Lodge Masters for 2013

Transcription

1 Topeka Scottish Rite Bulletin V a l l e y o f T o p e k a - O r i e n t o f K a n s a s Volume 88 Topeka, Kansas March 2013 Number 1 S o u t h e r n J u r i s d i c t i o n o f t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s o f A m e r i c a The Topeka Valley of the Scottish Rite Proudly Supports the 4 RiteCare Speech-Language-Hearing Clinics in Kansas Lodge Masters for 2013 Venerable Master-Dwight G. Rumpel Wise Master-William R. Amyx Commander-Kyle G. Ferlemann Master of Kadosh-Jeffrey M. Hurst

2 Our Income & Expenses for 2011 & 2012 By Paul R. Oldham, 32 KCCH 2011 Income 2011 Expenses 2012 Income 2012 Expenses

3 Scottish Rite, Schiefelbusch Clinic partner to test newborns' hearing Comprehensive hearing tests now offered in Topeka Reprint from Capital Journal Online on December 3, 2012 Reported by Ann Marie Bush The Topeka Scottish Rite and The University of Kansas Schiefelbusch Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic have partnered to help families of newborns who may have hearing problems. The Schiefelbusch Clinic at Topeka Scottish Rite opened Nov. 14 at the Topeka Masonic Center, 2300 S.W. 30th. The clinic offers diagnostic follow-up services for newborns who fail their hearing screenings. Child communication disorders are the national philanthropy for the Scottish Rite, said Donald A. Mahrle, personal representative to the Sovereign Grand Inspector General for the Orient of Kansas. We feel there is a great need, and it is a great service to kids. The Kansas Scottish Rite donates funds to support hearing, language and speech programs at KU Medical Center, The University of Kansas, Wichita State University and Fort Hays State University. Angie Reeder, an audiologist for the Schiefelbusch Speech-Language- Hearing Clinic and clinical assistant professor, serves as the audiologist for the new Topeka outreach program. This clinic is designed specifically for follow-up to universal newborn screenings, Reeder said. The Schiefelbusch Clinic at Topeka Scottish Rite has an audiology clinic the second and fourth Wednesday of each month. The new Topeka clinic has received support from the Topeka Valley Scottish Rite, the Kansas Scottish Rite Foundation and Sound Beginnings, a statewide newborn hearing screening program. About 42,000 babies were born in Kansas last year, according to data from Sound Beginnings. Of those babies, 99 percent are screened for hearing loss before they turn 1 month old. However, 37 percent of those babies who fail the screening don t return for further follow up testing. Three in 1,000 babies are identified with some degree of permanent hearing loss, Reeder said. This means there are babies who may have permanent hearing loss who aren t being tested. Reeder recently tested a newborn baby from Nebraska at the Topeka clinic. Without it, the family would have had to travel an even greater distance. This is a nice, centrally-located facility, Reeder said. Dr. Angie Reeder explains the three tests used on babies who fail their newborn hearing screening. While there is a fee for the comprehensive three tests in all service, most insurance companies will pay for it, Reeder said. There also are ways for families who can t pay to still take part in the program. The three tests conducted at the Schiefelbusch Clinic at Topeka Scottish Rite include Auditory Brainstem Response, which measures the hearing nerve s response to sounds; otoacoustic emission, which determines the cochlear status; and tympanogram, which is used to evaluate the function of the middle ear. Babies have to be asleep for the ABR testing. The ABR uses the changes in electrical activity along the auditory nerve to estimate hearing thresholds, Reeder said. Electrodes are placed on the baby s forehead and ears, and a small probe is placed in the ear to deliver the sound. Reeder watches a computer screen as waveforms appear. The baby doesn t have to be asleep for the otoacoustic emission test or the tympanogram test. Testing can take anywhere from 45 minutes to two hours, depending on when the baby falls asleep. The room provided for no charge at the Topeka Masonic Center, 2300 S.W. 30th is small, but allows room for testing equipment, a small desk with a lamp and a recliner for a parent. We are starting with an audiology outreach clinic but anticipate the expansion of the Schiefelbusch Clinic at Topeka Scottish Rite to speech and language services, Jane Wegner, director of the Schiefelbusch Speech- Language-Hearing Clinic, wrote in the Topeka Scottish Rite Bulletin. We hope to provide speech, language and reading assessments, as well as parent education programs in the future. Reeder said she thinks the program will grow rapidly. This fits nicely with the Schiefelbusch Clinic, she said. I love it. I get to bring what I love to do to the community. Reeder has a master s degree in audiology and a doctorate in special education with an emphasis in severe, multiple disabilities. This is a very proactive step in our philanthropy, said Paul R. Oldham, executive secretary for the Topeka Scottish Rite Bodies. To schedule an appointment, call the Schiefelbusch Clinic at (785)

4 Orient of Kansas Ill. Hugh W. Gill, III, 33 Sovereign Grand Inspector General in Kansas Ill. Donald A. Mahrle, 33 Personal Representative of the S.G.I.G. in Kansas Topeka Valley Advisory Council Ill. Donald A. Mahrle, 33 Personal Representative to the S.G.I.G. in Kansas Ill. Martin L. Donaldson, 33 Almoner Ill. John C. Dicus, 33 Treasurer Paul R. Oldham, 32 KCCH Executive Secretary Dwight G. Rumpel, 32 Venerable Master Topeka Lodge of Perfection William R. Amyx, 32 Wise Master Topeka Chapter of Rose Croix Kyle G. Ferlemann, 32 Commander Topeka Council of Kadosh Jeffrey M. Hurst, 33 Master of Kadosh Topeka Consistory Our Departed Brethren Who have Passed since our last bulletin Charles W. Mooneyham 81 11/6/2012 Leland Granville Denton 88 11/15/2012 Jeff Glenn Atherly 29 12/15/2012 Allen N. Moore 84 12/27/2012 Richard Lee Green 82 01/23/2013 James Marshall Brown 74 01/24/2013 Lloyd LeRoy Gingrich 88 01/26/2013 Allen F. Lindbloom 86 01/26/ Donations The Topeka Valley recorded donations to the following: Almoner $711 SR Foundation $846 Child Sake $336 Topeka Valley Foundation $3500 ALLEGIANCE The Bodies of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, sitting in the Valley of Topeka, Orient of Kansas, acknowledge the authority of and yield allegiance to the Supreme Council (Mother Council of the World) of the Inspectors General, Knights Commander of the House of the Temple of Solomon of the Thirty Third Degree of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry for the Southern Jurisdiction of the United States of America. Scottish Rite Creed Human progress is our cause, liberty of thought our supreme wish, freedom of conscience our mission, and the guarantee of equal rights to all people everywhere our ultimate goal. Our new carpeting was laid the week of July 23-27, 2012 Auditorium Carpet Fund Raiser Out with the Old & In with the New Only $10 per Sq. Yd. Any donation (large or small) Will be Appreciated Please call Paul Oldham To date our Members have donated $18,100 toward our goal of $25,350 The Topeka Scottish Rite Bulletin is the Official Publication of the Topeka Valley of the Scottish Rite, 2300 SW 30th Street Topeka, KS , (785) ,Orient of Kansas, Southern Jurisdiction of the United States of America, and is published 4 times a year in March, June, September and December, at Topeka Kansas. Periodical postage paid at Topeka, Kansas USPS POSTMASTER: Please Send change of address to: 2300 SW 30th Street, Topeka, KS Paul R. Oldham, 32 KCCH, Editor, secretary@scottishritetopeka.com, 4

5 Lodge Officers for 2013 Topeka Lodge of Perfection By Dwight G. Rumpel, 32 Venerable Master Venerable Master Dwight G. Rumpel, 32 Master of Ceremonies Bob Braun, 32 Srenior Warden Tom Rigg, 32 KCCH Expert Steve Wiley, 32 Jrunior Warden David Snook, 32 Assistant Expert DeVern Phillips, 32 Orator Francis Kelsey, 32 KCCH Topeka Chapter of Rose Croix By William R. Amyx, 32 Wise Master Wise Master William R. Amyx, 32 Master of Ceremonies Jay Hurst, 32 Senior Warden Kyle Ferlemann, 32 Expert Bob Amyx, 33 Junior Warden William Cox, 33 Assistant Expert Kevin Kesler, 32 Topeka Council of Kadosh By Kyle G. Ferlemann, 32 Commander Commander Kyle G. Ferlemann, 32 Turcopier Thomas Kelley, 32 1 st Lt. Comm. Bob Amyx, 33 1st Deacon Scott Crawford, 32 2 nd Lt. Comm. Jason Belveal, 32 2nd Deacon Don Jacka, 32 KCCH Chancellor Tom Rigg, 32 KCCH Beauseant John McCracken, 32 Orator William Cox, 33 White Bearer Michael Guerrero, 32 Master of Ceremonies Dwight Rumpel, 32 Black Bearer Larry Karns, 32 Topeka Consistory By Jeffrey M. Hurst, 33 Master of Kadosh jmlrhurst@cox.net Master of Kadosh Jeffrey M. Hurst, 33 Master of Ceremonies Tom Magnuson, 33 Prior Don Davidson, 32 KCCH Expert Mark Harwood, 32 Preceptor William Cox, 33 Assistant Expert David Snook, 32 Chancellor Jay Hurst, 32 Lt. Guard Conrad Fisher, 32 KCCH Minister Jason Belveal, 32 5

6 The Secretary s Desk It is hard to believe that Spring is just around the corner. We have had some crazy weather this Winter. The last week of January saw a record high of 77 on Monday and by Thursday of that week we had a chill factor of 0. So far this year we have elected and installed our 2013 Lodge Officers. We have conducted our Annual Communication and have held our emblem presentations for our 10, 25, 50, and 60 Year Recipients. This month we will celebrate our Ceremony of Remembrance & Renewal and will have honored our latest widows with a rose and a complementary dinner. So it must be time to start rehearsing for our Spring Reunion on April 19th & 20th. We decided to upgrade our 1970 s broken slide projector to a new Power Projector/Laptop to project regalia/degree images onto the wall close to the Secretary s desk during our theatrical performances of our degrees at our Reunion. Scott Crawford and Marvin Stovall have worked hard to set up a Power Point Presentation to be used during the Reunions. They have done an excellent job. We have also received $190 of our goal of $650 toward purchasing a Power Projector. Thanks to all who have donated so far. Director of Work We are very quickly approaching our Annual Ceremony of Remembrance & Renewal. We have called for a Dress Rehearsal for Sunday, March 17, 2013 at 7:30 pm and, of course, we will be doing the performance on Tuesday, March 19, 2013 at 7:30 pm. This year, just like last year, we will have Erin Wood accompany us on the harp and Don Davidson giving us the charge. Our Spring Reunion will be on Friday, April 19, 2013 and Saturday, March 20, This Spring we have been challenged by the Personal Representative to gain 10 new members. If we are able to accomplish this feat we will have a banquet Saturday night. So, if you know of a qualified Blue Lodge Mason who you would like to join you in the Scottish Rite please act quickly so we can nominate them. Paul R. Oldham, 32 KCCH Jeffrey M. Hurst, 33 The Personal Representative s Desk What s a 501c(3)? It s a special tax designation given to not for profit organizations or Foundations by the IRS. Our CPA, Paul Honaker, has been working since April 2012 to obtain the designation for the Topeka Scottish Rite. We have been advised by the IRS that we may begin to receive monies for our Topeka Scottish Rite Foundation and that they will be tax deductible donations. It means that we can also apply for other types of tax relief like property tax, etc. All future donations, wills, bequeaths, etc. will receive a tax deduction, when given to the Topeka Scottish Rite Foundation. The Jeff Hurst family has become our first donors to the Foundation, both personal and family memorials. Thank you for your support. Donald A. Mahrle, 33 6

7 The Assistant Secretary My Brothers; As most of you know your 2013 dues are now due. If you have NOT received a dues notice, please let us know and we ll send you one. The dues are still $100 per year and we need everyone to pay those dues so we can stay afloat. We have about 450 life members who do not pay dues so we have to pay Supreme Council the per capita amount for each of those members. Enough about dues. Let s talk about a field trip and what you would like to see us do. We had a bus trip to Wamego in December, we rented a 35 passenger bus, and only about 15 showed their support for this trip. You missed a great dinner and live show! It has been a complaint for many years the Scottish Rite never does anything to have fun, but when we set something up, only a few seem to care. Check the schedule in other parts of this bulletin for upcoming events. We have some very nice entertainment scheduled. The Scottish Rite has a beautiful Rose Croix Funeral Service that is offered for our Membership on a request basis. If someone should ask you to help them in their time of need please refer them to the Scottish Rite Office at 2300 SW 30 th St, Topeka, KS or to please call our office at or conveniently the Secretary at secretary@scottishritetopeka.com. Saturday, Mar 9, 2013 Masonic Education Group Free breakfast from 8:00-8:30 am Discussion from 9:00 am - 10:00 am Tuesday, Mar 19, 2013 CR&R (Open) Social Hour begins at 5:45 pm Dinner at 6:30 pm CR&R Ceremony at 7:30 pm Saturday, Apr 13, 2013 Masonic Education Group Free breakfast from 8:00-8:30 am Discussion from 9:00 am - 10:00 am Tuesday Apr16, 2013 Stated Meeting (Closed) Social Hour begins at 5:45 pm Dinner at 6:30 pm Stated Meeting at 7:30 pm Friday Apr 19, 2013 Spring Reunion Welcome begins at 6:30 pm Evening ends at 10:00 pm Dates To Remember Marvin L. Stovall, 33 Saturday Apr 20, 2013 Spring Reunion Cont d. Coffee begins at 7:00 am Evening ends at 6:00 pm Saturday, May 11, 2013 Masonic Education Group Free breakfast from 8:00-8:30 am Discussion from 9:00 am - 10:00 am Tuesday, May 21, 2013 Stated Meeting (Closed) Social Hour begins at 5:45 pm Dinner at 6:30 pm Stated Meeting at 7:30 pm Saturday, Jun 8, 2013 Masonic Education Group Free breakfast from 8:00-8:30 am Discussion from 9:00 am - 10:00 am Jun-Aug, 2013 No Meetings Scheduled RSVP s are always requested for our monthly meeting dinners. You may call the Office at by 4:00 PM on Monday and make your reservations, or the Secretary at secretary@scottishritetopeka.com. Our Topeka Valley Times Past 25, 50, & 75 Years Ago April 1988 The 204th Spring Reunion was named the David R. Lindgren Memorial Class. It occurred on April 21, 22, 23, The Scottish Rite, as expressed in its Degrees with their accompanying lectures and instructions, is an advanced course to Freemasonry, history, and Geography. It is indeed a liberal education. A chorus of 21 members, named the Double Eagle Choir, was directed by Carl O. Smith and accompanied on the organ by Bob Boyd. Bill Hurrell was also listed as an organist. April 1963 The Maundy Thursday Ceremony was held on Thursday, April 11, 1963 and Easter Sunday Service was held on Sunday, April 14, Judge Tom Raum was the banquet speaker at the end of the Spring Reunion on April 18th. Claud F. Young, SGIG also was in attendance at the Spring Reunion. There were eleven reported deaths in this issue. April 1938 This issue dealt with the passing of Thomas Geyer Fitch, 33 of Wichita, our SGIG of Kansas. He was considered, without doubt, one of the best known Masons in the West. He was a member of the Supreme Council for 20 years and was ranked 4th in the line. He also had been the Secretary for the Board of the Masonic Home in Wichita for 40 years. He had held all of the highest offices in the four Grand Bodies of Masonry in Kansas. The Spring Reunion was on May 9, 10, 11, and 12, There were 15 reported deaths in this issue. 7

8 The Hiram Key Written in 1997 by Christopher Knight and Robert Lomas Book Report by Paul R. Oldham, 32 KCCH Christopher Knight and Robert Lomas were newly made English Masons when they decided to find the origins of Freemasonry. They did not anticipate what they were about to unravel. They may have discovered the true story of Jesus Christ and the original Jerusalem Church. A radically new picture of Jesus and his ultra- Jewish sect emerged. The authors came to a controversial conclusion that the key rituals of modern Freemasonry were practiced by the sect as a means of initiation into their community. Rigorously analyzing and comparing ancient Egyptian records, the Old and New Testaments, early Christian and Rabbinical texts, the Dead Sea Scrolls and the rituals of Freemasonry, the authors have been able to reconstruct the lost story of Jesus and his brother James and describe their struggle to establish the 'Kingdom of heaven' upon earth using Masonic-style rituals. The establishment of the Christian Church is shown to be a political invention that has little connection with the man that today we call 'Jesus Christ'. The early Christians buried their most precious scrolls beneath Herod's temple shortly before they and the city was destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD. Lost to the world for over a millennium they were clandestinely unearthed and interpreted by the infamous Order of the Knights Templar who adopted these ancient teachings and the rituals as their own. The book reaches its exciting climax with the authors deciphering precise clues concealed within Masonic ritual that turned out to be the key to unlocking the secret of the final resting place of the scrolls of Jesus. Rosslyn Chapel is a magnificent and detailed building that is a detailed reconstruction of the ruined temple of Herod. This Chapel was built by the St. Clair (Sinclair) family who possibly were the descendants of the Templars and the first modern Freemasons over 500 years ago. Rosslyn Chapel and the St. Clair family were neighbors to the Knights Templar Preceptory outside Edinburgh, Scotland for 180 years. The reports of this book are all very complimentary. Here is what Professor Phillip R. Davies, Biblical Studies, University of Sheffield has to say about this book. 'This is an enthralling story, full of ingenious connections. Academic orthodoxies should always be challenged, and I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to believe that there are more threads to history than we yet know.' This book is a revealing book that is based on individuals digging for the factual evidence of past historical events. It allows you as the reader to learn of a fresh approach to certain historical events and how the modern day doctrines were derived. History has always been written by the victors not the conquered. If you could have possibly observed the Dead Sea Scrolls, and the Lost Gospels, in action and could have prevented the Nicene Creed from being active what a difference the Christian Religion would have been. If you could have prevented King Phillip The Fair of France & Pope Clement V from eliminating the Knights Templar what a different European history would have been during the Dark Ages. Had the Pope not eliminated the Chartiers in France how different European history would have been. This book is fast moving and gives us enlightenment as to how and why present day Masons do and act the way we do. Editor s Note: The next book we will be reporting on will be The Knights Templar in the New World. This trail we are on to learn more about our Masonic forebearers will twist more than a few turns before we have completed our journey. 8

9 The Knights Templar in the New World Written by William E. Mann & Originally Published in 1999 Book Report by Paul R. Oldham, 32 KCCH Templars / Ancient Mysteries" Bill Mann blends Pythagorean geometry, hermetic wisdom, and secrets of Freemasonry to reveal a blueprint to the final resting place of the Holy Grail. From the Tarot to Tolkien, from Medieval France to modern day Nova Scotia, the reader is initiated into mysteries often hidden in plain sight." Steven Sora, author of The Lost Treasure of the Knights Templar says "A work of insight and discovery that will be of interest to all Masons and seekers of treasures and secrets." Andrew Sinclair, author of The Sword and the Grail states Utterly fascinating reading. Anyone who loves subtle detective stories will be enthralled by Bill Mann's research." The First foreword was written by Michael Bradley, author of Holy Grail Across the Atlantic. In 1398, almost one hundred years before Columbus arrived in the New World, the Scottish prince Henry Sinclair, Earl of Orkney, sailed to what is today Nova Scotia, where his presence was recorded by Mi'kmaq Indian legends about Glooskap. This was the same Prince Henry Sinclair who offered refuge to the Knights Templar fleeing the persecution unleashed against the Order by French King Philip the Fair early in the fourteenth century. The second Foreword was written by Reverend Lionel Fanthorpe. He states that Bill Mann s book is well worth reading and re-reading. The breadth of his research does not detract from its depth. He has combined close studies of Freemasonry and Templar history with Grail legends, classical Mythology, and Egyptology. He has examined the relevance of Prince Henry Sinclair s epic voyage from Orkney and explored Francis Bacon s controversial contribution to the mystery. William Mann has taken evidence from archaeological sites, indigenous legend, and sacred geometry handed down by the Templar Order to the Freemasons. He has now rediscovered the site of the settlement established by Sinclair and his Templar followers in the New World. Here they found a safe refuge for the Grail--the holy bloodline connecting the House of David to the Merovingian Dynasty through the descendants of Jesus and Mary Magdalene--until the British exiled all the Acadians in William F. Mann s late great-uncle was a Supreme Grand Master of the Knights Templar of Canada and it was from him that the author received the key that would eventually unlock this mystery. The key was the ring that his great uncle possessed which had a special compartment in which there was a round purple amethyst in the middle on a pale blue background, two interlocking golden rings, and an intersecting gold bar. William lives in Oakville, Ontario. William had chosen forestry and landscape architecture as his career path and his wife is from Nova Scotia. These two facts would prove invaluable to him on his quest. Editor s Note: Our mystery trail is twisting so stand by for some interesting developments in our June 2013 Bulletin. 9

10 Fee $200+Optional Master Craftsman I-$50 (includes 2013 dues, Black Cap, 14 Ring in pyramid, & Bridge to Light book) Make check payable to: Scottish Rite Bodies of Topeka 2300 SW 30th St Topeka, KS Executive Secretary - Paul R. Oldham Assistant Secretary - Marvin L. Stovall (785) Fees Paid: Presented: Elected: Notified: Office Use Only PLEASE PRINT OR TYPE - FILL IN ALL SPACES Full Name: Address: First Middle Last Home/Cell Phone: City: State: Zip: Date of Birth: / / Place: Current Age: I am now a member in I will be joining: Check One (Please include a photocopy of your Blue Lodge Membership Card) Blue Lodge: Number: At: First Degree: / / Second Degree: / / Third Degree: / / Lady s Name: Hat Size: Occupation: Work Phone: If retired, from what: I have resided in this jurisdiction for: years, and months Have you ever previously petitioned for the Scottish Rite Degrees? I believe in the inculcation of patriotism, respect for law and order, and undying loyalty to the principles of civil and religious liberty, the entire separation of Church and State, as set forth in the Constitution of the United States of America. I wholeheartedly believe in the foregoing and I respectfully petition for the 4 through 32 Date: / / Signature: IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE FIRST OR SECOND LINE SIGNER TO ACCOMPANY HIS CANDIDATE AT THE INITIATION Recommended By: 1. Recommended By: 2. Print Name Address City ST Zip Phone Print Name Address City ST Zip Phone Next Class - April 19-20, 2013

11 This is the fourteenth installment in a series of articles that recognize our Topeka Scottish Rite members and their involvement in WW II. Spotlight on Our Veterans Lester Stovall By Marvin L. Stovall Lester has gone and didn't leave much of a record of his service during World War II, but as his son, Marvin will try to fill in the gaps as best he can. Lester was drafted into the US Army in He did his basic training at Camp Leonard Wood and went soon there after to Childress, Texas for training as an electrician on the Army Air Base. He was there for about 6 months and worked as a base electrician. One thing that I remember as a 6 year old at the time is that we lived in a small brick garage, made into an apartment. The months we were there were very hot and one thing we had to help keep us cool, was a window fan dad had made out of used parts. This fan didn't have a speed control so Lester wired a colored light bulb into the circuit to reduce the voltage to slow the fan down. The only problem with this bulb fix was that the back yard of this garage housed a bull and he would be attracted to the red bulb. When he licked it the light bulb would burn out and cause the fan to quit. We endured that summer but was glad to get away from that off base housing and that bull. He then was transferred to Greensboro, South Carolina to be shipped over seas. But on the way we traveled to Coffeeville KS where for reasons unknown to his family we stayed for one month in a hotel downtown. Lester worked in Coffeeville someplace and his family lived in this hotel. His sons played in the halls of the hotel and became friends with many of the other military people in the hotel. After he got us set up in Topeka in an upstairs one room apartment, to live and go to school, he left for Greensboro to be shipped to Europe. I believe this trip was on the Queen Elizabeth. I am not sure how long that trip took but he did make it to Belgium and Germany to fight in the trenches. I'm not sure how or why he made the transition from base electrician in the Army Air Corp to a rifleman in the infantry. I do know that he spent the next several months on the front lines. It was during that time that he earned his Corporal stripes. At one time on a weekend furlough in Belgium, he met another Kansas soldier, T/Sgt. Kenny Stockabrand, whom he found was from Yates Center, just 75 miles from his home town. They became best of friends for the next 60 years a n d b o t h t h e i r families grew and became close over the years. They were both avid hunters and fishermen and we made many trips to Yates Center to hunt or fish. After about 12 months in Europe, the war ended and Lester was shipped home. He arrived at home on Christmas day, right at 12 noon, in 12 inches of snow, by taxi, to a delighted family. He then settled down to making a living for his family and was a fine father and husband throughout the rest of his life. Dad's parents were Elmer and May Stovall. He was born in Guthrie, Oklahoma. He was married to Esther Furgason in Topeka. They were commonly known to their friends as Es and Les. Lester worked for many years at Santa Fe Railroad and was known as "Smokey" Stovall because he normally had a lit or unlit cigar in his mouth. They had two children, Marvin and Gary. Gary passed away 40 years ago.

12 Topeka Scottish Rite Bulletin 2300 SW 30th St Topeka, KS PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID AT TOPEKA, KANSAS Are you moving, or have you already moved? We would like to know your new mailing address. Please call us at (785) or toll free at (877) , or please us at Thank you for helping us keep track of our valued members - you!!! Allegorical Conversations Arranged by Wisdom First French Edition Written in 1763 and published by Erasme Pinc le in Metz, France Translated into English and Edited by Arturo de Hoyos, 33 G C and S. Brent Morris, 33 G C Translated Version Reported on by Paul R. Oldham, 32 KCCH In December 2012 we reported on a book named The Most Secret Mysteries of the High Degrees of Masonry Unveiled. This month we have an opportunity to report on a similar French book that was the forerunner of the first Thirteen Degrees of the French Scottish Rite. These two books are the earliest printed sources for several of the degrees which eventually became the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite. Allegorical Conversations Arranged by Wisdom can be thought of as looselyallied degrees worked in Metz in the mid-1700 s, while The Most Secret Mysteries of the High Degrees of Masonry Unveiled represents a later development-a coherent rite, a system of Ceremonies that both teachs morals lessons and advances a story arc. Albert Pike probably fashioned our present Degrees from these two books. As a result of the burning of any unsold books in 1764, due to a lawsuit in Metz, a complete set of Allegorical Conversations Arranged by Wisdom is one of the scarcest Masonic titles in the world. Only three complete sets can be found in any library in the world. It should be emphasized that these Ceremonies are not those of the present day Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite. These degrees are not necessarily the most popular and most important; they only represent practices of some hauts grades Masons in France in 1763 and the first to have their catechisms published and tacitly endorsed by the Grand Lodge of France. The ten high degrees of Allegorical Conversations Arranged by Wisdom were published in 1763 and were followed by the three Craft degrees in 1766 (the same year as The Most Secret Mysteries of the High Degrees of Masonry Unveiled.) Arturo de Hoyos and S. Brent Morris are assuming that written discrepancies and partial words between the two books were meant to be a mutual use of words. Our translators also relied on the Bonseigneur Rituals to complete partial words which was translated into English by Gery L. Prinsen and is located at the Amistad Research Center, Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana. Rene Desaguliers and Roger Dachez made a significant contribution to the study of hautes grades when they discovered that several obscure words in hauts grades came from the Chinese. Their paper was originally published as Pensee Chinoise, Renaissance Traditionnelle, no. 96 (October 1993) and translated as Chinese Thought and Freemasonry in the 18th Century: The Degree of Irish Master, Provost and Judge in Heredom, vol. 3: Editor s Note: Don Mahrle donated this book to our Library in January Don is a member of the Scottish Rite Research Society and received this book as a bonus book for being a 2012 member. We also have a complete set of Heredom books in our Library.