Brothers and Sisters of our Lodge, these are interesting and exciting times we live in. Who would have predicted that today, knowledge doubles every 5 years. With the increase of information and technology, people expect different things. Theses expectations lead people toward greater diversity. With greater and different expectations among people with increased diversity, we find people identifying, me versus them, thus increased conflict. But conflict in turn brings about potential. Potential leads to change and the cycle continues.
Keep in mind that potential conflict can lead towards being more destructive or it could lead towards being more constructive.
Our Society (Masonry and its affiliates) has the opportunity to influence the direction and the outcomes by what we do.
The degrees give us the intellectual tools to influence potential in a constructive manner.
Where there is change and conflict there are people looking for better answers. That is Masonry's opportunity. Let us provide worthy people the methods and the means to seek and find better answers within the house of Masonry and out in our daily lives.
I hope and pray that my year as master of our Lodge assists in providing our Lodge more benefits to influence future outcomes for members within our Lodge as well as out and about in our daily lives.
Quote taken from a book by Herbert Butterfield, "Christianity, Diplomacy and War" page 43
"But the greatest menace to our civilization today is the conflict between giant organized systems of self-righteousness—each system only too delighted to find that the other is wicked—each only too glad that the sins give it the pretext for still deeper hatred and animosity".
Fraternally,
Alan Peterson, Master
It is a good thing that March has 31 days in it since this is going to be one very busy month at Lodge.
The Stated Communication on the 13th is going to be held at the Historic James J. Hill house for the second time. Come on over for a tour and to learn some of your Lodge's history.
On March 20th there is going to be a great event to introduce non Masons to a little of what Masonry is about. It will be a casual atmosphere held at the Pool and Yacht Club in Lillydale. One of our newest Masons Jeremy Nienow, will be speaking about his journey that lead him to join the Lodge. And Most Worshipful Brother Neil Neddermeyer will be the keynote speaker.
Lastly and perhaps most importantly, on Thursday March 27th we will be presenting the Entered Apprentice Degree at 7:00pm (dinner at 6:00). This is an important night for the men beginning their Masonic career. Come out to Lodge and be a part of this memorable evening for these new members of our Lodge.
That about does it from the West.
See you in Lodge
Loren Davis
As those of you who were present at the January stated meeting will recall, much of our meeting time was consumed with voting on new candidates. While this voting process is time-consuming, it also offers the promise of growth for our Lodge, both in numbers and in spirit and participation.
At the risk of beating a subject to death, it would be great if we could have a large number of Brothers present at our First Degree ceremony to be held on Thursday, March 27th. Your presence will make our candidates, and, as of that night, our "newly admitted brothers" feel even more welcome. I would further suggest that you engage these men at our stated meeting in April to learn more about them. Sit down with them at our dinner and tell them a bit about yourself. Then, ask them about themselves: their family, their job, their hobbies, what they hope to get out of Masonry. This should engender a lively conversation between the two of you. You also might consider inviting them to the Bunco Night being held later that month, especially if you are planning to attend. Then, if this new Mason does attend, you can make him feel comfortable by introducing him and his wife/girlfriend to others in attendance that night. I can only speak for myself, but it gives me satisfaction to help someone new to a group feel more at home. I think you will discover the same thing, if you haven't already.
As you may be aware, I have set up a calling committee whose members are trying to contact everyone on our membership list who lives in this area. This is an attempt to ensure we have the corrected addresses, phone numbers, etc., for all of you, but also to learn more about our members, especially those who are not able to attend lodge very much. We have already learned of some illnesses among our older members. We also want to have a current list of phone numbers and/or email addresses in the event we need to reach members in a hurry in the event a brother is taken seriously ill, or if there is some special event your officers feel our members should be informed about. This calling committee is another effort by your officers to make our lodge more of an interactive brotherhood and not to have you feel that you are just another name on a roster.
Allan Floyd,
Junior Warden
It is my honor and pleasure to be tapped to be Ancient Landmark #5 Leo. I am told I only need to give nine lectures, so I'm prepared. This is my first paper.
When I entered Masonry, I brought with me a rich esoteric investigative background. After my initiations and as my queries matured I was greeted with allegory, metaphor and some times blank stares. I realized then and there the theory of "Wha…?" In common day terminology the word ‘What' is interrogative expression requesting specific information. However the expression of ‘Wha' is used when the individual has encountered something far more surprising and unexpected thus resulting in a much more enthusiastic and inquizical "Wha…?".
My first venture to the Mason Lodge was well anticipated and, like a heat seeking missile, I headed to the libraries. Hoping to find the syntax of The Lost Word, The Lost Key or the Presence of the Tensor Plane between Joachim and Boaz I instead, found "Wha…?"
I absolutely love Masonry. We are so rich in the true meaning of many of the Lost Mysteries. However, I ended up scratching my head while looking at the big G saying "Wha…" I knew that my adventure began here and that my quest was going to be much longer than I had anticipated. I could find no one to direct me, but I thought that my Masonic ancestors would have left me a post-it note to guide me in my quest for more light.
Light equates to the positive or negative reactions to photosynthesis. This is pretty simple stuff, yet very enlightening when looked at from a molecular point of view. And still it was the G that was staring me down.
With a background in quantum understanding and Newtonian Physics and extensive studies in Jacob Boehme, Carl Munch, Aristotle, Plato, Albertus Magnus, Eirenaeus Philalethes, Archimedes, Egyptian and Sumerian Mathematics. I had found something that truly puzzled me. I came to the conclusion that I was right. Our Masonic ancestors DID leave us a post-it note.
"Wha…?"
I know that if I were a Mason I would not miss ANY of the next eight lectures.
Now do you understand the "Theory of Wha…?"
By Dr. Steven Smith, LEO
Acknowledgements to A.W. Dublin, Ireland.
Years ago, when I was between jobs, I sought advice from the best and brightest minds, reading text from Norman Vincent Peale, Stephen Covey, Richard Nelson Bolles and of course many of the contributors to the Bible, who interpreted and/or scribed the Word of God. One day while paging through a Reader's Digest, I came across a paragraph that really struck a chord and compelled me to write it out and place above my desk. On days when my architecture practice seemed to be taking a nose-dive, I would read this text and relish the fact that it was so tangible, so believable, so uplifting, that I was immediately transformed from a state of defeatism to an indefatigable optimism. It goes like this…
"It's not the critic who counts. It's not the man who points out where the grown man stumbles, or how the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who actually is in the arena, who strives violently; who errs and comes up short again and again. This is the man who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, and spends himself in a worthy cause, who if he wins, knows the triumph of high achievement, but who if he fails, fails while daring greatly, so his place will never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat."
Great stuff, from a great man – and Mason. The author of the text above was President Theodore Roosevelt. It is said that he was an active Mason, who exemplified the spirit and brotherhood of Masonry throughout his terms as President. And, he carried the principles of Masonry with him until his death.
Theodore Roosevelt, said in 1902, "One of the things that attracted me so greatly to Masonry . . . was that it really did live up to what we, as a government, are pledged to -- of treating each man on his merits as a Man".
Roosevelt's text about the man who counts still inspires me when I am down and when I am up, but I have found a new source of support in my journeys in Masonry. We are, all, surrounded by very, very bright and patriotic men, each of whom provides the spark of enthusiasm and kindles the spirit in us all. I believe that we could paraphrase Roosevelt, with statements like, "The credit belongs to the men, who are actually in the arena…", "These are the men who know the great enthusiasms, the great devotions and who spend themselves in worthy causes…", "so that their place will never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat."
We are Masons! We are often tried and are willing to be tried again. For my part, it is an honor to be counted among you, Brothers!
Drew Bjorklund,
Senior Deacon
240 Summit Ave., St. Paul.
One half block west of the Cathedral of St. Paul
on Summit Ave.
http://www.mnhs.org/places/sites/jjhh/
7:00pm Opening of Lodge
7:30pm LEO Steve Smith Et.al.
8:00pm Closing
8:30pm Tours
March 20th, NEW MEMBERSHIP SOCIAL St. Paul Pool and Yacht Club
(See Attached flyer for you to copy & invite good men)
6:00pm to 6:30pm
Social time with appetizers, coffee & pop provided.
6:30pm to 7:30 Speakers
Main speaker Neil Neddermeyer.
Second speaker is Jeremy Nienow
"Mason's on the Frontier"
April 5th, Bunco Night
200 Plato Blvd, St. Paul
Everybody's favorite dice game returns with dinner, door prizes and more. Men & Women are invited. Bunco is an easy and fun game, that everyone can enjoy.
April 10th, Stated meeting & Ladies Night
RSVP's are strongly encouraged.
6pm Dinner
7pm Opening of Lodge
8pm LEO
8:30 Closing
What is Freemasonry?
You've seen the symbols on buildings. You've heard of them in the movies like The Da Vinci Code and National Treasure. Even your grandfather might have been one. But what do Freemasons do? And what is Freemasonry all about?
Following are some thoughts on Masonry by some prominent Americans and Masons
Harry S. Truman, President of USA,
"We represent a fraternity which believes in justice and truth and honorable action in your community...men who are endeavoring to be better citizens..[and] to make a great country greater. This is the only institution in the world where we can meet on the level all sorts of people who want to live rightly."
Dave Thomas, Founder of Wendy's,
"There is no doubt in my mind that Masonry is the cornerstone of America."
Norman Vincent Peale, Minister and Author,
"To me, Freemasonry is one form of dedication to God and service to humanity."
General Douglas MacArthur, General of the Army,
"Freemasonry embraces the highest moral laws and will bear the test of any system of ethics or philosophy ever promulgated for the uplift of man."
George W. Truett, Southern Baptist Leader,
"The Masonic Fraternity is one of the most helpfully mediating and conserving organizations among men, and I have never watered from that childhood impression, but it has stood steadfastly with me through the busy, vast hurrying years."
Alan Peterson, Freemason,
"Freemasonry is a fraternity with men of tolerance, integrity and a belief in god, united in the greater desire of relief, truth and brotherly love."
Are you such a man?
Purpose: Our purpose is to introduce men of integrity to the benefits of Freemasonry.
First speaker is Jeremy Nienow a young, professional, member to talk about how his research brought him to Masonry. Jeremy asked the question, why do some towns become a ghost town and why do some towns succeed. One common denominator was that the towns that did succeed had Masonic Lodges. "Mason's on the Frontier",
Main speaker is Neil Neddermeyer, Neil is a retired Police Officer and Past Grand Master of Minnesota Masons speaking about:
by John Ormond
They climbed on sketchy ladders towards God,
With winch and pulley hoisted hewn rock into heaven,
Inhabited sky with hammers, defied gravity,
Deified stone, took up God's house to meet him,
And came down to their suppers and small beer,
Every night slept, lay with their smelly wives,
Quarrelled and cuffed the children, lied,
Spat, sang, were happy or unhappy,
And every day took to the ladders again,
Impeded the rights of way of another summer's
Swallows, grew greyer, shakier, became less inclined
To fix a neighbour's roof of a fine evening,
Saw naves sprout arches, clerestories soar,
Cursed the loud fancy glaziers for their luck,
Somehow escaped the plague, got rheumatism,
Decided it was time to give it up,
To leave the spire to others, stood in the crowd
Well back from the vestments at the consecration,
Envied the fat bishop his warm boots,
Cocked up a squint eye and said, "I bloody did that."
Published monthly except July and August by Ancient Landmark Lodge No. 5. Non subscription newsletter to members and friends.
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