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 KCCH Secretary PO Box 1112 Everett, WA (888) Orient of Washington Volume 18 February 2009 Issue 02 From the Personal Representative Where did the name of the second month of the year come from? February comes from the Latin word februum which means purification. Februa was the Roman festival of purification. The festival, which is very old, is basically one of spring cleaning and washing most likely associated with this rainy time of year. The Roman month Februarius was named for this festival. The birthstone for someone born during the month of February is the amethyst. The name amethyst comes from an ancient Greek word meaning intoxicated. It was believed by the ancient Greeks and Romans that they who wore the amethyst were protected from drunkenness. Now you ask what has wearing an amethyst got to do with purification? Well I don t know, but it is interesting that the ancient Romans appeared to cleanse themselves both externally and internally. Masonry is, in a way, a means of purification. It encourages us to practice the tenets of Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth and become a more spiritual person. It is fitting that during the month of February we will be conferring the 18 - Knight Rose Croix which extols the virtues of Faith, Hope and Charity. SWEETHEART DINNER Friday, February 13 th, will be Everett Valley s Annual Sweetheart Night. So Brethren, treat your Lady to an evening of good dining, good entertainment and good fellowship. A time to socialize around the punch bowl will begin at 6:30 p.m. with dinner being served at 7:00 o clock. The charge for the dinner will be $6.00 for the Brethren. The Ladies will be guests of the Valley. The Venerable Master of the Lodge of Perfection, Illustrious Brother Allen Lowe, 33, promises an enjoyable Valentines celebration. Please give our Secretary, Brother Charrison Lochaby, 32 KCCH, a call at or him at clochaby@whidbey.com to make reservations if you have not already signed-up so that proper preparations can be made. Carl B. Smith, 33 Personal Representative of the S.G From the SGIG of Washington and Alaska Bill Miller, 33 Our colleagues in the York Rite have scheduled two one-day opportunities to experience the excellent work of our sister Rite. On April 4, 2009, the four Chapter and two Council degrees will be conferred in full form at the Tacoma Scottish Rite, beginning at 8:00 am sharp. A registration fee of $10 per day will cover all costs of this event, including lunch at the Afifi Shrine, next door. The Commandery Orders will be conferred Saturday morning, April 11, beginning at 8:00 am with another lunch at Afifi Shrine. In the afternoon, there will be a Shrine Ceremonial to complete the fraternal work. If you are interested in adding the York Rite mysteries to your Masonic Education, contact your local Chapter, Council or Commandery for a petition and then join your brethren in Tacoma. From the Almoner's desk John Friesen, 32º, If you know of anyone who is ill, or in a nursing home or hospital, please let me know so I can send them a card to pay them a visit. May God be with you. God Bless. I can be contacted at or me at: john-friesen@comcast.net

2 The members of the Valley of Everett Scottish Rite extend to all the Brethren listed below, born in the month of February a very Happy Birthday! John Aldrich John Anderson Wayne Betts Walter Bisson Thomas Booth Edward Broker Edward Carlin Howard Cromer Donald DuBois Eligio Dulay Kenneth Frank Harold Gibson Tony Gill Mark Goldberg Carl Goodman Eugene Hasson Russell Huff Gregory Iverson Richard Kerr Jerry Kunkle Lance Lindgren Samuel Rickard Theodore Rupley Anthony Schwab Alberto Tcruz Leslie Venables The Proper Way to Wear a Masonic Ring I read with interest your article on how to wear your Masonic ring. I celebrate my 50 years as a Mason in March of this year and during that time; I have learned that there really is only one correct way to wear one's Masonic ring. Honorably. ** Bill Miller, Past Grand Master & 33, Sovereign Grand Inspector General (Scottish Rite) Are you a Mentor? By Wayne Smith, 33º The s Mentoring program seems to be working and we currently have Mentors for each of this year s class. It is important that all assigned Mentors maintain contact with their Mentee. With that said, we still need to have Brethren preparing themselves to be effective Mentors for the class which will begin this fall. Some of the responsibilities of a Mentor only require the willingness to serve by maintaining frequent contact with the assigned Mentee. These are things that you can easily do by insuring that each new Scottish Rite candidate is aware of all of the programs and events in our Valley. Both he and his family should be invited and encouraged to attend and participate whether it be our regular meetings or the Christmas celebration or the tailgate party (you know when families are invited and if you have any questions in this light, contact our Secretary or myself). They need to be welcomed to each meeting and event and insure that they meet as many Brethren as possible at each meeting/event. Some of the desired duties require more preparation. You should be familiar with the lessons taught in each of our degrees. There are several ways to accomplish this. First, try to attend all of the degrees as they are presented throughout the year. Each time I witness a degree conferral I learn something about that degree that I previously was not aware of. Another great way to increase your knowledge of the Scottish Rite is to take the Master Craftsman course, which is available from Supreme. Our Secretary has the books for you to get started in this endeavor. I suspect that each candidate for Scottish Rite Masonry will have many questions about this course as each of them is automatically provided with this course and it will undoubtedly bring up many opportunities for philosophical discussions. The third way to prepare is to volunteer for one of our degree teams. As you learn the ritualistic portion of a degree it entices you to further examination of the hidden mysteries and lessons in that degree. We have also a Mentoring Handbook that lays out the basics of Mentoring and the Valley will provide that to you upon request. It is available either in hard copy or electronically so you can read, print and save it on your computer. Let s all continue to work with our Mentee s, and for the rest of us get started now in preparation so we are ready to assist and encourage our new Scottish Rite Brethren. New Bar in Town In a small mid western conservative town, a new bar/tavern started a building to open up their business. The local church started a campaign to block the bar from opening with petitions and prayers. Work progressed, however right up till the week before opening, when a lightning strike hit the bar and it burned to the ground. The church folks were rather smug in their outlook after that, till the bar owner sued the church on the grounds that the church was ultimately responsible for the demise of his building, either through direct or indirect actions or means. The church vehemently denied all responsibility or any connection to the buildings demise in its reply to the court. As the case made it's way into court, the judge looked over the paperwork at the hearing and commented, "I don't know how I'm going to decide this, but as it appears from the paperwork, we have a bar owner that believes in the power of prayer, and an entire church congregation that doesn't!" Reprinted from Cinosam

3 By Charrison Lochaby, 32, KCCH January 1, 2009 brought about a new year for Everett Valley with some new ideas and programs. To prepare for the New Year and the election of officers a Nominating Committee was established to propose officer candidates for the upcoming election. The first thing this committee did was to draw up a set of expectations that each officer candidate would agree to and support. Names were then submitted to the membership for election. See article elsewhere in this publication. The next new program that was undertaken was the manner that we distribute our Rite Bulletin. We have joined the Twenty First Century and are utilizing technology where possible. If a member has provided us with an address we are sending his Newsletter via e- mail. We have pared our snail mail list down to about 300 addresses which is saving the Valley considerable money in printing and postage. We prefer to send the newsletter via as it costs us nothing to do so. So if you have an address please let me know and I will add you to the distribution list. By the same token, if you prefer to receive your newsletter via the Post Office please let me know. There are three ways to contact me: 1. By toll free telephone. The number is: By . The address is: clochaby@whidbey.com 3. By US Post Office: Charrison Lochaby, PO Box 193 Langley, WA The next new innovation is the pocket calendar. Previously we had the calendar printed and inserted into the January Newsletter. Now that we are sending the newsletter via wherever possible we cannot the Pocket Calendar. Therefore, I have had the calendar printed and will have them at the meetings for distribution as required. All Masonic Week by Bryan D. Bechler, 32 Has anyone ever had the opportunity to travel to Alexandria, VA for the annual All-Masonic (or AMD) Week? I haven t but I will be attending this month. What is All Masonic Week? Thurman Pace and Dan Pushee describe it as an In-Gathering of Masons of National Appendant Bodies for the purpose of conducting Annual Meetings. It is also a time to enjoy excellent banquets and fun degrees. The Sovereign College of Allied Masons and Christian Degrees was established in Richmond, VA, on January 15, 1892, by the Reverend Hartley Carmichael, who had immigrated to the United States via Canada from Dublin, Ireland. He presided over the College as Sovereign Grand Master until January 18, After his death, the Sovereign College moved to Norway, ME, where it met until In 1932, the Grand Council of Allied Masonic Degrees of the United States of America formed in Salisbury, NC. In 1933, this Council entered into articles of Union with Sovereign College of the Allied Masonic and Christian Degrees, which was ratified by both parties. The Grand Council met in North Carolina through 1937, except for two years when meetings were held in Alexandria, VA. In 1938, the Grand Council moved to Washington, DC, where it has met continuously through February 2007, with the exception of 1945 when no annual meeting was held due to World War II. Masons from all across the United States, Canada, and other parts of the world will congregate this year from February 11 th through the 14 th. Some of the groups that meet (these may vary some from year-to-year) include: Knight Masons, Scottish Rite Research Society, Knights of the York Cross of Honor, the Masonic Society, Society of Blue Friars, Royal Society of Knights Occidental, Masonic Order of the Bath, Grand College of Rites, Ye Antiente Order of Corks, Holy Royal Arch Knight Templar Priests, St. Thomas of Acon, Sovereign Order of Knights Preceptor and Chevaliers Bienfaisants De La Cite Sainte. Dinners will be held, degrees will be formed and the election and installation of new officers will be held. It gives ALL Masons the opportunity to meet others, to discuss ideas, and to learn about other jurisdictions. I plan on attending as many meetings as possible. New this year will be a luncheon with the Scottish Rite Research Society. I m not sure who the guest speaker will be, but considering that the House of the Temple is in close proximity, I m sure whoever it is will provide an outstanding oration. Degree Schedule Feb 20, th Degree Feb 27, st Degree Mar 13, th Degree Mar 27, th Degree Apr 17, th Degree Apr 24, th Degree May 15, nd Degree

4 Grumble and Mumble here s a family nobody likes to meet, T They lived, it is said, on Complaining street, In the city of Never-Are-Satisfied, By the river of Discontent flowing close beside. They grumble at that and they growl at this, Whatever comes there is always something amiss; And whether their station be high or be humble, They are known by the name of Mr. Grumble. he weather it either too hot or it is too cold, T In Winter and Summer alike you hear them scold; Nothing goes right with the folks they meet As they stroll down on that gloomy Complaining Street. They grouse at the rain, they growl at the sun, In fact their growling in never done. Even if everything pleased them, there isn t a doubt They would grumble that they had nothing to grumble about. nd the dreadful things is, if anyone stays, A Among them too long he will learn all their ways, And before he realizes the terrible jumble He is quickly adopted into the family of Grumble. So it is far wiser to keep on our feet From strolling down into Complaining Street; And never to growl, whatever we do, Or we will be thought of as Grumblers too. Yes, I suppose it is either We accent the positive, Or We become the negative. Wally Zink 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) February 2009 Feb 08 Executive Committee Meeting 2:00 PM Feb 13 Sweetheart Dinner 6:30 PM Punch Bowl - 7:00 PM Dinner Feb 20 Council of Kadosh 18th Degree 6:30 Buffet Feb 27 Consistory 21st degree 6:30 Buffett Notes for other Meeting/Events Date Function _ Words to Live By : A man should never be ashamed to admit he has been in the wrong, which is saying that he is wiser today than he was yesterday Alexander Pope COMING ATTRACTIONS Sweethearts dinner Friday, February 13, 2009 At the Everett Masonic Center 6:30 PM Punch Bowl Social 7:00 PM Dinner Ladies, Guests and Children are invited to attend. Reservations Required!! Call the Secretary at

5 2009 OFFICERS At the Lodge of Perfection Stated meeting on Friday December 12, 2008 the following members were nominated for election. Before the election it was explained that the nominees had read the list of expectations and agreed to the requirements. The nominations were quickly seconded and elected by unanimous ballot. For the first time in recent years we now have a line of officers that are committed to fulfill the job descriptions, continue in the elected line and eventually become the master of their respective Scottish Rite Bodies. In the following list the names shown in BOLD type are the elected officers and the regular type shows the appointed officers These officers have taken a bold step and it behooves each and every one of us to be supportive and assist them when asked. LODGE OF PERFECTION Venerable Master: Allen W. Lowe, 33 Senior Warden: Gerald A. Earl, 32 Junior Warden: Philip Leung, 32 Orator: Stephen M Osborn, 32 Prelate: Patrick Marlatt, 33 Master of Ceremonies: Wayne Betts, 32 KCCH Expert: George Petrie, 32 Assistant Expert: Dick Morgan, 32 Captain of the Host: Lee Schuirman, 32 CHAPTER OF ROSE CROIX Wise Master: Charles McQuery, 33 Senior Warden: Wayne Smith, 33 Junior Warden: Terry Grove, 32 Orator: Alden Sarmiento, 32 Prelate: Ron Johnson, 32 Master of Ceremonies: Percy Aga, 32 Expert: Norberto C. Bautista, 32 Assistant Expert: Jim Hamlin, 32 Guardian of the Temple: Efren Alas, 32 COUNCIL OF KADOSH Commander: Steven A. Wandel, 32 1st Lt. Commander: J. Robert Morrison, 32 KCCH 2nd Lt Commander: Hernan Divinagracia, 32 KCCH Chancellor: Steve Lively, 32 Prelate: Alberto TCruz, 32 Orator: Anthony Schwab, 33 Mar. of Ceremonies: George Foster, 32 First Deacon: Gregory Outman, 32 Second Deacon: John Friesen, 32 Lieutenant of Guard: Walter Smith, 32 KCCH CONSISTORY Master of Kadosh: Bryan D. Bechler, 32 Prior: Angelito V. Corpus, 32 KCCH Preceptor: Robert Dearborn, 32 Chancellor: David McCuistion, 32 Minister of State: William H. Miller, 32 Prelate: Leonard Martin, 33 Marshall of Ceremonies: Samson Jalandoni, 32 Expert: R. Dale Fluaitt, 32 Assistant Expert: Walter Hobbs, 32 Capt. of the Guard: Eugene McFarlane, 32 KCCH All Bodies Treasurer: Bryan D. Bechler, 32 Almoner: John Friesen, 32 Tyler: Charlie Kissell, 32 Famous Masons Dr. Charles H. Mayo American physician. Co-founder of the Mayo clinics and Mayo foundation for medical research. Rochester Lodge No. 21, Rochester, Minnesota.

6 SOVEREIGN GRAND COMMANDER ALBERT PIKE Part 1 Pike s Early Years Submitted by Dave McCuistion Albert Pike was an educator, a lawyer, a soldier, and a Masonic scholar. Although most Scottish Rite Masons know that he wrote Morals and Dogma, very few know anything more about the man except that he was the Sovereign Grand Commander for the Southern Jurisdiction of Scottish Rite Masonry in the nineteenth century. Albert Pike was born in Boston, MA, on December 29, He was the son of Benjamin Pike, a cobbler, and Sarah Andrews. Pike s father scandalized the neighborhood by his irreverence and drinking. On the other hand, his mother read the Bible to her only son because she planned that he would enter the ministry. Albert Pike was almost four-yearsold when the family moved to Newburyport, MA, in 1813 because Benjamin Pike decided to supplement his income by farming. It was in Newburyport that Albert Pike spent the next twelve years. In 1825, Albert Pike moved to Framingham, MA to live with his uncle who was a teacher in Framingham Academy. It wasn t long before his uncle found that Pike had a prodigious memory. This memory enabled Pike to not only digest large volumes of books but also recall their contents at will. This ability made it possible for Pike to learn Hebrew, Latin, and Greek without too much effort. Eight months after his arrival in Framingham, Pike passed the entrance examination for Harvard College. Unfortunately he could not afford the tuition to attend Harvard. As a result, Pike taught at a common school in Gloucester, MA. The following year Harvard agreed to admit him as a junior provided that Pike paid the first two year s tuition. The requirement of paying the first two year s tuition for entrance by Harvard so infuriated Pike that he abandoned his dreams of a formal education. Pike returned to Newburyport and resumed teaching after abandoning his dreams of a formal education. In addition to teaching, Pike wrote poetry. The majority of his poems were published in the Boston literary magazines. In fact, he began to regard himself as a Byronic hero because of the poetry s quality. During this period, he was drinking too much and having fun with the girls in nearby Rowley, MA. One Sunday morning Pike was heard through an open window playing his violin. When the school board heard of his playing the violin on Sunday morning, they charged him with impiety and ordered him to apologize. Pike refused to apologize and so he was dismissed. After being dismissed from the school, Pike resolved to leave New England. He left New England and went to New Mexico in March 1831 where he joined with a number of hunting and trading expeditions. These expeditions were full of danger. In fact, he almost froze to death on one expedition after his wagon train was caught in a snowstorm. After his party was attacked by Indians on another expedition, Pike fled into the desert and not only became lost but also went without water for days. Pike managed to survive each crisis that occurred while on the expeditions. Whenever a crisis occurred he would pull out his notebooks and unburden his soul with poetry. In 1833, Pike realized that his adventures had fallen short of expectations. Having exhausted his savings as a result of the expeditions, he was forced to teach school in Fort Smith, Arkansas. His payment for teaching school was in pigs. In addition, he edited the Little Rock Arkansas Advocate and studied law. He set up practice as a lawyer in That same year, he married Mary Ann Hamilton, whose money enabled him to buy the newspaper. Pike became active in politics and supported the Whig Party. He advocated statehood for Arkansas and proposed building a railroad that would connect the South with California. In 1837, he sold the newspaper and devoted himself to riding the circuit of rural courthouses throughout Arkansas as a lawyer. Pike volunteered to serve in the Mexican-American War and was elected captain. Pike lead led his company of Arkansas volunteers in the Battle of Buena Vista. It was during the Mexican-American War that Pike met the future President Jefferson Davis. At the time, Jefferson Davis led the Mississippi Rifles. In an open letter to the Little Rock Gazette, Pike denounced a regiment that fled during a charge by Mexican lancers. After John Selden Roane, one of the regiment s commanders responded that Pike s unit had done little better, Pike challenged him to a duel. The two met on a sandbar in the Arkansas River on July 29, After each had fired pistols twice and missed, friends of both men persuaded the two combatants to call off the duel Following the Mexican-American War, Pike gained prominence as a politician and wealth as a lawyer. After the Whig party collapsed, Pike organized the Order of United Americans (Know- Nothings) in Arkansas and advocated restriction of immigration. Pike combined fatalistic metaphysics with practical politics on slavery which was the great issue of the day. He conceded that slavery was a disease and evil. He reasoned that the southern planters would import Lascars, Chinese, and Peons from Mexico, if they could not have slaves. During the war, Pike s ability to learn languages as noted before with his learning Hebrew, Latin, and Greek as a boy in Framingham, MA, enabled him to pick up the Indian dialects of Chickasaws, Choctaws, and Creeks. He served as the legal counsel to many of the Indian tribes after the Mexican- American War because of this ability to speak the various Indian dialects. He became a legend among the Indians for his recovery in March 1859 of nearly three million dollars for the Choctaw Nation in their dispute with the United States government. The Indian tribes considered Pike as a trusted friend and advisor. Joseph Warshawsky, 32º KCCH, Editor, Knoxville Scottish Rite News Valley of Knoxville Orient of Tenn. Occidental Lodge No. 72, Seattle, WA PM, Kyle Lodge No. 422, Whitesburg, TN

7 Calendar of Events Reserve Friday Evenings for your Scottish Rite Feb 08 Executive Committee Meeting 2:00 PM Feb 13 Lodge of Perfection Sweet Heart Dinner 6:30 PM Punch Bowl 7:00 PM Dinner Feb 20 Councilof Kadosh 6:30 PM dinner 18th Degree Feb 27 Consistory 6:30PM Buffett 21st Degree Mar 08 Executive Committee Meeting 2:00 PM Mar 13 Lodge of Perfection 6:30 PM dinner 25th Degree Mar 20 Chapter of Rose Croix 6:30 PM Punch Bowl 7:00 Dinner Ceremony of Remembrance Mar 27 Consistory 6:30PM Buffett 26th Degree DISTRICT EIGHT MASONIC HAPPENINGS February 2009 Date Day Time Lodge Event 03 Tuesday 7:30 PM Crystal 122 Stated Meeting Sultan-Monroe 160 Stated Meeting Robert Burns 243 Stated meeting 04 Wednesday 6:30 PM Alpha 212 Stated meeting Centennial 25 Stated Meeting 07 Saturday 8:00 AM Crystal 122 Symbolic Lodge Officer Meeting 09 Monday 7:30 PM Everett 137 Stated Meeting 10 Tuesday 7:30 PM Damascus 199 Stated Meeting 11 Wednesday 6:30 PM Arlington 129 6:30 PM Dinner 7:30 PM Meeting 12 Thursday 6:30 PM Peninsular 95 6:30 PM Dinner 7:30 PM Meeting 17 Tuesday 7:30 PM Sultan-Monroe 160 Stated Meeting Robert Burns 243 Stated meeting Crystal 122 Stated Meeting 18 Wednesday 6:30 PM Alpha 212 Stated meeting Centennial 26 Stated Meeting 24 Tuesday 7:30 PM Damascus 199 Stated Meeting 25 Wednesday 6:30 PM Arlington 129 6:30 PM Dinner 7:30 PM Meeting 26 Thursday 6:30 PM Peninsular 95 Special 6:30 PM Dinner 7:30 PM Meeting DISTRICT NINE MASONIC HAPPENINGS February 2009 Date Day Time Lodge Event 03 Tuesday 6:30 PM Mount Baker 36 Stated Meeting 05 Thursday 7:30 PM Burlington-United 93 Stated Meeting 12 Thursday 6:30 PM Camanio 19 Stated Meeting 13 Tuesday 7:30 PM Fidalgo 77 Stated Meeting 16 Monday 7:30 PM Langley 218 Stated Meeting 17 Tuesday 7:30 PM Whidby Island 15 Stated Meeting 19 Thursday 7:30 PM Garfield 41 Stated Meeting 26 Thursday 7:30 PM District 9 LOA Camanio 19 Stanwood Note: Brethren take the time to visit your local Blue Lodges and share with them the opportunities that are available to them in our valley

8 F&AM Scottish Rite Bodies P. O. Box 1112 Everett, WA Non-Profit Org U.S. Postage paid Mt Vernon, WA Permit No. 147 February 2009 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 Representative From SGIG of WA and AK, Bill Miller From the Secretary Calendar of Events February s Birthdays Masonic Moment Mumbles and Grumble, By Wally Zink 2009 Officers Sovereign Grand Commander Albert Pike Part 1; submitted by Dave McCuistion Famous Mason and First Day Issue Dr. Charles H. Mayo Are You a Mentor, By Wayne I Smith, A Masonic Week, By Bryan Bechler Web masters' Note: Come visit the Everett Valley web site. It is located at: DATES TO REMEMBER February 13, 2009 The Annual Sweetheart Dinner 6:30 PM Punch Bowl Social 7:00 PM Dinner Ladies, Guest and Friends are Cordially invited to attend If you err, accept it as a matter of your own doing and do not try to bring others into the situation with you Uncle Joe, The Chinaberry Tree Philosopher Contact List Carl Smith, 33º, Personal Representative of the S.G.I G. Telephone: Umpire@wavecable.com Charrison Lochaby, 32º, KCCH, Secretary Telephone: clochaby@whidbey.com John Friesen, 32º Almoner Telephone: john-friesen@comcast.net Kenneth Thompson, 32º, Editor Telephone: Kenneth.thompson32@verizon.net