Wages for a Past Master

Transcription

1 Wages for a Past Master VOLUME 213 OCTOBER ISSUE During the September 13th open meeting, Brother Joe Wages presented the lodge an actual portrait and historical lecture on the subject of Dr. James Wilson, the charter Master of the original Plano Lodge #235 and the Charter Secretary of the current Plano Lodge #768. Dr. Wilson later served as Master of #768 as well, and authored two books on the subject of Freemasonry. The following is an excerpt from that informative lecture. In Masonic Gems Brother Wilson desired that all Masons should read and have this pocket book to truly understand the Craft. These books were derivative works, based upon "Mackey's Encyclopedia of Freemasonry." This statement is evidenced by the last page in Masonic Gems that identifies Brother Wilson as agent for Mackey's Encyclopedia. From this collection of sources it has been established a general time frame of the life of Brother Wilson. He was not only a doctor but a veteran of war. He then finished his education and returned to Texas, the state that he fought hard to keep free. He served his community as exemplary physician and was a Methodist preacher too. He was in addition a founding father of freemasonry in North Texas, having served as Charter Worshipful Master of two Lodges, East Trinity Lodge No. 157 and Plano Lodge No 235. In addition he was charter secretary for Plano Lodge No 768, as well as its sixth Worshipful Master. He was also a member of the Grand Lodge of Texas. Brother Wilson was also an accomplished author who's sole motivation for writing was for the education of new Masons. It was his hope that every Mason would read his book. The Preface in Masonic Gems sums up his transient and surprisingly relevant thoughts on the matter. Having used a great portion of the matter herein contained as lectures, principally to the Lodges of the Twentieth Masonic district, and being solicited by many brethren to have them put in pamphlet form and realizing the great want of general information relative to the legends, philosophy and symbolism of Freemasonry, and as our appreciation of our symbolic degrees can only be in proportion to our knowledge of their mythical History and symbolic teaching, which can only be obtained by long and laborious research and study of Masonic literature, much of which is wholly unreliable and would require a greater expenditure of money and consumption of time to get a correct idea of what we want than many have the inclination to give, especially, in this utilitarian age, when business and the material concerns for life are absorbing the attention of the masses, it is almost impossible for the average man to find time even if he had the faculties and inclination to become acquainted with the science of Masonry by a thorough and exhaustive course of reading. They have no time to digest general and exhaustive disquisitions of un reliable authors upon the subject of Freemasonry. They must, therefore, be furnished with the most concise presentation of the leading Masonic thinkers and writers. Inside this issue: From the East From the West By the Plumb Rainbow 50th Anniversary Museum and Library 2012 Blood Drive Calendar & Dinner Menu Contact Information Your Contributions are Encouraged! Please send stories, ideas, photos, or opinions directly to Trestleboard@planoma soniclodge.org ~ JH

2 Page 2 Freemasons often refer to the experience of receiving the degree of Entered Apprentice as being "initiated" with perhaps little care or thought for what that word implies. In exploring human history, we find that "initiation" often signifies a specific moment in which someone becomes a recognized part of a group. This commonly requires a ceremony or ritual that may or may not be held privately or secretly, and may be accompanied by one or more tests or trials. In extreme examples, these trials can even involve life-threatening, and occasionally fatal, situations. Once accepted and passed, the shared experience of these trails permanently cements the bond between the group and the new initiate. Additionally, we find that initiation can designate an event which marks a significant change or transformation of the candidate. As an example, in many cultural or spiritual traditions, older boys might be initiated into manhood. This can involve secret ceremonies in which the initiate is provided some of the traditions or stories illustrating the ideals and archetypes of manhood within the tradition. In other cases, as with the Bar Mitzvah practiced within Judaism, it might be a public recognition by the community that a boy has earned the privileges and responsibilities that come with his transition into manhood. In any case, the ceremony of initiation leaves the candidate forever changed. There is no stepping back into the place from which he came. Finally, we can consider the word itself, to initiate, as a reference to something that is newly started or undertaken. In this context, initiation marks the beginning of something which transcends one particular moment or event. It leads the initiate into a journey, which he must begin to follow for himself. The candidate is literally set upon a path, the way is shown, and any ensuing challenges or difficulties willing accepted. This is the moment that Frodo accepts the one ring from his uncle Bilbo and leaves the Shire with his friends, or when Luke Skywalker accepts his father's light saber from Obi-wan Kenobi and seeks to learn the ways of the Jedi. Of course, as the stories of great heroes often teach us, the initiate seldom knows where the path will lead him and how it will change him in the process. It is easy to see that initiation into Freemasonry utilizes all of these important facets when we confer an Entered Apprentice degree. The candidate is united to his new Brethren by his share in that experience, and we formally recognize him in his new status as a Freemason. We share our legends and stories with him so as to impress upon his mind the ideals and lessons of the Fraternity. And finally, if we have done our job well, the candidate is forever changed. If he is open to this process, the new Apprentice is set upon a journey toward self-knowledge, new challenges and discoveries, and the substantial labor of self-improvement. Amid all of the joyful wages Masons earn and experience in practicing the tenets of our Order, let us never forget that it is a most solemn duty to take men who already know within their hearts that they are part of our Fraternity, to initiate them into our peculiar Mysteries, and, through that process, to show them the Light they already have within themselves. Fraternally, Kevin Main From the East

3 From the West VOLUME VOLUME 213 OCTOBER 213 OCTOBER ISSUE ISSUE We have been seeing an increase in interest in petitioning for the degrees in our Lodge which is a good thing. As part of the petition process the Grand Lodge requires that we perform an investigation of the candidate before balloting on his petition. The investigation serves several purposes; it allows the investigation team to form personal face to face impressions of the candidate, it provides an opportunity for follow up questions to clarify answers to the petition, and it allows the petitioner and his family, if applicable, to ask questions of the investigation team. We owe it to the petitioner and to Masonry in general to perform a thorough and fair investigation. To that end, I would like to make the following points: Each signer of a petition, recommender and reference, should be contacted by each member of the investigating team. It is also important to verify that the signers are regular master masons. I m aware of instances where petitions have been signed by clandestine masons, EAs, and suspended masons. Also remember that the petitions are confidential and should not be discussed in detail with non-investigators and the petitions should be given to the Secretary in person or in a sealed envelope. Again, this is to protect the petitioner and masonry in general. We should give the petitioner a chance to involve his family in the investigation if he desires. We know that he is interested since he has submitted a petition, but his family may have reservations that we could address and gain a candidate with the support of his family. Fraternally, Bill Goodell Dallas Sco sh Rite One Day Fall 2012 Reunion Saturday October 27th This is a tremendous opportunity for any Master Mason in the Sco sh Rite Valley of Dallas to become a 32 nd degree Sco sh Rite Mason by only a ending the one day and seeing the terminal degrees like done during the one day Summer Reunion. The cost: Only $250, a bargain considering what is included (books, cap, pin, warrant, full dues for 2012). The annual dues alone are $125. If 30 or under, the cost is half or, $125 If active military E-5 or below, it's $175 unless under 31 For more information call (214) or visit Page 3

4 Page 4 By the Plumb There has been several updates to our extra-curricular activities over the past month to report. First, our Fall Festive Board has been tentatively moved to Saturday, December 1st. (no longer Oct 12th). TMRC fundraiser & picnic is Saturday October 20th, 10am 4pm. A group will be leaving from lodge early to setup our tent. Contact PM Clay Smith or WM Kevin Main for details on caravanning. Blood Drive is back on! Thanks to Barry, we saved our fall campaign. We ll be around lodge on Saturday October 27th. We also have our booth for the Downtown Plano Fall Festival that day. We ll be manning the booth with water sales, pumpkin carving, and other Masonic information and trying to direct people to the blood mobile. Save a pint for Carter if you can. If not, come by and help for 30 minutes or an hour. Barry gets there early, and could use some help. If you can t go early we will be taking blood into the afternoon as well and manning the booth into the evening. We will be having our Widow s Honor Night November 8th starting at 5:30pm. We need some volunteers to help that evening. Please let Brother Larry know if you can help chauffeur or otherwise are able to help. Dress up for this evening too. Thank you & see you Thursday, Brian Chaput Return to: Plano Masonic Lodge #768 PO BOX Plano, TX 75086

5 VOLUME 213 OCTOBER ISSUE Congratulations Plano Assembly! Plano assembly 320 of the International Rainbow and Pledge Girls celebrated their 50th Anniversary Sat. Sept 8th at Plano Lodge. The Anniversary service included a slide show and several table presentations of the many regional and national awards and ceremonies they have attended. The presiding introductions was conducted by Worthy Advisor Rheanna Lee. In attendance and presentation was the Grand Deputy, Mrs. Joann Weaver. Plano Assembly was chartered in 1962 under the umbrella of the Eastern Star, Nov. 13 with 31 girls. The mother advisor was Rebecca Robinson. The group has initiated 391 girls in their history and has elected or sent 71 grand officers. 85 girls have participated in the Grand Cross of Color. Ms. Joann Weaver gave us a history presentation of the early foundation of the chapter and its mission and dedication to family, love, and the Masonic organization. Page 5 Page 5 School Supplies Drive Contact Bro. Bob Walton for more details. Please help stock the box at the front of the lodge room with the following NEW items by March 1st

6 Page 6 Storage Wars Texas on WEDS. 8:30 PM. Brothers Larry Kester and Sam Tiner will be evaluating some Masonic stuff that one on the shows people picked up in a Storage Locker they bought. Our Mission The North Texas Masonic Historical Museum and Library was organized to preserve the complete history of Plano, Collin County, and North Texas for historical, educational, literary, scientific, and charitable purposes. This includes the history of the first Masonic Lodge in Plano, the current Masonic Lodge in Plano, other Lodges in Collin County and the North Texas area, their founders, officers, members and their correlation and influence upon the communities history. Our mission encompasses the preservation of archives and collections, and the research, exhibition, and interpretation of Masonic history and its effects upon the development of Plano and the North Texas area.

7 VOLUME 213 OCTOBER ISSUE Page Plano Blood Drive This Fall's Plano Masonic Lodge Blood Drive will take place Saturday, October 27th tentatively between 9am and 3pm. We will be collecting blood in conjunction with a downtown festival: The 2012 Downtown Plano Festival is scheduled to run from 11 pm through 10pm with lots of activities: culinary creations from all of the participating Downtown Area restaurants, live entertainment all day, a parade of the Sons of the American Revolution and Shrine Clowns down 15th Street, a Kid s Play area in Haggard Park with face painting, games, hay rides etc., a vintage car show, Plano Police Fire Truck Pull, pumpkin races, vendors and merchants selling and promoting their wares and great music. Of course our Masonic Booth is manned and intended to show awareness within the Plano Community, we will have pumpkin carving for kids, sell water and juice, and show off some of our history collection from the Library. Please show your Masonic Pride by participating in your community and helping us man the booth. Contact me at ellisparrish1@hotmail.com and we can work out a schedule so you can donate maybe 2 hours of your day to help out. The Blood Drive will focus on collecting Masonic blood tentatively from 9am - 10am. Then, we will be supporting our community members who would like to give blood until 3pm. The Rainbow Girls will be supporting us by handing out cards to patrons asking them to donate Blood to the Scottish Rite Children s Hospital. The Blood Drive support the Scottish Rite Hospital for Children by providing credits for the blood bank needs. This supports the children and the hospital directly. Giving blood helps everyone. Please be available on October 27th to give blood, support Plano Lodge #768's booth, support Plano Masonic Blood Drive, and have some fun. Regards, Barry Parrish Sr. Deacon Plano Lodge #768

8 Page 8 October 2012 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Scottish Rite 19th Degree Practice 7PM Blue Ridge # 490 Celina # 919 OES Stated 7:30 PM Scottish Rite Stated Rainbow Advisory Board East Fork # 650 St. John s # 51 Lebanon # Rainbow Stated McKinney Commandery Stated Allen # Rainbow Lodge Cleanup Farmersville # Scottish Rite 19th Degree Practice 7PM 17 District 9 MWSA 6:30 PM Blue Ridge Lodge #490 Stated (Family Night) Glazed Ham Lee # 435 Melissa # Called EA Degree Red Beans and Rice 18 Called EA Degree Lasagna Scottish Rite Fall Reunion - Day 1 Scottish Rite Fall Reunion - Day 2 Masonic Family Day TMRC Scottish Rite Education 6:30 PM McKinney Council Stated MM Degree Practice 6:30PM Called MM Degree Jr. Steward s Trestleboard Blood Drive Benefiting Scottish Rite Hospital 2012 Downtown Plano Festival Scottish Rite Fall Reunion - Day 3 Princeton # Rainbow Initiation Plano Shrine Club

9 VOLUME 213 OCTOBER ISSUE Page 9 P L A N O M A S O N I C L O D G E # A F & A M 1414 J Avenue Plano, TX Phone: Masonry, knock and it shall be opened unto thee /2013 Senior Officers Worshipful Master Kevin Main kevin@main-family.com Senior Warden Bill Goodell w.goodell@sbcglobal.net Junior Warden Brian Chaput chaputba1@yahoo.com Treasurer Kevin Campbell kevinmcampbell2003@yahoo.com Secretary H. David Moore dmoore@ghizmo.com 2012/2013 Junior Officers Chaplain Joseph McBain hossmcbain@gmail.com Senior Deacon Barry Parrish ellisparrish1@hotmail.com Junior Deacon Jim Harbor jim.harbor@gmail.com Senior Steward Brian Cook go2e@sbcglobal.net Junior Steward Shaun Henry rescue161@aol.com Marshal Sam Tiner sam.tiner@verizon.net Master of Ceremonies Trey Odem treydodem@gmail.com Tiler Dennis Surrells dennis.surrells@verizon.net