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Issue No. 39.1 January 26, 2007 |
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R:.W:. Joseph R. Leo R:.W:. David L. Blasch V:.W:. John W. Cola V:.W:. Scott A. Klein Lodges of the Athelstane Cornerstone Goshen Hoffman Hudson River Jerusalem Temple Naurashank Port Jervis Stony Point-Wawayanda Wallkill Warwick West Point Archives No.
1 5/5/06 |
It's been another busy week in the Orange-Rockland District! Last Saturday, West Point Lodge Raised eight Brothers to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason in a Degree that we will remember for a long time. Regrettably, our District could have been better represented, and visiting Brothers from Westchester-Putnam and Prince Hall stepped in to assist us. We have had a request for assistance for this Degree listed for many weeks now. Please consider the manpower needed to confer our Third Degree and consider helping out the Lodges who may require assistance. On Tuesday, Hoffman Lodge conferred the Fellowcraft Degree on five enthusiastic Brothers and we made our last Official Visit to Cornerstone Lodge on Wednesday evening. There was an amazing turnout, including five Entered Apprentices and Fellowcrafts, and the candlelit dinner in the newly renovated tavern room made the evening special indeed. I also had the privilege of presenting Wor. Belding Clearwater, an old friend, with his 60 year certificate and pin. The coming week will be just as busy. This evening (Friday), Wallkill Lodge will hold a Beef Brisket Dinner to raise funds for a local high school student who was seriously injured in a recent accident. Details appear below, but Wallkill Lodge's continued dedication to local causes like this is a true exemplification of our Grand Master's clarion call for personal community service. On Saturday morning, Jerusalem Temple Lodge will confer the Master Mason Degree on three Brothers and we invite everyone to join us at 8:00 a.m. for breakfast and the Degree at 9:00 a.m. Non-speaking roles are still available! The Orange-Rockland District Masonic Association (ORDMA) will meet on Monday evening at the Pearl River Masonic Temple. Dinner will begin at 6:30 p.m. with the business meeting and program to follow at 7:30 p.m. Our annual dues campaign has begin, so that ORDMA can continue to support our Lodges in their efforts. Dues are still only ten dollars per year, and the first year of membership is free for newly Raised Master Masons. Come on out and see what YOUR District Association can do to assist your Lodge! Finally, my Brothers a few words on Masonic etiquette. If you need to leave from the Lodge room, step to the altar, salute the Worshipful Master, and retire. If the Master is occupied, as in a Degree, or your need is that urgent, retire quietly. Do not salute the Senior Warden, and do not come and go like a yo-yo. If you can't make it through the Opening without a drink or a cigarette, please reconsider why you came in the first place. There is no need for anyone to rearrange furniture and staves while the Master is obligating Brethren at the altar during a Degree. Shocked that this has happened? So was I. I'm serious, your Lodge should not tolerate this type of unMasonic conduct and it will be addressed at our next Masters and Wardens meeting. I'm also seeing way too many open ritual books in the Lodge room and, worse yet, most are not the current editions. At a recent Degree, I saw no less than eight open books and not one was even the current version. No more excuses, please, and that includes the Secretaries. My Brothers, start a Lodge Library and collect the old hardcover books and wax cuneiform tablets, and order the current books for your members. The ONLY book that may be open when the Lodge is open is the new Chaplain's Book which contains all of the prayers used in Lodge in large print. If I'm there, I will be happy to prompt for you, thus alleviating ANY excuse for open rituals while we are at Work. To end on a more positive note, I am glad to hear that so many Lodges are already running out of the new membership brochures, CDs, and wallet cards. I urge you all to order more now, while supplies last! Keep an eye on your mailbox for more great stuff to come from our Grand Lodge over the next few months. I hope to see many of you over the next few days, otherwise, I'll see you next week! DISTRICT NEWS
Wallkill Lodge Fundraiser Child ID System Training Masters and Wardens Meeting A Special Third Degree Port Jervis Lodge Roast Beef Dinner George Washington's Birthday Celebration Library Dinner Dance ORDMA NEWS
Next ORDMA Meeting
Download the ORDMA Dinner Dance Ad Form ORDMA Calendars Now Available! DATES TO REMEMBER
SCHOOL OF INSTRUCTION
The Orange-Rockland School of Masonic Instruction will convene on the second Monday of each month, at locations around the District. Instruction will rotate on a monthly basis between Ritual, Grand Lodge educational programs, and seminars on topics like Leadership and Communication. Our next School will be held on Monday February 12th at Jerusalem Temple Lodge at 8:00 p.m. The trestleboard for the School will be the Entered Apprentice Degree. Please bring your Entered Apprentices and Fellowcrafts for this informative evening .A brief Masters and Wardens meeting will precede the School at 7:00 p.m. If you have any questions, please contact the DDGM. We'll see you there! What Does It Mean?
The Presentation of the Apron In presenting the Apron to a Brother, we say that it is more ancient than the Golden Fleece or the Roman Eagle, more honorable than the Star and Garter, or any other order that might be conferred, etc. Are these claims true? We shall examine them severally. The Golden Fleece "The Golden Fleece" has given its name to a celebrated Order of Knighthood in Austria and Spain, founded by Philip III. Duke of Burgundy and the Netherlands, at Bruges, on the tenth of January, 1429, on the occasion of his marriage with Isabella, daughter of King John I. of Portugal. This Order was instituted for the protection of the Roman Catholic Church, and the fleece was assumed for its emblem, from being a staple commodity of the low countries. The founder made himself Grand Master of the Order, a dignity appointed to descend to his successors; and the number of knights, at first limited to twenty-four, was subsequently increased. Contests arose between Spain and Austria as to the possession of this Order of Knighthood, which were finally adjusted by introducing the Order into both countries. In Austria the Emperor may now create any number of Knights of the Golden Fleece from the nobility. If Protestants, the consent of the Pope is required. In Spain, Princes, Grandees, and personages of peculiar merit are alone eligible to membership in this Order. The legend of the Golden Fleece, for which the Argonauts searched, is like the story of Masonry, a search for that which was lost. It is familiar to most readers of poetry and myths, and is interesting as being among the first known voyages of discovery. The Roman Eagle In modern times France, Russia, Prussia, and the United States have adopted the Eagle as a National military symbol. The Order of the Black Eagle, in Prussia, was instituted in 1701, on the occasion of the coronation of the King. The number of Knights was first limited to thirty, in addition to the princes of the Royal family; but now the number is unlimited. They must be at least thirty years of age, and must prove noble descent through both parents for at least four generations. Chapters of the Order of the Black Eagle are held twice a year. It is the highest Order in Prussia. No member is allowed to travel from Court more than twenty miles without permission or giving notice. The Order of the Red Eagle, founded in 1734, was afterwards made a subordinate degree to the Order of the Black Eagle, and those received into the Black, must now pass through the Order of the Red Eagle. These Orders are outgrowths of the original symbol of the Roman Eagle. The Star and The Garter The Order of the Star originated in France, and was founded by John II. in 1350 in imitation of the recently instituted Order of the Garter in England. The name of the Order has allusion to the Star of Bethlehem, or the Star of the Magi. A star of some design, from five to sixteen points, forms a part of the symbolism in every Order of Knighthood. The Order of the Garter dates from about 1344. Its origin is not certain. Edward III. is said by some to have instituted it. Others say Richard I. at the siege of Acre, when he is said to have caused 26 Knights to wear thongs of blue leather around their legs. Another account is, that the Countess of Salisbury happened at a ball to drop her garter, and the King picking it up, presented it to her. Some of the company smiled, whereupon the King exclaimed "Honi Soit Qui Mal y pense" (Evil to him who evil thinks.) Immediately after this circumstance this Order of the Garter was founded. It was founded in honor of the Holy Trinity--The Virgin Mary, St. Edward the Confessor and St. George. The last, who had become the tutelary saint of England, was considered its special patron. It is known as the Order of St. George, as well as of the Garter. Its members are also known as Knights of St. George. The number of Knights was originally twenty-six, including the Sovereign, who is the Chief of the Order; but in 1786 an order was passed increasing the number to include all the princes of the Royal family, and illustrious foreigners on whom the Order might be conferred. The Garter is a dark blue ribbon, edged with gold, bearing the motto, "Honi Soit qui Mal y pense" (Evil to him who evil thinks) in gold letters, mounted with a gold buckle, and worn on the left leg below the knee. The mantle is of blue velvet; on the left breast is a star. The hood is of crimson velvet lined with white The hat is of black velvet with a plume of white ostrich feathers, in the center of which is a tuft of black heron's feathers, all fastened by a band of diamonds. The "George" is a figure of St. George encountering a dragon, and is worn on the collar, while a lesser "George" pendant to a dark blue ribbon, is worn over the left shoulder. This Order is perhaps the best known of any except the Order of Knights Templar. In many respects The Garter and the Order of the Temple resemble each other. In comparing all these orders, The Golden Fleece, The Roman Eagle, and the other European orders of the Eagle, The Star and the Garter, Freemasonry may well claim to be more ancient than any or all of them; for in some form, well nigh akin to its present form, Masonry has existed for many centuries. HELP WANTED
Restoration Help Wanted Master Mason Degree Assistance Needed Copyright 2006-2007 Orange-Rockland District, GLNY F&AM. All rights reserved. |
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ORDMA Dinner Dance