Free and Accepted Masons Dover, N. H. May 2016 Organized Under Dispensation December 20, 1889 Chartered May 21, 1890

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1 MOSES PAUL LODGE #96 DOVER, NEW HAMPSHIRE Free and Accepted Masons Dover, N. H. May 2016 Organized Under Dispensation December 20, 1889 Chartered May 21, 1890

2 May Calendar Event: Square and Compass Date and Time: Thursday May 5th, 6:30 pm at the Lodge Hall, Dress Code: Casual Cost: Usually less than $10.00 Description: Fellowship dinner, Social Hour Who can attend: EA s and above, and Guests for dinner, Event: Moses Paul Dine Around Club (informal gathering) Date and Time: TBD 6:30 pm, Dress Code: Casual Cost: Description: Informal gathering to enjoy fellowship outside of the Lodge. A time to introduce good men to Masonry. Location is TBD Who can attend: All Masons and Guests. Event: Stated Communication Date and Time: Thursday May 19 th Lodge opens at 7:30 pm Dress Code: Officers Jacket and tie Cost: Donation for collation Description: Monthly business meeting. Who can attend: EAs and above

3 District 5 Calendar Event: Winnipesaukee Lodge Breakfast Buffet Date and Time: Sunday May 15 th 7:30 am-11:00 am at Winnipesaukee Lodge in Alton NH Dress Code: Casual Cost: $10.00 Description: Famous Breakfast Buffet Who can attend: Public event All are welcome! Grand Lodge Calendar You are hereby notified that the Two Hundred and Twenty-Seventh Annual Communication of the M W Grand Lodge of New Hampshire, F. & A.M., will be held in the Masonic Temple, 1505 Elm Street, City of Manchester, Saturday, May 21, 2016, opening at nine-thirty o'clock in the forenoon. Lodges without representation will be subject to the Constitutional penalty. Each Lodge must be represented at both the opening and closing of Grand Lodge. Masters and Wardens, clothed in regalia of office, are expected to attend. Masters, Wardens, and elected Representatives must be provided with credentials. Proxies for Masters, Wardens, and elected Representatives MUST have credentials to be registered. All DELEGATES from the LODGES, all MEMBERS OF GRAND LODGE and all GRAND REPRESENTATIVES are required to REGISTER at the Credential Table, and pick up their ballot cards. All credentials must be presented no later than 10:30 A.M., at which time the Credentials Committee will close the registration of Lodges. LUNCHEON TICKETS, a donation of $10.00 to New Hampshire Rainbow, should be purchased in the Library upon arrival and BEFORE the 9:30 A.M. opening of Grand Lodge. IMPORTANT NOTICE - Admission to the Annual Communication will be by presenting a current dues card. 9:30 A.M. Opening of Grand Lodge Reception of Distinguished Guests 12:00 P.M. Lunch ($10 tickets on arrival in Library) 1:00 P.M. Resumption of Labor, if necessary 5:00 P.M. Installation of Grand Lodge Officers 6:45 P.M. Installation Banquet ($20 by May 9 to Office of G. Secretary)

4 Moses Paul Lodge #96, Dover, NH Officers & Appointments for 2016 Worshipful Master: David Akridge Senior Warden: John T. Pond, Jr Junior Warden: Wor. George McGee Treasurer: Adam M. Hughes Deputy Treasurer: Secretary: David Martinelli Deputy Secretary: Representative to Grand Lodge: Richard Lapointe Chaplain Wor. Kristopher G. Furtney Asst. Chaplain Wor. James S. Miller Senior Deacon: Robert P. Johnson Jr Junior Deacon: James E. Lewis Marshall: Wor. Donald Meserve Senior Steward: Brett Cossaboon Junior Steward: Michael P. Couturier Tyler: Richard Lapointe Organist: Lodge Ambassador: Historian: David Akridge Finance Committee: Jean L. LaBrack Trustees of Charity Fund Wor Kristopher Furtney 2016 Wor. James S. Miller 2016, & 2017 John T. Pond, Jr. 2016, 2017, &2018 Widow s Program Chairman: Vincent R. Puleo John T. Pond, Jr Gates: #1-, Richard Lapointe #2-, #3-Wor. Donald Meserve Representative to Evergreen Place: Kevin M. Schultz Building Assoc. Representatives: Richard Lapointe Adam M. Hughes Robert P. Johnson Wor. Robert Corsetti Public Affairs Officer: Wor. Kristopher G. Furtney Lodge Care Taker: Richard Lapointe Web Master : John T Pond, III

5 MASTER S MESSAGE Spring is here and despite some crisp mornings, signs of Spring are here. With the advent of spring, we all are a little more active and looking forward to our Spring/Summer activities. For the last year or so, I have had the opportunity to travel our District and for the last five months, I have served as Master of Moses Paul Lodge #96. During this time, while thankful for the time spent, I see and hear the same issues that face our Lodge. Not enough active Brethren, increasing costs, declining income and the constant list of the things we need to do to become stronger and vibrant. We all look at our membership rolls and yet all of these Lodges are supported by a core group of about 15 Brethren. I use social media, monitor our Moses Paul Facebook page, and even on an old school basis see many a Brother of this Lodge that is proud to call themselves a Mason. I have no doubt that many of these nonparticipating Lodge members conduct themselves on a daily basis upholding the ideals of Masonry because I see it in their posts or hear about it. We all have our own personal Masonic journey that we take in our own way. Aside from that personal journey, I really feel that we have a Lodge journey. Each and every one of personal Masonic travels would be enhanced by incorporating and supporting our Lodge. Does this mean that you have to be at every

6 Lodge meeting, sit in a chair, serve on a committee? Absolutely not! As I took my place in the East, I have previously written and talked about a 21 st Century Lodge. We would welcome a part of the time that you have to strengthen our Lodge. I would hope that in doing so, you would receive the benefits that are a part of your personal Masonic travels. As our elder Brethren, and quite frankly a large percentage of the rolls of the New Hampshire Lodges, depart this world for the Great Architect, I wonder do we take for granted that our Lodge will always just be there when we reach that point in our life where we really need it or have time for it. The answer is at best, maybe. We can get that maybe to a yes, if we could just have a commitment that is right for each of you. Something the Lodge could count on, whatever that might be. We then have a firm and stable foundation that we can build on. We would be really glad to see you and welcome your contribution. We won t press you for more than you can genuinely give but we will know what we can count on. Coming up we will have a new candidate who will join our ranks this month, Grand Lodge on May 21 st and as usual our Square & Compass on May 5 th with our Stated Meeting following on May 19 th. I hope you might make one of these events.

7 WHY DID YOU KNOCK by Ezekiel M. Bey I once requested to enter in A place unknown a place within I had a guide, cause I was blind I could not see what was inside Instructions given to knock three times So I obeyed, and did it thrice Before I knew a sound was made A door flew open, admission gained Escorted in, conductors path To different places I could not grasp Three times they asked, was it my choice I said, "it is", in nervous voice Once this had ended, I came again Once more to enter a second day After it all, I was requested To come once more, complete the lesson On my third time, I did not know That I must die a death untold But to explain what happen then It was a miracle I rose again. The mysteries, of arts, of Mind Philosophies that prove divine To seek and learn the lessons told Improve yourself, a voice had echoed It came so clear, why I had asked To enter in, the door of paths Subconscious thoughts an endless clock In all I realized, why I had knocked.

8 Greetings Brethren A Word from the West. Brother John T. Pond Jr. April was a very busy month! We had a very successful D.A.R.E. Breakfast and Brother Rockey really pulled out all the stops and got 95% of the needed food and supplies donated. Great job Brother Rockey! We will miss having you at the Lodge and your dedication to the youth of Dover. We look forward to having you come and visit as often as you can! Your officers worked very hard to get ready for the Lodge inspection, and only due to their determination were we able to have a successful inspection and a good Master Mason Degree. A special thanks to Right Worshipful Dave Spiller PM of Moses Paul Lodge for the great Master Mason History, and to Worshipful Steve Wawrzkiewicz PM also of our great Lodge for filing in at the last minute as Junior Warden. I would be remised if I didn t mention the two pillars of our Lodge Worshipful Donald Meserve and Worshipful James Miller and thank them for all the help they provided in getting us ready for the inspection. Looking ahead to the month of May we will make a new mason, hold our regular Square and Compass fellowship dinner, have our Stated Meeting, and our Dine around Club, as well as attend the Grand Lodge Annual Communication. So brothers there are lots of opportunities for you to come and have fellowship with your brothers. Fraternally John T. Pond, Jr. bears123@comcast.net

9 2016 D.A.R.E Breakfast Brother Rockey discusses the day s event with a good friend!

10 Brother Lapointe and Brother Pond work the kitchen! Worshipful Meserve keeps the Kitchen in order!

11 Worshipful Akridge serves the customers Brother Lewis tends to the cash box!

12 The Trowel FREEMASONRY AND THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION From The Grand Lodge Of Texas The month of July is special to all Americans because we celebrate the birth of our nation on the fourth of July. On that date in the year 1776, representatives of the thirteen American colonies, assembled at what is now known as Independence Hall in Philadelphia, adopted a manifesto asserting their political independence from the British crown. We know that document as the American Declaration of Independence. Over the last two centuries various Masonic writers have often attempted to inflate the involvement of members of the Masonic fraternity in the events leading up to and resulting from this important historic event. It has often been claimed that all or most of the signers of the Declaration of Independence were Freemasons; or that all or most of the general officers serving under Washington were Freemasons. These claims have been made to bolster the theory that the events of the American Revolution and the formation of the American colonies into an independent republic were carried out according to some Masonic plan, and in accordance with universal Masonic principles. It is always best that such claims be tempered by the light of responsible and accurate historic research, not for the purpose of discounting the patriotic nature of our early American Masonic forbearers, but rather to understand the role that Freemasons did play in the formation of this great nation. Probably the best accounting of Masonic membership among the signers of the

13 Declaration of Independence is provided in the book Masonic Membership of the Founding Fathers, by Ronald E. Heaton, published by the Masonic Service Association at Silver Spring, Maryland. According to this well researched and documented work, proof of Masonic membership can be found for only eight of the fifty-six signers of the Declaration of Independence. They are: Benjamin Franklin, of the Tun Tavern Lodge at Philadelphia; John Hancock, of St. Andrew's Lodge in Boston; Joseph Hewes, who was recorded as a Masonic visitor to Unanimity Lodge No. 7, Edenton, North Carolina, in December 1776; William Hooper, of Hanover Lodge, Masonborough, North Carolina; Robert Treat Payne, present at Grand Lodge at Roxbury, Massachusetts, in June 1759; Richard Stockton, charter Master of St. John's Lodge, Princeton, Massachusetts in 1765; George Walton, of Solomon's Lodge No. 1, Savannah, Georgia; and William Whipple, of St. John's Lodge, Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Additionally, another five or six signers have from time to time been identified as members of the fraternity based on inconclusive or unsubstantiated evidence. As for the Masonic membership among Washington s generals, it is true that many were members of the fraternity, but many were not. The recognized modern authority on the subject is James R. Case, former Grand Historian of the Grand Lodge of Connecticut, who published his findings in the 1955 booklet Fifty Early American Military Freemasons. When examining the participation of Freemasons in the American Revolution we should first remember the Ancient Charges of a Freemason, and especially that charge concerning the Civil Magistrates, Supreme and Subordinate, which enjoins the Mason to be a peaceable subject to the Civil Powers and never to be concern'd in plots and conspiracies against the peace and welfare

14 of the nation. This charge was listed as the second of those contained in the Constitutions adopted by the Premier Grand Lodge at London in 1723, long before the American Revolution. How then can we justify the participation of American Freemasons in their rebellion against the King? The answer can be given in two parts. First, the Masonic fraternity in the American colonies took no part in the Revolution, following Masonic tradition by taking no official stance. However, the fraternity s official neutrality may have owed as much to the divided loyalties of its leadership as it did to Masonic tradition. Many Masons were Loyalists. And second, rebellion against the state, whether justified or unjustified, is not a Masonic offense. The Old Charges state clearly if a Brother should be a Rebel against the State,... if convicted of no other Crime,... they cannot expel him from the Lodge, and his Relation to it remains indefeasible. This simply means that, in the case of the American Revolution, many brethren, feeling that the actions of the crown warranted revolution and independence, were justified in following their consciences without fear of violating their Masonic obligations or any Masonic law. As the charge concerning the Civil Magistrates reminds us, Masonry hath been always injured by War, Bloodshed, and Confusion, the fraternity was indeed injured by the war. General Joseph Warren, Grand Master of the Ancient s Provincial Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, lost his life at the Battle of Bunker Hill in June 1775 and his body was thrown into an unmarked grave. While he had led the American troops during that battle, his lodge brother, Dr. John Jeffries assisted the British troops. Nearly a year later, his body was exhumed and identified by another Lodge brother, Paul Revere. Even before the Declaration of Independence, colonial Masonry suffered from the disruptions of the war, and the division of loyalties among its members. Many lodges found it difficult to meet regularly, and others ceased to meet at all. Many lodges were disbanded as occupying British forces prohibited private assemblies, and loyalist Masons fled the country or joined the British forces. Although the Masonic fraternity played no part in the Revolutionary War, it can easily be shown that in many ways the

15 revolutionary ideals of equality, freedom, and democracy were espoused by the Masonic fraternity long before the American colonies began to complain about the injustices of British taxation. The revolutionary ideals expressed in the Bill of Rights, the Declaration of Independence, and the writings of Thomas Paine, were ideals that had come to fruition over a century before in the early speculative lodges of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, where men sat as equals, governed themselves by a Constitution, and elected their own leaders from their midst. In many ways, the self-governing Masonic lodges of the previous centuries had been learning laboratories for the concept of selfgovernment. On September 18, 1793, President George Washington, dressed in his Masonic apron, leveled the cornerstone of the United States Capitol with the traditional Masonic ceremony. Historian Stephen Bullock in his book Revolutionary Brotherhood carefully notes the historic and symbolic significance of that ceremony. The Masonic brethren, dressed in their fraternal regalia, had assembled in grand procession, and were formed for that occasion as representative of Freemasonry's new found place of honor in an independent American society. At that moment, the occasion of the laying of the new Republic's foundations, Freemasons assumed the mantles high priests of that first temple dedicated to the sovereignty of the people, and they helped form the symbolic foundations of what the Great Seal called the new order for the ages.

16 Secretary s Desk Thank you to all who have paid their dues on time! There are still 16 that have not paid to date! Please make every effort to pay these quickly as the Lodge depends on this money to be able maintain our building and pay the bills. If you can t afford your dues or have other issues preventing you from paying them please contact me or any officer, we may be able to work out a solution. When was the last time you came to a meeting? We as your officers know that your time is valuable and should not be wasted! The meetings are fun and informative. Can t remember the signs or you don t feel you know anyone, don t worry, we are all brothers and will greet you with open arms. This month s education article is To the Lady and Family of a Mason Please visit our website for upcoming events. The District 5 Calendar at: %40gmail.com NH Grand Lodge Web site at: Webmaster: dovermasons@nhfreemasons.org Facebook: NOT RECEIVING THE TRESTLE BOARD BY ??? If you would like to get it as soon as it comes out and save the Lodge a stamp send your address to bears123@comcast.net

17 TO THE LADY AND FAMILY OF A MASON: A man in your family is now a member of the Masonic Fraternity. This will undoubtedly raise some questions in your mind, and we hope the following will be helpful in answering those questions. You are now a Mason's Lady, and we take this opportunity to extend our first greeting to you. While you personally have not joined our organization, there are certain things that may be helpful for you to know in the future. At the same time, there are matters of general interest about you Mason and his new organization. WHEN & WHERE DID IT BEGIN? The Fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons is the oldest, largest and most widely-known fraternal organization in the world. It has its roots in antiquity, and is directly descended from the association of "operative masons," the cathedral builders of the Middle Ages who traveled through Europe employing the secrets and skills of their crafts. The organization, as we know it today, began in 1717 in England when cathedral building was on the decline and the "operative masons" or "free masons," as the known, started to accept as members those who were not members of the masons' craft, calling them "speculative masons" or "accepted masons". Freemasonry was brought to the United States by our early settlers, and Benjamin Franklin, in an early newspaper published by him, referred to a Lodge of Freemasons being in existence in Philadelphia in We now have in Maine 200 Lodges with a membership totaling over 36,000. Throughout the world, there are approximately 5 million Masons, with over 3 million of them being in the United States as members of Lodges under the jurisdiction of 50 Grand Lodges. Masonry is not, contrary to common belief, a "secret society," but rather a "society with secrets." If it were a secret society, Masons would not wear Masonic jewelry or publicly mark their

18 many Halls. Masonry does have many traditions and customs which, of course, are known only to its members. WHAT DOES FREEMASONRY MEAN TO A MEMBER? It would be difficult to summarize in a brief space all that a Mason learns through his membership. But briefly, Freemasonry encourages a member to apply to his daily living the broad, general principles of morality. Membership is limited to adult males who can meet the recognized qualifications and standards of character and reputation. Freemasonry does not interfere with duties that a man owes to God, his country, his neighbor, his family, or himself; but rather, by learning to understand, to live o practice the fundamental precepts of the organization, he has an opportunity for self-improvement. It helps a good man become a better man, a better father, husband, brother or son. THE APRON During the ceremonies of his initiation, each Mason is presented with a white leather apron. It is, to him, an emblem of innocence and the badge of a Mason. It has, in all ages, been cherished by the rich, the poor, the high and the low. It is his for life. He will never receive another one and has, therefore, been cautioned to take it home and instructed in its care. While perfectly satisfactory for him to do so if he desires, he need not bring it to Lodge, as linen aprons are provided for his use meetings. It is to be placed upon his at his death if his nearest living relative so chooses. Its moral application is explained to a Mason during its presentation. Its physical usage is now revealed to you. MASONIC FUNERAL Any member who was in good standing at the time of his death is entitled to a Masonic funeral if he or his family requests it. Such a request should be made to the Master of his Lodge who will make the necessary arrangements with the family, the mortuary, and the minister. A service is authorized by the jurisdiction in which you are located, and consists of participation at the

19 mortuary, the beginning at the mortuary and the closing at the graveside, or graveside only. Pallbearers will be furnished at the request of the family. In general, the Lodge will do as much or as little as the nearest relative wishes it to do. LET US KNOW Contacting the Lodge is not a difficult matter. The Lodge Secretary's name appears on all dues cards, and a list of all officers and phone numbers are printed in each Trestle Board. If you are unable to contact the Secretary or an officer when needed, a call or letter to the Grand Secretary Office PO Box 486 Milford NH Phone # or send an to the Office Manager Roberta Langis office@nhgrandlodge.org ILLNESS In the event our member becomes ill, we want to know. Again, the same method of notifying us can be used as explained above. In the past, members have fallen ill without our knowing it and their loved ones have been displeased with us for a seeming act of disregard, then in fact we have been unaware of the problem. Your Mason has joined an organization who wants to assist him when in need, and we need your help to do it. MEETINGS Lodges meet in regular monthly sessions and on such other days as are necessary to conduct its business and ritualistic work. While every Mason's attendance is solicited, it is not intended that a Lodge should interfere with one's regular vocation or duty to family, God or country. Your Mason has invested time and money in joining our order and for years to come will be paying annual dues. He can best receive all that is his by frequently participating in deliberations

20 and events. We hope that you will approve and encourage him to attend regularly, and we hope that you will join us whenever possible. TITLE In the years to come, it is reasonable to assume that at some time while you are accompanying your Mason, someone will address him as "Brother." Brother is neither a sentimental nor familiar form of address, but is a title, a distinction and an honor, indicating that he has been recognized by another Mason. Brother is a title dating back to ancient times and is used in place of Mister or a similar title to which one is entitled by virtue of his station in life. In Masonry, all men are equal, as no man is regarded for his worldly wealth or honor, and all distinctions are cast away. ARE THERE MASONIC-ORIENTED ORGANIZATIONS WHICH MEMBERS OF THE FAMILY MAY JOIN? There are several groups to which ladies related to Master Masons may apply for membership if they desire. But this is entirely optional. If there are children in the family, they may find interests in Masonic-oriented youth groups whose teachings of patriotism and love of family will, we are sure, be pleasing to you. MASONIC ASSISTANCE Across the nation is a network of Masonic Service Association Officers. If, while traveling, dire need of aid should arise, consult the telephone directory of a major city for the number. If none is listed, a local Lodge will be able to make connections for you. CONCLUSION We hope you have found this information helpful, and that it will assist you in better understanding your Mason's role in life. We urge you to save it as a reference whenever questions arise.

21 The Old Past Master Speaks ATTENDANCE "There are a lot of Masons in this old lodge tonight" began the Old Past Master. "See the new faces? Must be most two hundred. Pretty good attendance, what?" "But is it a good attendance?" asked the Very New Mason. "Why, there must be six hundred members on the rolls. Seems a pity they can't all get out to enjoy this kind of an evening, doesn't it? Seems to me Masonry fails when she has so many on the rolls who don't come regularly to lodge." "I don't agree with you!" answered the Old Past Master. "Masonry succeeds because she gets so many of her members to take an interest! True, she might...if she were a wizard... so interest every one of her devotees that all would crowd the lodge room every meeting might. Then, I think, there would be no use for Masonry, because the millennium would have come. But in place of being discouraged because only a third or a fourth of our members attend, I am always highly encouraged because so many do attend. "You see, my brother, Masons are picked from the general body of men by two processes, and neither one of them works out for the very best interests of the Order. The first process is a man's making up his mind he wants to be a Mason. If we could go to the best men and ask them, we would get a lot better men than we do, of

22 course. Equally, of course, we would vastly injure the Order by making it seek the man instead of the man seek its gentle philosophy. I wouldn't change that unwritten law for anything, but the fact remains that as the first selection of Masons is made by the profane, it isn't always for the best interests of the Order. "The second selective work is done by committee. Now in theory every one appointed on a committee to examine a member is a sort of cross between a criminal lawyer, an experienced detective, a minister of the gospel, a super-perfect man, a well read Mason and an Abraham Lincoln for judgment! "But as a matter of fact most committeemen are just average men like you and me, and we do our work on committees in just an average sort of way, with the result that many a self-selected candidate slips into our ranks who has no real reason for being there. The theory is that all men become Masons because of a veneration of our principles. The fact is that a lot become Masons because their brother is one, or their boss is one, or they want to wear a pin and be a secret society member, or they hope it will help them in business. "They get into the lodge and find it quite different from what they expect. They learn that they can't pass out business cards, that it doesn't help them because the boss belongs, and that they don't have to come to lodge to wear a pin. If they are the kind of men to whom Masonry doesn't appeal because of her truth, her philosophy, her Light, her aid in living, they wander away. They become mere dues-payers, and often, stomach Masons, who come around for the feed or entertainment. "Don't let it distress you. It takes all sorts of people to make a world and it would be a very stupid place indeed if we were all alike. There is room in the world for the man who doesn't care for Masonry. He has his part to play in the world as well as the man to whom Masonry makes great appeal. Do not condemn him because he has become a member of the fraternity and found it not to his liking. At least there is something in his heart which was not there before. "And let me tell you something, my brother. There are many, many men who become Masons, in the sense that they join a lodge and pay dues, although they never attend, who do good Masonic work. There is Filby, for instance. Filby has been a member of this lodge

23 twenty years and has never been in it, to my knowledge, since the day he was raised. I don't know why. I rather think he was frightened, and showed it, and has been afraid of being laughed at, now that he knows there was nothing to be frightened about. But there was never need for money that Filby didn't contribute; there was never a committee appointed to work on the Masonic Home that Filby didn't head. There was never any work to be done outside the lodge that Filby didn't try to help do it. He is a good Mason, even if he doesn't attend lodge. "And there are lots of young men who join the fraternity and neglect their lodge in early years, who turn their hearts towards it in later years; boys who are too fond of girls and dances and good times to spend a moment in serious thought while they are just in the puppy age, who grow up finally to become thoughtful men, turning their hearts toward the noble teachings of this fraternity and becoming most ardent lodge members and attendees. "Oh, no, my brother, never weep because we have but a portion of our membership at a meeting. Be glad we have so many; be happy that those who come, come so regularly and enthusiastically, be proud that there is such a large number of men content to sit through the same degrees year after year to learn what they can, let sink deeper the hidden beauties of the story, absorb a little more of that secret doctrine which lies behind the words of the ritual. "Masonry is not for yesterday, for today, for tomorrow alone. She is for all the ages to come. The Temple Not Build With Hands cannot be built alone by you and me, nor in a day, nor yet a century. And remember that the stone rejected by the builder was finally found the most necessary of them all. Perhaps the man who doesn't come now to lodge may be the most earnest and powerful Mason of tomorrow. Only the Great Architect knows. Masonry is His work. Be content to let it be done His way."

24 FOOLISH QUESTIONS "Jones is a nut!" remarked the New Brother to the Old Tiler. "I went with him yesterday to look up an applicant for membership. I didn't know much about such things, so I let him do the talking. And the questions that man asked!" "What did he want to know?" "First, he wanted to know what kind of job the applicant held, how long he had been there, where he had worked before, was he satisfied, did he like his boss, how much he made and whether he saved any of it or spent it all!" "Quite right, too," commented the Old Tiler. "He wanted to know if the applicant was a solid citizen, able to pay his dues and unlikely to become a charge on the lodge. Chap who holds a job today and leaves it tomorrow for another is apt to be an applicant for charity." "But that's one of the things a lodge is for- charity," said the New Brother. "To its members who are in need, yes," answered the Old Tiler. "But no lodge willingly takes in members who may need charity. Masonry is not a crutch for the indigent. It is a staff for those who go lame in life's, journey, but when a man starts out lame he has to get crutches from some other institution."

25 "He asked, 'Why do you want to become a Mason?' that seemed to me an impertinence. A man's reasons for wanting to join Masonry are no business of ours." "Is that so!" answered the Old Tiler. "Son, you know so many things that are not so! I have been on the petitions of a great many men and that is always my first question. I have heard many answers. Some men want to join because their fathers were Masons. Some think it will help them in life. Some frankly say they want to make friends so they can be successful. Others think that Masonry will help them in their religion. Still others want to be Masons because they want to belong to a secret society." "But why is that our business?" "A man who wants to join a fraternity because his father belonged, is good material," answered the Old Tiler. "He wants to imitate his father. As his father was a Mason it is probable that he was a good man. If the applicant desires to imitate a good man, and thinks we can help him, his motives are worthy. The man who wants to become a Mason to stiffen his religious belief is not a good candidate. Masonry demands no religion of its applicants, merely a belief in Deity. A man with religious convictions which are slipping and looks for something to prop them up, should go elsewhere than the Masonic Altar. Asking nothing but a belief in God, we have a right to demand that that belief be strong, wellgrounded, unshakable, and beyond question. "The man who says he wants to join the Masonic order because he wants to belong to a secret society doesn't get asked and more questions! He is through right there. Masonry is no haven for curiosity seekers. The chap who thinks Masonry will make him friends who will help him in his business gets nowhere with a good committee. Masonry is not a business club. Imagine a man going to a minister and saying: 'I want to join your church so I can sell lawn mowers to your members.' Would the minister want him? Masonry is not a church, but it is holy to Masons. Masonry is a bright and shining light in a man's heart which must not be sullies by profane motives. To attempt to use Masonry for business is like

26 using the Bible to sit on diverting from the proper purpose that which should be held sacred. "The man who answers that question by saying, 'I have always heard of Masons as men who receive help in being good men; I would like to have the privilege of becoming a member,' is approaching the matter in the right spirit. Masonry doesn't hunt the man, the man must hunt the lodge. And he must hunt with a pure motive, or cannot join any good lodge, with a good committee. The motive is vitally important. We want to know if he can afford $50 for a fee and $5 a year for dues. If they have to rob their children to join we have no use for them. We want to know if a man stands well with his fellows outside the lodge; if so he is apt to stand well with them inside. If he has few friends and those of doubtful character, the chances are he is not good timber for us. "Masonry is what we make it. Every good man who comes into a lodge helps the fraternity. Every insincere man, every scoffer, every dishonest man who gets into lodge, injures the fraternity. Masonry can accomplish good in the hearts of men only as it is better than they are. When it becomes less good than the average man, the average man will not want to join, and Masonry's power will be gone. "The price of liberty, so we are told, is eternal vigilance. The price of quality in a lodge is eternal care by the investigation committee. An important job, it should be approached with the idea that the future of the lodge and of Masonry to some extent rests on the man making the investigation. "Hm. Thanks. See you later." "You're welcome- but what is your hurry?" "Got to find Jones and tell him I'm the nut. Then ask the Master to let me go with him again and see if I can't see something else in his questions besides foolishness!" answered the New Brother.

27 MAY BIRTHDAYS HAPPY BIRTHDAY BROTHERS Elie Khoury (belated April) Herbert Brown Albert Buffum Walter Crabtree Robert Fisher Mark Peicker Paul Ruel James Lewis Steven Glen William Jones Stanley Joy Kenneth Myhre Anthony Retrosi Evangelos Simos Brothers Fred and Barney enjoy their Lodge! How about you?

28 Masonic Humor THE MASONIC ANGLER The rain was pouring down. And there standing in front of a big puddle outside the pub, was an old Mason, drenched, holding a stick, with a piece of string dangling in the water. A passer-by stopped and asked, "What are you doing?" "Fishing replied the old mason. Feeling sorry for the old man, the gent says, "Come in out of the rain and have a drink with me." In the warmth of the pub, as they sip their whiskies, the gentleman cannot resist asking, "So how many have you caught today?" "You're the eighth" says the old mason.

29 Moses Paul Lodge #96 Living Past Masters Gerald E. Brown Ronald C. Bartlett Donald S. Meserve Raymond E. Allen William H. Carswell, II 1976, 77, 78 David R. Spiller..1984, 85 Edwin F. Mitchell, Jr Anthony Zizos. 1989, 90 James S. Miller , 98, 01, 02, 03, 04 John F. Torr.1993, 94, 99, 00 Stephen E Wawrzkiewicz Robert H. Stewart Jay A. Edgerly 1997 William C. Hill, HPM.2003 Michael J. Mawson George M. McGee III Christopher Piehler 2007, 2008 Robert D. Berry Kristopher G. Furtney 2010, 2011 Vincent R. Puleo , 2013 Robert J. Corsetti , 2015

30 BROTHERS, WE REMEMBER by Bro. Bob Webber Every year we think of those who fell for us to live. We know not names or faces, only what they had to give. They all laid down their lives for us, strangers from the past Their sacrifices changed the world and will forever last. Many would be brothers from a host of different parts Strangers to each other, but fraternal in their hearts. They fought for what was righteous, their absolute belief Then gave their lives for us to live, the ultimate Relief. Let not their sacrifice go unmarked; remember every year That these brave men enabled us to have what we hold dear. May they all be with the Mighty High, there in Heaven above. They showed the real Truth of living life with Brotherly Love.