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Minnesota River Valley Lodge #6 March 2007 Volume #9, Issue #03 "Issued with the Permission of the M.W. Grand Lodge of Minnesota"
From the Master’s Desk, Atten-hut! Countless thousands of our
brothers in arms have heard the order to come to attention while serving in
our military services. We have
now the largest number of servicemen in foreign wars since What brought you to join
our order? I believe the need is
magnified in the men who will be returning home.
Think of the rough ashlar you were and the benefits reaped through
Masonry to our families as we continue to chip off our rough corners.
I believe it is our duty to proudly welcome these men, and offer to
call them brother. I suggest we consider a
program to reach returning vets.
I am proposing our lodge begin a drive to recruit vets.
We could issue a quarter page ad in our local papers and VFW's.
Some of you belong to a church which would be receptive to a notice
on the bulletin or even allow a brother to speak during a service.
Many will know of a returning vet making an invitation simple.
Success is an egg waiting to be hatched.
Our lodge is an excellent hatchery. We have many good women in
our forces today as well. The
OES may want to work with us as it would be a way for them to rejuvenate
their fine organization. Perhaps
Minnesota Freemasonry via the Grand Lodge is already onto this or will
consider a construction for lodge’s state wide. We are certainly open
to receiving the benefits of the Grand Lodge wisdom. I think this is a very
important and productive endeavor.
I am excited for it. This
will be a subject for our next steering committee meeting on
March 27th.
If the idea of making a huge difference to a returning soldier grabs
you as it has me... come.
Whether you have attended a steering committee before or not, I remind you
the steering committee is open to all our lodge brothers.
This idea will develop around your ideas.
The LEO Corner The answer to last months
question is: Why are we called
Freemasons? As with many things in
Masonry there is no clear cut answer but there are many theories: a man was
a Freemason because he was not a slave; he was so called because we has free
within his guild, or free of the Guild's laws and could thus "travel in
foreign countries" and work where he would; he was a Freemason because he
worked in freestone, which is any stone which can be cut, smoothed, carved
in any direction; he was free when he had passed his apprenticeship and
became a Fellow of the Craft; he was free when he had left the status of
serf of villein and legally became free. Probably at one time or
another, masons were called for any of these reasons or for all of them.
The consensus leans to the theory that the Freemason was such because of his
skill, knowledge and abilities which set him free of those conditions, laws,
rules, and customs which circumscribed masons of lesser abilities in the
cathedral building age. The question for March is: What are the Golden
Fleece, Roman Eagle, and Star and Garter? Email - leo@mn-rivervalley.org Mailing Address: John Loutzenhiser 5154 Edgewater Drive Savage, MN 55378Submitted by John Loutzenhiser
The Chaplain’s Corner
Obligations
Once a man decides that he wants to be a Mason, he takes upon himself a
number of obligations. In the ritual for initiating an Entered Apprentice,
the candidate is asked “What makes you a Mason?” Of course the answer is “My
obligations.”
Some of these obligations relate to keeping the secrets of Freemasonry
secret. However, there are precious few real secrets in Masonry. We have a
few that we like to think are secret, like our grips and passwords. Most of
our real secrets relate to honor, truth, character, integrity, moral values,
conviction in the grace of Deity, and brotherhood. In short, our
obligations, those traits that help to make a good man better.
Many "Masonic secrets" are “secrets”
because they literally can't be talked about -- they can't be put into
words. They are the changes that happen to a man when he really accepts
responsibility for his own life and, at the same time, truly decides that
his real happiness is in helping others. These are both his secrets AND his
obligations.
In the fellow Craft degree we learn that to be a
Mason, our obligations require that:
" I will aid and assist all poor, distressed, worthy Fellow Crafts, knowing
them to be such, as far as their necessities may require, and my ability
permit, without any injury to myself.”
In the Master Mason’s degree, we are further taught:
"Further, I will not give the Grand Hailing Sign of
Distress, except in case of the most imminent danger, in a just and lawful
Lodge, or for the benefit of instruction; and if ever I should see it given,
or hear the words accompanying it, by a worthy brother in distress, I will
fly to his relief, if there is a greater probability of saving his life than
losing my own.
The 1723 Constitutions of the Freemasons, concerning the relief of a
Brother, carry this theme further by stating:
“If you discover him to be
a true and genuine Brother, you are to respect him accordingly, and if he is
in want, you must relieve him if you can or else direct him how he may be
relieved.”
During the Master Mason’s degree, while at the symbolic gravesite of
Grand Master Hiram Abif, we are taught the
"Grand Hailing
Sign of Distress", and
that we are only to use it at times of imminent danger. We are taught
that all Master Masons are obligated to “fly to his relief, if there is a greater
probability of saving his life than losing my own”
whenever they see or hear it given. So the
question then rises – what constitutes imminent danger?
For myself, it means danger to the health OR wellbeing of a fellow brother.
It could mean literally when a brother is in danger and life hangs by a
thread; or figuratively as when a brother has lost his way, either during
travels or in life. It could be a brother down on his luck and in severe
financial straits. It could also be an old man dying, lying in his bedroom
alone, without the aid of a brother to help comfort him on his journey to
the next adventure. It could be a Mason’s widow, alone and grieving.
My belief is that distress and imminent danger comes in all colors, sizes
and shapes. It is our obligation as Master Masons, to fly to a brother’s aid
when we see or hear that a brother is in distress, no matter what the
distress. Remember that the greatest gifts we have to give to a brother are
our love and our time.
Prayers for our Brothers and their
Families
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.
Be still – and know. . . Respectfully submitted by Alan Greene, Chaplain Minnesota River Valley Lodge #6
The following article was
submitted by Brother Bill Tuttle, who came across the article in his current
copy of the MISSOURI FREEMASON.
We would like to thank the Author Dr. E Otha Wingo, DDGL #38
(District Deputy Grand Lecturer from District 38) for his permission to
allow us the opportunity to share his message with our members and
associates of MN River Valley Lodge #6.
The First Freemason Tradition and imagination (but not history) have traced the first Freemason all the way back to King Solomon (or even Adam!). We all understand that the story of Hiram is allegorical not historical. Writers have attempted to connect Freemasonry with every movement from the Greek Mystery religions to Jewish Essenes to Rosicrucians. We smile indulgently when we see early Masonic writers designate as Grand Masters legendary figures from Moses to King Solomon to the Emperor Augustus. We tend to accept 1717 as the beginning of organized Freemasonry in
Historical documents have revealed much earlier dates for lodge meetings
in which candidates were initiated into Freemasonry. The “first
speculative English Freemason” is said to be Elias Ashmole (May 23, 1617
– May 18, 1692), called “the most learned English antiquarian of his
day” by Denslow (10,000 Famous Freemasons).
His extensive library and collection of rare documents, donated
in 1677 to
Frances A. Yates (The Rosicrucian Enlightenment, 1972) points out that there is a well authenticated earlier one: “This is the record of the admission into the Masonic lodge of Edinburgh of Robert Moray, on 20 May 1641. Moray did more than, probably, any other individual to foster the foundation of the Royal Society and to persuade Charles II to establish it by his patronage… Thus the two persons of whom we have the earliest certain evidence of membership of Masonic lodges were both foundation members of the Royal Society-Moray and Ashmole. The Masonic organization was thus clearly in existence at least twenty years before the foundation of the Royal Society in 1660.” Richard Lomas, in Freemasons and the Birth of Modern Science (2003), writes that “Ashmole was invited into the new Society,…not because of any pretension towards science but because he was a Freemason, with enough money to contribute to Bro. Moray’s project.” Ashmole proposed “an extremely Masonic Coat of Arms,” which was not adopted.
Henry Coil in Freemasonry through Six Centuries (1967) writes that “the
first account of the presence of a non-operative mason in a lodge is
found in the minutes of the Lodge of Edinburgh for the year 1600 where
on June 8 it was recorded that John Boswell, Laird of Aichinleck, was
present” at a called meeting of the lodge.
Coil further states that “the first record of the
initiation of a non-operative appears on July 3, 1634 when the Rt. Hon.
Lord Alexander was admitted fellow of the craft.”
The earliest known reference to the “Mason Word” occurs in a poem published at Does it matter who the first Freemason was? Not really. More important is the newly raised Master Mason in your lodge, whose experience of initiation must be supported by follow-up Masonic Education. But it is interesting and important to realize there is substantial history as well as legendary precedent for the traditions and practices that we still call Freemasonry. It is truly and “ancient and honorable Order” and knowledge of its history gives new meaning to our description of it existence “from time immemorial.” Dr. E. Otha Wingo, DDGL 38 ortha@wingo.org
The View from the
The Masonic Lodge in
the town I grew up was located about a block from my home.
As most children in that era and environment, I was allowed basic
liberties of how far I could venture from my house without asking
permission. With the Lodge
building being so close, my friends and I found ourselves frequently
playing near there on our escapades.
The property was excellent for running around and hiding as we
played “Cops and Robbers”, or pretending to be John Wayne (who we
considered to be one our most esteemed heroes of the day).
The front of the Lodge
has concrete steps leading up to the main entrance, bordered by three
beautiful ledges on each side of the staircase.
These ledges made great jumping off platforms as we tested our
courage. You were considered
an “Ace” if you could muster up enough courage to jump off the highest
ledge. Luckily nobody ever
broke any bones as we participated in this competition.
These ledges also provided great surfaces for running toy trucks
and cars around. I remember finding it
curious that these steps didn’t go in a standard repetitive pattern as
you normally see, but paused with a slab of concrete three separate
times. The third pause was
at the top, butting up against the building, one step below the entrance
into the Lodge. Thinking back, I also found it interesting that the
number of steps between each pause grew in number as the staircase
ascended toward the entrance.
The first pause occurred after only 3 steps, the next after 5,
and the final after 7 more.
We basically found this pattern to be more “cool” than strange
and figured it to be an artistic quality.
Little did I know that this staircase pattern had much more
significance and meaning. In reflection, I
believe this is a good analogy of how in everyday life we unknowingly
are surrounded by ancient lessons and truths. Only after observing these
with a different “set of lenses” do we become aware that they possess
more significance and we then become more enlightened (at least
partially) with their true meaning.
-- Lew  “Don't let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do.”
--John Wooden,
National Archery in the Schools Program It is with great pleasure
that WB Ken White has the opportunity to be able to inform you that the
Grand Lodge of Minnesota and the Minnesota Masonic Charities have become
major sponsors of the National Archery in the Schools program with the
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Growing up, we all
remember that not everyone is of the same athletic and physical ability; but
the National Archery in the Schools program allows for children of different
ages, genders, backgrounds and abilities to become involved in an activity,
and have an enjoyable experience with one another. This program is being
sought by schools through out You may be thinking how
will Minnesota Masonry benefit from being involved in this program, it will
and here is how. With schools looking to
find ways to motivate and improve the students but lacking the resources to
find additional programs they are looking for help.
Masonry is that help and this program is the means.
By having lodges throughout the state support a school or after
school program, Masonry will benefit because it:
What is being asked of
your lodge? Provide support to a
school in the community through a commitment of time, location and / or a
financial commitment to assist the school in obtaining the National Archery
in the Schools program and also in possibly starting or assisting with an
archery club. More information on this
program can be found at:
http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/grants/epr/archeryinschools.html and at
http://www.nasparchery.com. 
Job's Daughters
Greetings Masons! I
would like to thank everyone who attended Feed My Starving Children with I
would like to extend a personal invitation to the Masonic Body to attend Jobie
Love, HQ
Paulette "Polly" Price #85
Newsletter Articles for the next newsletter will be due by March 16th. 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. Thank You, Steve Scheffert (news@mn-rivervalley.org) 2224 Birch Circle Blair, NE 68008 Fax: 402-533-8344April Birthdays Our best wishes to the following brothers who will celebrate their birthday in April 2007
Celebration April 14th will
be a full day of celebration. In
the evening, at 6:00 PM. the Grand Lodge will host a banquet at The Lost
Spur Golf Club in In the afternoon, prior to
the banquet, there is yet another celebration -- a concert at the Masonic
Home in If any Masons are willing, it would be very much appreciated if they could arrive about 1:30 to assist in bringing the residents down to the concert hall. Best Regards,From the Secretary Following is a list of committee assignments for the 2007 year.
Please let me know if
there any corrections or additions or deletions to be made to this list. Dick Friend, Secretary
King Hiram Award Dinner Calling all lodge brothers
and guests to join me, Join me for a banquet to
present Freemasonry's highest honor, The Hiram Award to Worshipful Brother Check your mail for a
postcard reminder as you will:
Dinner Reservations and
required donations should be mailed back to me ( The Banquet will be at: Directions with the lodge
as the starting point will be provided. Come enjoy a friendly and
brotherly grip with brothers from both near and far. Mike S WM 
Lynhurst Dinner Event The Lynhurst Dinner
usually held the Tuesday after the Grand Lodge Convention may fall on April
17th this year. It is a good
social time. It is also the
first time to hear the newly installed Grand Master, a worthwhile event, on
that point alone. There is also
a friendly competitive edge to the event which gives another good reason to
attend the evening's alliance.
We are very close to having a full 3 tables which will probably give our
lodge the recognition of having the most brothers of any lodge present.
We have been striving the last few years to make it.
We can do it this year. Let our Treasurer WB Email jud4540@yahoo.com or
phone: 952-758-3506. If I recall the dinner is
only $10.00. Or you can respond
back to me. It is important that
the donation be given to Don before the meals are ordered which is in about
2 weeks. Mike S
List of Upcoming Events:
March Visit the
Lodge Website and view the Lodge calendar for our complete list of events.
http://my.calendars.net/mrvl_6
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