Missouri Freemason Magazine - v62n01 - 2016 fall

FREEM The

SON

OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE GRAND LODGE OF MISSOURI A.F. & A.M. VOL. 62 NUMBER 1 • FALL 2016

The Freemason®

Vol 62 No. 1 Fall 2016 ©Grand Lodge of Missouri A.F. & A.M. The 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 quarterly.

OFFICE OF PUBLICATIONS: Grand Lodge of Missouri, 6033 Masonic Drive, Suite B, Columbia, MO 65202-6535. Published and copyrighted under the direction of the Committee on Masonic Publications.

Periodicals postage paid at Columbia, Missouri and Marceline, Missouri.

POSTMASTER: Please send address forms 3579 to Grand Secretary, 6033 Masonic Drive, Suite B, Columbia, MO 65202-6535.

Inside this Issue...

03 Grand Lodge

Grand Master’s Message • New Appointee to the Grand Lodge Line • Biographies • Annual Communication Photographs

10 In Celebration & Memoriam Raised as Master Mason • Membership Pins

12 Lodge & District News 15 The Four Crown Jewels

Masonic Home of Missouri • Masonic Children’s Foundation • Masonic Scholarship Fund

25 Masonic Youth

Missouri DeMolay • Job’s Daughters • Rainbow Girls

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 of Missouri A.F. & A.M. The editor reserves the rights to accept, reject, subedit, and rearrange material submitted for publication. The Freemason® does not accept forms or clippings for publication. It it the policy of the Grand Lodge of Missouri to not publish pictures or personal information about children under the age of 21, without written permission from the child’s parent, guardian or sponsoring group.

Committee on Masonic Publications Richard L. Smith, Grand Master Ronald D. Jones, Senior Grand Warden Robert T. Thomas, Junior Grand Warden David W. Haywood, Editor Artwork - Blue Dandelion Designs, LLC bluedandeliondesigns.com

28 Freemason Insights 31 Calendar of Events

On the cover: GM Richard L. Smith (2nd from right) poses with (left to right) RWB Stanton T. Brown, II (Junior Grand Warden), RWB Ronald D. Jones (Deputy Grand Master) and RWB Robert T. “Tim” Thomas (Senior Grand Warden) with the Grand Lodge of Missouri A.F. & A.M. seal.

Message from the Grand Master MWB Richard L. Smith

On the cover of this edition of the Freemason Magazine are four of the elected Grand Lodge Officers who will lead us to the 200th Anniversary of the Grand Lodge of Missouri.

Standing before the Seal of the Grand Lodge of Missouri, these men have been elected by you to support the constitution and bylaws of our jurisdiction. They work in cooperation and harmony with each other and exemplify Brethren that have confidence and trust with each other, in support of the authority of the Grand Master and his work for the Craft.

They are earnestly building upon Grand Master Smith’s message which comes directly from our ritual.

This message is now available through the District Deputy Grand Masters and the Advancing Grand Line Officers and is provided below: “Who Comes Here?” is the question that is first asked when the Inner Door is opened in response to the candidate’s symbolic request to begin the ceremony and his journey in Freemasonry. This very moment is represented on this year’s coin with the Stewards shown in detail with Rods and Aprons, and the Candidate standing between them only as a silhouette.

The answer to the question “Who Comes Here?” should already be known to the Lodge from the work of the Petition signers and the Investigation Committee. We all give credence to the thought that the Investigation Committee has a tremendously important responsibility, and of course they should ask the usual questions: How does your family feel about you joining the Lodge; Can you afford the initiation fee and annual dues; Have you ever been in trouble with the law? All legitimate questions.

“Who Comes Here?” is what an investigation is supposed to determine. In the course of the investigation, I ask that the Investigation Committee members consider a slight change in their own mindset. If they communicate to the Petitioners that “We do not meet with you in an effort to say NO to your request to join Freemasonry, but in an effort to ask you to help us to say YES to your petition”; the Petitioners answers will help us to better know “Who Comes Here?”.

Under this scenario the Petitioner may realize he needs to qualify himself in the minds of the men that are interviewing him. The Petitioner will need to “sell” them on the thought of his being worthy of becoming a member of our honored Fraternity. This realization by the Petitioner may translate into “I want to be accepted by this committee.” Thus may begin his embrace of the Fraternity and his desire of earning the privilege of becoming a Freemason.

“Help us to say YES to your petition” as a shift in the mindset of the Investigating Committee will help give to us the answer of “Who Comes Here?”, well before this man stands before our inner door. It may very well be the positive beginning of a Masonic journey for the candidate and his Lodge.

Let us embrace a slightly new way of investigating Petitioners, and welcome to our Fraternity a future Brother that we expect to eventually learn to admire and respect.

MWB Richard L. Smith, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of A.F. & A.M. of the State of Missouri

GRAND LODGE

Grand Master Richard L. Smith graduated from Normandy High School in St. Louis. After serving in the U.S. Navy, he attended the University of Missouri at Columbia and received his Bachelor of Science Degree from Washington University in St. Louis.

MWB Smith is a member of Gateway 40 and St. Louis Missouri 1.

He served as Master of Rose Hill 550 in 1981 and 1992 and was Chairman of the Missouri Committee on Masonic Education and President of the MidWest Conference on Masonic Education.

By virtue of his office as Grand Master, MWB Smith presently serves as Honorary Chairman of the Masonic Home of Missouri Board of Directors. He also served on the Board of Directors of the Walker Scottish Rite Clinic in St. Louis. In 2005, he was coroneted a 33rd Degree Scottish Rite Freemason and served as Master of Kadosh in the Consistory.

He recently held the position of President of St. Louis Chapter 22 National Sojourners, Inc. and a term as Commander of Albert Pike Camp, Heroes of ‘76. He was Associate Guardian of Bethel 4 Job’s Daughters, and Chairman of the St. Louis Grand Masters Breakfast Committee.

In his teen years, MWB Smith joined the Order of DeMolay. His Masonic Memberships include Moolah Shrine, Fenton Chapter 152 Order of Eastern Star, St. Charles Missouri Chapter 1 Royal Arch Masons, Square Club of St. Louis, NEMO Scottish Rite Club, Missouri Lodge of Research, the Truman Club and Ransom A. Breuer Masonic Association. During the 2005 Grand Lodge Communication, MWB Elmer E. Revelle presented to then RWB Smith the Truman Medal in recognition of service to the Fraternity.

In his career years, MWB Smith was Past President of the Sales and Marketing Council of St. Louis and a member of the Missouri Association of Mortgage Professionals. He presently serves the Missouri Division of Finance in Jefferson City as a Gubernatorial Appointment to the Residential Mortgage Board of the State of Missouri.

Most Worshipful Brother Smith and his wife, June, live in Chesterfield. They have a son, Benjamin, a Master Mason, a daughter, Holly Ann Day, two grandchildren and a great granddaughter.

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GRAND LODGE

RWB Charlie Wiegert joined Gardenville Lodge 655 in 1974 and served as Worshipful Master in 1978-79. In 2004 he was a charter member and served as the first Senior Warden of Noble Lodge 684 where he was Worshipful Master in 2005-06. He is presently the Masonic Home Representative and Lodge Secretary. Charlie served the Grand Lodge of Missouri as DDGM of District 27B in 2008-09 and was on the Board of Directors of the Masonic Home Of Missouri from 2011 to 2015. He has served on the Chartered Lodges committee and Scholarship committee. He is also a life member of the Missouri Lodge of Research. Charlie comes from a Masonic family with both his father (Charles) and Uncle (Joe) being lifelong members.

Charlie’s Masonic endeavors began when he joined the Gardenville Demolay chapter in 1966. He is a recipient of the DeMolay Legion of Honor and Past Dean in 2010, a member of St. Louis Scottish Rite, Oriental Chapter #78 Royal Arch Masons, Jeremiah Council #48 Cryptic Masons and Ascalon Commandery #16 Knights Templars. He is also a member of Tall Cedars of Lebanon, Moolah Temple Shriners and Past President of the Ceremonial Cast, and a Past Director the Royal Order of Jesters Court 81.

Charlie graduated with a BS in Business (Marketing) from Southeast Missouri State College. His professional career includes 20 years as an advertising salesman with St. Louis Suburban Journal newspapers.

In 1992 he co-founded CDM Fantasy Sports, which operated fantasy sports games for The Sporting News and USA Today Sports Weekly. His company won a major law suit with Major League Baseball which was appealed all the way to the US Supreme Court. The company has been bought and sold a couple of times and is currently owned by SportsHub Technologies, who he works for as a consultant. In 1998 he was a founding member of the Fantasy Sports Trade Association and served as a board member and treasurer for over 15 years. He was inducted into the FSTA Hall Of Fame in 2003 and is known as the Godfather Of Fantasy Sports. Charlie can be heard regularly on Sirius XM radio.

Other companies he has started, operated and owned include Primary Network, Primary Webworks, Primary Cellular, River City Internet Group, Hostirian, Borman Properties, River City Rascals (minor league baseball team), St Charles Family Arena Managing Partnership, St. Louis Swarm (International Basketball League), St. Louis Steamers (Indoor Professional Soccer League), St. Louis Renegades (Indoor Professional Football League), and the Gateway Grizzlies (Minor League Baseball Team).

Charlie has been married to his wonderful wife Debra for over 30 years. They have two married daughters Jackie (Tony Klotz) and Heather (Dave Jones), a 5-year-old grandson (Jackson) and twin 6-year-old granddaughters (Scarlett and Ruby). His hobbies include bowling, golf, fishing and gardening.

Fall Issue 2016

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GRAND LODGE

RWB Ronald D. Jones Deputy Grand Master Right Worshipful Brother Ronald D. Jones was born in Buffalo, Missouri, and grew up in Springfield. He and his wife, Susan, have two children, Melissa and Jeffrey, as well as 2 granddaughters, Trinity and Arabella. 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. This year, he is president of the Masonic Home of Missouri.

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 Royal Arch Masons, Council #49 Cryptic Masons, Palestine Commandery #17 Knights Templar, Ararat Temple AAONMS and the Scottish Rite, Valley of Kansas City.

RWB Tim Thomas Senior Grand Warden Right Worshipful Brother Tim Thomas was born in Kissee Mills, Missouri.

He and his wife, Kathryn, have two children, Andy and Shelby. The Thomas family resides in Crane, Missouri where they attend The First Baptist Church. RWB Thomas served his country as a member of the Missouri National Guard from 1978-84. He continued his public service by becoming a member of the Missouri State Water Patrol in 1981. He retired from the Missouri State Highway Patrol in 2012 after 31 years of service to the citizens of the State of Missouri. He continues his public service by serving as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the College of the Ozarks Associates and Vice-President of the Crane R-III Board of Education.

RWB Thomas is an endowed member of Galena Lodge 515, Galena, Missouri where he was raised in 1993 and served as Master in 1997. Tim served as the DDGM of the 43rd Masonic District in 2004 and 2005. Tim has served the Grand Lodge in many capacities serving on numerous page 6

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committees. He is Past President of the Masonic Children’s Foundation. He currently serves as Vice-President of the Masonic Home Board of Directors. Tim is a life member of the Missouri Lodge of Research. RWB Thomas (33°) is a member of the Scottish Rite Valley of Joplin. Tim is a member of Kimberling City Chapter #164 of the Order of Eastern Star. He is a York Rite Mason and a member of Springfield Chapter #15 Royal Arch Masons, Zabud Council #25 Royal and Select Masters, St. John’s Commandery #20 KT, and St. Christopher Conclave Red Cross of Constantine. RWB Thomas is a member of Abou Ben Adhem Shrine in Springfield, Missouri and has served on the advisory board of Taneycomo Assembly #100 International Order of the Rainbow for Girls.

RWB Stanton T. Brown, II Junior Grand Warden RWB Stanton T. Brown II was born in Independence, Missouri, grew up in Sibley, Missouri and graduated from Fort Osage High School. He attended the University of Missouri in Columbia prior to joining the military. After 4 years of military service, he worked for the GSA, returned to college where he earned an accounting degree, and began working in banking. He finished his career working for American International Aluminum.

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 committees, was District Deputy Grand Master of the 19th Masonic district in 2010-2011 and helped develop the DDGM manual. He is Past High Priest of Independence #12 Royal Arch Masons, Past Illustrious Master of Independence Cryptic Council #49, Past Commander of Palestine Commandery #17, currently Senior Warden in the Lodge of Perfection, Kansas City Valley Scottish Rite and member of Harry S. Truman York Rite College #167, Charlemagne Council #79 Knight Masons, Past Sovereign Master of Kilwinning Council #19 AMD, Puissant Sovereign of Mary Conclave Red Cross of Constantine, M.S.R.C.I.F. (Rosicrucian's), Royal Order of Scotland, St. Thomas of Acon, Missouri Lodge of Research, K.Y.C.H., Immediate Past Master of Court of Discovery #80 Masonic Order of Athelstan and also serving as Provincial Grand Senior Warden for the Province of USA, Past Senior Grand Deacon of the Grand Court of the Masonic Order of Athelstan in England.

National Sojourners KC Chapter #63, Order of the Silver Trowel, and H.R.A.K.T.P., Tall Cedars, serving as an officer in the Sovereign order of Knights Preceptor, and Missouri Past Commanders Association.

If you have a Lodge milestone or want to celebrate a Masonic service milestone, please send a photo and short narrative to editor@momason.org. Photos need to be high quality and narratives should indicate the event portrayed, the Lodge & City and people in the photo. Cell phone photos are not considered high resolution photographs. The editor reserves the right to accept, reject, subedit and rearrange material submitted for publication.

Deadlines for The Freemason: Winter Issue (November 30, 2016), Spring Issue (February 28, 2017), Summer Issue (May 31, 2017) and Fall Issue (October 25, 2017).

Fall Issue 2016

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GRAND LODGE

Grand Lodge’s Annual Communication & Installation Photographs Photos by Bro Larry Walters

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The Freemason

Fall Issue 2016

GRAND LODGE

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IN CELEBRATION & MEMORIUM

Congratulations!

Brother Daniel Shaul Master Mason Degree

Brother William A. Clark 25 Year Membership Pin

Past Grand Master Brent Stewart was on hand to participate in the Master Mason degree on October 13, 2016 at Crestwood-Anchor Lodge 443. The candidate was Brother Daniel Shaul. Dan is currently a Missouri State Representative from the Imperial MO area. He is a Senior DeMolay from Crestwood Chapter and joined Lodge back in 1987. He finished his Fellowcraft and Master Mason degrees this year.

MWB Stewart presented him with his coin at the conclusion of the degree while a good number of Dan’s DeMolay brothers were on hand.

Brother William (Bill) A. Clark was presented his 25-year certificate and pin by WB Daniel Macrelli on August 25, 2016 at Strafford Lodge 608 in Strafford, MO. Brother Clark was pinned by his wife, Linda. Brother Clark's other family members present during the ceremony were his son, Brother Todd Clark, his granddaughters, Adyson and Reese Clark, and his great grandchildren, Ella and Trennon Rust. Brother Clark expressed his gratitude and love for Freemasonry, and was extremely proud of his 25year tenure in the fraternity.

WB S. Wayne Gibson 50 Year Membership Pin On October 20, 2016, at Samaritan Lodge 424 in Bonne Terre, MO, WB S. Wayne Gibson received his 50 year jewel from RWB Dale Newcomer, assisted by RWB Dan Ward, who served as Chaplain.

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The Freemason

IN CELEBRATION & MEMORIUM WB Richard Pickren & Bro Roger Gibson 50 Year Membership Pin Bethany Lodge 97 presented fifty-year pins to WB Richard Pickren and Brother Roger Gibson. WB Pickren was initiated on December 5, 1964, passed on January 16, 1965, raised on February 20, 1965, and served as WM 2000-2001. Brother Gibson was initiated on July 29, 1964, passed on October 28, 1964, and raised on November 25, 1964.

They are pictured here with their wives. WB Pickren is on the left and Brother Gibson is on the right.

Brother Austin Wayne Bassett 50 Year Membership Pin

Pictured (l to r) WB Brian Hudnall, Secretary, Adair 366; Brother Austin Bassett; and MWB Jon Broyles, SW, Adair 366

On September 29th, at the request of the Grand Lodge of Georgia, the brethren of Adair Lodge 366 presented Brother Austin Wayne Bassett his 50 year membership recognition.

MWB Jon Broyles, SW, performed the ceremony at Kirksville Manor Care Senior Residence assisted by his daughter and observed by about 15 other residents and staff. He also received the Grand Lodge of Georgia’s specially adorned 50-year apron. Bro. Bassett was very pleased to receive this recognition and expressed his fond memories of Masonry and expressed the desire to attend lodge in Kirksville.

WB Joe Diamond, Bro Robert Jefferson, and WB John Kern Receive Service Pins

During the regular stated communication of Grand River 276 on October 10, 2016, RWB George Barrios presented service pins and certificates to honor 3 Brethren for their service to the brotherhood.

From left to right, they are: WB Joe Diamond for 55-years, Brother Robert Jefferson for 65-years, WB John Kern for 50 years and RWB George Barrios.

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IN CELEBRATION & MEMORIUM/LODGE & DISTRICT NEWS Brother Arthur T. Gordon 50 Year Membership Pin

WB James W. Warner, Jr. Grand Lodge Achievement Award

Beacon Lodge 3 had a pizza and awards night on October 27, 2016. PGM Dave Haywood presented a 50-year pin to Brother Arthur T. Gordon. Brother Art is 72 years old and still runs Art's Gun and Ammo Shop and teaches NRA courses. His wife Sharon pinned her husband.

WB James W. Warner Jr. could not be at the Grand Lodge Communication and was presented his Grand Lodge Achievement Award by MWB Haywood.

Temple Chapter 95, Order of the Eastern Star holds Summer Social

Temple Chapter 95, Order of the Eastern Star, in Joplin, met for our summer social Monday, August 1, 2016. Brother Jack Olson, Worthy Grand Patron, Grand Chapter of Missouri, OES, challenged each chapter to perform a service activity in our local communities.

After our social, chapter members made personal care kits for residents of our local Lafayette House. All items were donated, and 45 kits were made and delivered.

Installation at Mt. Washington Lodge 614

The 106th annual Installation of Officers at Mt. Washington Lodge 614, in Independence Missouri, was held on October 1, 2016. The installed Officers were: Worshipful Master, WB Steve Mosley, Senior Warden, James Willis; Junior Warden, Charles Goth; Treasurer, WB Rick Hardin; Secretary, WB Donald MacCormick; Senior Deacon, Shannon O'Brien; Junior Deacon, Kevin Brown; Senior Steward, Russ Bright; Junior Steward, Christopher Organ; Chaplain, WB John Brown; Marshal, Gregory Walters; Tiler, WB James Madden. The Master gave an individualized Leg caricature as a gift for each officer, matching them to their individual look, and to other roles they have in the Fraternity.

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LODGE & DISTRICT NEWS Installation at Salem Lodge 225

Salem Lodge 225’s 154th Installation of Officers was held on August 27th. Honorable Kelly Parker, 42nd Judicial District Circuit Judge and a Major, Judge Advocate Generals (JAG) Office of the Adjacent Generals Office, Missouri Army National Guard, gave the Flag Ceremony.

Pictured are: Front Row left to right: Installing Chaplain, RWB David Watkins, DDGM 29th Masonic District; Junior Deacon, Brother Thomas Caldwell; Junior Warden, Brother Eddie Fleetwood; Senior Warden, WB Ken Brasier; Senior Deacon, WB Donnie Cochran; Installing Master RWB J.J. Tune, DDGL 29th Masonic District; Back Row: Installing Marshal, WB David Dittman; Junior Steward, Brother Tod Kinerk; Secretary, Brother Clay Lindsay; WM, Ed Fleetwood; Tiler, Brother Bud Epperson; Installing Senior Deacon, WB Paul Arft.

Installation at Gower Lodge 397

On Wednesday, Sept. 7th, Gower Lodge 397 held their Installation of Officers. The Installing Master was RWB Larry Lanning of Lawson Lodge 393 and Installing Marshal was RWB Greg Golden of Lathrop Lodge 506.

Pictured L to R: front row: Ray Schwarz SW; WB Andy Phipps, Master; Jim Hartley JW; 2nd Row: Lonnie Spencer, SD; Andrew Zurow, JD; Delbert Main, JS; Kent Anderson, Marshal; Back Row : WB John Hansbrough, Tiler; WB Ernie Lorenson, Treasurer: WB David Holloway, Secretary, and WB Ron Snyder, Chaplain.

Celebrating 175th Anniversary Bonhomme Lodge 45

Installation at Richland Lodge 385

Richland Lodge 385 had their Installation of Officers on Saturday, September 10, 2016.

Pictured in the front row are: RWB Michael Wallace, JW Shawn Perry, WM Phillip McCombs, SW Morgan Dowling, JS Kevin Bonebrake. The Second Row: Marshal Ikie Bonebrake, SS Billy Clayton, Chaplain Bobby Baker, Secretary Ken O’Dell, SD Lonnie Knisell, JD Ron Hawk, and Treasurer Michael Moeller.

Fall Issue 2016

MWB Richard L. Smith was pleased to greet Roderick Drummond from St. Stephen Lodge 746 in the Square, Portsoy, in the Provence of Banffshire, Scotland, at the 175th Anniversary meeting of Bonhomme Lodge 45 on October 25, 2016. 12 Grand Lodge officers were in attendance for Bonhomme's 4500th meeting presided over by Bonhomme WM, Clem Placke.

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LODGE & DISTRICT NEWS

Right Worshipful Brother Anthony O’Sullivan 150th Anniversary Memorial Service August 13, 2016 Wentzville Lodge 46 held a memorial Masonic funeral service in honor of RWB Anthony O’Sullivan, Past Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of Missouri, on Saturday August 13, 2016. The memorial service was held in Bellefontaine Cemetery in St. Louis, the exact date and place of his Masonic service and burial in 1866.

The funeral officers from left to right were: Brother Randy Sanders, Bearer of the Great Lights; WB Taz Meyer, Chaplain; WB Bill Stone, SD; RWB Chris Newbold, WM; WB Jacob Thompson, JD; WB Chris Tilley, Marshal; and Brother Mike Smith, Tiler.

RWB O’Sullivan was born in County of Kerry, Ireland on November 20, 1808. He was called from labor in St. Louis on August 11, 1866. He was held in great esteem by his fraternal peers having a rich and impressive Masonic history.

RWB O’Sullivan received his degrees in Arrow Rock Lodge 55 in Saline County, Missouri in 1846. In 1851, he became a member of Missouri

Lodge 1 and, in 1852, he affiliated with Meridian Lodge 2. He served as Grand Secretary for fourteen years, from 1852 until his death in 1866. Until his death, he also served many other Masonic appendant bodies, Grand Secretary of the Grand Chapter, Grand Recorder of the Grand Commandery, Grand Puissant of the Grand Council, Grand Master of Council, Eminent Commander, Secretary of the Order of High Priesthood and Missouri’s first Sovereign Grand Inspector General.

Thank you to WB Christopher Tilley, Past Master of Wentzville Lodge, for organizing and making this memorial tribute possible.

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The Freemason

MASONIC HOME OF MISSOURI

CROWN JEWELS

Masonic Home of Missouri We are where you are

Each year, the Masonic Home of Missouri recognizes a representative who has gone above and beyond in their dedication to their duties of supporting the Outreach Programs and the Masonic Home of Missouri. This year’s honoree for Representative of the Year is Lonnie A. Weatherford from O’Sullivan Lodge No. 7 in Walnut Grove, Missouri. Lonnie was unable to attend the Masonic Home Representative Luncheon on Monday, September 26, 2016, but staff from the Masonic Home traveled to Walnut Grove, Missouri on November 11th to present him with his plaque.

“Being the Masonic Home Representative is a time-consuming but rewarding position in the Lodge.” Weatherford states, “I spend a lot of time making connections with the schools and churches and educating them on the Creating-A-Partnership Program (CAP). The community has seen the commitment that my Lodge has to help children and has been very supportive.”

The Lodge hosts an event called ‘Pickin in the Park’ each year on the second Saturday of June in Walnut Grove. The event which features Bluegrass and Gospel groups is the major fundraiser for the Lodge and helps them to assist children in the Walnut Grove, Hurly, Everton, and Ash Grove communities.

“The community has been fantastic with helping the Lodge with the event because they understand how the funds raised will be used. The Fall Issue 2016

Photo (l-r) Dee Dowler, Lonnie A. Weatherford, and Rhonda Stone Lightfoot.

fact that the Masonic Home of Missouri will match the funds is just incredible.” Weatherford states, “The Lodge appreciates the partnership with the Masonic Home.”

Dee Dowler, who had chosen Lonnie to take the position of Masonic Home Representative when Dee had to step down from the position due to health concerns, was on-hand for the presentation. “This award is really for the Lodge and all of their support to me personally and their fundraising efforts.”

Lonnie continued, “I couldn’t do it without my Lodge brothers and the support of the community.”

The Board of Directors and Staff of the Masonic Home would like to extend their congratulations to Lonnie A. Weatherford as the Masonic Home Representative of 2015-2016.

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MASONIC HOME OF MISSOURI

Telling your family story about how an organization has made an impact on your family can bring up a lot of emotions. Angst over how to word it just right, nervousness over speaking in front of a crowd, and a tinge of sadness over the decisions that needed to be made to ensure your loved one was in a safe, healthy place. All of these ran through Mike Lane’s head as he approached the podium to address a room full of past and current Masonic Home Board members and Masonic Home Representatives. Mike paused, took a deep breath and began to tell the story of his Mom and the Masonic Home of Missouri.

care until the VA started paying.” Mike relates, “It just all fell into place the way the situation panned out. We were just thankful that the Masonic Home stepped up to help us out until we could get everything lined up with the VA, then continued to assist us with the remaining deficit.”

Staff first met the Lanes in February 2015 when Mike and Jim Lane were looking for an assisted living facility for their mother, Norma. “Mom was in a Senior Support System, and we wanted to find a safe assisted care facility for her.” Mike relates, “We visited one facility to check it out, and it was alright, but we decided we should look at a couple more. The second stop for us just felt right, and we knew it was the right place for our Mom.”

Norma Lane is dear to her sons. This was evidenced as Mike’s voice got shaky and the emotions built up as he spoke to the assembled audience. “Mom is happy at her assisted care facility. She has a cousin and some of her lifelong friends living here, so it comforting to us to know that she is safe and being taken care of.”

Mike continues, “It’s a weight off of our shoulders. Without the help that the Masonic Home provides, this couldn’t be possible. To us, this is something tangible. We see the gift that happens to our widows and Masons in need through the help our mother receives. It means a lot.”

“When we sat down with the facility’s social worker, to go over the financials and to try to figure out how our family could afford to have Mom here, the social worker asked us if our father was a Veteran.

Well, he had been, so we were going to need to do some paperwork to get those benefits started, and then the social worker asked us if our Father had been a Mason,” Mike says, “I think we were both a little surprised and wondered why that would make a difference. We told her that indeed, Dad had been a Mason. The Social Worker told us that the Masonic Home of Missouri might be able to help with the cost of Mom staying at the facility.” After contacting the Masonic Home and working with a financial assistance caseworker, Mrs. Lane’s Outreach application was presented to the Masonic Home of Missouri’s Board of Directors.

Receiving benefits from the VA can take some time, and in the case of Mrs. Lane, it was no different.

“The Masonic Home helped cover the cost of Mom’s

Mike Lane is a Mason, along with his brother, Jim, and both belong to Elvins-Ionic Lodge No. 154.

“Our Dad, William L. Lane, raised Jim through all the degrees and raised me to my third degree.” Mike says proudly, “Being a Mason has just been part of our lives.”

Through the years, the Masonic Home of Missouri and the Lane brothers have worked together to provide Norma with a safe place to live. We appreciate Mike and Jim Lane allowing us to tell their Mom’s story of how she became a part of the Masonic Home’s family.

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The Freemason

MASONIC HOME OF MISSOURI

CROWN JEWELS

Partnership awards 2015-2016 Each year, the Masonic Home of Missouri recognizes Lodges and Chapters for their participation in the Creating-A-Partnership and Partnering to Honor Programs. Both programs create a partnership between the Masonic Home and Lodges &/or Chapters throughout the state to help children in need or Veterans who wish to participate in the Honor Flight Program. After raising funds to participate in the programs, the Lodge or Chapter can send in an application to the Masonic Home to receive matching funds up to $10,000 per Lodge or Chapter each fiscal year.

This year, the Masonic Home of Missouri presented awards to four Chapters of the Order of the Eastern Star, Grand Chapter of Missouri. MWB Richard L. “Dick” Smith and RWB Ronald D. Jones assisted with the Lodge presentations at Annual Communications. This year’s recipients of the Partnering Awards are:

Lodges

Union Lodge No. 593 (Top Lodge) Decatur Lodge No. 400 Hopewell Lodge No. 239 Lathrop Lodge No. 506 Sullivan Lodge No. 69 Clarence A. “Buzz” Barrows, Jr., Masonic Home Representative for Union Lodge No. 593 receiving the Top Lodge Award

Chapters

Edward K. “Ed” Stark, Masonic Home Representative for Lathrop Lodge No. 506 accepting the Partnership Award.

Hillsboro Chapter #71 Weston Star #197 Cuba Chapter 398 Sullivan Chapter #105

Donavan C. Lakin, Masonic Home Representative for Decatur Lodge No. 400 accepting the Partnership Award.

Robert E. Lee “Bob” Martin, Jr., Masonic Home Representative for Sullivan Lodge No. 69 accepting the Partnership Award.

Vicky Labow, Robert E. Lee “Bob” Martin, and Joann Lynn accepting the award on behalf of Sullivan Chapter #105, Order of the Eastern Star.

James T. “Todd” Adams, Secretary for Hopewell Lodge No. 239 accepting the Partnership Award.

Weston Star and Cuba Chapters will receive their awards at a future date.

Fall Issue 2016

Peggy Pithian and Sara Wynn of Hillsboro Chapter #71, Order of the Eastern Star accepting the award at Grand Chapter.

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MASONIC HOME OF MISSOURI

The Truman Club A Society of the Masonic Home of Missouri

On Saturday, September 24, 2016, the Masonic Home of Missouri held its 11th Annual Truman Club Dinner.

During this event, 130 Truman Club Members and their guests joined together for a spectacular evening of fun, fellowship and charity. A silent auction and wine pull were held to raise funds for the Home and the event culminated with a “Fill the Tree” campaign. Combined, the event raised more than $60,000 for the Masonic Home of Missouri and we are grateful to all who attended!

Each year at the Truman Club Dinner, the Masonic Home recognizes those individuals whose donations during the year qualify them to either join or move up within the Truman Giving Societies. The following donors were recognized this year.

Lewis & Clark Society Level Keith & Cathy Bail John & Juanita Hewitt Jimmie & Jeri Lee David & Kathe Ramsey Jim & Debbie Schepers David & Joyce Stepanek Dennis Vogel

Thomas Hart Benton Society Byron & Cookie Hams Samuel L. Clemens Society Jim & Dorothy Fiete Omar Bradley Society Thomas A. Spencer

Laura Ingalls Wilder Society Ronald & Susie Jones Kenneth R. Koerber Jason & Barbara Ramsey Tim & Kathryn Thomas Harry & Christine Tripp Jim & Jackie Walters Henry “Woody” Woodward At last year’s event, Truman Club Member, Thomas A. Spencer, issued a challenge to those in attendance.

He challenged that if at least 5 Truman Club Members gave a donation to move into the next society level, he would do the same. We would like to recognize the following individuals that met his challenge within the last year and moved to the next giving level.

Keith & Cathy Bail Doak Doolittle & Teresa Mills Doolittle Jim & Dorothy Fiete Byron & Cookie Hams Ronald & Susie Jones Kenneth R. Koerber Jimmy & Jeri Lee

Jim & Debbie Schepers Doug & Kay Sprouse Richard & Ruth Steed David & Joyce Stepanek Tim & Kathryn Thomas Dennis Vogel Jim & Jackie Walters

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The Freemason

MASONIC HOME OF MISSOURI

CROWN JEWELS

Once again this year, Thomas A. Spencer issued a challenge during the Truman Club Dinner. This time, he challenged 10 Truman Club Members to give a donation to move into the next society level. Please help us meet this new challenge!

In addition to the Truman Society awards, the 2nd annual Traveling Truman Trophy was presented by Temperance Lodge. The trophy was awarded to Gardenville-Cache. Congratulations! We really appreciate your support and attendance at our Truman Club Dinner.

Please join us for our 12th Annual Truman Club Dinner scheduled for Saturday, September 23, 2017.

The dinner will be held at the Country Club of Missouri.

PHOTOS

PGM Dan Cole addressing the group on the decision to move the Masonic Home to an Outreach Program-based charity.

Lewis & Clark Society members

Byron & Cookie Hams Thomas Hart Benton Society members

Thomas A. Spencer Omar Bradley Society member

Jim Fiete Samuel L. Clemens Society member

Laura Ingalls Wilder Society members For information on the Truman Club, please contact Julie Kirchhoff at (800) 434-9804 or by email at jkirchhoff@ mohome.org

Fall Issue 2016

Members of GardenvilleCache Lodge accepting the Traveling Truman Trophy.

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MASONIC HOME OF MISSOURI

LOOK Masonic Home Representatives: The Rep Report will be mailed the week after Thanksgiving and will include your Lodge’s Widows list and a summary of the Creating-A-Partnership Program (CAP). Please update the Widows List and send it to Chantana Irvin at cirvin@mohome.org or mail it to: Masonic Home of Missouri Attn: Chantana Irvin 6033 Masonic Drive, Suite A Columbia, MO 65202 Lodge Secretaries: Please enter your Lodge’s Masonic Home Representative into the Grand Lodge database under Lodge Officers.

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The Freemason

MASONIC HOME OF MISSOURI

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Home of Miss

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The Vincil Society A Society of the Masonic Home of Missouri

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Since its inception, the MWB John D. Vincil Master Builder Society has welcomed over 100 members who now receive permanent recognition at the Masonic Complex for their generous contributions to the Masonic Home of Missouri. Vincil Society membership is open to Lodges, Chapters and other organizations whose cumulative giving to the Home (since January 1, 2014) has reached at least $500.

We gratefully acknowledge the following 27 Lodges who joined the Vincil Society this past year.

Many of these Lodges became members through their support of the Penny-A-Day Program or Charity Golf Tournament. Through their donations, they are making a direct impact on the lives of thousands of men, women and children throughout Missouri.

Bronze Level ($500-$4,999) Cass Lodge No. 147 Central Crossing Lodge No. 674 Clinton Lodge No. 548 Dexter Lodge No. 532 Easter Lodge No. 575 Fenton Lodge No. 281 Gate of the Temple Lodge No. 422 Gateway Lodge No. 40 George Washington Lodge No. 9 Hebron Lodge No. 354 Herculaneum Lodge No. 338 Kirkwood Lodge No. 484 Linn Creek Lodge No. 152 Mansfield Lodge No. 543 Meridian Lodge No. 2 Mt. Olive Lodge No. 439 O’Sullivan Lodge No. 7 Plato Lodge No. 469 Plattsburg Lodge No. 113 Richmond Lodge No. 57 Robert Burns Lodge No. 496 Salem Lodge No. 225 Samaritan Lodge No. 424 Sikeston Lodge No. 310 Spirit of St. Louis Lodge No. 27 Temperance Lodge No. 438 Windsor Lodge No. 29

To learn more about The Vincil Society, please visit us online at www.mohome.org or contact Julie Kirchhoff, Annual Giving Officer at (800) 434-9804 or jkirchhoff@mohome.org.

Fall Issue 2016

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MASONIC HOME OF MISSOURI

Spotlight on the Masonic Family Cares Program This month’s spotlight on one of the Masonic Home’s Outreach Program is our Masonic Family Cares Program.

Sometimes the Masonic Home receives a call, and the assistance needed is a helping hand or a friendly visit from a local Lodge or Chapter member. The Masonic Family Cares program helps to create a connection between the member and the Lodge or Chapter acting as the liaison to help bring the two together.

A Lodge or Chapter may find that a Missouri Mason, his wife or widow, or a female member of the Order of the Eastern Star has a need that the Lodge or Chapter can assist with, but there is a financial component. For example, a Brother might need a ramp for wheelchair access to his home due to a change in his health.

The Lodge Brothers would like to build the ramp, but the Brother cannot afford the cost of materials.

The Lodge or Chapter can complete an application indicating the cost for materials along with how their volunteer hours will be used in conjunction with the funds requested from the Masonic Home. The Masonic Home may grant funds up to $10,000.00 per Lodge or Chapter each fiscal year, July 1st to June 30th.

If your Lodge or Chapter is already lending that helping hand to those brothers and sisters in need, please share your stories with the Masonic Home at (800) 434-9804, so we can feature it in our Missouri Outreach magazine.

Ladies Luncheons & Teas Call Rhonda at (800) 434-9804 to schedule your Lodge’s Presentation.

It’s a great opportunity to learn about the assistance available to Missouri Master Masons, their wives/widows, female members of the Order of the Eastern Star and children throughout the state. page 22

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MASONIC CHILDREN’S FOUNDATION

CROWN JEWELS

MoChip for the Future A Commitment from Missouri Masonry

by RWB Ty G. Treutelaar, President Missouri Masonic Children’s Foundation

The Board of Directors of the Missouri Masonic Children’s Foundation has been taking steps these last several months in continued support of the direction that was established by outgoing Board President, RWB Barry Cundiff, and his predecessors in support of the Missouri Child Identification Program (MoChip). This is the flagship program of the Masonic Children’s Foundation in supporting many active Freemasons in their communities. The program provides awareness of our Fraternity while at the same time providing a needed service at no charge. We have taken several steps in our continued support of the MoChip program: Equipment A review and upgrade of computer hardware and software has been underway, and new fingerprint scanners have been ordered. Having state-of-theart and fully-functional equipment to support our volunteers is critical to a good event.

Venue Selection There has been a trend in upward numbers when a MoChip event is in conjunction with another event or activity. Some examples of higher results are seen when a MoChip event is held during registrations at schools, teen or college fairs, children themed events, and other community events. We are encouraging the Brethren to look in their community for events that would be a good fit with a MoChip event.

Youth Groups A review of national statistics clearly shows that teen girls and boys are at the highest risk for being missing or abducted. We are turning towards our youth groups in support of MoChip as a program to

Fall Issue 2016

be held at events at which they might be participating or sponsoring, and as program that they themselves are using for identification so that we might better protect the girls and boys in our own Masonic youth groups.

The efforts put forth by our volunteers in supporting MoChip and providing feedback for continued operations have placed Missouri at the forefront of children’s identification programs at a national level.

Thanks to your efforts, the children in Missouri, and the children beyond Missouri, are able to benefit from what each Brother and each Lodge is able to achieve with every event.

Composite Lodge 369 held their third annual MOCHIP event on Sept 10, 2016. They were assisted by members of Poplar Bluff Lodge 209, the Doniphan Police Dept., Ripley Co. Sheriff's Dept. and the MO Highway Patrol members. Fifty-six children were processed.

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MASONIC SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION

by RWB Stanton T. Brown II, President Masonic Scholarship Foundation

The Masonic Scholarship Foundation of Missouri is one of the crown jewels of the Masonic Fraternity.

Although it is not the oldest or best known of the charities that make up the four crown jewels of our fraternity, it provides one of the best long-term benefits to society. Our three different scholarship funds provide not only the possibility of making a huge difference in our recipients’ lives but also the possibility of impacting the lives of all humanity.

By assisting deserving students who have displayed leadership and academic excellence and who have the potential of contributing to the welfare of our great society, it is our belief that our fraternity can fulfill one of its basic tenets through the awarding of scholarships. We are proud of the fact that we are now helping 50 students who are receiving scholarship assistance totaling over $300,000 for the 2016-2017 school year. The scholarship foundation currently awards and distributes the Samuel Smith Stewart scholarship, which is now for $10,000.00 per year; the Ruth Lutes Bachman Scholarship for nursing and teaching students, which is for $1,000.00 per year; and the Masonic Merit scholarship, which is for $1,000.00 per year. These scholarships are renewable annually for up to 4 years or at the completion of their undergraduate degree, whichever is less, and are contingent on the students’ continued high level of achievement during their college experience.

The scholarships are available to any Missouri high school senior who meets the criteria provided with the scholarship application. A copy of the application is sent to all Lodges in the November packet, and is available at www.momason.org under the programs tab. This coming year’s deadline for applications is March 31, 2017. The scholarship selection committee has a very tough decision to make each spring as 700 to 1000 applications are submitted each year. It is extremely important for your Lodge to designate someone to take a copy of

the new application and criteria to their local high school or make them aware of changes on the website.

Not all schools are aware of the scholarships that are available through our Scholarship Foundation so personal contact with the High Schools financial councilor is vital to the successful application process. A lot of schools use old applications that they have on file that could cause an applicant to leave out essential information or miss the submission deadline. For instance, applicants are now required to submit financial information from their FAFSA application.

Participating in the scholarship program is a wonderful way to connect your Lodge to the community through your local high school. Being able to attend the annual awards assembly at the school and awarding a scholarship for up to $40,000.00 to deserving students puts a positive spotlight on our great charity and fraternity. It is truly a life changing experience for the student and their families.

So, you may ask, “How can I make a difference”? We are able to award these scholarships because individuals in the past have felt that a quality education builds a stronger future for our fraternity and the citizenry of our country. They decided to endow scholarships for future generations of students through the Grand Lodge by leaving a legacy in their wills and estates. You, the Grand Lodge members, also voted to have $0.25 of your assessment each year designated to help fund our scholarship program.

You can make a larger difference by remembering our scholarship program when designing your estate plan. You can also designate and contribute additional funds when you pay your annual dues to your lodge.

Make a difference!

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MISSOURI DEMOLAY

MASONIC YOUTH

Missouri DeMolay Building the Future

Dads and Brothers, We live in troubled times indeed and it seems that every day we move further away from the precepts of the Order of DeMolay and Masonry in general. We see it every day, Lodges become corrupt or fall out of line, Chapters that are sponsored by that Lodge soon follow suit and soon we have a corrupt Masonic family. In times like these, we might be prone to ask ourselves, what is the answer to our troubles, how can we turn our Lodge and our Chapter around to become what we are meant to be again?

The answer we seek can be found even in the darkest of times, Light. A light which each and every one of us have in our hearts. It is with this light that we are able to reach out and light someone’s spirit ablaze.

It is with this light that we may with confidence spread the good news of DeMolay and Masonry with the entire world. My brothers, with this light kept within the safety of faithful breasts around the world, we cannot and will not be extinguished.

The 133rd psalm says, “Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in Unity.”

Unity will be the driving force this year in Missouri DeMolay, and for this year, we are going to put aside all petty jealousy we may feel towards each other and we are going to come together under the banner of DeMolay to unite ourselves as one.

Missouri Masons from all corners of our state show their continued support for the Order of DeMolay by hosting DeMolay Chapters in their lodges. Missouri DeMolay thanks each and every one of the lodges that show support to us and our Chapters every day. We welcome all Masons from every lodge to come to our Chapters and see the Masonic youth that is coming up from all over the state. Let your spirit for the Masonic fraternity be a light unto the feet of millions of DeMolay members who look up to Masons from all over the world. May we all act by the square especially in front of those who look up to us as Missouri Masons.

Fraternally, Ukiah Camp State Master Councilor Missouri DeMolay 2016-2017

“Building Tomorrow’s Leaders, Today” Fall Issue 2016

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MASONIC YOUTH

MISSOURI JOB’S DAUGHTERS

Missouri Job’s Daughters Hey Missouri Masons!

It hasn’t been that long since we saw each other! I can safely say that I had a great time at Grand Lodge and thank you for listening to our speeches! I know that I was very nervous but you guys were nice, so it made me feel better.

Thank you!

Missouri Job’s Daughters has been on the move since we last spoke! We had our first round of official visits to Bethel 32 which recently relocated to Bridgeton Lodge, and Bethel 4, which meets at Rose Hill Temple. All the girls from each Bethel went to the other’s official and that was so amazing to see because it isn’t often you see many visitors at official visits, so to see all these young ladies going out of their way on a Saturday afternoon was amazing.

The following Sunday, we held a fundraiser for the Grand Bethel Scholarship Fund, at Mom Eva Pelak’s home. Mom Eva planned the entire thing and all the state leadership came in to work the event. It was stunning.

There were games, vendors, food, raffles, and so much more all out of her house, all coordinated by her just to help raise money to send our Missouri Job’s Daughters to college.

Another big event that happened was the Missouri Job’s Daughters pageant, where a multitude of girls of all ages spent a day at the Scottish Rite downtown and competed for the chance to represent Missouri for the year as Miss Missouri and Junior Miss Missouri. Everyone that competed that weekend did an outstanding job in everything. This year’s Miss Missouri is Miss Meckenzie Yeager, and the Junior Miss is Miss Abbi Teska, both from Bethel 43 in Fenton. The new Miss Missouri Congeniality is Miss Amanda Aiken from Bethel 49 in Crestwood. The next day, we held a statewide worship service where the Honored Queens from each Bethel read the Bible verse for their term and speak on what it meant to them and what it could possibly do for the world today. It was a very nice service and it was cool to hear so many different Bible verses and what they mean to each girl.

As the holidays approach, we are slowing down a bit here in Missouri Job’s Daughters but if you get the chance, come to an official visit with us to see what it is all about! We also are having our annual Turkey Ball hosted in Kansas City after Thanksgiving so feel free to come visit with the girls of Missouri Job’s Daughters, they are kind of really cool! I hope everyone has happy holidays and eats some good food!

Jobie Love, Becca Hairer Grand Bethel Honored Queen page 26

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MISSOURI RAINBOW GIRLS

MASONIC YOUTH

Missouri Rainbow Girls HAPPY FALL Y’ALL! My Grand Worthy Advisor (GWA) term is nearing 100 days and my Rainbow Sisters and I have been busy all over Missouri!

The week after Grand, I travelled to Oklahoma to spend time with my Rainbow Sister for Life, Shelby Lynn, then home for a moment, repacked, and headed to Iowa/Minnesota’s Grand Assembly where I made new friends and renewed a few. Next, I was installed (again) as Columbia Assembly’s Worthy Advisor – I’ll be able to practice my parts before my Grand Sessions in June, 2017!

Kenzie Lodholz, PGWA, Alexis Hartenstein, GWAA and I flew to Providence, Rhode Island for Supreme Assembly’s biennial convention. The weekend after Supreme? THE BEST! Masonic Youth Day! Dunk tank, food, dancing, prizes, soda, forever friends AND silly string! This is SO on the “to do” list of Missouri Rainbow Girls!

Time for college. I’m a junior at Mizzou majoring in Elementary Education. I also work with The Adventure Club which is an enrichmentbased before and after school program. I love it!

But, wait: Road Trip! We headed to the Grand Officer’s Retreat in Bourbon where we discussed leadership, membership, marketing and enjoyed swimming, playing volleyball, & eating s’mores.

Across the state my Rainbow Sisters have helped with carnivals, held garage sales, had Installations and mentored Pledges. They have been in parades, picked up trash and attended far too many meetings and events to count or report!

Next up: November 5, is my GWA Visit in St. Joseph and November 12, I plan to be in Raytown for the State Dean’s Reception. On December 3, there will be a Grand Officers’ Christmas Party in Columbia and, after that, I begin finals. (Our state calendar is at www.moiorg.org “Schedule of Events.”) I really hope to meet many more Missouri Masons during my travels.

Finally, thank you to every Mason who welcomed my Rainbow Sisters and me at Grand Lodge. Everyone was kind and complimentary. We really hope you will attend a Rainbow meeting or event this “Grand” year (ours ends in June). We want you to see our Rainbow Girls learning, being challenged, having fun and making forever friends.

Let Rainbow Grow!

Erin McCann, Grand Worthy Advisor, 2016-2017 State of Missouri, International Order of the Rainbow for Girls

August 27th was my GWA Reception -- A cute Dr. Seuss/Lorax-like program, donations to the State Service Project and SO MANY Rainbow Sisters, family and friends present to celebrate.

Everything was perfect – I wouldn’t change a thing. To everyone involved: THANK YOU! Fall Issue 2016

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FREEMASON INSIGHTS

Adaptation of the Address to the Grand Lodge of A. F. & A. M. of the State of Missouri 195th Annual Communication RWB David B. Brown, Grand Orator

Brethren, is Freemasonry relevant in our world today? With all of the technological and social changes developing in our modern society, what does Masonry offer, if anything, to the present generation? And, if you believe it is relevant, why is the membership not thriving? These are some of the hard questions we face, and if there were easy answers, it would not be the central issue of so many of our Masonic conversations.

Brethren, I have discovered Masonic relevance in places I never expected to find it. Let me set the context for how this discovery took place.

I joined the Masonic Lodge at the age of 21. The lectures, the required proficiency and the introduction to the ritual through a Lodge that was home to the Grand Lecturer firmly planted the teachings of Freemasonry in my mind. Like so many of you, I soon found myself Master of my Lodge and after completing my year in the East, Masonry took a backseat to more pressing issues with my young family. Thirty-six years after taking my obligation, let me express why I believe Freemasonry is relevant today.

First, as a minister of the gospel in a small church, I cannot tell you how many times certain truths from the examination proficiency have resonated and guided me. Q: Where were you first prepared to be a Freemason? A: In my heart. This brief lesson reminds me that I can teach Christian logic all day long, but until the heart of the believer is truly ready to receive, that education goes nowhere.

The same is true of Freemasonry, we

must engage our modern generation at example, the right hand symbolizes the heart. the work to which they are consciously faithful, and the numerical values of Another lesson comes to mind the Hebrew alphabet along with their when I am having issues with people esoteric meanings are also reflected who seem to be at odds with what I in their artwork. We find these same am trying to accomplish. Q: Being values present in our ritual. hoodwinked, how did you know it to be a door? A: By first meeting with In the summer of 2015, I stood resistance and afterward gaining in the Nunnery Quadrangle at Uxmal admission. This exchange admonishes when suddenly, memorized passages me to remember that what often of Masonic ritual came to life as my appears to be an insurmountable mind transcended the physical world endeavor may only require the right where I stood. Everywhere I looked number of attempts, or a certain series I saw symbolism and metaphor that of questions and answers to remove is taught in Masonry. In an instant, a barrier. As Freemasons, we need to the lectures and proficiencies that guard what is inside our door, but how were embedded in my heart found we bring young men to our door is expression in the architecture always open for discussion. surrounding me. I realized that I was standing in a Lodge Room formed The point I make is this; by four structures, each positioned had I never committed these lines to at the four cardinal directions. The memory, they could not continue to structure in the East implied that we guide me through the last 36 years of enter into the Terrestrial Lodge of this my life. life as superficies, or two-dimensional beings. The artwork in the façade Let me provide yet another of the West structure implied that example of how Masonry is relevant. we hope to exit this life as threeI have spent the last 15 years studying dimensional beings who comprehend Mayan archaeology. Brethren, artisans the whole by establishing the axis and architects in every age are highly that connects Earth to Heaven. And, detailed professionals and do not fitting perfectly in this same Western do sloppy work. Every line, curve, façade is a depiction of what Mayan intersection and placement of artwork archaeologists call the Celestial or architectural feature is absolutely Canoe—it is a parallel to our Masonic intentional. It has become apparent lecture on the Ark that safely wafts us through the years of my research that over the tempestuous seas of life and the symbolism embedded in their art into the harbor of eternal rest. I looked and architecture is a language that to the North and found Jacob’s Ladder transcends time and culture. I have extending from Earth to Heaven with come to realize that the Maya have the three principle rungs of Faith, values and teachings similar to what Hope and Charity situated at the base we find in modern Masonry. For of the stairway. Then to the South I

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saw the birthing portal that opened into a large meadow, beyond which was a tiered construction representing “the glories of a better land.” The South illustrated the call from labor in this physical world to the refreshment of being nourished with spiritual light and understanding. And the Masonic parallels go on and on.

During this visit to the Yucatan, the reception under the Letter G became a literal reality as my heart perceived the beauty of what used to be, while my eyes beheld how the lapse of time, the ruthless hand of ignorance and the devastations of war had laid waste these structures of human genius. In this moment, I was overcome with a deep sorrow at what had happened to this enlightened people, and yet, I was filled with unspeakable joy that I could comprehend their hidden message through the language of architecture.

And, it was my memorized Masonic teaching that unlocked it all. Had I never planted in my heart and mind these beautiful lectures, obligations, ceremonies and proficiencies, these Mayan monuments of antiquity would still be a mystery. That day was a surreal experience that transcended time and space. In those few moments, the teachings of Speculative Masonry put me in the presence of the ancient Operative Masonic brethren who built these sacred edifices and time was irrelevant as I was unified with the heart and mind of these ancient Craftsmen.

Brethren, as a result of this experience, I now have a passion—a fire in my belly—to let members of our Fraternity know how essential Freemasonry is to our human destiny.

It was our modern lectures and Masonic Teachings that unlocked my understanding of the ancient Mayan culture in the Americas.

FREEMASON INSIGHTS

These structures of the Yucatan were built around 600 AD. There had to be a transference of knowledge from ancient to modern times. In essence, just as our slain Grand Master Hiram was raised from a hidden grave by Masonic grips, the works of our ancient Masonic Brethren were raised from obscurity through the means of Masonic Teachings that had been passed mouth-to-ear from generation to generation. Masonic lectures come to life as we contemplate how through the ages, the Attentive Ear received the sound from the Instructive Tongue and the Mysteries of Freemasonry were safely lodged in the repository of Faithful Breasts. And so, from then until now, the Mysteries of Freemasonry have been transmitted unimpaired from generation to generation.

Brethren, I firmly believe that Divine Providence has destined to preserve and protect this sacred knowledge embedded in our Masonic Order, because there will come a time when all World History will be known and the body of knowledge we call American Freemasonry will be one of the sacred keys that unlocks the hidden mysteries of the past and ushers in this period of spiritual enlightenment.

Therefore, Brethren, to continue to be relevant today, we must heed the charges concerning the Ancient Landmarks; hold fast to the ritual as you have received it. To be true to its purity is to honor the wealth of instruction it provides, and disseminating it in the same manner in which it was received is imperative to its perpetuation for future generations.

There is a calling for Modern Freemasonry to protect the Divine Light within our walls that the minions of darkness are always attempting to extinguish. We must jealously guard this Light, for we cannot let it fade.

Fall Issue 2016

As we have received, so should we impart; as our previous generation protected and provided for those who knock, so should we protect and provide for generations to come.

We, as Freemasons, as inheritors of Divine Light, as Priests of the Orders of Architecture, are called to lay the foundations for a better tomorrow. The traditional structures of our culture are falling and our modern society is prime for a renaissance of moral values founded on eternal truths. This makes Freemasonry more relevant today than it has ever been in this lifetime. How relevant it is tomorrow will only be measured by how unimpaired we convey the most excellent Tenets of our Institution.

The Operative Masons of Ancient America embedded their values in the structures of the past and symbolically illustrated sacred truths that are eternal. The successful endeavors of our Ancient Opertive Masons challenge us to do as they have done. It is time for Missouri Masons to make our mark within the legacy of Freemasonry as we assist in the fulfillment of America’s destiny.

Let us work to lay the foundations of a peaceful society by quarrying new generations agreeably to the designs placed upon the Sacred Trestleboard of our Holy Law, by establishing the connection from Earth to Heaven as we raise good young men who accept the challenge to better themselves, and by pointing all of humanity to the Celestial Lodge above ruled by the Supreme Architect of the Universe who is the source of all Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth. Let this be our contribution, our legacy and our testament to being relevant.

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FREEMASON INSIGHTS

HIDDEN IN PLAIN SIGHT THE MASONIC CONNECTION TO THE GREAT SEAL OF THE STATE OF MISSOURI

By RWB Dr. Ty G. Treutelaar, Junior Grand Deacon Grand Lodge of AF & AM of the State of Missouri (Authors Note to the Reader: it was an honor and a privilege to speak on this topic at the Missouri Lodge of Research, Annual Truman Lecture Series and Breakfast, which was held on September 27, 2016 in Columbia, Missouri. This article is a detailed explanation of but one part of the story of Freemasonry and the Great Seal of Missouri, but it is the part of the story that best lends itself to print media. The overall story works best as part of a visual presentation to show the details and changes that have occurred over time with the Great Seal….and our story of Freemasonry in Missouri.

The presentation is available upon request for your Lodge or Appendant organization by contacting the Grand Lodge Secretary.)

“A Masterpiece of Heraldry”, is how the Great Seal of the State of Missouri is described in the Centennial History of Missouri 1820-1921, Volume VI. Much more than a mere symbol of the State of Missouri, the Great Seal is an instrument of state that was defined by the state constitution in 1820: Article IV Section 22. The secretary of state shall, as soon as may be, procure a seal of state, with such emblems and devices as shall be directed by law, which shall not be subject to change.

It shall be called the “Great Seal of the State of Missouri,” and shall be kept by the secretary of state, and all official acts of the governor, his approbation of the laws excepted, shall be thereby authenticated.

Given the involvement of our Craft in the formation of the State of Missouri, it should also come as no surprise that the Great Seal is also part of our Missouri Masonic heritage.

The Great Seal is composed of two distinct parts: 1) the outer ring with the words “The Great Seal of the State of Missouri” which surrounds; 2) the Coat of Arms of the State of Missouri. It is the existence of the Coat of Arms which makes the Great Seal an emblem of heraldry, and which makes Missouri one of only eighteen states which that has a true Coat of Arms.

We do not tend to give much thought to the parts of the Great Seal as they pass by us in our daily lives on flags, official correspondence, and even on our driver’s license. But look closely at the state flag and you will see that the Coat of Arms is on the flag with a surrounding ring of stars. The Coat of Arms with a different outer ring can be found in many different institutions and organizations throughout Missouri including the Governor, the Secretary of State, the Senate, the House, and Truman State. You will even find the coat of arms within the center of the jewel of the Grand Master, surrounded by “MWGL of Missouri”.

It was on January 11th, 1822, that a bill was approved in the Missouri General Assembly which describes

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FREEMASON INSIGHTS

the elements that comprise the state seal. While the descriptions of the elements were well defined as to color and position, the meaning of each element was not included in the bill of 1822 or any subsequent legislative action. The meanings of the elements which comprise the Great Seal were published separately on January 16th, 1822, in the Missouri Gazette newspaper. The meanings of the elements were accepted without question and have been used ever since their publication in 1822. The bill as passed by the General Assembly does not list a designer of the seal and the newspaper explanation of the elements was anonymously written.

Claims of Design It would be 25 years later that a written letter would appear claiming authorship of the Great Seal. It was the result of a public argument that erupted over the meaning of our state motto in Latin of “Salus Populi Suprema Lex Esto”, which means “Let the welfare of the people be the supreme law”. That letter was published in 1847 and then set aside, to be picked up again in a review in 1936, a review that would seem to contradict itself as to the writer. Other individuals or families have pressed the case that they or their relative were the creator of the Great Seal. It is an interesting point that some of the most persistent evidence as to the claim of creating the seal is that once published, no one said that the claimant was not the creator.

Over time, some of the claims have worn thin, such as the case when one family insisted that their relative created the seal until it was realized that he would have been 11 years old in 1822. Other cases have also weakened from a position of creating the seal to a position stating that they suggested elements of the seal. Regardless of the claims that have been made, all who have made the claims have failed to overcome two obstacles, design and time.

A Question of Design There was a fire in 1837 that destroyed the original Great Seal. When the second Great Seal was created there were two very curious changes that occurred to the design. A belt buckle was added to the inner ring and the word “The” was added to the words “Great Seal of Missouri”. Both of these additions were illegal as the constitution makes it very clear “such emblems and devices as shall be directed by law, which shall not be subject to change”, meaning that any change would need to be done constitutionally.

Original Seal from 1822

Seal Post 1837 Fire

The constitution further states of the Great Seal “It shall be called the “Great Seal of the State of Missouri”, so the addition of the word “The” is even in further violation of the constitution than adding the belt buckle.

This has been hotly discussed for many years and has even made inroads as to the constitutionality of the items affixed with the new seal from 1837 onwards.

Claimants to the creation of the seal have overlooked these changes in the appearance of the seal. It

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FREEMASON INSIGHTS seems highly suspect that a person making a claim to the creation of the seal would not mention that the original design had not just been changed, but had been changed in violation of the constitution.

A Question of Time Each claimant to the creation of the Great Seal is focused on the following time line: • August 10, 1821, Missouri becomes a State. A provision from 1820 allowed for the Governor to use his personal seal in lieu of the state seal until such time as the Secretary of State has a state seal created based on the directions set forth by General Assembly.

• November 6, 1821, Governor McNair is irritated that the General Assembly has not yet passed a bill to create a state seal and he is tired of using his personal seal.

• January 9, 1822, the Great Seal of Missouri is approved by the General Assembly • January 11, 1822, the Great Seal is signed in to law by Governor McNair.

Much has been written by claimants as to their exploits in creating the Great Seal in the time period from December 1821 through January 11, 1822. But there is a small problem in that a model of the seal was produced 12 months prior to December 1821 from a design created 2 months prior to the model.

Recent evidence has shown that on December 12, 1820, approval was made to pay $5.00 to G. Bassinet for his production of a model of the seal. Further documentation supports that considerable time regarding the design of the seal was made during the September 18, 1820, state constitutional convention.

Neither Confirmed nor Denied Those who have made claims to creating the Great Seal of Missouri have failed for a lack of persistence in protection of their design and in pursuing a time line that does not reach far enough back to the actual creation of the design.

MWB Nathaniel Beverly Tucker (1784-1851) is the name put forth in oral tradition as the designer of the Great Seal of the State of Missouri. He never made any claim as to the creation of the seal, and he made no effort to confirm or deny his involvement. He moved back to Virginia in 1833 to teach law at William and Mary College until his death in 1851. He had been away from Missouri for over 14 years by the time any written discussion began regarding the designer of the Great Seal, in 1847.

MWB Tucker was Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of A.F. & A.M. for a period of four consecutive terms from 1821 through 1825. He was a successful attorney and judge, serving the area around where the description of the seal was first published and he was involved in the creation of the state. He was at the right place at the right time to have created the seal. Support for the tradition of MWB Tucker as being responsible for the design of the Great Seal is found from, among others, Judge George D. Reynolds (1908), Historian Louis Houck (1908), Supreme Court Reporter and Author Perry S. Rader (1929), MWB Ray V. Denslow (1948), and Assistant Missouri Attorney General Paul N. Chitwood (1949).

By all accounts, MWB Tucker was a bit eccentric but extraordinarily knowledgeable. He had a classical education and was a well-known judge, who practiced law from inside the hollowed out stump of a tree. He was a prolific writer and created several novels of historical interest. He also published a great deal of his work anonymously, and was a friend of Edgar Allan Poe. page 32

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With all of his educational and literary work, it is easy to understand the combination of access and education that would have allowed the creation of this seal by MWB Tucker. But there are two items that link him inexorably to the Great Seal; the Bermuda Bears and Salus Populi Suprema Lex Esto.

The Bermuda Bears A curious piece of history exists with Bermuda to this very day in the form of the Bermuda Bears. While not indigenous to Bermuda as a species, bears are associated with Bermuda through the seal of the Earl of Warwick, a royal patron of Bermuda. A bear in heraldry is not very common and two bears in heraldry are rare. The Warwick seal demonstrates two bears that resemble the Missouri Bears.

The Tucker family has been linked to Bermuda and Virginia since 1616, when Captain Daniel Tucker of Virginia served as the 2nd Governor of Bermuda. MWB Tucker’s father moved from Bermuda to Virginia in 1772 to study law, and then moved back to Bermuda in 1775, just before the outbreak of the Revolutionary War. Following the war, he settled back in Virginia to raise a family.

The imagery of the two bears from the Earl of Warwick would have been associated and known to the Tucker family for almost 200 years at the time of MWB Tucker’s birth in 1784. Knowledge of history and his British roots through Bermuda are evident from MWB Tucker as he wrote a book regarding the history of the Britain. His use of the bears for the Great Seal goes beyond familiarity or convenience, and carries a more esoteric meaning that is best demonstrated in a presentation.

Salus Populi Suprema Lex Esto The discussions in the household in which young Nathaniel grew up must have been interesting to say the least. His father was none other than St. George Tucker (1752-1827) an eminent jurist, merchant, war hero, participant in the Constitutional Conventions, and, in the American Edition of Blackstone’s Commentaries, he literally wrote the book on the American version of English Common Law. His work centered on the role of the Constitution, the limitation of government, and the structure of the greater good.

The work of St. George Tucker brought the very concept of Salus Populi Suprema Lex Esto to a young Nathaniel Tucker and his older brother Henry St. George Tucker (1780-1848), who was arguably one of the finest Constitutional jurists in the history of our country. His “Lectures on Constitutional Law” is a major reference for scholars of today and his most strident work was in the 5th Amendment and the concept of private property and due process. This is the very work that Salus Populi Suprema Lex Esto is most often attached.

Salus Populi Suprema Lex Esto was debated and discussed in the Tucker household long before Nathaniel Tucker arrived in Missouri Territory. As a term or phrase, Salus Populi Suprema Lex Esto was not widely used beyond academic or legal circles and has been seen only on occasion as a motto. The concept of Salus Populi Fall Issue 2016

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FREEMASON INSIGHTS Suprema Lex Esto was at the fingertips of all three of these men, and would be at the core of the government that Nathaniel would be working to create in the State of Missouri.

The Rest of the Story The individual elements of the Great Seal and their interaction with historical changes to the seal are best reserved for a visual presentation. Specifically, the discussion of the star field and the positioning of the bears gives us ample ability to expand upon the Masonic nature of the Great Seal.

Finally, if research on this topic has demonstrated anything, it is the amazing amount of information that is available to the Masonic researcher. The resources available from the Missouri Lodge of Research, the Missouri Historical Society, and numerous archives are tremendous. You are encouraged to seek out the rewards that are hidden in much of the original source material available to you for any topic of Masonic interest.

Bibliography

“The State Seal” Missouri Gazette and Public Advisor. January 16, 1822 Chitwood, Paul N. “Letter from Assistant Attorney General Chitwood to Office of Secretary of State regarding procurement of new great seal: but no choice as to device.” Office of the Secretary of State 1949 Denslow, Ray V. A Book of Biographies – Past Grand Masters of the Grand Lodge of A.F.&A.M. of Missouri. Missouri Lodge of Research Volume 5, 1948 Houck, Louis A History of Missouri Volume 3 Chicago KK Donnelley 1908 King, Roy T. King “Robert William Wells, Jurist Public Servant, and Designer of the Missouri State Seal.” The Missouri Historical Review. Volume XXX No. 2 January, 1936 Laws of a Public and General Nature of the District of Louisiana, of the Territory of Louisiana, of the Territory of Missouri, and of the State of Missouri Up to the Year 1824. Jefferson City W. Lusk and Son 1842 Napton, Hon. William Barclay Past and Present of Saline County Indianapolis, IND., Chicago, ILL. 1910 Pettus, Morrison William Grymes Pettus and the Great Seal of the State of Missouri Compilation by Morrison Pettus of documents and discussion with Perry S. Rader. 1932 Pettus, William William Grymes Pettus Family Papers, 1766-1946 : Box 19a. Missouri Constitution (photostats), state seal, 18191823 Collection of the Missouri State Historical Society Rader, Perry S. “The Great Seal of the State of Missouri, Part II” The Missouri Historical Review. Volume XXIII No. 3 April 1929 Rader, Perry S. “The Great Seal of the State of Missouri” The Missouri Historical Review. Volume XXIII No. 2 January 1929 Reynolds, George D. “State Coat of Arms on Wall Above Appeal Court Bench” St. Louis Globe Democrat December 28, 1908 Shoemaker, Floyd Calvin Missouri’s Struggle for Statehood 1804-1821 Jefferson City Hugh Stephens Printing Co. 1916 Stephens, Walter B. Centennial History of Missouri Volume VI. St. Louis-Chicago 1921 Zieber, Eugene Heraldry in America (2nd Edition). New York. Haskell House. 1909

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60 Years & Counting Raccoon Dinner, Raccoon Supper, or the 20th Masonic District Annual Communication, whatever you want to call it, all have the same ring on the last Saturday in January. We have heard these words in Masonic ritual, “Change is the universal law of mortality.” And so it is with the raccoon dinner. In years past, it has been held on Monday or Friday or Saturday evenings. Most dinners were in January but, in 1980, it was in April. Early Communications were only attended by Master Masons.

Many may disagree as to how and when and by whom the dinner got started. It started small but grew rapidly and some years more than 175 Master Masons were in attendance. With crowds so large, the meeting and dinner were separated with two locations. The communication was opened on the third degree in the Lodge, with business, introductions, and the formal reception of the Grand Master, then all members walked across the street to the Memorial building for dinner. Traditionally, the 34th District (now the 20th) held its BBQ Raccoon Dinner in Jewel Lodge 480 at Pleasant Hill, which is located 16 miles south of I-70 on Missouri Highway 7. The present format, a District Communication, originated in 1957. From the efforts of RWB Bill Hedrick, PDDGL, WB Joe Sappington, and WB William L. Brown, Secretary of Jewel Lodge for 25 years, Jewel Lodge has continued to host the event. In 1987-1988, the event was moved to Cass Lodge 147 at Harrisonville as Jewel Lodge was constructing a new lodge building but it was always been under the direction of the DDGM and DDGL The printed Grand Lodge proceedings of 1957 show that MWB Harold M. Jayne was in Fall Issue 2016

attendance in 1957 at the first recorded 34th District Communication at Jewel Lodge 480. DDGM William Hedrick and DDGL T. B. Prettyman coordinated the communication. Over the years, we have been fortunate to have our current Grand Master as our honored guest. Since many of our Brethren do not have the opportunity to be in attendance at our Grand Lodge Session, it gives those Brothers the pleasure to greet our Grand Master in a smaller venue and to find out the programs laid out for the year. We find that most Grand Masters have the “Raccoon Dinner” on their calendar and look forward to the “Crowning of the Raccoon Skin Hat”. I can personally recall

WB Tony Borum and MWB David W. Haywood

my first dinner in 1973; I had only been a MM for a month. I found a quiet place in the back and watched everything unfold in unbelievable fashion.

Our then GM, MWB W. Hugh McLaughlin’s oration was awe inspiring and laid the foundation for high expectations of what was to come. At my second

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FREEMASON INSIGHTS dinner, our Worshipful Master took me by the arm and said,”Come with me I want you to meet a Grand Master.” MWB Walter L. Walker wished me well in all my Masonic endeavors. Brethren, never miss a chance to introduce a new member to a GM. They are always in demand for their time but I have found that they are always ready to extend their hand in fraternal friendship.

Yearly, the 20th Masonic District comes together for this District Communication. These Lodges include the following Lodges: Belton Grandview Lodge 450, Cass Lodge 147, Grand River Lodge 276, Index Lodge 54, and Jewel Lodge 480. Our DDGM opens on the 3rd Degree; we have a small amount of business including roll call of the 20th District Lodges, introduction of our guests, financial report, and presentation of awards (in 1993, RWB Farrell Sexson established a traveling trophy to be presented to the lodge with the best attendance at the DDGM’s schools of instruction conducted by our DDGM and presented at our Annual District Communication). We then announce the time and date for next year’s communication, introduce the Grand Lodge Officers, including the introduction and reception of the Grand Master and of course, the presentation of the “Raccoon Skin Hat” to the Grand Master. Then, we close.

Over the years, there have been many Brothers, wives and friends who have contributed to the fun and success of this event, especially WB Stanton Brown, Grand Lecturer Emeritus, of Buckner Lodge 501 whose birthdays often fell on “Raccoon Dinner” night, which brought strains of “Happy Birthday” from the dinner goers. In 1991, our DDGM, RWB Art Reece, decided it was time for another change and invited our ladies.

The finest raccoon are to be found in Cass County. Past recordings show that as many as 30 or more were prepared. A far less number are required today as the taste for this delicacy has waned. Now ham, brisket, ham and beans, green beans, sweet potatoes, baked whites, cold slaw, corn bread, and rolls have all been served along with the raccoon.

Final cleaning of the raccoons happened the night before the meeting at the American Legion Hall.

They were placed in a large tub to parboil with onions and shrimp spice. One Brother, unfamiliar with the process, asked “How long do they cook?” The answer? “Until the flesh cleaves not to the bone.”

Later, the cleaning was moved to RWB Art Reece’s home. After cleaning, he immediately moved them into his large smoker to simmer until the next day.

Many have been a bit skeptical, MWB Wes Cook was sure that the hot grill marks were that of Firestone tread. Aprons have been presented from “Road Kill Café.” One of our wives, thinking about eating raccoon, decided she could not eat anything even cooked in the same oven. She asked if we would accept a donation as they would find a restaurant more suitable to their taste. We even used a caterer for a while. Rainbow Assembly 77 now helps with the event. Whether you find the taste to suit your taste buds or not, many TO GO BOXES are filled with the best West Central Missouri has to offer.

Bad winter roads have always been a challenge in late January. There have always been exceptions. 1983 saw heavy rain that caused flooding in the streets. 1984 saw spring time temperatures, 1985 temperatures stayed near zero all day, 1989 saw summer-like temperatures and in 1991, MWB Dan Cole drove across the state from St. Louis in a snow storm. He called from Columbia at 3:00 P M and asked if the meeting was still on. MWB Cole trudged on and arrived 15 minutes before opening.

OUR INVITATION So it is again this year that the 20th Masonic District will host its 60th “Raccoon Dinner” or Supper, depending on your ‘up-bringing’, on January 28, 2017 at 5:00 PM in the hall of Jewel Lodge 480 at Pleasant Hill, MO, 1480 Broadway Street. All Master Masons are invited as we officially receive the Grand Master. Your 2016 or 17 dues card is required. Ladies and friends will wait in the dining room. Cost should be around $15.00 per person. We hope to see you there!

James W. Williams, PDDGM PM, Jewel Lodge 480

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What is the Purpose of Masonry and Our Lodges?

by: RWB Thomas A. Spencer

H

ave you ever asked yourself that question or considered the answer that you would give, if asked? I began to wonder about the answer as I asked prospective members why they wanted to join a Lodge and what benefits they expected to receive. The answers were many and varied.

The purpose of a Lodge seems to vary from Lodge to Lodge and between official statements made by various leaders and authors when discussing Masonry. Examples include Education, Esoteric Ritual, Fraternalism/Brotherhood, or Social/Charity, or simply increasing membership along with little or none of the previously mentioned attributes.

I often hear the phrase, “Masonry makes good men better”. Personally, I reject that; we may show a man how to become a better man, but we don’t make him better. He must make himself better by applying the teachings of the fraternity!

Now, there is that dirty word, “Teachings.” How long has it been since you sat in a Lodge meeting and discussed the meaning or philosophy of Masonry? We can all read the many books printed about Masonry and, from those, gain insights into the teachings of Masonry. If that’s how it’s done, why join a Lodge?

Not too long back, I heard an Assistant Grand Lecturer of a different jurisdiction say, “The purpose of a Masonic Lodge is to make Masons”. If that were true, we would not have any rules against solicitation. I point this out because it doesn’t seem to matter what rank in Masonry we have, there are widely varying opinions about our purpose.

Recently, I was reading the 2011 Volume of The Transactions of Quatour Coronati Lodge 2076 of England, and found a most interesting article on Brother Franz Liszt, a noted composer and celebrated concert pianist, who was initiated in Zur Einigkeit Lodge in Frankfurt-am-Main. I thought the circumstances of Liszt’s introduction into the fraternity were fitting to this article. When Liszt visited Frankfurt, he wrote a letter to Brother Wilhelm Speyer, who lived in Frankfurt, asking to be accepted as a Freemason. The request was made known to the Master of Zur Einigkeit Lodge, who suggested to the nineteen members present that, owing to Liszt’s short stay in Frankfurt, an exception should be made to the normal waiting time. It was agreed, but, in order to be initiated, Liszt had to answer three (3) questions in writing: 1.

What is the purpose of man in life?

Liszt: “The purpose of man is to aim at any possible perfection in truth, virtue, and beauty; thereby, as far as his imitations permit, seeking a union with his Creator.”

2.

What do you expect from Freemasonry for your soul, your heart, and for your material happiness?

Liszt: “I believe and hope to enter into a union of good and just men, uniting in the preparation of these aims.

I believe and hope that my mind will find nourishment, and that fraternal hands will give support in danger and difficulties.”

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FREEMASON INSIGHTS 3.

What can Freemasonry expect from you?

Liszt: “The order will always find me ready to take part in all its good causes by words and deeds, and to attend the worthy meetings. The order in whose deep wisdom I respectively believe, will find in me, in all which agrees with my religious and political opinions, in all which is not contrary to my honor and conscience, a willing neophyte and obedient member.”

Brother Liszt went on to receive his three degrees and was active. He later became a Catholic priest, but remained a Mason. This Brother began his journey in a Lodge in Frankfurt some 173 years ago. His answers, I believe, go to the heart of the question I posed and I believe they are profound answers.

When I considered the questions posed to Brother Liszt, I doubt that I could have given any acceptable answer when I petitioned. Even though my father was a Past Master, he never spoke to me about Masonry as such. But, as I look back on life, the little lessons he imparted had a Masonic theme behind them. You might ask why I joined Masonry. Simple - my Mother told me it would make my Father happy if I did. So, as a good son, I joined to make him happy. That was the best decision of my life.

Let me jump back to that dirty word....”Teachings.” It implies education! However, Masons do not go to Lodge to be educated. They go to Lodge to be Masons, to be a part of a Fraternity; not a Fraternity as defined by a dictionary, but as a Masonic Fraternity, and, in this regard, our Lodges should be a place where Masonic understanding is attained.

As Norm Leeper, past Editor of the Southern California Research Lodge “News Letter” put it: Masonic understanding is what Masonry is all about. Understanding Freemasonry is not easy, and it probably can never be fully understood. But, Freemasonry is what every man seeks in his own heart. It is the search of every human - to find that elusive answer to life. The ritual is merely a door to be opened. It is like the dawn - not the day and not the night, but an awakening to what can be. What will we do with the day light that is given to us?

Perhaps some might sum it up and say that the purpose of Masonry is to facilitate the individual Brother’s search for truth and knowledge of his relationship with his deity. If one accepts that as a possible purpose of Masonry, and you don’t have to accept it, as there can be many others, what then is the purpose of our Lodges?

Obviously, the Lodge is the place to confer degrees and do our ritual work. However, I see many Lodges whose whole being is wrapped up in doing letter perfect ritual and gaining new members. But, what of the current members? The rituals are important as they are the foundation that imparts our principles. However, I submit that the chief concern of a Lodge is with the welfare, happiness, and Masonic understanding of its current members, not with the admission of new members. Thus, the primary function of a Lodge is in developing its members as benevolent men, to cultivate the social virtues among its members, and to propagate the knowledge of the art and a search for the truth.

In today’s world, I believe a Lodge must be a place where we meet for fraternal companionship with like-minded men, where we experience mutual development. The Lodge’s programs must be varied and well thought out so as to render going to lodge a pleasant experience; one we all look forward to and can, as a result, feel that we have benefitted from the experience after we depart.

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But, as I re-read this, I know that my feelings about the purpose of Masonry and our Lodges are simply that......”my feelings”. As we all joined for perhaps different reasons, we have developed as Masons with different priorities, and perhaps have reached different outlooks on the ultimate goal of “light.” We, then, have much to offer each other. What we must strive for is understanding each other’s views and tolerance in those understandings.

This article is not meant to be dogmatic; it is simply one Brother’s thoughts on the question. Nor does it give a complete answer to the question. It is a hope to provide some food for thought. I would love to hear your answers to the question. Send them along so I can learn from you.

Fraternally, Brother Tom RWB Thomas A. Spencer joined Chula Vista Lodge 626 in California in 1962, is a PWM of Oregon Military Lodge 936 in Frankfurt Germany and honorary Senior Grand Warden in Germany. He holds membership in the jurisdictions of California, Texas, Germany and New Zealand and is also a member of the Missouri Lodge of Research.

To a Lodge Brother

By WB John E. Bayer

When your body is weak from the strain of the day, and your mind is dizzy from all the concerns that brought you dismay.

May you find peace and understanding from your world of woe; by being in your Lodge with Brothers all aglow.

So, be happy and fill your soul with cheer, because your Lodge Brothers make you feel better by being near.

Giving you the encouragement and wisdom you need, to help you cope with a world that so often impede.

Take time, my Brother, and enjoy your friends this day, For this time in Lodge gives you solace, peace and tranquility, no matter what may come the next day.

Remember to be Diligent, Prudent, Temperate and Discreet.

For while we may live in a world of Fear and Despair, we will always know our Lodge, with its Brothers are near.

There to help you along the way.

So, that you have peace in your life every day.

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Grand Master’s Calendar of Events November 2016 November 26 • MWB J, Morgan Donelson Service (MidMissouri) November 28 • Ransom A. Breuer Association (Eureka, MO)

December 2016 December 3 • Gateway Lodge 40 Holiday Party (Children)

December 14 • Royal Arch Holiday Party at Algabil-Freedom Lodge 636 (St. Louis) December 15 • 70-Year Pin Presentation at Christian Lodge 392 (Kansas City Area)

January 2017 January 18 • Fraternal Visit to Grand Lodge of Texas Annual Communication

January 25 December 6 • Hebron Lodge 354 Fraternal Visit (Mid-Missouri) • 22nd District Meeting - 50-Year Pin Presentation December 8 • Sojourners – Chapter 22 (St. Louis)

January 28 • 20th District Annual Coon Dinner at Jewel Lodge 480 (Western Area)