July 2015 - Hollywood Lodge

July 2015 Digital Chips
From the East!...
It’s July! All across the country, families will be rolling out their grills and celebrating the anniversary of our nation’s independence. It is also a time to reflect upon and recognize the many sacrifices the men and women of our armed forces
have made to secure our freedom, which is why Most Worshipful Russ Charvonia, Grand Master of the state of California,
has proclaimed July to be “Support our Veterans” month. As such, let us remember to thank our veterans for their service
at every opportunity and acknowledge their contributions to our liberty.
I would also like to take a moment to congratulate the Officer line on completing their qualification for the Second Degree
last month. Worshipful Bertolli has done a great job coaching the line and it looks like we are on pace for completing all of our qualifications by the end of August. If I’m not mistaken, that would be the earliest the team has ever qualified on all three degrees! Come on by to
our next degree on July 9th and show your support as Bro. Brad McCall takes to the East for the fourth time this year and initiates a new
brother.
Fraternally,
Haig Hagopian
Wo. Master
Hollywood Lodge #355
From the West!...
picnic blankets, and hide the good fireworks because… July! Worshipful
Haig has already pointed out that we have an initiation on July 9, so I won't even mention it. I know I
just did, but that will be our little secret. Right?
Fire up the barbecues, break out the
I would like to take this moment to welcome our newly initiated brothers Hamed Nickpay, Barry Balonick and Andy
Khacheryan . Make sure you introduce yourselves to our newly obligated brethren and truly welcome them at some of the
upcoming events that our Junior Warden, Alex, is writing about in his article right now. Go ahead, check it out. I'll wait…
See! We have some great events coming up, don't we!
I would also like you all to join me in congratulating our newest Master Mason Hayk Gasparyan. Make sure you get a chance to shake his
hand when you can, and share with him some of the wisdom and light we have all attained since becoming Master Masons.
Finally, I've been waiting for this… I would like to invite you all to the 2016 preplanning meeting on July 18 from 12 noon to approximately
3 PM. This will be a potluck affair. The soda fountain will be open. If you are currently or would like to be on a committee; if you are currently or would like to chair or create an event; if you have an opinion, thought or idea that you feel is important or beneficial to the lodge for
the 2016 event calendar and the ensuing Masonic year, I encourage you to participate at this preplanning meeting, or at the very least contact
me prior to the subsequent end of year planning meeting in October, where I will be handing out the 2016 event calendar that we will begin
to create at this July 18th preplanning meeting.
Thank you for your time. Now, go read some of the other great articles in our online chips! Go ahead. I'll wait…
Joshua Weathersby
your Senior Warden
Hollywood Lodge #355
From the South!
Greetings Brethren, Ladies and friends!
June 20th brought us another successful Child ID event. This event was attended by Brother
Johnny Johnson, Brother Keith Kramer and his lady Kimmy, Brother Daniel Haff, Brother Scott
Thomas and his son Cameron, myself with my daughters Mia and Alexandria and, last but not
least, the coordinator of the event, Brother Walter McClain! It was a great event that fostered
some brotherly bonding. Every one of the events I have attended have brought me closer to the
other brothers. I highly recommend attending one of these events!
Later that night many brothers gathered for our annual Festive Board. A great time was had by all!
The Lodge Outreach Committee is now in full swing! The list of brothers involved has grown and consists of
Brothers Daniel Haff, Brad McCall, Ralph Morton, Deon Williams, Walter McClain, as well as myself. If you
are able to lend a hand and make a few calls every month to stay in touch with membership please contact
me.
Please join us on July 11th for our annual Pic-Nic! The event will run from 10:30 to 4:00 PM. This is always a
great event. It is being hosted by Brothers Brad McCall and Walter McClain. They did such a great job last
year and know this one will be just as good if not better!
July 16th we will have a Lodge Social Night! This will be a casual meal where all of the members will have an
opportunity to get to know each other and some of our candidates. We hope to see you all there!
Fraternally,
Alexander Madjeski
Your Junior Warden
Hollywood Lodge #355
Table of Contents:
From the East & West………………………………….pg. 1
From the South…………………………………….……..pg. 2
Menu & Announcements…………………………….pg. 3
Trestle Board, Officers, Sunshine Committee,
CSA & Lodge Rental………………………………......pg. 4
Youth Organizations…………………………………...pg. 5 & 6
New Master Mason……………………………………..pg. 7
New Initiated Brothers Pictures………….………..pg. 8
Blood Drive Old West Lodge………………………...pg. 9
355 Society……………………………………………….….pg. 10
Personals…………………………………………………….pg. 11 & 12
Seasonal Contest………………………………………..pg. 13
Article of the Month…………………………………...pg. 14—19
LODGE 355 DINNER MENU FOR JUNE 4, 2015
CHEF’s SALAD
Baby Mixed Greens with Garden Vegetables
Tossed with Citrus Vinaigrette
CHICKEN PICCATA
(please make selection prior to 3pm on Wedneday)
OR
WHITEFISH PICCATA
(please make selection prior to 3pm on Wednesday)
Chicken Breast or Whitefish Filets Lightly Dusted and
Pan Seared with our House Herb Mix
Served in a Glazed Lemon Sauce with Capers
ANGEL HAIR PASTA
Al Dente Tossed with Herbs and Butter
RSVP For the July Stated Meeting
Call now to reserve your spot at the July Stated Dinner
Meeting on July 2
$15/person. Only widows are free.
Call Bro. Alex Madjeski
at: 818-304-5250 or email: [email protected].
If you make a reservation for dinner and don’t show up,
you will still be charged
If you feel you have a contribution or idea for the
Digital Chips
Please e-mail: [email protected]
Ladies Entertainment (stated Meeting)
. No Ladies Entertainment
is planned this Month.
FRESH SAUTEED SEASONAL VEGETABLES
Tossed with Fresh Herbs, Sea Salt and Coarse Black
Pepper
Discount tickets for Pacific Theatres are available. Contact: Joann
Bauer. (818) 363-5727.
CHEF’S SURPRISE! DESSERT
New Mason Proficiency Training
Every Tuesday evening starting at 7:00 p.m. in the
Lodge Library. There are usually several candidates
coaches available for 1st, 2nd and 3rd Degree proficiencies and to discuss Masonic education. No appointment is necessary; just show up! If you have
questions, call Bro. Geoff Counter: 818/406-8251
Trestle Board July 2015
July Birthdays
Birth
Date
Full Name
Birth
Date
Full Name
July 2
Stated Meeting
July 9
1st Degree
Manfred Klutzke
7/2
Dick K. Terlsian
7/19
July 11
Annual Picnic
Edward G. Neale, Jr.
7/2
Marvin G. Short PM
7/20
July 18
Planning Meeting
John C. Johnson
7/3
Rene R. Venetz, Jr.
7/20
Christopher L. Holme PM
7/4
John H. Colpitts PM
7/21
July 19
Lodge Social Night
Russell W. Bergman
7/6
Raul A. Arevalo, Jr.
7/24
July 25
Pancake Breakfast - DeMolay
Roni Zulu PM
7/6
Alexander C. Georgiev
7/25
July 28
Masonic information night
Edward P. Nover, II
7/7
Robert E. Robertson
7/25
Leigh Davis
7/8
Larry E. Anderson
7/26
Nelson D. Knapp PM
7/12
Donald A. Ansell
7/26
Robert L. Oler
7/12
Jerome A. Zeldes
7/28
Mark J. Abramson
7/13
Shirl L. Brayton
7/29
Stephen M. Mahr PM
7/14
Russell M. Jaeger PM
7/31
James S. Nakada
7/19
July 30
Orient of Freemasonry
Collegium Solvitur Ambulando
Philosophy Discussion Group
2015 Hollywood Lodge Officers
Master
CSA: Humanism and the Grand
For the month of July, Collegium Solvitur Ambulando, will be celebrating its four year anniversary and will be covering Humanism and
the Grand Orient of Freemasonry to be presented by Hollywood
Education Chairman, Bro. Daniel Navama. Outside of our regular
grand lodges of Freemasonry there are many variations of masonic
observance, including the non-theistic Grand Orients. Established as
early as 1725, the Grand Orients, observe masonry from a strictly
scientific and human agency perspective, which, unlike ourselves,
exclude the necessity for the belief in a supreme being. Therefore
Bro. Navama will be outlining their brief history, their political means
of social relevance, and their irregular features of masonic observance in contrast to ours. As usual it will begin at 7:15pm, is open
to masons only, and will be held in the Hollywood Social Hall.
***However, due to this meetings' commemorative nature, it will
require formal attire.*** Light refreshments will be made available.
Please join us for a truly grand-oriented evening!
Haig Hagopian (Natalie)
818-530-8346
Sr. Warden
Joshua Weathersby (Nicki)
310-882-0645
Jr. Warden
Alex Madjeski (Anna)
818-304-5250
Treas.
Chris Tsai (Chloe Chen)
626-379-6872
Secretary
Fred J. West, PM (Rita)
818-400-2464
Chap.
Kasey Namini
310-774-6359
Sr. Deacon
Brad McCall (Kendra)
818-317-4662
Jr. Deacon
Keith Kramer
818-903-3055
Marshall
Ron Sindelar (Jean Marie)
818-346-8732
Sr. Steward
Walter McClain (Amber)
818-337-9883
Jr. Steward
T. J. Oliva
213-268-2408
Organist
Douglas Russell (Frances)
424-280-2469
Tiler
Ralph Morton PM
818-642-3012
Off. Coach
Can. Coach
Art Melendez, PM (Flor)
Geoff Counter(Jen)
818-635-0808
818-406-8251
818-903-3055 cell/text
Dist. Insp.
David Shampay, PM (Leslie)
818-326-9078
Child ID is the program promoted by our lodge to identify children for their families. If anything were to happen to a child or a child is lost – this program helps the
authorities to help find and identify missing or harmed
children.
Sunshine Committee
Spyros Pappas
818/894-5690
[email protected]
(Please Call with info of important events)
Child ID Information
Keith Douglas Kramer M.M.
Call Keith to Volunteer for any event.. All comers are
welcome —Even for a couple of hours.
Social Hall Rental
The Social Hall is available for parties, weddings, receptions, Bar Mitzvahs, Quinceañeras, etc.
Email Bro. Scott Thomas at: [email protected]
(818) 850-6595
July Article:
No Article submitted this month.
Mrs. Jodie Ranzinger
Mother Advisor -San Fernando Assembly #223
International Order of the Rainbow for Girls www.GoRainbow.org (Know a girl ages 8-20?)
Cell: (818) 357-9494 / Email: [email protected]
Job’s Daughters International
Mt. Sinai Funeral Home Forest Lawn
5950 Forest Lawn Dr, Los Angeles.
Bethel No. 289 not only
came in first place in their
category for Drill Team,
They took first place over
all Teams !!!!
Good Going!!!
Hollywood DeMolay Articles for July
Hello one and hello all! I would like to thank each and every one of you who came out to our installation. I can assure you that
Hollywood chapter will be making a bang this summer. This summer is going to be quite exciting. First coming up one June
26th, we will be initiating two more members into this fantastic order. This will be six new members in the last two months. We
hope to see as many of you Master Masons there. Another event coming up is another pancake breakfast. Last time we were
able to raise about one thousand dollars and we hope to reach that goal again. This event will be taking place on July 25th at
the Hollywood Masonic lodge, more detail to come. I hope that this summer will be a great one for each and every one of you.
Fraternally,
Jacob Counter
Hollywood Chapter Master Councilor
Hello members and friends of Hollywood Lodge #355 in the month of May we had many amazing events, all
of which I will hold very dear to me. On May the 3rd we had a kayaking event and it was a blast. We had the highest
attendance out of all of our past events. During the event there was a lot of racing and aching muscles two people in
particular had a little incident and fell out of their kayak. We where able to experience sea lions swimming with us as
well as a lot of water being splashed around as people had water fights with the paddles. Many of us had the absolutely brilliant idea of linking kayaks and paddling as a group which as you guessed didn’t really work but nevertheless it was fun. After kayaking we all headed to the beach, dug some more holes, and swam together. When all was
said and done we had lunch and hung out together enjoying the sun and warm sand. Later that month several members from Hollywood DeMolay attended the annual Sweethearts Ball a night I will remember for a long time to come
as the best dance I had ever been to and I must say I don’t like to dance. The whole night we hung out with friends
and danced the night away. Whether you like dancing or not us DeMolay will always make things fun and interesting
beyond belief. Toward the end of the month, on May 17th, we attended the Santa Clarita Relay For Life. We walked
from 2 am to 6 am for all the family and friends that have been affected by cancer. It being my first time being there
I didn’t know what to expect. All I can say today is, it was a lot of walking as well as many strange conversations given we had 4 hours to walk a track . In the end even though numb from the cold we all walked away smiling knowing
both we had done something worthwhile and knowing just a bit more about each other.
In these past six months there has been much that I will remember for as long as I live. These past six months
have meant so much to me and I thank everyone for their support and hope they will continue to support us in the
future. I have met so many great people, some whose friendships I will treasure dearly. I was shown all the opportunities available that I have taken gladly and some of which I hope to take on later in life. This being my last entry as
Master Councilor I will sign off with this “Carpe Diem. Make your lives extraordinary”- Character of John Keating
Dead Poets Society.
Eddie Mendoza, Master Councilor
Hollywood Chapter Order of DeMolay
Blood Drive at Old West Lodge
7
Hollywood DeMolay will be selling homemade chocolate
chip cookies and other treats at the Hollywood Lodge Picnic on July 11. If you have a couple extra bucks, please
stop by and support our boys.
MERIT BARS or AWARDS EARNED:
Blue Fundraising Merit Bar (Minimum of 60 hours devoted to Chapter
fundraising events): Jacob Counter
Our newest “Baby” Master Mason Hayk Gasparyan
Barry Balonick
Hamed Nickpay
Andy Khacheryan
No picture Submitted
Hamed Nickpay
355 Society
Charles E. Toberman Library
At our recent Hollywood Master Mason degree, our Junior Past Master, Worshipful Bro. Eric
Bertolli, ceremonially gifted to our Library a framed piece of Master Mason artwork. Worshipful
Bertolli had been waiting to present the donation at a master mason degree so to impress upon the
minds of our brethren the great symbols represented in it. Examining the artwork keenfully, a
brother of the same can easily identify the symbolic references represented from the master mason
lecture. It is a stunning work to contemplate and all are encouraged to visit the Toberman where it
is now on display.
Just as a reminder the Toberman Library is looking for volunteers to help catalog our books
on a weekend, so to enable our lodge the means of enabling brethren to check out circulating books
that appeal to their personal interest. If you are interested and can make a few hours available
please contact Bro. Daniel Navama at [email protected], thank you.
Now for a piece of Hollywood 355 history. Did you know that the Hollywood 355 Annual
Picnic is the only event that has become an unbroken tradition, in terms of yearly observance, since
1912? Granted its purpose and sponsorship changed hands from one decade to another, but overall
it has been for the express purpose of enabling the families of our members a annual opportunity to
bond for a whole day out in the sun. Previous to WWI, the men of the lodge would prepare a meal
provided by the game they hunted in the local Hollywood hills, which was then still undeveloped
and uninhabited by locals. At the time few youth attended the affair, but after the war the first chapter of Demolay boys was founded in California, Hollywood Chapter No.1, which changed the Annual Picnic dynamic. For the next couple of decades the Hollywood Commandery #56 would sponsor picnic to support the efforts of our HoDeMo Chapter. As a matter of fact, for a couple of decades, the Picnic would host a baseball game whereby the DeMolay boys would compete against the
Hollywood Commandery. This tradition continued each year up until the Commandery was dissolved. During the Depression years food was scarce and so was the means of providing it in bulk,
so the annual picnic, like our stated dinners, functioned as a potluck affair. In time this feature became its own competition between the families determining who had the most delicious cooking
spanning from appetizers, main entres, and desserts. As early as 1945, our lodge had begun to hold
their Picnics in the San Fernando Valley due to its, then, vast expanse of uninhabitable farm fields
and orchards. It is surprising to note that many of the park destinations with which our lodge chose
in the recent decade were ones utilized by our brethren on many occasions for more than fifty
years. No matter its various traditional activities or sponsored hands, the annual picnic has remained one of our most cherished events that provides each of us the opportunity to loosen our formality, lounge in the sun, and target conspire to surprise one another with a water balloon attack.
For that most cherishable reason it is worth noting that on July 11 th our lodge will be holding its
Annual Picnic that will continue to perpetuate tour tradition of bonding between our HoDeMo
chapter and 355 membership, gentlemanly made BBQ, and a many grand activities to spoil yourself with Hollywood 355 cheer.
PERSONALS
Commemorating St. John the Baptist 2015:
Thus He was Raised…
Congrats to Worshipful Haig Hagopian, for pulling off a last minute but successful event for our
Annual Festive Board, spanning an attendance of
45 brethren, friends, and ladies
Congrats to Bro. Hyak Gasparean, who was recently raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason! Welcome to duties and privileges of our general craft.
Sober Gratitude:
Bright in the East:
A special thanks to all those brethren, friends, and Congrats to our new candidate, Jawell Samilton,
ladies, who helped clean up our festive board,
for having recently been elected to receive the dewhilst sobering after a truly intoxicating evening. grees of masonry at Hollywood 355!
Thank you for staying after and offering your assistance!
New Lambskin, for a New Brother:
Welcome back:
Congrats to our newly entered apprentice, Andranik Khacheryan, for having recently been initiated to our noble craft. Welcome to our Hollywood masonic community!
A warm welcome home to our lodge Secretary,
Worshipful Bro. Fred West, who was away for
two weeks. Glad to see you back in the swing of
lodge affairs.
Senior DeMolay Flower Talk:
Surprise!!!
A very special shout out to our Building Manager
and Hollywood Brother, Scott Thomas, for having recently delivered the Initiatory Flower Talk,
with absolute perfection, for the first time in 35
years. It was a truly inspiring lecture and it was
delivered with such genuine sentiment. Congrats
my brother, you are indeed a fine testament to the
merits of the Order of DeMolay!
A very happy birthday to Bro. Walter McClain,
which the lodge membership recently surprised
for his 40th birthday, at our time-honored location
of Pickwicks Pub! Thank you to all who came
out to support and a great thank you to Amber
McClain for inviting his brother masons to join in
on the celebration!
Guess Who?
Guess Who?

I grew up in Sussex County, New Jersey.
I have visited every major Civil War Battlefield.

I grew up around NASCAR races because my parents worked as officials as a side job.

I attended Columbia College of Hollywood to study film.

In my spare time I do military simulations.

I am and will always be a proud Eagle Scout!

Guess Who?

I have a B.A. in Occupational Therapy from Velez College.

I am working on my B.A. in Business Administration with the University of London International
Programs.

I moved to the USA thirteen years ago.

I have completed 260 plus skydives.

When I was twelve years old, after getting acquainted with Joe Satriani’s music, I convinced my
parents to purchase me an electric guitar. It soon became apparent that I was better at reverse engineering electric guitars, than I was playing them.

I know my left from right, based only on my hearing capability in my right ear. I am also reminded about the distinction, between the two, since I am left handed.
Guess Who?


Outside of my Psychology major in college, I have studied English, Ceramics, Photography, Knitting, Sewing, Art, Shiatsu Massage, and Badminton.
I spent a college spring break with friends rebuilding a house in San Antonio, Texas.

My most prolific forms of artistic expression have been journalistic spoken word poetry, photography and collage.

When I first moved to LA I lived in Venice Beach. My first roommate was Venice Beach’s own
Cedric, the one man band.

Professionally I have worked for two doctors, a lawyer, a psychiatrist, and a microbiologist.

My husband and I met as a direct result of the alignment of astronomical bodies.
SEASONAL CONTEST
Brethren, friends, and ladies! As you can see by the progress of our contestants, our contest for
the most prolific handlebar mustache is well on its way! Brothers Joshua Wethersby and Walter
McClain are maintaining a truly 19th century gentlemanly style for your reading pleasure.
As a matter fact, this contest has been so well received that talk among the brethren has begun
to stir talk of silly ideas designed to engage more members in our community for future Seasonal
Contests. Stay tuned for next month’s pictures as they will determine who will be our first seasonal
contest winner. Remember to vote by emailing [email protected] titling your subject: Summer contest vote, and tell us who you think is fit to be on the cover of our Personals during our September Digital chips!
Guess Who? Answers: 1) Bro. Dan Haff. 2) Bro. Junior Steward, TJ Olivia. 3) Bro. Senior Warden’s
Wife, Nicki Wethersby.
Article of the Month
The following oration was delivered by Worshipful Bro. William B. Ogden in 1937. Bro. Ogden served as Master of
Hollywood 355 in 1925 and in 1936 was selected to serve as Grand Orator, delivering a speech that has been noted in
our History of Hollywood Lodge book as having been “extremely moving and empowering” that perpetuated the long
standing tradition of profound Grand Orations in California. Being the month of July, commemorating our nation’s
independence, it is fitting that the speech provided concerns the uniqueness of American Masonry. Therefore in honor
of the 239th birthday of our nation and Hollywood Past Master, Orator, and Most Worshipful Brother, William B.
Ogden, the 355 Society presents Our Heritage.
To the M.W. Grand Lodge of California
The office of Grand Orator ought to inspire one to high ideals and lofty planes. Annually for nearly a century my predecessors have stood on the dais of Grand Lodge and delivered words of wisdom, hope and inspiration in tones that
stirred their hearers beyond conception. Not all can attain the heights, not all can paint the lily or tint the sunset sky to
a new loveliness—one can only bring to you such gifts as one possesses; the task is mine, the award is yours.
It is the duty of the Grand Orator at each Annual Communication to deliver an address to Grand Lodge upon matters
appertaining to the Craft, and the topic "Our Heritage" has been chosen for the subject of the address today.
Heritage may be defined as something inherited; something handed down to us by our fathers; something possessed;
or it may be defined as something cherished not for its intrinsic value but because of whence it came or for some inherent quality; and it is in the latter sense that I propose to discuss it. We should also bear in mind that we live in
America and practice American Masonry. For what then do we, as Americans and as Masons cherish Masonry? That
we might have divergent views as to what constitutes this great heritage is not difficult to conceive.
Some might cherish Masonry for its antiquity. It is said to have existed from time immemorial. There are those who
refer to the Magi of Egypt as our Fathers in Masonry; and with some reason, for at a time 3,000 years before the present era, in a country bowed down under idolatry they worshipped one unseen, omnipotent, omniscient God, admitted
their members by three steps, and taught their precepts by the use of the tools of architects and builders as symbols.
There are others who sincerely believe, and accordingly cherish Masonry because its origin and civilization are
thought by them to have been concomitant. Others will tell you of the Ancient Mysteries or the Dionysian Artificers
or the Roman Collegia or the Comacine Masters, and each will sincerely believe that there was the origin of Masonry
or the means whereby it was transmitted to us of today.
But he who cherishes Masonry for its antiquity need not rely upon similarities or myths or legends for the basis of his
appreciation. Among the treasures of the British Museum are sixty-four ancient Masonic manuscripts, the oldest of
which is the Regius or Hallowell Manuscript; sometimes called the former because it was found in the King's Library,
and sometimes called the latter in honor of its discoverer.
This ancient document is written by hand on vellum or parchment and in a script and language as foreign to the eye
today as Greek itself, yet, it is English, and from its form and phraseology those who have made a study of such
things tell us it was written sometime between 1315 and 1390, and by the document itself we learn that even then Masonry was honored for its antiquity.
Each of you has made the computation and will agree with me that that was 600 years ago. But can you visualize, can
your mind conceive, the time that has elapsed since the hand of man penned or brushed its pages. Let us assume the
year 1315, then ....
It was:
Two centuries before the Reformation.
Two hundred years before the word "Protestant" took on its present signification, and Martin Luther was not to see the
light of day for 175 years, nor would Columbus petition Queen Isabella for a like period.
One-third of all the land in England belonged to the Pope at Rome, and
The revenue of the Pope from England was greater than that received by England's King.
Edward II was King of England and it was but a year after the Battle of Bannockburn, the greatest defeat ever suffered
by English arms.
The Hundred Years' War had not yet started.
Gunpowder had never been used in warfare.
Land transport was by foot and saddle, roads were mere trails and parties traveled from town to town under protection
of armed guards.
Roger Bacon was in prison because he had sought to teach a new philosophy which he had brought back from his
travels in Egypt and India.
Marco Polo had just returned from China and had been excommunicated because he presumed to teach geometry and
the sciences which he had learned on his travels.
Jacques de Molay, the Grand Master of Knights Templar, had been shortly before this time, burned at the stake by order of the French King and at the behest of Pope Clementine.
The Black Death which was to take a toll of more than one-half of all England, had not yet devastated that fair land.
Chaucer, the first English poet, was not yet born, and Sir John Mandeville, the first English prose writer of note, still
lived.
The Magna Carta had been extorted from King John at Runnymede but a hundred years before, and there were Englishmen still living who had witnessed the assembling of the first House of Commons.
And the first page to be taken from a printing press would not be seen by Gutenberg for a century to come.
There is the picture! The space of 600 years can be realized only when measured in progress of events, rather than in
time, and by such a picture for comparison.
It was a land of the high and the low, the rich and the poor, the noble and the serf, the priest and the illiterate. Yet Masonry lived, and had lived for centuries, for so many centuries, in fact, that even then its past was lost in tradition and
legend, and yet "the attentive ear received the sound from the instructive tongue and the mysteries of Masonry were
safely lodged in the repository of faithful breasts."
Shall we not say, then, that those who cherish Masonry for its antiquity are somewhat justified in their appreciation?
And yet if age alone were all that Masonry had to offer, would it justify its existence, or our labors in its behalf? It is
at least debatable.
Then there are others who cherish Masonry for its practice of teaching by symbols. This is probably the most ancient
of all methods of instruction and communication. Macaulay said, "Logicians may reason about abstractions, but the
great mass of men must have images." It is true that the letters we use in writing and the figures of the accountant are
symbols, but they are abstract. One may be educated, learned, and therefore able to decipher the meaning of the writer
or ascertain the results computed by the accountant, but the uneducated, no matter how intelligent he may be, is unable to gather a single thought or idea of the meaning of the writer from the written figure or letter.
Not so, however, with the method of teaching by symbols. Intelligence is all that method requires, and the degree of
intelligence determines only the extent to which the lesson or philosophical thought may be carried by the recipient.
I may say to you that we stand upon the level. For one it means simply that our elevation is equal, but for another it
would take hours to express all the philosophy of life embraced within that symbol. Thus each according to his capacity participates to the uttermost in the lesson to be taught.
Science teaches that an idea is conveyed seven times more quickly through the eye than through the ear. A scene once
viewed remains indelibly upon the memory, while a description by word of mouth may quickly fade.
Shall we not say, then, that those who cherish Masonry for its method of teaching are somewhat justified in their appreciation. Yet there are other methods and means of teaching, and it may be debated whether they are not better. Certainly we must seek some other justification for our existence.
Again, there are those of us who cherish Masonry for its teachings. But every precept of Masonry comes from that
Holy Book which is the rule and guide of our Faith, and no thought is expressed in the teachings of Masonry which
could not be equally well and as appropriately expressed in the chapel, church, synagogue, mosque, temple, or cathedral of any of the several religious faiths.
It may be this religious touch to our ceremonies which attracts many of our members who have no other connection
with the Word of God, and if so, shall we not say that they, too, are somewhat justified in their appreciation of Masonry because of this characteristic? And yet if this alone is to be considered, I fear it does not justify our existence,
for such appreciation could be as well or better fostered amid the faithful of any religious sect under the direction of a
leadership devoted to the worship of the Great Creator.
Then there are those who cherish Masonry for its accomplishments. I do not speak of our charities which, although
numerous and of considerable magnitude are by Masonic law restricted to our own members and their dependents.
Many indeed, may question that Masonry has any accomplishment to its credit aside from these charities, and may
greatly deplore the fact that we are not as an institution in the forefront of great civic movements, or the leader in economic and political propaganda.
By Masonic law, Lodges do not memorialize Congress, nor advocate the passage of laws, nor the election of men, nor
promote a particular religion, nor prefer one political party above another. Such is not Masonry's method or means of
accomplishing its ends, nor ever has been.
As early as 1723 we find the rule stated in Anderson's reprint of the Old Constitution, as follows:
"Therefore no private piques or quarrels must be brought within the door of the Lodge .... far less any quarrels about
religion, or nations, or state policy .... (for we) are resolved against all politics as what never yet conduced to the welfare of the Lodge, nor ever will." (Art. 6, subd. 2, Anderson's Old Constitutions, ed. 1723.)
Masonry in America from the earliest days has adhered strictly to this law—this landmark, if you please—and no
Grand Lodge has departed from the rule. When, if ever, American Masonry steps out of its character as a society
for the promotion of the moral and social virtues, and engages itself in controversial matters, that day will Masonry
enter upon a course fraught with grave danger.
Perhaps even in this Grand Lodge there have been times when ardent, faithful members eager to be up and doing
have noted with keen regret that our Committee on Policy and General Purposes had, conformably to this law, reported adversely on resolutions which to those members seemed admirable in every respect, resolutions which other organizations were adopting by acclamation and for which they seemed to receive the approbation of all rightthinking people. But such is not the way in Masonry, and because it is not the way it has been done, there must be a
reason, and a good reason, or it would be otherwise.
In civil life, majorities, when aroused are all powerful and intolerant, and would if permitted utterly crush all opposition; utterly annihilate all opponents. Such is the course of history; such had been the experience of the Colonists
who migrated to America to escape intolerance. So in government we have written laws, a constitution, and a Bill
of Rights, and courts are set up as an independent arm of government to administer them for the protection of the
rights of the minority.
On the other hand, Masonry is and always has been tolerant of all sincere beliefs. By that ancient law the opinion of
a majority can never by mere force of majority resolve be made the opinion of the minority. Force cannot change a
belief, nor law control an opinion. Samuel Gompers wisely said- "One fact stands out in bold relief in the history of
men's attempts for betterment. That is, that when compulsion is used, only resentment is aroused and the end is not
gained. Only through moral persuasion and appeal to men's reason can a movement succeed." Hence Masonry has
this ancient law for the protection of the minority, and the belief or opinion of the minority, however small, is, and
ought to be respected and tolerated so long as it does not violate the moral and philosophical tenets of Masonry.
Moreover it is conducive of harmony, and "harmony is the strength and support of all societies, especially of ours."
So, if this has been the rule of conduct on the part of Masonry from a time whereof the memory of man runneth not
to the contrary, then that rule must be the safe rule and the rule consistent with its character as a moral and philosophical institution. How then does Masonry accomplish its purposes?
Masonry promises nothing to the novitiate; as an institution it obligates itself to nothing. The obligations of Masons
are mutual and reciprocal, but the institution nowhere assumes any obligation for or to its members. Masonry is not
socialistic. It is not communistic. It is not collectivistic. It has no feature of its teachings or workings that bears any
resemblance to a combination of efforts, or a community of interest in the results. It is merely a manner or way of
life. It is purely personal and individualistic.
There is not a man in this Grand Lodge who has not stated that he freely and voluntarily, unbiased by friends and
uninfluenced by mercenary motives offered himself as a candidate for the degrees of Masonry. He himself arrived
at that conclusion. It was his own personal and individual desire that brought him to the point of petitioning for the
degrees.
It is equally true that he petitioned as an individual; was investigated as an individual; was balloted upon and took
the several degrees as an individual.
With each degree he received a charge. In those charges were set forth certain duties he, himself, personally and
individually owed to his Creator, to his country, to his neighbor, and to himself, and it became his duty and he was
obligated to go forth and exemplify in his everyday life those Masonic virtues which were epitomized in the charges. And if Masonry is highly esteemed in the community in which he lives and in the circle of his acquaintances, it
is because he, himself, personally and individually has been obedient to the precepts of Masonry, and if Masonry is
not esteemed in his community or in the circle of his acquaintances, it is because he, himself, or some other individual
Mason has fallen short of being a true Mason. Its honor, its reputation and its usefulness are in the hands of the individual Masons of the community. Thus through the individual does Masonry accomplish its ends, and to the lives and
works of our members must we look to ascertain the accomplishments of Masonry.
From time immemorial the principles of liberty, justice, equality and individual responsibility have been proclaimed in
Masonic Lodges and have formed the basis of Masonic teachings.
The rights of the people, and of the individual, obedience to law and constituted authority, and the obligation upon the
individual to subordinate himself and his own pleasure and profit to the good of the community, are all principles embraced within the tenets of Masonry, and the duty to actively uphold them is clearly placed upon the shoulders of every individual Mason in the charges delivered at his initiation, passing and raising. When we are in the midst of domestic tranquility, when progress and prosperity move forward as upon lubricated rails, it is easy to forget those principles
which safeguard our rights as Free Men and which Free Masons have been obligated to uphold.
Our Brother, General John Pershing in an address several years ago remarked "the greatest danger faced by the American people today is indifference." All those things which in former days were held in high regard: the church, the
community house, the affairs of government, the rights of the people, and of the individual, are today, to too many of
our citizens, more or less matters of indifference in their busy lives. We are prone to give little or no concern to those
things which do not immediately and directly affect our purse or our person.
There was a time in this country when its citizens were deeply religious, when they took an active part in the discussion of public affairs, when the family was a matter of concern on the part of its head, when the thought and activities
of the young were guided with a strong hand; strict observance was the order of the day, and our forefathers in Masonry were strict observers of the tenets of Masonry.
When the wrongs committed by a distant and autocratic government could no longer be borne, Masons as individuals
became active, memorials were sent to the King, and all edicts of the King and Acts of Parliament were debated
throughout the colonies; the Committee of Safety appeared; the Sons of Liberty organized; the Committee of Correspondence sprang into existence; the American colonies were a forum wherein appeared such men as Otis, Dickinson,
Hancock, Warren, Livingston, Patrick Henry, Hamilton, Madison, Jefferson, Franklin, with hundreds of other Masonic leaders who in those stirring times at the risk of their individual lives, liberty and fortune, stood forth and proclaimed those Masonic principles of liberty, justice, equality, and individual responsibility. I need not recite the deeds
of our forefathers in Masonry which led up to the establishment of an independent government for this country of
ours, for their record is known to all of you. I would but mention one of their accomplishments—the making and
adoption of the Constitution of the United States and the initiation of a national government thereunder.
It has been said that "too much of our thinking is an emotional glorification. of the past rather than a dynamic realization of the present." At the risk of being indicted for such an offense, I recall to your minds that a majority of the delegates actively engaged in the work of the convention were Masons; that our illustrious Brother George Washington
presided, and that Franklin, Hamilton, Madison, Dickinson, the two Pinckneys, Ellsworth, the two Morrises, Wilson,
Sherman, Mason, Randolph, Rutledge, and Livingston led the debates; that after its adoption and the election of
George Washington as the first President, we find him at his inauguration taking the oath of office on a Bible brought
from the Grand Lodge of New York, while Chancellor Livingston, the then Grand Master of Masons in New York,
administered the oath; nor is it surprising to find the cabinet of Washington composed of Masons, and that the appointees to the Supreme Court of the United States were likewise Masons. Need we go further?
Bernard Fay, a non-Mason and Masonic critic of ability, says: "American Masonry cannot decline the honor and responsibility of having given the signal for rebellion (p. 240). . . Freemasonry cannot deny the outstanding role played
by its leaders in the Revolution, or that the Continental Congress where the delegates from the colonies met to prepare
a common political program and to organize the defense against England was in majority composed of Masons. These
Congresses were imbued with the purest Masonic spirit as proved by their action which was expressed in the Declaration of Independence." (Freemasonry and Revolution, pp. 240, 241.)
Yet notwithstanding the distinctly Masonic character of the movement and the preponderance of Masons engaged,
careful and long continued research has not developed a single record of a Masonic Lodge, Grand or Subordinate, that
can be said to indicate that Masonry as an organization had taken any side or part in the conflict; those Masons who
participated were courageous enough to risk life, liberty and fortune without involving the institution or seeking to
have it stand at their back, and every crisis in the affairs of men has and will demand and bring forth individual Masons of a character able, willing and courageous enough to go forth alone, unaided by the reputation of any institution,
and make the fight for Truth and Light and Liberty. That is Masonry's function and reason for being and it must ever
continue to inspire men to higher and better and more worthwhile accomplishment.
Nor is it surprising to find that American Masonry in the year 1802, while many were yet alive who participated in
those stirring events, witnessing the rapid depletion of their ranks at the hand of the Grim Reaper, and desiring, as I
conceive it, to perpetuate their work, should adopt into its ritual a new and, prior to that time, unknown hieroglyphical
emblem—the Book of Constitutions guarded by the Tiler's Sword.
As the Great Creator set a cloud by day and pillar of fire by night to lead the chosen people in their wanderings in the
wilderness, so, I have reason to believe, our Masonic forefathers gave us this emblem as a beacon to guide us, lest in
the days to come amid all the fantasies of the theorists, in the wilderness of politics, we should turn aside to worship a
molten calf.
This Union of States, this government of law and not of men, this Constitution of the United States based upon the
Masonic principles of liberty, justice, equality and individual responsibility, as said by Gladstone, "the most wonderful work ever struck off, at a given time by the brain and purpose of man" was an accomplishment of Masonry, and
whosoever cherishes Masonry, for its accomplishments can, beyond the peradventure of a doubt, look with justification upon this work as the Great Heritage of American Masonry.
Perhaps the editor of the Los Angeles Times had something of this idea in mind when he wrote on May 17, 1917, in a
long editorial on the 200th anniversary of the founding of the Grand Lodge of England, this paragraph: "One of the
watchwords of Masonry is the watchword of the loyal American people today. When the Master rises and says
'Together, Brethren', he speaks a language which thrills every heart in the Lodge. It is the same language which says
to the American people 'Our country, our whole country and nothing but our country.' "
But sometimes I fear that Pershing was right. Sometimes it seems that indifference pervades our ranks- sometimes it
seems that the Lodge is at refreshment and that the Tiler's Sword is sheathed and hangs in the locker with the discarded regalia. Beyond question it was not so in those former times. Our forefathers were alive to their duties as Masons
and their lives and their actions will live through the ages as examples for "all who go this way." Their works and their
inspiration will beckon us as a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night.
A great Mason has expressed the thought that I would convey: "To sow, that others may reap; to work and plant for
those that are to occupy the earth when we are dead; to project our influence far into the future, and live beyond our
time; to rule as Kings of Thought over men who are as yet unborn; to bless with the glorious gifts of Truth and Light
and Liberty those who will neither know the name of the giver, nor care in what unregarded grave his ashes lie, is the
true office of a Mason and the proudest destiny of a man." (Albert Pike.)
Our forefathers in Masonry sowed that we might reap; they blessed us with the glorious gifts of Truth and Light and
Liberty. Away then with indifference! Let us call from refreshment to labor! Let us unsheathe the Tiler's Sword and
guard this priceless work of American Masonry lest those who come after us proclaim us wastrels and despoilers of
this their rightful heritage.