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 2006 Newsletters
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Minnesota River Valley Lodge #6 September2006 Volume #8, Issue #9 "Issued with the Permission of the M.W. Grand Lodge of Minnesota"
From the Masters Desk: A column for this month was slow in coming to me my brothers, and then I thought about the times I had been conned or disappointed by someone I considered a friend. What follows is from that thought. Maybe only a few of us have made bad friends or a bad business partner resulting in harm. I have made both. I got to thinking on what do we base our decisions when it comes to whom we have as friends? I often give friendship because a person is fun or funny or because of a common experience. That is fine as far as it goes, but is that all I need to know about him? If I hunt with him just once a year, I only have to trust that he will not shoot me or steal from me. But if he is someone requiring a broader trust how do I go about sizing him up? I know it is very avant-garde today to pretend we do not make judgments about people since this is the most enlightened age ever, of course we begin to make judgments about the coming day, as soon as we wake up. We don't need to make judgments about people because everyone is good if just given the chance, is that the current thinking? But we make necessary judgments about people all of the time, that is how we physically and emotionally protect ourselves. Is there something we can do to give us a better take on someone? For every petition submitted to a lodge, the master assigns an investigation committee. The candidate’s moral and social character is examined. Master Masons determine the merits of the individual. It is an important and serious undertaking. It is only through the work of a sharp investigation committee that our ranks remain true to Masonry. Only after finding out what kind of guy he is, do we call him friend and brother. I am pleased to add conducting a sharp investigation is not difficult, it just takes practice. There is nothing more "friendly" than just letting a person speak about himself. And if one listens with an ear for contradictions, subjective moral character can be discovered. Everyone likes to hear himself talk and a good investigator merely leads the interviewee in the direction he wants him to go. For instance to discern the character of a candidate, ask how he likes to spend his free time and actively listen to him. Follow up with questions until you have found out enough to draw a conclusion about his character. Even better, you can go back by way of another question to test your previous conclusion. Did his answers match? If yes, you probably have a pretty good understanding of him. We may as well base our friendships on morality. We can learn about someone while having fun with them. Masonry is a moral brotherhood. We are honor bound to take its precepts wherever we go. Why shouldn't we use its conventions too? Masonry makes men better and wiser. And it is the duty of every Mason to inculcate Masonic virtues and by their frequent use, impress on our neighbors the importance and beauty of our fraternity. God Bless you all.
The LEO Corner If you recall, last month's question was a two part one: Hiram Abif - Is the story true? When did he live? If by true is meant "factual", the answer is no. If by "true" is meant "containing a great truth" then the answer is yes; it is true as is the story of Santa Claus which tells a truth to children in words they can understand. The legend of Hiram as told in the Master Mason degree is one of the oldest legends in the world but Freemasonry's legend is peculiarly her own. The three who encountered Hiram at the gates of the Temple are themselves symbols of error, evil, and sin; and the story as a whole is of the ultimate weakness of such forces against the power of the Great Architect. The word Abif is translated both as "his father" and "my father" with "father" used in these senses as a patriarch, a teacher, a source of wisdom, and not as the actual father of a family. "Hiram my father" is thus a title of honor and respect. When did Santa Claus start to manufacture Christmas toys? Myth and legend are alike silent on early Masonic dates. As the Temple was begun by Solomon in the fourth year of his reign, legend, if there was such, would have to place the death later. Solomon came to his throne approximately 971 B.C., commenced the Temple in 967 B.C. and finished in 960 B.C. If Hiram died during the building, the date would therefore be between 967 and 960 B.C. How did you do on that one? The question for this month is: Why is Acacia a Masonic symbol?
You may submit the answers or your questions to me by one of the following methods: Email - leo@mn-rivervalley.org Mailing Address: John Loutzenhiser 5154 Edgewater Drive Savage, MN 55378
Submitted by John Loutzenhiser
Chaplain’s Corner
For anyone who has ever moved into a new community, this is usually a very common question. Whom can I go to for a great haircut, for a good school, for a good used car, for repairs to my good used car? It takes us a while to build up our level of confidence on where to go for the best services. It is good to have family, neighbors, co-workers, or other reliable sources for such information. But what do we do when we, or our loved ones, or a Brother has a life altering event – a death in the family, a lost job, pain, or grief? In these situations, when it is our heart, not that “good” used car, which is faltering, to whom shall we turn. That is when we must turn to one in whom we can always place our trust – our Creator. All Masons are asked, in the first degree, to kneel and attend prayer. After which, we are asked in whom we place our trust? The only correct answer is “in God”. If we but listen, He will give us our answer. He will be our strength and our comfort in times of need. He will heal all pain and grief and suffering. We must however, be mindful; it will be in His own time and place. Be still – and know. Notes in passing. In 1860, at Limerick, Ireland, there was found in a small chapel a stone dated 1517 with the following inscription: "I will serve to live with love and care, Upon the level, by the square." The following is a story that I came across while surfing the net one day: THE SNEEZE They walked in tandem, each of the ninety-two students filing into the already crowded auditorium with rich maroon gowns flowing and the traditional caps, they looked almost as grown up as they felt. Dads swallowed hard behind broad smiles, and Moms freely brushed away tears. This class would not pray during the commencements----not by choice, but because of a recent court ruling prohibiting it. The principal and several students were careful to stay within the guidelines allowed by the ruling. They gave inspirational and challenging speeches, but no one mentioned divine guidance and no one asked for blessings on the graduates or their families. The speeches were nice, but they were routine.....until the final speech received a standing ovation. A solitary student walked proudly to the microphone. He stood still and silent for just a moment, and then, it happened. All 92 students, every single one of them, suddenly SNEEZED!!!! The student on stage simply looked at the audience and said, "GOD BLESS YOU, each and every one of you!" And he walked off stage... The audience exploded into applause. The graduating class found a unique way to invoke God's blessing on their future with or without the court's approval. In God We Trust, United We Stand. This is a true story; happened at the University of Maryland. It's inspiring. Please feel free to send me the names of any of our Brothers and/or their family members, who may be in distress as we pray to our creator for their comfort and relief. When we think of our experiences in taking the third degree, we cannot help but remember the words from Ecclesiastes: “Remember now thy creator . . .” and please remember those listed below in your prayers. We name the welfare of our brethren in our petitions because we love them; and knowing our own need of their prayers, we realize their need of ours.
From the Secretary: We have scheduled a vote on a proposed change to Article V, Section 3, of our by-laws to be held at our Stated Communication on Oct 3, 2006, at which time a favorable majority of members present will be required for passage. The current language in our by-laws is printed below, followed by the proposed change. Our current by-laws provide for annual dues of $20.00 and any change to such dues requires a formal by-law change. Simply stated, the proposed amendment provides that any dues changes shall be voted on by the Brothers of the lodge before they become effective. This proposed change has been approved by the Grand Lodge. Richard Friend, Secretary Article V, Section 3 (current language) There shall be assessed to every member of this lodge, annual dues of twenty dollars plus Grand Lodge Per Capita, payable at the first stated communication in December. Newly raised or admitted members dues shall be prorated from date of raising or admittance. Article V, Section 3 is proposed to be changed, as follows: This lodge shall set the annual dues by a favorable majority vote of the members present at a regular stated communication, at which time it shall be reduced to writing and sent to all members informing them when a second reading and ballot will take place. Any Grand Lodge Per Capita assessment shall be added to this dues amount. If it is then passed by a majority at that time, it would take effect after written notice is mailed to and confirmed as received by the Grand Lodge of Minnesota. Dues are payable in advance. Newly raised or admitted Brothers dues shall be prorated from the date of raising or admittance.
October Birthdays Our best wishes to the following brothers who will celebrate their birthday in October:
Newsletter
Articles for the next newsletter will be due by September 13th. You may send articles to me for the newsletter; by any method you desire (email, fax, regular mail, etc…). Articles that are not received by the due date will be held over for the newsletter. We would also like to encourage the other organizations that are affiliated with MN River Valley Lodge #6, such as the Jobs Daughters, Eastern Star, Demolay, etc… to feel free to contribute items to our newsletter and to our Lodge’s Web Calendar. Ashley Bican’s Term Plans – Jobs Daughters
To be determined: Surprise Family Event Chloe T Program Service Project – December?REMINDER: Dates are subject to change!! If in doubt, contact HQ Ashley Bican at (952)440-5221. List of Upcoming Events:
September 26th – 6:30 P.M. Steering Committee Meeting - Light Supper Provided October 2nd – 7:00 P.M. Bethel Regular Meeting 3rd – 7:30 P.M. Stated Lodge Meeting 7th – 8:00 A.M. Lodge of Instructions 13th – Articles Due for Newsletter 22nd - Bethel Event - Friendship - Disney Theme (Time: To Be Determined) 24th – 6:30 P.M. Steering Committee Meeting - Light Supper Provided 29th – Day Light Savings - FALL BACK 31st – 6:30 P.M. West Metro Masters and Wardens meeting 6:30 P.M. dinner 7:30 P.M. meeting. OPEN TO ALL (Location: To Be Determined) 31st - Halloween
Visit the Lodge Website and view the Lodge calendar for our complete list of events. (Select link)
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