The TrestleboardThe TrestleboardSunset Lodge #369 F&AMSunset Lodge #369 F&AM

Serving Venice & Santa Monica Since 1905Serving Venice & Santa Monica Since 1905

1720 Ocean Park Blvd1720 Ocean Park BlvdSanta Monica CA 90405Santa Monica CA 90405

sunsetmasoniclodge.orgsunsetmasoniclodge.org

September/October 2019

From The East

Labor Day has come and gone, and we are now entering the home stretch of this Masonic year at Sunset Lodge. Our officers are working hard on their qualifications for 2020, with the elections just around the corner. We are blessed to have a corps of incredibly talented, loyal and dedicated officers at our lodge.

Our past month saw the rebirth of Solvitur Ambulando with an event that was live streamed on the lodge YouTube page. If you didn't get to watch it live, you can watch the recorded video embedded in the “journal” section of our website. We will be hosting more great lectures in the coming months, which will also be live streamed.

But nothing is better than being here in person, so I encourage you to attend and support our events. They offer a wealth of education, and a treasure of fellowship.

I would like to thank the members of the Hall Association for their hard work. Our building is showing its age, and they've been up to the task replacing the roof and front doors. The special committee I appointed to work on the design for the interior of our lodge has been stepping up as well, working with designers and formulating a plan for the rebirth of our lodge. And while many of the ambitious plans we have will take much time, patience and perseverance to come to fruition, there are some improvements that we will be acting on in the near future.No doubt that the renewal of our lodge is not only in physical form, but in spirit as well. We are working together to create a vibrant future for our spiritual home. Please join us at our Stated Meetingsand vision sessions to share your insight and ideas with the committee.

Looking ahead to these coming months, we are also relaunching another popular event from our past – the Model Railroad Show. This is a great family-oriented event that delights both children, as well as the inner child in all of us. My personal thanks to Group 160 N-Scale Railroad Club for their time and effort setting up and running this event.

We are also relaunching our Cinema Society with the screening of two great films – the everpopular “Man Who Would Be King” and the 1963 horror classic “The Raven.” Find out all thedetails in this edition of the Trestleboard and be sure to join us for some popcorn and some ofthe best that Hollywood has to offer.

Fall is the time of harvest, and our bounty at Sunset Lodge is truly something we feelblessed in having. Together, we will create a lodge that will be a leader in innovativeprograms, a refuge from the profane world “where the wicked cease from troubling and the weary shall find rest”, and an exemplary society of friends and brothers among whom no contention exists. Each of us plays an important role in fulfilling this vision for our lodge. Laboring together we will reap the fraternal benefits of our work for decades to come.

FraternallyDavid W. Neal - Master

Sunset Cinema Society

Sunset Lodge is home to many talented and creative individuals, many of whom share a love of cinema. The Sunset Cinema Society screens films and holds discussions on all things Hollywood.

Join us for popcorn, refreshments and an enjoyable night at themovies.

The Man Who Would Be King

A favorite among Masons and rich in Masonic symbolism, this action/adventure film, directed byJohn Huston, is based on a short story by Brother Rudyard Kipling and stars Michael Caine and Sean Connery.

The film follows the exploits of Peachy Carnehan (Caine) and Danny Dravot (Connery), English military officers stationed in India. Tired of life as soldiers, the two travel to the isolated land of Kafiristan, where they are ultimately embraced by the people and revered as rulers. After a series of misunderstandings, the natives come to believe that Dravot is a god, but he and Carnehan can't keep up their deception forever.

Sunday, September 29th 2019 @ 7:00PM

The Raven.In keeping with the spirit of the season, the Cinema Society will be screening the 1963 horrorclassic “The Raven” with Vincent Price, Peter Lorre, Boris Karloff, Hazel Court and a very young Jack Nicholson.

Directed by Roger Corman, The Raven is the story of Magician Erasmus Craven (Price) who finds himself still deeply depressed two years after the death of his beloved wife, Lenore (Court). One day, he's visited by Adolphus Bedlo (Lorre), who has been transformed into a raven after losing a duel to Dr. Scarabus (Karloff), an evil wizard. After Craven transforms Bedlo back into a human, Bedlo claims to have seen Lenore's ghost at Scarabus' castle, prompting the two to head to Scarabus' castle to seek Craven's lost love.

One of the classic “Poe Series” films that made Price a legend, The Raven is perhaps the mostcharming of the series. The perfect way for you to kick off Halloween.

So please invite your friends and family to join us for popcorn, refreshments and an evening of great cinema at Sunset Lodge.

Tuesday, October 29th 2019 @ 7:30PM

“When I make a film, I am hoping to reinvent the genre a little bit. I just do it my way. I make my own little Quentin versions of them... I consider myself a student of cinema. It's almost like I am going for my professorship in cinema, and the day I die is the day I graduate. It is a lifelong study.”

Quentin Tarantino

Model Railroad Show

The sights and sounds of model trains will fill our lodge asSunset Lodge and Group 160 N-Scale Model Railroad Clubhost a model railroad show.

Group 160 is a local model railroad club that works inN-Scale (1:160). They will be setting up and operatinga large modular layout in our dining room. Sunset Lodgehas always enjoyed our partnership with Group 160in the past, and we know that our local community enjoys visiting our lodge for this show, especiallythe kids.

The lodge room will be set up as if at refreshment, sothat we can provide tours and answer questions aboutour lodge or Freemasonry to all who ask.

The show will run from 10AM until 5PM both Saturdayand Sunday.

We are looking forward to the train show becomingan annual event.

Date: October 19th (Open To General Public) October 20th (Lodge Members & Invited Guests Only)Time: 9AM until 5PM

FREDERICK THE GREAT HELPS A BROTHER'S WIDOW

Frederick the Great, a Mason without any doubt, while in a jewelry shop in Potsdam, Germany, observed a middle-aged woman exhibiting an article of silver having certain Masonic symbols, possibly a Past Master's jewel. She was trying to borrow money on it. She said she had come to this particular shop to avoid the usurers and because the owner of the shop was a Mason. The jeweler told her that he was not in the pawnbroking business and couldn't make the loan.

Another person in the shop asked her many questions concerning the jewel, whose it was, how she had possession of it, etc. The man offered to buy the jewel and kept raining the price. When he decided to make her the loan, he discovered he had no money in his pocket. He then disclosed to the surprised woman that he was the King.

Fredrick shook his staff at the jeweler and told him that he was not fit to be a Mason and threatened to file charges against him. The following morning the woman went to see Fredrick at the palace and he instructed her to return whenever she was in need of help.

“The greatest and noblest pleasure which we have in this world is to discover new truths, and the next is to shake off old prejudices.”

Frederick The Great

Solvitur AmbulandoMasonic & Philosophical Study Society

Solvitur Ambulando is the Masonic and general interest studysociety founded by Sunset Lodge in 2004. The society invitesmembers of the lodge to share their own studies and topicsof interest, as well as inviting guest lecturers.

Solvitur Ambulando events are open to the general public.If you are unable to physically attend the event, we alsostream many of our lectures using our lodge YouTubechannel. So you have the option of watching the live streamas the event is occurring, or watching the recording of theevent at a later date.

All of the information on Solvitur Ambulando, as well as notifications of upcoming eventsare available on the society website: solviturfreemasons.org

Upcoming Lectures

Lon Milo DuQuette - Quabalistic Foundation of Tarot

The Tarot, not unlike Freemasonry, is a symbolic system of study that is based on the Hebrew mystical tradition of Qabalah. Author, Occultist & Freemason Lon Milo DuQuette will explore the Qabalistic foundation of the Tarot, first alluded to by Eliphas Levi and then further developed by the Order of the Golden Dawn, particularly A. E. Waite and the infamous Aleister Crowley.

Tuesday, September 24th @ 7:30PM

Brother Theo - The Ontological Implications of Masonic Thought

Masonry is an experiential initiatory system that uses symbols to impress upon the mind a specific philosophy concerning life and morality. As such, it is a method devised to shiftconsciousness. How does our Masonic philosophy and experience impact our sense of being?

Tuesday, October 8th @ 7:30PM

Both of these events are open to the public by invitation. If you are unable to attend in person, the lectures will also be streamed live on the lodge YouTube channel. Just go to the YouTube website (or app) and search “sunset lodge 369”.

Following the presentation, the lecture will also be available as an audio podcast on Spotify, iTunes or Google Play.

“Ordinary people seem not to realize that those who really apply themselves in the right way to philosophy are directly and of their own accord preparing themselves for dying and death.”

Socrates

Illumination with Les Jones

Sunset Lodge #369 now hosts the YouTube show “Illumination with Les Jones”. Brother Les interviews members of our Lodge and fraternity in this 30 minute video format. It's a chance to get to know some of the members of your lodge better.

The show is filmed weekly from our library at the Lodge, and airs on YouTube. An audio only version of the show is then madeavailable as a podcast on Spotify, iTunes and other major podcast services.

If you are a member of Sunset Lodge and no longer live close by, this is an excellent way to stay connected to your lodge. It's alsoa chance for the world to get to know us, as we've have regular viewers in the Netherlands, UK, South America and other far off places.

If you have suggestions for show ideas or would love to be a guest, or if you just want to comment on our show – please reach out to us at our email. We would love to hear from you. And please be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel to get notifications of future episodes. We'd also appreciate a like if you enjoy our program.

In addition to Illumination, the Sunset Lodge YouTube channel featuresrecorded lectures from Solvitur Ambulando. Subscribe to our channel to get notifications for new episodes and live streaming events.

Scan the code here to visit our YouTube channel, or you can even watch the latest episodes on the Lodge website sunsetmasoniclodge.org

The Mystic Artby Sir Edward Bulwer-Lytton

The world may rail at Masonry,And scoff at Square and Line,

We'll follow with complacencyThe Master's great Design.

A King can make a gartered Knight,And breathe away another,

But he, with all his skill and might,Can never make a Brother.

This power alone, thou Mystic Art,Freemasonry, is thine;

The power to tame the savage heartWith brother-love divine!

The Wayfarer Sessions

Sunset Lodge is home to some world class musicians. Our “WayfarerSessions” is a chance to let your hair down and enjoy some of the talented brethren we have among us.

The Wayfarer Sessions are an open mic session that is held quarterly.Hosted by Worshipful David Neal, Brother Ray Davis and Brother JonPreston, along with many of their talented musical friends, the sessionsfeature song and spoken word.

In between sessions, Ray works to hone the event with a series of closedrehearsals.

If you play an instrument, wish to contribute spoken word or share your other talents and gifts at our Travelers Sessions, please contact us so that we can put you in touch with the organizers. And keep an eye out on our website, our lodge app or in future editions of this newsletter for dates.

Grand Lodge Annual Communication 2019

The Grand Lodge, Free & Accepted Masons of the State of California will be holding its annual communication at the Grand Lodge, 1111 California St in San Francisco on the weekend of October 18th through the 20th.

The Grand Lodge convenes once a year to vote on legislation, elect the new Grand Lodge officers and celebrate the state of Masonry in California.

Each constituent lodge has four votes on any measure or legislation brought before Grand Lodge. The Master and Wardens of each lodge receive one vote, and the Past Masters of each lodge collectively exercise one vote.

Legislation upcoming at the Grand Lodge will be reviewed at the October Stated Meeting. Pleaseattend and make your feelings known, as the officers of Sunset Lodge will be making decisionsthat will impact our fraternity.

Any Master Mason may attend the Grand Lodge sessions. If you are planning on doing so, pleasemake your hotel reservations early as fall is a busy season in the Bay Area.

For more information and to purchase tickets for the Saturday Night Gala, visit the Grand Lodge website: freemason.org

Note: Grand Lodge conducts business on the 3rd Degree, so only Master Masons may attend.

“Men make history and not the other way around. In periods where there is no leadership, society stands still. Progress occurs when courageous, skillful leaders seize the opportunity to change things for the better.”

Harry S Truman

Famous Freemasons

Oscar Wilde was an Anglo-Irish novelist, playwright, poet and critic, and a celebrity in late 19th century London.

Oscar Fingal O'Flahertie Wills Wilde was born in Dublin on the 16th of October 1854. His father was a successful surgeon and his mother a writer and literary hostess. Wilde was educated at Trinity College, Dublin and Magdalen College, Oxford. While at Oxford, Wilde became involved in the aesthetic movement. After he graduated, he moved to London to pursue a literary career.

His output was diverse. A first volume of his poetry was published in 1881 but as well as composing verse, he contributed to publications such as the 'Pall Mall Gazette', wrote fairy stories and published a novel 'The Picture of Dorian Gray' (1891). His greatest talent was for writing plays, and he produced a string of extremely popular comedies including 'Lady Windermere's Fan' (1892), 'An Ideal Husband (1895)' and 'The Importance of Being Earnest' (1895). 'Salomé' was performed in Paris in 1896.

Drama and tragedy marred Wilde's private life. He married Constance Lloyd in 1884 and they had two sons, but in 1891 Wilde began an affair with Lord Alfred Douglas, nicknamed 'Bosie'. In April 1895, Wilde sued Bosie's father, the Marquis of Queensberry, for libel, after the Marquis has accused him of being homosexual. Wilde lost and, after details of his private life were revealed during the trial, was arrested and tried for gross indecency. He was sentenced to two years of hard labour. While in prison he composed a long letter to Douglas, posthumously published under the title 'De Profundis' . His wife took their children to Switzerland and adopted the name 'Holland'. Wilde was released with his health irrevocably damaged and his reputation ruined. He spent the rest of his life in Europe, publishing 'The Ballad of Reading Gaol' in 1898.

Oscar Wilde died in Paris on 30 November 1900.

He was raised in Apollo University Lodge #357 in Oxford.

Words of Wisdom from Oscar Wilde

“By giving us the opinions of the uneducated, journalism keeps us in touch with the ignorance of the community.”

“I choose my friends for their good looks, my acquaintances for their good characters, and my enemies for their intellects. A man cannot be too careful in the choice of his enemies.”

“If one could only teach the English how to talk, and the Irish how to listen, society here would be quite civilized.”

“No better way is there to learn to love Nature than to understand Art. It dignifies every flower of the field. And, the boy who sees the thing of beauty which a bird on the wing becomes when transferred to wood or canvas will probably not throw the customary stone.”

Upcoming Events & Announcements

Staying Connected To Your Lodge

While we do our best to keep our schedule of events accurate in your Trestleboard, things often do change. But there is a great and way for you to stay up to date on what is happening at Sunset Lodge, and that's to download the lodge app to your Android or Apple phone.

In addition to an up to date schedule of events, you can find contact information for officers and members of your lodge, read interesting posts not exclusive to the app and even chat with other members of Sunset Lodge who are also registered on the app.

The Sunset Lodge app is for members of the lodge only. Please contact us if you have any difficulty downloading or signing onto the app, and we will be happy to assist you.

To download the Sunset Lodge app, simply use your favorite QR code reader and scan the code shown here.

And be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel where you can watch episodes of our series “Illumination” with Les Jones. Or you can listen as an audio podcast as well. Just search “sunset lodge 369” on YouTube, Spotify, iTunes or Google Play.

Sep 03 – Stated Meeting (Dinner @ 6:30 PM – Meeting @ 7:30 PM)Sep 10 – Degree or Practice (TBA) Sep 17 – Degree or Practice (TBA)Sep 18 – Officers School of Instruction (SMP #307) Sep 24 – Solvitur Ambulando @ 7:30 PM (Open to Public)Sep 29 – Cinema Society @ 7:00 PM (Open to Public)Oct 01 – Stated Meeting (Dinner @ 6:30 PM – Meeting @ 7:30 PM)Oct 08 – Solvitur Ambulando @ 7:30 PM (Open to Public)Oct 15 – Degree or Practice (TBA)Oct 18/20 – Grand Lodge (San Francisco)Oct 19/20 – Model Railroad Show with Group 160 N-Scale (Public Event)Oct 22 – Degree or Practice (TBA)Oct 29 – Cinema Society @ 7:00 PM (Open to Public)

Dress for Stated Meetings is business attireDress for Degrees – Formal attire for Officers, business for guestDress for practices and social events casual unless otherwise indicated

If you are planning on attending a degree or event, please RSVP on the lodge app. It assists greatly in the planning.

Schedule subject to last minute changes. Please consult the Lodge app or website for the most up to date information.

Masonic Education

Orders of Architecture. An order in architecture is a system or assemblage of parts subject to certain uniform established proportions regulated by the office which such part has to perform, so that the disposition, in a peculiar form, of the members and ornaments, and the proportion of the columns and pilasters, is called an order. There are five orders of architecture, the Doric, Ionic, Corinthian, Tuscon and Composite – the first three being of Greek and the last two of Italian origin.

Considering that the orders of architecture must have constituted one of the most important subjects of contemplation to the Operative Masons of the Middle Ages, and that they afforded a fertile source for their symbolism, it is strange that so little allusion is made to them in the primitive lectures and in the earliest catechisms of the last century. In the earliest catechism extant, they are simply enumerated, and said to answer “to the base, perpendicular, diameter, circumference, and square”; but no explanation is given of this reference. Nor are they referred to in the “Legend of the Craft,” or in any of the Old Constitutions. Preston, however, introduced them into his system of lectures, and designated the three most ancient orders – the Ionic, Doric, and Corinthian – as symbols of wisdom, strength, and beauty, and referred them to the three original Grand Masters. This symbolism has ever since been retained; and, notwithstanding the reticence of the earlier ritualists, there is abundant evidence in the architectural remains of the Middle Ages, that it was known to the old Operative Freemasons.

Encyclopedia of FreemasonryAlbert G. Mackey

Masonic Trivia

James O. Halliwell-Phillips, an English antiquarian and librarian, was not a Mason. Whileengaged in his work, he came across a manuscript in the British Museum cataloged as “A Poem of Moral Duty.” It was actually a statement of the "Old Masonic Charges" in poetic form. It is believed to have been prepared in 1390, thus making it the oldest known Masonic document. Now called the Regius Poem, or the Halliwell Manuscript, it was published in 1840 in a brochure entitled On theIntroduction of Freemasonry into England.

One hundred fifty years ago in the U.S., there were nearly 3,000 Masonic lodges that can be described as "Moon Lodges"; in 1972 there were fewer than 500, today fewer than 350 . These lodges met on or near the day of the full moon for verypractical reasons; the brethren had light to travel by at night. With the advent of electricity, street lights, and the automobile, the reason for meeting on such nights became unnecessary.

In 1872 the Commissioner of Patents held that the Masonic emblem could not be used in a trademark or trade name for commercial purposes.

On June 7, 1921, Mystic Lodge #21 of Red Bank, NJ had conferred half of the MM degree on brother Lyman C. Van when the power went out. He didn’t receive the rest of the degree for several weeks, making him for a time, a “two and half degree” mason.

Norton IEmperor of the United States

Joshua Norton was born in England on February, 1819. He engaged in a number of business enterprises in Africa and migrated to San Francisco in 1849. He immediately entered the real estate business and accumulated considerable wealth. When he tried to corner the rice market, he lost the entire fortune. In order to cheer him up, his friends stated to call him "Emperor."

On September 15, 1859, he proclaimed himself Emperor of the United States. He donned a blue uniform with brass buttons, epaulets, and a military cap. Instead of having his head examined, everyone humored him because of his pleasant and cheerful disposition. He rode the street cars free, attended theaters without charge, and was supplied with the necessities of life by those around him. When he ran short of cash, he issued drafts on the Imperial Treasury. He issued Royal Proclamations designed to better the human race. On Sunday he always attended a church; he had no favorites and visited them all. Merchants and financiers consulted him on business matters and he apparently gave sound advice on these matters.

He was a member of Occidental Lodge of San Francisco and for a time lived in the Masonic Temple and issued some of his proclamations from there. He was given a Masonic funeral when he passed away on January 8, 1889. Fifty-four years later his grave was moved and a monument was erected over his new grave.

Words to Live By...

“Spirituality does two things for you. One, you are forced to become more selfless, two, you trust to providence. The opposite of a spiritual man is a materialist. If I was a materialist I would be making lots of money doing endorsements, doing cricket commentary. I have no interest in that.”

Imran Khan

“A system of morality which is based on relative emotional values is a mere illusion, a thoroughly vulgar conception which has nothing sound in it and nothing true.”

Socrates

“Together we must learn how to compose differences, not with arms, but with intellect and decent purpose.”

Dwight D. Eisenhower

“Good people do not need laws to tell them to act responsibly, while bad people will find a way around the laws.”

Plato

“In a dark place we find ourselves, and a little more knowledge lights our way.”Master Yoda

The Hiram Award

The Hiram Award is the single highest honor a California Mason may receive. It cannot be sought or applied for, but is awarded at the request of the individual’s Lodge, and bestowed by the Grand Lodge of California. The District Inspector makes the award presentation on behalf of the Grand Master.

The Hiram Award is an award presented to a Master Mason who has served the Lodge and the Masonic Fraternity with devotion over and above the ordinary. It is the highest honor (other than being Master of the Lodge) that can be bestowed on a member of a Masonic Lodge. The Hiram Award is not given for service as Master or any elected or appointed office or committee. The recipient is recognized by his brethren in Masonry for his service to the fraternity, because of his efforts to support one or more Masons, a Lodge or Lodges, a District, the Grand Lodge or the fraternity as a whole. It is a singular distinction, and indicates the esteem, respect and admiration of the members. A California Masonic Lodge may bestow a maximum of one Hiram Award each year.

The real warmth and pleasure of being chosen for this special honor is most satisfying, because it comes directly from the Brethren and friends he has accumulated within his own community. The Hiram Award is simply the official recognition of a Brother by his own Lodge for his devoted service to the Lodge and to our Masonic principles in general. His is a labor of love for the fraternity. The true and steady hand of assistance which is that living cement that binds our Fraternity into a true Brotherhood.

Active Hiram RecipientsSunset Lodge #369 F&AM

Most Worshipful Larry L. AdamsonWorshipful Kim B. Andres

John W. BarryMost Worshipful David R. Doan

Most Worshipful R. Stephen DoanThomas Gountoumas

Worshipful Konstantine KabilafkasWorshipful Brandon A. Lopez

Worshipful Shay MaghameWorshipuful Jack W. Newton

Worshipful Walter R. RingwaldWorshipful Augdon D. RobertsWorshipful Ronald D. RobinsonWorshipful Michael J. Wamback