2015 november tb
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NewsletterTRANSCRIPT
TRESTLE BOARD
LEESBURG LODGE No. 58 FREE & ACCEPTED MASONS OF FLORIDA 200 Richey Road Leesburg, Florida 34748 Phone: 352-787-5696 Email: [email protected]
Meets the 1st & 3rd Tuesdays of Each Month at 7:00pm Chartered January 15th, 1868
November 2015 Vol. XV Issue XI
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Officers for 2015 Worshipful Master Bro. Ron Glover……………………...874-9504 Senior Warden Br. Jeff Lamb (Sherri)..…………....753-0277 Junior Warden Br. Wayne Reynolds.(Linda)407-484-0096
Treasurer W∴ Larry Duff (Brenda)………….874-2164 Secretary W∴ Hank DeBerry (Paula)...….. 430-0238 Lodge……………………………………...787-5696 Senior Deacon Br. Ed Spencer………………………...324-2134 Junior Deacon Br. Pedro Arroyo (Marcia)…386-804-2043 Senior Steward Br. James M. Thomas……………….568-1554 Junior Steward Br. Norman Novis (Alona)………...409-7669 Tyler W∴Jim Angelos………………………...255-1724 Chaplain Vacant
Marshal W∴ John Haas (Tina)……………….360-9114 Organist Vacant
Lodge Instructor W∴ Hank DeBerry (Paula)……....330-7311 Lodge Historian Vacant
Librarian W∴ Larry Duff (Brenda)………....874-2164
Trestle Board W∴ Hank DeBerry (Paula)…….. .330-7311 Trestle Board Printing Leesburg Printing …………………….787-3348 Lodge Web Mail [email protected]
Committees for 2015
Board of Relief
Chairman W∴M∴Ron Glover, Jeff Lamb, Wayne Reynolds
Lodge Property
Chairman Jeff Lamb, W∴Don McIntyre, W∴Jim Angelos,
W∴ John Haas, W∴M∴Ron Glover
Finance - Investments & Budget
Chairman Jeff Lamb, R∴W∴ Ken Graves,
W∴Tom Russell, W∴Larry Duff, W∴John Haas
Vigilance
Chairman W∴John Haas, W∴Bob Browning, Jeff Lamb,
Charity & Scholarships
Chairman W∴John Haas, Sec. W∴Hank DeBerry, Ed Spencer
Education
Chairman W∴Hank DeBerry, WMRon Glover, Jeff Lamb
Lodge Mentors
Chairman W∴Larry Duff, W∴Hank DeBerry, all Past Masters
Catechism
Chairman W∴Don McIntyre, Sr., W∴Bob Browning, Jeff Lamb
Petitions Investigation
Chairman W∴M∴Ron Glover, W∴Larry Duff, W∴ Hank DeBerry
Investigations Interviews
W∴M∴ Ron Glover will appoint as needed
Funeral
Chairman W∴Jim Angelos, W∴Bob Browning, Ed Spencer
Activities & Awards
Chairman W∴M∴ Ron Glover, W∴John Haas, Jeff Lamb,
Wayne Reynolds
Officers meet at 6:00pm, first stated meeting, Committee Chairman
meet the second meeting of each month for business and planning.
Living Past Masters
Charles Porter 1959 G Kiser Hardaway 1964 Jack Holloway 1968 R∴W∴Ray Richardson 1969* William “Ed” Davison 1974 Robert H. Smith 1977 R∴W∴Colin Crews 1980^* H. C. Connell 1985 R∴W∴Theodore Jansen 1986* Michael Dozier 1988 John H. Meier V 1989 Jay A. Frizzell, Jr. 1992 Raleigh Sorenson 1993/1994 Don Barfield 1996 Tom Russell 1997/1998/2002 Mervyn Harris 1999 R∴W∴Kenneth Graves 2000* R∴H∴ Thomas E. Beach 2001 Robert H. Browning 2003/2004 R∴W∴Dennis Ricker 2005/2007^* Roland P. Gibson 2006 Bill Green 2008 Richard Ecott 2009 Donald McIntyre, Sr. 2010 Randall Jesmok 2011 Larry Duff 2012 Jim Angelos 2013 John Haas 2014
Affiliated Past Masters
M∴W∴Joseph Brearley Henry DeBerry Jack Delauter Robert C. Gleckler Robert Kennedy Clifford Moore Frank Peregrin Glenn A. Reynolds*^ Edwin Robbins Robert L. Welch Forest Case* Wayne Parks Fred Lint Raymond D Trudeau John R. Haas Gary Towne
^ Past District Instructor * Past DDGM # Past Grand Master
18th Masonic District
DDGM R∴W∴ Alan Heist 407-718-5841 District Instructor RH Ed Mayfield PDDGM 352-751-3532
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Chaplain’s Corner Brothers, I thought this month should be a time for reflection and prayer so hope this meets with your approval.
Let us give thanks for all the wonderful blessings the Great Architect has bestowed on us this year and thank him for watching over us. Let us be thankful for our families and our Brothers and ask him
to watch them and keep them from harm in all they do. Watch over the men and women of our Armed Forces overseas in harms way and bring them home safe to their loved ones. Let us ask him for forgiveness in all we do that may not be pleasing to his eyes and help us to become better men and Masons through his teachings, so that we may become an example for others to follow. Guide our hearts and souls with tenderness and let us always be kind to our fellow man. All this, we ask in his precious name. Amen.
LIGHT FROM THE EAST
W∴M∴ Ron Glover
Before I begin, I would like to congratulate our newest Master Mason. Brother Jayson Wood was raised in Clermont Lodge No. 226 on October 12th in a joint degree put on by Clermont, Leesburg, Mt. Dora, and brothers throughout the district. Jayson was raised by his grandfather, W:. Jay Frizzell and he gave an emotional speech af-terward thanking his grandfather and the Brethren. Congratulations Jayson! I'm happy to call you Brother. Well the year is almost over. Seems like just yesterday I was getting installed, then I blinked and here we are getting ready for the holiday months. To all the Brothers that have helped this year, I thank you. To all the Past Masters that have given me encouragement and advice, I want to thank you as well and know that I took everything said to heart and your support throughout the year has been invaluable. I would again like to remind everybody of a few dates. Brother Juan Sepulvada will be coming to our first stated meeting in November. He will be giving a speech about Masonry as well as displaying his original Masonic art and aprons for sale if anybody is interested. For those that have heard Brother Juan speak before, you know that we are in for a treat. I would like to remind everybody that The Villages Masonic Lodge No. 394 is presenting a Rusty Nail De-gree at the Wildwood Masonic Lodge Building on Georgia St., Wildwood, FL, on Wednesday, 4 November 2015. Dinner will be at 6PM and the Degree will follow at 7PM. The Order of the Rusty Nail is a short program for use in a tyled Lodge of Master Masons. It is designed to refresh the memories of Brethren holding a valid dues card who are not regular in their Lodge attendance. It will cover topics such as the steps, passwords and signs of the three degrees, as well as Lodge customs. All Master Masons residing or visiting in the area are invited to attend. For further information, contact W. Lou Hook at 352-750-4799 or R.W. Ed Mayfield at 352-751-3532. I would also like to remind everybody of the District's Outdoor Degree that will be on Saturday December 5th at Draper's Farm. There will be donuts and refreshments at 7:00 with the degree starting at 9:00 am. I would also like to pass on that Brother Jay Kosnar of Groveland Lodge is looking to put on a Master Ma-son 1, 2, & 3 class here at Leesburg on Saturday November 7th starting at 09:00. If any Brother is interested please let me or our Secretary Hank DeBerry know. Brother Jay is looking at the possibility of canceling the class if he does not have enough Brothers sign up. One more item Brothers. I would like to remind everybody that the voting for next years Officers will be different this year. In order to be considered for an office you must have your name on a nomination form and turned in to our Lodge Secretary Hank DeBerry before I rap the gavel to begin our meeting on 1st. You can nomi-tate yourself or another Brother but whoever is nominated must sign the form agreeing that they will accept the po-sition if elected. Again I would like to thank all of the Brethren for the support so far this year. Please have a safe and happy holiday season.
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From the West
Bro. Jeff Lamb
No Article submitted
From the Secretary
WHank DeBerry
Hello Brothers, well just one more time after this one and you will finally be rid of me. I hope you have been thinking of a replacement for me and that he will begin to come in and learn what has to be done. The Lodge needs a Brother to step up and take this job! I think that is plain enough. We have at this time 13 Brothers who still have not paid their 2015 dues and here it is time to pay for 2016! If you are having trouble getting the dues together then let someone know and it is pos-sible you may qualify for the Emeritus list. It hap-pens and there isn’t any fault placed or blame to be had. Just let us know! The ones who just don’t want to be Masons any longer, well that time has come and gone for you. According to Masonic Law, you can not get a demit unless you are cur-rent in all your dues. So that means if you ever did want to return to the Fraternity, you couldn’t, be-cause you never got a demit from your Lodge. The Lodge has made it easy to pay your dues. For the past three years, we have been accepting credit cards in the office and through the mail. This is not for our convenience but yours Brother. We are charged 2.75% on each transaction that we swipe and if we have to enter it manually, 3.5%. We figured this would be better than not getting dues at all and it would spread the time you had to pay your dues over several months if you wished. Any way you look though, on December 1st I will be submitting a list of members who are to be dropped NPD. I sincerely hope that list is a very short one or better yet non-existent. One last reminder on the upcoming Lodge elections. Don’t forget, ALL five stations that are elective offices must have a nomination form. If there are no nominations then the incoming Wor-shipful Master will be forced to “protem” that chair. This is all according to the new procedure passed at the 2015 Grand Lodge. If there is only one nomination for a particular office, there can be a motion made and duly passed to elect by accli-mation. Brothers, don’t wait until the last second to get your nominations into the office. Please stop in and see me at the Secretaries office if you have any questions. Hope everyone has a Happy Thanksgiving and enjoys the holiday season with their loved ones.
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Nov 2 - Boy Scout Troop Mtg - 7:00 PM
Nov 3 - Stated Communication -7:00 PM
Nov 3 - Election Day 7:00 AM -7:00 PM
Nov 4 - Boy Scout Troop Mtg - 7:00 PM
Nov 6 - Saxophone Day
Nov 7 - MM 1,2,3 Class 8:00-4:00 PM
Nov 7 - Knight Mason/AMD meeting 9:00-4:00 PM
Nov 8 - Second Sunday Dinner 11:30-1:00 PM
Nov 9 - Boy Scout Troop Mtg - 7:00 PM
Nov 9 - Rainbow Assembly 79 - Mt Dora - 7:00 PM
Nov 11 - Open Books/ School of Inst -Tavares 6:30PM
Nov 11 - Veterans Day
Nov 16 - Boy Scout Troop Mtg - 7:00 PM
Nov 17 - Stated Communication 7:00 PM
Nov 18 - Masters and Wardens @ Umatilla 7:30 PM
Nov 23 - National Cashew Day
Nov 23 - Boy Scout Troop Mtg - 7:00 PM
Nov 23 - Rainbow Assembly 79 - Mt Dora - 7:00 PM
Nov 26 - Thanksgiving Day
Nov 27 - Black Friday
UPCOMING IMPORTANT DATES November 2015
(Child Safety Protection Month)
From the South Bro. Wayne Reynolds
Once again Brothers and Sisters we ask that you please DO NOT drive on the grass next to the Lodge parking lot. It is leaving ruts in the ground and they are hard to mow over. Thank You!
-Yard Maintenance Guy-
The holidays are upon us and we should be helpful to all those who are not fortunate enough to enjoy the benefits that we all have. We, as Ma-sons, should do according to our Oath and give to the relief of worthy dis-tressed brother Masons, their wid-ows, and orphans.
Because there is no breakfast this November, we will have for din-ner, Turkey breast, ham, mashed po-tatoes, green bean casserole, and Paula’s sweet potato casserole. Along with, salad, bread, sugar free and non-sugar free desserts, coffee, tea, and lemonade. Good conversa-tion with friends and Brothers.
December will have ham, turkey, mashed potatoes, and green bean casserole. Bread, salad, drinks, and desserts.
Sign up at the meeting or call the Lodge for reservations, so we prepare enough food for everyone.
Thank You!
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Name(s) of Those Who Attended:
____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
Date(s) Attended: _____________________________________________________________________
Function/Activity/Training/Etc. Attended:
____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
Number of Hours Involved:______________________________________________________________
Location of Activity: ___________________________________________________________________
Please leave completed slips on the Secretary’s desk at the Stated Communications, or email W. Hank DeBerry
with this information at [email protected]
Name(s) of Those Who Attended:
____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
Date(s) Attended: _____________________________________________________________________
Function/Activity/Training/Etc. Attended:
____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
Number of Hours Involved:______________________________________________________________
Location of Activity: ___________________________________________________________________
Please leave completed slips on the Secretary’s desk at the Stated Communications, or email W. Hank DeBerry
with this information at [email protected], or place them in the slot in the Secretary’s door
Name(s) of Those Who Attended:
____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
Date(s) Attended: _____________________________________________________________________
Function/Activity/Training/Etc. Attended:
____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
Number of Hours Involved:______________________________________________________________
Location of Activity: ___________________________________________________________________
Please leave completed slips on the Secretary’s desk at the Stated Communications, or email W. Hank DeBerry
with this information at [email protected], or place them in the slot on the Secretary’s door.
Name(s) of Those Who Attended:
____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
Date(s) Attended: _____________________________________________________________________
Function/Activity/Training/Etc. Attended:
____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
Number of Hours Involved:______________________________________________________________
Location of Activity: ___________________________________________________________________
Please leave completed slips on the Secretary’s desk at the Stated Communications, or email W. Hank DeBerry
with this information at [email protected], or place them in the slot in the Secretary’s door
Masonic Education Worksheet
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Leesburg Announcement Forms
Please Print Clearly
Event:_________________________________________________________
Date (s):__________________________ Time:_________________________
Description/Comments____________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
For further information contact:____________________ at ________________
Submitted by:_____________________________________________________
Please Print Clearly
Event:_________________________________________________________
Date (s):__________________________ Time:_________________________
Description/Comments____________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
For further information contact:____________________ at ________________
Submitted by:_____________________________________________________
Leesburg Announcement Forms
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2014 TRESTLE BOARD SPONSORS
YOUR NAME HERE - INDIVIDUAL OR COUPLE FOR ONLY $20.00
Current year or any part thereof - HELP US KEEP YOU INFORMED!
John Dean Hank & Paula DeBerry Larry & Brenda Duff
Jim Angelos William & Sharen Aston Joe Schlegal
Suzanne Mina John & Tina Haas Jim & Becky Campbell
Richard Follett Ed Spencer George A. Brown
Bob & Carolyn Browning Ken Graves George Shoemaker
Betsey Jordan Bill & Sharon Staple RW Ed Mayfield
Gary & Alberta Grimes Dennis & Ginny Ricker Ronald J. Glover
Ronald W. Glover Ed Spencer Charles and Marlene White
John E. Parfumorse
If you would like to be a sponsor in 2015, please see the secretary with your donation. Your
donations are applied to the monthly mailing costs of the Trestle Board, we need 60 sponsors to
cover the yearly mailing costs. Sponsorship is $20.00 for the year or any part thereof. Our Goal
for this year is 60 sponsors. Please consider a sponsorship.
"You get out of Masonry only what you put in it."
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RAINBOW ASSEMBLY
No. 79 at Mt. Dora
Let’s not forget the young Ladies of our
local Rainbow Chapter. They need our support. We should also remember they are the fu-ture of our Ladies organizations and future leaders in our communities. Meetings are at 7:00pm on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of each month at Mt. Dora Lodge. Know a young Lady who might want to join, you can contact Chapter Mom Debbie Dyer at 407-908-6973 or Chapter Dad Warren Shippee at 321-689-6661.
Attend a meeting and be impressed.
DEMOLAY CHAPTER At Eustis
Let’s also not forget the young Men of our local De-Molay Chapter. They also need our support. We should also remember they are the future of Masonry and fu-ture leaders in our communities. Meetings are at
7:00pm on the 1 and 3rd Monday’s of each month at Eustis Lodge. Know a Man who might want to join, you can contact “Granddaddy” Philip Paul at
407-832-8771. Attend a meeting and be impressed.
HELP BY SUPPORTING OUR MASONIC YOUTH
18th MASONIC DISTRICT LODGES
Stated Communication Meetings
Leesburg No. 58 1st and 3rd Tuesday
Umatilla No. 65 1st and 3rd Monday
Clermont No. 226 1st and 3rd Monday
Eustis No. 85 2nd and 4th Monday
Villages No. 394 2nd Monday
Tavares No. 234 2nd and 4th Tuesday
Wildwood No. 92 2nd and 4th Tuesday
Groveland No. 190 2nd and 4th Thursday
Mt. Dora No. 238 1st and 3rd Thursday
Have YOU Traveled Lately?
HIGH TWELVE Meeting Times & Locations
Hawthorne Masonic High Twelve No. 547 - Meets at 11:00 a.m. on the 2nd & 4th Tuesday of each month at Golden Corral, 1720 Citrus Blvd. (Hwy 27/441) – Leesburg, FL. Tel: 352-728-3911.
Tri-County Masonic High Twelve meets 10:30 a.m. 1st Wednesday of each month at La Haci-enda Recreation Center, The Villages. Reserva-tions for lunch due by the Thursday before the meeting, call Rita at 750-5561.
People rarely succeed
unless they have fun in
what they are doing.
- Dale Carnegie -
A friend is a person with
whom I may be sincere.
Before him, I may think
aloud.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson -
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Scottish Rite
www.OcalaSR.com or www.SROrlando.com
Ocala Scottish Rite meets the first Monday of each month, at 7:30pm.at Ocala Scottish Rite Center, 3632 NE 7th Street, Ocala, Fl. Orlando Scottish Rite meets at 1485 Grand Road, Winter Park, Fla. on the 4th Friday of each month, except, November, which is on the third Friday and dark in December, meetings at 7:30pm.
York Rite Bodies
“A Continuation of the Blue Lodge”
www.flgyr.org
Ocala York Rite Bodies – Meetings at Belleview Lodge No. 95
Ocala Chapter No. 13 - Meets Second Wednesday of January, March, May, September and November beginning at 7:30 PM. Ocala Council No. 22 - R&S Masters - Meets Second Wednes-day of February, April, June, October and December beginning at 7:30 PM. Ocala Commandry No. 19 - Knights Templar - Meets on the fourth Wednesday of each month at 7:30 PM.
Lake/Sumter York Rite Bodies - Meetings at Leesburg Lodge 58 Eustis Chapter No. 33, Meets on the first Wednesday at 7:30 PM Golden Triangle Council No. 28—Royal & Select Masters - Meets first Wednesday at 7:30 PM. Chapter and Council will alternate on who begins first. Triangle Commandery No. 38 –Knights Templar—Meets on the fourth Wednesday of each month at 7:30 PM.
Order of the Eastern Star, Chapter No. 84
Lady Paula DeBerry PM– Worthy Matron W∴ Hank DeBerry PP—Worthy Patron Lady Orrissa Maurer PM—Secretary W∴ Robert Welch PGP – Treasurer
Brothers and Sisters, Paula and I want to wish you a Happy Thanksgiving and we hope you and your families are safe and happy this holi-day season. We thank you for your support through out the year. Hank & Paula
Editors Note: All articles and infor-
mation must be received by the editor
prior to the 23rd of the publishing
month for inclusion in the next issue.
Articles can be e-mailed to:
November Birthdays
Nov 1 - Richard Newman
Nov 2 - Jeff Lamb
Nov 5 - Edward Bergman Jr.
Nov 5 - Wannie Frazier
Nov 8 - Joseph Brearley
Nov 8 - Clyde Waller
Nov 11 - Roger Sutton
Nov 16 - Ed Spencer
Nov 19 - Michael Abendschein
Nov 24 - William Ranquist
Nov 24 - Ron Glover
Nov 27 - Robert Gleckler
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On St. John's Day, June 24, 1717, two hundred and forty one years ago, the
Freemasons of London formed a grand lodge and started the system of
organized Masonry which has spread over the entire world, and its law has
come to be recognized by Craft Masonry as the criterion by which regularity
may be determined. Freemasonry was up to that time a system of Guilds
composed of workers in stone, to which honorary or "accepted" members had
begun to attach a certain philosophy taught by symbolism based on the
working tools of the operative Masons. Then as now the basic hope of man
was for an after-life existence. Instinctively he turned to the suggestion
offered to him in the story of the plants which may only live again by passing
through the period of deep sleep we as humans call Death. The Legend of the
Third degree was devised and it held forth to every Mason the fulfillment of
that hope for himself which could only be gained by suffering from those
calamities to which flesh is heir and conquering the evils and temptations of
this life, thus deserving and winning the right to resurrection pictured in the
raising to the sublime degree of a Master Mason. Every Rite of Freemasonry
eventually recognized the fundamental value of this lesson and adopted it in
some form in some of its degrees. Ceremonial rites offering certain privileges
to the Mason who successfully passed through the ceremony of Raising
gradually became degrees themselves and as the multiplicity of these
ceremonies became cumbersome new rites or assemblies of degrees were
formed. In Britain, as might be expected, this became what is known today as
the York Rite, always bearing true faith and allegiance to the Grand Lodge
from which it sprang.
Spreading over on to the continent of Europe and into the France, the idea of
another Rite embracing the "floating" degrees resulted in the Rite of Perfection
which seized upon the idea of progression in knowledge and symbolism and
subordinated the Craft Degrees to a progression of degrees and teachings
topped by the 25th degree. What more natural than to develop the thought
that the higher the number the higher the power of those possessing the
"highest" degree?
Thus we have the gradual departure of the Latin Masonry from the
fundamentals of the Anglo Saxon Masonry.
Nordic Masons soon saw the loyalty and cohesiveness of Masonic influence and
DETERMINING RECOGNITION
Harry W. Bundy
Grand Secretary Grand Lodge of Colorado
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adopted a strange system which combined adherence to the Christian religion and
influence of the Templar background of the Masons of Central and Northern
Europe-the submissiveness of the Trades union or Guild member, and the
autocracy of the Grand Master. Thus the Scandinavian Rite was established
with the King of Sweden as Solomon, the Grand Master.
The Rite of Memphis, with over a hundred degrees was organized in Italy and
based its authority on the Egyptian influence of Freemasonry as practiced in
Egypt and brought into Rome by the practice of the Roman Emperors of
making philosophers and religionists of all types most welcome in the Eternal
City and thereby building an influence which could be used as a personal
loyalty when needed to further ambition. Thus Italy welcomed the smooth
tongued, plausible and capable though crafty imposter Cagliostro. This man
recognized the desire for more light and led those who were groping for the
light down pathways which called them far from the fundamentals of Masonry
as originally established.
Now let us deal with Latin America. Latin Masonry followed the adventurers
into South America. and with it the inclination to yield precedence to
the hand which held the scepter of authority. The thirty-third degree of
Scottish Rite Masonry became the official or ruling degree by natural
sequence. This lasted well over a hundred years.
In the meantime, the Rite of Perfection had come to the shores of the newly
created United States of America. The Latin influence and the religious
domination over the minds of men caused seven degrees to be added and the
thirty-third became the ruling or governing degree of the newly created
Scottish Rite.
In this English speaking, English thinking country there was an inevitable clash
with the hierarchical as contrasted with the democratic system of
government in Masonry. The compromises of the Constitutional Convention,
where each of the newly formed states yielded some personal privilege for the
universal harmony of the entire country, had taught the Americans the
necessity of having a common cause and objective and the newly formed
successor to the Rite of Perfection, the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite
accepted the historic right of the Craft Masonry to rule and govern and
gracefully recognized the Priority of right held by the Grand Lodges. The newly
formed Grand Lodges themselves declared their sovereignty over the lodges
operating in each state of this new country and added to that a principle
known as the American Doctrine of Exclusive Jurisdiction which in effect said
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that the first group to form a grand lodge in any territory not previously
governed by a Grand Lodge should be the only regular Masonic authority in
that jurisdiction and all others not yielding allegiance would be declared
clandestine. This brought a howl of protest from our Latin American Brothers
at first, but soon seeing the advantage of such a system in maintaining
regularity the Latins started changing their system of government in Masonry
to acknowledge the Grand Lodge system of government by the Master Mason
Degree, instead of the Thirty-third.
In October, 1921, a convention of the International Masonic Service
Associations was held in Geneva, Switzerland, at which a system of
determining regularity was adopted. Naturally the English system governed
and seven tests were set by which regularity could be measured. This has
become the measure of regularity the world over. These are:
1. That it was regularly established by three or more recognized Lodges or
legalized by one or more recognized Grand Lodges;
2. That it is independent and self-governing and exercises supreme and
exclusive jurisdiction;
3. That it limits membership to men, believing in a S.A.O.T.U., and
obligated on the book of sacred law recognized by the initiate;
4. That it requires the display of the three great lights in every Lodge at
work;
5. That it bars controversial, political, and religious questions from its
Lodges;
6. That it is founded upon and adheres to the ancient landmarks, customs,
and usages of the Craft;
7. That it does not maintain fraternal intercourse with bodies which violate
these principles.
Let it be noted that religion and politics are forbidden as a matter of discussion
in a regular lodge. The participation of women is forbidden. Racial lines are
supposedly eradicated. This last step has been often referred to by
Mason and profane alike as the tie that has held the British Empire together.
The doctrine of exclusive jurisdiction has been adopted by all North American
Grand Lodges and has resulted in the lodges formed among negro Americans,
they (being branded irregular and clandestine) have been deprived of the
privilege of regular membership by the use of the ballot in individual lodges.
The use of the ballot is a landmark and must be used to protect the peace and
harmony of the fraternity socially, intellectually, religiously, politically, and
influentially. It may well be said that the ballot should not be used to
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determine physical qualifications such as color. But what of the Doctrine of the
Perfect Youth: which bars the non-male. the mentally impaired, the crippled,
and the under aged?
This landmark is almost universally acknowledged and used to benefit the
Craft. We find many modifications. In our Mother Grand Lodge we find the
Lewes system, which allows a youth of 18 to become a Member in the
Lodge of his father, attaining, to full membership at manhood. This system is
copied in many of the Latin Grand Lodges. American Lodges have forbidden
the practice and have substituted encouragement, if not actual sponsorship of
the Order of DeMolay, for boys budding into manhood. The "Equal Rights"
program of the American states made it natural that the question of sex be
modified in Masonry, and the O.E.S. was devised for women and the Order of
the Rainbow and the Order of Jobs Daughters for girls. These female and
juvenile orders, being builded on fundamental principles known as Masonic,
seem to have satisfied the desires of the members of these groups and to
have preserved the adult male character of Masonry. Where with ostrich-like
stupidity this necessity for modification of a centuries-old way of thinking has
been ignored, we find clandestinism flourishing, co-Masonry embracing both
men and women, and snobbery destroying the harmony which is the strength
and support of regular Masonry. We are reminded of the couplet facetiously
quoted when new rules for automobiles entering the traffic were made
necessary and a realignment of the rights of driver and pedestrian alike were
necessary:
He was right, dead right, as he sped along,
But he's just as dead as if he'd been wrong.
Masonry should modify its rules to meet the challenge of education, of equal
political standing for both sexes and all races, religious and political faiths. This
should be done while there is a choice of speed, of method and of goals, rather
than hysterical cataclysmic upsetting of the pitcher of cooling water which will
refresh and strengthen us all if judiciously used on a basis of share and share
alike, according to our needs.
We should have a common religious faith, too, often glibly referred to as a
belief in the Grand Architect of the Universe. We should not have the
absolutism of the Scandinavian or Eclectic system confining its members
to Christianity, the intolerance of the Roman system with the primary purpose
of preserving a ruling hierarchy, the fanaticism of the Moslem, promising
physical rewards for earthly morality, or the liberality of the agnostic who
(heavenly in his desire to please all) allows the atheistic nonbeliever to crawl
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under the tent of Masonry as is so woefully exemplified by the Grand Orient of
France and its adherents. We should make Deity truly the point within the
circle around the perimeter of which is room for every sect or opinion which
acknowledges the Fatherhood, of God and the Brotherhood of Man.
To get down to the everyday fundamental with which we come in contact,
should we use the hoodwink in initiations? One great jurisdiction has
practically discarded it, using it only as we use the door of the preparation
room between the profane and the accepted petitioner, discarding the
hoodwink as we open the door when we answer the raps of the candidate. It is
highly successful. Should we dispense with the physical portrayal of the
Legend and rely on the mental application of the allegory? Many jurisdictions
have done so under the pressure of caution, and the necessity for bringing
"Degree Teams" back from the amusement category of teaching to the solemn
purpose of teaching by allegory.
Should we demand the abolishing of jurisdictional lines which require a
petitioner to associate himself with a group in which he has little of common
interest, socially, financially, politically, religiously. or intellectually,
a process which almost guarantees his early withdrawal to the class of the
non-attending Brother, if not his complete renouncing of the membership
itself? May we cite the case of the Grand Jurisdiction of Pennsylvania where
except for the Grand Jurisdiction itself there are no "lines" of demarcation and
a profane may choose the lodge with which he associates himself, subject to
the possession of fundamental character qualifications. The United Grand
Lodge of England recognizes the desirability of this choice by the
encouragement of "Class" Lodges. Many Latin jurisdictions practice this in
permitting District Grand Lodges to operate in the language of the country of
origin of foreign born members. Should we? Would this not let the "color
question" solve itself? Would it not prevent forcible integration under
conditions distasteful to white and black alike where each is a sincere, thinking
Mason? We find a tacit acceptance of the principle of "Birds of a feather
flocking together" in the encouragement of Research Lodges for the students
of Masonry, in associations of Grand Jurisdictions with like problems. Witness
our RMMC. We might do well to approve lodges formed on the basis of creed,
color, occupation, and environmental conditions.
Should we demand proficiency in ritual? Which is more desirable, Masonry of
the head, or Masonry of the heart? How many Brothers of the Craft absent
themselves for fear of ridicule by those who meticulously demand that
every pass-word have a certain inflection, that every punctuation point be
16
exactly placed and that every piece of paraphernalia be regarded as
sacrosanct? Should there not be a liberalism between Jurisdictions, between
Lodges, and even between individual Brothers which will recognize
fundamental Masonic qualifications rather than superficial and artificial
acquirements? We err in intolerance within our own ranks.
Finally, should we not recognize the fact that circumstances alter cases and
that a Jurisdiction threatened in its very existence by a numerically, superior
ruling force must operate and concede privileges to preserve its
very existence. Masonry must "go underground" in Communist controlled
countries. Who would deny them the right to discuss politics or religion within
the sanctity of their lodge? Where can they keep the Holy Fire if not on the
Masonic Altar? What about domination of religious groups such as we find in
Spain where Masonic membership is accompanied with a decree of death
pronounced by the Roman Church. Closer than that, in Colombia, South
America, where assassination of "heretics" is condoned and encouraged by the
domineering Church? Can we forbid these Masons the sanctity of their Lodges
to discuss means of self preservation? Can we criticise justly our own
jurisdiction which does not open the flood gates which will drown them out
with the very water which if controlled will be of great benefit to they
development of democratic thought and action?
One could go on for time immeasurable with arguments for and against
uniformity and universality of governing laws. The final law must be the
answer to the question "Are we trying to fulfill God's will through Masonry? Are
we really promoting the Brotherhood of Man?"
17
Pictures from around the Lodge
RW Forrest Case receiving his 55 year certificate from Worshipful Master Ron Glover at the October Sunday Dinner
W. Hank DeBerry presenting RW Forrest Case his 55 year pin.
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SUNDAY DINNER Leesburg Lodge No. 58
November 8, 2015
Menu Turkey or Baked Ham
Sweet Potato Casserole and green beans
Salad, Desserts both ( Sugared and Sugar free),
Drinks (Iced Tea, Coffee or Lemonade)
$8.37 + .63 tax - Adults, under 14 - $3.72 + .28 tax
11:30 AM until 1:00 PM Please call the Lodge at 787-5696 or sign the guest list in the lobby
and provide the number attending with you,. This ensures enough food is pur-
chased and prepared for all.
ALL MASONS, their families and friends are invited to our Monthly
Second Sunday Dinners and First Saturday Breakfasts
Help support your Blue Lodge, IT IS where all other Masonic Bodies Begin.
Future menu suggestions are always welcome!
Introducing 2015 Chef Crew JW Wayne Reynolds
SS James Michael Thomas JS Norman Novis
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NONPROFIT US Postage
PAID Permit#1040 Leesburg,, FL
34748
Leesburg Masonic Lodge No. 58 F&AM PO Box 985 Fruitland Park, Florida 34731 [email protected]
SUNDAY DINNERS 11:30 a.m. TO 1:00 p.m.
Menu items: November 8, 2015 Turkey or Baked Ham
Sweet Potato Casserole and Green Beans Garden Salad, Desserts (Sugared & Sugar-Free)
Coffee, Iced Tea and Lemonade $8.37 + .63 tax per person, Children under 14 years of age $3.72 + .28 tax
PLEASE call the Lodge at 787-5696, or sign the guest list in the foyer, provide the number of guests attending with you, this ensures enough food is prepared for all. ALL MASONS, their families and friends are invited . Menu suggestions welcomed, just fill out a comment card.
Don’t forget to call or sign -up!!!
Celebrating 147 years (1868 — 2015) in Leesburg, Fla. “The Lakefront City”
1st Saturday Monthly Coffee Klatch & Breakfast 8:00am to 10:00am
Eggs (cooked to order), Pancakes, Waffles, Bacon, Sausages
(Patty’s or Links), Breakfast Potatoes, Grits, Sausage Gravy, Bis-cuits, Toast
Coffee, Orange Juice $5.58 +.42 sales tax per person