Shiloh Lodge #327
May 2004
 Trestleboard

From the East

I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone in our lodge who was involved in the Pancake Breakfast, our spring fundraiser, which was held on April 18, 2004.  I truly believe this fundraiser was successful, it accomplish my five goals I set for us to have a successful experience.  The five goals I felt we needed to accomplish were; develop community awareness, develop interest for new candidates, develop revenue for different charities, develop our Brothers friendship and brotherly love with the community and to HAVE FUN.  

I feel we have accomplished all five of these goals and we will have a great year if we stay pro-active by using our lodge’s resources to make the experience at our lodge meaningful.  These are the things we do along the way that will demonstrate the “Pride of Being a Mason at Shiloh Lodge No. 327” difference.  Many times it is the small things we do on the journey that people will remember and appreciate.

“Pride of Being a Mason at Shiloh Lodge No 327” is about walking the walk and talking the talk as a mason.  It involves everything we do and how we do it.  It might be spending a little extra time to explain the Masonic Order or opening the door for a stranger.  The things each of you do everyday define the community’s experiences with Masons.  Our goal is to give the community a Masonic experience that is better than anything else available.  Like Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls winning six world championships, give them something to talk about.

Fraternally Yours,

Cleo M. Miller, Sr.

Worshipful Master-2004

Masonic Trivia
(Thanks to John Garrod for supplying the link containing the following and  more of the same: http://www.pagrandlodge.org/programs/masedu/qa/indexqa.html)

(Answers Follow) 

1.  What are the "Higher Degrees" in Freemasonry?

2.  Who gave George Washington a beautiful Masonic Apron which he wore while laying the Cornerstone of the National Capitol?

3.  Where was the first Masonic Hall in America?

4.  What was the first Masonic Book printed in America?

5.  What Masonic penalties are actually enforced?

6.  What is meant by the Golden Fleece, Roman Eagle, and the Star & Garter?

7.  What does "hele" mean?

8.  What are High Twelve and Low Twelve?

9.  Who was the first non-operative Masonic member of record?

10.  What Lodges may be visited?

11.  To what extent may a Mason talk about Freemasonry to those who are not members of the Fraternity?

12.  What is a "Moon Lodge"?

Answers 

1.  There are none, although there are additional degrees other than the three of Symbolic Masonry.  The degrees of the Scottish and York Rites are dependent on the Three Degrees of the Symbolic Lodge.

2.  Brother, Marquis de Lafayette.

3.  "Freemasons' Lodge" built in 1755 in Philadelphia on the south side of Norris (or Lodge) Alley, which extends west from Second Street and is parallel to and north of Walnut Street.

4.  The "Constitutions of the Free-Masons" (a reprint of Anderson's Constitutions of 1723) printed by Benjamin Franklin in Philadelphia in 1734 "for the Use of the Brethren in North America".

5.  Censure, suspension and expulsion.  Other penalties mentioned in the Ritual are only symbolic.

6.  The Order of the Golden Fleece was founded by Duke Phillip of Burgundy in 1429.  The Roman Eagle was the symbol of the power and might of Rome during its heyday two thousand or more years ago.  The Order of the Star was founded by King John II of France in the 1300's.  The Order of the Garter was created by King Edward III of England about the same time.  The use of the apron as a badge is actually older than any of these.

7.  "Hele", pronounced "hail" is derived from the Anglo Saxon and means to cover or conceal.

8.  Noon and Midnight.

9.  John Boswell, Laird of Auchenleek, who was present at a meeting of Mary Chapel Lodge of Edinburgh on June 8, 1600.

10.  Only Lodges which are under the jurisdiction of Grand Lodges which your Grand Lodge recognizes as being legitimate.  When traveling in other jurisdictions and planning Lodge visits, it will be wise to make inquiries before starting on your trip.

11.  Masons need not be reticent in speaking about Freemasonry to those who have an honest desire for knowledge.  Questions asked in sincerity for the purpose of obtaining reasonable information concerning Freemasonry should be answered in the spirit in which they are asked. 

12.  In former times when roads were poor and traveling difficult, numerous Lodges met on the date of the Full Moon or, in some instances, a certain number of days before or after the Full Moon so that those going to and from Lodge Meetings might have the light of the moon to make the journey safer and easier.  In recent years a number of former "Moon Lodges" have changed their Meetings to a specific date.  Some Lodges, however, still meet on or a certain number of days before or after the Full Moon.

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.