February 2007 Trestleboard

FROM THE EAST

Charles H. Tupper, Master

any times as we watch the television and read the news we see stories of the degeneration of our country’s youth. Were we to believe that what we see and read is the norm today, we would think there is no hope for tomorrow. We would think that our young people are not learning anything and that law and order is doomed. Such is the picture that is painted for us on the front page to see day after day.

If we look past the front page and the television news headlines to the back pages we will see the less sensational stories. These are about youngsters who excel on the athletic field, those who excel in the academic field, and those who excel in helping others. We also have to realize that for every person we hear about there are thousands that we don’t.

It is these thousands who will make the biggest difference to our country as the years pass. They will be the voters and workers that keep our country growing and strong.

St. John’s Lodge No. 9 endeavors to combat ignorance and help our youth with programs such as our Accelerated Reader program in three local elementary schools, our scholarship program which helps a number of disadvantaged young people realize a higher education, and our help to the Masonic youth groups. We also get together to feed the homeless youth in the University District as a fill in group to “Teen Feed” several times each year.

We know that it is the thousands that fall between the excel group and the criminal group that really need our support. We work to give that support whenever and wherever we can.

Our members feel that what we do makes a positive difference in the outlook, attitude, and education of today’s youth in our area. This is extremely important to us and we support these efforts with more intensity and personal commitment than all our other charitable works combined. This is not to minimize our other efforts but is to point out that we know our community depends on our youth to grow and prosper. Nothing can be more important.

This month, at St. John’s Lodge No. 9, we will be blessed with the presence of most, though not all, of the local Masonic youth groups. DeMolay for boys, Rainbow for Girls, and Job’s Daughters will be there as each Order will demonstrate something for our education and enjoyment. It will be a fun evening. Please make it a priority to attend this meeting. Your presence sends an important message to our Masonic youth.

February 19 is Presidents Day

Bro. George Washington, like many Masonic Presidents, served as WM of his Lodge but is the only one to do so while President. (Kind of kills the excuse that one is too busy to serve his Lodge!

Bro. Andrew Johnson, our 17th President, never attended school! His future wife, Eliza McCardle, taught him to write at the age of 17. He was such a good tailor that he only wore suits that he custom-tailored himself.

Bro. James Garfield took 3 years and a day between his EA & FC degrees (a good excuse however, he was serving in the Union Army during the Civil War). He later was a charter member of a D.C. Lodge.

Bro. Teddy Roosevelt, a long time New York State Mason, took time during his presidency to visit the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania for the sesquicentennial of Bro. Washington’s becoming a Mason. It was Bro. Roosevelt, who by executive order renamed the “Executive Mansion” as “The White House.”

CALENDAR

· February 14 (5pm): Board of Trustees (Greenwood library)

· February 15 (7pm): degree (pending)

· February 19 (9:30am): laying of wreath at George Washington Memorial

· February 21 (6:15pm) 7:30pm: St. John’s 9 (dinner) Stated – Youth Groups Night

· February 27: King Co. Masonic Library (Delta-White Center)

· February 28 (7pm): Officers meeting

· March 15 (7pm): degree

· March 21 (6:15pm) 7:30pm: St. John’s 9 (dinner) Stated Table Lodge – Gale Kenney, JGW – speaker

· March 23-25: Warden’s Seminar (Yakima)

FEBRUARY STATED TO FEATURE MASONIC YOUTH

Freemasonry has created and supported three principle youth organizations over the years. They are the International Order of DeMolay for boys, International Order of Rainbow for Girls, and Job’s Daughters International, also for girls.

Basing its approach on timeless principles and practical, hands-on experience, DeMolay opens doors for young men aged 12 to 21 by developing the civic awareness, personal responsibility and leadership skills so vitally needed in society today.

Job's Daughters is an organization of young women between the ages of 11 and 20 who are related to a Master Mason, and share a common bond. Throughout the year, they perform service projects to help their community, the less fortunate, and other charities.

The International Order of the Rainbow for Girls helps promote self-esteem and leadership in its members. The Seven Colors of the Rainbow are represented by seven stations, strategically placed in the shape of a bow. Each station is represented by a color, and each color teaches one of the seven lessons of Rainbow.

At our February meeting, these young men and young ladies will demonstrate a sampling of their skills and show their appreciation for the support they receive from St. John's Lodge No. 9.

A complimentary dinner will be served at 6:15, with the Masonic Youth program immediately following. Masons from throughout the Greater Seattle area are invited to join us for an evening of fellowship. Please make your dinner reservations with the secretary at 206 623-0261 or stjohns9@seattlemasons.org by Friday, February 16, prior to the meeting.

If you need a ride, the secretary will be happy to find one for you. Do you know of a brother who has not attended lodge in a while? Call him and ask if you can pick him up and bring him to lodge.

We will be honored and look forward to a visit from the Grand Master of another Jurisdiction at our February Stated Communication. He will be coming following a six-day Conference of Grand Masters in Portland. This Most Worshipful Brother will be accompanied by Deputy Grand Master RWBro. Wayne Smith of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Washington. We will take the appropriate steps to ensure this Most Worshipful Sir will long remember St. John’s Lodge No. 9 and will enjoy his visit with us.

If you didn’t already have enough reason to attend the February Stated Communication this should put your plans over the top. Please make your dinner reservation with the Secretary as we need to let our caterer know how many dinners we will need. Remember – no reservation means you may not get fed.

Freemasonry is a fraternal organization whose membership is “held together by shared moral and metaphysical ideals and by a constitutional declaration of belief in a Supreme Being”(Wikipedia).

Its precise origins have been lost in time. However, its tradition dates back to the Middle Ages and to stonemasons, who built cathedrals and castles in Europe. To construct them, it was necessary to have considerable knowledge of geometry, arithmetic and engineering. Thus, highly skilled masons formed themselves into lodges to protect the secrets of their trade and to pass their knowledge on to worthy apprentices. Importantly, the men were not bondsmen (slaves), hence the word “free” in Freemasonry.

Often considered a “secret society,” it is more a society that is understood by few, and misunderstood by many. Today, it is run by men who lead their lives on principles of integrity, goodwill and charity.

WBro. Michael Rust is “serving time” at Swedish Medical Center for chemotherapy. He continues to enjoy any calls from his lodge brothers. Let’s help him maintain a positive mental attitude. He can be reached at 206 215-3925; his room is 1256 at Swedish, 747 Broadway. Please speak to his wife Alex before paying a visit.

While it has often been called a “secret society,” it is more correct to say that Freemasonry is an esoteric society, in that certain aspects are private. Freemasonry has, in the 21st century, become less a secret society and more of a “society with secrets.” Most modern Freemasons regard the traditional concern over secrecy as a demonstration of their ability to keep a promise and a concern over the privacy of their own affairs.

Lodge meetings, like meetings of many other social and professional associations, are private occasions open only to members. The private aspects of modern Freemasonry deal with the modes of recognition among members and elements within the ritual.