Missouri Freemason Magazine - v53n01 - 2007 Winter

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Volume 53 No. 1

WINTER 2007

Official Publication of the Grand Lodge of Missouri A.F.&A.M.

THE MISSOURI FREEMASON

©

Official Publication of the Grand Lodge of Missouri

VOL. 52 NO. 1

WINTER 2007

Published and copyrighted under the direction of the Committee on Masonic Publications

CONTENTS 3 4 6 9 11 12 13 14 16 20 21 22 23 24 26 29

Grand Master’s Message Biographies The Truman Line Unique in all of Masonry Masonic Reflections: To Keep the Secrets Veterans Appreciation Dinner Sedalia Area Candidates Become Master Masons Rainbow Red Marbles Old Bullion Missouri's First Senator – A Profile In Courage District Deputy Grand Lecturers 2008 District Deputy Grand Masters Grand Lodge Officers 2008 Regional Grand Lecturers 2008 Job’s Daughters International Masonic Home Masonic Service Awards The Work of our Craft

FROM THE EDITOR’S KEYBOARD I had quite a spectacular Masonic weekend earlier this month. It started out on a Thursday evening with a Scottish Rite meeting in St. Joseph and didn't stop until late Sunday afternoon.

On Friday evening and Saturday, I attended the Area Meetings in St. Joseph and Kansas City, respectively. To me, the area meetings are kind of like mini-Grand Lodges. I get to see people I don't see regularly and learn a lot about what's happening with the fraternity. The fellowship is terrific.

On Sunday of the same weekend it was back to St. Joseph to participate in the cornerstone ceremony at the new Social Security Building there. I had never been to one before and I found it quite impressive. The news media were present, interviewed MWB Austin, and I'm sure we got some good press out of the event as well.

Masonry is alive and well in Missouri.

In this issue we introduce you to your new Grand Master and Senior Grand Marshal.

We find out these two individuals share something unique in all of Masonry – they are both members of the "Truman" Line, one of Masonry's most elite clubs. We also celebrate two Missouri Masons who have been appointed to important positions within the fraternity and a new Fellow of the Missouri Lodge of research.

We're delighted to have contributions from new authors and some who are almost becoming regulars. Thanks so much to MWB Austin, MWB J.C. Montgomery, Jim Guest, Kevin Hampton, Doug Reece, Niki Lodholz, Jack DeSelms, Diane Lynch, Otha Wingo and others who have made major contributions to this issue. Without them, we don't have a magazine.

Oh, and in my personal favorite, on p. 10, we learn the meaning of, "Is it time yet..."

Steve Harrison, Editor

Committee on Masonic Publications M. Robert Berger, Grand Master Bruce R. Austin, Deputy Grand Master Rocky E. Weaver, Senior Grand Warden Larry C. Reynolds, Junior Grand Warden Ronald D. Miller, Grand Secretary E. Otha Wingo Steven L. Harrison, Editor, Chairman Editor Steven L. Harrison P.O. Box 1120 Kearney, MO 64060-1120 816-628-6562 / Call for Fax editor@momason.org

Please note the change of address for the Missouri Freemason:

P.O. Box 1120, Kearney, MO 64060-1120

2 Winter 2007

The Missouri Freemason (USPS 573-920) is the official publication of the Grand Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of the State of Missouri, and is published four times yearly. Articles to be considered for publication should be submitted to The Missouri Freemason, P.O. Box 1120, Kearney, MO 64060-1120, not later than the first day of the month preceding publication in February, May, August, and November.

Unless otherwise indicated, the views expressed in this magazine are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or policy of the Grand Lodge A.F.&A.M. of Missouri. The Editor reserves the right due to limitations of space, to accept, reject, subedit and rearrange material submitted for publication. Pictures submitted for publication will not be returned.

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CHANGE OF ADDRESS (Important): Whenever a member changes his mailing address without notifying his Lodge Secretary and a mailing of the Freemason magazine occurs, the Post Office charges the Grand Lodge 75¢ per undeliverable Freemason.

PLEASE, contact your Lodge Secretary with your address change so that the Grand Lodge can then be notified. GRAND LODGE OF MISSOURI GRAND LODGE OF MISSOURI INTERNET ADDRESSES E-Mail to the Grand Lodge Office grlodge@momason.org The Grand Lodge web page www.momason.org Phone: 573-474-8561

THE MISSOURI FREEMASON

Brethren: The 186th Grand Lodge session is over. To be elected Grand Master is both humbling and exciting. Thank you for the confidence you have shown in me. I pledge to serve you to the best of my ability. A special thanks to my "Masonic Father," Most Worshipful Wilfred Soutiea, Jr., for putting me in the Grand Lodge advancing line, and for serving as the installing Grand Master. Also thanks to Most Worshipful Vern Schneider for serving as installing Grand Marshall and to Most Worshipful D. Robert Downey for serving as installing Chaplin. Thanks to my wife of 44 years, for being a Masonic Widow" those many nights that I spent visiting the many lodges.

Thanks also to my sons and their families for supporting me through the years, and to my lodge, Charleston Lodge #407, for its support and for my lodge brothers being at my installation.

Three years ago, Most Worshipful Elmer Revelle urged us to get in harmony with ourselves to be better Masons.

Two years ago, Most Worshipful John Nations told us to get involved in community affairs, and last year Most Worshipful M. Robert Berger challenged us to not only be involved in community affairs but also to get recognition for our good works. Those were great goals and I fully endorsed every one of them.

Now brothers, I feel we should sit back and look at ourselves. We have many lodges that are giving great Masonic education to newly made brothers. But unfortunately, a great number of our lodges are failing to instruct our newly-made THE MISSOURI FREEMASON

brothers on what we stand for, any knowledge of who we are, our history, our traditions, tenets, symbols, and other things that make us the oldest and largest fraternity in the world. Even though a brother carries a dues

card and wears Masonic jewelry, doesn't mean he is a well-informed brother. Education, along with ritual, must be taught equally. I am urging every Worshipful Master in each lodge to adopt a mentor program so that every newly made brother shall have a well-informed brother to sit with him and inform him of our Masonic history, and why we do the things we do. I am going to ask our Masonic Education Committee to look into this matter.

This is an exciting time for Mis-

souri Masonry. Our membership has stabilized and is even growing, thanks in part to our MOCHIP program. Many young men are joining our fraternity because, in part, they wish to belong to an organization that is wanting to protect its children, of which MOCHIP is a vital part of that protection. But brothers, how long do you think they will be active when all they see in our meetings is the reading of the minutes, asking about our ill brothers, pay the bills and then close the lodge. This is happening in far too many lodges. We must make them active in lodge to keep their interest. We must have them learn our ritual, be able to obligate a candidate and learn the lectures. We could have family nights, put the lodge at ease and invite community leaders to give programs of every kind, and have fundraisers to foster brotherhood. If we do this, we will continue to grow and prosper.

Please continue your support of our one great charity, our Masonic Home. The home is helping over 200 Masons, their widows, ladies from the Eastern Star, and our children's outreach program. Also, please continue to support the 10-4-10 program, the endowment program and the MOCHIP program. These programs will assure the continued function of your Grand Lodge.

I look forward to meeting each of you as I travel across our great state. God Bless Our Fraternity and God Bless America.

Winter 2007 3

GRAND MASTER • BRUCE R. AUSTIN

Bruce Raymond Austin was born December 14, 1935 in East Prairie, Missouri, and was educated in the East Prairie Public Schools, graduating in 1953. Bruce attended Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau for two years.

Joining the U.S. Navy, where he became a Hospital Corpsman, trained to specialize in the uses of I-131, radioactive iodine, for thyroid glandular studies. He was stationed at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland for 3 ½ years. Enrolled in the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he obtained a degree in mortuary science, graduating Magna Cum Laude. Brother Austin returned to East Prairie where he was associated with McMikle Funeral Homes, both in East Prairie and Charleston. Bruce then met and Married Myrtle (better known as Sisser) Goodin on April 6, 4 Winter 2007

1963 in Charleston. They have three sons: Stephen and Sam of Charleston, and David of Webster Groves, Missouri. Bruce then started farming with his father-in-law in March 1965. He took over the farm in 1974 and, at the present time, farms over 1700 acres, growing soybeans, corn, and winter wheat. He took in his middle son, Sam, as a full partner in the farm operation.

Stephen, his oldest son, is a pilot.

David, his youngest son, sells surgical instruments. David is a dual member of Charleston Lodge #407 and Webster Grove Lodge # 84. He is also a member of St. Louis Scottish Rite and is a past Venerable Master of the Lodge of Perfection. He is also a member of the York Rite Bodies. All three sons are Eagle Scouts.

Bruce’s civic duties include: Past President and member of the Mississippi County Library Board, Past Chairman of the University of Missouri’s Outreach and Extension Council, has served on many boards in the United Methodist Church, where he and Myrtle are both active members. He is a past member and President of the Charleston R-1 School Board, and a past Scoutmaster of Charleston Boy Scout Troop 323.

He still serves on the Troop Committee.

He is a member of the Farm Bureau and the Delta Growers Association.

Bruce and Myrtle were honored by being named the Mississippi County Farm Family in 1996.

Bruce was Charleston’s Man of the Year in 1999.

He wife, Myrtle, has served as Den Mother, and was the first female Cubmaster in the District. She is a

member and past president of both the Junior Study Club and PEO Chapter CV. She has also served on many committees of the United Methodist Church, and is also a past Woman of the Year in Charleston. She retired from teaching first grade in the Charleston Public Schools.

RWB Bruce’s Masonic Affiliations began in February 1961, when he was initiated into East Prairie Lodge #384. Three months later he was raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason. In 1964, he transferred his membership to Charleston Lodge #407, where he served as Master both in 1972 and 1980. He is a member of the Scottish Rite Valley of St. Louis. He was awarded the Knight Commander of the Court of Honor in 1979, and was honored with the 33rd Degree Inspector General Honorary in 1995. He also served as Venerable Master in the Lodge of Perfection in 1995.

Other Masonic memberships include: Charleston Chapter #19 RAM, where he served as High Priest in 1997 and 1998, and received the “Order of High Priesthood” in Branson, MO at Chapter #75, Cape Council #20, Cryptic Masons, and Cape Girardeau Commandery #55, Knights Templar. He is also a member of the Olin S McDaniel Allied Masonic Degree, where he was Sovereign Master in 2005, the Missouri Lodge of Research, member of the Scottish Rite Temple Preservation Board, and the Scottish Rite Foundation of Missouri, the Hunt York Rite College #162 of St. Louis, and the Capaha Scottish Rite Club in Cape Girardeau.

He served as District Deputy Grand Master of the old 50th Masonic District from 1996-1999. In addition RWB Austin is a Member of Moolah Shrine Temple, St. Louis, the SEMO shrine club, Sikeston, The Red Cross of Constantine, St. Louis Conclave, National Sojourners, Heroes of '76, Sword of Bunker Hill, Andrew Jackson #43, and is the president of Masonic Home Board.

THE MISSOURI FREEMASON

RWB DAVID WILLIAM HAYWOOD SELECTED AS SENIOR GRAND MARSHAL David William Haywood was born in 1951 and raised in Webster Groves, Missouri where he attended school, graduating in 1969. David was in Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts in Pack and Troop #306 at Lockwood School where he obtained his Eagle Scout award in 1965. He acted as a canoe guide for several years after his marriage.

He attended Meramec Community College and the University of Missouri at St. Louis. From UMSL, David received a BA in Biology and a BS in Chemistry. He currently works as a microbiologist for Sensient Colors, Inc., a manufacturer of over 60% of the food colors manufactured in the United States. David has been married to Diane (nee Walleman) for thirty-three years. They have lived in Fenton, Missouri for most of their marriage. His wife is a government teacher at Seckman High School in the Fox School District. They have one daughter, Alicia, who completed her residency as an emergency room physician this past summer and has relocated to St. Louis. Dave attends Southminster Presbyterian Church where he is an ordained Deacon and Elder. He was president of the St. Louis Friends of UMKC School of Medicine from 2002 to 2004. He enjoys traveling, photography, the fellowship of his lodge brothers, attending sporting events and, in his own words, “attempting to play golf.”

RWB Haywood’s Masonic career began when he followed both his father and his maternal uncle into the Order of DeMolay by joining Rabboni Chapter in 1964. He served as Master Councilor of the Webster Groves chapter in 1968. Between 1974 and 1979, David was Rabboni’s Chapter Advisor. He has received Chevalier and Legion of Honor and is currently Dean of the St. Louis Preceptory. David was initiated into Webster Groves Lodge #84 on OctoTHE MISSOURI FREEMASON

ber 30, 1973, was passed on February 26, 1974 and was raised on March 26, 1974. David was Worshipful Master in 1986, has been a member of Webster Groves Temple Board since 1985, and has been secretary of the lodge since 1994.

RWB Haywood has served the Grand Lodge of Missouri on the Public Relations Committee, Chairman of the Masonic Youth Committee (2006 and 2007), and has been a member of the Grand Master’s Breakfast Committee since 2005. Under MWB Wilfred G. Soutiea, Jr. (20002001) David was District Deputy Grand Master and he was appointed Grand Pursuivant by MWB John M. Nations (20052006).

David was pleased to join his father as a member of the Scottish Rite, Valley of St. Louis in 1975 and was a member of the sound committee for fourteen years. In 1986 he was appointed to the advancing line of the Lodge of Perfection and served as Venerable Master in 1993. In 1993, RWB Haywood was made KCCH and was elevated to the 33° in 2001. He worked with the Youth Ball Committee from 1986-1996, 19982002 and 2004-2006. From 1994 to 2003 David was the Assistant Director and Director of Work for the Lodge of Perfection.

RWB Haywood has been a member of Moolah Shrine AAONMS since 1993. When Pop (Charles Haywood, Sr.) was High Priest in 1980, David joined Rabboni Royal Arch and became High Priest in 2000. He has been secretary of the Chapter since 2006. He is also a member of Jeremiah Council #43, Order of Cryptic Masons, Ascalon Commandery #16, Knights Templar, Ray Von Denslo Chapter of the Allied Masonic

Degrees where he is currently Senior Deacon, and is secretary-treasurer of the York Rite Council Club of Greater St. Louis. He assisted RWB Broyles in the publication of the Wardens’ and Masters’ book for 2007. He has been invited to become a member of the York Rite College in the fall.

After his daughter became active in Job’s Daughter’s International, he joined the council of Bethel #43 as its Associate Guardian from 1994 until 2001. He was also Grand Bethel SecretaryTreasurer from 2004-2006 RWB Haywood comes from a family with a strong Masonic tradition. His father, Charles Haywood, Sr., 33° and maternal uncle, WB William Korhammer, were active in Masonry throughout their lives.

David’s paternal uncle, William was a member of Kirkwood Lodge #484 and his father-in-law, Vernon Walleman, was a Past Master of Erwin #121 and a 32nd degree Scottish Rite Mason. David’s wife is a Past Honored Queen, Past Bethel Guardian and Past Guardian of the Grand Bethel and his daughter Alicia served as Honored Queen of Bethel #43 in Fenton.

Winter 2007 5

THE TRUMAN LINE-UNIQUE IN ALL OF MASONRY Harry S Truman was a man of many accomplishments. He is, of course best known throughout the world as the thirty-third President of the United States, Vice President, US Senator and World War I Captain, to name a few. Interestingly, however when asked which honor he valued the most, Truman always responded, "The greatest honor that has ever come to me, and that can ever come to me in my life, was to become Grand Master of Masons in Missouri." This is quite a testimonial to the office of Grand Master from a man who once was the most powerful person in the world.

Truman became Grand Master in 1940, while still serving as a United States Senator. Among his many duties during his year as Grand Master, MWB Truman appointed James M. Bradford to the advancing line.

With that appointment, the Truman

Line was born. The Truman Line consists of those brothers appointed to the Grand Line by Harry Truman or his appointees.

Eight years later, Bradford became Grand Master and appointed Harold O. Grauel to the advancing line. The tradition of Truman Line appointments has continued until today with our new Grand Master, Bruce R. Austin, himself appointed

by Wilfred G. Soutiea, Jr. In the normal course of events, a Truman Line appointee becomes Grand Master (approximately) every eight to nine years. Only during a Truman Line appointee's term is there ever more than one Truman Line member in the advancing line, and there is only one member of the Truman line at a time who has not been Grand Master. This year, 2007 – 2008, is a Truman Line year.

The Truman Line is truly unique

in all of Masonry. It is a very select club, with only nine members (including Truman) prior to this year's appointment: Harry S. Truman 1940-41 James M Bradford 1949-50 Harold O. Grauel 1959-60 Elvis A. Mooney 1968-69 Fielding A. Poe 1976-77 Vern H. Schneider 1984-85 D. Robert Downey 1991-92 Wilfred G. Soutiea, Jr. 1999-2000 Bruce Austin 2007-2008 With MWB Austin's appointment at Grand Lodge this year, the Truman Line will continue as RWB David W. Haywood, the newest member of this elite club, moves through the advancing line.

WARBURTON NAMED NATIONAL COMMANDER HEROES OF ‘76 Worshipful Brother David C. Warburton, Past Master of Tuscan Lodge #360, was elected National Commander of the Heroes of ‘76 at the National Convention of that group and National Sojourners held at Williamsburg, VA, in June.

Heroes of ‘76 is a branch of National Sojourners, a Masonic organization composed largely of past or present commissioned or senior noncommissioned officers. The groups pursue charitable as well as patriotic programs.

Much of WB Warburton's life was related to the military services. The son of a Chaplain, he enlisted in the U. S. Army in 1955 upon graduation from the American High School in Bremerhaven, Germany. He rose through the ranks to the grade of Master Sergeant, later being appointed Warrant Officer, and retiring as Chief Warrant Officer in 1976. During his service time he attended the University of Hawaii and other schools at his various duty stations throughout the world. After his retirement, he completed his college education at the University of Nebraska at Omaha.

A great deal of WB Warburton's service was with the Army Security Agency, which included assignments as Senior Instructor at the USASA School, Ft. Devens, MS\A, Chief of Maintenance at several Field Stations, Chief of Maintenance Instruction and Assistance Team Pacific, with duty stations in Okinawa, and Project Engineer at USASA Material Support Command, Vint Hill Farms Station, Warrenton, VA. His decorations include the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal, and Army Commendation Medal.

While stationed in Chitose, Japan, he joined the Masons and was Raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason in Hokkado Lodge #17. He later affiliated with Mt. Carmel Lodge, Lynn, Massachusetts, before transferring to Tuscan Lodge #360, St. Louis. Other memberships include Scottish Rite, York Rite (head of all the bodies), and the York Rite College. He has headed both St. Louis Chapter #22, National Sojourners, and Albert Pike Camp Heroes of ’76, also serving as Secretary of the former. In the national structure of those groups he has been a member of the National Bridge of Light and Americanism Committees and also the Committee of 33. He was appointed to the advancing line of the Heroes by 6 Winter 2007

THE MISSOURI FREEMASON

RWB E. OTHA WINGO NAMED FELLOW OF THE MISSOURI LODGE OF RESEARCH At its regularly scheduled meeting in September, the Missouri Lodge of Research bestowed the honor of Fellow of the Missouri Lodge of Research upon Dr. E. Otha Wingo.

E. Otha Wingo (Ph.D. 1962, University of Illinois) is Professor Emeritus of Classical Languages and Mythology at Southeast Missouri State University (Cape Girardeau), where he taught for over thirty years. From 1972 to 2007, Dr. Wingo was Executive Director of Huna Research, Inc., an organization founded in 1945 for the research, experimentation, and teaching of Huna Psychology. In 1972, he wrote Letters on Huna: The Fundamentals of Huna Psychology, which has been translated into five languages. He has lectured widely in the U.S., Canada, Germany, and Switzerland. His book on Latin epigraphy (Latin Punctuation in the Classical Age) was published The Netherlands in 1972 and Huna-Arbeitsbuch (Germany, Knaur 1995).

Masonic history: 1966, Master Mason, St. Mark’s Lodge No. 93, in Cape Girardeau. Member of Missouri Lodge of Research, and the Correspondence Circle of Quatuor Coronati Lodge No. 2076 of London. Later, member of Iowa Research Lodge No. 2, and the Southern California Research Lodge, The Philalethes Society, and the Scottish Rite Research Society.

1966, York Rite and Scottish Rite Degrees 1969, Charter Member Harold O. Grauel Lodge No 672 (now Endowed Member) 1973, Master of Harold O. Grauel Lodge No. 672 1995 to present, DDGL of 38th Masonic District Member of Grand Lodge Committee on Masonic Education and Assistant Editor on the Grand Lodge Publications Committee.

In order to become a Fellow, a brother must be a member at least five (5) years in the Missouri Lodge of Research and compiled one or more of the following: • Brother has written or published a Masonic subject in a book or leaflet and had general distribution among the Craft.

• Brother has written articles on various Masonic subjects that have been distributed in some publication.

• Brother has contributed as editor or otherwise to the publication of a Masonic magazine or publication over several years.

• Brother has compiled historic Masonic data and worked on Masonic Research of value that has also contributed in some way to a Masonic Publication or Lodge of Research.

The Master of the current year designates a committee to review and recommend Brethren throughout the year and one may be approved by unanimous vote at the Annual Communication of the Lodge of Research in the month of September.

Dr. Wingo joins only four other living brothers who have this honor: MWB J.C. Montgomery (St. Louis), RWB James Williams (St. Joseph), RWB Ron Wood (St. Joseph) and RWB Zel Eaton (Kirksville).

WB Dan Taylor, Past National Commander and Past Master of Florissant Lodge #667.

Bro. Warburton and his wife, the former Elizabeth Ann Hansen of Portland, CT, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on October 12, 2007. They are the proud parents of two children, have three grandsons and a granddaughter. They reside in Shrewsbury, Missouri.

THE MISSOURI FREEMASON

Winter 2007 7

ILL. ROBERT W. COCKERHAM, 33°, ELECTED ACTIVE MEMBER OF SUPREME COUNCIL AND SOVEREIGN GRAND INSPECTOR GENERAL ORIENT OF MISSOURI Robert W. Cockerham, 33°, was elected an Active Member of The Supreme Council, 33° of the Scottish Rite, Southern Jurisdiction, U.S.A. and Sovereign Grand Inspector General for the Orient of Missouri on August 26, 2007, in Washington, D.C. Ill. Cockerham was born May 28, 1958, and began his involvement with the Masonic family when he joined George L. Walters Chapter, Order of DeMolay. He served as Master Councilor in 1975, received the honor of Chevalier in 1976, presided as State Master Councilor of Missouri in 1978, and was honored with the Cross of Honor in 1985 and the Legion of Honor in 1986. He has given further service to DeMolay in Missouri by serving as State Ritual Director, 1979–1992; Deputy Executive Officer, 1987–1992; and Executive Officer, 2003 to present. Since 1991 he has been an Active Member of the International Supreme Council of the Order of DeMolay; has served on the DeMolay International Foundation Board and presently serves as Grand Junior Councilor of DeMolay International.

In 1976 Bro. Cockerham joined Clayton Lodge No. 601, where he is a Life Member, and served as Worshipful Master in 1987-1988 and 1995-1996. He is also Life Member of Polar Star-Rose Hill Lodge No. 79, and has served on the Jurisprudence, and Appeals & Grievance committees of the Grand Lodge of Missouri. He was appointed and served as District Deputy Grand Master in 1991. He is a member of St. Louis-Missouri Chapter No. 1, RAM, Hiram Council No. 1, Cryptic Masons, and Ivanhoe Commandery No. 8, KT. He also belongs to St. Louis Conclave, Red Cross of Constantine, Bruce Harmon Hunt York Rite College No. 162, the Royal Order of Scotland, High Twelve, Missouri Lodge of Research, Tall Cedars of Lebanon, Moolah Shriners, and many other Masonic organizations.

With his many Masonic activities, Ill. Cockerham found time to be active in the Scottish Rite. He became a 32° Master of the Royal Secret in 1977 in the Valley of St. Louis and served as Master of Kadosh in 1987. He received the rank and decoration of a Knight Commander of the Court of Honor in 1989 and the 33°, Inspector General Honorary, in 2005.

Bro. Cockerham earned a BFA from Webster College in 1980, an MA from the University of Missouri in 1982, and a JD from St. Louis University in1984. He began the practice of law and soon distinguished himself in civil trial litigation and appellate advocacy.

He is a Senior Principal of Brown and James, P.C., has tried more than 125 civil cases and is listed in the Top 20 Defense Verdicts in Missouri. He has authored and co-authored numerous articles and publications, together with a Treatise on Insurance Law. Robert is married to Stacy Cockerham and they have seven children: Erika, 23, Alicia, 21, Ryan, 18, Brandon, 15, Quentin, 12, Sabrina 10, and Abigail, 7. Stacy is a Leader for Bible Study Fellowship International. Bob, Stacy and their children also regularly attend Bible Study Fellowship classes. The Cockerham Family has been most active at Manchester United Methodist Church, especially with the Youth and Leadership programs. Robert enjoys wakeskating, wakeboarding, water and snow skiing, on and off road motorcycle riding and numerous other sports. He is an avid photographer, guitar and sword collector, and amateur magician.

IOOF SUPPORTS MOCHIP James G. Martin, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Missouri, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, presents a check in support of the Missouri Masonic Children Foundation MOChip, Missouri Child Identification and Protection Program. He stated, “We think this is a wonderful program in helping Children be safe. So we wanted to show our support of this very worthwhile program. Please accept this check on behalf of all IOOF members in the State of Missouri.” Accepting the check is Ronald D. Miller, Secretary of the Masonic Children’s Foundation and witnessed by Kenneth D. Higgins, Grand Secretary of IOOF of Missouri.

8 Winter 2007

THE MISSOURI FREEMASON

MASONIC REFLECTIONS: TO KEEP THE SECRETS

By Dr. J. C. Montgomery, Jr., P.G.M. Critics of Freemasonry charge that it is a secret organization. It has been accused of being subversive, rebellious, counter-cultural, anti-religious or irreligious, in part, because of the alleged secrecy of the fraternity. We know, however, that it is an organization with few secrets. After all, there is little secret about well-marked buildings, newspaper ads, installations and other public ceremonies (cornerstone layings and funerals). Probably a majority of Freemasons wear identifying jewelry, rings, pins or other, on occasion; and some of us wear them as faithfully as our wedding bands.

The CHIPS program and other charitable endeavors reveal the spirit as well as the membership of the local Freemasons. And, if our meetings, be they for regular business or degree work, are closed (i.e., tiled), it is for the purpose of rightful privacy, not unlike a board of directors going into executive session.

Nonetheless questions and criticisms about Masonic secrecy, all the way from curiosity to wild conspiracy theories, persist. In his helpful book, Masonic Questions and Answers, Paul Bessel responds to the question, “What are Masons supposed to keep secret and what can they tell others about Freemasonry?”

“Almost everything about Freemasonry can and should be discussed by Masons with their families, friends and others. You should proudly tell everyone about the ideals of Freemasonry, its history, its support of brotherhood and charity, its promotion of democracy, individual rights, and opposition to bigotry and prejudice in any form. Masons can also tell others about where meetings are held, who are the members and officers, and just about anything else – except to tell or show non-Masons the signs, tokens, and passwords, or the exact complete wording of the rituals. Therefore there are very few secrets in Freemasonry, and it is not really a secret organization in any way.”1 Nonetheless it is precisely the desire for and possession of secrets which has made Freemasonry so attractive for many men. The reasons may range from simple curiosity to a deep desire for the “benefits” of the Craft.

Georg Simmel (1858-1918), the German sociologist whose writings are still influential, argued that “the secret operates as an adorning possession.”2 Paradoxically it is a jewel both visible and invisible, which Masons and non-Masons alike may envy because it gives the Mason a kind of elite status.

Keeping secrets and the desire to “be in on” secrets is not intrinsic to Freemasonry. Even among children it leads to pride and bragging: “I know something you don’t know.” Or parents: “I’ll tell you when you get a little older.” Many authorities are agreed that any well-ordered society depends on a proper balance between publicity, privacy and secrecy.

We understand that there are times when secrecy is not only desirable but even essential. In his book Secret Societies, NorTHE MISSOURI FREEMASON

man MacKenzie lists eight areas where secrecy is often employed: patriotic, racial, political, economic, civic, religious, military, scientific, judicial.3 Certainly I would add “the family” to that list, and presently we should consider secrets communicated to and borne by individual Masons.

But there is a sense in which the keeping of secrets is one of the webs binding together human history. We cannot imagine some functions of government, especially those pertaining to national security or military action without secrecy. One of the most hotly debated topics concerning our American government today is “the doctrine of state secrets.”

Businesses go to great lengths to protect “trade secrets.” Having and keeping secrets has long been a part of religions, both ancient and modern: the Egyptian priesthood, Christian Gnosticism, Jewish Kabbalah, the Roman cult of Mithras, and others. And there was that modern phenomenon for both young and old, keeping secret the ending of the latest Harry Potter book!

The earlier Operative Masons kept secret the skills of their craft, the primitive lodges being a sort of “trade school.”

Nonetheless, as their communal roles expanded into care for widows and orphans and “distressed Brother Master Masons,” the protection of human dignity often demanded the keeping of secrets.

What secrets are Freemasons supposed to keep? Albert Pike, whose influence on Freemasonry is incalculable, avers that “knowledge is the most genuine and real of human treasures, for it is Light, and ignorance darkness.

Secrecy is indispensable in a Mason of whatever degree.

It is the first lesson taught to the Entered Apprentice.”4 And earlier in that volume so oft unread by Scottish Rite Masons, he reminds us of the familiar words that Masons are taught to “always hail, ever conceal, and never reveal (p. 63).”

It is a three-fold injunction to initiates that they are to keep inviolate the proper secrets of the Craft. Of course, Pike misspells that word “hail,” which jarred the ears of most of us when first we heard it. It does not refer to a greeting or icy precipitation but is from a 1200-year old Anglo-Saxon word meaning “to cover” or “conceal,” as in laying slate or tile. In the Masonic sense, it meant to keep secrets; and our ancient Brethren would have understood the word very well! 5 But Masons know that “keeping the secrets” does not refer exclusively to ritual or signs and tokens of brotherly recognition. Probably every member has had the experience of another Mason confiding in him and using the expression “On the square.” Or perhaps it was styled “Masonically speaking” or “Brother to Brother.” Sometimes it is referred to as “graveyard talk.” But whatever the term, the Mason knows that within certain limits it must be kept confidential.

An amusing childhood memory serves me here. Earlier I had written about various Masonic articles on display in Uncle Harry Dickey’s Illmo home. A picture on a kitchen wall depicted a burly workman with a buxom young woman standing by him, hand affectionally placed on his shoulder.

Winter 2007 9

The caption was “I love to love a Mason, ‘cause a Mason never tells.” I was a teenager before it dawned on me that the words could have a double meaning. I am also certain that, if Aunt Mayme had known that, the picture would quickly have been tossed in the dump heap. Nonetheless the picture was a reminder that keeping secrets is a Masonic hallmark.

What really is the ultimate truth for the Mason as a “keeper of secrets?” It is not necessarily to protect the ritual or recognition, although we must preserve their purity for the dignity and universality of the fraternity. Rather it is because the Freemason is or should be a person of the most trustworthy character. In my early ministry an elderly woman told me, “My father always told me to marry a Mason because he would never let you down.” Of all the high literary quality of Masonic ritual, none is more fervently exalted than in the charge to the newly installed Worshipful Master that members would be: “One to whom the burdened heart may pour out its sorrows, whose hand is guided by justice, and whose heart is expanded by benevolence.”

Such a one, the ceremony tells us, could acquit himself “with honor and reputation. Or as we have heard on another occasion, “a friend on whom you can with confidence rely.”

Dr. Margaret Jacob, Distinguished Professor of History at the University of California, Los Angeles, and one of the world’s leading authorities on the influence Freemasonry had in the making of the modern democratic world, has written that the keeping of secrets by Freemasons was not only a

sign of devotion to the Craft but also a sign of loyalty to one another and of probity, i.e., the kind of man (and Mason) a man ought to be.6 If there were ever a place where the embodiment of the cardinal virtues is needed, it is in the proper observance of the tremendous power and effect on human life keeping of secrets, Masonic and other, entails. It does indeed require temperance, prudence, fortitude and justice (fairness). A popular song has the line,”And the world will be better for this.”

Surely Masons are up to it.

MWB J.C. Montgomery served as Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Missouri in 1978-1979. He is a Fellow of the Missouri Lodge of Research, where he also served as Master.

He is a former editor of the Royal Arch Mason International Journal as well as the Missouri Freemason magazine. A 33rd degree Scottish Rite Mason, MWB Montgomery has been recognized as an outstanding Masonic author. He holds a doctor of divinity degree from Central Methodist College and is a retired United Methodist Minister.

Notes: 1

P. 29, Cornerstone Publishers, 2005.

P. 307. The Sociology of Georg Simml. New York: MacMillan, 1950.

3 New York: Crescent, 1967.

4 Morals and Dogma, pp. 107-9 5 The original word was “hele,” pronounced “hail.” A “hellier (pronounced “hailer”) was one who laid tile or roofed, in other words, one who covered over a house or other building. The word is not found in most modern dictionaries, but there is a good discussion of it in the authoritative Oxford-English Dictionary.

6 P. 87, The Origins of Freemasonry. Philadelphia: The University of Pennsylvania Press, 2006.

2

IS IT TIME YET? The 48th annual Installation of Officers of Florissant Lodge #668 was held on August 5,2006. MWB M. Robert Berger was the Installing Master, RWB Nicholas R. Cichielo was the Installing Chaplain, and RWB Jon B. Broyles was the Installing Marshall. RWB Bob Berger installed the officers as usual, with exception of a little good-natured ribbing of the worshipful master-elect, Curt Fulbright. Seems he kept asking Curt, "Is it time yet?"

After the usual introductions and presentations were made, WB Fulbright asked that Ms. Angela Starr be escorted to the East. Curt then thanked Angela for her support the prior year when his many lodge activities that had kept him from her company. After expressing the hope that she would continue to do so in the future, he turned to RWB Berger. Curt nodded to Bob, "It's time." Curt dropped to one knee, held up a ring and asked Angela to marry him. She raised him from his knee, pulled him close to her and kissed him. "Yes!" she replied.

The nuptials were held July 7, 2007 (7-7-07) at the Scottish Rite Cathedral. RWB Nick Cichielo interrupted his East Coast family vacation with a flight to St. Louis and officiated the wedding ceremony. RWB Bob Berger attended the ceremony also said, "I just wanted to make sure that Curt knew "it was time."

If you have any questions, or would like a photo of the wedding attendees (about 80 people) on July 7th contact Bro. Fulbright. We have a picture of them all standing on the steps on the Scottish Rite Cathedral in St. Louis.

10 Winter 2007

THE MISSOURI FREEMASON

A DREAM COMING TRUE

By Jim Guest Fifteen years ago Masons in the retirement area in and near Kimberling City dreamed of having a local Masonic Lodge. The existing lodges in Branson and Galena were too far away and reached only by driving difficult roads with poor evening visibility. This was a major problem for retiree brothers who wanted to attend and participate in Masonic activities.

A small group of determined brothers, among them brothers Ordiway and Davis (since deceased), Charles Pittman and Lloyd Tony Root along with other local Masons with far-flung blue lodge memberships began action to improve the situation. First, approval was secured to conduct lodge meetings in the local community New Table Rock Lodge Building building. The Grand Lodge of Missouri then granted a charter to Table Rock Lodge #680 AF&AM; there were approximately 50 charter members. Land was purchased, a pre-engineered steel building erected with most of the interior work done by volunteer brothers. In this group special mention should be made of brothers Charles Pittman, Harold Metzger, Fred Ybarra, Ross Anderson and Edward Verrill (not to forget many other brothers and their wives). The interior is completely finished and in use. It is handsomely and comfortably furnished with air-conditioned lodge room, candidate room, kitchen, dining room, toilets and service areas. Exterior work continues and will feature decorative brick work at the entrance using memorial and contributor-named bricks. Paved entrance drive, parking areas and landscaping are planned. (See Top Photo).

This new lodge has been successful in attracting new initiates and other Masons and enjoys a membership of over 100 at the present time. The lodge Table Rock Lodge #680 installed Edward Verrill as Worshipful Master on August 28, 2007. greatly appreciates the help it has received from neighboring Missouri and Arkansas lodges in gifts, conducting degree work and initiations.

On August 28, 2007 Edward Verrill was installed as Worshipful Master along with the other elected and appointed officers.

VETERANS APPRECIATION DINNER • ARMED FORCES DAY • To the Worshipful Masters, Wardens and Brethren, of the 27th Masonic District and to the brethren from the other Districts who desire to attend - Come one, come all, to the 5th Annual Masonic Veterans Program! The event will be held at Tuscan Lodge and begin at 12:00 noon on Saturday. May 17, 2008. There will be a dinner starting at 12:15PM, a short film and an award presentation following the dinner.

This program is set up to honor Masonic brethren, veteran's friends, and relatives of Masons whom you wish to invite. This gives an opportunity for other men to see what Freemasons do. You do not have to THE MISSOURI FREEMASON

be a Freemason to be honored. And please remember wives, family members and friends are also invited.

If you desire to come, please write, call or e-mail your reservations to Guy Ross, 5340 Ville Rosa Lane, Hazelwood, MO 63042, 314-7393287, e-mail rosskg@aoLcom, or Rex Gooch, 139 Cherry Hills Meadows Dr., Wildwood, MO 63040, 636-4581528, or David A. Wright, 314-2201001, e-mail SC5I@BIRCH.NET. When you make your reservation, the following information is needed for the certificate to be made: VETERAN'S NAME, BRANCH OF SERVICE AND CONFLICT (WWII, KOREA, COLD

WAR, VIETNAM, PERSIAN GULF, IRAQ CONFLICT, ETC.) Also a count of how many people will be in your party for planning the dinners needed.

Each year a special commemorative medal and certificate is awarded for each conflict to individuals deserving special recognition. If you think any veteran needs special recognition, please contact Guy Ross.

Please make all reservations before or

by Saturday, May 3, 2008, due to the planning of the dinners and the awards to be given out.

Fraternally, W.M. Terry Duffy TUSCAN MASONIC TEMPLE Winter 2007 11

SEDALIA AREA CANDIDATES BECOME MASTER MASONS Twenty-one candidates from Sedalia and the surrounding area met at the Sedalia Masonic Center on September 8, 2007, to receive their Master Mason degree in a C2A (chance to advance) one-day c1ass. Granite Lodge #272 hosted the event.

Members of the Grand Lodge of Missouri A.F.&A.M. team that conferred the degree were John Hess, Tom Truman, Michael Armstrong, Nicholas Chchielo, Rocky Weaver, Ronald Miller and Chip Brown.

Candidates were Mark C. Abey, Raymond A. Archambald, Michael L. Blankenship, Daniel L. Corum, Travis S. Craig, William M. Dehaven, David L. Doelz, James W. Helm, Matthew A. Hostetler, Thomas R. Hudson, Jeremy S., Klein, Ervin E. McNeeley, Keith Mellen, Larry Parham, Eric M. Rader, Ryan S. Reed, Charles F. Rusher, James R. Sneed, Eric M. Swope, Brian L. Viertel, and Roger Vieth. These brothers represented the following lodges: Granite #272, Sedalia #236, Clinton #348, Cooper #36, Barbee #217, Liberty #31 and Vincil #62.

WHO IS THIS MAN?

By Kevin Hampton Who is this man standing at this door, asking me this question?

He is the Tyler doing his job as the first line of defense for our lodge.

Who are these men in this room with me assisting me to get prepared?

They are the Stewards, who are helping you to take your first steps on your journey.

Who is this man asking me more questions?

He is the Senior Deacon, Who will take you on one of the most important and enlightening journeys of your life.

Now more questions from 2 more men, who are they?

They are the Wardens. They are there to help with your Masonic education and make sure your journey starts right.

Who is this man in with the hat extending his right hand to me?

He is the Worshipful Master of the Lodge. He was chosen by the Brothers of this Lodge to lead them and you for the next year. He is one of the wisest men in the lodge and with the greatest responsibilities. He will lead us, he will teach us, and he will be the one we will all look to for guidance when we need it.

Just who are these men?

They are Freemasons.

What are Freemasons?

They are a Brotherhood of good men working to be better men.

A Freemason is distinguished from the rest of mankind by the uniform unrestrained rectitude of his conduct.

A Freemason is a man you can turn to when you need him.

A Freemason would be just if there were no laws, 12 Winter 2007

human or divine except those written in his heart by the hand of his creator.

He is a man extending his hand to a brother or his family in the time of need.

He is a man helping you to be better than yourself.

He is a man who contracts no debts which he is certain he cannot repay, because of his honesty and principals.

He is a man who will not offend because he chooses to not be offended.

He is a man who wants to learn from you as much as you want to learn from him.

He is a man who at any stage of his life or in any religion, is the same. He kneels before the throne of the Great Architect of the Universe in gratitude for the blessings he has received and for the humble solicitation for his future protection. He will not disturb the religion of others.

He is a man who cares about you and your family.

He is a man who keeps his passions within bounds because they can’t be indulged without injuring his neighbor or himself.

He is a man who is your Brother.

He is a man who is your Friend.

He is a man who is your teacher.

He is a man who is your student.

Welcome to the fraternity.

We are glad you are here. And we look forward to growing together.

Kevin Hampton is Junior Warden of Kearney Lodge #311, where he was raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason in February, 2006. He is also a member of the Scottish Rite, Valley of Kansas City, where he serves as Captain of the host, Lodge of Perfection.

THE MISSOURI FREEMASON

Hello Missouri Masons! It was great seeing SO MANY of you at Grand Lodge recently. I hear you can pat yourselves on the back! An INCREASE in attendance? YEA! My thanks to EVERYONE who took time to sit with me, greet me or speak to me when I was in your midst. WOW! What a terrific bunch you are. I hope you "went home” to spend some quality time with the RAINBOW GIRL Assemblies in your town/city or a nearby town/city. We need you!

I’ve had only one of my visits so far—just recently in Columbia, Missouri.

I had a great time seeing everyone…including Missouri’s Rainbow Girls, Pledges and, especially, “my” Grand Officers. Wasn’t the BBQ a blast? My thanks to all who came…and all who helped them get there!

The next important date is October 13 when my Assembly and District present their scheme for my Official Reception. I wonder if I should be nervous?

My shared State Service Project (shared with our State Dean, Melissa Felkner) is off to an awesome start. There are some who just can’t believe I don’t want “stuff” brought to me…but am seriously expecting ALL Rainbow Girls to do SOMETHING for the organizations helping the foster families in their midst…with an emphasis on the Kansas City, Springfield and St. Louis areas. If you KNOW of a need of this nature, please contact our Supreme Inspector, Catherine Dent (khakid@aol.com), and she will pass this need on to the appropriate Assembly (or Assemblies) near that area.

Here’s a little something I found1 that I’d like you to think about…it applies to SOME of you because I KNOW you have been or ARE a foster parent! You know you are a foster parent when...

• You open your garage door and passing cars stop, thinking all of the bikes, toys, and baby furniture means garage sale.

• The K-Mart checker asks which school you are from, and you reply, ”We're a family.”

• Your heart is bigger than your brain.

• Santa Claus gives you a key to a store and leaves milk, cookies, and Alka Seltzer for you.

• You watch a “2-week placement” go from crib to junior/middle high.

• You regard your toilet snake as a family pet.

• Your local grocer tells you that if you ever move, he would like advance notice because he will have to lay off three employees.

• Your personal stash of children’s clothing rivals that of the local Goodwill office.

• Saying goodnight resembles the end of the Waltons: ”Night, John Boy . . . Night, MaryEllen . . . Goodnight, Lizbeth, etc.”

• Light switches, toilet handles, and doorknobs last one year or less!

Everyday heroes…Rainbow lost two recently and I’d like to share a little about them. One a Missouri Mason...one not...both more than 100% supportive! Their wives have each been in Rainbow over 50 years and each have two daughters that were Rainbow Girls too…and one would proudly tell you about his three granddaughters who “Rainbow” days and days at a time!

The first is Clifford M. “Pete” Mose. Mr. Mose passed away on Tuesday, July 31, 2007, surrounded by loving family and friends. He was Liberty “homegrown” and passionately supported the city of Liberty and Liberty High Schools’ sports programs. Mr. Mose enjoyed his family first, was active in church, Boy Scouts, Mic-O-Say and many activities with his friends.

With his son and son-in-law he constructed MANY fine pieces of Rainbow paraphernalia! With his father 53 years ago, he established the still operating C.M. Mose & Son Electric. Words from his on-line guest book describe him as teasing, enjoying life, never meeting a stranger, a great example of love and friendship, tremendously caring and humble. He leaves his wife of 53 years and three loving children…with many other family members and friends fondly remembering him.

The second is Richard L. “Dick” Burgen. Mr. Burgen passed away September 7, 2007, surrounded by his loving family. Mr. Burgen was originally from Topeka, graduating with a master’s in Accounting from KU. He owned and operated Burgen Accounting and Tax Services Inc. for many years—and, as such, was consulted regarding disbursement of funds for more than one Rainbow State Service Project! Mr. Burgen enjoyed his family first (his grandchildren treasured his never-ending supply of tootsie pops!), was active in church, and he lovingly spent much time and energy on behalf of the Children’s Center for the Visually Impaired in KCMO. Mr. Burgen was a Missouri Mason and enjoyed playing his banjo in a Shrine group. Words on his online guest book describe him as making people laugh, a kind hearted and loving person, willing to do whatever was needed of him, and having a quality character. He leaves his wife of 40 years and two loving daughters…with many other family members and friends fondly remembering him.

Everyday heroes…sadly our Rainbow Girls just lost two HUGELY supportive men!! Hopefully you will take time soon to make a measurable difference in some or all of our Missouri Rainbow Girls’ lives! To that end, I’m looking forward to seeing more of you at our upcoming events. (Remember: check out our website for our up-to-date calendar: www.moiorg.org.)

You know…you, too, can be an everyday hero!!

Niki Lodholz 2007-2008 Grand Worthy Advisor State of Missouri International Order of Rainbow for Girls 1

THE MISSOURI FREEMASON

“Foster Focus,” April, 1997, Olmsted County Foster Care Program Winter 2007 13

RED MARBLES

By Douglas Reece While Mrs. Miller was bagging some early potatoes for me, I noticed a small boy, delicate of bone and feature, ragged but clean, hungrily appraising a basket of freshly picked green peas. I paid for my potatoes but was also drawn to the display of fresh green peas. I am a pushover for creamed peas and new potatoes. Pondering the peas, I couldn't help overhearing the conversation between Mr. Miller and the ragged boy next to me.

"Hello Barry, how are you today?"

"H'lo, Mr. Miller. Fine, thank ya. Jus' admirin' them peas. Sure look good."

"They are good, Barry. How's your Ma?" "Fine. Gittin' stronger alla' time."

"Good. Anything I can help you with?"

"No, Sir. Jus' admirin' them peas."

"Would you like to take some home?"

"No, Sir. Got nuthin' to pay for 'em with."

"Well, what have you to trade me for some of those peas?"

"All I got's my prize marble here."

"Is that right? Let me see it."

"Here 'tis. She's a dandy."

"I can see that. Hmmmmm, only thing is this one is blue and I sort of go for red. Do you have a red one like this at home?"

"Not zackley. But almost."

"Tell you what. Take this sack of peas home with you and next trip this way let me look at that red marble."

"Sure will. Thanks Mr. Miller."

Mrs. Miller, who had been standing nearby, came over to help me. With a smile she said, "There are two other boys like him in our community, all three are in very poor circumstances. Jim just loves to bargain with them for peas, apples, tomatoes, or whatever. When they come back with their red marbles, and they always do, he decides he doesn't like red after all and he sends them home with a bag of produce for a green marble or an orange one, perhaps."

I left the stand smiling to myself, impressed with this man. A short time later I moved to Colorado but I never forgot the story of this man, the boys, and their bartering.

Several years went by, each more rapid that the previous one. Just recently I had occasion to visit some old friends in that Idaho community and while I was there learned that Mr. Miller had died. They were having his viewing that evening and knowing my friends wanted to go, I agreed to accompany them. Upon arrival at the mortuary we fell into line to meet the relatives of the deceased and to offer whatever words of comfort we could.

Ahead of us in line were three young men. One was in an army uniform and the other two wore nice haircuts, dark suits and white shirts ... all very professional looking.

14 Winter 2007

They approached Mrs. Miller, standing composed and smiling by her husband's casket. Each of the young men hugged her, kissed her on the cheek, spoke briefly with her and moved on to the casket.

Her misty light blue eyes followed them as, one by one, each young man stopped briefly and placed his own warm hand over the cold pale hand in the casket. Each left the mortuary awkwardly, wiping his eyes.

Our turn came to meet Mrs. Miller. I told her who I was and mentioned the story she had told me about the marbles. With her eyes glistening, she took my hand and led me to the casket.

"Those three young men who just left were the boys I told you about. They just told me how they appreciated the things Jim "traded" them. Now, at last, when Jim could not change his mind about color or size ... they came to pay their debt."

"We've never had a great deal of the wealth of this world," she confided, "but right now, Jim would consider himself the richest man in Idaho."

With loving gentleness she lifted the lifeless fingers of her deceased husband. Resting underneath were three exquisitely shined red marbles.1 In our Fifty Year presentation there is a paragraph which emphasizes relief. One of those sentences reads, “… through its various lodges, given relief to the indigent, charity to the widow, and guidance to the orphan.” This confirmation of our core charity belief has been in our ceremonies since it was written and published when MWB William R. Denslow was Grand Master in 1967. However, those affirmations have been in our third degree obligation since the inception of the Grand Lodge in 1821. So, how old are those instructions?

We find in the Great light of Masonry these words from Exodus chapter 22 verse 22, “Do not take advantage of a widow or an orphan.” Again and again, our Great Light has instruction for us from the Great Architect of the Universe.

We find those instructions in Deuteronomy chapter 24 verses 19 through 21 and chapter 26 verse 12.

One very special command comes from Deuteronomy 26:12 which reads, “When you have finished setting aside a tenth of all your produce in the third year, the year of the tithe, you shall give it to the Levite, the alien, the fatherless and the widow, so that they may eat in your towns and be satisfied.”

Notice in that verse from the Levitical and Mosaic Law that we are to take care of the fatherless (orphans) and the widows. Is that not what Mr. Miller was doing from the story at the beginning of this article? We also find other references in the Great Light from Jeremiah and Zechariah 7:10 in the Old Testament to 1 Timothy 5:4 – 6 in the New Testament.

One verse in all of the Scripture reminds us that the All Seeing Eye has a special place in his heart for them is found THE MISSOURI FREEMASON

in Psalm 146 verse 9, “The Lord watches over the alien and sustains the fatherless and the widow, but He frustrates the ways of the wicked.” What a reminder of the obligation we voluntarily place ourselves under when we kneel at the altar.

Missouri Freemasonry has been helping us keep this obligation as a corporate body. Through the various programs like the Penny-A-Day, Children’s Outreach, the MoCHIP, and others we can, in part, fulfill the command of our heavenly Father.

It could be these verses in the Holy Writings which inspires the Biblical basis for the creation of our various charities and programs.

Through the light of these verses we may, like our forefathers before us, allow them to be the guiding Scriptural foundations for other areas in the Masonic Children’s Foundation, the children’s outreach programs from the Masonic Home, and other needs which have not been brought to Light.

Remember the moral of the story is that we will not be remembered by our words, but by our kind deeds.

Let me end this by asking a simple question. Will you barter your love, kindness, and generosity for a Red Marble?

RWB Doug Reece is Past Master of both Temperance Lodge #438 and Adelphi Lodge #355. He is Past District Deputy Grand Master of the 17th Masonic District, and serves as chairman of the Masonic Home Library and Museum Committee.

Doug is a member of the Missouri Lodge of Research, Secretary and Masonic Home Representative of Temperance Lodge # 438, has a dual membership with Agency Lodge #10, and Weston Lodge #53. He has been awarded the Honor Lodge Achievement award each year as Master of Temperance Lodge and the Truman Honor Lodge Award as Master of Adelphi Lodge. He has attained all of the Ritual proficiency cards and the Individual Ritual Award and was appointed District Deputy Grand Lecturer in the 7th Masonic District.

1

Petersen, W.E., "Three Red Marbles", Ensign Magazine, October 1975, p.39. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

WHEN THINGS WORK RIGHT

By Jack DeSelms, PM All Lodge Secretaries are beset with those Brothers who fail to pay their dues. There are many reasons for this: lost interest, too busy to attend, procrastination, and many others. One that concerns us the most is those Brothers that cannot afford to pay them and will not request help. When we learn of a Brother that needs help, it comes relatively automatically.

This last June, Rising Sun had six Brothers that had not responded to the dues notice and their Lodge Brothers voted to remit their dues.

The next day, I mailed these Brothers their dues card, a letter explaining what had happened, and a brochure from the Masonic Home Outreach program. In my letter, I encouraged the Brother, or his family, to contact me if there are issues that the Lodge can help with.

When the wife of one of the recipients opened my letter, she found the brochure and my letter.

She called me and explained what had been happening to her and her family. Her husband had been hurt in a driving accident while on the job about 2 years ago. He has gone through several surgeries on his back, but he will never be able to work again. She said that she had been THE MISSOURI FREEMASON

working two jobs in order to pay the bills and keep the family afloat, until their car broke down. With that, she lost one of her jobs and ½ of her income. Because of the loss of income, she did not have enough food to get through the week. Finally she explained that her son had received a football scholarship, but they did not have the money for his room, which would force them to turn down the scholarship. I told her that I would notify Worshipful Master, WB Jeff Davis, and get back to her.

After I reported to WB Davis, he immediately directed the Treasurer, Brother Phil Snell to get a check to the Brother for the maximum amount allowed by the Lodge ByLaws, $100. Brother Snell elected to personally deliver the Lodge check and he also gave $100 out of his own pocket. This bought the family some time.

Rising Sun had its regular meeting within the next few days and I briefed the Brothers on the events that had transpired. By vote of the Lodge, a budget of $1,900 was authorized for the repair or replacement of their car. The Brothers also awarded the Lodge Scholarship Award of $600 to the Brother's son for his rooming

expenses.

WB Davis asked me to see what it would take to get the car fixed. I called the family and requested that they contact a mechanic and have the car towed it in for diagnostics. The car was towed in and it was determined that it was not worth repairing.

A call was placed to WB John Hart, the Worshipful Master of Farley Lodge, to see what he could do. WB Hart owns Hart Family Motors and he said that he was willing to help the Brother in distress. WB Hart is the real hero of this story as he far exceeded what most would do.

The car that WB Hart turned over to the family is an older car that he had put through a mechanic’s inspection and was judged to be sound.

WB Hart had over $2,800 invested in this car, but he accepted only $1,600 from Rising Sun and the family drove away with the car.

The final result is the family received money for food, had its car replaced, and the family's son will be able to utilize his scholarship.

Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth prevail.

Jack DeSelms is Past Master of Rising Sun Lodge #13, where he currently serves as secretary.

Winter 2007 15

OLD BULLION MISSOURI'S FIRST SENATOR – A PROFILE IN COURAGE

By Steve Harrison, PM After the death of Andrew Jackson, a young colleague approached Thomas Hart Benton, Missouri's cantankerous and imposing first senator.i The novice politician asked Benton if he had known Jackson. Benton replied in his familiar, pompous manner, "Yes, sir, I knew him, sir; General Jackson was a very great man, sir. I shot him, sir."ii Born March 14, 1782, near present-day Hillsboro North Carolina, Benton studied Law at Chapel Hill College,iii but, upon the death of his father, left school before graduating in order to manage family affairs. He later completed his education and obtained a law degree.

The potential of the western frontier caught Benton's attention and, in 1809, he moved his mother and siblings to a 40,000-acre farm near Nashville, Tennessee, where he established a plantation and spearheaded the growth of the surrounding community. Admitted to the Tennessee bar in the same year, he immediately ran for the state senate and won, serving a two-year term. It was here where he caught the attention of the powerful Andrew Jackson.iv Impressed by the young Benton, Jackson appointed him his personal Aide-de-camp. Benton served in this capacity, with the rank of lieutenant colonel, throughout the War of 1812, but saw no military action.

Although we may never know for sure, it is probably about this time that Jackson, a dedicated Freemason, encouraged Benton to join the fraternity. The records have been lost, but most likely Jackson was a member of St. Tammany Lodge #1 in Nashville and this was, in all probability, Benton's Lodge as well.

Benton and Jackson were both strong-willed and quick-tempered. Benton was irritated that he had not seen military action and therefore did not reap the Benton's picture as it appeared on the $100 military glory of the War of 1812. This irritation must have been directed, in part, gold certificate; a fitting tribute to "Old Bultoward Jackson. Then, shortly after the war a friend told Benton that Jackson had lion." insulted his brother, Jesse. Not even Benton's memoirs tell us what Jackson said, but it was enough to enrage him. What followed was, in Benton's own words, "the most outrageous affray ever witnessed in a civilized country."v The Benton brothers had traveled to Nashville where Jackson lived. They deliberately stayed at a hotel far from Jackson's home, in order to avoid Jackson and his entourage. Jackson, hearing he was in town, went to Benton's hotel and confronted him. Upon seeing Benton, Jackson yelled, "Now defend yourself, you damned rascal!"vi He then leveled a pistol at Benton, and Jesse retaliated by firing his gun at Jackson, missing him. With that, all the men in the room drew pistols and knives and came at each other. Jackson fired at Benton and missed, while Benton shot back at Jackson, hitting him in the shoulder. Two men came at Benton with knives and he sustained five minor wounds. Someone threw Benton down the stairs and, as Jackson's friends carried him off, Benton grabbed Jackson's sword, carried it out to the town square and ceremoniously broke it over his knee.vii Jackson nearly died. Taken to another hotel, he soaked two mattresses with blood. Several doctors attended, and all except one favored amputating his arm. When the doctors asked the barely-conscious Jackson his opinion he responded, "I'll keep my arm."viii Having just insulted and shot the most powerful man in Tennessee, the Benton brothers almost immediately headed for the Missouri Territory. The man who would become one of Missouri's longest tenured senators was home at last, even if under less than ideal circumstances.

Benton wasted no time getting started. He established a successful law practice and became the editor of the Missouri Enquirer, one of the first successful newspapers west of the Mississippi.

In 1815, St. Louis Lodge #111 returned its charter to the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, owing to the great distance between the two. It re-affiliated with the Grand Lodge of Tennessee, becoming Missouri Lodge #12. Benton, along with a host of prominent Missouri Masons, affiliated with the new Lodge as a charter member. In 1821 the new Grand Lodge of Missouri designated it Missouri Lodge #1.ix Thomas Hart Benton is one Freemason who definitely had issues with his vow to "subdue my passions." In 1816, he lost a court case to another St. Louis attorney, Charles Lucas. In the process, Benton felt Lucas had insulted him. Benton challenged him to a duel and Lucas refused, in turn challenging Benton's right to vote in an upcoming election due to unpaid taxes.x Benton peppered Lucas with public insults, goading Lucas into challenging him to a duel.

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THE MISSOURI FREEMASON

The illegal duel took place on an overgrown sandbar in the middle of the Mississippi River known as Bloody Island. At a distance of 30 feet, Benton shot Lucas in the neck. Severely wounded, Lucas acknowledged Benton's victory. Benton, however, refused to accept the concession. He insisted on a second duel.

The two fought the second duel after Lucas healed – at a distance of 9 feet!xi Lucas fired first and missed, after which Benton shot Lucas in the chest, killing him. The incident caused a national sensation, gave St. Louis a reputation as a bloodthirsty region, and plagued Benton for the remainder of his life. On his deathbed, Benton expressed deep regret over the episode. (Apparently, his remorse came and went. He once announced to the senate, referring to the duel, "Mr. President, I never quarrel, sir. But sometimes I fight, sir; and whenever I fight sir, a funeral follows."xii ) Benton married Elizabeth McDowell on March 20, 1821. She was twelve years his junior and was the daughter of a Virginia military officer. Together, they had six children. Benton proved to be a dedicated family man, enduring the death of his two sons while still youths and supporting Elizabeth later in life as she developed mental illness.xiii His daughter Jesse married Charles Frémont, who conducted four western expeditions and later became the first Republican presidential candidate (whom Benton did not support). Jesse penned the chronicles of her husband's expeditions and used her father's influence to have the senate publish them.

Benton's dueling pistols from the National Firearms Museum, Fairfax, When Missouri became a state in 1821, Benton's repuVirginia. Said to have been used in the duel with Charles Lucas and the tation had rebounded enough that he successfully ran for fight with Andrew Jackson. the United States Senate. His career was distinguished and characterized by his unyielding, uncompromising personality.

Still a freshman senator, Benton walked into the senate chamber on March 24, 1823, and sat at his desk. The Missouri delegation sat next to the Tennessee delegation. As Benton sat down the new senator from Tennessee turned around to introduce himself. Suddenly, Benton found himself face-to-face with an old acquaintance... Andrew Jackson.

Undoubtedly, this was an uncomfortable moment for the Masonic brothers. However, as much as he was a hothead, Benton was also uncompromising in his personal beliefs and ideals. Over time, he found himself very much in agreement with Jackson when it came to the issues shaping the country. By the time Jackson became president six years later, Benton found himself siding with him on many political issues and the two were able to put aside their differences from the past to forge a political and personal friendship.

In his thirty years as a United States senator, Benton naturally had a hand in and an opinion about most everything going on in the political scene. However, three issues characterized and dominated his senate career: • A fight for adhering to the gold standard; • A desire for the westward expansion of the United States and the completion of its "manifest destiny;" • A strong pro-Union stand, which put him at odds with the pro-slavery sentiment in his state.

Benton was a lifelong supporter of 'hard money,' backed by silver and, more specifically, gold as a method of exchange.

He firmly stood behind Andrew Jackson in his fight against the second Bank of the United States, which issued its own money and was steeped in fraud and corruption. Jackson effectively put the bank out of business by removing its charter and depositing federal funds in state banks. In the end, these measures caused more economic problems for the country.

As a result, the senate censured Jackson. In 1837, Benton successfullyxiv led a campaign to expunge the censure from the senate record. The entire affair, as well as their consistent views on the second bank issue, helped to draw Jackson and Benton together. Benton's intense fight for returning to and remaining on the gold standard earned him the nickname, "Old Bullion," a moniker he relished.

Nearing the mid-nineteenth century there were some who thought the sheer size of the area between the Atlantic and Pacific would, if annexed into the US, be unmanageable for the government. Others felt the assimilation of the Spanish culture in California and the southwest would be a problem. As a result they opposed the westward expansion of the country. Thomas Hart Benton fervently subscribed to the opposite point of view. He strongly believed in that concept called "manifest destiny,"xv which practically ascribed a God-given right for the country to expand from sea to sea. Having improved his own life by traveling west from North Carolina to Tennessee, Benton saw the western territories as opportunities on both a national and personal level. He saw poor farmers being able to better themselves by moving westward, and favored such supporting institutions as the overland trade route and the Pony Express.

The defining issue framing the latter part of Benton's senate career, and the cause of his political downfall, was his unyielding support of the Union.xvi Hailing from a slave state aligned with the south and bordering on the possibility of secession, Benton's unionist views became increasingly unpopular in Missouri.

Even as early as the mid 1840's, civil war loomed as unionists and abolitionists pitted themselves against separatists and

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Winter 2007 17

WILL THE REAL THOMAS HART BENTON PLEASE STAND UP...

"Let the assassin fire!"

slaveholders. While Benton lived in a slave state and indeed owned slaves, his loyalty to the union overrode the southern leaning sentiment in his state. Equal in number, slave and free states managed a delicate balance. The Union hung on by a thread. Then, in 1844, Benton broke with his expansionist philosophy and with the state of Missouri in opposing the treaty that would have annexed Texas. He knew this new deeply southern state would tip the delicate balance between north and south in favor of the south and against the union. Historians credit Benton's leadership in this issue with delaying the start of the Civil war for fifteen years, but his stance on the matter nearly caused him to lose his senate seat in the same year. Benton, once Missouri's most powerful politician, won reelection in 1844 by just the narrowest of margins.

His 1844 scare did not stop Old Bullion. Back in the senate, he opposed his political enemy John C. Calhoun in his successful effort to have the senate adopt a series of resolutions giving states the right to overrule federal legislation. Benton toured Missouri attempting to win support from a hostile electorate in his bid to overturn the resolutions. This tour only served to intensify the growing opinion against Benton. Nonetheless, he continued his relentless attacks on his enemy until Calhoun lay dying in 1850.

At this point Benton stopped his attacks explaining, "When God Almighty lays his hand upon a man, sir, I take mine off, sir."xvii Nearly from the day he won his fifth term in the senate, Thomas Hart Benton knew it would be his last. In order to win reelection, he knew he would have to drop his proUnion views and align himself with the south. This was never likely to happen given Old Bullion's unyielding personality. Benton stood his ground.

The man who killed Charles Lucas and shot Andrew Jackson had one remaining audacious incident awaiting him. In April, 1850, Benton, defending the Union position as always, engaged in a particularly nasty debate with Henry Foote from Mississippi. Benton perceived Foote, a diminutive man, had insulted him. The imposing senator from Missouri stood, slammed his chair out of the way and began walking up to aisle toward Foote, who drew a gun

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So, just who was Thomas Hart Benton? Without the common use of his rather distinctive middle name, the name Thomas Benton would not be very unique at all.

As it is, however, even with the use of his unusual middle name, it is sometimes difficult to distinguish senator Thomas Hart Benton from two others with the same name, who have in their own right had an influence on our history and culture.

Missouri's first senator, Thomas Hart Benton (1782 - 1858), was the son of Jesse B. Benton and Ann Gooch.

Her mother's maiden name was Hart, from which Thomas received his middle name. Jesse and Ann had six children: Thomas, Jesse, Samuel, Nathaniel, Susan, and Catherine.

Benton's brother Samuel married Catherine Grundy.

One of their twin sons, Thomas Hart Benton (1816 1879) was a Union Civil War general. Senator Benton's nephew lived his adult life in Iowa where, in 1849, he was raised a Master Mason in Iowa City Lodge No. 4. He was also a dual member of Bluff City Lodge No. 71, Council Bluffs, Iowa. He became Iowa's Grand Master in 1860 and served for two years. As a Union General, he ordered federal troops to guard Confederate General Albert Pike's home in Little Rock, Arkansas, saving Pike's priceless Masonic library.

Thomas Hart Benton (1889 – 1975), was a greatgrand nephew of Senator Benton descended from the senator's brother Nathaniel. He was a contemporary American artist known for stylized paintings of the Midwest. One of his most well known paintings depicts the conquest of the West and frames the entrance to the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library in Independence, Missouri. A United States postage stamp also featured part of this mural. Thomas Hart Benton, the artist, was not a Freemason. and pointed it at Benton.

Benton reeled backwards and, in melodramatic fashion, ripped open the front of his coat and bellowed, "I have no pistol... Let the assassin fire!" Vice President Millard Fillmore called for order but pandemonium reigned. Virtually every senator leapt from his seat and ran to the front of the room to restrain the two. New York senator Daniel Dickinson easily disarmed the shaken senator Foote. Senators Benton and Foote kept up their verbal assaults until the situation finally died out. Benton claimed Foote was an assassin while Foote maintained he acted in self-defense. An investigation several months later condemned Foote for inciting violence without "any sufficient provocation."

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It was Benton's last stand. Given his uncompromising stance against the south, he stood no chance in the election of 1850.xvii After 30 years, he was out of office. In 1852, he won his final election, becoming the congressman from the St. Louis area, but his continued fight for the Union lost him that seat in the next election. Two years following, he made an unsuccessful bid for Governor.

One report suggests Benton demitted from Masonry in 1832 for political reasons, under pressure from the Anti Masonic party. It is highly unlikely that Old Bullion, the man who shot Andrew Jackson, refused to accept Charles Lucas' concessions and who ultimately lost his senate seat rather than compromise his ideals, would bend to such pressure. The fact is, it was Benton's Lodge,xix Missouri #1, which surrendered its charter under pressure from the Anti Masonic party. It may be that, absent a Lodge, Benton let his membership lapse, but the Grand Lodge of Missouri has no record of his demit.

Thomas Hart Benton died of throat cancer on April 10, 1858. He never lived to see the Civil War he helped to delay, but he surely must have known it was coming. His strong Unionist stance in a pro-slavery, pro-South state ultimately led to his political demise. For this unyielding and courageous stance, John F. Kennedy selected Benton as one of eight men worthy of inclusion in his heralded book, Profiles in Courage. i

Many sources refer to Benton as Missouri's first senator. In actuality, he was one of Missouri's first two senators, David Barton (1783-1837) being the other. Barton was not a Freemason. ii Kennedy, John Fitzgerald, Profiles in Courage, Memorial Edition, Harper Perennial, 1956, 1964, p.89 iii bioguide.congress.gov; Chapel Hill College is now the University of North Carolina. iv http://www.co.benton.wa.us/html/thomas_hart_benton.htm v Benton, Thomas Hart, Letter, September 10, 1813, Franklin, Tennessee vi Chambers, William Nisbet, Old Bullion, Little, Brown & Company, Boston, 1856, pp. 51-52 vii http://www.co.benton.wa.us/html/thomas_hart_benton.htm viii James, Marquis, The Life of Andrew Jackson, Bobbs-Merrill Company, Indianapolis, 1938, pp. 152-154 ix Denslow, Ray V., Territorial Masonry: The Story of Freemasonry and the Louisiana Purchase, , 1804 – 1821, The Masonic Service Association of the United States, 1925. x http://stlcin.missouri.org/history/eventdetail.cfm?Master_ID=347 xi Kennedy, John Fitzgerald, Profiles in Courage, Memorial Edition, Harper Perennial, 1956, 1964, p.86 xii Kennedy, John Fitzgerald, Profiles in Courage, Memorial Edition, Harper Perennial, 1956, 1964, p.85 xiii Kennedy, John Fitzgerald, Profiles in Courage, Memorial Edition, Harper Perennial, 1956, 1964, p.91 xiv http://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/minute/Senate_Reverses_A_Presidential_Censure.htm xv John L. O'Sullivan first coined this term in 1845 in an article urging the annexation of Texas, a measure which Benton, ironically later opposed since it would have swung the balance in favor of slave-holding states (http://pa.essortment.com/thomashartbent_rben.htm). xvi Because of his unionist views, Benton often found himself aligned with the Abolitionists, whom he held in as much disdain as the slavery advocates. Benton himself owned slaves and was one of the few senators who brought them to Washington (Profiles in Courage). xvii Kennedy, John Fitzgerald, Profiles in Courage, Memorial Edition, Harper Perennial, 1956, 1964, p.96. xix At the time, the Missouri legislature elected the US Senators.

Denslow, Ray V., Territorial Masonry: The Story of Freemasonry and the Louisiana Purchase, , 1804 – 1821, The Masonic Service Association of the United States, 1925.

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REGIONAL SCHOOLS OF INSTRUCTION REGION C RWB MICHAEL ARMSTRONG December 29, 2007 Ivanhoe Lodge #446 Kansas City, Missouri, 9:00AM Grand Lecturer to Instruct January 12, 2008 Jewel Lodge #480 Pleasant Hill, Missouri, 9:00AM February 16, 2008 East Gate Lodge #630 Kansas City, Missouri, 9:00AM March 22, 2008 Summit Lodge #263 Lee's Summit, Missouri, 9:00 AM Grand Lecturer to Instruct Round Robin for Region C

LODGE OF RESEARCH PROMINENT MASONS IN MISSOURI In order to facilitate the process of creating biographical information for the Lodge of Research, we have created this information sheet. This is basically what we need for the book(s). It is really not difficult to write. We need biographies from all Past District Deputies Grand’s both Lecturers and Masters along with any Brother who would like to make a contribution.

1. Where you were born?

2. Where did you attend school?

3. To whom are you married and how many children, grandchildren and etc.?

4. Where were you employed and for how long?

5. Any military service you might have performed.

6. Any additional achievements relative to your life that you feel would be of interest.

7. Your Masonic History is a natural.

This information will be used in the books concerning Prominent Masons in Missouri.

Please mail to: Ronald E. Wood, Jr. 1904 N. 36th St. St. Joseph, MO 64506 Winter 2007 19

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District Deputy Grand Lecturers 2008 District 1 Timothy Dunbar 526 Winter St. Hannibal MO 63401 573-221-4034 tdunbar@sbcglobal.net District 2 Melvin "Don" Collop Rt. 1 Box 43 Rutledge, MO 63563 660-434-6519 flyingt-e@marktwain.net District 3 Richard L. Mansfield P.O. Box 493 Kirksville, MO 63501 660-665-3277 District 4 Gale L. Jones 14395 W. 190th St. Hatfield, MO 64458 660-845-2423 District 5 David Moyer 307 East Third St. Grant City, MO 64456 660-564-2584 District 6 William J. Hollingsworth 320 W. Torrance St. Maryville, MO 64468 660-582-8573 District 7 Larry R. Crawford 9147 CR 27 Bolckow, MO 64427 816-428-4201 District 8 Virgil E. Caldwell 611 S. Brown Gallatin, MO 64640 660-663-3773 District 9 Anthony J. Battaglia 8444 NE Old 36 Hwy. Hamilton, MO 64644 816-583-4029 ranchhouse@centurytel.net District 10 Donald W. Allen 26231 Image Rd. Brookfield, MO 64628 660-258-7032 District 11 Kent E. Cheek 314 South Oak Monroe City, MO 63456 573-735-4992 District 12 Gary A. Mc Cormack 1304 Kathy St. Fulton, MO 65251 573-642-6932

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District 13 Durward R. 'Rusty" Kitts 19414 Monroe Rd 976 Holliday, MO 65258 816-266-3280

District 25 Louis V. Sieg 1401 Stella Montgomery City, MO 63361 573-564-7908

District 35 James K. Ayers 4695 State Hwy FF Fordland, MO 65652 417-767-2270

District 14 August L. Bottom 627 Industrial Blvd.

Slater MO 65349 660-529-3511

District 26 Rickey L. Uebinger 203 St. Leo Drive O'Fallon, MO 63366 636-281-8102 hannibalrick@centurytel.net

District 36 Noel R. Mason RR1 Box 175 Black, MO 63625 573-269-4657

District 15 Stanley E. Massey 10011 Linn Grove Rd. Odessa, MO 64076 816-230-7029 District 16 Donald E. Gilkerson 22009 NE 172nd Kearney, MO 64060 816-628-6538

District 39 James D. Smith 11098 CR 717 Dexter, MO 63841 573-624-3889

District 27 (C) David C. Riek 2316 Esquline Fenton, MO 63026 636-225-3094 hiramsson@yahoo.com

District 18 Paul F. Miller 9111 E. 74th St. Raytown, MO 64133 816-886-0066

District 40 Jonce B. Chidister 1209 Charlotte Dr. Malden, MO 63863 573-276-7673 jbchidister@hotmail.com

District 28 Cecil Y. Isaac 14137 West State Hwy. 47 Fletcher, MO 63036 573-678-2642

District 19 Lyle K. Croisant 809 NE Independence Ave. Lee's Summit, MO 64806 816-524-6446

District 41 Bobby L. Brannum 565 C.R. 304 Poplar Bluff, MO 63901 573-686-9405

District 29 Edison S. Lemay 307 W. Second St. Rolla, MO 65401 573-364-2187 edleman@yahoo.com

District 20 Harold L. Davis 29100 S. Wolf Rd. Freeman, MO 64746 816-250-2265

District 42 Randall D. Upton 809 Webster St. West Plains, MO 65775 417-256-1560

District 30 Roy Feltner 420 Highland Dr. Camdenton, MO 65020 573-873-5528 rfeltner@usmo.com

District 21 Micheal "Joe" Joyner 10 NW 730 Rd. Warrensburg, MO 64093 660-909-3356 jjoyner@wcblue.com

District 43 Gary L. Benskin 241 East Hines Republic, MO 65738 417-732-7851

District 31 John A. Parks Rt 1 Box 544 Flemington, MO 65650 417-482-3252

District 22 James G. Wade 2801 W Henley Dr Columbia, MO 65202 573-474-2630

District 44 Kevin Sligar 360 Farm Rd. 1100 Monett, MO 65208 417-235-6593 ksligar@blackberry.com

District 32 Alvin O. Griffin Rt 2 Box 267 Butler, MO 64730 816-297-2589

District 23 Grant G. Smith 31240 Wakata Rd. Lincoln, MO 65338 660-668-4341 balloon@socket.net

District 45 John A. Pace 24772 Waterfront Loop Shell Knob, MO 65747 417-858-0375 pace.j@sbcglobal.net

District 33 James L. Kilburn P.O. Box 544 Stockton, MO 65785 417-276-4139

District 24 Stephen D. Lynn, Jr. 989 E. Adams Bourbon, MO 65441 573-732-4466

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District 38 E. Otha Wingo 126 Camellia Dr. Cape Girardeau, MO 63703 573-334-9210

District 27 (B) Kenneth R. Clements 1422 Collins Ave. St. Louis, MO 63117 314-781-4728

District 17 Marvin G. Shull 2304 NE Shady Ln Gladstone, MO 64118 816-453-2723

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District 37 Wayne Hutchings 310 Center St. Farmington, MO 63640 573-760-9320 waynehutchings@sbcglobal.net

District 27 (A) Terry C. Little 1565 Ranchwood Dr. Florissant, MO 63031 314-921-3947 tlflorissant@aol.com

District 46 Matthew D. Ruth 1402 Pineville Rd. Neosho, MO 64850 417-439-0134

District 34 Timothy Couch 179 Hannah Grace Lane Clever, MO 65631 417-369-0124 tlcouch@direcway.com

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District Deputy Grand Masters District 1 Jack Kairy 8182 Highway MM Hannibal, MO 63401 573-221-1365 District 2 Michael E. Peavler RR 1 Box 289-B Novelty, MO 63460 660-883-5681 District 3 Thomas C. Yunick 39185 Elm Trail Unionville, MO 63565-9804 660-355-4332 District 4 Larry T. Odom 415 E. 7th St. Trenton, MO 64683 660-359-3054 lodom@cebridge.net District 5 Mike D. Cook RR 2 Box 105 Grant City MO 64456-9802 660-786-2368 District 6 Rex Barnett 708 W Lincoln St. Maryville, MO 64468-2748 660-582-8906 rexann@asde.net

District 13 Joel C. Ridgway PO Box 65 Cairo, MO 65239-65 660-263-6237 jayrid24@hotmail.com

District 25 William R. Gatewood 109 Fort Worth Way Wright City, MO 63390 636-745-3136

D. Dean Rowe P.O. Box 115 Seymour, MO 65746 417-935-4281 deanrowe@fidnet.com

District 14 Kenneth R. Osborn Box 148 Arrow Rock, MO 65320-148 660-837-3480

District 26 Rickey L Uebinger 203 St. Leo Drive O'Fallon, MO 63366-1646 636-281-8102 hannibalrick@centurytel.net

District 36 James M. Johnson R.R. 1 Box 182 Black, MO 63625-9707 573-269-4747

District 15 Mark S. Schroer PO Box 285 Wellington, MO 64097-285 816-934-2537

District 27 (A) William F. Buchholz 14570 Mondoubleau Ln. Florissant, MO 63034-2450 kimbuc4@juno.com

District 16 K. Porter Henson 704 Walnut St. Lathrop, MO 64465-9767

District 27 (B) David L. Swinney 10432 Toelle Lane St. Louis, MO 63137 314-867-7202 davidlswinney@yahoo.com

District 17 Larry D. Davis 1000 Mary Kay Lane Platte City, MO 64078 816-858-2034

District 19 James E. Leath III 12417 Al Gossett Rd. Lone Jack, MO 64070 816-697-3785 jamesleath@embarqmail.com

District 8 Ralph F. Ray P.O. Box 8 Coffey, MO 64636 660-533-4965

District 20 Berry L. Garrison 701 Lark St. Raymore, MO 64083-9266 816-322-1492

District 9 Jerry D. Galloway 4381 SW Hollow Rd Polo, MO 64671-9801 816-586-2560

District 21 Phillip B. Lawson 105 Spruce Ln. Windsor, MO 65360 660-647-3963

District 10 George T. Teeter 28603 Katy Dr. Brookfield, MO 64628 660-258-2739 freda1942@sbcglobal.net

District 22 Robert E. Gander 10801 Old Concord Drive Bunceton, MO 65237-9709 660-838-6297

District 11 David E. Cox 529 Mcward Drive Bowling Green, MO 63334 573-324-5043 District 12 Donald E. Fairley 1007 West Street Mexico, MO 65265 573-581-6658 dfairley_2000@yahoo.com

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District 40 Rodney E. Pitts 105 Smith St. Steele, MO 63877-1024 573-695-3704 District 41 Bill A. Humble 3339 North 14th St. Poplar Bluff, MO 63901 573-785-2987

District 29 John V. Niccum P.O. Box 4366 Waynesville, MO 65583 573-336-2662

District 42 Charles J. Clemen RR 2 Box 2347 Alton, MO 65606-9615 417-778-7741

District 30 James E. Portwood 326 Basswood Road Sunrise Beach, MO 65079 573-374-5174 jsportlakeoz@netzero.com

District 43 H. Kevin Essick 3115 Oldfield Rd. Sparta, MO 65753 417-634-4350

District 31 David G. Turner HC 77 Box 1000 Pittsburg, MO 65724-9711 417-852-7288

District 44 Kenneth R. Alsup P.O. Box 356 Lampe, MO 65681

District 32 Larry D. White Rt 2 Box 263 Butler, MO 64730-9543 816-297-2628 District 33 Charles E. Morlan 1005 S. High St. El Dorado Springs, MO 64744-1738 417-876-4325

District 24 Frank D. Wright 1222 Wright Rd. Owensville, MO 65066 573-437-2886 FAX- 573-437-4651

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District 39 Jesse L. Deardorff 16557 State Hwy. F Dudley, MO 63936 573-568-2566

District 28 Francis D. Jett 4791 Werner Rd. High Ridge, MO 63049-2878 636-677-2885 francisjett@att.net

District 23 Stephen T. Liebi 58188 Little Moniteau Rd. California, MO 65018 573-796-2749

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District 38 Otis Lee Long 812 August Ln. Jackson, MO 63755-3114 573-866-3321 long.ol@pg.com

District 27 (C) Craig A. Skinner 2434 Stoney End Court Florissant, MO 63031 314-839-3081

District 18 Lloyd C. Callwell 704 Canter Raymore, MO 64083 816-322-3394 callsec1@msn.com

District 7 Richard E. Paul 1219 N 43rd St. Saint Joseph, MO 64506 816-279-2055

District 37 John L. Ritter 307 W. Sycamore St. Desloge, MO 63601-3411 573-431-5547

District 34 Gregory V. Ross 4715 S. Hwy. 123 Fair Play, MO 65649-9321 417-694-2010 District 35

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District 45 Carl C. Brandon 417 England Hill Carterville, MO 64835 417-673-5685 District 46 Ellick E. Garren 5054 Rt CC Stella, MO 64867-9611 417-364-8565

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Grand Lodge Officers 2008 Bruce R. Austin, Grand Master (Myrtle) (407) 603 N Main Rd, Charleston 63834-9621 Home: 573-683-6135 E-mail: bruceraustin@ldd.net

Jon B. Broyles, Senior Grand Steward (Anna) (366) 1427 Carriage Bridge Trail, Ballwin 63021 Home: 636-225-8873 Cell: 314-520-7578 E-mail: jbroyles@momason.org

Erick V. Kern, Grand Chaplain (Susan) (79) 14755 Chermoore Dr., Chesterfield, 63017 Home: 314-394-3260 Bus: 314-892-9600 E-mail: Rskkem@cs.com

Rocky E. Weaver, Deputy Grand Master (Janet) (501) 106 Park Ave., Buckner 64016 Cell: 816-645-6178 E-mail: rokandjan@earthlink.net

Randall M. Berger, Junior Grand Steward (642) 1800 S. Brentwood, Apt. 1129, Brentwood 63144 Cell: 314-724-1132 Bus: 316-727-4854 E-mail: ezgoer@aol.com

Richard L. Smith, Grand Chaplain (June) (550) 830 Coalport Dr., St. Louis 63141 Home: 314-878-3626 Bus.: 314-822-1111 E-Mail: dick.smith@sbcglobal.net

Larry C. Reynolds, Senior Grand Warden (Bettie) (477) 443 Wildwood Dr, Rogersville 65742 Home: 417-753-3356 E-mail: LCarvel45@aol.com

David Haywood, Senior Grand Marshal (Diane) (84) 1335 Greenmar Dr., Fenton, 63026-3350 Work: 314-658-7315 Home: 636-343-1830 E-mail: wg84sec@hotmail.com

Rev. James Shemwell, Grand Chaplain (Barbara) (354) 1636 Meadow Ln., Mexico 65265 Home: 573-581- 1195 Cell: 573-473-6446 E-mail: jeshemwell@mail.itwebs.com

David E. Austin, Jr. Grand Marshal (Elizabeth) (407,84) 421 S. Elm, Webster Groves 63119

Russell Busby, Grand Chaplain (Leslie) (532) 1315 Business 60 West, Dexter 63841 Home: 573-624-5216 E-Mail: rlbusby@dexter.net

Gail S. Turner, Junior Grand Warden (Tina) (82) 106 Haliburton, Brookfield 64628 Home: 660-258-5072 Bus: 660-258-3394 E-Mail: gtkaturner@sbcglobal.net Work: gail.bankbp@sbcglobal.net W. Marion Luna, Grand Treasurer (526) 1101 N Main St, Piedmont 63957 Home: 573-223-7291 E-mail: luna@cebridge.net Ronald D. Miller, Grand Secretary (Lenora) (366) 605 Adens Woods Ct, Columbia 65201 Home: 573-886-0288 Bus: 573-474-8561 Fax: 573-474-3601 E-mail: rmiller@momason.org Randall J. Jones, Grand Lecturer (Darlene) (439) 4005 State Hwy KK, Rogersville 65742 Home Phone: 417-767-2737 E-mail: randalljayjones@yahoo.com John W. Hess, Senior Grand Deacon (Ina) (501) 125 Groom Ave., Liberty 64068-2419 Home: 816-781-4086 Bus: 816-325-1409 E-mail: sgmo4@sbcglobal.net (H)

Richard T. Reed, Jr., Grand Pursuivant (Dede) (407) Webb Edwards, Grand Chaplain (Debbie) (587) 1310 E. State St., Charleston, 63834 500 W. Main St., Suite 102-B, Branson, MO 65616 Home: 573-683-2087 Home: 417-334-0325 Bus: 417-334-3222 E-Mail: webbaaa@hotmail.com Reagan Baird, Grand Sword Bearer (429) 715 Mitchell, New Madrid, 63869 JR Latta, Grand Chaplain (28) Home: 573-748-2529 1102 Central Ave., Hannibal 63401 Cell: 573-248-4000 Sheldon H. Snitz, Grand Chaplain (Eunice) (104) 9852 Connell Dr, Overland Park, KS 66212 Ronald W. Clark, Grand Orator (Marsha) (441) Home: 913-492-1446 E-mail: snitz2@everestkc.net 2500 Peach Tree St., Cape Girardeau 63701 Home: 573-335-1485 E-Mail: mgc@aol.com Rev. Ronald E. Wood, Jr., Grand Chaplain (Marie) (331) P.O. Box 8306, St. Joseph 64508 Dennis L. Hammack, Grand Orator (Linda) (199) Home: 816-364-4881 Bus: 816-279-9597 1503 Riverview SE, Elsberry, 63343 E-mail: rewjr1@ponyexpress.net Home: 573-898-5451 E-Mail:denlin2@sbcglobal.net

Nicholas R. Cichielo, Grand Chaplain (Lori) (550) 16815 Ashberry Circle Dr., Chesterfield 6300 Cell: 573-424-3683 Home: 636-530-0143 David L. Ramsey, Junior Grand Deacon (Friday) (71) Bus: 636-530-6069 E-mail: rwbnick-c@yahoo.com 2709 North Lincoln, Kirksville 63501 Home: 660-988-1415 Bus: 888-457-3734 E-mail: dramsey@nemr.net

Homer Oliver, Grand Tiler (Rosemary) (407) 404 E. Commercial, Charleston 63834 Home: 573-683-3803

Regional Grand Lecturers 2008 Region A Bobby R. O'Dell 24238 Hwy U, Bucklin, MO 64631 660-695-3612 bobodell@cvalley.net

Region D Norman E. Harrison 207 Drewel Court Eureka, MO 63025 636-587-7913

Region F H.R. Huey Higgins 3730 E County Line Rd. Rogersville, MO 65742 417-753-4839 hueyhiggins33rd@aol.com

Region B F. Wayne Dugan 8130 Southpoint Dr., Camden, MO 64017-9711 816-496-5533

Region E Joe W. Johnson 10607 Wurdack Ave., St. Louis, MO 63114-1031 314-429-0782 jwjohnson@primary.net

Region G Wayne G. Tucker HC 3 Box 222 Ellsinore, MO 63937 573-322-5712 wktucker@mymailstation.com

Region C Michael F. Armstrong 505 NW Englewood Rd, Apt 1 Kansas City, MO 64118 816-454-1370

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Hi! My name is Diane Lynch, and I am the Grand Bethel Honored Queen of Job’s Daughters International in Missouri. Job’s Daughters International is an organization for young women between the ages of 10 and 20 who are directly related to a Master Mason. We teach organizational skills, the proper way to run a business meeting, public speaking skills and much more!

The philanthropic charity of Job’s Daughters International is the Hearing Impaired Kids Endowment Fund (HIKE).

We raise money to buy hearing devices for children who are unable to hear. Last year, Missouri raised $14,584.27, and at our International convention this year, Brooklyn Childs received her medallion for raising $1000. She was named the first Jobie-to-Bee to receive this award. On September 22, both Missouri and Illinois Job’s Daughters got together for the Annual Lincoln-Truman HIKE where together we raised over $5500.

In late June, we had our statewide convention, where girls competed in not only their ritual work, but also Arts & Crafts, and Performing Arts. These young ladies are also part of the Grand Bethel where they are selected as an officer or a representative to a state, country or province. Her peers in the advancing line elect the Grand Bethel Junior Princess.

Supreme Session, our International convention was held the last week of July in Merrillville, Indiana. Some of our members competed at this level, and Missouri took home 14 first place awards for Ritual, Arts & Crafts, and Performing Arts. Way to go ladies! Also at this session, our Miss Missouri Job’s Daughter, Lauren Mack, competed at the Miss International Job’s Daughter Pageant where she did an excellent job representing Missouri. Congratulations to Sarah DuingDavis, who was selected as Supreme Bethel Chaplain, Emily Schoenarts, who was selected as Supreme Bethel Representative to Mato Grosso de Sol, and Sarah Heath, who was selected as Installing Marshal for the Installation. Mom Toni Underwood was elected as Supreme Marshal. She will be installed as Supreme Guardian, the executive officer of Job’s Daughters International, in 2010.

This year, the Grand Bethel has many activities planned to strengthen our bond of sisterhood. One of these activities was singing the National Anthem at the River City Rascals Minor League Baseball Team in O’Fallon, Missouri on August 25th.

Our organization is growing tremendously. On September 16, Missouri Job’s Daughters traveled to Swope Park Lodge in Kansas City, Missouri to do an exemplification for the Masonic bodies in hopes to begin a new Bethel. In doing so, we have succeeded and will be opening this new Bethel on November 4. We will also be doing an exemplification for the Masonic bodies in Lebanon, Missouri where we hear there might be 16 girls interested in joining.

If you have a relative who is interested in joining Job’s Daughters, please contact a member/adult or go to our website at www.missouriiojd.org.

Jobie love, Diane Lynch, PHQ #50, Grand Bethel Honored Queen from back cover

self is intended to construct” (p. 87).

I wondered why Freemasonry was using a nautical term, since the whole symbolic system is based on architecture. A cable of “120 fathoms” or 720 feet (according to William Falconer’s Maritime Dictionary) was used for towing ships. Such a towing cable could be used by our ancient operative brethren for moving massive blocks of stone used in the construction of buildings and monuments. The cable-tow first appeared in Freemasonry is the Dumfries No. 4 Manuscript, dated about 1710, as a symbol of humility and submission to the obligation about to be taken. The particular configuration of the cable-tow in each degree indicates the level of responsibility undertaken.

One of the curiosities I ran across in searching the history of the cable-tow is a scene on an ancient Mayan cylinTHE MISSOURI FREEMASON

der (ca. 6th century) depicting a ceremony in which ropes are clearly seen on figures, which appear to be candidates.

We can do no better than heed the word of the respected Masonic author, the Rev. Joseph Fort Newton, upon whose writings many references to the cable-tow are based: “The old writers define the length of a cable-tow, which they sometimes call a ‘cable’s length,’ variously. Some say it is seven hundred and twenty feet, or twice the measure of a circle. Others say that the length of the cable-tow is three miles. But such figures are merely symbolical, since in one man it may be three miles and in another it may as easily be three thousand miles—or to the end of the earth.

For each Mason the cable-tow reaches as far as his moral principles go and his material conditions will allow. Of that distance each must be his own judge, and indeed each does pass judgment upon himself accordingly, by his own acts in aid of others.”

Winter 2007 23

THE MASONIC HOME

“A Marked House” This year’s Masonic Home Representative Luncheon was truly a great success with 185 representatives in attendance. The 4th Annual luncheon started off with two wonderful guest speakers that were there to share and thank the members for the support they are currently providing for their mother through the Masonic Home’s Outreach Program. They spoke of what the Masonic Home meant to them and brought with them a note that their mother had written which reads;

EXHIBIT SHOWCASES HISTORIC SABER

At the small country lodge in Macks Creek, the brothers hold dear a saber from the Civil War. The Worshipful Master from 1924, Owen W. Stewart, gave his family heirloom to his lodge. His father carried the enlisted cavalry saber in the Civil War. Until recently the Tyler at Macks Creek Lodge #433 used the saber. Then, realizing its antiquity, the Masons of Macks Creek placed it in the local bank vault for safekeeping. In October of this year, Macks Creek lent the saber to the Masonic Library and Museum for long-term

Dear Brother Masons, Since my brothers are no longer here, I think of you as my brothers. Thank you for all you have done for me.

Also, for inviting my children to be with you today. I am sure they will enjoy themselves.

Listening to this family speak of how grateful they are the Masonic Home is able to assist their mother I believe touched every heart in that room; there were very few dry eyes. The family spoke of how when they were little their family always welcomed Hobo’s into their home who were passing through and needed a hot meal and it was while one of the Hobo’s were at their house they asked them how they knew to come to their house and the Hobo told them their house was marked, there was no actual mark, but it was by word of mouth it had been marked as a home that would welcome them and provide them with a meal. They now refer to the Masonic Home as their “marked house.” It is sometimes hard to understand what this assistance is doing for people since you rarely get to know who is receiving it (Confidentiality Policy), but for those of you who have been blessed to meet or know some of the individuals receiving assistance through the Outreach Program of the Masonic Home you know exactly what kind of service is being provided to these Brothers, Eastern Star Sisters, Masonic Widows and Masonic Children in need. It is through your Outreach program the Masonic Home is continuing to provide for more Brothers, Eastern Star Sisters, Masonic Widows and Masonic Children throughout the state of Missouri.

If you were unable to attend the Masonic Home Representative Luncheon and you are a new representative I encourage you to contact the Public Relations Department for information on what you can do as the Masonic Home Representative of your Lodge.

24 Winter 2007

Macks Creek Lodge #433 lending the saber to the museum curator on October 23, 2007

exhibition. It will become part of the section of Reflected Values that is devoted to Patriotism in the Lodge.

Patriotism in the Lodge is part of the exhibit gallery titled Patriots and Pathmakers. It will include exhibits on the famous Missouri Masons Merewether Lewis and William Clark of the Corps of Discovery and Omar Bradley, General during World War II. The gallery will display the first American flag flown in a Missouri lodge as well as a flag that saw service in the current conflicts in the Middle East.

It will also include an exhibit case specifically for medals that have been earned by brothers in the Armed Forces.

The medals in this display case will change regularly, providing the opportunity to honor the military service of many Missouri Masons. The Patriots and Pathmakers Gallery also includes a tribute to Masons who helped to found this nation and other Masons who founded the state of Missouri and the Grand Lodge of Missouri.

The saber itself is a Union cavalry saber, Model 1860. It continued on page 25 THE MISSOURI FREEMASON

MASONIC HOME BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOGNIZES MWB VERN H. SCHNEIDER FOR 35 YEARS OF SERVICE Most Worshipful Brother Vern H. Schneider, legal counsel to the Masonic Home of Missouri Board of Directors for 22 years, is being recognized for valued and devoted services to the Board and the Brethren of the Grand Lodge of the State of Missouri. The Board of Directors has unanimously voted to permanently establish “The Vern H. Schneider Endowment Fund” in his honor in the initial amount of $25,000.

The announcement was made by Board President and RWB Deputy Grand Master Bruce R. Austin.

“Most Worshipful Brother Schneider has done just about everything there is to do for the Masonic Home of Missouri,” President Austin said. He was elected by his brethren to serve on the Home’s Board of Directors from 1971 through 1975. He was appointed Senior Grand Marshall in the Advancing Line in 1976, and again served on the Board from 1980 until 1985, including service as Board President in 1984 and Board Chairman in 1985. On November 1, 1985, he was appointed legal counsel to the Board of Directors and has served continuously in that capacity for 22 years. “In all, this adds up to more than 35 years of unparalleled service,” Chairman Austin noted.

The new Vern H. Schneider Endowment Fund will be used for the support of Masonic Home programs.

“Brother Schneider’s selfless devotion and dedication has contributed in innumerable ways to the nearly unparalleled advancements in the services and care provided through the work of the Home,” said President Austin in announcing the honor at the Home’s September 23, 2007 board meeting. “The high regard in which the Home is held by the Brethren of Missouri and across the United States is in no small way due to the guidance and counsel he has provided.”

save the date! continued from page 24 was made by C. Roby & Company of Chelmsford, Massachusetts as part of an 1863 order to the company for 12,200 cavalry sabers. It was inspected by AGM, who apparently stamped his inspection mark on many of Christopher Roby’s sabers. The Union cavalry saber will be displayed with a Masonic ring that was reputed to have saved the life of a Masonic brother during the Civil War. Macks Creek Lodge #433 held its first meeting on December 22, 1877. It dedicated its current lodge hall in 1953. It is proud of its fellowship, its support of the Masonic Home of Missouri, its tenacity, and its community service.

Reflected Values, the Museum’s first permanent exhibit, will hold its opening reception on Saturday, February 23, 2008 at 2 pm. All Masons and their families are invited to this historic event. Ceremonies begin at 3pm and the reception lasts until 6pm. Light refreshments will be served. To RSVP call the Masonic Home of Missouri or email at opening@mohome.org.

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- INVITING -

Lodge Brothers & Chapter Sisters to the

Grand Opening Museum at the Masonic Complex February 23, 2008 2 - 6 p.m. • Ceremonies at 3 p.m.

RSVP: 800-434-9804 or opening@mohome.org

Winter 2007 25

Potosi Lodge Presented Brothers Harold "Jack" Jackson and Robert Shaner their 50-year jewels and certificates on Monday, February 12. RWB Cecil Issac (left) is shown making the presentation to brother Jackson.

Potosi Lodge Presented Harold Wideman his 50-year jewel and certificate on June 11. Cecil Isaac (right) made the presentation.

WM Tony Battaglia presents Harold Eklund his 50-year pin and certificate from the Grand Lodge of Missouri on behalf of Hamilton Lodge #224.

Meramec Lodge #414, Eureka, Missouri, presented Brother Clyde Everet Smith his 50-year pin and certificate from the Grand Lodge of Illinois. Meramec Lodge made the presentation on June 30, 2007, on behalf of Brother Smith’s Lodge, Enfield Lodge # 677, Enfield, Illinois.

After the public installation ceremonies, RWB George Barrios performed his first official duty at Grand River Lodge #276, Freeman, Missouri, by presenting a 50-year jewel and certificate to Brother Harold Glen Jaynes. Brother Jaynes’ wife Ruby and son James accompanied him.

Grand River Lodge #276 presented Wilbur Ray Wagenblast his 50-year pin and certificate from the Grand Lodge of Missouri at its stated meeting on April 9, 2007. Family and friends were in attendance.

26 Winter 2007

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Brother Bob Baker's wife Donna presented his 50-year Jewel in Weston Lodge #53 on Aug 15, 2007. RWB Larry Cook, DDGM District #17, conducted the ceremony on behalf of the Grand Lodge of Missouri.

Brother Linden Panknin Jr. became a 50-year Mason on March 7, 2007. He received his 50-year pin and Certificate from the Grand Lodge of Missouri from his own Lodge, Swope Park Lodge #617.

On July 10, 2007, Adelphi Lodge #355, Edgerton, Missouri held a dinner and ceremony celebrating Jackie Livingston's 50 years as a Mason. Also shown in the picture are Larry Cook, DDGM 17th Masonic District, and Jackie's wife Evelyn.

Monday evening, September 17, 2007, Elvins-Ionic Lodge #154 presented 50-year certificates and pins to 3 brethren and one 25-year pin to another brother. The brethren are as follows (left to right): RWB John L. Ritter, DDGM, 37th Masonic District; Earl L. Humphrey (25-year), Norman L. Mahurin (50-year), R. Earnest Wallow (50year), N. Leroy Agnew (50-year), and WM Troy L. Helms.

On Friday, June 29, 2007, Paducah Lodge #127, F. & A.M., presented Brother William Reese his 50-year pin and certificate from the Grand Lodge of Missouri.

Brother Michael J. Felker, Secretary, and WB Richard Flowers went to Brother Reese’s home to make the presentation. Pictured are Brother Flowers, Brother Reese and his wife.

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Winter 2007 27

Angerona Lodge No. 193 presented Worshipful Brother Jack Parker his 50-Year Pin and Certificate on March 25, 2007.

RWB Wayne Dugan, RGL-B made the presentation. A number of Brothers and most of Brother Jack's family attended the presentation. WB Parker served as Master of Angerona Lodge No. 193 in 1983.

150 Years of Freemasonry The night of May 22, 2007 at Warren Lodge #74 was the scene of a special Award ceremony honoring three 50year Lodge members, Bros. Harold Russell, Ron Cox, and Denny Meyer.

RW Bro. Leo Bottom, 14th DDGL, served as Worshipful Master during the ceremony and presented the Awards, and RW Bro. Ken Osborn, 14th DDGM, served as Marshal.

Each recipient's wife "pinned" her husband. A crowd of 31 members and guests were in attendance to witness the event.

Refreshments of decorated Masonic cake and coffee were served afterwards, along with much fellowship.

Pictured (l to r): Front Row: Recipients, Harold Russell of Salisbury; Ron Cox of Dalton; Denny Meyer of Brunswick Back Row: WM J.D. Archer and 14th DDGL Leo Bottom.

28 Winter 2007

Brother James Baker received his 60-year pin on July 26, 2007, in Composite Lodge #369 at Doniphan, Missouri. Brother Baker has been a Freemason in both Missouri and Kansas over the years and takes an active role in Lodge work.

Pictured: Mrs. Irene Baker pins Brother Baker while WM Gary Greenlee (right) looks on.

Brother Loren Lundy (right) was presented a certificate honoring his sixty (60) years of Masonic membership and service by WM Gary Dryer at the regular stated meeting August 23rd. Brother Lundy, upon receiving the award, spoke of the many famous people in the history of our nation who were Masons. He also told us a little about his personal Masonic history and his Masonic ring, which he personally received, from MWB Frank S. (Dad) Land in 1951 upon being invested with the DeMolay Legion of Honor degree. Brother Lundy has the distinction of being the most senior (in age) member of our lodge. He is 98 years young. He was born August 7, 1909 and raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason February 18, 1947.

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Liberty Lodge #31 installed its officers for the 2007 - 2008 term on Saturday, October 13, 2007. Pictured (l to r) Front Row: Will Grogan, SD; WB Mike Probst, outgoing Master; Chad Howerton, Master; WB Ron Elliott, Secretary; Paul Palmer, Marshall; Second Row: WB George Johnson, Installing Chaplain; Shaun Robinson, Tyler; Jerod Crump, JW; Jeff Gibson, Chaplain; Third Row: RWB Don Gilkerson, Installing Marshall; RWB George Morgan, Installing Master; WB Kevin Anderson, Installing SD.

On February 20, 2007, Dr. Tom Cummins, Superintendent of the North Kansas City School District, present-

Hebron Lodge #354 has installed its 2007 - 2008 officers line. Shown front row (l to r): Larry Peck, SS; James Mosley, SW; Phillip Moody, WM; John Hall, JW; WB Donald Fairley, Installing Chaplain; Gerald Chaney, Chaplain; Back Row: WB Jared Barnes, Tyler; Chad Peck, SD; Gerald Kelley, Marshall; Jared Price, Secretary and Installing Marshall; WB Grover Fannin, Installing Master,

ed WB Tom Smith, Master and WB John Merchant, Past Master, with a certificate recognizing Alpha Lodge #659 as an official "PARTNER IN EDUCATION" with the NKC School District.

Our program is called Title One School Support or "TOSS" as we refer to it.

Alpha Lodge has partnered with seven (7) Title One Elementary Schools in the district and provides what ever is needed to serve the needs of a "CHILD IN NEED" as determined by

A group of Masons from Kirksville Lodge #105 and Adair Lodge #366, Kirksville, Missouri, held a surprise birthday party for WB Cecil P. Leigh who turned 100 years of age on Aug. 2, 2007.

Brother Leigh is the oldest living past master of Kirksville Lodge #105 having served as Master in 1944. Pictured are L to R are Cecil's granddaughter, Cecil, and Cecil's daughter.

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the School Resource Specialist. During the 2006-2007 school year the Lodge provided 21 winter coats, 32 pairs of shoes, 9 jeans and shirts and other miscellaneous items.

Funds to support this program are raised by means of a golf tournament.

Pictured (l to r): John Merchant, Tom Smith, Dr. Tom Cummins.

Mark Rust, WM, "sports" his new Rainbow hat presented to him by North Kansas City Assembly #55 at the 88th Installation of Officers of Alpha Lodge #659.

Winter 2007 29

Brother David Chrisman (left), Acacia Lodge #602, presents an American Flag on behalf of the Woodmen of the World to the Grand Lodge Office on July 4, 2007. Woodmen of the World have donated a flag for many years to celebrate Independence Day. Accepting this year’s flag is Sandy Clark and Christy Casey of the Grand Lodge office staff and Ronald D. Miller, Grand Secretary. (Bust of Harry S Truman is over seeing this presentation.)

On September 15, 2007 Linn Creek Lodge #152 held Its 144th annual instillation of officers for 2007-2008. Pictured left to right, first row. Bro. Charles Phelps, Jr. Deacon; Bro. Gary Bowling, Sr. Deacon; Bro. Jimmy Brashear, Jr. Warden; Bro. Bill Gansemer, Worshipful Master; Bro Kelly Lutrrell, Sr. Warden; Bro Paul Warman, Marshall. Second row. W. Bro. Larry Clemens, Treasurer; W. Bro. Terry McKeever, Chaplain; Bro. Wayne Minnick, Sr. Steward; Bro. Charles Christensen, Jr. Steward; Bro. Robert Leonard, Tyler; RWB James Portwood, Secretary.

Masonic Widows Night Held On the evening of May 8, 2007, Warren Lodge #74 AF&AM held its second annual Widow’s Night. Six Widows were honored and PM Tony McCollum presented each with a Widow’s Certificate and Widow’s Pin. . Mrs. Debra Sellers, accompanied by Mrs. Mary Wood, offered several musical selections. SW Charles Kendrick read "Speak 30 Winter 2007

On April 26, 2007 Brother Jeffery Johnson was raised as a Master Mason and presented a Bible. Shown on the left is David Johnson, his father and on the right Jason Johnson, his brother, both members of Composite Lodge. This communication followed a dinner and was attended by over 40 Freemasons from 14 lodges in three states. Worshipful Master Gary Greenlee reports that this is the largest attendance in many years. Everyone enjoyed the good food and degree work.

Hermann Lodge #123 installed its 2007-2008 officers line on August 26, 2007. Pictured Front row: Danny Marino, JD: RWB Richard Weible, DDGM Dist. 24; TWB Louis Sire, DDGM Dist. 25, Installing Master; Rick Dobson, WM; Harrison Eugene Wehmeyer II, SW; Robert Russell Warren, JW; Middle row: WB Steve Mueller, Installing Marshall; WB Kevin Witthaus, SD; WB Clinton Coulter, Marshall; Carl Leo Hendricks, Chaplain; Richard Requarth, Secretary; Back Row: WB Robert Schmidt, Installing Chaplain; WB Benjamin Gross, Treasurer; Bro Marlon Walker, SS; WB Dan Howard, Tyler.

Now To Us of Masonry", and Secretary Joe Manson read "The Charles Audrey Sterner Story."

14th DDGL Leo Bottom completed the program with the Keynote Address. Thirty-one members and guests were in attendance to witness the memorable event. Refreshments and fellowship followed the program.

Pictured (l to r): Carolyn Sanders, widow of Bro. Howard Sanders; Bonnie Blackwell, widow of Bro. Bill Blackwell; Juanita Grotjan, widow of Bro.. Harvey Grotjan; Mary V. Edwards, widow of Bro. Glenn Edwards and Bro. W. D. Richard; Beulah Krager, widow of Bro. Verl Krager; Roberta Edwards, widow of Bro. Harold Edwards.

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Hope Lodge #251 installed its new officers Saturday, July 28. Seated, from left, are M. Leo Shumaker, treasurer; Bill A. Jakob, WM; Thomas P. McKinney, SW; and John L. Erfurdt Jr., Secretary. Standing, from left, William G. Crowley, special music; Wilhelm Nurnberg, Tyler; Terry D Coppotelli, immediate PM; Kevin E. Weaver, installing WM; Michael Cox, SS; John M. Cochran, JS; John L. Erfurdt III, JD; and Oscar Koirtyohann, installing Chaplain. Not pictured are Wesley A. Hart, JW; Roger D. Fleer, SD; Allen L. Vogt, Marshal; and Charles G. Coy, installing Marshal.

SEDALIA LODGE 236 HOSTS MASONIC HOME RESIDENTS On Wednesday July 18 members of Sedalia Lodge #236 and their wives hosted a luncheon at Ryan’s Family Steakhouse in Sedalia for residents of the Masonic Home of Missouri (MHM) in Kansas City. Bev Lentz, Activities Director was in charge of the group.

Pictured Seated (l to r): John Arterburn, Martha Crowder, Lloyd Shepherd, Margaret Siler and Olive Christian. All from the MHM. Standing (l to r): H. H. "Luge" Leutjen, Marilynn Luetjen, James Duzan, Alyce Miller, David Miller, Eunice Mainard (MHM), John McCormack, Robert Weikal, Robert Holder (MHM), Pearl Helman (MHM), Bev Lentz (MHM), Fran Williamson (MHM) and Sandy McCormack.

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Belton Masonic Lodge #450 Installation Of Officers Was Held September 14, 2007 at 7:00 P.M. They were from left to right front as follows. Josh Downing, Marshal; Jeffrey Carey Jr., Sr. Steward; Robert Hazen, Jr. Deacon; WB Michael Mack, Treasurer; Kenneth Valentine, Sr. Warden; WB Richard Middleton, Secretary. Left to right Back row Barry Denslow, Sr. Deacon; Steven Paul Hackett, Worshipful Master; Robert Crosby, Jr. Steward; Richard Jaques, Jr. Warden; and WB Ray Adams, Chaplin. Bethel 48 of JOBS Daughters did the bible ceremony. William F Kuhn Chapter Of DeMolay did the Flag ceremony.

Knob Noster Masonic Lodge #245, Knob Noster, Missouri, conducted its annual installation of officers, September 4, 2007. An open installation was held with more than 40 family members in attendance. A very enjoyable potluck dinner was held prior to the ceremony.

Officers installed for 2007-08 included (l-r) Joe Joyner, Tyler; Ray Mora, Junior Warden; Mike Snell, Marshall; Scott Siegfried, Worshipful Master; Randy Eckert, Treasurer; Doug King, Senior Steward; Kyle Hookey (back), Senior Deacon; John Cecilia (front), Secretary; and Les Stewart, Chaplain. Other officers who were unable to attend the installation include Dave Helm, Junior Deacon; Larry Fox, Senior Warden; and Brad Cox, Junior Steward.

WB Norman Wilcher served as Installing Worshipful Master, installing his son-in-law, WB Scott Siegfried, as the new Master of the Lodge. Other installing officers included WB Marvin Cass, Installing Marshall, and Bro. Harold Gregory, Installing Chaplain.

Winter 2007 31

Myself In Freemason e v o r p m I ry To

“…Within the Length of My Cable-Tow” Dr. E. Otha Wingo DDGL 38 • otha.wingo@gmail.com My friend Jim told me of a conversation he just had initiation, the cable-tow is removed, because the brother, with a brother Freemason, who said as he was leaving, “I’ll by his oath at the Altar of Obligation, is bound by a tie be seeing you within the length of my cable-tow.” Know- stronger than any physical cable….It is, indeed, the great ing the references to the cable-tow in Masonic writings, symbol of the mystic tie which Masonry spins and weaves Jim was a bit puzzled, but most intrigued and called me to between men, making them Brothers and helpers one of ask: “What exactly is the length of a cable-tow?” We both another….But, let us remember that a cable-tow has two were aware of some of the conventional answers: a means ends. If it binds a Mason to the Fraternity, by the same for guiding a candidate through the degree work; or the fact it binds the Fraternity to each man in it.”

Since the cable-tow is a symbol of all those external traditional requirement of attending lodge meetings “if within the length of his cable-tow,” meaning his ability to restraints by which a man is controlled by forces outside travel to the meeting. At the historic Baltimore Masonic himself, its removal means that he becomes the master of Convention of 1842, in which an attempt was made to himself and must rely on his own integrity and moral standardize ritual in all the states, the cable-tow is defined responsibility. He “draws his own line in the sand,” so to as symbolically meaning “the scope of a man’s reasonable speak, and declares: “Thus far will I go; thus far and no ability.” Such are the scanty references in Mackay, Waite, farther.”

W. L. Wilmshurst (The Masonic Initiation) puts an esoClaudy, Coil, etc.

Not unexpectedly, I found that the topic was discussed teric spin on the cable-tow when he likens it to the skirin Short Talk Bulletin for March, 1926, Vol. IV, No. 3. The ret, which I mentioned in a previous article on the workunknown author, who probably used Joseph Fort Newton ing tools: “The cable-tow, therefore, is given prominence MSA article as a source, refers to a scene in I Kings 20:31- to the reflective Craftsman as a help towards understand32 in which Benhada, the defeated King of Syria, with his ing his own constitution, and to foreshadow to him work servants, approached Ahab the King of Israel “with ropes that lies before him when is he fitted to undertake it; (nooses) upon their heads” to plead for their lives. Ahab work which now may seem to him impossible and incredcalled Benhada his brother, spared their lives, and made a ible. For as the skirret (which is the cable-tow in another form) is intended for the skilful architect to draw forth a new covenant between them.

“The cable-tow, then, is the outward and visible symbol line to mark out the ground for the intended structure, so of a vow in which a man has pledged his life….Its length the competent builder of the spiritual body will unwind and strength are measured by the ability of the man to ful- his own “silver cord” when he learns how to function confill his obligation and his sense of the moral sanctity of his sciously on the ascending ladder of supra-physical planes, obligation--a test, that is, both of his capacity and of his and to perceive the nature of the superstructure he himcharacter….In one of the most impressive moments of continues page 23 POSTMASTER: Please send Address Forms 2579 to Grand Secretary, 6033 Masonic Drive, Suite B, Columbia, Missouri 65202-6535.