Shiloh Lodge #327
May 2003
 Trestleboard

 From the East

If you stayed away from the April Business Meeting you missed a fine evening!  It was great to see 24 (count ‘em) Brothers in attendance to kick off our first Educational Program of the year.  W\ Bro. Larry Jacobsen had a great presentation in what was the first of a series of interesting lessons which will continue at each of the Business Meetings throughout the year.

Don’t miss out again.  Make plans now to be at lodge the first Wednesday in May at 7:00 p.m!  We promise the business portion of the evening will be short and to the point, which will leave plenty of time for fellowship.

It is exciting to see the Line Officers taking a renewed interest in mastering their ritualistic duties.  Several have asked for help in learning their individual parts and they can be assured that plenty of volunteers are on hand to guide them.

We will have a candidate in May and have expectations of additional candidates for the month of June.  Our goal of Raising twenty men in 2003 is well on its way.  Keep those petitions coming!

Fraternally Yours,

Charles W. Amidon

Worshipful Master-2003
 

Pike: 

“Masonry is useful to all men;

To the Learned, because it affords them the opportunity of exercising their talents upon subjects eminently worthy of their attention;

To the Illiterate, because it offers them important instruction;

To the Young; because it presents them with salutary precepts and good examples, and accustoms them to reflect on the proper mode of living;

To the Man of the World, whom it furnishes with noble and useful recreation;

To the Traveler, whom it enables to find friends and brothers in countries where else he would be isolated and solitary;

To the Worthy Man in Misfortune, to whom it gives assistance;

To the Afflicted, on whom it lavishes consolation;

To the Charitable Man, whom it enables to do more good, by uniting with those who are charitable like himself;

And to all who have souls capable of appreciating its importance, and of enjoying the charms of a friendship founded on the same principles of religion, morality, and philanthropy.”

(Albert Pike, Morals & Dogma)

Franklin:

“Freemasonry has tenets peculair to itself.  They serve as testimonials of character and qualifications, which are only conferred after due course of instruction and examination.

These are of no small value; they speak a universal language, and act as a passport to the attentions and support of the initiated in all parts of the world.

They cannot be lost as long as memory retains its power.  Let the possessor of them be expatriated, shipwrecked or imprisoned, let him be stripped of everything he has got in the world, still those credentials remain, and are available for use as circumstances require. 

The good effects they have produced are established by the most incontestable facts of history.  They have stayed the uplifted hand of the destroyer; they have softened the asperities of the tyrant; they have mitigated the horrors of captivity; they have subdued the rancour of malevolence; and broken down the barriers of political animosity and sectarian alienation.

On the field of battle, in the solitudes of the uncultivated forest, or in the busy haunts of the crowded city, they have made men of the most hostile feelings, the most distant regions, and diversified conditions, rush to the aid of each other, and feel a special joy and satisfaction that they have been able to afford relief to a Brother Mason.”

(Benjamin Franklin)

A Sonnet:

So many men before thy altars kneel;

Unthinkingly, to promise brotherhood;

So few remain, humbly to kiss thy rood;

With ears undeafened to thy mute appeal;

So many find thy symbols less than real;

Their teachings mystic, hard to understand;

So few there are, in all thy far-flung band;

To hold thy banner high and draw thy steel;

And yet - immortal and most mighty, thou!

 What hath thy lore of life to let it live?

What is the vital spark, hid in thy vow?

Thy millions learned, as thy dear paths they trod;

The secret of the strength thou hast to give;

"I am a way of common men to God!"

(Carl H. Claudy)

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Please inform any of your lodge officers regarding sickness or distress of any of our brethren. 
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We would like to provide support to our brethren in times of distress and celebrate with them in times of gladness. Please immediately inform any of your lodge officers of such information regarding yourself or a brother.