Newsletter Date July 2015 Trestle Board Staunton Lodge No. 13 AF & AM Staunton Lodge No.13 Officers 2015 Worshipful Thomas H Otto 470-8038 Sr. Warden Harold Pat Smiley 886-0347 Jr. Warden Edmund Rick Potter 886-3556 Treasurer Steve R Wilt 448-1239 Secretary Benjamin L Edwards 435-6121 Sr. Deacon Kevin B Pitchford 255-5745 Jr. Deacon Robert Brian Moubray 294-2279 Chaplain David W Hayes 886-0916 Marshall Jason M Rexrode 414-2127 Tiler Stuart L Brown III 886-7784 Sr. Steward Jon H Otto/Jr. Steward Butch Smiley IMPORTANT DATES June 30, 2015 Staunton Fellow Craft Degree July 7, 2015 Staunton Stated Meeting, program presented by National Sojourners Traitor Play July 23, 2015 Officer training presented by the District Educational Officer at Staunton Lodge July 31 August 1, 2015 Reid James Simmons Academy of Masonic Leadership Brethren or others sick or in Distress. Pray for their recovery. Remember all our Masonic widows and orphans 1
From the Master Worshipful Thomas Otto Brethren, July marks the beginning of the second half of the Masonic year for Staunton Lodge. Staunton Lodge has been busy with great fellowship among the brethren and the second half is shaping up to be just as busy. I would like to thank all the brethren for their support and dedication not only to the lodge but to Masonry. Many Americans will soon be taking summer vacations. Others will be spending the upcoming holiday weekend with friends and family, barbecuing or boating on the lake. Having served in the US Navy, certain holidays have always had a very special meaning to me. The top three most important US holidays for me are Veteran s Day, Memorial Day and Independence Day. I think of those who currently serve, those who served and gave all, and those founders who gave us this great and free Republic. It is sad that so many young Americans do not know the full significance and great importance of these three holidays. How often have you heard Independence Day referred to as simply the Fourth of July holiday? But this holiday isn t simply a date. It s the anniversary of American Independence from a tyrannical government. One that imposed a myriad of unfair taxes upon her citizens, enforced many unfair laws, and tried to confiscate their arms. Several famous Freemasons stood up against British tyranny back in 1776, and pledged their lives, their possessions and their sacred honor to achieve liberty for all Americans. As Freemasons, we should be teaching our youth what America, and American Independence really means. S&F, Thomas H Otto Every Tuesday morning there is practice at the Lodge in all parts of the ritual, starting at 9:00 AM. Also every second and fourth Wednesday of the month there is practice at 7:00 PM. All brothers are welcome. Masonic Information Brethren, if you would like to add or see something in your Trestle Board, feel free to contact me, Wor. Thomas H Otto 32, at geteurdone@comcast.net MASONIC BIRTHDAYS Tommy D Wayne Roby 07/04/1962 Harrison May 07/10/1971 Alan Edward Warner 07/10/1971 Edmund Dickenson Potter 07/13/2004 Howard Alan Beiseigel 07/15/1958 William Lloyd Whitesell Jr. 07/25/1958 Stephen Lee Coffman 07/26/1989 Charles Ford Wilson III 07/26/2012 Norman Conrad Smiley III 07/30/2014 Darrell W. Carter Jr. 07/30/2001 KNOCKING AT THE DOOR Applications Read (0) Entered Apprentices (0) Fellow Crafts (1) Master Masons (3) Please make plans to attend practices and degree work, and support these men (and their coaches) as they continue their Masonic journey through their degrees. 2
THE THREE GRACES by Ed Halpaus, Grand Lodge Education Officer, Grand Lodge of A. F. & A. M. of Minnesota And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity. - 1 Corinthians 13:13 Authorized, or King James, Version The Three Graces can be traced to ancient Greek religion where they were goddesses of fertility; the name Graces refers to the pleasing or charming appearance of a fertile field or garden. The number of the Graces would vary in different legends, but there usually were three of them, namely: Aglaia, meaning brightness; Euphrosyne, meaning joyfulness; and Thilia, meaning bloom. They were said at various times to be the daughters of Zeus and Hera or of Helios and Aegle. In works of art the Three Graces were, in early times, depicted being draped with cloth, and later as nude female figures. In Freemasonry the Three Graces; Faith, Hope, and Charity, are depicted in art wearing fine clothing. In a copy of a painting I have in a book, Faith is shown standing between two Corinthian Pillars looking at a lamp, which she is holding in her hand. [The lamp, by the way is the kind of lamp we now know as the lamp of knowledge.] Hope is depicted standing in front of a window, holding flowers in her arms and with flowers near her feet. Charity is shown standing with the clouded canopy of heaven behind her, holding a small child in one arm, and her other arm caressing two slightly older children who are clinging to her. If you would like to see a copy of this painting you might have a copy available in your Lodge library. Most lodge libraries, no matter how large or small they may be, are likely to have at least one set of books called Mackey s Encyclopedia of Freemasonry, and the edition that is called Mackey s Encyclopedia of Freemasonry and its Kindred Sciences; the New and Revised Edition, by William J, Hughan and Edward L. Hawkins will have, in volume 1 next to the title page, the artwork depicting the Three Graces. There are two other editions of Mackey s Encyclopedia I am aware of; the original edition which would be very rare and valuable, and a revised edition by Robert Ingham Clegg, which is the edition I prefer to use for research. The Three Graces are familiar to all Freemasons: We first learn about them in the third section of the lecture of the First Degree. A short synopsis of what that lecture has to say can be found in the Minnesota Masonic Manual. In it there is a section, (on page 29,) called The Badge of a Mason, which has a portion of the Entered Apprentice lecture telling about Jacob and his vision. The section continues with information about the Three Graces: It begins by talking about Wisdom Strength and Beauty, and that Freemasonry s dimensions are unlimited, and that its covering is no less than the canopy of heaven. Leading into the subject of the Three Graces, it says: To this object the Mason s mind is continually directed, and thither he hopes at last to arrive by the aid of that theological ladder, which Jacob, in his vision, saw ascending from earth to heaven; the three principal rounds of which are denominated Faith, Hope, and Charity, and which admonish us to have faith in God, hope in immortality, and charity to all mankind. The degrees of Freemasonry are meant only to pass on truths in a way that we can understand them: Freemasonry is not a course in history, mythology, religion, theology, or a study of the Holy Bible, (although many Masons will study the Holy Bible because they enjoy it;) it is simply a fraternity of men, who have the best interests of their fraternal brothers and fellowman in their hearts and minds. When we hear the Entered Apprentice lecture and the portion about the Three Graces we may or may not realize that the words allude to two different sets of scripture; One from the Old Testament and one from the New Testament; Genesis 28:12 and 1 Corinthians 13:13 You can look up those pieces of scripture to read for yourself in their entire context; each of them are well worth the time it takes to read and study them. In Freemasonry, with Faith being represented by the first or lowest rung of Jacob s Ladder, Faith is synonymous with confidence, or trust, one of the first things a candidate for Masonry must have; as Brother Mackey says: [The] first and essential qualification of a candidate for initiation, is that he should trust in God. We have learned that our Faith may be lost in sight; Hope ends in fruition; but Charity extends beyond the grave, through the boundless realms of eternity. Brother Mackey explains why this is said: Faith is the evidence of things not seen when we see - we no longer believe by faith but through demonstration; Hope lives only in the expectation of possession, it ceases to exist when the object once hoped for is at length enjoyed; Charity, [which originally meant Love,] is exercised on earth in acts of mutual kindness and forbearance, [it] is still found in the world to come, in the sublime form of mercy from God to his erring creatures. After the first round of Jacob s ladder is explained in the lecture we advance to the second round where Hope is represented; Hope is symbolic of the hope all Freemasons have in the immortality of the soul. There is further symbolism found in Faith and Hope in the fact that having proceeded from the first to the second round of the ladder the Mason is led by his belief in God s wisdom and goodness. Without the hope of the immortality of the human soul, human virtue would not be as stimulating as it is, or ought to be, and vice would not be as fearful to man as it is, or, again, as it ought to be. Without hope life would be devoid of happiness. Thus the grave would be, as some legends say; still more gloomy, if it were not for the sprig of acacia blooming at the head of the grave, which reminds us of that imperishable part of man which survives the grave; the immortality of the soul. Brother Mackey tells us the ancients represented Hope by a nymph or maiden holding in her hand a bouquet of opening flowers, indicative of the coming fruit; but in modern and Masonic iconology, the science of craft illustrations and likenesses, it is represented by a virgin leaning on an anchor, the anchor itself being a symbol of hope. In St. Paul s letter to the Corinthians, (1st Corinthians,) he admonishes them to be cautious and not to blend with the world and accept its values and lifestyles. In 1 Corinthians 13:13 he compares Faith and Hope with Charity, (Masonically the third round of Jacob s ladder,) St. Paul calls charity the greatest of the three. As Brother Clegg writes: We must not fall into the too common error that charity is only that sentiment of commiseration which leads us to assist the poor with pecuniary donations. Its Masonic, as well as its Christian application is more noble and more extensive. The word used by the Apostle is, in he original, àyáπή, or Love, a word denoting that kindly state of mind which renders a person full of good-will and affectionate regard toward others. John Wesley, who was profoundly influenced by the Moravians, and who is the founder of Methodism, which evolved from the Methodist Societies into the Methodist Church, wrote about Charity that he regretted that the original translation of the Holy Bible was not done correctly as regards the word Charity. Had it been translated correctly the Three Graces, as they are known, would have been known as Faith, Hope, and Love not Faith Hope and Charity. Then, as Brother Mackey says we have understood the comparison made by Saint Paul, when he said, Though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not love, it profiteth me nothing." To paraphrase Henry Drummond, in his essay The Greatest Thing in the World, on First Corinthians chapter 13, Brother Mackey says that guided by this sentiment, the true Freemason will suffer long and be kind; he will be slow to anger and easy to forgive; he will stay his falling Brother by gentle admonition, and warn him with kindness of approaching danger; he will not open his ear to the slanderers, and will close his lips against all reproach; his faults and his follies will be locked in his breast, and the prayer for mercy will ascend to Jehovah [The Great Architect of the Universe] for his Brother's sins. Brother Clegg adds some fine sentiments about Charity, which I like, and they remind me something a Minnesota Past Grand Master, Phil Soderberg, is fond of saying when he greets Masons in his travels; I extend to you the right hand of fellowship. -continued on next page- 3
THE THREE GRACES by Ed Halpaus continued Here is what Brother Clegg added to Mackey s Encyclopedia of Masonry on Charity: My Brother: With this right hand I welcome you to the fellowship of our Lodge and to the ranks of our ancient and honorable Fraternity whose cornerstone is Charity: Charity is the brightest jewel in the Masonic crown; Charity is the Corinthian pillar whose entablature adds strength, beauty and grace to the Masonic fabric; Charity is the radiant spark emanating from God, the inexhaustible source of love; the Charity that is swift of foot, ready of hand, in the cause of a common humanity; the Charity that writes a Brother's vices in water and his virtues in enduring brass; the Charity of which He who spake as never man spake was the illustrious exemplar; let this, the Mason's Charity, burn upon the altar of your heart a living fire. The Three Graces of Freemasonry: Faith, Hope, Charity; if we were to think of Charity as Love maybe it would give us a whole different outlook on our Freemasonry. Doing Masonic Research in books that are readily available in Lodge and Scottish Rite libraries and from our Grand Lodge bookstore, as well as information on the Internet is well worth taking the time to do, it actually is fun: It can help a Mason learn more about the lessons of Freemasonry, and thus we can understand these lessons better. And now these three remain; faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13 NIV From the Great light of Masonry = Do not seek revenge, or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord. Leviticus 19:18 NIV West Virginia Brother Joseph Grant Huffman, from Petersburg Lodge No. 145, now residing in Staunton Virginia was awarded his 50 year pin and certificate. Presented by Right Worshipful Scott L. Fielding (District Deputy Grand Master 19th Masonic District), Right Worshipful David Hayes and Worshipful Master Thomas Otto. Brethren, don t forget about the upcoming training classes. On Thursday, July 23rd is the second District Subordinate Officer Training class which will be held at the Staunton Lodge at 7:00 PM. Then from July 31st to August 1st is the Reid James Simmons Academy of Masonic Leadership which will be held at the BEST WESTERN PLUS Waynesboro Inn and Suites Conference Center. Staunton Lodge No. 13 also has training at the lodge every second and fourth Wednesday of the month from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM. All brothers are welcome and encouraged to attend any and all training classes, including the District Subordinate Officer Training classes. 170th Grand Master of Masons in Virginia Most Worshipful Reese Edward Carroll, Jr. Together, We Can Make A Difference 4
RIGHT WORSHIPFUL REID JAMES SIMMONS BIO Past Grand Lecturer of the Grand Lodge of Virginia As Grand Lecturer, Reid James Simmons brought to the Office of Grand Lecturer all of the dedication, scholarship, and tact which this most important Office requires. He held countless Schools of Instruction across the face of our Commonwealth, and, as the custodian of our ritual, insured its purity, the accuracy of our knowledge of it, and dedicated himself to improving the ritualistic ability of every Master Mason and officer in our Grand Lodge. Whenever there was any difficulty of a ritualistic nature, every individual, from the Grand Master to the youngest Entered Apprentice instinctively turned to this wonderful Mason to obtain his opinion. His wise counsel was not limited to ritualistic matters but dealt also with many of the other issues which face Grand Masters and others who would lead this Fraternity. On many occasions, counsel was taken and led our Masonic leaders to a proper decision in difficult circumstances. Most of those who are present here today knew Reid James Simmons, understood his character, his ability, and knew that when it was said he is, "Mr. Mason," that we meant he epitomized every characteristic which this Fraternity desires to bring forth and to strengthen in its membership. He served the Craft well in every office which he held and was a truly outstanding representative of all for which we stand. The Life of Right Worshipful Reid James Simmons Reid James Simmons (1923-1993) was born November 21, 1923 in Mt. Airy, North Carolina. He attended public schools in Surry County and graduated from Franklin High School in 1941. In March 1942, he volunteered for service in the United States Marine Corps. He was ultimately assigned to the 25th Marine Regiment, a part of the 4th Marine Division. He saw action with this Division across the South Pacific, including Roi- Namur in the Marshall Islands, Saipan, and the Marianas. He received the Purple Heart three times for injuries sustained in combat and was severely wounded on Tinian Island in the Marianas. He was discharged in 1946. Reid was proud of his Marine Corps association and proudly wore the lapel pin of the Order of the Purple Heart. Following his discharge from the Marine Corps, Brother Reid attended the Southern School of Printing at Nashville, Tennessee and worked in several printing offices before finally obtaining employment at the U. S. Government Printing Office in Washington, D. C., from which he retired in 1980. Right Worshipful Brother Simmons received his degrees in Elmer Timberman Lodge No. 54, with the Master Mason's Degree being conferred on June 5, 1959. He was an honorary member and served as its Worshipful Master in 1969, as Secretary of that Lodge from 1971 to 1974, and as a Trustee from 1975 to 1993. He was an honorary member of Springfield Lodge No. 217 and Sterling Lodge No. 268. He was also a member of A. Douglas Smith, Jr., Lodge of Research No. 1949 and the Tennessee Lodge of Research. Other Masonic activities include membership in Annandale Royal Arch Chapter No. 77; Faith Chapter No. 177, Order of the Eastern Star; and Alexandria Scottish Rite Bodies, 33, I.G.H. Always interested in the ritual, Brother Simmons was appointed District Instructor of Work for Masonic District 1-B in 1969, and to the Committee on Work in 1970. He served as District Deputy Grand Master for Masonic District 1-B in 1973. Reid was appointed Grand Lecturer of the Grand Lodge of Virginia, succeeding Right Worshipful Charles Armistead Sinclair, Jr., on February 14, 1975. A highly respected and devoted Mason, Right Worshipful Brother Simmons was awarded the John Blair, Jr., Medal in 1982, and the George Washington Distinguished Service Medal in 1990. Right Worshipful Brother Reid passed to the Celestial Lodge Above on September 9, 1993 after a long bout with cancer. An Evening Memorial Service was conducted by Elmer Timberman Lodge No. 54 on September 12, 1993, with most of the Grand Lodge Officers and Past Grand Masters present. Religious services were held on September 13, 1993, at Everley-Wheatly Funeral Home in Alexandria, Virginia, with interment immediately following at Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors being rendered by the United States Marine Corps Honor Guard and Band. Taken from The Grand Lodge, Ancient, Free & Accepted Masons, of Virginia 5
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Staunton Lodge No. 13 Masonic District 19 Ancient Free & Accepted Masons 708 D Street Staunton, Virginia 24401 (540) 324-2638 Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1 Staunton, Virginia 24402-0001 Email: StauntonLodge13@gmail.com Facebook: Staunton Lodge #13 AF&AM Website: www.stauntonlodge13afam.org July 2015 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 2 3 4 5 6 7Staunton #13 8 Staunton #13 9 Lee #209 10 11 Stated Meeting Evening practice Stated Meeting 12 13 14 15Highland #110 16 17 18 Stated Meeting 19 20 21 22Staunton #13 Evening practice 23District Lodge Officer Training 24 25 26 27 28 Augusta #111 Stated Meeting 29 30 31 Reid J. Simmons Academy 8