Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry

Transcription

1 Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry Carl Smith, 33 Personal Representative of the S.G.I G. (360) Charrison Lochaby, 32 Secretary P.O. Box 1112 Everett, WA Orient of Washington Volume 16 August 2007 Issue 08 The article FREEMASONRY IS? by Brother and Past Master John Pelton in the July/August issue of the Scottish Rite Journal got me to thinking about the definition of Freemasonry. In the article Brother Pelton does not really define Freemasonry but offers his opinion as to what the basic elements are. He identifies them as ritual, social, intellectual and spirituality. Interesting to me is that the elements he describes pretty much encapsulate my own views on Masonry. I encourage you to read the article if you have not already done so. I offer some additional of thoughts that came to mind as I read the article in regards to Scottish Rite. The ritual of Scottish Rite is the means by which we initiate the candidate. The Degrees are a course of instruction in comparative religion, philosophy, ethics, morality, history and mythology. They enable each of us to gain a personal insight into our own life. The Social activities of Scottish Rite provide the enjoyment of fellowship whenever we get together. (Continued on Page 2) TO SECRETARIES OF LODGES IN DISTRICTS 2, 8, & 9 Since I became the Secretary of the Everett Scottish Rite, about two years ago, I have gradually been adding the lodges, in the above named Masonic Districts, to our mailing list as their addresses became available to me. At last I have all secretaries addresses on our mailing list so you will all be receiving our Rite Bulletin each month. You might wonder why I am interested in sending you our Newsletter. It is quite simple Communication. If any of your members are interested in More Light in Masonry then Everett Valley is the place where you or your members may find the Light you are looking for. Scottish Rite has often been called the University of Freemasonry for it offers an additional 29 degrees. Each degree is conferred in full costume and contains lessons in morality, ethics and the Masonic (Continued on Page 2)

2 From the Personal Representative (Continued from Page 1) The intellectual component of Scottish Rite encourages every Brother to use his intellect to study, reflect, or speculate on the variety of different ideas presented in the Degrees. Spirituality is a person s inner sense of something greater than one is. The Scottish Rite experience enables each of us, in our own way, to determine a sense of meaning and purpose, a sense of oneself. When these basic elements are mixed together we have that cement which binds us together as Brethren. On Friday, September 21 st Everett Valley will once again begin the presentation of the Degrees of Scottish Rite for another Long Class. The plan is to perform 16 of the 29 degrees. The Degree Master s have met and from the interest and enthusiasm demonstrated we should see some praiseworthy ritual. NOW WOULD BE A GOOD TIME TO INFORM THE BRETHREN OF YOUR LODGE OF THE RITUAL, SOCIAL, INTELLECTUAL AND SPIRITUALITY EXPERIENCE OF SCOTTISH RITE FREEMASONRY. Invite them and their families to Everett Valley s Annual Friends Night to be held on Friday, September 14 th. The evening will begin at 6:30 PM with a punch bowl social. Dinner will be served at 7:00 PM with entertainment to follow. The Valley is hosting this special event so potential candidates can become acquainted with Scottish Rite. This night also serves as a call to all Brethren to attend Scottish Rite and participate in its activities. Reservations are a necessity, so please call the Valley Secretary, Brother Charrison Lochaby, 32, or him at clochaby@whidbey.com prior to September 12 th and advise him on how many will be in your party. Carl B. Smith, 33 Personal Rep of the S.G.I.G. Washington State Scottish Rite Belt Buckle Here is your chance to support Rite Care and show your pride in the Scottish Rite at the same time. This 3 ¼ by 2 ¼ belt buckle is only available with a $100 contribution to the Rite Care Endowment Fund. Send your check made out to Rite Care of Washington to 3227 NE 125 th Street, Seattle, WA and we ll send you the belt buckle. From the Secretary (Continued from Page 1) Principles of Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth. None of the Valleys in the Orient of Washington confer all of the 29 degrees but Everett Valley is currently conferring 15 degrees throughout the year. You may wish to visit our Web site at dex.htm where you will find current information on events that are happening and there is a petition available there as well. We meet at the Everett Masonic Center at 234 Olympic Blvd in Everett on the 2 nd, 3 rd and 4 th Fridays of each month. Our meetings start with a dinner, at a nominal cost of $4.00 per person at 6:30 PM. The Degrees or meetings begin at 7:30 PM. At various times throughout the year we also have social events that are open to our wives, friends and guests. This is an opportunity to meet and get acquainted with the and our Scottish Rite members. From the Almoner's desk If anyone knows of anyone who is ill, or in a nursing home or hospital, please let me know so I can send them a card to them or a visit. May God be with you? God Bless. Jim Raymond 32º KCCH, Almoner goflo2004@verizon.net Telephone:

3 AST s. Director of Works By Wise Master, Walt Moody This past month, we held a meeting of the Degree Masters with dinner and it was my pleasure to see all that were in attendance. This meeting gave the Degree Masters the chance to confer with each other and express their opinions on what might make our Degrees more efficient and easier. It was also a time to fill parts and discuss degree needs requests. The Everett Masonic Center calendar is getting pretty full at this time and it is highly suggested that the Degree Masters for the 4th through the 14th START their PRACTICES NOW as the Masonic Center may not be available. Remember the Brethren who attend these practices come from long distances for your practices and they should be done in a "get to business" manner. So remember Time is precious and let's "make good of it" FOR THOSE WHO WORK SO HARD. For those who are not in a Degree or those who would like to take additional parts, now is the time to contact the Degree Masters or myself. There are lots of parts and jobs available in the degrees and in props. Take Me Out To The Ballgame By Hernan Divinagracia, Venerable Master, Lodge of Perfection Our Annual Take me out to the Everett Aquasox baseball game was held on July 21 st and we had 60 plus Brethren, family and guest in attendance. I would like thank all of you who partook in this opportunity of this annual event. As in the past outing, we always have fun on this particular night it was no different, a good time was had by all. Again my appreciation for your continued support and lets do it again next year. MASONIC MOMENT By WB Wally Zink True Blue When I was a young lad my mother would buy me blue jeans that were advertised as Fade Proof, which meant that they could be washed, scrubbed, hung out to dry in the hot sun, yet they would not fade and lose their original color because they were True Blue. Today, it is all but impossible to find True Blue Loyalty, that kind of loyalty that would go through fire that defies and refutes logic and reason. Fortunately there are some rare exceptions. As an example Detroit Red Wings Captain Steve Yzerman who spent his entire hockey career with one team rather than selling his talents to the highest bidder, or the life giving loyalty of the 4 Chaplains going down with the sinking Navy Cruiser Indianapolis in World War II. Money can buy many things, houses, cars, trinkets but the one thing that money can never buy is loyalty. About all one can do with money is to hire researchers to study the problem. That is until they quit taking a better paying offer. A loyalty that goes to the highest bidder calls it bargaining it is not loyalty. Wally Refrigerator card (Please cut out this card and place it on your Refrigerator as a reminder of upcoming Scottish Rite and other meetings, appointments or events) August 2007 Aug 4 Open Air Degree at the Masonic Park, Granite Falls, Washington MM Degree 10:00AM Aug 10 - Executive Committee Meeting 6:30 PM Aug 17 Family Tail Gate Picnic 6:00 PM Aug 24 - Executive Committee Meeting 6:30 PM Notes for other Meeting/Events Date Function Contact List Carl Smith, 33º, Personal Representative of the S.G.I G. Telephone: Umpire@wavecable.net Charrison Lochaby, Secretary Telephone: clochaby@whidbey.com Jim Raymond, Almoner Telephone: goflo2004@verizon.net

4 HE WAS A RAILROAD MAN Dispatcher Keys of the Rock Island who examines all applicants for positions in the train service, has the reputation of being very particular in the matter of employing trainmen, desiring only those who have considerable experience in that branch of service. The following is a conversation said to have been overheard in Mister Key s office a short time since, between that gentleman and an applicant for the position of passenger conductor: Where did you come from? From general manager St. John of the Union Pacific. What did you come here to do? To learn to subdue my energies and improve the railway service. Then you are a railroad man I infer? I am so taken by all officials who know their business. How may I know you to be a railroad man? By looking over my letters and examining me in the signals, try me. How will you be tried? By the punch. Why by the punch? Because it is the emblem of honesty and the principal working tool of my profession. Where were you first prepared to be a railroad man? In my mind. Where next? Upon a farm adjoining the right of way of a regular railroad. How were you prepared? By breaking in upon a thrashing machine for six months, after which I went to town and sought admission to the trainmaster s office. How gained you admission? By three cigars placed in the open hand of the trainmaster s clerk. How were you received? Upon the sharp gaze of the trainmaster applied to my physiognomy which was thus explained: As it is always a source of great pleasure to the trainmaster to receive callers, I should drop in and chat with him a little upon every occasion possible. How were you then disposed of? I was seated in a chair near the trainmasters desk and asked if I put my faith in coupling devices. Your answer? Not if I know myself, I don t. What was then done to you? I was lead up and down the yard three times to accustom me to the noise of a train, and then to the Chief Dispatchers office. How were you then disposed of? I was seated upon a break wheel before a train box and caused to take the following oath: I John Smith, do hereby and hereon most everlastingly and diabolically swear by the great horned spoon, that I will always remit and never conceal any of the cash collected by me as a conductor, and that I will not cut, make use of, remit, or collect any cash fares less than those found in a regular tariff book. I will furthermore promise and sear that I will not carry on my train free any railroad man s wife, mother, sister, daughter, or widow or permit any other conductor to do so, if I can prevent it. I furthermore promise and swear that I will freely contribute to all subscriptions circulated to buy my superior officers a token of esteem so far as he may desire and my salary will permit. To all of which I do solemnly swear, binding myself under no less penalty than that of having my salary cut from year to year, all prerequisites taken away and expended for sand ballast to put under the McKinley extension, where the trains come and go twice in twenty-four hours, so help me Bob Ingersoll and keep my back bone stiff. What did you then behold? The trainmaster s clerk approached me and presented me with a Bishop s Safety Coupling knife and instructed me to take it to the yardmaster who would teach me how to use it. How were the Bishop s coupling knives used? By sticking them in the left hand hip pocket with the blade turned up. Mister Keys here informed the applicant that he was satisfied that he was a railroad man and asked him if he would be off or from. I will be off from here, if you will give me a passenger train. Have you any cigars? I have. Will you give them to me? That is not the manner in which I got them and I cannot so dispose of them. How can I get them? I will match you, heads and tails for them. I will go you, begin. You begin. No, you begin, you have the cigars. Board. All. All-aboard. You are OK. Come around tomorrow evening and if the road is not in the hands of a receiver I will send you out on No. 7 in place of Conductor Reilly, who recently fell down while undergoing the examination. Through the courtesy of Mr. Lester W. Graves, retired City Passenger Agent, C.R.I. & P.R.R. 314 Perry St. Davenport, Iowa

5 Calendar of Events Aug 10 Executive Council 6:30 PM Dinner - 7:00 Meeting Aug 17 - Family tailgate Picnic 6:00PM Movie to follow Aug 24 - Executive Council 6:30 PM Dinner - 7:00 Meeting Sep 9 - Executive Council 2:00 PM Sep 14 Lodge of Perfection Friends Night 6:30 PM Punch Bowl Social 7:00 PM Dinner Sep 21 Consistory Stated Meeting 6:30 PM Buffet 4 th Degree Sep 28 Chapter of Rose Croix 6:30 PM Buffet 5th and 6 th Degree Oct 12 Lodge of Perfection Grand Master s Reception - 6:30 PM Punch Bowl Social 7:00PM Dinner. Reservations requested. Call or the Secretary. Oct 14 - Executive Council 2:00 PM Oct 19 Lodge of Perfection Feast of Tishri - 6:30 PM Punch Bowl Social 7:00PM Dinner Reservations requested Call or the Secretary. Oct 26 Council of Kadosh 6:30 PM Buffet 9 th and 10 th Degree DISTRICT EIGHT MASONIC HAPPENINGS August 2007 Date Day Time Lodge Event 04 Saturday 7-10:00 AM Damascus 199 Pancake Breakfast Saturday 10:00 Granite Falls Masonic Park Open Air Degree 3 rd Degree 07 Tuesday 7:30 PM Sultan-Monroe 160 Stated Meeting 09 Thursday 7:30 PM Peninsular 95 Stated Meeting 15 Wednesday 7:30 PM Alpha 212 Stated Meeting 21 Saturday 2:00 PM Skykomish 259 Stated Meeting DISTRICT NINE MASONIC HAPPENINGS August 2007 Date Day Time Lodge Event 07 Tuesday 7:30 PM Mount Baker 36 Stated Meeting 14 Monday 7:30 PM Fidalgo 77 Stated Meeting Casual Dress 16 Thursday 6:30 PM Garfield 41 Stated Meeting 20 Monday 7:00 PM Langley 218 Stated Meeting 21 Tuesday 6:30 PM Whidbey 15 Stated Meeting Note: Brethren take the time to visit your local Blue Lodges and share with then the opportunities that are available to them in our valley

6 THE YARDING CREW SHACK: Jim Larson, 33, Orator Everett Council of Kadosh DEGREE DIRECTORS & OTHER THOUGHTS Brethren, This is written looking forward to our first Degree Masters/Directors dinner meeting tonight. I ve lately been remembering one of Everett Valley s a most active and creative member, the late Bro. Bob Herzog, 32, KCCH. I was asked at the last executive council that started our Bannockburn Banquet and I didn t really address it then, but this was Bro. Herzog s ideas as were so many of our activities we now take for granted in the Valley. When I first came here there was no meal before the meetings, just snacks or donuts after, like many of the lodges. Bob had the idea for the meals before each meeting (they were the dollar dinners then) and I remember preparing corned beef & cabbage for the 2 nd or 3 rd one, many years ago. Bob had taken the 21 and created a real top-notch presentation which was generally agreed at the time to be our best degree, and he was the one who really taught most of us how to do these degree presentations right. Whether it was suggesting and sparking the new (to Everett) 13 here (at his suggestion it was started as a South County degree), or generously sharing ideas with new Degree Masters (like yours truly), he truly was our best idea man for many years. I need to mention the most prominent Everett Degree when I came in: the 16!!! This was a big production requiring a large cast, many props & costumes, etc. and Everett was known around the state for putting this on. I remember old-timers telling me that they used to take the train to Wenatchee & elsewhere to exemplify it for the other valleys. By the time I came, this had almost ceased & I can just remember being in the cast when we took it to Seattle for the last time. Back in those days, there was no Director of Works, but there was a Degree Coordinating Committee appointed by the PR, consisting of Bros. Bob Herzog & Ben Glasgow, 32, KCCH, another all-around outstanding Mason. The coordinating committee made suggestions and did some recruiting for the various degrees, but mainly for the 16, which was a heavy user of personnel. Some of the fellows were worn out by performing in it! In fact some of us began to feel that the 16 was too much of a drain on the Valley, to the detriment of our other degrees and activities, and it was eventually dropped. By the way, it is almost identical to the Red Cross in the York Rite. Recently I attended the memorial service at Garden Court for Bro. Ralph Leyde, 32, who died at the age of 91. I knew him and his wife Cleo for many years. Bro. Ralph was quite a man of parts and always had a number of jokes to tell. His son played his guitar at the service and went through some of Ralph s songs and vaudeville routines. I remember he was the alternate for Ill. Bro. Rusty Inkster, 33, as Master in the 14, as he had the capacity from his vaudeville days to memorize long parts. My predecessor in the 18, Antoon ( Bud ) VanderStaay, was also an old vaudeville man, as were (I m sure) others in the Valley, but that was before my time. I want to switch to the present time now & pay wages to our Treasurer, Bro. Bryan Bechler, 32, for his good work and the good articles he s been putting in our Rite Bulletin. I thought last month s entry about his Lodge over in Forks and proper Masonic attire, was particularly interesting and thought provoking. By the way, Bro. Bryan is one of the Supreme Council s Scottish Rite Fellows, attended their 2 nd reunion in Washington D.C. in April, and appears on page 16 of the July-Aug Scottish Rite Journal! Good job, Bryan! Masonic Thought "You don't raise heroes, you raise sons, and if you treat them like sons, they'll turn out to be heroes, even if it's just in your own eyes. Brother Walter Shirra Jr.

7 Our Masonic Duty by Bro. Andrew M Bergman F. to F., that we should go When sickness brings a brother who, To cheer him on his bed of pain, and nurse him back to health again. K. to K., whenever we pray, at early morn, or close of day, a brothers name should claim a share, in every thought and every prayer. B. to B., thee still to keep a brother's secrets hidden deep, to all the world but us unknown, and hold them sacred as your own. H. to B., with firmest grasp, Encircling arms and friendly clasp, we should be found at duty's call to stay a brother's tottering fall. M. to E., whenever we find to err a brother is inclined, we ll council give in gentlest tone and breathe it to his ear alone. Then F. to F. and K. to K. True brothers we should ever be; With H. to B. and B. to B., Each striving still to do his best, We'll whisper words of hope and cheer, With C. to C. and M. to E. Reprinted from CINOSAM COMING ATTRACTION Annual Family Tailgate Party Friday, August 17, 2007 At the Everett Masonic Center 6:00 PM Dinner Ladies, Guests and Children are invited to attend

8 Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry Free and Accepted Masons Scottish Rite Bodies P. O. Box 1112 Everett, WA Non- Profit Org U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 372 Everett, WA August 2007 What is Scottish Rite? Although there is no higher degree than that of Master Mason, the 29 degrees of the Scottish Rite serve to enrich the philosophy of the Symbolic Lodge. A Mason who chooses to further his Masonic experience by becoming a 32 Scottish Rite Mason will be expanding upon the fundamental principles of Freemasonry. The moral and ethical lessons will allow him to be constantly reminded of his duty to God, family, country, and fellow man. IN THIS ISSUE - From the Personal Rep - From the Secretary - Calendar of Events - From the Almoners Desks - Assistant Director of Works - True Blue, WB Wally Zink - Take Me Out to the Ball Game Hernan Divinagracia, 32º Venerable Master - The Yarding Crew Shack, By Jim Larsen, 33º - He was a Railroad Man, Courtesy of Lester W, Graves - Our Masonic Duty by Bro. Andrew M. Bergman - August Refrigerator Card Webmasters Note: Come visit the Everett Valley web site located at DATES TO REMEMBER August 17, 2007 Family Tail Gate Picnic 6:00 PM Everett Masonic Center September 14, 2007 Friends Night 6:30 PM Punch Bowl Social 7:00 PM Dinner October 12, 2007 Reception for the Grand Master 6:30 PM Punch Bowl Social 7:00 PM Dinner Contact List Carl Smith, 33º, Personal Representative of the S.G.I G. Telephone: Umpire@wavecable.net Charrison Lochaby, Secretary Telephone: clochaby@whidbey.com Jim Raymond, Almoner Telephone: goflo2004@verizon.net Kenneth Thompson, Editor Telephone: Kenneth.thompson32@verizon.net The Bible tells us to love our neighbors and enemies, even if they are same people Uncle Joe, The Chinaberry Tree Philosopher