that should be celebrated throughout the jurisdiction with a magnificent,year-long celebration befitting such a rare and special occasion. Our fraternity’s storiedhistory, prestigious members, and significant contributions to our communities, state, andcountry should be recognized by Masons and non-Masons alike.

Today, however, our fraternity is at a crossroads that will substantially impact what Free-masonry in Massachusetts will look like in 2033. We face very real and serious problemsthat we must address and solve if we are to prosper in our 300th year and beyond. Finally,we must identify the vision we have for Freemasonry and develop a plan to help realizeour fraternity’s full greatness.

To plan for the journey ahead, and to understand the challenges we must face and theopportunities we must seize, we need to meet on the level and discuss these issues. We did it last year with our well-received, town-hall-style Listening Tour. And it is why weare doing it again this year for Massachusetts Freemasonry 2033: Our Fraternity in 20 Years.

The information we collect during these nine events around Massachusetts will define our fraternity’s goals in important areas, such as education, finances, membership, andmore. It will also serve as the foundation for our long range plan; so when we gather tocelebrate our 300th anniversary we will proudly look back at what we have accom-plished, and not reflect on what could have been.

My brothers, I strongly encourage you to take part in one of our Listening Tour events and be part of the solution. We will also be holding focus groups and conducting surveysto include as many voices into the conversation as possible.

A little less than 300 years ago, brothers like Franklin, Washington, and Revere not onlyhelped to build our fraternity, but they built this country. I am confident that the Craft’stalent and dedication will rebuild our fraternity to whatever heights we can imagine forourselves. May God bless each of you and the men and women who are protecting ourgreat country so that we may enjoy the freedom to practice the Masonry that we all loveso dearly.

Cordially and fraternally,

Richard James StewartGrand Master

Magazine of the Grand Lodge of Masons in Massachusetts

15 Manners MatterRt. Wor. David Newcomb

30 Memorizing RitualWor. Randall S. Wright

23 Masonic Anniversaries in 2012Our Longest-serving Brothers

13 Membership Development News Rt. Wor. Kenneth Sprague

19 The Heartbeat of Freemasonry Bro. J. Graeme Noseworthy

10 Grand Master of Massachusetts—Augustus Peabody Rt. Wor. Walter Hunt

Vol. 30, No. 4: Winter 2012

4 The Raising of a MonumentSeptember 11 Memorial in Falmouth

Lodge & District News 3

Chaplain’s Column 6

Grand Lodge Quarterly Communication 7

Living Freemasonry 12

The Prodigal Mason 14

News from Overlook 16

Ask the Grand Lecturers 27

The Young Tyler 32

R E G U L A R F E A T U R E S

30

19

4

10

Celebrating the Life ofM.W. Bro. Roger Pageau

Grand Master Will Return to Florida in 2013

N E W SLodge & District

T ROW E L ■ W I N T E R 2 0 1 2 3G R A N D L O D G E O F M A S S AC H U S E T T S

Grand Master of Masons in MassachusettsMW Richard J. Stewart

TROWEL Staff

Executive EditorJohn S. Doherty

Design andProduction

David A. Libby

Lodge and DistrictNews EditorLee H. Fenn

Consulting EditorRobert W. Williams III

Editorial StaffStephen C. Cohn

David P. NewcombRichard Thompson

Photography StaffPhilip A. Nowlan

Office StaffGeorge S. FontanaHelena M. Fontana

TROWEL Magazine is an official publication of the Grand Lodge ofMassachusetts, A.F. & A.M. © 2012: all rights reserved. Publishedquarterly for members of Massachusetts lodges. Subscriptions forbrethren of other Jurisdictions and non-Masons are $6.00 for oneyear, $10.00 for two years, and $12.00 for three years in the U.S.only; other countries add $5.00 per year. Mailed at standard A specialrates, prepaid at Manchester NH. Printed in U.S.A.

Trowel prefers electronic submissions and will acceptunsolicited articles, with the right to edit and use whenspace permits. Articles and pictures, unless specified,become the property of the magazine. Submitters arerequested to provide name, address, phone number, e-mail,and Masonic lodge, if any.

Address Changes for Massachusetts lodge members,and notifications of deaths should be sent to the indi-vidual’s lodge secretary, and not to TROWEL Magazine.

All other inquiries should be sent to the Grand Sec-retary’s Office, Masonic Building, 186 Tremont Street,Boston MA 02111

E-mail: grandsec@glmasons-mass.org

Grand Lodge telephone: 617-426-6040

Grand Lodge web page: www.MassFreemasonry.org

E-mail to Executive Editor:johnsdoherty@verizon.net

Telephone: 508-847-9081

E-mail to Lodge News Editor:trowellodgenews@gmail.com

Editorial Board:Richard J. Stewart, Stephen H. Burrall, Jr., Richard H. Curtis,

Jeffrey L. Gardiner, Donald G. Hicks Jr., David A. Libby,Thomas E. Pulkkinen, David C. Turner

2

I think that every Mason should expe-rience Grand Lodge in December atleast once. In the month of December,more than any other time of the year,Masonry’s traditions are on display.While watching the ceremonies andactivities during the month, it is soeasy to image the time when our first Grand Master set sailfrom England, bound for the colony, carrying the charterfor the first Grand Lodge in the New World.

Come on the second Wednesday to the Annual Com-munication and witness the election of officers for the newyear. Glimpse what democracy looked like in its infancy.Or come on December 27 to the Stated Communicationand see the ceremonies surrounding the installation ofGrand Lodge officers and sense that continuity has beenpreserved for another year. Stay on that day and help cele-brate the Anniversary of Saint John the Evangelist.Renewing your enthusiasm is so much easier while sharinga meal with friends from around the jurisdiction—just asour Masonic forbearers did 300 years ago.

Being here in December is a visceral experience ofbelonging to something bigger than ourselves: a Lodge oflodges whose founding enabled us to be ancient, free, andaccepted Masons. Happy Holidays. —John Doherty

continued on page 20

December at Grand Lodge

RW John Bamber and members of Sojourners Lodge at their Centennial DegreeCommunication in August.

On February 7, 2012 Sojourners Lodgebecame officially 100 years old andheld a centennial celebration partywith special guests including Rt. Wor.District Grand Master John B. Bamberand Grand Master of the Grand Lodgeof Panama, Most Wor. Manuel Corre-dera Gamboa.

Masonry in the Canal Zone had itsbeginnings in 1898 when SojournersLodge No. 874 was founded in Colon,

Masons around the State had twoopportunities to participate in a cele-bration of the life of Past Grand MasterRoger W. Pageau. Memorial serviceswere held in Charlton on September16, and at the Scottish Rite campus inLexington on September 23.

Services were opened with greetingsfrom Grand Master Richard Stewartand prayers of invocation by GrandChaplain Rt. Wor. and Rev. John Hig-gins. Several speakers shared theirremembrances of friend and fellowMason Roger Pageau. First, speakingas a representative of all the brethrenwas Rt. Wor. Mason W. Russell, an oldfriend and former deputy for Most.Wor. Bro. Pageau.

Several Past Grand Masters—including Most Wor. Albert T. Ames,Most Wor. Donald G. Hicks Jr., MostWor. Arthur Johnson, and Most Wor.Jeffrey B. Hodgdon—offered theirindividual recollections of the timesspent with Bro. Pageau on the variouspaths of Massachusetts Freemasonry.

Grand Master Stewart spoke last ofhis close friend and immediate prede-

(continued on page 20)

Sojourners Lodge Celebrates Centennial

Following up on a very popular Florida trip last winter, Grand Master Richard J.Stewart will again visit Florida in 2013.

Bro. Stewart looks forward to seeing members who have relocated to theSunshine State, as well as “snowbirds” who winter there, and sharing with them all

of the news about happenings withMassachusetts Freemasonry. He willalso take advantage of this visit to pre-sent Veteran’s Medals to brothers cele-brating 50 years with the fraternity. Thewidows of Massachusetts Masons arealso warmly invited to attend.

The Grand Master will be in the A LaCarte Event Pavilion in Tampa on Tues-day February 26, 2013; the Forest Coun-try Club in Fort Myers on WednesdayFebruary 27, 2013; and the Delray

Beach Golf Club in Delray Beach on Friday March 1, 2013.We hope you can join the Grand Master and your fellow Massachusetts broth-

ers! For more information contact the Grand Master’s Office at 617-426-6040, or

Info@MassFreemasonry.org. —Rt. Wor. Robert Jolly, Deputy Grand Master

GM Steward and DGM Robert Jolly meetmembers during the 2012 Florida trip.

Republic of Panama, under the GrandLodge of Scotland.

Over a period of years the member-ship in Sojourners Lodge became pre-dominantly American. The long delaysin communications between Scotlandand the desire for closer ties with theirhomeland, led the members to seek aconnection with a Grand Lodge in theUnited States. A formal request was

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Letters to the EditorBrotherhood

I was involved in a near fatal accident in February. Thank-fully, I am now well on the way to recovery. I have had aconsiderable amount of time for reflection and feel it isimportant to share some of my thoughts with my Masonicbrothers.

My family and I have been blessed with an outpouring ofsupport from many people and in many forms: from thosewe hold dear to our hearts as well as from unknown and dis-tant sources. During this most difficult time of my life, Iexperienced some of the most genuine and powerful dis-plays of people helping others. One source that truly standsout is the Masonic Order and my brethren therein.

One of the many things that I came away with from mydegree work was just how important the word brother is inMasonry. Having grown up as the seventh child in a familyof eight (six of us being boys), I was raised with a strongsense of family and more specifically what to expect from abrother. If you would allow me the latitude to say that thismakes me a fair judge of brotherhood, I would then have tosay that the ways in which both the brethren and the frater-nity have supported me and my family not only stands out,it more than lives up to what it represents.

Merely saying thank you can by no means satisfy the debtthat I feel is now owed. I hope that by doing the small ges-ture of writing down my thoughts here gets me closer tobeing whole. Most respectfully,

Bro. Brian Edlund, Paul Revere Lodge

T ROW E L ■ W I N T E R 2 0 1 2 54 G R A N D L O D G E O F M A S S AC H U S E T T S

The tragic events of the morningof September 11, 2001, should

never be forgotten. To honor thosewho perished and the courage andheroism of those brave first respon-ders, Marine Lodge had a memorialconstructed, and then presented it as agift to the citizens of the town ofFalmouth, Massachusetts.

The genesis of this community pro-ject came about in September of2011, when Freeport Lodge No. 23acquired two steel beams from theruins of the World Trade Center inNew York City, and gifted them as amemorial to the town of Freeport,Maine. The central figure in thiseffort was Most Wor. Charles E.Ridlon. Inspired by this example, acommittee was formed at MarineLodge to determine the feasibility oferecting a similar memorial inFalmouth. Committee members Rt.Wor. Ralph Sewall, Rt. Wor. JamesFranklin, and myself met and dis-cussed the prospects over the next several months; all werein favor, but no one was sure how to proceed.

I had a chance encounter with Daniel Altshuler, during ameeting of Massachusetts Consistory in Boston; Bro.Altshuler is a renowned sculptor, and member of TheTyrian-Ashler-Acacia Lodge of Gloucester. While dis-cussing the idea of the lodge project, Altshuler mentionedthat he knew the whereabouts of another large, mangled,steel beam from the World Trade Center that had been partof a remembrance exhibit at the North Shore ArtsAssociation in 2002 and was now in the custody of archi-tect Richard Bernstein. An e-mail introduction was made,and Mr. Bernstein responded by saying that he had beenwaiting ten years for such a call and felt that a communitymemorial would be a most appropriate use of this movingartifact. He also said he would be honored to design thememorial and site plan.

The steel secured, the next hurdle was to find a suitable

location in town. Contacts with atown selectman led us to FalmouthFire Chief Mark D. Sullivan. Thechief enthusiastically agreed with theconcept and was struck by the fortu-itous timing of the request; a memberof his department had recently askedhis permission to construct such a9/11 memorial, however the firemanhad subsequently learned that theNew York Port Authority’s steel dis-tribution program had ended.

Chief Sullivan suggested that aredesign of an existing memorial areaat the fire and rescue headquarters onMain Street would be an excellentsite. The lodge committee quicklyagreed. At this point, there was anenthusiastic commitment for the steelcoupled with an outstanding locationfor the memorial park.

Everything was falling nicely intoplace!

It was felt that, for this to be aMarine Lodge community project, all

of the funding should come from the lodge and its mem-bers. The lodge committed a significant sum, and fund-raising commenced with two generous challenge gifts frommembers. Ultimately, almost $10,000 in cash and in-kindgifts were raised by the lodge.

Inspired by the lodge initiative, the Falmouth firemendecided to raise funds themselves to add a bronze fire hel-met and bell, and a new flagpole to the park. To completetheir part of the park, the firemen used the steel to assisttheir successful community fund-raising during the sum-mer. In May, firemen traveled to Gloucester and transport-ed the steel to Falmouth. It was loaded on a trailer, dis-played in several locations, and was the subject of muchinterest. It also became the centerpiece of the MemorialDay parade.

Architect Bernstein designed a comprehensive plan thatincluded moving the existing memorial, the addition of thesteel and fire department monuments, and the erection of a

Marine Lodge A.F. & A.M.The Officers and Members

of Marine Lodge, A.F.& A.M., on behalf ofFreemasons all over the world,

are pleased to transfer the custodyof the steel artifact from the World Trade Center,

which was initially acquired fromthe City of New York

Office of Emergency Managementunder OEM Request Number 0063.

Custody is hereby transferred to the citizensand first responders of the

Town of Falmouth, Massachusettsin commemoration of the heroism

and sacrifice of so many.Presented this 11th day of September, 2012.

Jayme K. Baker Master

flagpole. A base of Barre granite was commissioned as aplatform for the steel girder. Bronze lettering and a plaquewere also ordered. A local contractor, Grafton BriggsLandscaping, was selected to complete the project and sitework commenced in late summer. A large tree wasremoved to another location in town, the existing monu-ment was repositioned on the site, and a concrete baseinstalled for the granite. Lodge members designed andinstalled the lighting.

The granite arrived during the remnants of HurricaneIsaac, and with time running short, the drilling of the stone,which was necessary to affix the bronze to the granite base,was carried out under a tarpaulin. Installation work contin-ued for the granite base and steel along with the flagpoleand two granite columns. Bluestone was added andenhanced landscaping was completed on time.

On September 11, 2012, seventy-five members ofMarine Lodge, led by Worshipful Jayme K. Baker andMost Worshipful Grand Master Richard J. Stewartprocessed along Main Street from the lodge and joined 150firemen and citizens already at the site. The fire chief led aprogram that included a blessing by a local clergyman, apledge of allegiance led by local Cub Scouts, and the ring-ing of the last alarm at the time the first plane crashed intothe World Trade Center building. Chain of custody of theartifact steel was transferred to the town by the GrandMaster and Marine Lodge.

One of the hallmarks of Masonry is networking. Thisproject was truly a cooperative community effort involving

The Raising of

a MonumentMarine Lodge’s Gift to Falmouth

by Rt. Wor. Joel Peterson

Marine Lodge, members of the Falmouth Fire Department,and other people from Falmouth and beyond.

A memorial to the September 11 tragedy—the PearlHarbor Day of our generation—a day that changed every-thing, has been dedicated to the citizens and first respon-ders of Falmouth, Massachusetts. All Freemasons, where-soever disbursed over the face of the earth, can share in thepride of a job well done. ■

MW Charles E. Ridlon, Past Grand Master of Maine; Bro.Daniel Altshuler of Gloucester; Grand Master RichardStewart.

Grand Master Stewart reads the certificate (see text in box)transferring custody to Falmouth; at left is Marine Lodgemaster, Wor. Jayme K. Baker. Below: Fire Chief Mark D.Sullivan and Grand Master Stewart.

G R A N D L O D G E O F M A S S AC H U S E T T S6

Freemasonry is a lot of things. Many years ago whenI was a machine-repairman apprentice at General

Motors, a teacher said to me, It’s OK to listen to whatpeople say, but really watch and pay attention to whatthey do. That’s what they’re really all about. True Ma-sonry is what people do.

In late September 1864, a Union captain from Ohionamed Bill found himself assigned to the Army of theShenandoah, whose mission was to cut off the use ofthe rich stores of the Shenandoah Valley in Virginiafrom the armies of the Confederacy. He participat-ed in the Third Battle of Winchester, which isregarded as the turning point in the ValleyCampaigns; it lasted from May to Octoberof 1864 and shifted the tide of battle inthat area toward the Union cause.Sometime after this Third Battle of Win-chester, a Union physician decided to goand see some Confederate prisoners of warand Captain Bill decided to go along. It was inthis setting that Captain Bill witnessed somethingwhich would make a lasting impression on him aboutthe nature and character of Freemasonry. The 21-year-old captain watched the physician walk up to and beginto quietly talk with some of the prisoners. Then some-thing remarkable happened. Bill watched the kindlyphysician reach into his pocket and give one of the pris-oners a bit of money. Then he watched him give somemoney to another man, and then another until all of hismoney was gone.

On the way back to camp, Captain Bill asked thedoctor if he knew any of the southern men he had beentalking with, or had met them before. The physicianreplied that he did not know them and had not met themprior to their meeting. Captain Bill couldn’t really gethis mind around what he had just witnessed. Here thisphysician was giving his money, all of it, to men whohad been trying to kill him just days before. He askedthe Union physician about his motivation of generosityto strangers, especially prisoners of war, who were, forall intents and purposes, the enemy. At last, the physi-cian told Captain Bill that the men he had given themoney to were Masons. Did the physician expect to berepaid? Not really. He went on to tell Bill that if hefound a brother Mason in trouble, he would do what hecould to try and help him. Captain Bill replied, “If thatis Masonry, I will take some of it myself.” (Source:Michael A. Halleraan, The Better Angels of Our Nature)

Early in our Masonic education we are taught thatshould we meet a brother whose luck has played out,we are to contribute as generously as we can to thelightening of his burden without harming ourselves. Inthis season of giving, it is good to remember that inaddition to money, two of the most important gifts wecan offer are those of time and to give something of our-selves. We might not remember what someone said tous. We will always remember what someone did to us,and how they made us feel. Each of us is a book that

others read, whether we know it or not. Each is aphotograph of Freemasonry that the rest of the

world sees. During the crucible of the CivilWar, a Union physician tended to the needsof men who had lost nearly everything. Hisreaching into his pockets and giving awaya few coins and his uttering a few kindwords to those who had nothing and who

could do nothing for him had a profound andlasting effect on Captain Bill. This simple act

of generosity, which took only a few minutes,became a powerful memory for Bill, and stayed withhim for the rest of his life. Light shared brings morelight.

As Masons, we are like seeds planted in the earth. Aswe grow in light we discover we are here to share whatwe were created to share: God’s light and brotherlylove. This light and love which flows from our heartsand minds can bring forth blessing to both ourselvesand to others. This light improves everything that itcomes into contact with. The core of our being can belikened to a mighty oak with branches raised to theheavens in an earthly prayer. The goodness that we sowin others can be likened to flowers which are plantedand bloom and bring forth the beautiful fragrance ofpeace.

Back to Captain Bill. Captain Bill finished the war asMajor William McKinley. Within a year of his experi-ence with the physician and the Confederate prisoners,McKinley took his three Masonic degrees in a lodgecomprised of southerners. McKinley eventually becamethe 25th President of the United States. ■

Wor. and Rev. Dr. Keith C. Alderman is an active mem-ber of Columbian Lodge in Boston, and twice served asmaster of Village Lodge No. 29 in Collinsville,Connecticut. He has been a grand chaplain since 2009.He is the senior pastor of Pilgrim CongregationalChurch, UCC in Leominster, and resides in Westminster.

Light Brings More Lightby Wor. and Rev. Dr. Keith C. Alderman, Grand Chaplain

T ROW E L ■ W I N T E R 2 0 1 2 7

he has served in numerous positions in recent years.

Edict Requiring Two Signatorieson Lodge Checks

As a supplement to the June 2012 edict requiring two sig-natures on all checks (one being the master) from all lodgesin this jurisdiction, the Grand Master is expanding theoptions to allow for the use of a voucher system, wherebythe master, wardens, treasurer, and secretary review andapprove all bills and invoices for payment and sign thevoucher. When the payment is made by the treasurer (orassistant treasurer) he will place the payment informationon the voucher and file the voucher with the invoicesretained with the financial history of the lodge. A vouchersystem has been included in the MORI system that isappropriate for this purpose. Therefore, the Grand Masteris amending the previous edict to now state:“It is my edict that all lodges within this jurisdiction will

institute the practice of having two (2) signatures on allchecks or other payments written by the lodge treasurer (orassistant treasurer) one of which must be the master of thelodge, unless a voucher system is in place which requiresthe signed approval of the master, wardens, treasurer (orassistant treasurer), and secretary (or assistant secretary) ofthe lodge prior to payment.”

The September 2012Quarterly Communicationof the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts

Grand Master Richard J. Stewart welcomed back sever-al hundred Masons to the Grand Lodge on a beauti-

ful September day. The quarterly communication beganwith a presentation of the Colors by members of TheScouters Lodge: Rt. Wor. Jay Jolicoeur, Wor. Adam Joli-coeur, Wor. Peter Ham, and Wor. Craig Erickson. Attendeeswere delighted to then hear the recital of a “Flag Speech”composed by Miss Andrea Knott, past worthy advisor ofNatick Assembly #28, International Order of Rainbow forGirls. The Grand Master introduced Miss Knott and newlyinstalled Supreme Deputy Susan Torrey, who made briefremarks about her plans for the Grand Assembly ofMassachusetts, IORG.

AwardsRt. Wor. District Deputy Grand Master Joseph DeNicolawas presented with both of this year’s Lodge of Instructionawards. The 18th District won both the Rt. Wor. Oscar A.Guinn Jr. Trophy for largest district attendance and the Rt.Wor. Terrence Stephens Trophy, which is awarded for high-est participation of lodge masters, wardens, and deacons atLOI meetings during the past year.

On behalf of Mount Horeb Lodge in Woburn, the GrandMaster presented the Joseph Warren Distinguished ServiceMedal to Rt. Wor. Ted N. Morang Sr. and thanked him forhis devoted service to his lodge and to Grand Lodge where

Left: Past Worthy Advisor Andrea Knott recites her Flag Speech. Middle: RW Ted Morang (L) received the Joseph WarrenMedal from Grand Master Stewart. Right: RW Joe DeNicola receives LOI awards for 2012. (L to R) RW Ted Morang, GM Stewart,RW Terry Stevens, RW Joe DeNicola, RW Phil Drouin.

(continued on page 28)T ROW E L ■ W I N T E R 2 0 1 2 98 G R A N D L O D G E O F M A S S AC H U S E T T S

Tree of Life PresentationsOn behalf of the Masonic Medical Research Laboratory(MMRL) Rt. Wor. Ronald Kamp, director of developmentand communications, and Wor. Alfredo Canhoto, chairmanof the Grand Lodge MMRL committee, made several pre-

sentations of MMRL’s traditional “Tree of Life” sculpture,which is awarded to donors who make gifts of $1,000 ormore supporting MMRL’s research efforts. The GrandMaster was first recognized for his enthusiastic adoption ofMMRL as the Grand Lodge signature charity, and then pre-sentations were made recognizing the donations ofWinslow Lewis Lodge, Columbian Lodge, the 10thMasonic District, the 17th Masonic District, and ScottishRite’s Valley of Boston. [Ed. note: The list of donorsreported for the June Quarterly inadvertently omittedEuclid Lodge, which generously donated proceeds of theirNorm Crosby Event to MMRL.]

In a separate presentation, visiting officers of thePanama District including Wor. Albert Hopper III, districtgrand junior warden and master of Sojourners Lodge; Bro.Helge Skjelfjord, district grand secretary; and Bro. JoseRobert Rodriguez, district grand tyler were delighted tomake a generous gift to MMRL on behalf of The DistrictGrand Lodge, Sojourners Lodge, and Gatun Lodge with apromise of more to come!

Candidates for the Office of Grand Warden Grand Master Stewart presented to Grand Lodge the can-didates for grand warden positions this year. These Masonswill stand for election at the December, 2012 QuarterlyCommunication. They will spend the fall months visitinglodges and district events to introduce themselves around

the jurisdiction and to gain a better understanding of thestatewide fraternity.

The candidates for senior grand warden are Rt. Wor.James A. Gilrein II and Rt. Wor. Kenneth W. Sprague Jr.

Bro. Gilrein was raised in Mount Horeb Lodge inDennis in 1991. He is also a member of Adams, KingHiram’s, Nauset Light, and Universal Lodges. He is pastmaster of Mount Horeb Lodge and past district deputygrand master for the 21st Masonic District. He was award-ed the Joseph Warren Distinguished Service Medal in2009.

Bro. Sprague was raised in Converse Lodge in Maldenin 1982 and served as master in 1986. He is also a memberof Samuel Crocker Lawrence and The IndependentLodges. Rt. Wor. Bro. Sprague is past district deputy grandmaster for the 4th Masonic District. He was awarded theJoseph Warren Medal in 2009.

The junior grand warden candidates are Rt. Wor. FrancisP. Mitrano and Rt. Wor. Kenneth R. Blake.

Bro. Mitrano was raised in Wyoming Lodge in Melrosein 1977. He was elected master of the lodge in 1988 andserved as district deputy grand master of the Melrose 7thMasonic District in 1991. He also is a recipient of theJoseph Warren Medal.

Bro. Blake was raised in 1978 in Pequossette Lodge,Watertown and served as the lodge’s master in 1988. He isalso a member of the Masters Lodge where he served asmaster in 2008. He was district deputy grand master for theBrighton 5th Masonic District in 1993, grand steward in1999, and is currently a grand lecturer. Bro. Blake was pre-sented the Joseph Warren Medal in 2010.

Above: Past masters of Winslow Lewis Lodge (including theGrand Master) receive their gift from MMRL. L to R: RW &Rev. Dean Benedict, RW Bradford Pottle, RW David Holland,Grand Master Stewart, Wor. Alfredo Canhoto, RW RonaldKamp. Below: Members of Columbian Lodge receive the Treeof Life. Back row, L to R: RW James Manninen, RW ArthurKinne, Bro. Paul Jackson, RW Mason Russell, RW LudwigAlban, Wor. Rev. Keith Alderman. Front row, L to R: RWDonald Denning, GM Stewart, RW George Harris, RW RonaldKamp, Wor. Alfredo Canhoto, RW Michael Sandberg.

Above: RW Peter Dorr (C) receives the Tree of Life on behalfof the 17th District. (L to R) RW James Holmes, GM Stewart,RW Peter Dorr, RW Ronald Kamp, Wor. Alfredo Canhoto.Below: DDGM William Yanakakis and masters from the 10thDistrict display their Tree of Life.

Above: Officers of the Valley of Boston present their dona-tion to MMRL; (L to R) RW Philip Drouin, RW Richard Austin,Grand Master, RW Roy Leone. Below: Grand Master Stewartand Members of the Panama District; (L to R) Wor. AlbertHopper, Bro. Helge Skjelfjord, Bro Jose Roberto Rodriguez.

In MemoriamOn behalf of the Grand Lodge, Most Worshipful AlbertTimothy Ames gave a memorial presentation for Most Wor.Roger William Pageau who passed to the Celestial Lodgeon July 28, 2012. The Grand Lodge conducted memorialservices for Bro. Pageau on September 16 at the MasonicHealth System in Charlton and September 23 at theScottish Rite Headquarters in Lexington.

The Grand Master’s AddressI am pleased to welcome you to the September QuarterlyCommunication of Grand Lodge and I trust that you had ahealthy, restful, and enjoyable summer. It is now time torededicate ourselves to the work of the Craft.

In the three months since our last QuarterlyCommunication your Grand Master, his officers, and vari-ous committees have been extremely busy. BudgetCommittee Chairman Rt. Wor. Harvey Waugh and his com-mitteemen have worked long and hard to reduce the draw-down from our endowment funds.

Each of our committee chairmen was required to defendhis budget request line by line with the Budget Committee.This process, started last year, has enabled the committeeto reduce the 2013 budget by some $500,000. I want tothank the Budget Committee for their hard work and com-mitment.

Wor. Donald LaLiberte, chairman of the new BusinessProcess Improvement Committee, and his team of dedicat-ed committeemen were challenged to think outside thebox—as if our Grand Lodge was starting in businesstomorrow. The committee worked long and hard for sever-al months and has developed a new business model thatwill make Grand Lodge more efficient. This model will bepresented to the Grand Lodge Board of Directors in thenear future.

EventsThe eighteenth annual scholarship awards ceremony washeld on June 15. This year we were able to help 142 stu-dents further their education by granting $422,500 inscholarships.

The Grand Master’s Fair on June 24 was again wellattended by Masons and their families. A hot air balloonwas featured this year and your Grand Master had a briefride! Most Wor. Al Ames and his committee did anotheroutstanding job of planning and running this 35th annualevent.

Several Grand Lodge officers were invited to participatein the 237th Annual Lantern Ceremony commemoratingthe hanging of lanterns in Old North Church in April 1775.

Few of us have the opportunity to present our Masonicsponsors with their Veteran’s Medal. I was honored to beable to present my sponsor, Wor. Everett Hultquist, with his50-year medal in Guiding Lights Lodge.

Above: Candidates for senior grand warden RW KennethSprague (L) and RW James Gilrein (R) Below: Candidates forjunior grand warden; RW Kenneth Blake (L) and RW FrankMitrano (R)

10 G R A N D L O D G E O F M A S S AC H U S E T T S

Grand Mastersof

Massachusettsby Rt. Wor. Walter Hunt

Most Wor.

AugustusPeabody

1843–1845

In December 1845, at the end of three years as GrandMaster of Masons in Massachusetts, sixty-six year old

Augustus Peabody rose to address his newly installed suc-cessor, Simon Wiggin Robinson. His remarks were heart-felt and articulate, and spoke of the course of his time inGrand Lodge’s highest office.

On resigning the oriental chair, I cannot forbear a fewremarks to you, and the Grand Lodge over which younow preside. It may be incumbent on me to make a briefallusion to the principal events that have occurred dur-ing the last three years . . .

A few years since, our number in this Grand Lodgewas small, consisting chiefly of elders—a bold and faith-ful band, who could neither be allured by bribes, nordriven by menaces of destruction, from the stand onwhich they had planted themselves around theirMasonic altars. Most of the subordinate Lodges weresilent in death—or sunk in a paralized [sic] sleep resem-bling death. And perilous and painful were the labors ofthose who sustained the Order.

Freemasonry has been . . . exposed to assaults underwhich every thing else that was of human origin has fall-en. But Freemasonry still remains—and probably it willendure so long as it shall be transmitted, unchanged, tosuccessive generations. Change would destroy it . . . Ithas recently risen from one of the severest attacks it eversustained—and since that period, many slumbering andapparently extinct Lodges have struggled into newbeing, and many have been added to our number. It isdelightful to contrast it since its revival with what it wasas long ago as the oldest can remember. Affliction haspurified it . . .

The Craft have had many perplexing difficulties andformidable labors to encounter. Every thing appertain-ing to them had been thrown into confusion. And whilefor many years few received initiation, all the remainingmembers, not attached by the strongest bonds of affec-tion, had fallen away, and were no more seen at ourassemblies. The few who retained an indomitable faith,labored assiduously and effectually in repairing whatwas broken, and reanimating what was paralized. [sic]

And now, Most Worshipful, you succeed to the direc-tion of an association, whose strength is restored, andwhose movement is onward and vigorous. You are sus-tained by a well-founded hope that your administrationwill be peaceful— and that you will be charged with lessperplexing labors than you have sustained in subordi-nate stations . . .

It is in your power to do much to render universal areverence for the principles of the Order, and conformi-ty to its ancient simplicity, which have been so stronglyrecommended by foreign correspondents and domesticconventions.

For Past Grand Master Peabody, and for the GrandLodge going forward, the vistas were wide and, after a

“A Profound.Thinker

andGood Man”

The eighth installment in the continuing seriesfocused on our past

Massachusetts Grand Masters.

T ROW E L ■ W I N T E R 2 0 1 2 11

period of extreme trial, the future looked very bright. It wasan outcome that no one—not even Augustus Peabody,whom Charles W. Moore dubbed “a profound thinker anda good man” in his memorial years later—could haveanticipated.

Augustus Peabody was born Asa Peabody inAndover in May 1779, the son of LieutenantJohn Peabody Jr., a veteran of the Frenchand Indian War (he was present at thebattles of Fort Ticonderoga andLouisburg) and the AmericanRevolution (as the captain of amilitia company). His Perleymaternal grandmother wasGeneral Israel Putnam’s sister.At age four, Asa and his familyremoved to what is nowBridgton, Maine; he was (as issaid) “fitted for school” andattended Dartmouth Collegeand then Harvard Law School.While at Dartmouth he was initi-ated at Franklin Lodge #6; aftergraduation, and during the time hewas reading law for TimothyBigelow (later Grand Master ofMassachusetts), he became affiliated withSaint Paul Lodge in Groton. As with mostyoung officers in the fraternity, he learned thestandard work “mouth to ear”—without the aid ofciphers or other printed documents; in his diary, he report-ed that in 1804 he attended a ‘Convention’ at the old TrinityLodge in Lancaster, where he learned the Webb Lecturesfrom Benjamin Gleason, the grand lecturer of the GrandLodge.

When he opened his law office in Cambridge in 1806, heaffiliated with Amicable Lodge, where he served as an offi-cer (though not as master). He was highly regarded by hisbrethren, and particularly by Most Wor. Brother Bigelow,who appointed him as district deputy grand master of theFirst Masonic District in 1813; Grand Master BenjaminRussell renewed the appointment in 1814. In 1817 he waselected senior grand warden, serving under Grand MasterFrancis J. Oliver. In 1815, he legally changed his namefrom Asa, which he detested, to Augustus, the name hebore as Grand Master.

From this point, Brother Peabody’s story becomes curi-ous. He was high in the standing of the Masons ofMassachusetts; indeed, a fellow member of AmicableLodge, Samuel P. P. Fay, a district deputy at the timePeabody occupied the senior grand warden’s chair, waselected Grand Master in 1820. It would not be surprisingfor Augustus Peabody to have been chosen in his middleyears to the highest office in Massachusetts Masonry.

Instead, it appears that he stepped away from the frater-nity. “I retired from the meetings,” he wrote; “and there-after had little connection with the active duties of theCraft, except that I was for one or two years deputy grandhigh priest; and excepting, also, that after the anti-Masonic

pressure became severe, I met often with the brethrenin their meetings for consultation and advice.”

For much of the period between 1830 andhis election to the Grand Mastership in

December 1842, he was a trustee ofthe Grand Lodge Charitable Fund, a

responsible position that demon-strated the trust that a beleagueredfraternity reposed in him.Occasionally, and usually at theAnnual Communication in De-cember, his name appeared inthe list of attendees, but hereceived no committee appoint-ments, made no speeches, andintroduced no legislation or pro-posals in the Grand Lodge.

In 1842, Most Wor. CalebButler, who had been forced to del-

egate much of the active work of theGrand Lodge to his deputy, Simon W.

Robinson, “unequivocally declined” re-election for a third year as Grand Master.

Instead of turning to Robinson—a dozen yearshis junior, and still active in business in Boston—the

Grand Lodge chose Augustus Peabody by unanimous voteas their Grand Master, retaining Brother Robinson as thedeputy. He inherited a body, and a jurisdiction, in far bettershape than it had been for many years; “the time hadcome,” he said, “for the brethren to return to their halls andtheir lodge rooms, as the children of Israel went up toJerusalem to rebuild the Temple which their enemies haddesecrated and destroyed.”

It was a remarkable three years. During Grand MasterPeabody’s first year, a great Convention was held inBaltimore, attended by most of the Grand Lodges in theUnited States; the result was the creation of a trestle-board,adopted in various forms by the various jurisdictions,enforcing a common mode of work. “I have examined itwith care,” he said at his annual address in December of1843. “It meets with my decided approbation . . . This lit-tle book is adapted to the wants of the working Masons. Itcontains what he needs, and nothing more. Its judiciousand tasteful arrangements make it a valuable acquisition.”

During each of his years as Grand Master, BrotherPeabody had the pleasure of restoring charters to a numberof lodges that had surrendered them during the difficultyears of anti-Masonic turbulence. At his final annualaddress in December 1845 he named eighteen lodges—

(continued on page 32)

T ROW E L ■ W I N T E R 2 0 1 2 13

Early this year, the Membership Development Committee established a subcommittee on

Retention and Engagement. The panel was asked tostudy why our members are disengaging from lodgelife and to determine possible solutions to change this verydisturbing trend.

It soon became clear to the subcommittee that any realchange would require us all to take a long and serious lookinto the mirror. For many years, the entire family of Free-masonry has suffered from a continuous decline in mem-bership. It seems that no matter the action taken, the trendcontinues.

In the book Laudable Pursuit: A 21st Century Responseto Dwight Smith, the authors advance the following idea:

We now have some hard choices to make, and a limitedtime to make them. Our history of dealing with hard choic-es in this fraternity is a depressing signpost for the future.There is another way than the one we have been followingfor decades. It will be the lodges and Masonic bodies thatadapt and carry a vision forward that will survive. For toolong we as leaders and protectors of this noble institutionhave fled the battlefield. Today is the day we turn and fight.

According to the subcommittee chairman, Rt. Wor.James Dill; “One thing that has become perfectly clear, isthat there are far too many members who feel alone oralienated in their own lodge. We must all become crusaderson spreading the word, and practice those lessons we havelearned in this fraternity. We all took the same obligation tocare for and about each other. That feeling of caring is whywe exist, and it is who we are.”

The information resulting from the work of the subcom-mittee is now being shared with the MembershipDevelopment Committee. We look to have something inplace by the spring that we can share with every lodge andevery brother.

Spring Open HouseApril 6, 2013, will be the date for our Spring Open House.The weather on the first Saturday in April should be a littlewarmer and may permit lodges to consider activities out-side their buildings. This date will give the lodges time toread and ballot on applicants before most of our lodges godark for the summer. The intent is to have candidates readyfor degree work in the fall.

DeMolay Recruitment ProjectThe DeMolay Recruitment Project is something new. Ourcommittee is working with Brother Chris Rooney, past

state master councilor, to set a plan in place toapproach those young men who will be leavingthe ranks of DeMolay. We want to develop a

marketing plan to educate these men on the bene-fits of joining the Craft. We want to assist them in

taking their degrees before going off to school (if this istheir plan), as well as contacting Masonic lodges in thetowns where these men will be living and have them invit-ed to attend lodge meetings.

Four Easy Programsto Get Your Members Engaged

Brethren, here are four self-paced programs to get yourmembers involved. All it takes is for these programs to bepromoted in your lodge.

1. The Master Mason Rookie Award. If you want to giveyour candidates something enjoyable to do, have eachbrother pursue the Rookie Award. It is a great way to getthem into the district and meet more members of the Craft,as well as witness how lodge meetings and traditions varyfrom lodge to lodge.

2. The Master Builder’s Award. This program is an off-shoot from the Rookie Award. It gives members of ourlodges some tasks to perform that we expect they will findenjoyable. If you have been a brother for more than a year,this program is for you.

3. The Masonic Passport Program. Kudos go out to TeamEastward Bound of the Masonic Leadership Institute, thatdeveloped this Traveling Man Masonic Passport Program.Get your members to record their visits in this passport andhave it signed by the masters and secretaries of the lodgesthey are visiting. We have had requests for this passportthroughout this country, and several have been sent over-seas. Do you have your Masonic Passport?

4. Cable-Tow Brothers Lodge Mentoring Program. De-signed as a mentoring program for all new candidates with-in this jurisdiction, this easy-to-follow program helps to getthe new brother comfortable within the lodge, interactingwith his appointed lodge mentor, and broadening his expe-riences as a Mason. We don’t believe there is a better wayto make a candidate feel welcome than to follow this pro-gram.

If there is anything the Membership Development Com-mittee can do to assist your lodge, we would be happy towork with you regarding awareness in your community,working with candidates, retention and engagement, oranything else you may be experiencing. ■

MEMBERSHIP DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEEby Rt. Wor. Kenneth W. Sprague, Jr., Chairman

Retention & Engagement Examination

12 G R A N D L O D G E O F M A S S AC H U S E T T S

Masonry is fortunate to have an affil-iation with DeMolay, and now with

the Boy Scouts. Many of today’s DeMolayand Scouts will become Masons and takeactive roles in their lodges in the future.

senior’s computer learning center in Abington, and finds helearns as much as he teaches!

His activities continue in the quarries of the Craft. He isthe chaplain in three lodges including The Scouter’s Lodgein Holden. He wears many Masonic jewels and awards onhis Scouting uniform along with his Eagle badge and theprestigious Daniel Carter Beard Award for MasonicScouters. He says the 75 miles he travels each way to attendthose lodge meetings is well worth the time and effort.

In 1999, he was presented with the Joseph Warren Dis-tinguished Service Medal for his many activities in hislodges, church, and community. Rt. Wor. Lonnie Piper pre-sented him with a District Deputy’s Service Award for hisextensive activities in the district. Brother Knowlton servedas the district awareness officer, and currently serves as thedistrict ambassador for Rt. Wor, Richard Jope.

One of the programs he is most proud of was started bythe late Rt. Wor. Ronald Preble. He and Bro.Knowlton annually assembled about 50 hol-iday care packages for local military troopsstationed overseas. The two of them con-ducted many fund-raisers and solicited cor-porate contributions to cover the cost of sup-plies and shipping expenses.

Brother Knowlton now heads up thelodge’s widows program with the assistanceof Mrs. Joan Preble, Ron’s widow. He stillkeeps up with Ron’s program of visits, mail-ings, and deliveries of flowers grown in hisown garden. Four years ago he started afund-raiser for Myositis, a disease affectingthe muscles. He says the work is great butthe laborers are few.

Brother Knowlton likes the current BenFranklin marketing campaign. He says hislodge has benefitted from this campaign. Hesees young men working many more hours

to earn a living and raise a family. We need more of thesemen to become active and share the load. MassachusettsMasonry has excellent training programs to help.

Brother Bob Knowlton is not just another name on aMasonic roster, but one who makes things happen—oftenwith little fanfare. He credits Carol, his wife of 39 years,with a lot of his successes. He is truly one who enjoys beingin the quarries and trying to improve himself and those sur-rounding him in Masonry. ■

We have seen this over the years with so many masterscoming from the DeMolay ranks and many more beingraised and maintaining their Masonic membership. Onesuch Mason is Brother Robert Knowlton of Braintree’sSaint Paul’s-Algonquin Lodge.

Brother Knowlton started his Masonic journey 54 yearsago when he joined Watertown DeMolay at the age of 18,and by his own admission, hasn’t stopped. He is proud tohave been invested with the Degree of Chevalier. He joinedVictory Lodge in Watertown and was raised in 1962. Afterserving in the U.S. Army for seven years he returned homeand became a dad advisor with the Watertown DeMolay.When he moved to Boston’s south shore heaffiliated with Saint Paul’s-Algonquin Lodgein Braintree, and has been active ever sinceworking on numerous charitable projects forhis lodge, church, and his Boy Scout troop,where he’s been an advisor for more than 16years. He continues to serve as the lodge’slead ambassador and as a trustee.

Many early influencers in his life wereMasons. His great uncle who lived inGardner was a member of six Masonic orga-nizations and a 50-year Mason. His De-Molay dad was Herman Sanderson, who wasalso his Sunday school teacher. Not havingany sons of his own, Herman always consid-ered Brother Knowlton, his twin brother andhis other brothers as his sons. Rt. Wor.Franklin Harris was both an operative andspeculative Mason. Both of these men wereloved and respected by many and were thekeys to Bro. Knowlton becoming involved in the Masonicfamily.

Brother Knowlton has been involved with Cub ScoutPack 56 in Holbrook for more than 16 years and is current-ly a district trainer. Both of his sons are Eagle Scouts. Heand his family started a free-clothing ministry at the FortSquare Presbyterian Church in Quincy for returning VietNam veterans. Twenty-four years later they are still helpingreturning veterans. He is also a training coach at the

Living Freemasonry by Rt. Wor. Steve Cohn

Bro. Robert D. Knowlton

Meet an Active Massachusetts Mason

T ROW E L ■ W I N T E R 2 0 1 2 1514 G R A N D L O D G E O F M A S S AC H U S E T T S

Richard Thompson is a past master and member of MerrimackValley Daylight Lodge in North Andover.

The Prodigal Mason

I am what you might call an incess- ant researcher. Now, I’m not sure

if my drive to uncover informationled to my decision to go into thenews business or if my interest innews gathering gave me this passionfor uncovering facts. But in eithercase, this is what I do and have donefor years. And the Internet makes iteasier and faster to uncover more andmore information.

In the course of doing my research I regularly comeacross pieces of information on any number of subjects,among them Freemasonry. I have found so many Masonicfacts, I am pulling together a talk I can give to lodges. It’s abit of trivia to fill a quiet moment.

For example, one thing I learned is that in 1892, thetallest building in the world was the Masonic Temple atRandolph and State Streets in Chicago. It was 22 storiestall. The building was torn down in 1939 to make way forthe State Street subway station. I understand the ChicagoMasons were not upset at losing their building. It leakedlike a sieve and was never really suited for Masonic needs.

But there was something I came across that I knew I hadto learn as much about as I could. Between October 11,1890, and January 1, 1951, every governor of the state ofWyoming was a Master Mason except one. Across a timespan of more than 60 years, 19 Master Masons served asWyoming’s chief executive. That is 19 of the first 20 chiefexecutives of the state.

It is quite obvious why the one exception was not aMaster Mason—that governor was Nellie Tayloe Ross, whoserved from January 5, 1925 to January 3, 1927. While shewas not a Mason, she was definitely connected to the fra-ternity. She was the widow of Bro. William B. Ross, whoserved as governor of Wyoming from January 1, 1923 untilhis death on October 2, 1924. Secretary of State Bro. FrankE. Lucas, took over as acting governor until Nellie Rosswas elected.

But beyond being the widow of a Master Mason, she hadanother tie to the Masonic fraternity. She was also a mem-ber of the Order of the Eastern Star.

The more I read about Nellie Tayloe Ross, the moreimpressed I became with her. To begin with, she was thefirst woman to be elected the governor of a U.S. state. I

would expect Wyoming to be the first state to elect awoman. Women were given the right to vote in 1869, theyear after the Territory of Wyoming was formed. In 1890,when Wyoming became a state, a woman’s right to vote wascarried directly into the state constitution.

In addition to serving as a governor, Nellie Ross gave theseconding speech for Al Smith at the 1928 DemocraticNational Convention. At that convention, she also received21 votes from 10 state delegations for nomination as theDemocratic candidate for vice president. She later served asthe vice chairman of the Democratic National Committee(DNC) and director of the DNC’s women’s division. In1933, President and Bro. Franklin Delano Rooseveltappointed Nellie Ross as the director of the U.S. Mint, thefirst woman to hold that position. She continued on asdirector of the mint until 1953, when Dwight Eisenhowerwas inaugurated as president.

It is a wonder what I was able to uncover about thisMasonic widow in about a half-hour of research. But whileI was finding new things about Nellie Ross, I started think-ing about all the Masonic widows whose life stories are notentries in Wikipedia. I was thinking that for many of ourbrothers Masonry is at the center of both their fraternal andsocial lives. There are few places we go socially that are notconnected to the fraternity in some way. The same is truefor our spouses. When we head to the lodge for a socialtime, our wives are normally with us. After a while, thelodge becomes the center of our wives’ social lives as well.

When a brother passes to the Celestial Lodge Above, wemiss seeing him at our meetings and activities. We see theseat he normally filled at lodge meetings. We see the placewhere he normally sat in our banquet hall. At thosemoments when we are remembering a brother, do we thinkabout his widow? The lodge was probably an important partof her life. She went to the suppers, the parties, the installa-tions, and other events. With her husband and our brothergone, her social life may be gone as well.

I have to admit I have not been too good at meeting therequirements of the part of our Masonic obligation wherewe promise to watch over a deceased brother’s family. Ihave not stayed in touch with the widows as I believe Ishould.

I’ve thought of all the things lodges could do to help thespouses and families of our deceased brothers. We caninvite them to our installations and other activities; volun-teer to do some yard work; offer to help with some minorrepairs. Or maybe we could do the best thing—give them acall and let them know we care. ■

by Richard Thompson

What’s happened to the use of manners? This questionhas been on the minds of many people. It seems that

the lack of manners is becoming the norm. For a lot of us,that is both unwelcome and unaccepted. When manners areused, they are appreciatedand respected. When man-ners are expected but notused, the silence of themoment can be deafening.Let’s take a look at thisquestion. After all, man-ners matter.

What are manners?They are traditional normsof social behavior andconduct established by agroup or community. Manners are expressed in the behav-iors we exhibit toward others. The simple act of saying“please” or “thank you” is only the beginning. Proper usesof titles, good manners, signs of respect, and more formalold-fashioned language and actions should be more com-mon in our everyday lives.

Manners in Today’s WorldWe are all familiar with the Caller ID function of today’sphones and many use this capability to screen calls. Voice-mail messages ask a caller to leave a name and number andpromise that their call will be returned at the earliest con-venience. How easy it is to return a call and give the calleran answer to his or her question. Good manners dictate thata simple return call should be made. Manners matter.

Invitations are often received that request the courtesy ofa reply. Increasingly, these requests are ignored. Peoplechoose to board elevators, buses, or trains before other pas-sengers exit. People interrupt conversations without say-ing, “Excuse me please.” Every day, each one of us is del-uged with e-mail, texts, tweets, and even snail mail! Eachcontact provides a chance to say “please” or “thank you.”All to often this opportunity to exhibit good manners ismissed.

Lodge officers complain about challenges with monthlydinner reservations. A simple phone call or e-mail isrequired to reserve a meal. Yet members arrive without areservation and expect to be accommodated. Other mem-bers make reservations and do not attend. The result is con-

fusion, unnecessary expense, and often unfed brothers.Responses and reservations are vital. Again, manners mat-ter.

Perhaps people who ignore manners believe in the phi-losophy of “me first.” Ifso, they are missing thepoint. The Good Bookhas taught us: “Do untoothers as you would havethem do unto you.” And“We reap what we sow.”It takes a minimal effortto use good manners andthe rewards are incredi-bly far reaching. Theserules of etiquette for be-

havior and conduct are the keys to civil society and happyliving.

The Place of Manners in MasonryHow does this relate to Freemasonry? Massachusetts main-tains a more formal personality then many other jurisdic-tions and certainly more than in the broader society.Tuxedos, top hats, and white gloves are worn in mostlodges. Proper uses of titles, dress codes, posture, commu-nications, and other seemingly outdated behaviors areused. We used written letters for requests for dispensations,invitations, RSVPs, thank-you notes, and other communi-cations. These actions come from an era when mannerswhere very much appreciated. Many brothers who travelelsewhere in the Masonic world admit to missing the for-malities of Massachusetts Masonry. These actions areappreciated, rewarding, and educational.

Masons already have reputations for service in the com-munity and service to mankind. Our reputation is welldeserved because for almost three hundred years, we havebeen a service organization. Let’s consider how wonderfullife might be if Masons were to lead the way in a “MannersMatter” renaissance. The next face of Freemasonry couldbe a smiling brother, shaking hands with another and say-ing, “Thank you for your services.”

How might this make a difference? The stress involvedwith arranging meetings would plummet; response rateswould soar; phone calls would always be answered; man-ners would permeate our lodge meetings. Masonic com-munications, both traditional and electronic, would beenhanced with courteous dialogue and would be models ofpoliteness; our reputation as a service organization wouldbe matched with a reputation for exceptional manners. Itwouldn’t cost anything. It sure sounds like a Masonic thingto do.

The words of Louis Armstrong’s memorable song wouldcertainly be appropriate. “Oh, What a wonderful world.”Manners do matter. ■

Rt. Wor. David Newcomb is a fre-quent contributor to TROWEL. He isa past DDGM for the 2nd MasonicDistrict and a member of the GrandLodge Service Committee.

MANNERSMATTER

by Rt. Wor. David P. Newcomb

The Make-A-Wish Program grants special wishes forOverlook residents in both Charlton and Northampton.

In July, a wish came true for five Enhanced Living resi-dents of the Overlook Communities in Charlton. NancyDean, Bertha Bonin, Sophie Quinlan, Alice Schroth, andMarie Lopes hit Misquamicut State Beach in Rhode Island,accompanied by Overlook Staff members Stephanie Niko-poulos and Carlene Divoll.

Armed with sunscreen, towels, umbrellas, and a picniclunch, the ladies sunbathed, splashed in the waves, and hadthe time of their lives. Bertha Bonin thoroughly enjoyedthe day, even though she was knocked over by the “wild”waves. “Did I have fun? Oh my Yes! It was a most pleasanttrip with delicious sandwiches, soft drinks, water andmelon provided for us.”

“All our wishes were granted,” said Marie. “Stephanieand Carlene were our angels for the day. They were therefor us. I am 81 and a half years old, and I never thought I’dever return there again; can’t wait to go again. The little girlin me had so much fun.” Smiling resident Alice Schroth

T ROW E L ■ W I N T E R 2 0 1 2 17

A Day at the Beach Made Possible by Make-A-Wish Fund

The Groves Celebrates Its Second AnniversaryExecutive Vice President Elaine Stephens, who is

responsible for home care and hospice at OverlookVNA and former chair of the National Association ofHome Care (NAHC); David Turner, president and CEO ofMasonic Health Systems; and Jeff Kincheloe, NAHC vicepresident for government affairs, participated in a WhiteHouse community leaders briefing on senior issues.Members of the Leadership Council of Aging Organi-zations, including NAHC, were invited to the briefing.

The briefing featured senior White House officials in awide-ranging discussion of seniors issues with a specialfocus on health care policy concerns. Several seniors wereinvited to tell their stories about the difference Medicareand Medicaid had made in their lives. Vice President JoeBiden joined the group at the conclusion of the briefing. Hepledged to protect Medicare and Medicaid and to opposeelements of the House budget blueprint that he said wouldundermine these programs.

The meeting was a unique opportunity for grassrootsleaders to have a two-way dialogue with the White Houseabout issues affecting their communities. Stephens andKincheloe raised concerns about pro-

Masonic Health Systemof Massachusetts

A Focus on Careby David Turner, President & CEO

G R A N D L O D G E O F M A S S AC H U S E T T S16

It is hard to believe that July 19 marked the secondanniversary of the opening of The Groves in Lincoln.

Each anniversary celebration will begin with the plantingof an apple tree on The Groves’ grounds.

Following the planting the big party kicked off.Residents gathered in Gala Restaurant and were treated toa lavish spread of delicacies created by the Dining ServicesDepartment led by Director Michael Spector and ExecutiveChef Reagan Vetree. Carved tenderloin, vegetable andshrimp lettuce wraps, crab cakes, and shrimp cocktailalong with a decadent display of cheese and fruit wereenjoyed by over 100 residents and employees.

Reynaldo LeBlanc, marketing coordinator at The Grovesin Lincoln, acted as the bartender at the event and com-mented, “What an amazing celebration. Everyone had somuch fun and it was great to see so many new faces ofrecent move-ins. The Groves is really a wonderful, vibrantcommunity with a remarkable family atmosphere.”

Classical background music was provided by the SivanEtedgee Trio. The group played the keyboard, cello, andviolin. Many residents stayed at their dining tables or sataround the band to make requests and enjoy the beautifulmusic.

As one resident wrote to Executive Director RobertFallon after the event, “Thanks so very much, Rob, for amost enjoyable party this afternoon. As usual, planningwas thorough and everything went clearly, as designed.

NEWS FROM O V E R L O O K

Masonic Health System (MHS)has spent over a decade fo-

cused on providing quality care andservices to the largest possible num-ber of seniors across the Common-wealth of Massachusetts. Like manyproviders, we understood that tomake the greatest impact on thisgroup, we would need to expandoutward from our campuses and

into the communities where people live and work.MHS aggressively entered the home care business with

an acquisition in 2000 that resulted in the creation ofOverlook Visiting Nurse Association (Overlook VNA).This new service enabled us to offer certified services, hos-pice and palliative care services, and private duty services.Since this year 2000 acquisition, we have made tremen-dous progress both through additional acquisitions andmarket growth. More recently we have developed diseasesupport programs (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease,diabetes, wound care, and congestive heart failure). Thesenew programs offer essential information and support forpeople struggling with these diseases. We have also contin-ually looked for ways to expand the use of technology andtelemedicine to help our seniors and caregivers. We real-ized that while we have been successful in expanding ourbreadth of services, we were not helping seniors navigatethe health care industry. We had not addressed or reducedthe trauma of care transitions, and most importantly, wewere not truly helping seniors to realize their goals aseffectively as we could.

The acquisition of our Overlook CARE division(Consultation, Advocacy and Resources for Elders) in early2009 finally supplied MHS with the connector across all ofour business lines and served as our primary outreach.CARE managers provide geriatric case management ser-vices to many individuals who may not know where to turnin the confusing maze that is health care. Overlook CAREis a point of entry to MHS programs and services, and isthe coordinator of on-going care. Our team of profession-als conducts comprehensive assessments, locates and navi-gates resources and other services, provides crisis interven-tion, liaisons with other professionals or families that may

live far away, as well as offers a broad range of additionalservices.

MHS is a service-focused organization whose future iscommunity-based care: helping seniors receive the bestcare and services when, where, and how they want them.We assist individuals and families to identify their uniquegoals and develop a comprehensive plan to achieve thosegoals. Our mission is to empower seniors to maintain theirhighest level of control and independence whether in theirhomes, in the community, or on one of our campuses.

Because of these offerings, we are able to provide ser-vices directly to individuals in the comfort of their home.MHS can now reach more than 65% of Massachusettsseniors with community-based care and services. We arevery proud to say that we assist over 3,000 individuals eachand every day. MHS aspires to become the premier pro-vider of health and wellness options in Massachusetts. ■

agreed, “It was the best day I’ve had in a long time; so niceto go out for the day.”

The ladies are already planning their next trip. “I wouldgo back and do it all over again,” said Bertha. “And ifyou’re wondering, I’m 89 years young!” ■

Masonic Health Systemat White House Briefing

Your staff people were the epitome of gracious service;food and drink was most delightful; the string ensemblewas top drawer; and the invited guests were among thenicest in the land. You’ll have a tough time matching itagain next year.” ■

L to R: Director of Dining Mike Spector, Groves residentCarol Caswell, Executive Director Rob Fallon.

(continued on next page)

T ROW E L ■ W I N T E R 2 0 1 2 19

People often ask me what I like aboutbeing a Freemason. I usually come

back with an enthusiastic yet textbookresponse about our beloved fraternity mak-ing good men better and deepening myconnection to my community, my countryand myself.

That’s all true. There’s no doubt aboutit.

But sometimes I talk about the littlethings. I’ll mention those calm momentswe enjoy just before a meeting gets started.Or perhaps I’ll say that a Masonic lodge isone of the last gathering places wherethere are no telephones, no computers, nointerruptions, and none of the constant dis-tractions of our fast paced modern-day lives. Instead, thereis only peace and quiet, brotherly love, and fraternal har-mony—and, quite frankly, a man guarding the door with asword.

I often tell people that there is no other place like it inthe world.

These days, we hear a lot about the value of Free-masonry. That’s an important discussion we all need toengage in but we should also be considering the heartbeatof Freemasonry. This concept goes beyond the charities wesupport and the dues we pay. It goes past the work of alodge master and his line of officers. It goes beyond thewords we memorize and the rituals we cherish.

The heartbeat of Freemasonry lies in the actions that weall participate in but rarely ever discuss.

It’s the men pressing their suits and tuxedos and prepar-ing their regalia. It’s the brethren welcoming each other asthey gather in lodges around the globe. It’s the well-quali-fied candidate wondering if his vote will be favorable. It’sthe officers studying their cipher and rehearsing their lineswhile driving to and from work. It’s the proud Masonsassembling to march in a parade. It’s the various commit-tees meeting on their own time to discuss how they canimprove their lodge, its members and their community atlarge. It’s you. It’s me. It’s all of us.

It’s the fact that right now as you read these words theheartbeat of Freemasonry echoes far and wide.

Close your eyes for a moment and youcan hear it. You can hear the raps upon thedoor of a thousand distant lodges. You canhear the whispers of men reciting words tothemselves that they have labored so longto learn. You can hear the hearty laughs ofbrothers getting to know each other. Youcan hear the taps of footsteps workingtheir way towards the sanctity of their his-torical temples. Most importantly, you canhear the eager voice of a man as he finallyrealizes that to be one, you must ask one.

The heartbeat of Freemasonry neverstops. It never dies. It never fades. It neverweakens.

When I go to my lodge, I make it a pointeach and every time to just stop, look, listen, and ponderwhat it took for me to be in that place at that time. I’ll standfor a moment in the glare of the setting sun upon the frontsteps or sit back during dinner and look around at the por-traits of our past masters that watch over us in the diningroom. I’ll consider the thousands of brothers and hundredsof years leading up to that moment, in that place, at thattime. I’ll consider that without taking that first step, Iwould never have been lucky enough to know these greatmen. I wouldn’t get to hear these ancient words or sharethese unique memories.

I wouldn’t have become connected to a history that ismuch greater than any one man, one lodge, one moment,one time, one place.

So maybe the next time someone asks me what I likeabout being a Freemason; I’ll just wink, smile and makethe sound of a beating heart. ■

Bro. J. Graeme Noseworthy is a memberof Trinity Lodge in Clinton and a memberof the Leominster Royal Arch Chapter inLeominster.

The Heartbeat of Freemasonryby Bro. J. Graeme Noseworthy

18 G R A N D L O D G E O F M A S S AC H U S E T T S

posals to impose co-payments on Medicarehome health. Theystressed how co-payswould restrict accessto home health careand result in big in-creases in expensivehospital and nursinghome care. They en-couraged the WhiteHouse to support theHome Health Care

Planning Improvement Act that would allow nurse practi-tioners to sign home health plans of care. ■

The Rehabilitation Department inCharlton has developed a pro-

gram to provide learning and supervi-sion for therapy students performingtheir clinical affiliations. Two doctor-al-level physical therapy studentshave completed 12-week internships.A 4-week internship is scheduled foran occupational therapy student thiswinter.

Each student is paired with a stafftherapist, who acts as their clinicalinstructor. The instructor shares theirskills with the therapy student, whileproviding real experience in a super-vised framework. The student actuallyexperiences patient care and is giventhe opportunity to study a patient’s problems, form conclu-sions, and create treatment plans. This critical learningexperience provides the student with hands-on learning andnon-judgmental feedback about student behavior thatincreases self-awareness. The clinical instructor communi-cates and documents objectives for the students in accor-dance with the standards of practice established by theAmerican Physical Therapy Association (APTA). The in-structor and academic coordinator from the student’s col-lege or university collaborate so that the student meets allthe criteria of the academic curriculum.

“Lisa, my clinical instructor, had been my grandfather’sphysical therapist several years ago,” said StephanieKerber, a student in the Doctoral program at AmericanInternational College. “After his heart attack, he went to

Overlook for rehab for severalmonths. I went to visit him often.Watching the therapists work theirmagic on my Gramps made me wantto become a physical therapist. Whenit came time to select my secondinternship location, I knew immedi-ately that I wanted to go to Overlook.”

A capstone project is required tocomplete a doctoral program. Theclinical instructor guides the studentthrough a patient scenario-identifica-tion process. The resulting case reportis used to provide data and informa-tion to the physical therapy profes-sion. Both of Overlook’s students per-formed their capstone projects on

cases they experienced during their time at Overlook. Onestudent focused on complete decongestive therapy/lym-phedema therapy. The second student reported on the useof virtual reality to treat unilateral spatial neglect (left-sided neglect). Each project provided in-depth informationabout new, dynamic, and exciting therapeutic interven-tions.

Many Overlook residents request to work with the stu-dents because they enjoy being part of the learning andteaching process. The family of one such resident sharedtheir thoughts on the program: “Having Stephanie workwith us has been fantastic! She’s going to be a great phys-ical therapist! She has such great ideas and has helped usso much!”

This internship setting provides students with a dynam-ic learning experience and demonstrates the benefits of aresident-centered care approach. The students provide thetherapy staff with a fresh outlook on current trends inhealth care education and keep the focus on research-based, measurable, functional outcomes. Mentoring a stu-dent involves dynamic, hands-on education, and spurs onseasoned professionals to expand their own knowledge andskills. Therapist Lisa Ritze has found the instructor experi-ence extremely rewarding. “Students are a great reminderof the reason we all entered the health care field. Theybring great energy, fresh ideas, and new approaches. We allhave room to grow, and having students around inspires usall to do our best. It’s also fun to pass on your hard-earnedexperience and see the changes in a student from the begin-ning to the end of their clinical.”

Students are encouraged to actively contribute to theenhancement of the clinical facility with an expansive viewof physical and occupational therapy

Overlook Contributes and Benefits by Training Future Therapists

Doctoral student Stephanie Kerber andInstructor Lisa Ritze.

White House Briefing continued from previous page

(continued on next page)

practice. Integrating computer technology into therapy wasStephanie’s focus this summer. She became an expert onutilizing the iN2L (it’s never too late) computer for thera-peutic intervention with patients, and worked closely withindustry representatives and therapy staff to optimize ther-apeutic outcomes.

“I learned a lot from my internship at Overlook, espe-cially from my patients and Lisa, my clinical instructor,”said Stephanie. “Most of the things I learned this summercan’t be taught in classes—they only come from experi-ence. I will always be grateful for my experience and toLisa for taking the time to teach me. I will miss everyone,patients and staff alike, but I had a wonderful experienceand will cherish the memories of my internship forever!” ■

Future Therapists continued from previous page

Sojourners Lodge Centennial Degree . RW John Bamber, Bro.Paul G. Kay (father of candidate), candidate Paul A. Kay,Sojourner Lodge Master Wor. Albert C. Hopper.

Sojourners, continued from page 3

sent to the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. The request wasapproved and a special communication was convened byGrand Master Benton where he constituted SojournersLodge in January, 1913 in Christobal, Panama.

Sojourners Lodge now resides in Panama City.Membership and attendance is back to where it was in theearly 80s. The Lodge continues to grow and looks forwardto the next 100 years. —Wor. Albert Curie Hopper III

Middlesex Lodge Supports Vetsin Warrior Thunder Ride

T ROW E L ■ W I N T E R 2 0 1 2 21

At the U.S. Presidential Museum: RW Ernie Pearlstein,Francis R. Carroll, Wor. Norm Crosby, GM Richard Stewart.

Benefit Reception in Worcester“A Night of Music and Comedy” was held in Worcester onOctober 13 for the benefit of the St. John’s Food for the Poorfacility. Wor. Norm Crosby, one of the headliners for thisevent, joined Grand Master Richard Stewart in hosting apre-show reception at the nearby United States PresidentialMuseum.

This museum was founded by Francis R. Carroll and con-tains an impressive collection of letters, documents, imagesand artifacts of U.S. presidents, vice presidents, foundingfathers and other historical figures.

Co-performers Virgil Gibson of the Platters, and JohnMcDermott, founder of The Irish Tenors, joined NormCrosby in welcoming guests to the museum for private toursand refreshments. —John Doherty

Middlesex Lodge supported the Third Annual WarriorThunder Motorcycle Ride in September. The WarriorThunder Foundation, a federally recognized 501(c)(3) char-itable organization, is chartered exclusively to raise publicawareness and charitable donations for the needs of veter-ans—particularly injured servicemen and servicewomenand their families.

The Third Annual Ride started and finished at the MillisAMVETS post. The event was a fifty-mile, police-escortedride that ended with a cookout, live music, and prizes. Thisyear, all proceeds went to The Fisher House of Boston andHomes for Our Troops. For more information about thefoundation, visit www.warriorthunderfoundation.com.

—Wor Samuel J. Newland

CorrectionsRookie Award—The picture caption on page 28 of the fallTrowel was incorrect. Bro. Edward Sandell is a memberof West Roxbury-Dorchester Lodge.The Quiet Medal—The listingof Joseph Warren Medal recipi-ents in the fall Trowel omitted,of all people, Wor. Earl Dickey.

Bro. Dickey was presentedwith the Joseph Warren Medalin December, 2010 in recogni-tion of his long and faithful ser-vice to Middlesex Lodge inFramingham. He has been theirrole model for beautiful ritualfor 56 years. This holder of the Bronze Star for bravery inKorea was the first volunteer for every mission. He was oneof three unmarried men in the unit. It seemed to him theright thing to do.

20 G R A N D L O D G E O F M A S S AC H U S E T T S

N E W SLodge & Districtcontinued from page 3

cessor. The services were concludedafter a benediction by a beautiful ren-dition of “Flowers of the Forest” by Rt.Wor. Kenneth W. Pfeiffer.

Most Wor. Roger W. Pageau passedto the Celestial Lodge on July 28,2012, at age 67. He was a Mason for 36years, having been raised in JohnWarren Lodge in 1976. He served theGrand Lodge of Masons in Massachu-setts as the 86th elected Grand Masterfrom 2008 to 2010. He lived respectedand died regretted. —John Doherty

Piper Kenneth Pfeiffer concludes memo-rial services for Bro. Pageau in Charlton.

Left: Bro. Ted Theodores in his father’sseat in Webster Lodge.

Pageau, continued from page 3

Rusty brothers may have the hardesttime in Freemasonry: they are “here,”they desire betterment, long for broth-erhood, yet they have a hard timecrossing the lodge room threshold.Wor. Don Davidson, from WebsterLodge tried to make that step back intolodge easier.

In his letter, Wor. Bro. Davidson justwanted to catch up. He wrote, “I amhoping you will return a quick noteupdating us on what is going on in yourlife. We have become a very activelodge with many new faces and wish toknow if there is anything we can do foryou.” This was written in 2009.

Bro. Ted Theodores wrote back in2012 saying Wor. Bro. Davidson’s let-ter was the right thing at the right time.

Rusty Brother Returns

Touchesand

Tastes ofHomefor theTroops

A couple of years after Lisa Bracciobegan sending care packages to troopsoverseas, her husband Matt was raisedin Middlesex Lodge and Lisa had afresh source of volunteers for the E4Richard LaFleur Care Package Drive.Lisa and Matt remembered their unclestalking about returning from Viet Nam.Both Braccios resolved that veteranswould never be treated like that again.

Lisa’s crafted her project to provideservicemen and servicewomen with “alittle bit of sunshine” from home. E-mails from our troops are collectedand, twice a year, boxes are assembledand mailed by Metrowest volunteers.Packages prepared during this Oct-ober’s drive contained regional candyfavorites, drawings by school children,fall maple leaves, reading material,always-popular socks, and foodstuffscraved by service people. Even boxlids are used to carry hand-writtenmessages from the volunteers fromlocal churches, high schools, andMasons from Middlesex and otherMetrowest lodges.

In addition to food items donated byStop & Shop, cash donations arereceived from AT&T and individualsthat show up at the Southboro collec-tion site with checks—some as large as$500. The 800 boxes shipped in Oct-ober required nearly $10,000 ofpostage. Lisa never worries about hav-ing enough money. Richard LaFleur’sAmerican Legion Post 132 in Marlborowill see to it that no box ever goesunshipped.

The event in October was Lisa’s

16th care package drive. Cumulatively,8,000 boxes containing 175,000pounds of touches and tastes of homehave been enjoyed by our men andwomen serving overseas. (In photo:Lisa Braccio and Richard LaFleur.)

—John Doherty

“The first thing I did after receivingyour letter was dig out and re-read mythree little Claudy books. I was‘tutored’ and ‘examined’ by a couple ofvery knowledgeable brothers; bought anew cipher and learned to read most ofit; visited 7 of the 14 Cape Cod lodgesin the 20th and 21st Districts; observedmany degree rituals, and met manylocal brother Masons.”

At Wor. Bro. Davidson’s installationthis year, Bro. Theodores made hisreturn to Webster, his mother lodge.He sat in the south, where his fatherliked to sit. “I enjoyed gazing at thespot just west of the altar where Wor.John P. Trull raised me on October 21,1957. These renewed memories, andthe gratitude that I feel to WebsterLodge will remain with me forever.”

Bro. Theodores is now affiliatedwith Mariner’s Lodge of Cotuit andFraternal Lodge of Centerville. He isworking with his Cape Cod brethren inthe role of ambassador.

—Wor. Don Davidson

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(continued on next page)

G R A N D L O D G E O F M A S S AC H U S E T T S 23

Masonry in the United States experienced its great-est growth during the years of World War II and

the Korean Conflict. Many of the 641 Masons celebrat-ing anniversaries in 2012 are 100 years old. The firstgroup of six Masons are our longest living members;four are 100 or more years old. Long live Masons! Themen listed below under the names of their current lodgesare enjoying their 60th, 65th, 70th, or 75th years in

Freemasonry. Anniversaries are based on the date raisedto the Degree of Master Mason regardless of your cur-rent lodge.

Contact your lodge secretary if you have any questionabout your seniority or status. Recent demits and deathsmay not be reflected in this listing. Congratulations toeach celebrant, and thank you to those providing photosof lodge presentations.

2 0 1 2 M A S O N I C A N N I V E R S A R I E S

75-Year Anniversaries Brethren Raised in 1937

Azure Lodge Wor. Kenneth Walcott Powers Charles C. Dame Lodge Wor. Lewis Asa Pingree

Chicopee Lodge Bro. Ralph Henry Kuhnert Mount Tabor Lodge Wor. James Leuis Acheson

Adams LodgeBro. Allan Ray Putnam

Ancient York LodgeWor. Philip Eugene Colburn

Bay Path LodgeWor. Everett Sumner Allen

Charles C. Dame LodgeBro. Albert Victor Lindquist Jr.

Elm-Belcher LodgeBro. William Francis Nutter

Gatun LodgeBro. Fred Ethan Wells

Globe Unity LodgeBro. Werner Otto Bachli

Guiding Lights LodgeBro. Frank Kenwood Jones Bro. Clayton Fairfield Jones

Harmony LodgeWor. George Chandler Clapp

Indian Orchard Masonic LodgeWor. Philip Arthur Christensen Sr.Bro. Warren Calvin Christensen

King David LodgeWor. Donald Hartley Campbell

Liberty LodgeBro. Sherman Theodore Pike

Moses Michael Hays LodgeBro. Jacob Donath

Mount Moriah LodgeBro. Walter Whitelock Morgan

Mystic LodgeBro. Charles Ronald Fyfe

North Quabbin LodgeBro. Donald Gorton Engel

Puritan LodgeWor. Adam Lamb Murray

Sojourners LodgeBro. Edward James Sullivan

The Consolidated LodgeBro. Robert Norman Snider

The Meadows LodgeBro. Horace George Haunton

Waltham Triad LodgeBro. Christopher Peter Morris

1925 87 years Bro. Harry Paul Kimball Mount Orthodox Lodge—

1934 78 yearsBro. Harold Reder Mystic Lodge • Bro. Richard James Towne Orient Lodge

—1935 77 years Bro. George Maurice Franklin Major General Henry Knox Lodge

—1936 76 years

Bro. H. Edward Bascom Weymouth United Masonic Lodge • R.W. Frank Lindsey Wellcome Williams Lodge

Bro. Albert Lindquist Jr. of Charles C. Dame Lodge, (with daugh-ter and son-in-law) receiving his 70-year pin from RW ThomasO’Shaughnessy and Wor. Stephen Ringuette.

70-Year Anniversaries Brethren Raised in 1942

Rabboni Lodge Bro. Thomas Harrison Lockhart

Saint John’s (B) LodgeBro. Vaughn Kenneth O’Neill

Wamesit Lodge Wor. Henry Louis Farmer

Our Longest-Serving Masons Brethren Raised Prior to 1937

22

T R O W E LD E A D L I N E S

Spring 2013Articles: December 21, 2012

Lodge News: January 18, 2013

Summer 2013Articles: March 22, 2013

Lodge News: April 19, 2013

Fall 2013Articles: June 21, 2013

Lodge News: July 19, 2013

Winter 2013Articles: September 20, 2013

Lodge News: October 18, 2013

Please send Articles tojohnsdoherty@verizon.net

Lodge News items totrowellodgenews@gmail.com

Siloam Lodge HonorsBro. Gerald Sjogren

In June, a special meeting was held atSiloam Lodge in Westborough at therequest of Grand Master Richard J.Stewart, who presented a surprisedBro. Gerald Sjogren with the JosephWarren Distinguished Service Medal.

In the fourteen years since Bro.Sjogren was raised, he has made manycontributions to his lodge, his commu-nity and to Masonry. At Siloam he hasbeen a constant leader of the buildingassociation and a driving force behindthe many successful renovations toSiloam’s building.

Bro. Sjogren has been an activeleader in the Boy Scouts and wasinstrumental in the resurrection of thealliance between Freemasonry and theEagle Scout, Court of Honor. Thisalliance had been forged long ago buthad been forgotten. Its renewal began afew years ago when Siloam Lodgebenefited from an Eagle Scout’s pro-ject arranged by Bro. Sjogren, who wasScout Master of the Grafton Troop.

The scout did a fantastic job repair-ing the lodge building. and Bro.Sjogren went in search of a bagpiper toplay for the Court of Honor ceremony;he contacted the then Grand Marshal,now Grand Master Stewart, for help.Not only did he get the piper but alsothe attendance of an impressive suite ofGrand Lodge officers for the presenta-tion of awards to the Eagle Scout.Those who were present that day stillcomment on the dignity and gracethese Masons added to the day.

—Bro. Michael D. Grim

Wor. Stephen (Pat) Emery, Grand MasterStewart, and Bro. Gerald Sjogren.

Wor. Zach Billings with Chasin-A-Masonco-founder and mother Cathy Coutu.

Grand Master of Armenia ArmenSimonian, RW Bogos W. Peligian and PastGrand Master, M. Wor. Armen Garabedianin Yerevan, Armenia.

Harmony Lodge in Montague held the4th Annual Chasin-A-Mason 5KRun/Walk in October. Participantswere able to choose either a running orwalking route. Both routes followedthe scenic Turners Falls bike path.

Wor. Zach Billings started the eventfour years ago, when the lodge wasseeking new fund-raising ideas to sup-port its charity work. With the assis-tance of the brethren, and a little sparkfrom his runner Mom, Cathy Coutu,the idea of the Chasin-a-Mason eventwas born. There were forty participantsin the first year; the following yearthere was a surge to about one hundredforty runners. This year’s total sur-passed all previous years. Among thenoteworthy participants were membersof the Turners Falls varsity and juniorvarsity cross-country teams.

Harmony Lodge in Chasin-A-Mason Run for Charity

Grand Rep. Peligian Visits Grand Lodge of Armenia

On July 5, 2012, Rt. Wor. BogosPeligian visited the Grand Lodge ofArmenia. It was the tenth anniversaryof the Grand Lodge of Armenia and the

20th anniversary of the independenceof Armenia.

Upon his arrival at Yerevan, Bro.Peligian was met by five well-dressedGrand Lodge officers sent to accompa-ny him to the Marriot Hotel where hewould be staying with Masons fromother countries. All the visiting breth-ren were taken on guided tours aroundthe capital’s historic sites. GrandMaster Armen Simonian accompaniedthe visitors to many lodge meetingsincluding Massis Lodge No. 1, whereBro. Peligian was nominated an hon-orary member. At Grand Lodge, Rt.Wor. Bro. Peligian was presented ajewel representing the Grand Lodge ofArmenia in the United States.

Some of the charities that benefitfrom the event include the lodge’scommunity food pantry, summer campscholarships for students with disabili-ties, the medical equipment loan pro-gram, a widows and orphans fund andthe ever so important MYCHIPS pro-gram. —Bro. Mark Hutchinson

Lodge and District News continues on page 24

T ROW E L ■ W I N T E R 2 0 1 2G R A N D L O D G E O F M A S S AC H U S E T T S

Megan Fowler is Rainbow’s New GWAMegan Fowler is the newest grandworthy advisor in MassachusettsRainbow. Megan, seventeen, is apast worthy advisor of BillericaAssembly No. 61, and a student atWestford Academy where she isan officer in the National HonorSociety, a peer counselor and a co-president of Westford AcademyWriting Assistance. She will beoccupying her time this year trav-eling across the state, and thecountry, to visit as many assem-

blies and events as possible.This year’s state theme is Under the Big Top. Says GWA

Fowler, “We want to encourage not only our active membersbut all girls and prospects to step right up and join the fun!This year’s service project is the collection of can tabs andrequested items to donate to the Shriners Hospitals forChildren.

“It is my honor to serve as grand worthy advisor this year;it would not be possible without the support and dedicationof the Masons, Eastern Star, Amaranth, and all of our othersponsoring bodies. We appreciate all of the time and assis-tance these organizations dedicate to Rainbow especially inour local assemblies.”

25(continued on following page)

Liberty LodgeBro. Stuart Stanley Corning Jr.Bro. Robert Henry Lindgren

Lynnfield-Zetland LodgeBro. Rolf Hansen Owens

Major General Henry Knox LodgeBro. William Joseph Nichols Bro. Philip Arnold Rubin Bro. Arnold Siegle Bro. Nelson Stone Bro. William Lawrence Stone

Marine LodgeBro. Lawrence Lumbert Harlow Bro. Leo James Limberakis Bro. Niles Allen Peterson Jr.

Matthew John Whittall LodgeBro. Robert Willis Russell Bro. Donald Sieurin

Meridian LodgeBro. Wendell Farrar Bennett

Merrimack LodgeBro. John Katsaros

Montgomery LodgeBro. John Minasian Bro. Robert Constantin Permane

Morning Star LodgeBro. Joel Goldberg Wor. Toga Harry Janson Bro. John Anton Jessen Jr.

Moses Michael Hays LodgeBro. Lewis Richard Aronin Bro. George Mark Barr Bro. Herbert Elkind Bro. Joseph Finer Bro. Bernard Norton Gehr Bro. Herbert Arthur Goldberg Bro. Edward Lawrence HousmanBro. George Harold Millman Bro. Carl Rosenberg Wor. Alfred Mason Simon Wor. Allen Irving Singer Bro. Bernard Visnick

Mount Carmel LodgeBro. Philip Richard Pearson Bro. Milton Douglas Shearer

Mount Hermon LodgeBro. Sewell Alvin Frank

Mount Hollis LodgeWor. Herbert Gordon Weston Jr.

Mount Holyoke LodgeBro. Gordon James Davey Bro. Edward Kermit Holly Jr.Bro. Woolsey Lyttle

Mount Horeb (D) LodgeBro. Robert Chase Lonsdale

Mount Moriah LodgeBro. John Filo Bro. Douglas Charles Taylor

Mount Olivet LodgeBro. Mason Thomas Charak Bro. Harry Herbert Hiltz

Mount Tabor LodgeR.W. Ralph Kaplan

Mount Tom LodgeBro. Milton Robert Berman Wor. Joseph Daniel Kalicka

Mount Vernon-Galilean LodgeBro. Alan James Fleming

Mount Zion LodgeBro. Roger Howard Vaughan

Mystic LodgeBro. Oscar Frederick Sodergren Bro. James Lewis Washburn

Mystic Valley LodgeBro. George Harry Albrecht Bro. Krikor Gulezian Bro. Robert Hilton Marsh Bro. Robert Emil Nelson

Norfolk LodgeBro. Irving Barton Ruggles

North Quabbin LodgeBro. Donald Howard Higgins Bro. John Raymond MacDonald

Norumbega Fraternity LodgeBro. John Sidney Day

Old Colony LodgeWor. Philip Arnold Stoddard Bro. Thomas Burr Studley

Olive Branch LodgeBro. Christie Ligor Pojani

Orient LodgeBro. Arthur James Early

Oriental-Martha’s Vineyard LodgeBro. Hans Peter Stibolt

Oxford LodgeBro. Eugene Charles Schofield

Paul Revere LodgeBro. George Brander Bailey Bro. Charles Hutchison Wallace

Pentucket LodgeBro. Fred Alvin Choate

Pequossette LodgeBro. Warren Arthur Waite

Perfection LodgeBro. Joseph Kopelman

Philanthropic LodgeBro. Wallace Ronald Alexander Bro. Richard Devereux Hill Bro. Stanley Sumner Sacks

Pioneer LodgeBro. Robert Codding Chadwick Bro. Lloyd Wendell Lockhart

Puritan LodgeBro. Robert William Milbery

Quinebaug LodgeBro. Robert Lewis Butterworth

Quinsigamond LodgeWor. Rupert Henry Robinson

Quittacus LodgeBro. George Bowman Hacking Bro. Edward Jasinto Oliveira

Richard C. Maclaurin LodgeBro. Arthur Wong Jr.

Rising Star LodgeBro. Charles Willis Snowdale

Rural LodgeBro. Paul Lamont Dube Bro. James Walter Peddie

Saggahew LodgeBro. Kenneth Norman LeRoy

65-year Veterans continued from previous pageactive supporters, and strengthening leadership developmentprograms.

Miss Torrey asks Masons to, “please consider mentoringa Rainbow assembly in your district. There is no greaterreward then seeing today’s youth develop self-esteem, pub-lic speaking skills, poise, leadership, and community ser-vice. Please visit a Rainbow meeting, installation, grandofficer night, or reception to see how Rainbow is shaping thefuture of each member. Masons are welcome at all of ourfunctions.”

There are currently 26 Rainbow assemblies throughoutthe bay state. Rainbow accepts girls between the ages of 11and 20 and has a pledge group for ages 9 and 10.

Rookie Award atOrient LodgeRt. Wor. Bruce Marshall,DDGM for the 6thDistrict, presented theMaster Mason RookieAward to Bro. RobertDisario in October. Bro. Disario was raisedin Orient Lodge in May,2011.

New IORG Supreme Deputy SeesBright Future for Mass. Rainbow

Tenth District Holds FamilyDay Fund-raiser for MMRL

Susan A. Torrey is the newly in-stalled supreme deputy of Massa-chusetts for the International Orderof Rainbow for Girls.

Following Mother Sandra J. Mar-shall’s tenure will be a challengethat Susan Torrey, majority memberfrom Concord Assembly, “will opti-mistically and enthusiastically ac-cept!” Miss Torrey has a vision forthe growth and prosperity of Massa-

chusetts Rainbow; she believes that increased membershipin both Rainbow and DeMolay will help to restore civilityand respect in our citizenship, one member at a time.

Her 5-year strategy is being designed to increase mem-bership through improved community awareness and activecommunity service participation, increasing participation onadvisory boards, encouraging majority members to become

24

Adams LodgeBro. Alfred Laurie Hill

Amicable LodgeWor. George Warren Jackson Bro. Edward Walton Young

Amity-Mosaic LodgeBro. Carl Raymond Hanson R.W. Chester Russell Harris

Ancon LodgeBro. John Harley Ruth

Aurora LodgeBro. Amos Roland Forrest

Beth-horon LodgeBro. George Stephen George Bro. David Phillip Lupprian

Brigham LodgeBro. Norman Wilson Martin

Bristol LodgeBro. Herbert Eugene Thompson

Caleb Butler LodgeBro. Charles Irving Poole

Celestial LodgeBro. Darrell George Miller

Charity LodgeBro. George Philip Makris Bro. Woodrow Pershing Quimby

Charles A. Welch LodgeBro. William Gordon Batsford

Charles C. Dame LodgeBro. Irving Norman Blatt

Charles River LodgeBro. William Francis Nourse Bro. Allen Sherman Richardson

Chicopee LodgeBro. Robert Lawrence Kantor Bro. Robert Sheldon Solin

Columbian LodgeBro. John Caldwell Osgood

Converse LodgeBro. Mathews Kotzen Bro. Robert Charles Kramer Wor. Martin Weiner

Corinthian LodgeBro. Arthur Warren Berry Bro. Howard Joseph Soberg

Corner Stone LodgeBro. Paul Cole Barber

Dalhousie LodgeBro. James Reid MacLean

Delta LodgeBro. Robert Albert Hueneke Wor. Robert William Lawrence Bro. Richard Bryant Smith

DeWitt Clinton LodgeBro. Lee Calvin Davis

Eastern Star LodgeBro. John Warren Davenport Bro. Harry Thomas Johnson Wor. Philip George Pomeroy

Eden LodgeBro. Henry Joseph Macuga

Elm-Belcher LodgeBro. Warren Brindley Baker Bro. Paul Edward Bishopric Bro. Allen Frederick Kelley R.W. Roland Iverson Outhuse Wor. Harold Walter Whitaker

Esoteric-Sherwood LodgeBro. Siegfried Ludwig Mayr Bro. Merril Wasserman

Essex LodgeBro. Donald William Broome

Ezekiel Bates LodgeBro. Russell Albert Allen Bro. Victor Jerome Green Wor. John Kean Mackill Bro. Newton Canfield Woodworth

Fellowship LodgeBro. Faelton Crownshield Perkins Jr.

Franklin LodgeBro. Bernard Samuel Champion

Friendship LodgeBro. Louis Anthony Tarricone

Gate of the Temple LodgeBro. Edward Howland Ward Jr.

Gatun LodgeBro. Elmer Guy Huldtquist Bro. William Lee

Globe Unity LodgeWor. Ralph Thornton Simmons

Golden Fleece LodgeBro. Eugene Leigh Nodwell

Golden Rule LodgeBro. Howard Carl Jappe

Good Samaritan LodgeBro. Joseph Levi Pendergast Jr.Bro. Warren Haisy Torres-Toro Bro. John Raymond Weston

Guiding Lights LodgeBro. William Garfield Hjerpe Bro. Arnold Roy Jones Bro. Peter George Leasca

Howard LodgeR.W. Joseph Galen Curtis

Huntington-Federal LodgeBro. Leonard Russell Alexander Bro. Wesley Newell Stickel

Indian Orchard Masonic LodgeBro. Christo William Kantany Bro. Francis Raymond Kimball Bro. Jean Romeo LaCroix

John Cutler LodgeBro. Robert Louis Duven Bro. Gustave Henry Spurr

John Hancock LodgeBro. John Henry Freeman

King David LodgeBro. Robert Gifford Northwood Bro. Carroll Coggeshall Stevens

Konohassett LodgeWor. Milton Leeds Kerr Jr.

Lafayette-Greylock LodgeBro. Harold Edward Hubbard

65-Year AnniversariesBrethren Raised in 1947

The 10th District and John T. Heard Lodge held a FamilyDay event in July to raise funds for the Masonic MedicalResearch Laboratory. Over 50 items were offered during asilent auction and approximately $5,000 was raised.

More than 200 attendees were treated to lobsters, steam-ers, steaks, burgers, hot dogs and all the fixings. The chil-dren were entertained by Shrine clowns, a dunk tank, abouncy house, a face painter and field games. Grand Lodgewas represented by the Grand Master, Deputy GrandMaster, and Wor. Alfredo Canhoto, chairman of the MMRLcommittee .

Rt. Wor. William Yanakakis thanked the many helpfulhands who made the event possible: “We’ll do it again nextyear and double the donation.”

In photo above: RW Alexander Pope, Function managerMrs. Janet Ramsdell GM Richard Stewart, and RW WilliamYanakakis at the Family Day fund-raiser in Ipswich.

—Rt. Wor. Alexander Pope

T ROW E L ■ W I N T E R 2 0 1 2G R A N D L O D G E O F M A S S AC H U S E T T S

In response to a number of ques-tions, we decided to devote thiscolumn to the basics of theMasonic Memorial Service. Whilewe frequently call it a funeral ser-vice, what we do in a funeral homeis really a memorial service.Regardless of the name used, thefollowing applies.

The service may be requested byeither the brother or his family and this request shouldnever be refused. It is recommended that everyone weardark suits and white aprons at the service. However themaster, wardens, chaplain, and marshal may wear the

ASK THE GRAND LECTURERSby Rt. Wor. Robert F. Doherty, Chairman of the Grand Lecturers

apron and collar of their office, and under some circum-stances, these officers may also wear tuxedos.

Pocket jewels, medals, past masters aprons, and GrandLodge aprons are never worn. Most times the master andsenior warden will stand at the head of the casket while thechaplain and junior warden are at the foot. However, anyalignment that does not block the view of the family is cor-rect. Any alignment that does block their view is wrong.Only the master places the sprig in the casket. All othersare to place sprigs on a nearby table or bowl.

The Masonic Memorial Service will be discussed indetail at this year’s exemplifications. There will be 31 ex-emplifications throughout the state and all Master Masonsare welcome to attend and participate in the discussion.

Day Spring LodgeBro. Sumner Durwood Barr

Delta LodgeBro. Albert Edward Cain Bro. Robert Lincoln Evans Bro. Alexander Tulloch

Hindmarsh Jr.Bro. Elliot Cleveland Patten

DeWitt Clinton LodgeBro. Frank Carter Harrison Wor. John Clifford Morris Wor. Oscar Yohai

Eastern Star LodgeBro. Joseph Allen Carpenter

Eden LodgeBro. John Harry Fay

Elm-Belcher LodgeWor. Paul Winsor Noyes Jr.Bro. Stewart Roland Safford

Esoteric-Sherwood LodgeBro. Stanford Cohen Bro. Herbert Seymour Cohen

Essex LodgeBro. James Kardaris

Euclid LodgeWor. Sidney Horblitt

Evening Star LodgeWor. John Gerald Kelly

Ezekiel Bates LodgeBro. Norman Douglas Bonney Bro. Donald Harold Cook Bro. William Bernard Swenson Jr.

Fidelity LodgeBro. Malcolm Henry Allen Jr.Bro. Garry Nugent Bean

Friendship LodgeBro. Martin Irwin Lesnik

Gate of the Temple LodgeBro. Edward Clare Smith

Gatun LodgeBro. Wendell Edwin Angevine

George H. Taber LodgeWor. Carl Arned Winnett

Golden Fleece LodgeBro. James Chekos Bro. Robert Morton Galpern Bro. Harold Norman Galpern Bro. G Grant Haley Bro. Kenneth Earle Small Bro. Courtland Parsons Smith Bro. George Edward Wall

Golden Rule LodgeBro. Charles Mackall Artz Jr.Wor. Robert Jerome Holden Jr.Bro. David Holden Round

Good Samaritan LodgeBro. Eugene Joseph CourtemancheBro. Theodore SalvatoreD’Orlando

Guiding Lights LodgeBro. Gordon Lenard Forsberg Bro. Robert Judkins Hall Bro. Donald Alfred Johnson Bro. Harry Kachadorian

Hampshire LodgeBro. Edward Frank Morehouse

Harmony LodgeWor. Paul Frederick Guy Bro. Albert Harry Stoddard Jr.

Hayden LodgeR.W. Scott Louis Allen Bro. Kenneth Schofield

Howard LodgeBro. Delmer Edward Akerley Bro. Antonio Joseph Chaves

Indian Orchard Masonic LodgeBro. Warren Howard Fairman Bro. Holden Choate Harlow Jr.Bro. Wallace Raymond HenrichonBro. Charles Donald Lipp Bro. Arthur Charles Mackintire Bro. William Wesley Sparks

Jerusalem LodgeBro. George Walter Harris Bro. Phillip Henry Matthews

Bro. Walter Babcock Mitchell Wor. Anthony William Nimohay

John Cutler LodgeBro. John Robert MacKenzie Bro. Paul Honey Tanner

John Hancock LodgeWor. Manuel James Enus Jr.Bro. Albert Evans Jr.Bro. Donald Edward Howarth

John T. Heard LodgeBro. George Nichols Andrews Bro. Murray McKee Bolton Bro. Edward Curtis Bryant Bro. Richard Lawrence Foster Bro. Alvin Perley Whipple

Jordan LodgeBro. Frederic Horace Wood

Joseph Warren-Soley LodgeBro. Caleb George Alcott Bro. Frank Roy Buchanan Bro. William Augustus Horsch Bro. Joseph Walter Howard Bro. Russell Bruce Klucken

King David LodgeBro. Robert Bell Bro. Harold Goren Bro. Donald Alvin Weeden

King Hiram’s LodgeBro. Hersey Dyer Taylor

King Philip LodgeBro. Robert Bailey Smith

King Solomon’s LodgeBro. David Kinnear Burnet Bro. Edward Samuel Johanan Bro. Frank Hartley Morgart Bro. Howard Berger Swanson Jr.

Konohassett LodgeBro. Lloyd William Prescott

Lafayette-Greylock LodgeWor. Herbert Lebowitz Bro. Charles Edward Wright

Lawrence United LodgeBro. Charles Gilbert Hatch

Bro. Richard Thumm Kiessling Bro. Lewis Robinson

Level LodgeBro. Howard Ralph Lurier

Liberty LodgeBro. Carroll Edward MacDougallBro. Maynard Nickerson Moore Jr.Bro. James Gerald Perkins

Lynnfield-Zetland LodgeBro. Edwin Adolf Ericson Wor. Parker Bradburn Holloway Jr.Bro. John Calvin Smith

Major General Henry Knox LodgeBro. Jason Melvin Finkel

Manchester LodgeBro. George Stavropoulos

Marine LodgeBro. Donald Hugh Clauson Bro. William Leland Harvey

Massasoit-Narragansett LodgeBro. Theodore Daniel Razook

May Flower LodgeBro. Henry Vincent DeJesus Bro. John Sheldon Haskins

Meridian LodgeBro. Sarop Jean Kaprielian

Merrimack LodgeBro. Frank Irving Burno Bro. Nicholas Dekeon Bro. Albert Gordon Kimball

Middlesex LodgeWor. David Irving Johnson Bro. Henry William Nicklasson Bro. Walter Fargo Wood III

Milton LodgeBro. Frederick Allen Fyfe Jr.

Morning Star LodgeWor. Herbert Elmer Berg Bro. Windsor Howe Bigelow Jr.Bro. Arthur Don Combs Bro. Shaler Emerson Combs

27

(continued on next page)

MYCHIP Event Held on the CapeBrothers from Mariners and Fraternal Lodges conducted aCHIP event at Cape Cod Mall during the Cape & IslandsFamily Fest on September 15. Bro. Christopher Olsen, Wor.Bro. James Birch, and Bro. Theodore Theodores work thetables. The event was coordinated by Bro. Peter Bertling

— Wor. Israel Callahan

26

Saint Alban’s LodgeBro. Gordon Morrison Barker Bro. Alan Lester Ferestien Bro. Witmore Irving Turner Jr.

Saint George LodgeBro. John Helmer Bystrom

Saint John’s (B) LodgeBro. Marshall Sumner Wilkins

Saint John’s (N) LodgeBro. Willard Stone Little Jr.Bro. Frank Ellsworth Miller Bro. Paul Franklin Wells

Saint Mark’s LodgeBro. Oscar Charles Knight Jr.Bro. Alexios Nicholas Terzis

Saint Matthew’s LodgeBro. Arthur Bryant Glines Bro. Douglas Neilson Howe Sr.Bro. Frederick Nichols Nowell Jr.

Saint Paul’s-Algonquin LodgeBro. George Quimby Dugan

Satucket LodgeBro. Robert Bradford Alexander

Simon W. Robinson LodgeWor. Walter Russell Abbott Bro. Robert Nelson Cann Sr.Wor. Frank August Engel Jr.Bro. Frederick Daniel Hatfield Jr.Bro. Ernest Chester Noyes Bro. Lincoln Robert Shedd Bro. Paul Raeburn Winters

Social Harmony LodgeBro. Donald Eldridge Bullock

Solomon’s Temple LodgeBro. Edwin Jarl Erickson

Star In the East LodgeBro. Richard Frederick Bailey Sr.Bro. Linwood Charles Lewis

Star of Bethlehem LodgeBro. Frank William Meharg

Starr King LodgeBro. Donald Lyman Kingston Bro. George Freeman Manahan

The Consolidated LodgeBro. Sumner Lee Feldberg Bro. George Abraham Goodman Bro. Herbert Kotzen Wor. Alfred Louis Novick Bro. Christopher Charles Skambis

The Meadows LodgeBro. Harry James Courniotes Wor. Robert Martin Tippett

The Tyrian-Ashler-Acacia LodgeBro. Herbert Alfred Anstess Bro. Robert Elwell Arnold

Trinity LodgeBro. Richard Leslie Bullard Bro. George William Stone

Union Lodge (D)Bro. Robert Edward Sutherland

Union Lodge (N)Bro. Franklin Bartlett

United Brethren LodgeWor. Arthur Keith Piper Bro. William Charles Wingler

Vernon LodgeWor. Donald Edward Geer

Webster LodgeBro. H Lincoln Easterbrooks Bro. Warren Edmund Lorenz

West Roxbury-Dorchester LodgeWor. James Kingston Beith

Weymouth United Masonic LodgeBro. John Thomas Leslie Collins Bro. George Gordon Cumming

Wilbraham Masonic LodgeBro. Willard Harry Vaughn Jr.

William North LodgeBro. Walter Raymond Hedlund Jr.Bro. Charles Hondras Bro. Everett Joseph Smith

William Parkman LodgeBro. Harry Boodakian Bro. Charles Frederick Buckingham

William Sutton LodgeBro. David Russell Allen Bro. Harry Waldron Crooker IIBro. Percy Raymond Leather

Abraham H. Howland, Jr. LodgeWor. Laurence Albert Wescott

Alpha LodgeR.W. Wallace Jack Bennett Bro. Robert Ellsworth McBride Bro. Albert Frederick Werner

Amicable LodgeBro. Stephen Polychrones

Amity-Mosaic LodgeBro. Harold Stanley Corkum Bro. Bruce Porter Eaton

Ancient York LodgeBro. Earle Frederick McQuaide Bro. Allen Heirsh Solomon

Azure LodgeBro. Daniel Weener

Baalis Sanford LodgeBro. Donald William Clifford

Berkshire LodgeBro. Edward Clarence Holt Bro. Robert Pascoe Livsey Bro. Herbert Russell Roemelt

Beth-horon LodgeBro. Stanton Hollis Davis Bro. Charles Lambros Wor. Earl MacPherson

Blue Hill LodgeBro. Edward Allingham Hanson Bro. Russell Sidney White

Boylston LodgeWor. James Lewis Denman Bro. Nisi Ligor Dionis Bro. Norman Houghton French

Brigham LodgeBro. Harold Lipton Crochet

Budleigh LodgeWor. Wayne Leroy Killian

Bro. Caleb Loring Jr.R.W. John David Oldreive Bro. John Wesley Porter

Caleb Butler LodgeBro. Edwin William Kalman Bro. Harold Calvin King Jr.Bro. Ralph Howard Winslow

Celestial LodgeBro. Roger Wilfred Campbell

Charity LodgeWor. William Gaither Carpenter Bro. Philip Kimball Pearson Jr.Wor. Gordon Ernest Reynolds

Charles A. Welch LodgeBro. Malcolm Stuart MacGregor

Charles W. Moore LodgeBro. John McNair Bro. Robert James Nearine

Cincinnatus LodgeWor. Arthur Albert Hyatt Jr.

Cochichewick LodgeBro. Chester Alarie Chabot Jr.

Converse LodgeBro. Charles Horace Chandler Bro. George Kaplan

Corinthian LodgeBro. Clyde Nelson Bowen

Corner Stone LodgeBro. Edwin James Heap Bro. Melvin George O’Kelly

Crescent-Pittsfield LodgeBro. Ralph George Scheufler Bro. Richard Jay Willbrant

Dalhousie LodgeBro. James Carleton Goodchild Bro. Charles Sheldon Lang Bro. Edward Leslie Morrill

60-Year AnniversariesBrethren Raised in 1952

65-year Veterans continued from previous page

Veteran’s Medal for Bro. Donald Sansom Rt. Wor.Scott Rogers of the 29th Masonic District and Wor. RobertTremblay of Elm-Belcher Lodge traveled to Easthampton inOctober to present Bro. Donald Sansom his 50-YearVeteran’s Medal. Bro. Sansom was not able to travel to thelodge in Agawam so his medal was brought to him.

T ROW E L ■ W I N T E R 2 0 1 2 29

Celestial LodgeFetes 33° Recipient

Rainbow SponsorsHiram Cup Kart Race

Grand Master Richard James Stewartpresented a George Washington Gavelto Rt. Wor. Graham Atwell Long ofCelestial Lodge of Westwood at a din-ner honoring Bro. Graham for receiv-ing an Honorary 33° Degree in theScottish Rite.

The George Washington Gavel is areplica of the gavel used by PresidentWashington at the laying of the corner-stone of the U. S. Capitol Building in1793. —Bro. Jeff Jarvis

Grand Master Richard Stewart awardedJohn Keegan of John Cutler Lodge thefirst Hiram Cup trophy at the Boston F1Race Track in Braintree. The event wassponsored by Middleboro RainbowAssembly as a fund-raiser. It took $250minimum to sponsor a driver, and thedriver with the highest amount raisedwas guaranteed first position in thefinal race.

Ten drivers competed in this indoorkart race. Some drivers practiced manytimes prior to the actual race to help getacquainted with the track. Everyoneenjoyed the competition and lookedforward to an annual event.

Saint Matthew’s LodgeBro. Robert Cross Chase Jr.Bro. Robert Scobie Hamilton Bro. Donald Everett Lundgren

Saint Paul LodgeBro. Albert Henry Sanderson

Saint Paul’s-Algonquin LodgeBro. Evagelos Nichols Bro. Arthur John Zetes

Siloam LodgeBro. Robert Dresser Crooker Bro. William Robert Gould

Simon W. Robinson LodgeBro. Charles Llewellyn Collins Bro. David Lawrence DeVeber Bro. Russell Sherman Henderson Bro. Keith Arnold Marden Bro. Robert Thompson Sanford Bro. Jack Spencer Sigler Bro. Robert Richard Smith Bro. Raymond Lester White Jr.

Simonds LodgeBro. Martin Feingold

Social Harmony LodgeBro. Ellsworth Edward Corkum Bro. Denzil Ira Kuns Bro. Nicholas Makrys Bro. Kenneth B. Rhodes Sr.

Sojourners LodgeR.W. Donald Prieto Garrido Bro. Ray Ben Saxton

Solomon’s Temple LodgeBro. William James Spratt Bro. Charles Herbert Wood

Somerville LodgeWor. Carl Kirkor Torossian

Star In the East LodgeBro. Murray Leo Goldberg Bro. Philip Kates Bro. Calvin Siegal

Star of Bethlehem LodgeBro. Everett Thomas Brown Bro. Ralph Edward Penney Bro. John Theofilos Taschioglou

The Consolidated LodgeBro. Saul Herbert Dell Bro. Melvin Bernard Drapkin Wor. Sidney Donald Gantman Bro. Bernard Goldberg Bro. William Goldberg Bro. Melvin Leonard Gordon Bro. Benjamin Goulston Bro. Alfred Klugman Wor. Herbert Dan Lewis Bro. Harold David Millen Bro. Haskell Shapiro Wor. Arnold Burton Wilson Bro. Perry Wong

The Tyrian-Ashler-Acacia LodgeBro. John Edgar Bennett Bro. Alan Gerard Hill Jr.Bro. Robert Stimpson Speck R.W. Carroll Walen Wonson

Thomas LodgeBro. Phillip Berman Bro. Charles Groff Boynton

Thomas Talbot LodgeBro. Michael Charles Clery Sr.

Trinity LodgeBro. Roman Browchuk Bro. Kenneth Leigh Peirce Bro. Grover Cleveland Wittig Jr.

Union Lodge (D)Wor. Richard Sylvanus Clement

United Brethren LodgeBro. Pierino Aldo Bonazzoli Bro. Charles Farrington Colcord Bro. William Richard Grace Bro. Donald Ray Sprague Bro. Walter Robert Stapelfeld

Universal LodgeBro. Donald Roger Coffman Wor. William Herbert Muldrew Jr.

Waltham Triad LodgeBro. Warren Carter Elliott Bro. Cushman Spencer Gray Wor. Leonard Johnson

Warren LodgeBro. John Edward Merrill

Webster LodgeBro. James Ralph MacInnes

West Roxbury-Dorchester LodgeBro. Franklin MacDonnell Boutilier Bro. James Robert Cass Bro. Edward Shu Foo Wong

Weymouth United Masonic LodgeBro. Sumner Hall Given Bro. Walter Gordon Haslett Bro. Kenneth Valentine HendersonBro. Owen Joseph Kittredge Bro. Richard Erwin Laneau Bro. Gregory Joseph Macri Jr.

Wilder LodgeBro. Robert Elwin Kline Bro. William Wallace Watkins

William North LodgeBro. Nicholas Vasilios Basinas Bro. Harold Latham Entwistle

William Parkman LodgeBro. Ralph Davis Joslin Jr.

William Sewall Gardner-Kilwinning LodgeBro. William Henry Sipprelle

William Sutton LodgeWor. Robert Swazey Dalton Wor. Clayton Richard Foote Bro. Leonard Arnold Nadeau Bro. Robert Winslow White

Williams LodgeWor. William Moses Kirby Jr.R.W. Robert Walter Murdock

RW DDGM Kevin Hamel, RWRobert Murdock, 60-year cele-brant at Williams Lodge, Wor.Craig Pedercini

60-year Veterans continued from previous page

28 G R A N D L O D G E O F M A S S AC H U S E T T S

Moses Michael Hays LodgeBro. Saul Becker Bro. James Bornstein Bro. Edward Louis Cherenson Bro. Donald Disick Bro. Dean Richard Frieze Bro. Bertram Gibbs Bro. Sheldon Herschel Konowitz Wor. Gerald Herbert Lepler Bro. Harvey Levine Bro. Joseph Nemser Maxner Bro. George Demosthenes

Meimaris Bro. Allan Daniel Robinson Bro. Norman Sidney Rosenfield Bro. Robert Lincoln Sandman Bro. Henry Busnach Sohmer Bro. Melvin Herbert Spivack Bro. Alan Herbert Taylor Bro. Henry Werrick Bro. Eliot A Winston Bro. Joseph Arnold Wolfson

Mount Carmel LodgeBro. John Arthur Booras Bro. Fred James Elwell Bro. Ralph Merle Farley Bro. Richard Gardner Haley Bro. Walter Daniel Perepelitza Bro. Harry John Stilianos Bro. Robert Noel Stone Bro. Robert Charles Tivey Bro. Edward Leo Wheeler Bro. Walter W. W. Woodbury Bro. Donald Emerson Worth

Mount Hollis LodgeWor. Carl Eric Chellquist

Mount Holyoke LodgeBro. Louis Christian Bicknese Bro. Samuel Bailey Norton Jr.

Mount Hope LodgeBro. Edward Frank Ellsworth Bro. Harry Nelson Handfield

Mount Horeb (D) LodgeBro. William Hume Crowell

Mount Horeb (W) LodgeBro. Arthur George Houhoulis Bro. David Sherman Smith

Mount Moriah LodgeBro. Clifton Carroll Felix Bro. George Herbert Whitney

Mount Olivet LodgeBro. Sidney Morris Epstein

Mount Orthodox LodgeBro. Clyde Cassius Barber Bro. Bruno Maule

Mount Tabor LodgeBro. Edward Arnold Bro. Robert Vernon Goodman Bro. Arthur James Haddad Bro. Maurice Mintz Bro. Essa Louis Sabbag Bro. Earl Joseph Stearns

Mount Vernon-Galilean LodgeBro. Donald Heath MacDonald Bro. Walter Morgan Wor. Carl William Wood

Mount Zion LodgeWor. Perham Sumner Parker

Mumford River LodgeWor. Leon Theodore Sochia III

Mystic LodgeBro. Peter Edward Gaillardet Bro. William James Hess Bro. Donald Goodhue Shedd

Mystic Valley LodgeBro. Lewis Anthony AlessandriniBro. Arthur Paul Alexander Bro. Thomas Douglas Molloy Bro. John Alexander Rachels Jr.

Noquochoke LodgeBro. Allen Goodell Tripp

Norfolk LodgeBro. Robert Pierce Eaton Bro. Robert Stanley Hight Bro. Arnold Raymond Lambert Bro. Clarence Reginald Perry

North Quabbin LodgeWor. Robert Blair Bremner Bro. Dana Francis Higgins Jr.Bro. John Hunter Bro. Ralph Andrew Kirkman

North Reading LodgeBro. Herbert Frank Maine

Norumbega Fraternity LodgeBro. Harold Montague Knott

Occidental LodgeWor. John Adams Miller

Old Colony LodgeBro. Warren Barker Noble

Olive Branch LodgeBro. Iver Oscar Jernstrom Bro. John Edward Swedberg

Orient LodgeBro. Ramon Edwin Antoine Bro. Kauko Emil Kahila Bro. John Balfour Martin

Oxford LodgeBro. Robert Lee Merriam

Pacific LodgeBro. Jack Erwin Grapentine

Paul Revere LodgeBro. Herbert Eldon Ransom

Pentucket LodgeBro. George Dimitrios Gatzimos

Pequossette LodgeBro. Oscar Garabedian Bro. Lucien George Theriault

Perfection LodgeBro. Sidney Zalman Cohen Bro. Arthur Milton Glaser Bro. Herman Yolofsky

Philanthropic LodgeBro. Richard Arthur Carvill Bro. Donald Walter Grant Bro. Paul Caines Miller Bro. Frederick Illingworth RobinsonBro. Eliot Morse Wetherbee Jr.

Phoenix Lodge ➤Bro. George Edmund Joseph Bro. John Milton Marsh Bro. Malcolm Ellsworth Shorey

Pilgrim LodgeBro. Russell Earl Rounds

Pioneer LodgeBro. Ralph John Pickup Jr.

Plymouth LodgeBro. Melvin Philip Klasky

Pythagorean LodgeWor. William Leighton Sylvia

Quaboag LodgeBro. Wayne Temple Barr Bro. Urho Richard Mark

Quittacus LodgeBro. Henry Bromberg Bro. James Malick Bro. Henry Joseph Vien Jr.

Rabboni LodgeBro. James Nicholas Apostle

Richard C. Maclaurin LodgeBro. Charles Albert Doverspike

Rose of Sharon LodgeBro. John Bertram Gillis

Rufus Putnam LodgeBro. William Edward Lindquist

Rural LodgeBro. Maurice Jones Barton Bro. Alfred Donald Deluse Wor. Roderick Donald Morrison Jr.Bro. Joseph Ilario Volpe Jr.Bro. Walter Edward Walker

Saggahew LodgeBro. Timothy Boutoures Bro. Charles Albert Hamel Bro. David Pierre Lebet Bro. Frederick Erving Malcolm Wor. Robert Taylor Wilson

Saint Alban’s LodgeBro. Robert Sidney Rogers

Saint George LodgeBro. John Edward Bates

Saint John’s (B) LodgeBro. Haleem Faris Malouf

Saint John’s (N) LodgeBro. Robert Arold Brown Bro. Miller Graf Bro. Harold Lester Kirkpatrick Jr.Bro. Richard Whitney Potter

Saint Mark’s LodgeBro. Leslie Palmer Adams Jr.Bro. Wallace Weston Thurlow

Saint Martin’s LodgeWor. Joseph Warren Sampson

TravelsOnce again there are three academic lodges in Boston.Grand Lodge had the honor of reconstituting BostonUniversity Lodge and installing the lodge’s officers inJune. We also assisted in the celebration of the 50thanniversary and the rededication of Tahattawan Lodge’sbuilding in Littleton. At the end of June, I attended OliveBranch Lodge’s annual widows and veterans luncheon, andlater that afternoon Grand Lodge officers joined me inRutland to celebrate the 100th anniversary of RufusPutnam Lodge.

Deputy Grand Master Rt. Wor. Robert Jolly and Rt. Wor.Grand Secretary Jeffrey Gardiner accompanied me to theNortheast Conference of Grand Masters in New York City.The grand secretary and I also attended the annual sessionof the Grand Lodge of Canada in the Province of Ontario.

Masonic License PlatesRt. Wor. Richard Maggio and Rt. Wor. Kenneth Sprague

have been working hard to promote the MassachusettsMasonic License Plate Program. The state requires us topre-sell 1,500 plates before the plates can be produced. It isour hope that we will be able to accomplish this task by theend of December. Remember, proceeds go to our signaturecharity, the Masonic Medical Research Laboratory. ■

September Quarterly continued from page 9

Bro. John Marsh received his60 year veterans metal atPhoenix Lodge from Wor. JohnHyland.

Winner Bro. John Keegan said, “Itwas the most fun I ever had raisingmoney. Thank you for the experience!”

The next race is tentatively plannedfor March 23, 2013. Email middle-boro58@gmail.com to reserve yourspot. In photo at left: M. Wor. RichardStewart presents the Hiram Cup to Bro.John Keegan. — Susan Nichols

Red Cross Recognizes Celestial LodgeBro. Jeffrey Jarvis (left) accepts aplaque from Guanah Davis, chief exec-utive officer of the American RedCross-Massachusetts Region, in appre-ciation of the efforts of Celestial Lodgeand Westwood Masons in coordinatingfive blood drives at their MasonicBuilding. —Rt. Wor. Alexander Pope

Bro. Kenneth Shaw, RW Graham At-well Long, MW Richard J. Stewart.

T ROW E L ■ W I N T E R 2 0 1 2 31

you will probably find that you arementally very far ahead of what is

actually happening. You will be look-ing to where to next conduct the can-

didate, watching to see if your fellowofficers are in place, etc. So, by beingable to recite the lecture from memorywithout consciously having to thinkabout it, you will be making it mucheasier for yourself to present the lec-ture in lodge.

The Big GoalThe big goal should be to give the lec-ture letter-perfect, with understandingand meaning. Just think what this lec-ture would be like if a great actor,Christian Bale or Philip SeymourHoffman, delivered it? I would bet itwould be unforgettable. Keep in mindthe goal of delivering this lecture withmeaning and purpose. My advice isthat you present it in keeping withyour own personality and thoughts.Don’t try to imitate others—make ityour lecture. Tell the candidate whatthe lecture means to you through theemphasis you give to the words.

This is a powerful lecture com-prised of the best wisdom. It tells uswhat it means to be an educated manand a brother who is able to contributeto the betterment of humankind. It hasinspired some of the greatest mindsfor at least three centuries. Know andunderstand what it is saying and putmeaning and conviction into yourwords. That way, both you and yourcandidates will have a meaningful andunforgettable experience—one tokeep for the rest of your lives. ■

Second Degree lecture chart created byartist Jack Morefield and donated toMount Horeb (W) Lodge by Rt. Wor. KevinWillis.

30 G R A N D L O D G E O F M A S S AC H U S E T T S

Excellent ritual work is the foundation of the lodge. Outstanding ritual conveys not justthe meaning of the lectures, but also sets a pleasant and confident tone for the meet-

ing. We should feel obliged to do our best to maintain the high standards of our Masonicfraternity whenever we do ritual in our lodge.

I personally believe that the MiddleChamber Lecture contained in theSecond Degree is one of the mostinteresting lectures you will hear andlearn in our fraternity. The lecture pro-vides a kind of liberal arts education.When you learn this lecture and inter-nalize it, I believe you will return to it,again and again, because of theoverview to learning and philosophy itpresents. Learning and internalizingthis lecture is a great thing, I believe,and something you will carry with youfor the rest of your life.

Some may be concerned that pre-senting this lecture in lodge is an anx-iety-ridden experience. Forget aboutthat thought right now. The plain truthis that giving the Middle ChamberLecture is one of the most enjoyableexperiences you will ever have inlodge. When you have done a goodjob, you will know it—nobody willhave to tell you. But, expect a lot ofcompliments and respect from yourbrothers and fellow officers. Also beready for the heartfelt appreciationfrom the candidates you take throughthe degree. They will be among themost appreciative. Believe me when Itell you that delivering this lecture isone of the highlights of being an offi-cer in our great fraternity.

While it may seem like a formida-ble task, being able to present anexcellent Middle Chamber Lecture is,I believe, within the grasp of almost

not an easy way. My advice is to beginby learning to recite from memory,sequentially, paragraph by paragraph.Don’t move on to the next paragraphuntil you can recite from memory let-ter-perfect the current paragraph.Then, keep adding to what you canrecite, one paragraph at a time. Whenyou do this, I believe that you will findyourself forming a mental image ofthe page from which you are memo-rizing the words.

The Second Big SecretThere is another big secret to memo-rization besides forming a mental pic-ture of the pages. That secret is to for-get what you are memorizing. That’sright, I said forget what you are tryingto memorize. In my experience, yourmind needs time for your subcon-scious to assimilate what you are try-ing to memorize. Your mind does thiswhen you are not thinking about whatyou are trying to memorize. So, Iwould recommend that you work onmemorization on one day, forget aboutthe lecture entirely the next day, andthen go back to memorizing the fol-lowing day. The point is this—giveyour mind the opportunity to store andassimilate what you are trying toremember by periodically not thinkingabout what you are memorizing.

Another SecretHere is another secret. When you areconfident enough, try to recite the lec-ture while you are watching television.In other words, see if you can multi-task—reciting letter perfect frommemory while actually watching andcomprehending the program you arewatching. While this may sound like asilly task, it has a useful purpose.When you are conducting the degree,

Wor. Randall S.Wright is a mem-ber and past mas-ter of Saint John’sLodge, Boston andalso a member ofColumbian Lodge.

Memorizing the Middle Chamber Lecture

everyone. The reason people have dif-ficulty is that they try to cram at thelast moment. In my experience, mem-orization is something that cannot becrammed.

The Big Secret aboutLearning Ritual

This is my “big secret” in memorizingritual; I don’t memorize it—I read it.That’s right, I read it exactly the sameway I read a story aloud. Here is whatI mean. When I recite a lecture or apiece of ritual in lodge, I can mentallysee the page of the cipher book I amreading from. Now, I do not see itexactly word for word—it is a little tooblurry for that. But, I do see the pages,and some of the key words. I knowexactly where I am at any timebecause I can flip forward or backwardany number of pages.

Because I am seeing the cipherbook in my mind’s eye, I can addemphasis to words just like I would ifI were reading a story from a printedpage. Here is a way to think about it.Have you ever had to read somethingaloud from a book, but it is somethingyou know so well, you only have toglance at the pages infrequently, reallyonly to keep your place? I think that’swhat you want to be able to do whenyou memorize the lecture. Also, thinkabout what happens when you do reada story. Not only do you see the words,but your mind is also forming mentalpictures of what you are reading. If myexperience is applicable to you, thenyou will not only see the words in yourmind, but you will also be forming, atthe same time, a mental picture orimage of what you are reading about.

Some Practical AdviceSo how do you get started? There is

by Wor. Randall S. Wright

Cell phone cameras are a lot of fun and great for sharingsnapshots online; they are backlit and can show low-resolu-tion photos well. But reproduce those photos on a printingpress (like the one that produces Trowel Magazine) andthe images often are really poor.

The magazine is receiving more and more photos. This isgreat news! An increasing number of photos submitted areproduced with cell phones. This is bad news! I’m worried.

There are three reasons:1. Cell phones are held at arms length while the shutter is

pressed. The camera shakes!2. Most of these cameras use passive auto-focus. They

don’t really focus; they calculate a zone that is “acceptablyunsharp.”

3. Few have a flash. In dim lodge rooms the camera usesexcessive speed settings.

All I want for Christmas is that every lodge appoints aphotographer-Mason who owns a real camera that:

• has a viewfinder that is held against the photographer’sface so he can steady the camera.

• can focus on a person’s face.• has a flash that allows picture taking in a dim lodge.Merry Christmas to everyone—and to me, I hope!

—John Doherty

A L L I W A N T F O R C H R I S T M A S . . .

Masonic License Plates are Hitting the Road!

Order Yours Today!Masonry in Massachusetts is alive and well! We share information about who we arethrough our advertisements during the 4th of July Boston Pops spectacular, theBenjamin Franklin radio campaigns, and the spring and fall Open Houses.

Now, we are taking it to the streets! You and your family can enjoy showing the prideyou have as a Masonic family with the special edition Masonic License Plate.Imagine the awareness this will generate for our fraternity as over 1,500Massachusetts Masons and family members start attaching these to their vehicles.The proceeds from the plate program will go directly to the Masonic MedicalResearch Laboratory. What better way to support our signature charity?

Don’t wait! Download an application at massfreemasonry.org, or massmasons.org.All the details are included in the application. For additional information, please con-tact Richard Maggio at 781-953-1640, or at rwddgm13@gmail.com.

The Grand Master tries out the new Masonic license plateon his classic Ford Thunderbird.

G R A N D L O D G E O F M A S S AC H U S E T T S32

some of which claimed precedence from before the Unionof the Grand Lodges in 1792—that he had restored to oper-ation, and as he said, they had “re-organized, are in healthyoperation, and give good examples of their works of chari-ty.” This was not without complexity; he established prece-dents for the status of lodges and their members when thecharter had been surrendered or lapsed. He applied a finelegal mind to Masonic Law; the propriety of the institution,the presentation and reception of candidates, and the rela-tionship between the Craft and those who did not meet itsentrance requirements all received his attention throughrulings from the Oriental Chair.

When he departed the Chair, he had indeed left the insti-tution “better than he had found it.” In addition to restoringcharters, he granted a new one for Star of Bethlehem Lodgein Chelsea, the first new lodge in Massachusetts since1828; and the dispensation for another, Mount Tabor in

Peabody continued from page 11

The Young Tylerby Wor. David Riley

Having arrived before anyone else, the young tyler setup the lodge for the monthly rehearsal. When he fin-

ished, he glanced around the room, double checking thateverything was in its place and nothing forgotten. Steppingup to the East, his eyes swept the room and finally hewas satisfied. Pulling out his cipher book, he sat inthe master’s chair and began to study while hewaited for his brothers. The master discoveredhim there when he arrived a few minutes later.

“Trying out my chair?” the master askedwith a laugh.

“Oh, just seeing if the view from here isreally that much better,” the young tyler re-plied, getting up to greet his friend and brother.“I got here early, so I set up for rehearsal. Butwhen I was done, I needed a good chair to sit inwhile I studied. Yours seemed the most comfort-able.” The young tyler gestured to the master’s chair,which like many of its type was large, ornate, and well-padded.

The master chuckled, “Oh, it’s comfortable enough.Until you actually have to sit in it.”

“Oh, come on,” the young tyler said, laughing and shak-ing his head. “You know you love being master. You dogood work and you are having a great year. I think this isgoing to be one of the best years we’ve had since I joinedthe lodge.”

The master smiled and nodded, “We have an excellent

group of officers. And for the first time in some time thecommittees of the lodge are actually fully staffed by menwho intend to do the work they are assigned—and thensome. It is exciting.”

The master picked up the gavel and turned to face theyoung tyler, his face suddenly serious, “But the truth is thatbeing master of a lodge comes with responsibilities that arehard to articulate. When you sit in the East, you are, in theend, responsible for ensuring that your lodge is delivered tothe next master stronger and better than you received it.You are responsible for the harmony among your brothers

and for setting them to their work.” The master con-tinued, “And you know every past master, living

and passed, is watching you and wondering ifyou are really up to the task. So, you have to doall of this while trying not to think about that.You are responsible to the past for the future.And, of course, responsible to the future forevery act in the present.”

A moment of silence passed while theyoung tyler considered the words of the master.

“I didn’t think of it quite like that. I knew youhad a lot of memorization to do and that you pro-

vided direction for the officers and committees of thelodge.” The young tyler’s eyes fell to the gavel as he said,

“But with all the officers and other members helping, itdidn’t seem like an overwhelming job.”

“It isn’t the labor that makes the master,” the masterreplied. “It is the responsibility.”

The young tyler gave a small nod. “I hadn’t thought of itquite like that. I think I’ll let you keep your chair for thetime being.”

The master regarded the young tyler for a moment, a hintof evaluation in his eyes. Then he nodded and said, “For thetime being.” ■

East Boston that would be consecrated by his successor.Grand Master Augustus Peabody was known for his fine

legal mind, his fine speaking voice and his interest anddevotion to the fraternity. Unlike many in Grand Lodge andin society at large in that era, he was not inclined to per-sonal vanity; he was not particularly attentive to his per-sonal appearance. Nonetheless, he ranked high in theesteem of his brethren. When he passed away in 1850, theGrand Lodge offered the following resolution in his mem-ory:

Resolved. That this Grand Lodge owes a lasting debtof gratitude to the memory of our late R. W. P. G.Master Peabody for the important and permanent ben-efits which he has rendered to the Masonic Institution,not only by the discharge of the duties of the severaloffices, which he has holden, but by the wisdom of hiscouncil, and the firmness and consistency of his course,at a period when the Institution was threatened withdangers from without and from within. ■

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