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From the East
When I walked to school in my youth it was a relatively easy one mile with only faint undulations. I didn't have to walk three miles each way uphill in the snow like some of our elder statesmen, but I'm still a young geezer at heart. Notice I stated at heart, for I find no value in harping on generational differences. Knowing my tendency towards 20-20 hindsight I don't wish to magnify dim or faulty remnants of earlier memories; when I was younger I could remember anything, whether it happened or not.
Yet it's the memory of Masonry long past that poses such a Gordian knot for many of our veteran brethren. How often have we heard how proficient ritual and floorwork used to be, that sidelines used to be filled and members vied for the honor of being the junior steward - the Craft is not what it used to be. Perhaps all of this is true, but to what end are these statements made?
I have observed the effect of these comments and I know they're not issued in offense, but that is their effect. Far too many new brothers have dropped out over similar sleights, poor instruction and a lack
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of modeling of good masonic conduct. Remember you have been enjoined to remind a Brother in the most friendly manner of his fault...
I can't speak about what our lodge used to be, but as Master I can assure you that we work diligently, practice and strive for excellence. We have a small number of great mentors whom I thank at every opportunity, yet we are always in need for greater help, instruction and guidance. Consider this an open invitation for all brothers to help transfer the oral knowledge and tradition of our institution.
I look forward to seeing all of you this next stated meeting ? our annual table lodge ? where we'll celebrate St. Andrews lodge at the Green Dragon tavern. Now it's time for me to remind some youngster that gas used to be 19.9 a gallon and they gave away free glasses with every fill-up! |
Michael Rust, Master
| Stated Meeting Table Lodge opens at 6:30pm - Dress Business Casual!
Dockers or slacks, leave your suit and tie home.
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| My idea of a balanced diet is a cookie in each hand. |
MARCH STATED MEETING TO BE HELD AS A TABLE LODGE
In our colonial days, the Table Lodge was Freemasonry's greatest asset. It buoyed up the spirit of the colonists who were members of the Craft when they were at their lowest ebb. While the repast was undoubtedly limited and meager, the fervor and zeal were there.
In Boston, in the late 18th century, St. Andrews Lodge met in such a manner. A building had been purchased by the St. Andrews Lodge in 1764. There was a square and compass over the front door and a copper Dragon that had turned green through the weather. It was a community center. Downstairs was the Green Dragon Tavern. Upstairs was the St. Andrews Lodge and the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts (Ancients). It was the largest place for meetings in the north east end of Boston. Historians have called it "headquarters of the American Revolution."
On the night of December 16, 1773, there were men who called themselves "Mohawks" and put lamp black and paint on their faces as a disguise. Some of these "Mohawks" met at the Green Dragon Tavern. Some met in homes. Some wrapped themselves in blankets and sat in the balcony of the Old South Meeting House mixing with the crowd.
Two thousand people silently stood on Griffin's wharf and watched as sixty men dumped 90,000 pounds of tea into the salt water.
Secret signs and countersigns for recognition were exchanged among those who took part in the famous "Boston Tea Party." The records of a usually well attended St. Andrews Lodge show that only five members were present.
This is a stated meeting in conjunction with our dinner, which will be served at 6:30 p.m. Only Masons, Entered Apprentice or above, will be allowed to share our festive board. Sorry, no ladies or non-Masonic guests this month, please.
The Masonic banquet as a function, a ceremonial, an occasion, is very, very old. How old it is not necessary here to attempt to determine, but older by far than any Masonry we know, so that the lodge feast but carries out a custom in Masonry "which was old when the pyramids were built."
The Masonic desirability of a social dinner is as old as the Freemasonry we know. In 1717, when the Mother Grand Lodge was formed to revitalize the Lodges in and around London, one of the reasons given was "To revive the Quarterly Communication and hold the Annual Feast". Many historians claim this Annual banquet was the most important move made by the new Body. And a short time later, the Grand Master directed there be installed "the old, regular and peculiar Toasts and Health's of Freemasons". From the idea of a feast in which brethren broke bread together and drank in common, came the Table Lodge of the late seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries.
Although alcoholic beverages did contribute to the festivities of the Table Lodge in days long gone, they were not a necessary adjunct. Wine was the libation, but that was changed when the 18th Amendment was adopted, so Masons would conform to the law. Although prohibition was repealed, Freemasonry did not completely follow suit. It retained a substitution, mainly out of respect for the Brethren who practiced abstinence. In most Jurisdictions today, in the place of wine, fruit juices and punches are used for the Toasts. Actually, it is not what the glass contains, but the concept it offers. Wine is permitted in Washington, and will be available at this tribute to St. Andrews Lodge.
The Table Lodge is a heritage of our past. It has been stated that "the Table Lodge is the summary of Masonic doctrine". It prescribed reverence for Divinity and moral law. It strengthened the devotion that Masons held for Lodge and Country. It increased the unity and fellowship of the Craft
BANQUET NIGHT
Bro. Rudyard Kipling
"Once in so often," King Solomon said,
Watching his quarrymen drill the stone,
"We will curb our garlic and wine and bread
And banquet together beneath my Throne,
And all Brethren shall come to that mess
As Fellow-Craftsmen-no more and no less."
GOLF TOURNAMENT APPROACHING
WBro. Terry Grove encourages those who want to participate in the annual King Solomon's Golf Tournament to see him for registration. This May 22 Scholarship fund raiser sponsored by King Solomon's Lodge No. 60. will be held at the Auburn Golf Course. Recent renovations - lengthening several holes and improving drainage - have made this course alongside the Green River into one of the nicer municipal courses in the state.
L.O.M.A COMMUNICATES
Most district-wide planning is accomplished by a District Officers and Members Association, formed by a loose association of Lodges within that district. As its name infers, members and officers of local lodges plan two or three activities per year, and help to promote each lodge's activities. District No. 5 L.O.M.A. generally meets on the last Wednesday of the month. This year, our Past Master Terry Grove will be serving as president. Officers and members of St. John's are encouraged to attend these meetings, usually held in the Scottish Rite library. Next meeting will be February 25 at 7:00 p.m.
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY ONE OF MANY CHARITIES SUPPORTED BY ST. JOHN'S
Habitat for Humanity is an Ecumenical Christian outreach dedicated to building well-made basic housing for low income families. Is this a handout? No, it is a hand-up. A family selected must provide "sweat equity" and also pay for the house. However, they are able to buy the house for what it costs to build with a zero interest loan. Habitat holds the mortgage. There are provisions in place to prevent someone from taking advantage of the program.
These houses are able to be built because of donations of cash, materials, services, and Habitat for Humanity volunteer labor. Masonic Brothers are asked to be part of that labor force.
Habitat was started in 1976 to remove inadequate housing in a small county in Georgia. Since then, over 100,000 houses have been built world-wide. The Grand Lodge of Tennessee is the first Grand Lodge to get involved with this program, with Washington perhaps the second
In 2001, St. John's contributed $5,000 to the local chapter and has pledged $4,000 this year. Worshipful Master Michael Rust will be asking for volunteers to construct another house, soon.
CALENDAR
- February 26: Quarterly meeting of Masonic Service Bureau
- March 3 6:30pm: St. John's 9 Stated Table Lodge
- March 13-14: Wardens Seminar - Wenatchee
- March 20: Grand Lodge one-day degree conferral
- March 24 (7pm): Officers meeting/practice
- April 7 (6pm) 7:30pm: St. John's 9 (dinner) Stated
- May 2 (8:30-10:30am): Family Brunch Ivar's Salmon House
- May 22: King Solomon Golf Tourney (Auburn)
- May 23 (9:30am): March to St. Mark's Cathedral (11am service)
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Mary's Chapel lodge in Edinburgh is the oldest Masonic lodge still in existence - its records date back to July 31, 1599.
- Guinness book of world records.
Contact Us Here
Worshipful Master: Michael Rust (206) 725-5853 fiddlerose@comcast.net
Senior Warden: Joseph Lund (425) 271-3173 yosiflund@earthlink.net
Junior Warden: Mark Campbell (425) 398-1398 mark.katherine@verizon.net
Secretary: Jim Russell (206) 623-0261 stjohns9@msn.com
Webmaster: Charlie Tupper (206) 406-8670 webmaster@seattlemasons.org
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