fidalgo lodge #77 trestleboard · 2018-06-05 · reference made to the necessity of "clean...

FIDALGO LODGE #77 ANACORTES WASHINGTON June 2018

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Fidalgo Lodge #77

Trestleboard

Guidance From the East Brethren, In the long history of the Craft, nothing has caused as much controversy and commotion as the Brotherhood’s commitment to secrecy. This is one thing that has generated rumors so much that they become myths. It has produced suspicion, satire, mistrust and ridicule. It supports a mystique that has both helped and hurt the Brotherhood. While the Brethren enjoy their Brotherhood, the public is left to imagine what goes on behind the closed doors. Imagination is a powerful tool and although it’s very feature makes Masonry attractive to its Brethren, it gives rise to a great variety of fantastic rumors. Some who view Masonry from the outside believe that it’s a sinister clique. They believe this is where government officials whispers new policies or where men gain power by knowing the secret word. Moreover, members of the Craft pay little attention to the quaint appearance of their regalia. Since new members leave their initiation believing that they understand the meaning of the Craft’s symbols and traditions to which they refer, he doesn’t think to question them. While he quickly becomes more comfortable with the regalia, he may just as quickly lose sight of the fact that the public sees all of this differently. Here lies the internal debate. On one side is the argument that secrecy accomplishes nothing of importance. It’s proponents questions the need for keeping anything kept confidential and suggests ways the Brotherhood can open itself to public view. On the other hand, Masons argue that secrecy is an integral part of the Craft. They believe doing away with it will only cause harm. The secrets of Masonry, they stay, are symbolic elements intimately involved with Masonic teachings. Changing them would only alter the basic nature of the Brotherhood. These Brothers value the traditions represented by an elaborate system of symbols and ceremonies. Secure in their belief that the fraternity harbors nothing sinister, they see no advantage fixing what they see is unbroken. The differences between these two approaches is more than academic. It can have very far reaching effects. This is the real cautionary tales of Masonry and it is both a lesson and a warning. In the end, I believe, it’s probably better to understand something rather to be mystified by it. Most Fraternally, WB Robert Belli /G\

BRETHREN ALL ~~~~ As the weather beautifies it’s time to lose the jackets!! Instead at the next Stated, let’s dress cool >>>>>>> dust off your old cowboy/Western style shirts......... You know, the one you used to wear while watching John Wayne films Wear your jeans and boots too, if you’d like. (leave the spurs at home)



Wisdom From the West

A hearty greeting from the West Brethren! It’s been fantastic seeing Brethren at recent events outside of regularly Stated Communications and great to see Masons so involved in our communities. I look forward to more and what you all will do next.

Have you ever wondered why Freemasons wear white gloves either at Lodge or for special occasions? The custom of wearing white gloves is of antiquity. In the Christian Churches from the earliest times, white linen gloves were always worn by Bishops and Priests when in performance of their ecclesiastical functions. The gloves worn by the clergy indicated that their hands were clean and not open to bribery. For historic evidence in the custom of white gloves in Freemasonry we find Dr. Robert Plot states in his "Natural History of Staffordshire", 1686, that "the Society of Freemasons presented their candidates with white gloves for themselves and their wives." Similarly, in the general regulations of George Payne approved by the Grand Lodge in London in 1721, Article 7 reads: "Every new brother at his making is decently to cloathe the Lodge, that is, all the brethren present.“ By 'clothing the Lodge' is meant furnishing all the brethren present with white aprons and gloves. In Count Tolstoy's well-known novel "War and Peace", it states that "the newly-obligated brother was then invested with a white apron, and received a trowel and three pairs of white gloves, two pairs for himself and one pair for the lady he most esteemed, after which the Master explained their symbolic meaning to him."

Finally, in the Netherlands ritual the presentation of white gloves is still retained. The candidate for initiation is taken upon three journeys; after the second journey his hands are dipped in a basin of water, and a reference made to the necessity of "clean hands" and purity of heart and life as an essential pre-requisite to Initiation. On the completion of the third journey he takes the obligation, after which he is led to the West, where he is invested with a white apron, and is given a pair of white gloves, which he is directed to hand to her whom he considers most worthy to receive them from the hands of a Freemason. Undoubtedly, the use of white gloves in Freemasonry is an idea handed down to us through the ancient and universal language of symbolism, and, like the apron, is intended to denote purity of life and action. Fraternally, Andrew McLaughlin, 32° SW Fidalgo Lodge # 77



Refreshment From the South Dear Brothers:

Let’s discuss an early step of a long journey that led to Freemasonry. We go to the time

when great European cathedrals were being built. In France, for example, in the Middle

Ages, from 1050 – 1350, more stone was quarried for eighty cathedrals than was used in

Egypt during the periods when pyramids were built. In addition to the creation of great

cathedrals, masons were employed in building countless common churches and, by the end

of the Middle Ages, there was a place of worship for every 200 inhabitants.

These early masons knew that they wouldn’t see their greatest cathedrals finished in their

lifetimes or of their children. After all, the average life expectancy of the times was forty

years. This lifetime dedication to an occupation served to bind workers into groups of

common professional competence. These skilled workers moved from qualifying

professional proficiency of their craft to professional brotherhoods. These professional groups developed rules

covering admission of apprentices, companions and masters and were called lodges that defined their meeting

places. After serving as an apprentice for a required period, a young mason could be accepted into the lodge to

finish his training as a companion. Or he could leave the lodge and travel to look for work at another construction

site and seek admission in another lodge to work for another Master.

Below the rank of Master was a man who transmitted the Master’s advice, as well as translating and explaining the

complex plans developed by the Master. This lodge officer was called a parlier in Germany from the French parler,

which means to speak. Lodge members used signs of recognition, a tradition echoed in Freemasonry. Moreover,

other rituals of these early lodges strengthened the cohesiveness and professional practices of masons. Membership

in these lodges thus represented a body of equals who recognized one another as experts in the profession of

masonry. Signs created by these early professionals in their lodges found permanent expression in mason’s marks,

that were incised into stones to indicate who placed them in place – in this manner the lodge became a representation of

excellence to clients and the public in general.

As we meet in our Lodge and carry through our programs and rituals, it is helpful to remember our long past and from whence we began our brotherhood. It is then we realize that we indeed are a Craft created by dedicated professionals. As we are

today.

Fraternally,

Robert Gara

JW Fidalgo Lodge # 77 June Masonic Birthdays

Raised to the degree of a

Master Mason

Lee Dawes………………….6/26/1952

Lyle Dean Aschim………….6/03/1969

Paul Lunsford……………....6/07/1977

Ken Jacot…………………...6/26/1984

Frederick David Thatcher…..6/06/1989

Eric Hartsfield……………....6/15/1993

Charles Manning……………6/27/1995

Don Munks………………….6/04/2002



Secretary’s Desk

WB Eric Johnson, P.M.

Fidalgo 77

June Calendar of Events

6/8/18 –6/9/18

• Grand Communication. Wenatchee Convention Center. 6/12/18 (2nd Tuesday)

• Temple Board Meeting (5:30 PM)

• Dinner (6:30 PM)

• Stated Meeting (7:30 PM) 6/15/18 (Thursday)

• Fellowcraft Degree for Brother Scott Anderson (7:00PM).

6/22/17 (4th Friday)

• Masonic Education Evening (7:00 PM), All Masons are invited to attend.

7/4/18 (Wednesday)

• Independence Day Parade: 11:00 Parade of Famous Masons, All Masons are invited to attend.

Stated Meeting Minutes of Note: May 2018

Petitions approved: Andrew Barrineau’s petition for the degrees and Jeremy Carter’s petition for affiliation both received a favorable ballot. The secretary is in contact with Andrew for scheduling his EAM° and with Jeremy for his being made a member of Fidalgo Lodge.

The chairlift is scheduled for inspection on the 6th of June and should be operable shortly thereafter.

The resolutions that are to be read at the Grand Lodge communication were read and discussed.

Fraternally,

WB Eric Johnson

Sec. Fidalgo Lodge # 77



The Fidalgo Trestle board is edited and published

by Bro. Daniel Brown. For any submissions or

comments, please e-mail at

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fidalgo lodge #77 trestleboard · 2018-06-05 · reference made to the necessity of "clean...

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