Missouri Freemason Magazine - v57n03 - 2012 Summer

Volume 57 No. 3

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

SUMMER 2012

The Masonic Year is already more than half completed. It has been a wonderful time to be a Missouri Freemason and truly a privilege for me to serve the Craft as Grand Master.

So far this year Grand Lodge Masonic events have included laying of cornerstones, Lodge anniversaries, visits to the Grand Lodges of Illinois, York Mexico and Kansas. Everywhere we have gone we have been received with respect and sincere fraternal affection.

The Grand Lodge was honored by the Grand Chapter of the York Rite by naming a class in the name of the Grand Master. It was a wonderful day and a true pleasure to see such dedicated Masons doing such fine work and the impressive response from the candidates.

Many of the Grand Lodge Officers attended the conference of Grand Masters of North America in Atlanta Georgia in February. One of the major points of discussion at the conference was the sovereignty of Grand Lodges.

Leaders and members of appended bodies have to realize that Grand Lodges have complete authority over Masonry in their jurisdictions. Appended and Adoptive Bodies can only meet and function in a jurisdiction with the permission of the Grand Master. There never has been nor never will be a supreme authority over all of Masonry in the United States. That authority rests with the individual Grand Lodges.

The Grand Lodge directory has been printed and delivered to those members who purchased the book. The book is a wonderful testimony to the effect Masonry has had Committee on Masonic Publications John W. Hess, Grand Master David L. Ramsey, Senior Grand Warden Ronald D. Miller, Grand Secretary Zelwin B. Eaton, Past Editor E. Otha Wingo, Assistant Editor Steven L. Harrison, Editor, Chairman Editor Steven L. Harrison P.O. Box 1120 • Kearney, MO 64060-1120 816-558-0436 / Call for Fax editor@momason.org

Submit articles to:

editor@momason.org 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 e-mailed to editor@momason.org, not later than the first day of

58 Summer 2012

and is having in the lives of our members.

Just to quote a couple of examples, a Brother from Sedalia wrote: “I found spiritual tolerance in Freemasonry, and what a positive effect the Craft has had on my life as member of the community, a father and as a husband”.

A brother from Fredericktown said, “The fellowship within the Fraternity is very special to me, with such a diverse membership, and has allowed me to become brothers with men I have known and respected most of my life.”

In the Past month the Grand Lodge morns the passing of two of our Past Grand Masters, MWB William Chapman who serves the Grand Lodge as Grand Master in 1971 and MWB D. Robert Downey, who served the Grand Lodge as Grand Master in 1992 Both of these fine Brothers served the Grand Lodge with distinction and their memory will always be honored by Missouri Freemasons.

In this issue of the Freemason you will find an appeal for support of the Missouri Lodge of Research as the LOR begins to establish a Masonic Library and Resource Center at the Grand Lodge Complex. I hope that you will support this cause with the same zeal as you have supported the other Crown Jewels of Missouri Masonry.

Fraternally,

John W. Hess Grand Master

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 to accept, reject, subedit and rearrange material submitted for publication. Pictures submitted for publication will not be returned.

The Missouri Freemason does not accept forms or clippings for publication. Please do not submit materials in PDF format. office of publicationS: Grand Lodge of Missouri, 6033 Masonic Drive, Suite B, Columbia, MO 65202-6535. Printed by Tribune Publishing Co., Columbia, Missouri. Periodicals Postage paid at Columbia, Missouri. postmaster: Please send Address Forms 3579 to Grand Secretary, 6033 Masonic Drive, Suite B, Columbia, MO 65202-6535. subscriptions: The Missouri Freemason is mailed to every member of this Masonic Jurisdiction

without charge. Domestic subscriptions elsewhere are $12.00 annually. permission to reprint: All recognized Masonic publications have permission to reprint original articles from The Missouri Freemason with credit to the author and the publication. 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.orgPhone: 573-474-8561

the missouri freemason

the missouri freemason

©

vol. 57 no. 3

Official Publication of the Grand Lodge of Missouri SUMMER 2012 Published and copyrighted under the direction of the Committee on Masonic Publications

contents 60-62 Your Grand Lodge Line Officers for 1012 63 An Evening with the United Grand Lodge of England 64 Most Worship Brother William H. Chapman Grand Master 1970‑71 65 Most Worship Brother D. Robert Downey Grand Master 1991‑92 66 Lewisandclark 69 California Lodge Presents 1886 Grade Card 70 Freemason Trivia: Final Respects And Tributes 71 The Tabernacle 72 Cass Lodge Acquires Lifesaving Device 72 MoCHIP is looking for a few good men 73 The Tale of the Mysterious Chair 73 Masonic Freemason Deadlines 74 Ritual Courtesy 76 Hidden in Plain Sight 77 Scriptures by the Degrees 78 Brad Fowler — Road Warrior 79 A Ring And An Introduction 79 Did You Know …

80 Some Comments on Symbolism 82 Masonic Secrecy 83 Masonic Leadership 84 Job's Daughters 85 Rainbow Girls 85 Walt Disney's Secret (Non) Masonic Club 33 86 The Work of our Craft 86 Wanted: Three-piece winding stairway 89 Masonic Service Awards On the cover: A demonstration team from the United Kingdom honored Missouri Freemasons on April 28, in St. Louis when its members opened Lodge and conferred the Third Degree on an exemplar candidate. Shown, (first row, left to right): Worshipful Brothers Simon Bennett, Vic Hollister, Tony Coe, David Pasek. (Second Row) Tony Piercy, Peter Hickford, Dennis Brian, Jeff Bennett, Barry Coombes.

(Third Row) WB James Morris (of Illinois St. Clair Lodge #24, exemplar), WM Ty Treutelaar (Master, St. Louis Lodge #1), RWB Jeffrey Parrotte (DDGM 27B).

Photo by James Palmour.

From The Editor’s Keyboard "So, Editor," you may ask, "Why did I need a fork lift to pick up this edition of the Missouri Freemason magazine?"

OK, that may be a tiny exaggeration, but you may have noticed there is a lot more to this issue. We normally publish a 28-page edition (including cover), but this issue weighed in at a whopping 36 pages, plus an insert.

Here's the story: I don't remember ever having an insert in the Missouri Freemason.

It certainly hasn't happened during my six years as editor. However, Most Worshipful Brother John Hess has made his Grand Master's appeal that way in this edition. The subject came up at a recent meeting of the Publications Committee and someone suggested we look into sending the appeal that way instead of the expensive route of an individual mailing to all Brothers. The savings turned out to be astronomical. The downside is you and I don't get a personal letter from MWB John. The upside is the donations we make have much more of an impact. Please read MWB Hess' letter and consider making a donation to your Lodge of Research.

I've already sent my check; I hope you will, too.

Now, about those extra eight pages … The Missouri Freemason magazine has what you might call "a good problem." We get more material than we can publish. A lot more. So, every issue, I take the articles that don't get published and put them in a file for the next edition. Then, the next time I take the leftover articles and put them in the same file with the others (some lucky articles make it out of this black hole, but most don't). This file, as you might guess, has become pretty large (and unmanageable). I might also add, if I have written an article, it's usually the first one I pull.

It has been a while since I've published one of the biographies I've written and I'm beginning to feel like the Charlie Brown of writers.

Long story short (I know … too late for that), all those articles crying to be published along with the unfortunate loss of two former Grand Masters we wanted to honor meant we just had to have a bigger magazine this time.

We don't plan to make a habit of inserts and larger editions, but there really was no other choice this time. It's not because of me, or because of the Publications Committee, but because of the contributors that this magazine has material that makes it so popular. Thank you, Brothers, for your interest in your publication … and for giving us "a good problem."

Steve Harrison, Editor

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Your Grand Lodge Line Officers for 2012 John William Hess ~ Grand Master John William Hess was born in Albia, Iowa, where he graduated from Albia Community High School. After high school John attended the University of Iowa and received a Bachelor of Science Degree from Creighton University in 1975. The State of Missouri Family Support Division currently employs him as a Child Support Team Supervisor. He married Ina Winfrey in August, 2003. He has been active with and received honors from the Boy Scouts of America. MWB John holds an endowed membership in Buckner Lodge # 501 where he was raised in 1994. He served as Master of the Lodge in 1996 - 1997 and is also a Past Master of Kansas City Lodge #220. His many Masonic affiliations include: Liberty Chapter #3,

Liberty Council #50, Liberty Commandery #6, Order of High Priesthood, Past Commander's Association in Missouri, Kansas City Valley of the Scottish Rite (KCCH), Allied Masonic Degrees, and Charlemagne Chapter of the Knight Masons. John is also the recipient of the Knight York Cross of Honor (KYCH). John served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Masonic Home of Missouri from 1999 – 2003, and was president of the board in 2011. John is a Past President of the Masonic Children's Foundation and has been involved in the creation of the MoCHIP, Missouri Child Identification effort. He is also a past President of the National Masonichip Foundation.

David L. Ramsey ~ Deputy Grand Master Right Worshipful Brother David L. Ramsey is a graduate of Central High School in St. Joseph, Missouri. He earned a 4-year Apprenticeship, Journeyman Electrician Certificate from the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, and holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Missouri Western State College. RWB Ramsey is the Manager of Energy Efficiency Programs for Associated Electric Cooperative, Inc. in Springfield, Missouri.

He was raised in March, 1991, in Savannah Lodge #71 where he served as Worshipful Master in 1999-2000. He has held many Grand Lodge offices and served as an elected member of the Board of Directors of the Masonic Home of Missouri from 2000-2004. He is currently president of that board. RWB Ramsey serves on the Planning

Committee for Conference of Grand Masters of Masons of North America which will be held in February of 2013 in Kansas City, Missouri.

RWB Ramsey is a member of First Christian Church in Savannah. He has served as a volunteer with many civic and community organizations throughout Missouri. RWB Ramsey and his wife Christin (Friday) were married in 1974, in St. Joseph. They have two children, Carra Roth, married to Randy Roth, and Timothy Ramsey and three grandchildren, Jack, Vivian and Eleanor Roth. His many Masonic affiliations include: Scottish Rite Valley of St. Joseph, (KCCH), York Rite, Missouri Lodge of Research, Moila Shrine Temple, High Twelve Club in St. Joseph and the National Sojourners Chapter #63 in Kansas City.

Jon Blake Broyles ~ Senior Grand Warden Jon Blake Broyles grew up in Kirksville, Missouri where he attended school, graduating from Kirksville RIII High School in 1978. He graduated from Northeast Missouri State University (Truman State University) in 1982 with a B.S. in Mathematics and Computer Science.

He is a member of the First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Kirksville. He has served the church as a Deacon and parent in the LOGOS youth program. He is now a resident of Ballwin, MO. He works in the information technology field, specializing in IT management and networking. RWB Broyles married Anna Spalding of Kirksville in 1981. They have three children, Maria, Alexa, and Sara. RWB Broyles was raised in Adair Lodge 60 Summer 2012

#366 in 1990. He moved to St. Louis in 1995 and became a dual member of Rose Hill Lodge #550 (now Polar Star-Rose Hill #79), where he served as Worshipful Master in 1996-1997. He created the first Grand Lodge Internet Web Site and served as its Webmaster from its inception in 1996 to 1999. He is a Past Master of the Missouri Lodge of Research. His many Masonic affiliations include: Caldwell Chapter #53, Kirksville Council #44, Ely Commandery #22, Scottish Rite Valley of St. Louis (KCCH), Moila Shrine, Moolah Shrine and Rose Hill Chapter #120, Order of the Eastern Star. RWB Broyles is also active with Job's Daughters and DeMolay.

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Your Grand Lodge Line Officers for 2012 David William Haywood ~ Junior Grand Warden David William Haywood was raised in Webster Groves, Missouri, where he attended school, graduating in 1969. He was a Boy Scout and obtained his Eagle Scout award in 1965.

He married Diane Walleman in 1974. He attended Meramec Community College and the University of Missouri at St. Louis, earning a BA in Biology and a BS in Chemistry. He currently is the Microbiology Lab Supervisor for Sensient Colors, Inc. David and Diane live in Fenton, Missouri and have one daughter, Alicia.

They will become grandparents in late summer. Dave attends Southminster Presbyterian Church where he has been an Elder Trustee. He was a DeMolay at Rab-

boni Chapter and served as Master Councilor in 1968. He has received the Chevalier and Legion of Honor awards and has been Dean of the St. Louis Preceptory. Dave was raised in Webster Groves Lodge #84 in 1974 and served as Worshipful Master in 1986. His other Masonic affiliations include: Scottish Rite Valley of St. Louis (33°), Moolah Shrine, Oriental Chapter #78 Royal Arch, Jeremiah Council #43, Ascalon Commandery #16, Ray Von Denslow Council #102 AMD, St. Louis Conclave Red Cross of Constantine, the Bruce Harmon Hunt York Rite College #162 and Ashland Chapter #309 of the Order of the Eastern Star.

Charles Brent Stewart ~ Senior Grand Deacon RWB Brent Stewart was born in 1960 in Columbia, Missouri and graduated from the UMC School of Law in 1987. He was the Staff Director of the Missouri Public Service Commission, in private law practice for sixteen years, and currently is counsel for the Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives. He married his wife Kris in 1981 at the Newman Center. He was raised in 1985 in Twilight Lodge #114, serving as Master in 1998-99, and holds dual membership in Acacia Lodge #602 and Fayette-Howard Lodge #4. He is a past President of the Masonic Children’s Foundation, a member of the Board of the Masonic Home, and a member of the Missouri Lodge of Research.

He joined the York Rite in 1988, served as presiding offi-

cer of the Chapter, Council and Commandery, and is a member of Jurisprudence Committees of the Grand York Rite Bodies. He was the SGIG Personal Representative in the Columbia Valley Scottish Rite, received the 33° in 2003, and is now a member in Fort Scott, Kansas. He received the Order of the Purple Cross, is Past Governor of YR College #188, Past Sovereign Master of AMD Council #392, and a member of the Knight Masons, Royal Order of Scotland, MSRICF, St. Thomas of Acon, Order of High Priesthood, Past Commander's Association, SRRS, Shrine, and Grotto. He also is a P.E.R. and Trustee of the Elks and has served on the Board of Directors of several charitable organizations.

Richard L. Smith ~ Junior Grand Deacon Right Worshipful Brother Richard L. Smith grew up St. Louis and received his BS Degree from Washington University there. He and his wife, June have a daughter, Holly and a son, Benjamin, also a Missouri Master Mason.

RWB Smith is a Residential Loan Officer with a St. Louis area bank, and is the Business Development Officer at that bank's Pacific, Missouri Branch.

He served in the Navy aboard an Air Craft Carrier at Pensacola Naval Air Station as well as in the Panama Canal Zone, where he joined the Order of DeMolay.

In 2005, he was the recipient of the Truman Medallion.

He served as Master of Rose Hill Lodge #550, Master of the Missouri Lodge of Research, the Board of Directors of the Masonic Home of Missouri, and Associate Guardian Bethel #4 of Job’s Daughters. He is Past Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, the Committee on Chartered Lodges, the Committee on Masonic Education and Past President of the Mid-West Conference on Masonic Education.

RWB Smith is affiliated with the Scottish Rite Valley of St. Louis (KCCH 33rd Degree), Moolah Shrine, National Sojourners and Hero’s of ‘76, Order of Eastern Star, and the Grand Masters Consecration Breakfast Committee in St. Louis.

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Your Grand Lodge Line Officers for 2012 Ronald D. Jones ~ Senior Grand Steward Right Worshipful Brother Ronald D. Jones was born in Buffalo, Missouri, and grew up in Springfield. He and his wife Susan have two children, Jeff and Melissa, and one granddaughter, Trinity. The Jones family resides in Odessa, Missouri, where they are members of the Christian Church. In 1992, RWB Jones was raised in Mount Hope Lodge # 476, Odessa, Missouri, where he served as Master in 1995.

For five years following, Ron served as DDGM for what is now the 15th Masonic District. Ron has served the Grand Lodge in many capacities, serving 3 years on the Ways & Means Committee, 4 years on the Board of Directors of the Masonic Home, 4 years on the Masonic Scholarship Committee, 5 years as Chairman of

the Public Relations Committee, and the Long Range Planning Committee. RWB Jones was also the Chairman of the Midwest Conference on Masonic Education Planning Committee for the year 2010. He also is a member of the Masonic Children’s Foundation. His other Masonic memberships include: Heroes of '76, Old Glory Encampment, National Sojourners Chapter #63, Kilwinning Council #19, AMD; Charlemagne Council #79, Knight Masons, Royal Order of Scotland, Harry S. Truman York Rite College, Missouri Lodge of Research, Independence Chapter #49 RAM, Council #49 Cryptic Masons, Palestine Commandery #17 Knights Templar, Ararat Temple AAONMS and the Scottish Rite, Valley of Kansas City.

Robert T. "Tim" Thomas ~ Junior Grand Steward Robert T. "Tim" Thomas was born in Kissee Mills, Missouri. He attended Forsyth High School where he served as Student Body President. After graduating in 1976, he enrolled at the College of the Ozarks, but his college education was cut short when he had to return to the family farm to assist after the death of his father.

RWB Thomas served the country as a member of the Missouri National Guard from 197884. During that time, The St. Louis Globe Democrat selected him as Missouri National Guardsman of the year.

RWB Thomas was employed by the Missouri State Water Patrol in 1981. He resides in Crane, Missouri with his wife Kathryn and Daughter Shelby. His son Andy is also a Master

Mason at Galena Lodge #515.

RWB Thomas was raised in Galena Lodge #515 in 1993 and served as Worshipful Master in 1997. His extensive Masonic activities include service as DDGM 43rd Masonic District, Missouri Lodge of Research, Truman Lecture Series Committee and the Scottish Rite Valley of Joplin, (32° KCCH). RWB Thomas is a member of Galena Chapter #7 of the Order of the Eastern Star. He is a York Rite Mason and a member of Springfield Chapter #15 RAM, Zabud Council #25 R&SM, and St. John’s Commandery #20 KT. He is a member of Abou Ben Adhem Shrine in Springfield. He is also a member of the Ozark Order #9 of the Sword of Bunker Hill.

Stanton T. Brown II ~ Senior Grand Marshal Stanton T. Brown II was born in Independence, Missouri and grew up in Sibley and graduated from Fort Osage school in 1965.

He attended the University of Missouri in Columbia prior to joining the military. He subsequently worked for the GSA, returned to college where he earned an accounting degree and began working in banking. In 1991, he began working for American International Aluminum, where he works today as an administrative manager. Stan is recently widowed after 40 years of marriage. He became a Master Mason in 1971 at Buckner Lodge #501, where he served as Master in 1978. He has served on several Grand Lodge commit62 Summer 2012

tees, was District Deputy Grand Master of the 19th Masonic district in 2010-2011 and helped develop the DDGM manual. In addition to his many civic activities, RWB Stan has memberships in Independence Chapter RAM #12, Independence Council #49 Cryptic Masons, Palestine Commandery #17 Knights Templar, Kansas City Valley Scottish Rite, Harry S Truman York Rite College #167, Charlemagne Council #79 Knight Masons, Kilwinning Council #19 AMD, Mary Conclave Red Cross of Constantine, Missouri Lodge of Research, Royal Order of Scotland, St. Thomas of Acon, National Sojourners KC Chapter #63, Tall Cedars and the Order of Athelstan. the missouri freemason

An Evening with the United Grand Lodge of England

By Dr. Ty G. Treutelaar, WM Saint Louis Missouri Lodge #1 Strong thunderstorms are not a welcome event, but thunder and lightning arrived as if on cue, to accentuate the night as Saint Louis Missouri Lodge #1 welcomed a demonstration team from the UK. The 208 Brethren that had assembled for this event were given an amazing opportunity to watch the demonstration of a Lodge under the jurisdiction of the United Grand Lodge of England, as they opened a Lodge in three degrees, conferred the third degree on an exemplar candidate, and then closed the Lodge.

In attendance for this evening were representatives of our own Grand Lodge of Missouri and official representatives of the Grand Lodges of Virginia, Mississippi, and the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Missouri. All of the visiting Grand Lodges gave greetings upon their introductions by RWB Jeff Parrotte, DDGM 27B; followed by an address from the Grand Lodge of Missouri from RWB Jon Broyles, Senior Grand Warden of the Grand Lodge of Missouri, which was attentively received by all present.

The event was held at the home of Tuscan Lodge #360, and the Brethren of Saint Louis Missouri Lodge #1 are very grateful for allowing the use of this magnificent building for this event. In planning since February of this year, the evening festivities included a dinner with table service and a

candlelight dessert. Everyone in attendance also received a program book and a Lodge pin, to commemorate the night.

The night had progressed through two storms, two broken gavels, and a pipe organ that failed just before the opening and had to be rewired to a different circuit. The hard work and dedication of the Brethren who crafted this event was well rewarded with a well received event, which was set forth in their dedication to bring benefit and knowledge to the Fraternity.

Cover photo by James Palmour.

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Most Worshipful Brother William H. Chapman Grand Master 1970-71 Grand Master Chapman, who passed away March 21, 2012, had among his many distinctions the privilege of leading the Grand Lodge of Missouri in its Sesquicentennial Year (150th anniversary, being founded in 1821). His firm control of the Grand East, yet his brotherly and open welcome to all Lodges and individual Brethren earned him a lasting place in the hearts of the state's fraternity. MWB Chapman's Grand Lodge session saw significant changes for the life of that body. His was the last of the nine-year term for the advancing line of the Grand Lodge, formerly starting with the Grand Sword Bearer, now being seven years. The communication saw the election of Frank Ames Arnold as Grand Secretary, succeeding R. W. Bro. Elmer Wagner. Grand Master Chapman recommended the increase of per capita support for the Grand Lodge to make possible the subscription of The Freemason magazine for every member. He gave his hearty approval to the idea of Deputy Grand Master Thomas J. Davis' plan for the area meetings, which have become so vital a part of local Lodge officers' years. He had also insisted that the various Grand Lodge committees have their reports available for printing before the session that the Brethren might have them for both information and education. He urged that future elected members of the Masonic Home Board be chosen not alone for Masonic offices held but also for the specialized talents they could bring to the work of that great institution.

A look at the year's schedule for Past Grand Master Chapman would be testimony to his devotion to the Craft. Virtually every other day found him in a Masonic-related travel, meeting, official visit, or other contact: but the printed record does not always witness to the correspondence or informal influence he had.

"Bill" Chapman was born June 10, 1923, in Webster Groves, Missouri, and educated in its public schools. After two years in Washington University, he completed his collegiate career at Iowa State University, receiving the Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering. He would then serve three years as a Lt. (j.g.) in the United States Navy.

His business career began in the Chapman Insurance Agency (later Chapman-Sander, Inc.), which had been founded by his father. As president of that firm he was active in a number of organizations related to that profession.

In 1961, "Bill" was named Webster Groves' "Citizen of the Year." His civic leadership and community service certainly earned him that honor. He was past president of the Webster Groves Lions Club, Webster Groves Chamber of Commerce, its Police and Fireman's Pension Fund, and other related groups. He was a board member of the local YMCA, American Red Cross chapter, Webster Groves Police Commissioners, and Missouri Fidelity-Union Trust Life Insur64 Summer 2012

ance Company. He also served as a member of the steering committee of the Webster Groves Advisory Committee and was also a trustee of the City of Webster Groves, and led in implementing pension and retirement plans for that city's non-uniformed employees as well as its police and firemen.

"Bill" was justly proud that he was campaign manager for the late Gus O. Nations, Jr., (also a future Grand Master) when the latter was elected Mayor of Webster Groves.

Past Grand Master Chapman's Masonic career began at Webster Groves Lodge #84 in 1946, where his father, the late Edwin F. Chapman, had been Master. "Bill" became Master there in 1957, thirty years after his father's term. In 1961, he was appointed as Grand Sword Bearer in the advancing line by the late MWB Robert H. Mann. He progressed through the successive offices until his election as Grand Master in 1970. In his year as Deputy Grand Master he served as President of the Masonic Home Board.

His other Masonic affiliations included: the York Rite bodies; Scottish Rite (33rd Degree); Moolah Shrine; Red Cross of Constanine; Royal Order of Jesters, Missouri Lodge of Research; DeMolay Honorary Legion of Honor; and other related groups. He served for a number of years on the Board of Governors, St. Louis Unit, Shriner's Hospital for Children, and twice as its chairman.

"Bill" was the beloved husband of Patricia Moores Chapman and the late Betty Ann (Bets) Lyders Chapman. He was the proud father of Thomas W. (Judy) Chapman, Rowlett, Texas, and Barb (Thom) Williams of Atlanta, Georgia, and grandfather of two.

His Masonic service was held at Webster Groves Lodge April 15, conducted by Grand Master John W. Hess, assisted

by Past Grand Masters and other Grand Lodge officers. Private interment was at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery.

Because of his love for the work of the Shriner's Hospital, memorial gifts were suggested to that institution, 2001 South Lindbergh Blvd., St. Louis, Missouri, 63131, Attn. Renovation of Post-Anesthesia Unit.

Although this author owed MWB Chapman the gift of his Grand Lodge appointment, like so many he was blessed by the many years of friendship and example of Masonic manliness. Indeed he felt that "Bill" fitted this poetic couplet: The kind of man Masonry takes, The kind of man Masonry makes.

— Dr. J. C. Montgomery, Jr., PGM

the missouri freemason

Most Worshipful Brother D. Robert Downey Grand Master 1991-92 Past Grand Master Downey, who passed away April 5, 2012, was justifiably proud of being 6th in "The Truman Line" of Missouri Masonry’s Grand Masters. This unique distinction belongs to those Grand Masters who have been appointees to the advancing Grand Lodge line in succession from the first such appointment made by Most Worshipful (and future President) Harry S. Truman (Grand Master, 1940-41). But MWB Downey "made his mark" in other ways. An eminent architect, he left his imprint on many building projects in the Metropolitan St. Louis area. As Grand Master, he had a busy and productive year for Missouri Masonry and an active influence in national Masonic affairs.

"Bob" Downey was born May 13, 1927, in St. Louis. In World War II he joined the Navy in 1944, becoming second seat in an SB2C dive bomber in the Pacific War. After his discharge in 1946 he was in the Marine reserves VMF221Air Wing and was called up for the Korean Conflict in 1950, serving four more years on active and reserve duty.

Our future Grand Master began his Masonic career in 1948 in Pilgrim Lodge #652 (which merged with Webster Groves Lodge #84 in 1993), serving as Worshipful Master in 1979-80. His later Masonic affiliations were many, including the Scottish Rite (coroneted 33rd Degree in 1991), the York Rite bodies, and Moolah Shrine. He was Grand Lodge representative of the latter group for many years. He was a charter member of Bruce H. Hunt York Rite College #162, Deputy Grand Governor for the State of Missouri, receiving the Order of the Purple Cross of York. He was a member of the Red Cross of Constantine, a Director in St. Louis Chapter of the Royal Order of Jesters, Sovereign Master of Ray Vaughn Denslow, Allied Masonic Degrees. He also belonged to National Sojourners and Heroes of ’76. He was invested with the Order of DeMolay Honorary Legion of Honor and was a member of the Royal Order of Scotland. He served on the Scottish Rite Foundation and the Scottish Rite Preservation Association, Inc. In 1981-82 Brother Downey served as DDGM of the 57th District, Division B. Two years later Grand Master Vern H. Schneider appointed him Senior Grand Marshal of the Grand Lodge. He advanced through the line, being President of the Masonic Home Board as Deputy Grand Master and then serving a productive year as Grand Master 1991-1992. On June 10, 1992 M. W. Bro. Downey represented The Grand Lodge of Missouri at the 275th anniversary of the United Grand Lodges of England on June 10 of that year.

He designed the Grand Lodge Official Flag, approved by a Grand Lodge resolution. In 1990, he established The Masonic Foundation for the Prevention of Substance Abuse Among Children, now known as the Masonic Children’s

Foundation. He served on the National Council for the Prevention of Drug and Alcohol Abuse Among Children. For three years "Bob" was a Director of the George Washington Masonic National Memorial Association.

Past Grand Master Vern H. Schneider has said of M. W. Bro. Downey’s Masonic contributions: "Although 'Bob' Downey was the recipient of many well deserved fraternal honors, he continued to be an humble and considerate friend and servant of his Brethren. During the years he served on the Board of Directors of the Masonic Home of Missouri those characteristics were often exemplified by his cogent and practical suggestions to enhance the comfort and welfare of the residents of the Home."

"Bob’s" professional life was no less involved. He graduated from Harris Teachers College, then in 1954 from Washington University with a Bachelor of Architecture degree.

After working for two firms he joined the architectural firm where he later became President and managing partner, Murphy, Downey, Wofford, and Richmond. He was registered in four states, and the list of projects in which he was involved is impressive. The Shaw’s Garden Climatron, the master plan for Barnes Hospital and Queeny Tower, Washington University’s various medical buildings and the Olin Library, the St. Louis County Government Center, the Performing Arts Center at Webster University, to name only a few.

He was active in many professional organizations related to architecture and building. Community-wise he served eight years as a Director of the Boys Club of St. Louis.

He was a member of the Washington University Board of Governors and chaired the Alumni Annual Fund Committee. "Bob" and his wife established the Robert and Norma Downey Scholarship for the Sam Fox School of Architecture.

"Bob" married Norma Stallings in 1954; she passed away last year. They were the parents of four children: Kevin Downey, Karen McKee, Keith Downey and Kim Ederle; grandparents of nine; and great-grandparents of four.

A Masonic service was held April 9, with RWB David Haywood, Junior Grand Warden, presiding, assisted by Past Grand Masters and other Masonic officers.

Memorial gifts may be made to the above Scholarship, c/o Alumni and Development Programs, Washington University, One Brooking Drive, Campus Box 1210, St. Louis, Missouri, 63130.

MWB Downey will be remembered not alone for the building of man-made structures but also for the building of character in the lives of many. This is a part of what Freemasonry is all about.

— Dr. J. C. Montgomery, Jr., PGM

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Lewisandclark

By Steve Harrison, PM, FMLR The Corps of Discovery… It may be the greatest adventure ever undertaken in the history of the United States; greater perhaps than going to the moon, and unquestionably more uncertain, if not more dangerous. Yet many people don't know what it was. They don't know, that is, until they hear it called, "The Lewis and Clark Expedition."

Lewis and Clark were the two men who led the corps into the uncharted abyss of the American west, looking for a "northwest passage" that did not exist. Lewis and Clark... when people speak of them, it's almost like it's a single name: Lewisandclark. Rarely mentioned separately, the contrast between them is striking.

Among the things they had in common, both were Freemasons. Meriwether Lewis (1774-1809) received his degrees at Door to Virtue Lodge #44 in Virginia January 2829, 1797. Door to Virtue Lodge closed in 1801, with Lewis and others probably transferring to Widow's Son Lodge #60, in Charlottesville. He was also a member of Staunton Lodge #13, Staunton, Virginia, where he received the Royal Arch Degree. In 1808, Lewis was a signatory on an application for dispensation leading to the formation of St. Louis Lodge #111, where he became its first Master.i William Clark (1770-1838) was also a member of St. Louis Lodge #111, although the records of his initiation have been lost. There is some speculation he elected to become a member at the urging of Worshipful Brother Lewis and, unlike Lewis, was most likely not a Mason during their historic voyage. Records show Clark requested and obtained a traveling certificate from the Lodge on September 18, 1809.

He was not as active in Lodge attendance as Lewis but his public service and charitable acts exemplify his dedication to its principles. When St. Louis Lodge #111 returned its warrant to the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania in 1815, Clark transferred his membership to Missouri Lodge #12 and allowed it to meet for several years in one of his houses. Upon his death Brother Clark received a Masonic funeral and a monument at his grave in Bellefontaine Cemetery, St. Louis, bears an engraving of the square and compasses.ii Born August 18, 1774, Meriwether Lewis was a boyhood neighbor of Thomas Jefferson. During the time Lewis knew him as a young boy, Jefferson, in his thirties, was serving as Governor of Virginia and, in 1783, became a member of congress. In 1784, after the death of his father, Lewis moved to Georgia with his mother and stepfather. There he developed a love of the outdoors and learned trapping and hunting skills and developed an interest in natural history. He also had an opportunity to become acquainted with the Native Americans in the area. In 1787, Lewis' brother Nicholas, now his guardian, sent him back to Virginia for an education.iii There, through a teacher, he renewed his contact with Jefferson. Lewis graduated in 1798 and the following year joined the militia as an ensign. In the military, he was in a 66 Summer 2012

A statue on the banks of the Missouri River in Kansas City, Missouri, shows Lewis (top), Clark (center), Sacagawea (left) and Clark's African American slave York (right) overlooking a spot the Corps passed on its voyage. Note that York is depicted holding a firearm. Even as a slave, he was also granted the right to vote on the trip.

division led by General "Mad Anthony" Wayne under the direct command of Lieutenant William Clark. Although Clark was his commander and Lewis only served with him for about six months, it was here that Lewis and Clark formed their lifelong friendship.iv Upon becoming President of the US, one of the first things Jefferson did was to appoint Lewis as his personal secretary and aide. At the same time, Jefferson became increasingly aware of the importance of the western lands and was certain his young country should explore them. He was convinced his diligent young secretary was just the man for the job and put him in charge of the expedition. Lewis convinced him the undertaking needed a second leader and recommended his old friend Clark.

Born on August 1, 1770, also in the state of Virginia, Clark had the same sort of genteel upbringing in his early years as Lewis. He was the younger brother of famed American Revolution General George Rogers Clark.v In 1785, Clark moved to Kentucky with his family, settling in an area near present-day Louisville. Clark had no formal education, but was home-schooled and considered well-read. At the age of 19, he began his military career. He served in various capacities and was mainly involved in Indian wars, until 1792, Continued on next page … the missouri freemason

Continued from previous page … when he became a lieutenant under General Anthony Wayne, where he met Lewis. In 1796, although only 26, Clark resigned his commission citing poor health, and moved back to Kentucky with his family, where he managed the family's estate.vi He stayed there until Lewis picked him for the Voyage of Discovery.

The journey itself was so dangerous, so difficult and so uncertain that when the men had not returned two years after it began, most, including Meriwether Lewis President Jefferson himvii self, thought they had perished. But the men were well-prepared and well disciplined. Lewis had even taken what today would be called a crash course in life sciences to prepare him for documenting the wildlife along the way. Local trappers and guides schooled them in Native American customs and protocols. And, above all, the expedition was well-supplied and well-fortified for the voyage.

Lewis, Clark and the band of men they had hand picked, spent the winter prior to the journey making preparations at Camp DuBois (Camp Wood) on the Illinois side of the Mississippi River. In the spring, they traveled across the Mississippi to St. Charles, in what is now Missouri, and began the adventure in earnest from that point on May 21, 1804.

The first part of the trip, lasting the entire summer, took them up the Missouri River to Ft. Mandan, near present-day Washburn, North Dakota. Along the way, Sergeant Charles Floyd fell ill and died on August 20. They buried him at Floyd's Bluff, near present-day Sioux City, Iowa. He was the only member of the expedition to lose his life on the trip. He died of appendicitis (or, as Lewis called it, "Biliose Chorlick")viii, and given the medical technology of the day, had he been in St. Louis, Sergeant Floyd would have died anyway.

William Clark During that first summer, Lewis and Clark dealt with a few incidents of insubordination among the men, were introduced to the grueling task of navigating the unpredictable Missouri River and had a few skirmishes with Native Americans. The most notable conflict took place with the Lakota Sioux, who demanded one of the Corps' boats in exchange for passage. Instead of

responding with force, which would have been suicide, Lewis and Clark, for lack of a better term, put on a show. They put on fancy dress uniforms, held a flag-raising ceremony and demonstrated a repeating air rifle they had brought along.

Corps member John Ordway described the rest of it (sic): "Gave the 3 Chiefs 3 niew meddals & 1 american flag Some knives & other Small articles of Goods— & Gave the head chief the Black Buffalow a red coat & a cocked hat & feather &.C— likewise Some Tobacco.— We had no good interpreter but the old frenchman could make them understand tollarable well. but they did not appear to talk much untill they had got the goods, and then they wanted

The route of the Corps of Discovery, 1804-1806.

more, and Said we must Stop with them or leave one of the pearogues [boats]with them, as that was what they expected.

Capt. Lewis Shewed them the air Gun. Shot it Several times. then the Captains brought the 3 chiefs and one warrier they had with them. Gave the warrier a Sertifficate. then Shewed the chiefs Some curioussities.ix" The demonstrations had little effect. The Lakota were not impressed by the trinkets or the ceremonies. They were certainly amazed by the airgun and probably wanted it, but it did not intimidate them at all. Only a lot of diplomacy, a little liquor and some cordiality saved the expedition.

Once settled in for the winter at Ft. Mandan, they met the person generally regarded as the key to the success of the journey; not the Frenchman Touissaint Charbonneau, whom they hired as an interpreter, but a sixteen year old girl, his wife, Sacagawea.

Although it was a rather cold winter, the men spent the time in the relative warmth and comfort of the fort they constructed there. In the spring, they began what would be one of the most brutal journeys ever undertaken.

On April 7, 1805, thirty-one explorers including Clark's African American slave named York, one woman, her baby and a dog might as well have stepped off the face of the earth as they set out west on the Missouri River into completely uncharted territory.

From Ft. Mandan into Montana it was relatively easy going until June 21 when the party reached the Great Falls of the Missouri River. They had assumed the portage around the falls would take no more than a couple of days but in reality it took 12. The men had to construct makeshift wagons to push their boats around the falls and uphill over rough terrain in the summer heat. This grueling job paled in comContinued on next page …

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winter was not as pleasant as the previous one at Ft. ManContinued from previous page … parison to their next obstacle – the Rocky Mountains. dan. Lewis and Clark had difficulty adjusting to the customs As they left the Great Falls behind, Sacagawea began to of the Native Americans there, especially their tedious barrecognize the territory. They were in the area from which she gaining techniques. This made it difficult for the Corps to had been abducted five years earlier, and her value as a guide negotiate for supplies they would need for the trip back. As became priceless. Recognizing landmarks, she assured them a result, they were anxious to begin the return voyage. They they would soon run into her people. Finding the area's Na- left too early, and once again encountered brutal snows as tive Americans was crucial to the journey's success, since they headed back toward the Rockies. the explorers needed to trade for horses to make it over the They had difficulties on the trip home, to be sure, but it mountains. was an easier voyage and on September 15, 1806, they triBuoyed by this news, Lewis scouted ahead and encoun- umphantly returned to St. Louis. The people there received tered a band of Shoshone led by Chief Cameahwait. What them as national heroes. followed was a coincidence straight out of a modern day soap The journey had changed Lewis and Clark. After it was opera. While Lewis attempted to negotiate for the horses, the over their lives took separate paths and the differences beexpedition caught tween the two men became up with him, and more apparent.

Sacagawea recJefferson appointed Lewis ognized CamGovernor of Louisiana Territoeahwait — her ry. The same Meriwether Lewis brother. The rewho had successfully led one of union with his the most difficult and dangersister sealed the ous undertakings ever, did not deal for Cameahadapt well to the adversities of wait, who helped politics. Jefferson had also asLewis and Clark signed him the job of reporting get the horses on the Voyage of Discovery by x they needed. transcribing and summarizing By now the its notes, a task which seemed Corps thought it to burden him and which he was nearing the never finished.xii Finally, Lewis' end of its jourpersonal finances unraveled. ney. Lewis, Clark His political enemies, inand the rest of the On July 25, 1806, William Clark carved his name into the rock today known cluding his own Lt. Governor, Pompey's Pillar, near Billings, Montana. Discovered in 1863, it is the only took quick advantage of Lewparty figured they as physical evidence remaining of the voyage of the Corps of Discovery. would get to the is' financial predicament and top of the approaching mountain range and sight the Colum- pounced on his handling of government funds, accusing him bia River, which would take them downstream to the coast. of fraud. Lewis became depressed (Jefferson noted Lewis' However, on August 12, Lewis climbed to the top of Lem- lifelong battle with depression, calling it "melancholia") and hi Pass and peered over. What he saw must have made his began drinking too much. He became obsessed with clearing blood run cold. Instead of a river he saw miles and miles … his name and set out on an arduous trip to Washington to do and even more miles … of mountains. He realized now, with just that. fall approaching, the expedition had a nearly impossible task He never completed the journey. On October 11, 1809, in ahead – to cross the mountains before winter set in. a cabin along the Natchez Trace, having been shot once in the They didn't make it. Early winter snows, beginning in head and once in the chest. There is some speculation he was September, slowed the expedition. The group ultimately killed by his political enemies or robbed by highwaymen. got lost, resorted to eating dogs, horses and even wax be- However, given his drinking, depression and overwhelming fore emerging from what one explorer called, "The most personal problems, most historians believe he committed terrible mountains I ever beheld."xi In late September, with suicide.xiii He was buried near the spot where he died in what the mountains finally behind them, they found the Columbia today is Lewis County, Tennessee. A broken column, a MaRiver, built canoes and were once again able to travel by sonic symbol of a life cut short, marks his grave. water. On November 15, 1805, the party finally reached its After the journey, the life of Brother William Clark was destination, the Pacific Ocean. a different story. Just as Jefferson had rewarded Lewis with The explorers set up camp at what they called Ft. Clatsop an important job after the voyage, he appointed Clark a on the coast of present-day Oregon and stayed there from Brigadier General in the militia and agent for Indian affairs December, 1805 through mid-March, 1806. This second in the West. Clark married Julia Hancock two years later.

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California Lodge Presents 1886 Grade Card

By George R. Shelley Worshipful Master Bryan Wolford of California Lodge #183, California, Missouri, presented an 1886 grade card from Clarksburg College to Mrs. Pam Green, President of the Moniteau County Historical Society. The grade card was discovered in the records of Russellville Lodge #90 after it consolidated with California Lodge and all agreed it would be best housed at the Historical Society.

Few outside of Moniteau County know where Clarksburg is, much less that in the 1800s it was home to two post secondary schools — Hooper Institute and Clarksburg College.

At one time, Clarksburg was even considered as the possible home of the University of Missouri before Columbia was finally selected.

Clarksburg College was originally founded as Clarksburg Academy in 1877, and became incorporated as Clarksburg College in 1884. The college building stood at the site of

the present Clarksburg C-1 School, and the campus extended north to the grassy area currently owned by the school. In 1886 when the grade card was issued, Clarksburg was renowned across Missouri as an education center.

The grade card was issued to a man identified only as Mr. Durham. Lodge members were unable to locate any records from the time period of a gentleman named Durham. Because of the statewide notoriety of Clarksburg College, it is probable that Mr. Durham traveled by rail from out of town to pursue his higher education in Clarksburg.

During the Spring 1886 term at Clarksburg College, Mr. Durham struggled in Grammar and Higher Arithmetic, but excelled in Algebra, Geography, and Government. Mr. Durham was likely a pleasant and well-behaved pupil during the term because he received a perfect deportment score of 100.

Continued from previous page …

Together, they not only raised a family, but also took in Sacagawea's children when, at the age of only 24, she died in 1812. The Clarks had five children, the first of whom they named Meriwether Lewis Clark, after Clark's good friend.

In 1813, the Missouri Territory was carved out and President James Madison appointed Clark its Governor. Unlike Lewis, he was a successful administrator and President Madison re-appointed him to the position in 1816, as did President Monroe in 1820. That year, when Missouri became a state, friends urged a reluctant Clark to run for governor. When Clark was unsuccessful in that campaign, President Monroe appointed him Superintendent for Indian Affairs, a position he held until his death, September 1, 1838.xiv For several years, the mystery surrounding Lewis' death and his lack of success after the expedition somewhat overshadowed the accomplishments of the Corps of Discovery.

Over time, however, that story subsided and the accomplish-

ments of the men became more apparent. Cities, counties, schools, even plants and animals have been named after both Lewis and Clark. In 2004-2006 a complete re-enactment of their journey took place along its route and both men were honored at their grave-sites. In 2001, President Bill Clinton posthumously promoted Clark to the rank of Captain in the US army.xv And Lewis is regarded not as the troubled soul he became, but as the leader of the nearly impossible expedition that opened the west, something President Thomas Jefferson knew from the start and confirmed after Lewis' death: Of courage undaunted, possessing a firmness and perseverance of purpose which nothing but impossibilities could divert from its direction, ... honest, disinterested, liberal, of sound understanding and a fidelity to truth so scrupulous that whatever he should report would be as certain as if seen by ourselves, with all these qualifications as if selected and implanted by nature in one body for this express purpose, I could have no hesitation in confiding the enterprise to him.xvi

i ii iii iv v v vii viii

ix

Denslow, William R., and Harry S. Truman. 10,000 Famous Freemasons.

Richmond, Virginia: Macoy & Masonic Supply, 1957.

Libert, Laura. "Pa Freemason May 03 - Treasures of the Temple." The Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Pennsylvania. Web. 28 June 2011. <http://www.pagrandLodge.org/freemason/0503/tot.html>.

"Find A Grave - Cemetery Records and Online Memorials." Findagrave. com. Web. 28 June 2011. <http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/ fg.cgi?page=gr>.

Treutelaar, Ty G. "Meriwether Lewis - A Commemoration of a Life."

Missouri Freemason Magazine 55.2 (2010): 42-44.

George Rogers Clark was also a Freemason. His Lodge is unknown, but upon his death February 13, 1818, he received a Masonic funeral courtesy of Abraham Lodge No. 8, Louisville.

"William Clark Biography." Biography.com. Web. 29 June 2011. <http:// www.biography.com/articles/William-Clark-9542620>.

Dr. Paul A. Hutton, Professor, University of New Mexico, Lewis & Clark: Explorers of the New Frontier. A&E Television Networks, 1993. DVD. "Lewis and Clark Promote Patrick Gass to Sergeant — History.com This Day in History — 8/26/1804." History.com. The History Channel. Web. 30 June 2011. <http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/lewis-and-clarkpromote-patrick-gass-to-sergeant>. Upon Floyd's death, Lewis and Clark appointed Patrick Gass as his replacement. Gass lived to the age of 99, and was the last surviving member of the Corps of Discovery. He died in 1870.

"The Journals of the Lewis and Clark Expedition." University of Nebraska.

x xi xii xiii

xiv xv

xvi

Web. <http://lewisandclarkjournals.unl.edu/read/?_xmlsrc=1804-09-25. xml&_xslsrc=LCstyles.xsl>.

Lewis & Clark: Explorers of the New Frontier. A&E Television Networks, 1993. DVD. Lewis & Clark: Explorers of the New Frontier. A&E Television Networks, 1993. DVD. Some speculate Lewis took the manuscript with him on his final journey to Washington. There is no evidence to support this, however.

"Meriwether Lewis Biography." ScienceViews. Web. 09 July 2011. <http:// www.scienceviews.com/historical/meriwetherlewis.html>. An account by the landlady (Priscilla Grinder) at Grinder's cabin where he died seems to support the fact he died by suicide, if it is to be believed: http://www. findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=623 "William Clark Biography." Biography.com. Web. 11 July 2011. <http:// www.biography.com/articles/William-Clark-9542620>.

"President Clinton: Celebrating the Legacy of Lewis and Clark and Preserving America's Natural Treasures." Welcome To The White House.

Web. 11 July 2011. <http://clinton5.nara.gov/WH/new/html/Wed_ Jan_17_101131_2001.html>. In the same ceremony, President Clinton also bestowed the title of Honorary Sergeant, Regular Army to both Sacagawea and York, Clark's African American slave, who accompanied them.

Ambrose, Stephen E. Undaunted Courage Meriwether Lewis Thomas Jefferson and the Opening of the American West. Simon & Schuster, 2008.

Print.

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Freemason Trivia: Final Respects And Tributes

By WB Todd E. Creason We all wind up there one day, and this is a collection of tributes paid to famous Freemasons when they finally pass into that house not built by human hands — the Celestial Lodge.

When Jimmy Doolittle died in 1993, he was buried at Arlington National Cemetery with full honors. One of Doolittle's raiders attempted to play "Taps" at the service, but overcome with emotion, he was unable to finish. He passed the bugle to a young man, who finished it flawlessly as the few remaining B-25s in existence flew overhead in his honor. The young man that finished "Taps" was Jimmy Doolittle's greatgrandson.

In 1979, Hollywood knew they were about to lose one of their favorite leading men. As John Wayne's condition worsened, a large group of Hollywood actors and actresses descended on Washington D.C. lead by one of Wayne's favorite co-stars Maureen O'Hara. They testified before Congress, and Congress listened. On his 72nd birthday, May 26, 1979, he was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal. On one side, the medal shows Wayne on horseback, and on the other was his portrait and the simple words, "John Wayne, American."

A fitting tribute to The Duke — one of Hollywood's greatest actors.

Audie Murphy was the highest decorated soldier of World War II, his awards including the Medal of Honor. He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery in 1971, with full military honors. The gravestones of recipients of the Medal of Honor are normally decorated in gold leaf, but Audie Murphy had 70 Summer 2012

specifically requested his stone remain plain and inconspicuous — that of an ordinary soldier which was the way he saw himself. Even so, a special walkway had to be constructed later because of the large number of visitors who came to pay their respects. His grave site is the second most visited at Arlington, second only to President John F. Kennedy.

Mel Blanc, the Man of 1,000 Voices, dedicated his life to making people laugh with his unique talent — especially children.

In fact, he showed up at Shriners Hospitals regularly, visiting the children who were patients there, and doing the voices of their favorite cartoon character. He once said, "Visiting these brave kids makes you count your blessings, and your own troubles seem very small by comparison."

When Mel passed away in 1989, Warner Brothers honored him with a touching special lithograph that showed many of the Looney Tunes characters he'd voiced during career his long ­ standing with their heads bowed behind the empty microphone. The inscription on the bottom read "Speechless."

But even in death, Mel wasn't done making people laugh — he managed to get one more.

According to his wishes, the epitaph on his tombstone reads simply, "That's all, folks!"

Todd E. Creason is the author of several books (including Famous American Freemasons: Volumes I & II) as well as the Midnight Freemasons blog at toddecreason.blogspot.com. Todd is a Past Master of Ogden Lodge #754 (Illinois), and a member of both the Scottish Rite, and York Rite. He is also a member of the Ansar Shrine (Illinois) and Charter President of the Illini High Twelve in Champaign-Urbana. the missouri freemason

The Tabernacle

By Douglas Reece A Masonic Lodge is situated due East and West, because after Moses had conducted the Children of Israel through the Red Sea (Sea of Reeds), he, by divine command, erected a Tabernacle in the Wilderness, which he placed due East and West, to commemorate that mighty east wind which brought their miraculous deliverance. A pattern of the Tabernacle was exhibited to Moses at Mount Sinai. This modified version of the description is from the First Degree Lecture from the Grand Lodge of Missouri.

The Tabernacle and its construction is found primarily in Exodus; and Hebrews 8:5; 9:24 of the Great Light of Masonry. It is true that the design and layout, as portrayed in the Missouri Ritual, was given to Moses on Mount Sinai (Exodus 25:2, 8-9, 40; and Hebrews 8:5; 9:24). This occurred after the Children of Israel had been led out of Egypt and they followed God as a pillar of fire and a pillar of smoke until they reached the mountain of God where they camped for several years.

During the time of the construction of the Tabernacle, Moses built a “tent of meeting” outside the camp so he could privately enter into the God’s presence or Shekinah Glory and receive divine guidance and answers to the people’s prayers (Exodus 33:7-11). This tent was a provisional structure that was later incorporated into the Tabernacle, since the terms tent of meeting and Tabernacle are used interchangeably after the Tabernacle’s completion (Leviticus 1:3; Deuteronomy 31:14-15). Samuel also noted God’s movements in 2 Samuel 7:6 by saying, “God moved about in a tent, even in a Tabernacle.” Years later when Solomon’s Temple was completed and dedicated, the portable tent of meeting/ Tabernacle and its sacred vessels were incorporated into the Temple (1 Kings 8:4). Figure 1 is the inside of the Tabernacle.

The Tabernacle was 30 cubits (45 feet) in length by 10 cubits (15 feet) wide. The Holy Place was 20 cubits (30 feet) by 10 cubits (15 feet) and the Holy of Holies was 10 cubits by 10 cubits. I thought I would mention here that if we look at the layout of the Tabernacle; notice that the Holy of Holies is in the West not the East. Some Masonic scholars have placed the Holy of Holies in the East. The layout of the Tabernacle and the layout of the Temple were identical in the placement of the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies. This is contrary to opinions held by some scholars and theologians.

Figure 2 shows the relationship of the Tabernacle within

the courtyard, which has only one entry or exit gate. The walls of the courtyard consisted of wooden pillars spaced about 10 feet apart and between the pillars was a fabric wall. The Tabernacle was covered with four layers of fabric, consisting of a layer of fine linen, a layer of wool, a layer of Angora goat hair and a heavy layer of rough goat hair which is the same for all top layers of tents.

There is not enough space to explain the various materials used in the construction of the Tabernacle and why. Suffice it to say there was silver, which was used for the sockets which held the posts for the plank walls, gold which covered the plank walls and was used for other items, jewels which adorned the breast plate and other sacred objects, and finally bronze which was used for the altar and the laver among other things. What is interesting to note is that God required of each individual one silver coin, which came from the plunder of Egypt when they left.

Nearly 300 verses in Exodus are devoted to an account of the Tabernacle and its furniture, while the corresponding account of the Temple and its furniture in First Kings and Second Chronicles, is comprised of half that number of verses. Many of the words, phrases and terms we use today and especially in Masonry have arisen from, or are illustrated by, the Tabernacle and it rites. Here are a few examples: Veil, Mercy Seat, Propitiation, Laver of Regeneration, Lamb of God, Washed, Cleansed, Purged, Reconciled, Sacrifice, Offering, and Atonement. Keep in mind that the Book of Exodus is the most picturesque book of the Bible. It contains more word pictures than any other book in the Bible.

The Tabernacle served God’s purpose as a sanctuary for 485 years (from Moses to Solomon). Its purpose was to make possible God’s dwelling with his people. It was made to be an earthly copy of the heavenly sanctuary. Because of sin, God could not physically coexist with humans. Dwelling with God was only possible if there was a proper separation (the curtains of the Tabernacle), a sanctified place of meeting (the Ark of the Covenant within the Holy of Holies), and a qualified mediator (the High Priest).

Bezalel and Oholiab were the two craftsmen along with Moses, to whom God gave the details of the structure and the rules of ritual purification that maintained its sanctity.

These men were divinely appointed to supervise the skilled workers in making the structural framework, tent curtains, and ritual furniture. God instructed the priests how to conduct the divine service and how to prevent ritual desecration.

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Continued from previous page … sustain them collectively as a priestly nation. The materials mostly came from voluntary contributions except for the one silver coin, and were a part of the plunder.

The Tabernacle was situated in the middle of the twelve tribes of Israel. This location for the Tabernacle was necessary because it served as the focal point of Israel’s daily life. In this way, God, whose presence was manifested at the Tabernacle as a cloud of smoke and a pillar of fire, was continually at the center of his people. Notice how this same principle is used in our Lodges. The Great Light of Masonry is placed on the altar, which is located in the center of the Lodge room, so that all may see its illumination and instruction.

As I have stated earlier about the placement of the Holy of Holies, do you find it an interesting curiosity that as the sun rises in the East it is shining upon the Holy of Holies? Our candidates are raised in the west end of the Lodge where the Sanctum Sanctorum would be if the Lodge room copied the layout of the Temple. Notice that the ritual says “As near the Sanctum Sanctorum as Jewish law would permit.”

The Tabernacle was laid out so that traveling in a westerly direction within the Tabernacle was to travel towards Atonement or closeness with God and traveling in an easterly direction was to travel away from the same. We see this same pattern in the layout of the Garden of Eden. The Tree of Life

was in the western portion of the Garden and the entry gate, guarded by the two Cheribum and flaming sword, was in the east.

From a Masonic point of view, these patterns, could have significant application to each religion represented in Masonry. My knowledge is limited to only those of the Christian and Jewish faith. If we take a look at some of the most significant religious churches and temples in the world we see this same pattern repeated. I found an interesting fact that the sockets used for the walls and tent covering were numbered from 1 to 100. Guess where socket one was located? You guessed it – in the North East corner. Coincidence?

Maybe, but I offer up that this knowledge of the layout of structure was passed down from generation to generation. It would make sense and fit that the first stone of your Masonic and moral edifice be placed in the Northeast Corner.

I hope this brief explanation of the Tabernacle gives you a cause to explore not only our ritual in Masonry, the ritual used by your church, and especially studying the Great Light of Masonry and what it teaches. For it is by the studying of the Great Light that we fulfill our motto of making “Good Men Better.”

For further reading and the study of the Tabernacle consult, “Rose Guide to The Temple” Rose Publishing company and “The Tabernacle, its priests and its services” by William Brown; Henderson Publishing.

Cass Lodge Acquires Lifesaving Device When Worshipful Master Bret Reece of Cass Lodge #147 added an $1,800 Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) to the Lodge's proposed 2012 budget, the men of the Lodge enthusiastically supported the purchase.

In addition to Blue Lodge, Eastern Star and Rainbow Girls meetings, Cass Lodge holds a monthly "Second Saturday Breakfast with the Masons" routinely serving well over 100 guests. Having the AED available "was just a good idea."

Brother Gary Kircher, Junior Warden of Cass Lodge #147, and a deputy Sheriff in Cass County, lined up training

on the AED and several members of the Lodge showed up on March 8 to refresh their memories on chest compressions and rescue breathing and to learn how to use their new acquisition — the AED. "It's something we hope never gets used," said Reece, while adding "but we're excited about it, because if the time comes that we need it, it could save a life."

Right Worshipful Brothers Billy K. Thomas and George Barrios practice their two-man rescue technique at Cass Lodge #147 in Harrisonville on March 8, 2012.

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The Tale of the Mysterious Chair

By Bob Bauer, PM, Crestwood-Anchor Lodge #443 From the time I joined Crestwood-Anchor Lodge #443, there has been talk about a chair, that once belonged to Anchor Lodge (prior of merging with Crestwood). There was always talk about where it ended up, where it went or who had it. Frequently the topic would come up in conversation, but the whereabouts of the chair remained a mystery. First let me tell you about the history of the chair and how it came to Anchor Lodge.

In 1887, a Mason by the name of W.E. Plummer, a member of Anchor Lodge #443 of St. Louis, was called away on business to England. Later he found that he probably would not be returning to the U.S. The Halifax Church (Brother Plummer's church in England) was in the process of renovating and pews were being removed. Since the original Church, built in 1600, was dedicated to the Holy Saints John, Brother Plummer felt it fitting that he do something for his Brothers in the U.S. Since the current pews dated from the early 1600s and contained heavy engraving and ornamentation, he took his family pew from the Church and had a chair made.

In 1894, he sent it to Anchor Lodge as a token of his esteem for his fellow Brothers and the Lodge.

It arrived safely. The Lodge dutifully cared for it and kept it on display for all to see. The chair remained at Anchor Lodge from 1894 until about 1927. Anchor Lodge requisitioned money for a glass case to be made to house the chair and protect it. It is around this time the chair seems to have disappeared and no one could offer any clue as to where it could be found. No living Lodge member had any memory as to the whereabouts of the chair. And so the mystery was born.

RWB Bill Zimmerman, Secretary of Crestwood-Anchor Lodge, was the most vocal about the chair, and frequently lamented thoughts about finding it once again, and returning it to the Lodge as a piece of it's history, but for years, it was not to be so. Then his perseverance and fortitude paid off, as he began to search the archives/minutes of Anchor Lodge stored in the basement of the current building. It was there

that he found notations in the minutes about Anchor Lodge being solicited by the Shrine in St. Louis to display the chair in its newly completed building on Lindell Avenue in 1927.

A few phone calls to the Temple, and contacting current caretaker Brother John Vollman, revealed there was in fact a chair being stored there, and that it had been there for a very long time. Brother Vollman related that about 25-30 years ago, a very large room was given to one of the organizations that met in the building. Within that room, items of various nature were stored for lack of a better space. Oddly, there were only two keys to the room, and its keepers retained possession of both keys. Then last year, as these organizations began to disassemble, the two keys were returned to the Temple authorities.

Brother Vollman had occasion to enter the room and noted an old chair in a state of disrepair.

Brother Zimmerman requested that he look carefully at the chair, and sure enough, the placard placed along the front edge of the chair confirmed that this was in fact the long missing chair. One would surmise that sometime after 1927, when the Temple was finished displaying the chair, it was moved around with intentions of returning it, but obviously never returned. It finally found a resting place in the dark room for posterity.

Arrangements were made to reclaim the chair, and on Friday, March 9, 2012, Brothers Dallas Nichols, Joe Yokly and Bob Bauer went to the Temple, met with Brother Vollman, received the chair in due form, and returned it to Crestwood-Anchor Lodge. Age has taken a toll on the chair, and at this wiring, thoughts are being gathered as to what to do with it: restore it, or leave it untouched and replaced with the glass case for all to see.

In his research, Brother Zimmerman found an old copy of the Missouri Freemason magazine dated May 21, 1921, telling the story of the chair. We know from church records the chair is at least 400 years old, possibly more. Legend says it was made from wood found in Sherwood Forest. So now, the mystery is over, and the chair has come home to roost once again with its family of Brothers.

✮ Missouri Freemason Deadlines ✮ Fall, 2012 July 2, 2012 Winter, 2012 October 1, 2012

Spring, 2013 January 3, 2013 Summer, 2013 April 1, 2013

Email all articles and pictures! the missouri freemason Summer 2012 73

Ritual Courtesy

By Francis J. Buchholz Jr., Mizpah Mt. Moriah Lodge #40 In a recent visit to a Lodge, I experienced a situation involving ritual and what I consider an improper way of correcting mistakes made in Lodge. The method used by a Brother was totally unwarranted, and in my opinion should have been done in a different manner.

Since I was made a Master Mason, the question of ritual in Lodge has been my nemesis. The fraternity over the past several decades has seen a decrease in membership, as is evidenced by the reduced number of Lodges, through consolidation/mergers and closings.

The decrease in membership has resulted in several problems in those Lodges that have been able to survive.

The membership average age within the Lodge is increasing for the lack of attracting younger members. The current senior group was required to be proficient in ritual as it moved up and through the line. However, this group of Brothers is mostly made up of 50-year members and they are now unable to attend Lodge on a regular bases. When they joined the fraternity they truly learned the meaning of ritual and how it is related to the degrees. They were required to demonstrate proficiency in each degree and were assigned a mentor. Some Lodges even had mandatory study sessions to help the Brother learn ritual. If you were unable to learn ritual you would not have progressed up the line and would receive additional instructions. In the earlier years the Lodges had a large number of members and if you wanted to be an officer in Lodge you would first have to demonstrate your ritual knowledge. If the members thought your ritual knowledge warranted it you were then put in line. The individual normally would start out in the preparation room and then proceed through all of the chairs. Once in line you were required to learn every position including the duties in degree work. Also, at the same time, you were encouraged to learn the next chair and/or position. When the individual did finally reach the East he was well-versed in ritual and many members of the Lodge could be called upon to assist with ritual in any degree. In today’s world (in some Lodges) as soon as one is made a Master Mason he is put in line. A number of Lodges are looking for someone who is breathing and if he is, he is immediately placed in line. The former learning curve is no longer available to our current membership. As an example, a current Lodge, back in the mid 60’s almost broke the membership rolls of 3,000 members.

One individual’s card number was 2,985 and since then the Lodge has seen a continual decrease in its membership. This large membership number allowed the Lodge to have its own degree teams in all degrees and did not require the teams to be augmented from other Lodges.

Ritual is an important part of being a Mason, however, the younger members are not able to devote the time to studying as in the past. In Lodges the majority of the newer Masons elect to choose the Chance Two Advance (C2A) route of be74 Summer 2012

coming a Master Mason. Our Lodge gave an individual his Entered Apprentice degree on a Thursday night and he received his Fellow Craft and Master Mason degrees on Saturday at a C2A class and low and behold he is a Master Mason in 52 hours. This is the no-brainer route, all the candidate has to do is just sit back and observe and at the end of the day he is a Master Mason. The newer members are not generally interested in ritual and/or not able to spend the time studying due to family responsibilities and commitments. The true ritualists are dying off or getting older and replacements are hard to find.

In today’s world when you put someone in line and he desires to learn ritual, one of the last things you want to do is to discourage him. During the past several months there have been several events that have occurred in Lodge that I feel are unwarranted. I will list a couple incidents that should have been handled in a different manner.

During a recent Entered Apprentice Degree the Master who was obligating was offered the option to close the Lodge by the sitting Master. The Brother accepted the offer and proceeded to close the Lodge. When he called upon the Chaplain to give the closing prayer, the Lodge Chaplain read the closing prayer verses through memorization. After the Lodge was closed the visiting Master turned to the Chaplain and told him that it was his responsibility to know the prayers without reading them. This was done in full view of the members and not in a low voice. The young Chaplain was so upset that he told his father that he would not be returning to Lodge. This Brother had been a Master Mason for less than one year, and only attended Lodge once before being placed in the chair as the Lodge Chaplain. As the Lodge Chaplain he had only done the opening and closing prayers maybe three times before this incident. I had to spend two weeks convincing the Brother that this incident would not occur again. Also, the visiting Worshipful Master was counseled on his comments and method of correcting a Brother.

Since this was not his Lodge and he was a visitor he should have informed the Master of the Lodge as to his concerns.

Then the Master could have taken corrective action, if he so desired. I believe that if a person needs to be corrected it should be done in a positive manner and with respect to the individual's knowledge of Masonry. In all cases this should be done out of Lodge and on a one-on-one basis with an ­offer of assistance to help the Brother learn ritual.

During the Initiation of a new Brother he is blindfolded during the ceremony and is totally unaware of what is going on and what is going to happen next. If the Master or any other member of the team makes a mistake either verbally or during the floor work the candidate is completely oblivious of the situation. However, we have members on the sideline that start making or offering corrections. This to me is totally Continued on bottom of page 76 … the missouri freemason

Continued from back cover … distinguished Brother Mason who had erected the lines of New Orleans, and, in technical language of the Craft, had made them ‘well formed, true, and trusty.’”

Jackson’s devotion to Freemasonry is summarized in the following statement by Earl B. Delzell, Grand Secretary of Iowa: “With the anti-Masonic movement getting well under way and Jackson’s political career dependent upon popular vote, he might easily have done what thousands were doing — desert the fraternity. Jackson boldly voiced his connection with the order. He had been defeated in the 1824 election. The Morgan affair was at its height and an antiMasonic Presidential candidate was in the field. However, he ran again in 1828 and won the Presidency by a good margin. Upon removing to Washington he affiliated with Federal Lodge No. 1 as an honorary member [January 4, 1830]….

Jackson became an honorary member of the Grand Lodge of Florida in 1833. In the same year, while President of the United States, he assisted Fredericksburg Lodge #4 to lay the cornerstone of a monument to Mary, the mother of Washington. In 1839, he attended a session of the Grand Lodge of Tennessee, presiding for a time as a Past Grand Master. Later in the day he accompanied the Grand Lodge to the Methodist Church for a “special service” (p. 77). This brief biography of Jackson is included in Ray V. Denslow’s Freemasonry and The Presidency, U.S.A. (1952). This publication of the Missouri Lodge of Research is well worth reading.

The following anecdote is typical of Andrew Jackson’s devotion to the fraternity (and reminds me of stories about Truman’s frequent visits to Lodge meetings when he was President). In 1828 Jackson was on his way to Washington to take on his duties as President. At a hotel in Pennsylvania en route, he was met by two men who had waited for days “glowing with all the ardor of an anti-Masonic zealot” to confront him. During the local Lodge meeting that same night a proposal was made to extend an invitation to the new President to visit their Lodge. Here is the description of what follows by one of the delegates sent to extend the invitation: “On arriving at the hotel we found the three seated in a warm parlor in conversation. We called the general’s attention and informed him of our mission. With eyes flashing with joy and animation he responded aloud, ‘With pleasure, gentlemen, with pleasure.’ Calling his servant to bring his boots and cloak, and, throwing his cloak gracefully around him, he turned to his two companions, saying, ‘Gentlemen, please excuse me; my Brothers of Lodge #60 have invited me to join in the labors of the Craft.’ I shall never forget the fraternal feeling exhibited on that occasion. The most active opposers of his political preferment were there, yet the friendly grasp, the affectionate embraces, were felt by all alike. In our Worshipful Master’s address he took occasion to remark that ‘our hall was not so elegantly furnished as those in the South.’ The General, straightening himself up to his height, replied: ‘Worshipful Master, it is not in splendid hall where virtue dwells; it is in the heart, and (turning to the Brethren

around the Lodge) I hope I find it here.’”

“When Jackson entered the White House he had about $5,000 in money. After his eight years of distinguished and triumphant service as Chief Executive he left Washington for the Hermitage with $90 in money, with Rachel’s picture and her Bible, from which he had read every night.” The none too friendly writer in Britannia stated, Jackson is the only President who ever went out of office more popular than he entered.” (Congressman Edwin L. David of Tennessee) From Bro. Charles A. Snodgrass, The History of Freemasonry in Tennessee 1789-1943 (1944): • The State of Tennessee was graciously named, heroically defended and signally honored by one of the most renowned Masons in American National History: a pioneer patriot, soldier, jurist, and statesman who came to Nashville in 1788, became one of the founders of the “Volunteer State” and established himself in the love and esteem of his Brethren and countrymen by his integrity, his valor and his rugged individualism. … The town of Memphis was founded in 1819 and laid out by John Overton in 1820, on what was known as the “John Rice Grant” then owned by John Overton, Andrew Jackson and James Winchester, being named Memphis by Gen. Winchester, but only after Gen. Jackson had declined to have it bear his name.

• At the annual session of 1822, Gen. Andrew Jackson, then the popular hero of the City, State and Nation, made his first appearance in Grand Lodge. … His military victories had brought him fame throughout the Nation and his friends and neighbors were happy to accord him the honor so arduously earned, and before the session had drawn to a close, he was nominated and elected from the floor as Grand Master of Masons in Tenn. … For two successive years — 1822 and 1823 — he was called on by this M.W. Grand Lodge to fill the highest office in their gift. The duties of that office he discharged with commendable ability and zeal.

• The life of Andrew Jackson was a beautiful illustration of Masonic benevolence. … As to the practice of Masonry, the world was his Lodge — its dwellers his Brethren. On the tented field, where the brotherly love could receive no reward but the blessing of the relieved and the felt heaven within, he was a practical Mason.

• In 1839, the Grand Lodge was again honored by the presence of PGM Ex-President Andrew Jackson, who, on invitation, visited the Grand Lodge and presided over its deliberations at one session. And it is pertinent to remark that during the Presidential campaigns of 1828 and 1832, when Jackson was elected and reelected President of the U. S., the Morgan excitement was at its full height; and yet ‘Old Hickory’ did not bend before the blast, nor yield one jot or tittle of his loyal allegiance to the Craft.

I conclude with an excerpt from President Jackson’s Farewell Address to Congress (March 4, 1837), which is worthy of being read in its entirety: “It is from within, among you — from cupidity, from cor-

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Hidden in Plain Sight

By RWB Wayne Gerdes and Edward Conley On the evening of June 3, 1903, a lighting strike hit the Pulaski County Courthouse. The ensuing fire destroyed the building. By his quick thinking, the County Clerk, Edward G. Williams, was able to rescue many of the county documents and records. He was in a building across the street when disaster struck. (The local Masonic Lodge, Waynesville #375 AF&AM, met in a building across the street.)

In July, 1903, the State Architect, Henry H, Hohenschild, a contractor, Edward Long, and William Mitchell a builder, all from Rolla, Missouri and all Freemasons, began construction of the new courthouse. Above the front door, at the attic level, is what is described as a shield. It is replicated on the back side of the building.

The “shield” may be construed to consist of a square, a level, a oblong square, and a plumb. There is no official cornerstone, and it is not known if Williams, or any of the three

County Commissioners, George W. Berry, John B. Harvey and Jesse M. Curtis were Freemasons or knew of what may have been Masonic emblems hidden in plain sight.

Continued from previous page … ruption, from disappointed ambition and inordinate thirst for power — which factions will be formed and liberty endangered. It is against such designs, whatever disguise the actors may assume, that you have especially to guard yourselves.

You have the highest of human trusts committed to your care. Providence has showered on this favored land bless-

ings without number and has chosen you as the guardians of freedom to preserve it for the benefit of the human race. May He who holds in His hands the destinies of nations make you worthy of the favors He has bestowed and enable you, with pure hearts and pure hands and sleepless vigilance, to guard and defend to the end of time the great charge He has committed to your keeping.”

Continued from page 74 … unwarranted, for it distracts from the beauty of the degree.

If the individual who is talking asks for help that is different for he may need a word to get started; if so, let him ask for help. The other night the Senior Deacon wanted to do the Sr. Deacon's role in the first degree, first section; I even asked him if he was ready. You guessed it, he was not ready as evidenced by his floor work and it was embarrassing to watch. People on the sideline were correcting him in floor, rod and ritual work. The Master was having problems with the obligation and he too was being corrected several times by people sitting on the sideline. This assistance should only be provided when requested. Almost immediately after the first section was completed the Master (obligating Master) proceeded to console the Sr. Deacon on his performance in front of the newly obligated Entered Apprentice and in a tiled Lodge. The strange thing is that no one made a comment about his poor performance. When this individual does make a mistake it is funny, however if someone else makes a mistake he is the first to correct the individual.

These are a few examples of mistakes made in Lodge when it comes to ritual. The times have changed there is not an endless line of new members to join nor is there an endless line of members desiring to do ritual. The newly made Masons need to be encouraged and not discouraged to learn ritual. My personal experience early in my Masonic

career discouraged me from learning ritual as well as going to Lodge of Instruction. At one of the Lodge of Instruction meetings I attended I was sitting in the West as the Sr. Warden. During the opening of the Third Degree I was having problems with a question. The instructor kept correcting me and after the third time I just told him we needed to move on. This experience kept me from going back to a Lodge of Instruction class for several years. If I wanted to be criticized or ridiculed at Lodge of instruction, I could have stayed home.

The way to eliminate this problem is to continue working with the new Brothers and encourage them to learn ritual. As we all know, ritual, when properly performed is truly beautiful. In time the interest in ritual may become contagious and others may want to learn. Also, we should encourage new Brothers to attend Lodge of Instruction for additional training. Remind them that if they want to practice something special, to inform the instructor. In most cases the instructor wants to know what the attendees wish to practice. If we do not offer the new Brother help, he will most likely not attend Lodge for lack of doing something positive.

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Editor's note: We submitted the accompanying picture to the officers of the Missouri Lodge of Research. Opinions were mixed as to whether it might have Masonic significance. We leave it to you to judge for yourself.

Francis J. Buchholz Jr. Mizpah Mt. Moriah Lodge #40, Florissant, MO

the missouri freemason

Scriptures by the Degrees

By Sam L. Land, 32°, KT Continuing with concept of the material, mental, and spiritual through the degrees, it is now time to look at the scriptures used in the three degrees and to relate these to the three levels of consciousness. In each degree the Volume of Sacred Law (VSL) is opened on the altar to a specific scripture that is to teach us something very special about that degree. The First Degree, material consciousness, is opened to the 133rd Chapter of Psalms. The Second Degree uses the 7th Chapter of Amos, verses 7 and 8, mental consciousness, and the Third Degree is represented by the first seven verses of Ecclesiastes, Chapter 12, spiritual consciousness.

These degrees are also given additional important status by the position of the square and compasses which rest upon the selected VSL scripture. This also follows the three levels of consciousness. The square is positioned at the bottom to indicate that we must all meet on the square in our everyday relationships and actions. The compasses are at the top to indicate that The Great Architect of the Universe has inscribed for us a circle beyond which we are not to transgress.

In the middle (the G does not appear on the altar arrangement but think of your ring or the large G in the East) is the letter G denoting geometry and the middle state is learning reason and emotional control. You can truly find representations of the three conscious levels throughout the Masonic experience. The principle here is from Hermes Trismegistus (Greek for "Hermes the thrice-greatest" who said, "As above, so below." This means that the two worlds, Heaven and Earth, should reflect each other. Unfortunately we are a little slack on our end.

Because the initiation experience is accomplished so swiftly and so many ideas attack us consecutively from all directions, we sometimes do not take the time to learn the important lessons given in these specially selected scriptures. We will attempt to change that now as we once again journey through the three degrees.

The First Degree The First Degree must, of necessity, start from nowhere and begin to build a basic structure of Freemasonry in the mind of the candidate. The candidate is taken places, given things, and told to do ceremonial things that all are material in their nature. The scripture to this degree is found in Psalms 133 and the square covers both compass legs.

"Behold how good and how pleasant it is for Brethren to dwell together in unity. It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard, that went down to the skirts of his garments; as the dew of Hermon and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion, for there Lord commanded his blessings, even life for evermore."

As given here, unity is a synonym for harmony. Harmony is one of the basic beliefs of Freemasonry. Aaron was Moses' brother and selected by God (Exodus 28, v.1) to be the first Chief High Priest of the Temple. In this capacity he was anointed with measured amounts of myrrh, sweet cinnamon,

sweet calamus, cassia, and olive oil (Exodus 30, v. 23-25).

It was evidently used in large quantity as it "went down to the skirts of his garments" and indicated a very great cost to the Temple.

Hermon is a mountain (Deuteronomy 4, v. 48) wellknown for having an extremely heavy dew, enough to make it look as if it had rained overnight, and thereby providing a much needed source for water. As a luxury it was also the source of ice.

The Second Degree The Second Degree moves from the external to the internal (exoteric to esoteric) and deals with growth of reason and the control of emotions. Here the VSL is opened to the 7th Chapter of Amos, verses 7 and 8. The left compass leg is now above the square.

"Thus he shewed me: and, behold the Lord stool upon a wall made by a plumbline, with a plumbline in his hand.

And the Lord said unto me, 'Amos, what seest thou?' And I said, 'A plumbline.' Then the Lord said, 'Behold I will set a plumbline in the midst of my people Israel; I will not again pass by them any more'."

A plumbline is a very simple instrument, simply a line with a weight at the bottom. It works because it always hangs straight down, pulled by the forces located in the center of the Earth (gravity). We are told in this reference that God will use this line in His judgments against us and we are, therefore, to use this measure to judge ourselves. We are now learning to circumscribe our emotions and keep them within bounds with all mankind. The Lord states flatly that He will no longer pass by transgressors but will judge them by the plumbline.

The Third Degree Now we come to the spiritual level of consciousness as indicated by the third Degree. The VSL is opened to Ecclesiastes 12 and the first 7 verses are pertinent.

"Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say I have no pleasure in them; while the sun or the light, or the moon, or the stars be not darkened, nor the clouds returned after the rain; in the day when the keepers of the house shall tremble, and the strong men shall bow themselves, and the grinders cease, because they are few ;and those that look out of the windows be darkened, and the doors shall be shut in the streets, when the sound of the grinding is low, and he shall rise up at the voice of the bird, and all the daughters of music shall be brought low; also when they shall be afraid of that which is high, and fears shall be in the way, and the almond tree shall flourish, and the grasshopper shall be a burden, and desire shall fail; because man goeth to his long home, and the mourners go about the streets; or ever the silver cord be loosed, or the

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Brad Fowler — Road Warrior And 2011 MoCHIP Coordinator of the Year Right off the bat you’re probably asking: why Road Warrior? There are a few layers to this title earned by MoCHIP team #6 though they all point back to their leader, Brad Fowler.

Brad came to MoCHIP before he joined Masonry. Yes, you read that right. Having volunteered at a MoCHIP event and becoming enamored with the craft and the goodwill being brought into the community, something tangible, something he could contribute to, he and his father decided to join Masonry and were initiated on the same day (and proof that the MoCHIP program has aided in lifting the veil of mystery and skepticism that has delineated Freemasonry for so long, and appealing to younger members, or in this case two new members).

Brad joined Ivanhoe Lodge #446 in 2007 and is currently Senior Warden. He is also a member of Christian Lodge #392 in Oak Grove. “I love the ritual,” says Brad, “I am always going to study clubs.”

And Brad also enjoyed attending MoCHIP events, to the point that then Regional Coordinator, Will Huff, suggested it was time for a yellow shirt. Brad didn’t know what this meant at the time, but quickly realized he had been drafted to the MoCHIP team, Kansas City area, number 6.

A proud member of MoCHIP team #6, Brad and Will worked the Kansas City Masonic Lodge circuit promoting MoCHIP with a PowerPoint presentation they created. Their passion was contagious, engaging steadfast team members and Masonic Brothers, Mark Hamilton and Dave Dowell, both of Ivanhoe Lodge #446. Before long, and out of neces-

sity baring the pleas of administrator/event logistic coordinator Lori Cichielo, this quartet affirmed its willingness to travel wherever needed regardless of the distance or hazards getting there, as realized on March 7, 2009. On his way to Leeton for a MoCHIP event, driving in a late season snowstorm, Brad had an accident that totaled his car. Fortunately he was mostly unharmed, however as result of his heroic efforts to carry forth his commitment to MoCHIP, the Masonic Children’s Foundation adopted a new policy regarding inclement weather. “Road Warrior” Brad and his crew are now required to use greater caution, canceling an event if necessary.

When Regional Coordinator Will Huff stepped down from his position due to work constraints, Brad readily stepped in and assumed all responsibilities for team #6, including the creation of a website to keep team members informed.

Brad’s team was also instrumental in helping MoCHIP achieve a major milestone. On May 19, 2010, team #6, in conjunction with East Gate Lodge #630, ID’d 13 year old Kaylee, MoCHIP's 100,000th child processed through the comprehensive program. This was an exciting time for everyone involved in MoCHIP, to see the program grow from its humble beginnings of borrowed laptops and a dozen dedicated Masons traveling the state (among them Grand Master John Hess) to 90 laptops, 7 teams and nearly 19,000 volunteers carrying forth the MoCHIP mission!

Wherever team #6 goes the members are wholly embraced. As a favor, Brad and his entourage traveled to Kimberling City 236 miles south of their territory. Now an annual event, team #6 is always requested by the Brothers at Tablerock, and the Road Warriors would be miffed if we didn’t let them cross boundaries!

Continued from previous page … golden bowl be broken, or the pitcher be broken at the cistern, Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it."

The author of Ecclesiastes is believed to be King Solomon, himself, and in this writing he is attempting to explain that everything we do on Earth is simply vanity as nothing will remain, especially not humans. He tells us that there can be no happiness of the soul on Earth except as it is gained in pursuit of love of God and love of all Brothers.

He begins by telling us to seek after God and all things spiritual when we are young and have good minds and strong bodies; while we are still not aware of most worldly matters and long before the onset of infirmness in the physical body and mind. This reminds us of the Entered Apprentice.

The next statement reminds us of the Fellowcraft as we were learning and working before things begin to get dark.

The rest of the passage is about the Master Mason and the time when we will no longer be able to take care of ourselves; the body will tremble and our posture will bend. We will lose our teeth (grinders) and our eyesight will fail. Our

hearing will diminish and the "voice of the birds" will keep us from sleeping. Our voices will change once again and become gruff. We will begin to fear the rapid changes of society and like the almond tree we shall be white of hair. Many things, as grasshoppers did to our ancestors, will plague us and our desire will fail. What is worse, our spine will fail us and our minds will turn to senility, our plumbing (the broken fountain) will fail and (the broken wheel) our heart will quit.

Finally the dust will be returned to dust and we will be no more on the Earth. Then we will finally gain the happiness we are now seeking in the presence of God. Our scriptures for our degrees are very descriptive and filled with emotion. We will be wise if we remember what we have learned each time we are privileged to attend Lodge and especially during degree work. Before we can begin the path to enlightenment we must first discover that we are in darkness.

Sam L. Land is a Master Mason in Jefferson Lodge #43, Jefferson City, Missouri, Jefferson City Chapter #34 RAM, Ezra Council #32 R&SM, Prince of Peace Commandery #29, KT, Orient of Missouri, Valley of Columbia AASR.

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the missouri freemason

A Ring And An Introduction

By RWB Dennis W. Spears, Alpha Lodge #659 and Moberly Lodge #344 Over the holidays my wife and I left the house to run errands early one Saturday morning. One stop was Barnes and Noble to look for books about Masonry in its bargain book section. Most of my meager library has been purchased there.

We decided to stop in the café and have coffee and a pastry, an easy sell since I never refuse coffee and neither of us refuses pastry. As we sat talking, I noticed a gentleman sitting at the table behind my wife with his head down and could not decide if he was studying the magazine opened on the table or if he was just having one of those days and not the good kind. When he raised his hand and placed it on his forehead for support I noticed a large gold ring. My eyesight is poor, I cannot see up close, far away or in between, but even with my eyesight I could see the Square and Compasses on the ring.

I told my wife the man sitting behind her was a Mason and I should go over and introduce myself. Since I had finished my coffee and pastry and she had not, she said go ahead, knowing full well that I could be there for hours. I do not speak very well but I do like to talk.

I got up and walked over to the gentleman and said, “Good morning I would like to introduce myself; my name is Dennis Spears, and how are you Brother.” He looked up, his face brightened and I was invited to sit. He introduced himself and a delightful conversation ensued. I told him I was hesitant to stop and bother him, but did not think it was appropriate not to acknowledge a Brother. He said he was having one of those days and was very glad I had stopped to brighten it. For the next 15 to 30 minutes or so we discussed many topics, our concerns, hopes and ideas concerning the Fraternity.

We both agreed, when Masons can identify another Mason by a hat, ring, lapel pin, etc. they often fail to acknowledge each other or introduce themselves. During our conversation I mentioned I belonged to Alpha Lodge #659 and we were in the process of getting a new building. He informed me that his Lodge, Four Square Lodge #64, a York Rite Lodge, of

the Prince Hall Grand Lodge, had bought a building to renovate and he hoped it would improve the surrounding area. He even had photos of the building on his phone. I, on the other hand, still live with 18th century technology so had none to show him.

After we had talked about 30 minutes I realized my wife was still there patiently waiting and done with her coffee. I introduced her, we exchanged business cards and said our good-byes. We both remarked, how good and how pleasant it was for Brethren to acknowledge and converse together. It was without a doubt one of the most enjoyable conversations I have had in quite a while.

After this meeting I thought about our conversation quite a bit and mentioned to my wife how much I enjoyed meeting and talking with Brother Chris Jones. I thought how unfortunate it would have been, for both of us, had I not introduced myself and acknowledged him as a Brother.

When I see the Square and Compasses I try to introduce myself where ever I am. I have met Brethren from Canada, Texas, Kansas and many other states in restaurants, courts, at festivals and tourist destinations all by taking that first step and have never been disappointed.

Masonry is a fraternity, a Brotherhood composed of like-minded men who, regardless of their stations in life, their professions or beliefs all follow the same tenets and virtues. We have all traveled the same road. As members of a Brotherhood we should not be afraid to acknowledge each other in public or to take the first step to meet a “new” Brother. Most of our Brethren wear rings, lapel pins, etc., which easily identify them as Masons not only to the public in general, but more importantly to each other. When you see that symbol, the Square and Compasses, which is so near and dear to our hearts, be the first to introduce yourself and acknowledge the other as a Brother.

You could be drawing the fraternity closer together; you may meet a new friend; or just brighten a Brother’s day. By not taking the first step two Brothers miss the opportunity for fellowship and what could turn into a delightful conversation.

Did You Know …

• May 20 of this year marks the 100th anniversary of Frank S. Land, founder of DeMolay, becoming a Freemason.

• The jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Missouri once extended from the Mississippi river to the Pacific Ocean and the Canadian border to the Mexican border.

• Frontiersman Kit Carson was a Missouri Freemason.

• The largest gathering of Royal Arch Masons ever was held

in Kansas City on October 30, 1922.

• William F. "Buffalo Bill" Cody once rode for the Pony Express. Upon becoming a Mark Master in the York Rite, he selected a Buffalo head as his personal mark.

• Missouri's first Senator, Brother Thomas Hart Benton, once shot Brother Andrew Jackson, nearly killing him.

the missouri freemason Summer 2012 79

Some Comments on Symbolism What is this thing Freemasons refer to as Symbolism?

By Harvey Wells, PM Beginning with the first breath of life, we start to build our life experiences. These experiences will guide us in our interpretation of all manner of things for the rest of our lives. Thus we start at the earliest possible time dealing first hand with symbolism.

The interpretation of everything we read, everything we write and most of the things we think are made possible because of our prior life experiences. Because we have seen, heard or felt something we have a basis for comparison and possibly a link to another person's life experiences; thus, the possibility of communication.

Please note: What I said sounds so very simple, yet, it definitely is not! Since it is OUR life experience which allows us to communicate, imagine how difficult it is to reach the same interpretation of a single symbol. Do you remember when you were in the first grade of school and were being taught the alphabet? Do you remember how difficult it was to accept the fact that those symbols actually meant something? Do you remember how difficult it was to learn simply because you had no basis for comparison? I do.

I remember struggling to learn but then as I learned, it became easier and easier to expand the base of my knowledge. It became easier to use another person's experiences to help me expand mine without having to encounter the same dangers or exhaustive actions. I gulped the books in the library that I might experience vicariously what others had done, felt and thought. I actually started to understand and to use symbolism, although with no thought I was doing that.

It was not until I heard the phrase "veiled in allegories and illustrated by symbols" that I began to understand what I had been doing, and what was happening to me. At first glance this is undoubtedly one of the most self-contradicting statements I have ever heard. The Good Book plainly and repeatedly states that the most influential teacher of all times, Jesus of Nazareth, taught by the use of allegories. It is almost certain that allegorical teaching requires people to evaluate their life experiences and to reach a conclusion based on those experiences while interpreting a lesson being taught by another person who selected the parable. Allegorical comparisons are to the best of my knowledge never of only one interpretation. To complicate things by now saying this possible multiple meaning event will be clarified by something that requires us to know not only the object being viewed but also the comparative values that another person assigns to it must be totally absurd.

Yet, men do learn from each other through the use of symbols.

There is a poem, I do not remember the name of the author, but it goes like this: SUCCESS The road to success is not easy There is many a pleasant detour To fields of ease and of pleasure, 80Â Â Summer 2012

While the straight road means only "Endure" But the light that gleams on the hill-top Is bright from the striving and stress And the strength and persistence that win it, Are the tokens and crowns of success.

It is not hard to see the symbols which ring the bells of memory and thus illustrate the symbols associated with success in this example. Many other examples cold be cited but they would serve no real purpose. Masons are so thoroughly familiar with other symbols that readily strike a chord.

In A New and Revised Edition of an Encyclopedia of Freemasonry and its Kindred Sciences by Albert O. Mackey, edited

by William J Hughan and Edward L Hawkins, is an article under "Symbolism, the Science of" which, while I do not totally agree, is very informative. It reads: The science which is engaged in the investigation of the meaning of symbols, and the application of their interpretation to moral, religious and philosophical instruction. In this sense, Freemasonry is essentially a science of symbolism. The English lectures define Freemasonry to be "a peculiar system of morality veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols."

The definition would be more correct were it in these words.

Freemasonry is a system of morality developed and inculcated by the science of symbolism. It is this peculiar character as a symbolic institution, this entire adoption of the method of instruction by symbolism, which gives its whole identity to Freemasonry and has caused it to differ from every other association that the ingenuity of man has devised. It is thus that has bestowed upon it that attractive form which has always secured the attachment of its disciples and its own perpetuity.

The Roman Catholic Church is perhaps the only contemporaneous institution which continues to cultivate, in any degree, the beautiful system of symbolism. But that which is the Catholic church, is, in a great measure, incidental and the fruit of development is, in Freemasonry, the very life-blood and soul of the institution, born with it at its birth, or, rather, the germ from which the tree had sprung, and still giving it support nourishment, and even existence. Withdrawal from masonry its symbolism, and you take from the body its soul, leaving nothing but a lifeless mass of effete matter, fitted only for a rapid decay.

Since then, the science of symbolism forms so important a part of the system of Freemasonry, it will be well to commence any discussion of that subject by an investigation of the nature of symbols in general.

There is no science so ancient as that of symbolism, and no mode of instruction has ever been so general as was the symbolic in former ages. "The first learning in the world," says the great antiquary, Dr Stukely, "consisted chiefly of symbols. The wisdom of the Chaldeans, Phoenicians, Egyptians, Jews, of

Continued on next page â&#x20AC;Ś the missouri freemason

Continued from previous page â&#x20AC;Ś Zoroaster, Sanehoniathon, Phereclyhdes, Syrus, Pythagoras, Socrates, Plato, of all the ancients that is come to our hand, is symbolic," And the learned Faber remarks that "allegory and personification were peculiarly agreeable to the genius of antiquity, and the simplicity of truth was continually sacrificed at the shrine of poetical decoration."

"In fact, man's earliest instruction was by symbols. The objective character of a symbol is best calculated to be grasped by the infant mind, whether the infancy of that mind be considered nationally or individually. And hence, in the first ages of the world in its infancy, visible symbols were the most vivid means of acting upon the minds of ignorant hearers."

"Even in the very formation of language, the medium of communication between man and man, and which must hence have been an elementary step in the progress of human improvement, it was found necessary to have recourse to symbols, for words are only and truly certain arbitrary symbols by which and through which we give an utterance to our ideas.

The construction of language was therefore, one of the first products of the science of symbolism."

"We must constantly bear in mind this fact of the primary existence and predominance of symbolism in the earliest times, when we are investigating the nature of the ancient religions, with which the history of Freemasons is so intimately connected. The older the religion the more the symbolism abounds.

Modern religions may convey their dogmas in abstract propositions; Ancient religions always conveyed them in symbols.

Thus, there is more symbolism in the Egyptian religion than in the Christian, more in the Christian than in the Mohammedan, and lastly, more in the Roman than in the Protestant."

"But symbolism is not only the most ancient and general, but it is also the most practically useful, of sciences. We have already seen how actively it operates in the early stages of life and of society. We have seen how the first ideas of men and of nations are impressed upon their minds by means of symbols. It was thus that the ancient peoples were almost wholly educated."

"In the simpler stages of society," says one writer on this subject, "mankind can be instructed in the abstract knowledge of truths only by symbols and parables. Hence we find most heather religions becoming mythic, or explaining their mysteries by allegories or instructive incidents. Nay, God himself, knowing the nature of the creatures formed by him, has condescended, in the earlier revelations that he made of himself, to teach by symbols, and the greatest of all teachers instructed the multitudes by parables. The great exemplar of the ancient philosophy were alike distinguished by their possessing this faculty in a high degree, and have told us that man was best instructed by similitudes."

Such is the system adopted in Freemasonry for the development and inculcation of the great religious and philosophical truths, of which it was, for so many years, the sole conservator.

It is for this reason that as I have already remarked, that any who may inquire into the symbolic character of Freemasonry, must be preceded by an investigating of the nature of symbolism in general, if we could properly appreciate its particular uses in the organization of the Masonic Institution.

What wondrous manner of thought brought man to select

such basic tools as the working tools of a common stonemason to teach such beautiful lessons of life as have been taught through the years! How was it decided that the perfect edge on the rule is the type of edge mankind needs to keep the moral edge necessary for survival of morality? How could we accept the square to teach us how to relate with others and to be constant in our love and affection for the Brotherhood? It was a wondrous stroke of nature that enabled us to be always upright in our thinking and in our actions: to understand we need others to make ourselves complete and to learn from others what he had done and to learn from others based on their actions.

How wondrous that man can continue to improve in his understanding! Communications are indeed a miracle.

As symbolism becomes obvious when we think of it in terms of the alphabet, it is nevertheless equally obvious in some of our more common experiences of life. One great example of this is the flag. Every nation has a flag which the inhabitants of that country usually believe to reflect the values of the history of that country. Many are those who believe the United States of America possess a flag which is very simple in the use of symbolism: but they could not be more wrong!

As an example: The colors red, white, and blue are almost universally believed to have been taken directly from the Battle Flag of England; but, why should we have taken such a course of action? The British were felt to have been very brutal and unsparing when dealing with the young colonies. They were noted for the repressive actions they were taking against our people on the land and on the seas. America really had no reason to love the English; therefore, why would we take their colors? I ask you to look again to that period of time in our history and ask yourself, "Who was our only foreign friend and what colors did they use?" The answer is France and its colors were red, white, and blue.

Thus, the flag of the United States of America represents not only us but our heritage both from cultural and a political sense. Our English forefathers who expelled the debtors to a colony called Georgia to form a barrier between the other colonies and the Spanish in Florida and the French, who supported us in our efforts to free ourselves from an oppressive government, share the common bond of color, thus symbolically represented simultaneously. The stars and the bars each represent numerical states of historical significance and thus the symbolism continues.

Lest you think that symbolism is a thing of the past and only those who are interested in history think of it, have you ever looked at the automobile you drive? Each has a name, most have the name of the company and all carry a symbol of some sort which will identify them to the casual observer just as the flags of the medieval knight identified the knight and frequently the Lord who elevated him to the knighthood.

Symbols are found not only in the places I have mentioned but also on virtually every product or thing we buy.

The study of symbolism is a study which can easily occupy our entire lives and still leave room to continue to study. Symbolism is the very essence of society as we know it. Symbolism seems to be the very basis of all social intercourse: Indeed, it seems to be the very essence of history and of life.

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Masonic Secrecy

By Brother Scott Werner "Three may keep a secret, if two of them are dead." ~ Brother Benjamin Franklin Secrecy is not natural to man. We were not designed by our architect to be perfect secret-keepers. In fact, when entrusted with some secret knowledge and sworn to keep it quiet, many of us might squirm and itch beneath the burden.

This is a natural urge to avoid lies and deceit, but Masonry calls us to resist this urge. As Masons, we are entrusted with the secret symbols, rituals, and understandings that our fraternity has protected and passed down for hundreds of years.

We are each sworn to an obligation and expected to uphold it at the threat of torturous death. Yet, bookstores are filled with pages and pages of Masonic ritual and speculation.

Endless websites exist which reveal the nature and meaning of our allegory. Why protect these things? Why suffer any longer under the weight of our obligation?

To answer that question, we must understand what secrecy is, how it has been used in the past, and how it has served ancient Freemasonry.

The word "secret" can be traced back through medieval English and old Italian to its Latin root, "secretus," which means "kept separate and hidden." Over the course of our ten thousand years of history, dire secrets have been kept, and betrayed, by every major civilization since the dawn of mankind. All peoples, from the Mesopotamians, the tribes of Africa and Arabia, the Egyptians and Romans and English and Native Americans, all have the understanding of secrecy, of hidden knowledge which only an initiated few are allowed to know.

Secrets have ranged from the common white lie, to treasonous information kept by the Sons of Liberty before they filled Boston Harbor with tea and sparked the American Revolution. Everyone carries a secret or two, but we Brother Masons, are the proud purveyors of a special kind of secret.

Ours is a silence that dates back to long before the founding of modern Masonry. Fraternities, mystery schools, and secret orders have been formed and reformed for as long as man has had the desire to better himself and promote the same in his fellows.

In ancient times, mystery schools in Greece and Egypt would initiate candidates in a similar fashion to the way we do now. Those men would undergo long periods of study, physical training, and philosophical lecturing before receiving the next step toward total illumination. While we're not speaking about Freemasonry itself, these secret-keepers of the classical world were the precursors to the organization that we have now. Candidates for the mysteries of Dionysus, for instance, were regularly beheaded or given up as a sacrifice if they failed the fraternity by spilling the beans.

While we don't offer Masons as sacrifice, our secrecy is still a test which we perform every day. It measures a man's 82Â Â Summer 2012

worth and his commitment to his word. These things are the same as they were three thousand years ago, when your head may have been on the chopping block for talking about what happens in the Lodge. We gave our word, in the form of our obligation, for the same reasons that they gave theirs. If it is ever broken, even if no penalties are actually inflicted, knowing that we deserve such a penalty is punishment enough.

There is no greater harm that can be inflicted on a man than destroying the way he sees himself. That is what is really at stake when toying with our obligation.

While every Mason shares the bond of our cable-tow, a symbol for our obligation and our connection with every other man in this fraternity, why is secrecy so important to the organization as a whole? Though anyone can crack open a laptop and in a few keystrokes have access to all our rites, rituals, and secret symbolism, keeping silent about our organization is more important now than ever. In this age of knowing, of information being at hand at all times, the search for the unknown has only grown stronger. Ours is a history of light and intelligence, of knowledge and wisdom, and well-lived lives for the majority of our members.

Believe me when I tell you, my generation wants to know how to live well, and live rightly. There's just no Googling that. The lessons Masonry has to teach must be experienced, must be learned through example and initiation. Secrecy, is a big part of what keeps people signing petitions and coming through our doors. Lodges have become a symbol for this themselves. Nestled into inconspicuous corners of small towns the world over, each Lodge building or temple is saying to the passers-by: "Here is a place of secrets, here is a place of knowing." Secrecy itself suggests a hidden knowledge, a key to fit some lonely keyhole in our heart of hearts.

People want to know, and what people cannot know, they want to know even more.

On the individual level, holding a secret, in particular, a secret that binds you to a community of men who want only for your betterment and the betterment of society at large, is an immense honor. We may not always recognize it, but to stay silent about our goings on, about what we know, is really not only a challenge to ourselves, but also a challenge to those who we do not tell.

By taking our obligation seriously, by acknowledging that we hold a secret and that, "no, we're not going to tell it," we're making men earn the right to know. Every time we keep our secrets, each time we decide to hold true to our obligation and keep silent, each time, there is an opportunity for a man to pursue knowledge and earn the right to hold the secret himself. It is our secret that binds us, that unites us as Masons and men, and it is our secret that calls other men to rise up and pursue this enlightenment for his own.

And that, in a way, is what Masonry is all about.

the missouri freemason

Masonic Leadership

By Chris McBride Leadership. Dictionary.com defines leadership in the following ways: the position or function of a leader, a person who guides or directs a group; ability to lead; an act or instance of leading; guidance; direction; the leaders of a group.

So what does it truly mean to be a Masonic leader? Does it mean the Worshipful Master? The Brothers who sit in elected positions? The senior members who can quote the ritual chapter and verse? Masonic leadership can take many forms. It very well might be the Worshipful Master, though the title and position alone don’t necessarily make it so. As for the other elected officers, the same theory may be applied to them. Masonic leadership must come from within. It stems from a love of Masonry and a desire to pass that feeling on to others that they may experience it as well. Just as the quarterback of a football team is not always the leader of the team, so too does a title not entitle any one member to be a leader.

I rather like to think that the second definition fits our fraternity best — the ability to lead. And lead by example. A Mason’s actions will set him apart as a leader. While none of us is perfect, the true leaders will always strive to make improvements to who they are. That journey may be longer for some than for others. But the harder one struggles, the more improvement may be made. Is the man who strives for improvement and fails any less of a leader than one who didn’t even try? Or is he more of a leader?

Every man needs one thing for improvement. He needs opportunity. Many are afforded that opportunity and grab on to it and run while others may take their opportunity for a leisurely stroll. This may come from differing leadership styles or from apathy. Freemasonry can heap accolades of all sorts on a man, be it titles, aprons, hats or awards. But if that man does nothing to share his Masonic experience or knowledge with his Brothers, then those things were given not to a leader of others but to a leader of self. He has missed his opportunity.

Freemasonry, like most other organizations, can often be rife with political posturing, agendas, conspiracy, and backstabbing. These things will not just cause men to walk away from Masonry; it will turn them into sprinters! The true leaders in the fraternity will look past the negatives to try to find the positive. The fact is, we all joined Masonry for our own

reasons. It is up to the leaders to try to take the negatives and push them aside and set the craft back to the labors of the original tenets … Brotherly love, relief and truth. One thing is for sure, to be a leader, you have to have someone to lead.

As Freemasonry unites men from many different backgrounds, we need to use that to our advantage. The true leader looks for a man’s strengths and capitalizes on them. That is definition number three — an act or instance of leading, guidance or direction. It is very difficult for one person to lead so very many. You may have one person to delegate to others and then those others need to lead in their respective areas to help make a cohesive whole. The efforts of many quickly divide the burden of one.

That brings us to the fourth definition — the leaders of a group. In our degrees, many columns are mentioned. Wikipedia defines a column as a structural element that transmits, through compression, the weight of the structure above to the other structural elements below.

From Boaz and Jachin to the columns in the second degree lecture, all share the same purpose: support.

The elected leaders may seem to be at the top but they have to be supported by the elements below. The members are the columns, without which the top simply falls.

And the wider the base, the stronger the column. We all need to be a part of the column. A willing part. An eager part, even zealous if you will. We shouldn’t have to be dragged into our part. From degree work to the evening meal; from fundraisers to community service, we should embrace our ability to participate, leading by example lest we be branded hypocrites.

In short, you need not wear a special hat on your head, apron around your waist, nor jewel around you neck. Every one can be a leader. All it takes is opportunity and desire.

The opportunity may be given to you; you must supply the desire.

Chris McBride is a member of Kearney Lodge #311 where he currently serves as Senior Steward. He is also a member of the Valley of Kansas city Scottish Rite serving as Expert in the Lodge of Perfection and has parts in three degrees. He participates in the Kansas City Philosophical Society and is also a member of Liberty, Chapter #3, Council #50, and Commandery #6.

the missouri freemason Summer 2012 83

Thank you Missouri Masons, This will be my last article this year for the Freemason Magazine. I have had a wonderful year and am very lucky and honored to represent Missouri Job’s Daughters.

As my year was winding down, on March 3, 2012, we honored our Associate Grand Guardian, Dad Joe Braun in Bonne Terre, Missouri. It was a great time and the chicken and dumplings were fantastic. We were honored to be a part of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in downtown St. Louis and the Shriner’s parade in St. Charles. Thanks to Dad Ralph for pulling the Masonic Youth float.

On March 10, 2012, we honored our Miss Missouri, Ashlee Brannin, and attended the State Officers' Reception at the Ararat Shrine in Kansas City, Missouri.

To wrap March up, we had our Mini Session in Springfield, Missouri, at the Ramada Inn Oasis. The theme was “Down on the Farm” with farm animals as team names and games we all grew up on (clothes pin game, spoon and egg

race, and Pin Ashley on the Tractor). Needless to say, March has been very busy.

On April 27, 2012, we held a Trivia Night at Fenton Masonic Temple to raise money for the Ruth Mary Levitt Scholarship Fund.

This Scholarship is awarded to active Job’s Daughters that are going to attend or are attending college to help with tuition or books, etc.

Members of Ashley Ray, GBHQ and Jenna, Queen Bee 84 Summer 2012

Missouri Job's Daughters traveled to Council Bluffs, Iowa on May 5, 2012 to take part in the twenty-fourth Annual MidAmerica Hike for the Hearing Impaired Kids Endowment (HIKE) Fund. Job’s Daughters from Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, and Missouri met at the Bob Kerry Pedestrian Bridge between Council Bluffs and Omaha, Nebraska.

Local members solicited donations from the community for each mile they walked. Since HIKE was one of my charities this past year, we had raised over $400 on the quilt we

Ashley Ray GBHQ, Tara Jolley Jr. Miss Missouri, Ashlee Brannin Miss Missouri, and Lauren Braun Miss Congeniality

raffled off. The overall Mid-America Hike goal is to collect over $6,000 to beat last year’s total. Missouri has had the privilege to give two sets of hearing aids to two young boys within the month of March. Because of the HIKE Fund, the money pays the entire purchase price for hearing devices for needy children with hearing loss. The HIKE Fund is the official philanthropy of Job’s Daughters International. Since its inception in 1986, the HIKE Fund has bought over $300,000 worth of hearing devices for children. If you would like to donate to the HIKE fund, just contact me at phqaray10@ yahoo.com . If you know of a child who could use help from HIKE, let us know and we will put the family in touch with the right people to get help.

In the months of April and May, we wrapped up our travels to the Missouri Bethels. On May 12th we traveled to Springfield to promote Job’s Daughters. I always look forward to seeing the Mason’s in Springfield, Missouri.

On May 19, 2012, we honored our Grand Guardian Miss Kim Underwood at Bethel #12 in St. Louis. June will soon be here and Bethel installations will be taking place with incoming Honored Queens with their new core of officers.

At the beginning of June, I will have the privilege of traveling to Kansas for its Grand Session and Missouri’s Grand Session will take place from June 21-24, 2012, where I will be retiring.

Again, I want to thank you for giving me this opportunity to let Missouri Masons know what the Job’s Daughters are doing in the state. We would love to have you attend any meetings across the state and welcome you.

Sincerely, Ashley Ray, Grand Bethel Honored Queen the missouri freemason

Happy Summer!

It's been a "wild ride" — serving as Missouri's 2011-2012 Grand Worthy Advisor. But there are some other people I want to tell you about. Some of them like to dress up... and some don't. Some are in high school and even college... and some aren't (yet). Some of them are excellent ritualists, fundraisers and service providers... and some are still learning. Some of them play sports, an instrument and write stories... some don't.

Some of them are from Masonic homes... and some aren't.

Who are they? They are the 40 young women who have served as Grand Floor Officers, Grand Representatives and Grand Pages this year! I've enjoyed working, visiting and making great memories with a caring and exciting team of young ladies! AND, I hope you have met a few of them as they have helped with Bible Ceremonies, Installations, MoCHIP events or hosted you at one of their events!

get in the spirit of the moments and do their best to look "just perfect."

I have enjoyed representing Missouri Rainbow this past year. As I told you in an earlier article, I am the first Grand Worthy Advisor in over 20 years to visit every individual Assembly — no district receptions were held this year! It was chaotic and exhilarating... at the same time! I was also able to attend Grand Assemblies in California and Oklahoma — unbelievable! You might like to know, I often spend time sending special thoughts for the future of all Masonic organizations — it's scary to be the #1 leader... and it's scary to give that responsibility over to the next leader. With those scary feelings, though, come the comforting fact that I believe I can trust Missouri's Masons to be nearby to help guide and direct the footsteps of today's Masonic youth.

Please take care. Please continue to show your support of Missouri Rainbow — I am proud to be associated with you and hope you will always be proud of us!

Peace, Joy & Love, Brianne Sisco, Grand Worthy Advisor 2011‑2012 State of Missouri International Order of the Rainbow for Girls

Walt Disney’s Secret (Non) Masonic Club 33

Rainbow Girls across Missouri have been pinning this flyer on public bulletin boards. Each piece comes with "tea off" tabs, directing people back to the Rainbow Girls' website.

As you read this, my visits are over... and (probably) so are my Grand Assembly sessions. "Be Heard" has been my theme and I believe many Missouri Rainbow Girls "found" their voice this past year! I know Grand Assembly consisted of practices, drills, competitions, banquets, a great Saturday night event, scholarship and other awards (like the Masonic Youth Award), our Pledges performing, always a touching Memorial Service, girls "aging out" at a Majority Ceremony and two Installations — on Saturday, June 23, is our Grand Cross Installation and on Monday, June 25, is our Grand Installation. Grand Assembly is always a beautiful place to be with awesome music… even those that don't like to dress up

Although many people have speculated about Walt Disney’s Masonic ties, he was not a Freemason. However, Disney was in fact a DeMolay and was always supportive of the Masonic fraternity. He even sponsored a Magic Kingdom Mason’s club for the employees in his parks.

He also created the very exclusive Club 33 on his Magic Kingdom campus which caused further speculation about his Masonic status. Membership in the lavish Club 33 is quite expensive and although some members are known (mainly corporate memberships) the roster is supposed to be “secret,” which further fuels the crazed conspiracy theorist frenzy. On May 9, Disney Corporation announced it would open membership to the mysterious club for the first time in a decade. Reports say only 13 new spots are open. If you’re lucky enough to get one expect to pay a $25,000 initiation fee and annual dues of $10,000. A spot on the waiting list is free but, unfortunately, the waiting list is full, too. It’s also a secret who’s on the waiting list and should you get on it, your position on the list is secret, even to you. It must be Masonic.

the missouri freemason Summer 2012 85

A deserving sixth-grader received the first bike from the Ashland Lodge #156 Books-4Bikes program. Currently, the Lodge has 6 bikes in the Ashland schools, which will be given away at the end of this semester.

Swope Park Lodge #617 held a special communication January 12 to raise Joseph E. Thomas (center) to the Sublime degree of Master Mason. Worshipful Master Justin Dryer (left) obligated and WB Melvin Tacke (right) raised the newest Master Mason in the New Year.

WANTED: Three-piece winding stairway. Looking for a Lodge that affiliated and may have one they don’t need. During our Lodge remodel ours disappeared. Will pay all shipping and make a contribution to your Lodge building fund or other Lodge project. Please contact Bob Dodson, phone (573) 374-6548 or rsdodson1@charter.net.

86 Summer 2012

Fred Kaffenberger, a retired history teacher and a member of the sons of the American revolution, gave an early American history and early American flag talk at Butler Lodge #254 in recognition of Washington's birthday before the Lodge's regular stated communication on March 1, 2012.

Brothers Jack Vernon, 33°, Pat Squires, 32° KCCH and James Paris, 32° attended the "Knights of St. Andrew" reunion held in Guthrie, Oklahoma on March 30, 2012 to April 1, 2012. All 29 degrees where conferred. At the Spring Scottish Rite Reunion in Guthrie, OK the Valley traditionally produces all degrees. The Brethren that attended from the Valley of St. Joseph reported they were "in total awe of the Guthrie Scottish Rite Building as well as the degree work." Pictured left to right are Brothers Vernon, Squires and Paris.

Columbia Chapter #17 Hosted a Grand Master's Royal Arch Class in honor of Missouri Grand Master and York Rite Mason John Hess on March 3, 2012, at the York Rite Temple in Columbia, Missouri. This was the first known event of its type in Missouri Royal Arch history, and it was a wonderful experience. It was attended by 90 Brethren, the largest gathering of Missouri Royal Arch Masons since the last annual convocation of the Grand Chapter, and many expressed interest that this become an annual happening in Missouri. Following the conferral of the Most Excellent Master degree and a fine luncheon, the Royal Arch degree was conferred in the afternoon upon 15 candidates. In the photo, MWB Hess receives a presentation from Most Excellent Companion Steven Monrotus.

With 40 people in attendance, Monroe Lodge Installed its new officers at an open house and soup supper. Martin Lincoln, Sr. will serve as Master for the ensuing term.

Pictured left to right: Martin Lincoln, Jr., new at the Junior Deacon's station; Worshipful Master Martin Lincoln, Sr. and installing officer Kent Cheek, past District Deputy Grand Master. Other officers: Senior Warden Richard Dexter, Junior Warden Dennis Dexter, Treasurer Kent Cheek and Secretary Glenn Wilson. Several Brothers prepared the meal, including Past Master Allan Mehrer, Martin Lincoln Jr., Albert Ely, and Jack Jones.

the missouri freemason

The Grand Conclave of the Order of True Kindred of Missouri presented a contribution to the MoCHIP program at the Masonic Complex in Columbia on March 26, 2012. Nick Cichielo (left) accepted the donation from Diana Thomas, Worthy Grand Commander and Byron Hams, Grand Advisor.

On January 28, 2012 "Men Of Tyre" Widows Sons of Poplar Bluff donated $100 to the Poplar Bluff Lodge #209 for the Masonic Scholarship Fund.

On January 1, 2012 "Men Of Tyre" Widows Sons of Poplar Bluff hosted Biker Sunday and Blessing of the Bikes at Calvary Baptist Church in Dexter. Men Of Tyre invested RWB Robert Crow with a Widows Sons vest, and thanked him for his service to our great country during WWII as a part of the Motorcycle escort team, and his years of unselfish work with the Masonic Lodge (almost 60-years).

WB Nelson Morgan celebrated his 102nd Birthday with members of Waynesville Lodge #375 on November 8, 2011. WB Nelson has over 68 years in Masonry and continues to attend meetings regularly.

On Saturday, March 24, 2012, Crestwood-Anchor Lodge #443 honored RWB Ralph Kolb for his long-time efforts and support of the Lodge, Grand Lodge, DeMolay, Scottish Rite, and Freemasonry in general. Several presentations were made, including one from the Grand Lodge of Missouri of a newly created Emeritus Ritual Certification certificate. (photo by Tim Wangelin)

Monroe Lodge #64 held its annual 5-day Lenten Week breakfasts.

Over 470 dined on the usual, eggs, meat, biscuits and gravy, fruit, coffee and orange juice.

The 5 speakers were from different churches. Friday ended the week-long event with the choir singing, "Let's All Join Hands."

Those present (124), stood and joined hands. Photo courtesy The Lake Gazette.

On April 9, 2012, Grand Master John Hess, Sam Green (Master of Richmond Lodge #57), RWB Ron Jones (Senior Grand Steward), many Grand Lodge Officers, friends, family and Brothers from many Lodges and Districts from all over the State were at Richmond Lodge #57 to present a lifetime achievement award to RWB J.W. Stigall. RWB Stigall served the Grand Lodge as both DDGM and DDGL as well as serving his home Lodge in many capacities

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Brother Clarence Doyle Roberts traveled the "Rough and Rugged Road" between Webster Lodge #98 in Marshfield, Missouri to Theodosia, Missouri, where he was Raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason in Sampson Lodge #298, which is named in honor of his Grandfather, Sampson David Roberts. The story of Sampson David Roberts and the naming of the Theodosia Lodge, and the subsequent petitioning of his grandson for the degrees in Freemasonry have been featured in the Fall, 2011, and the Spring, 2012 editions of the Missouri Freemason magazine.

Cooper Lodge #36 installed Lodge Officers for 2011, 2012. A fine dinner was served at the installation ceremony. Front Row (left to right): Lonnie Tucker, Tiller; Gary Whitehurse, Junior Warden; Todd Hill, Senior Warden; Roy Cary, Worshipful Master; Dean Christy, Grand Marshall of the Grand Lodge of Missouri, Installing Master; Billie Sullivan, Chaplain; Stuart Clark, Marshall. Back Row: Rick Zimmerman, Junior Deacon; Tony Kaiser, Installing Chaplain; Marty Stover, Installing Marshall; Ted Litton, Treasurer; John Holtzclaw, Secretary; Michael DeShazo, Junior Stewart; Not shown: Lucas Gabel, Senior Deacon; Anthony Martin, Senior Stewart.

It was not your “normal” night for degree work at Blue Springs Lodge #337. The Lodge room was filled with over 60 Master Masons from all over Missouri. MWB John Hess and many of the Grand Lodge Officers were in attendance. WHY? It was the night Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient Colonel (retired) Don “Doc” Ballard was initiated into the mysteries of Freemasonry. WB Eric Miller conferred the degree. MWB Hess received Bother Ballard at the altar and personally recognized him, accorded him the Grand Honors, and welcomed him into the Masonic Fraternity. Scott Adams was also initiated. All in all, it was a great turnout and an historic night in Freemasonry. Pictured: MWB John Hess and Grand Lodge Officers; Mike Mitchell, Worshipful Master of Blue Springs Lodge #337; new EAs Scott Adams and Don Ballard.

On February 28, 2012, Mike Singer, Jr., Worshipful Master of AlgabilFreedom Lodge, #636 had the honor of raising his youngest son John Philip Michael Singer to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason. Worshipful Brother Singer had also recently raised his oldest son Brother Mike Singer, III, who, along with their Grandfather RWB Mike Singer, Sr., assisted in the ceremony. John is a fifth-generation Master Mason. Regional Grand Lecturer Mike Apple gave a wonderful rendition of the lecture and presented Brother Singer with the Bible upon which he had been obligated. After the ceremony, Brother Singer's parents, Mike and Jennifer, and grandparents, Mike, Sr. and Phillis, presented him an endowed membership in the Lodge. He also received a hand-made Masonic pin which had belonged to his great grandfather. John is still active in DeMolay, and intends to continue the family tradition of Brotherhood in Freemasonry.

✮ Missouri Freemason Deadlines ✮ Fall, 2012 July 2, 2012 Winter, 2012 October 1, 2012

Spring, 2013 January 3, 2013 Summer, 2013 April 1, 2013

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On February 28, 2012, a large number of friends and Brethren gathered to honor Richard Johnson for his 71 years of membership and service to Easter Lodge #575.

The certificate was presented by Carroll Moorman, WM of the Lodge.

On January 16, 2012, Jonesburg Lodge #457 held an open meeting for the presentation of a 50-year Grand Lodge certificate and pin. WB Phillip W. Engel (left), received his 50year certificate from RWB C. Brent Stewart, Senior Grand Deacon of the Grand Lodge of Missouri. Afterward, over 50 Brethren and guests enjoyed a bountiful dinner.

On September 29, 2011, RWB Richard Dalton of Arlington Masonic Lodge #438, Arlington, Texas, presented Brother Vernon H. Runyan, of Raytown Lodge #391 his 50-year jewel and Certificate from the Grand Lodge of Missouri. Brother Runyan's wife Norma did the honors of affixing the 50-year pin to her husband’s coat. Brother Runyan and his wife Norma celebrated their 67th wedding anniversary in Kansas City, Missouri on December 15, 2011. Brother Runyan received his Third Degree in Raytown Lodge #391 on August 9, 1961 and his other degrees in the American Military Bodies, American Military Chapter of Rose Croix and of the American Military Council of Kadosh, American Military Consistory of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, sitting in the Valley of American Military, Orient of NATO.

On February 23, Brother Cliff Roberts received his 50-year pin in Wayne Lodge #526 in Piedmont. Brother Roberts received his pin from RWB Dean Cruchington, District Deputy Grand Master of the 41st Masonic District of Missouri. Brother Roberts was overwhelmed when he was escorted to the East where he gave a speech that everyone took to heart and we were very glad he was able to attend. Bother Roberts attends Lodge regularly and supports the Lodge in every way possible.

On February 25, 2011, Howard Poston became a 50-year member of Whitewater Lodge #417. He received his 50-year pin and apron in a celebration at the Lodge on March 12, 2011. Robert Floyd, Master of Whitewater Lodge, presented his pin and apron. Brother Poston's wife, Charlotte, assisted. Howard has a rich heritage with the Lodge. He and 5 older Brothers share a total of 219 years in Whitewater Lodge. His father, 4 uncles and a cousin were also members of the same Lodge. The evening celebration included a dinner for family and friends, pin and apron ceremony and entertainment. His daughter, Lisa, played piano selections and granddaughter, Courtney, performed ballet and jazz numbers.

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Brothers Kenneth R. Kneale and Donald K. Scheib received their 50-year pins on September 17 from the Grand Lodge of Missouri at Oregon Lodge #139 in Forest City, Missouri. RWB Darby Meehan, District Deputy Grand Master of the 7th District, conducted the ceremony and Judy Scheib presented the pins to her brother and husband. Vihlliam J. Hinde of St. Joseph also received a 50year pin, but was unable to attend.

On January 3, 2012, Algabil-Freedom Lodge, #636 presided over

by Right Worshipful Brother Dennis E. Fetter, presented Brother John H. Warhoover his 50-year pin and certificate, in a courtesy ceremony for the Grand Lodge of Illinois.

In January, Waynesville Lodge #375 presented WB Cecil Penland his 50-year jewel and certificate from the Grand Lodge of Missouri. Pictured: RWB Dale Summerford and RWB Wayne Gerdes making the presentation to WB Penland.

Waynesville Lodge #375 presented WB Herbert "Dick" Pennington his 50-year pin and Certificate from the Grand Lodge of Missouri in July 2011. Worshipful Brothers Brian Jenner and Don Ripley made the presentation.

Edina Lodge #291 presented 50-year pins to Brothers Paul Parson and Dudley Gillaspy on November 6, 2011. Shown (left to right) Mrs. Parsons, Paul Parsons, Dudley Gillaspy and WM Don Woodward.

Butler Lodge #254 awarded Bill Padley his 50-year pin and Certificate from the Grand Lodge of Missouri on May 6, 2010.

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RWB Mel Ash of Mizpah Mt. Moriah Lodge #40 in Florissant, Missouri, receives his 50-year pin from his wife Ruby, on January 17, 2012.

James Hays Evans received his 50-year recognition at a regular communication of Huntsville Lodge #30 AF&AM on July 5, 2011.

Shown are WB Evans and his wife Anna Gale Block Evans.

On Tuesday, February 21, 2012, Brother Leo Hurley received his 50year pin and a certificate from the officers and members of New Bloomfield Lodge #60, in appreciation for his years of service.

Brother Hurley’s daughter, Sandra Carr, made the presentation.

WB Gordian Neal Parker received his 50-year pin from his Wife Dorthy in a presentation at Union Masonic Lodge on March 9, 2012.

Right Worshipful Brother Joseph Johnson presented WB Parker’s pin, perpetual membership card and certificate from the Grand Lodge of Missouri.

Bridgeton Lodge #80 presented a 50-year pin to Brother Paul E. Shortt. Presentation was made by RWB Matt Wilson and assisted

by Worshipful Brother Robert Klob, Karen and Larry Beck and Brother Walter Nichols, Chaplain.

Chamois Lodge #185 presented WB Emil Vahrenberg with his 50year jewel and certificate from the Grand Lodge of Missouri on October 22, 2010. Brother Vahrenberg’s wife Vivian is shown presenting his pin.

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POSTMASTER: Please send Address Forms 3579 to Grand Secretary, 6033 Masonic Drive, Suite B, Columbia, Missouri 65202-6535.

Grand Master Andrew Jackson Dr. E. Otha Wingo, PDDGL 38, FMLR otha.wingo@gmail.com

Before the four-lane highways greatly reduced the travel time, we often drove through Cairo, Illinois and all the other small towns through Kentucky and Tennessee to visit relatives in north Mississippi. Passing through streets with closed stores and deteriorating buildings in Cairo, we took particular notice of the 1600 block of Washington Avenue, with its well-kept grounds and beautiful red brick building of renovated Queen Anne architecture, its original leaded stained glass windows, and ornate woodwork. This is the Alfred B. Safford Memorial Library. Safford’s wife had it built and presented it to the City in 1884 in honor of her husband.

On visiting the Library some thirty years ago, we learned that it is noted for its Civil War and River collections, as well as unique antiques and artwork.

The librarian showed us a desk which once belonged to President Andrew Jackson. Col. Staats Taylor, a former mayor of Cairo, had often seen President Jackson using the desk in the Bank of the U.S. of Philadelphia. This desk was donated to the Library by George Parsons, another former mayor of Cairo and a relative of Col. Taylor.

Although the first two Lodges in

Missouri were established by the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, the three Lodges that joined to organize the Grand Lodge of Missouri were chartered by the Grand Lodge of Tennessee (April 21, 1821), less than four months before Missouri became a state. One year later Andrew Jackson became Grand Master of Tennessee and served for two years.

Andrew Jackson (March 15, 1767 June 8, 1845) was the only U.S. President who had already served as Grand Master until Harry S Truman (May 8, 1884 – December 26, 1972). Jackson was the 6th Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Tennessee (est. 1813) from October 7, 1822 to October 4, 1824 and was the 7th President of the United States. Truman was Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Missouri (est.

1821) from September, 1940 to October, 1941 and the 33rd President of the United States from April 12, 1945 to 1952.

[I won’t mention Ansel Jones, who was the first Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Texas in 1838, before he was elected as the first President of the Republic of Texas in 1844. He presided over the annexation ceremonies in 1846, when Texas became the 35th

state.]

Information on U.S. Presidents is vast and readily accessible. A quick search on the internet shows 176 million hits for Andrew Jackson! All his exploits and titles — as School Teacher, Planter, Trader, Merchant, Soldier, Major General of the Tennessee Militia, Old Hickory, Hero of New Orleans, General, District Attorney, U.S. Attorney, Judge of the Supreme Court, U.S. Representative in Congress, U.S. Senator, Territorial Governor of Florida, and President of the United States — are fully documented, both pro and con.

Although records of his Masonic degrees were lost, his Masonic activities are well documented. When the Marquis de Lafayette visited the Grand Lodge of Tennessee on May 4, 1825, during his historical U.S. Tour, which also brought him to the Grand Lodge of Missouri and honorary membership on April 29, he was introduced by Past Grand Master Andrew Jackson. Brother Lafayette was unanimously elected an honorary member of the Grand Lodge of Tennessee. In response, he expressed his pleasure at being introduced “by a Continued on page 75