Fraternal reviews

Media

Part of The Cabletow

Title: Fraternal reviews
extracted text: WYOMING, 1956 The 82nd annual communication of the Grand Lodge of Wyo ming was held at Torrington on August 27-28. 1956, and presided over by M. W. Grand Master, Bro. Ralph E. McWhinnie. It was attended by 18 Past Grand Masters of the Jurisdiction and distin guished guests from lhe Grand Lodges of California, Colorado. Kan sas, Utah, New Mexico, Montana, Nebraska, Illinois and Washing ton, D.C. The guest speaker was Bro. Everett T. Copenhaver, Sec retary of State. In his address, the distinguished brother deplored the apathy of brother Masons in things connected with Government. He reminded the delegates that, “Whether we like it or not. if we wish to continue to enjoy our Masonic Fraternity and the other blessings that we enjoy as citizens of the United States, we must realize that they only exist under our form of Government. It is your Government, take pride in it and, above all, take part in it.” M. W. McWhinnie, Grand Master, reminded the brethren of the fast changing age in which they live. And he said further and we quote: “A static Masonry cannot meet this competition with which these changes confront us. From the Grand Masters’ Conference in Washington in both 1955 and again in 1956, I came home convinced that Masonry was on the march. Gentlemen, my Brothers, this means adjusting ourselves and our fraternity to these changing times. It means re-evaluation of our procedures, reconciling the valuable lessons of our fraternal past with needs of this changed and chang ing time ahead, x x x this fraternity needs lo re-interpret our Ma sonic purpose or the procedure by which we hope to make men bet ter, wiser and consequently happier, x x x. The discussions at Washington, not because they were adopted but because they were discussed openly, i.e., abandoning no solicitation of members, spon soring DeMolay lawfully and officially, liberalizing jurisdictional con trols among city lodges, limiting lodge size, and eliminating some of the non-real phases of our ritual obligations, testify toward the trend FebruBry, 1958 305 to a new interpretation of Masonic purpose.” — 1956 PROCEED INGS; M. W. Ralph E. McWhinnie, presiding; M. W. Franklin, J. De Forest, elected; R. W. Irving E. Clark, re-elected Grand Secretary. 19 5 7 The 83rd annual communication of the Grand Lodge of Wyo ming was held at Newcastle, August 26-27, 1957. It was presided over by M. W. Franklin J. DeForest, Grand Master. Distinguished guests representing other Grand Lodges came from Pennsylvania, Co lorado, Minnesota, Utah, South Dakota, Nebraska, Montana and Ma nitoba. Ten past Grand Masters of the State were present. M. W. DeForest had much concern for the YOUTH when he said that “These boys and girls, my brethren, are the future Amer ica, the future Masonry in all of its organizations.” In his address at the annual communication, he said and we quote: “I have tried to acquaint the craft of the terrific opportunity that Masonry is overlooking by not becoming interested in and more understanding of youth, sons and daughters of Master Masons, who are attempting on their own to work their way out of the confusion and complex situations which we as adults have created through our indiffer ence, selfishness and greed. The organization of Jobs Daughters and DeMolay, sponsored by bodies of our Masonic family are plead ing for nothing but Masonic interest and yet I at this time, as your Grand Master, must admit failure and discouragement because with the exception of the faithfulness and support of just a few Ma sonic Dads, Masons are conspicuous by their absence, x x x. These great Masons that are trying to build and keep alive these youth organizations are asking for and not receiving adequate help. We promote programs for crippled children by giving a few dollars and yet we cannot find the time to support our boys and girls who are trying so hard to live and exemplify the principles of Masonry, these same boys and girls who in all their meetings are praying to the Supreme Architect above, for your welfare and mine. My Breth ren, in all sincerity, the opportunity is NOW or it may be too late. — 1957 PROCEEDINGS. M. W. Franklin J. DeForest, presiding; M. W. Harold H. Saunders, elected; R. W. Irving E. Clark, Grand Sec retary, re-elected. MARYLAND, 1956 The semi-annual communication of the Grand Lodge of Mary land took place at Baltimore on May 15, 1956. It was presided over by M. W. Arthur W. Dowell, Grand Master. On the condition of the order, the Grand Master said, “The strength of Masonry does 306 THE CABLETOW not depend upon the number of its members but in the interest which each member manifests. However, no doubt, we are all im pressed by numerical growth and I am pleased to advise you that we have a net increase of 590 in membership for the year ending December 31, 1055.” The financial affairs of the Grand Lodge and the Masonic Homes are maintained in a healthy and sound condi tion. After reporting on his visitations, the Grand Masters’ Con ference, Masonic Homes and other routine matters affecting his high office, he concluded with the thought that the next six-month term of his stewardship will find Freemasonry in Maryland with greater accomplishment "and that Lhe existing ties of friendship and brother hood will bind us ever more closely.” The 170th annual communication took place on November 20-21, 1956 at Baltimore, too. It was likewise presided by Bro. Arthur \V. Dowell, Most Worshipful Grand Master. There was further in crease in membership and the financial condition of the Grand Lodge continued sound and healthy. The Grand Master went on his rou tine faithfully and was pleased to inform the brethren that his twoyear term as Grand Master “will remain in my memory a9 the most cherished period of my life. Throughout my term as Grand Mas ter, it has been my earnest hope that as we labored in the quarries of Masonry and in the erection of our Masonic edifices, our efforts might not be marred or frustrated by misunderstandings, but that together we might spread the cement of brotherly love and affection that would bind us ever more closely together.” — 1956 PROCEED INGS. M. W. Arthur W. Dowel), presiding; M. W. Charles H. Co ver, elected; R. W. Claud Shaffer, Grand Secretary, re-elected. SOUTH DAKOTA, 1957 The 83rd annual communication of the Grand Lodge of South Dakota was held at Rapid City on June 11-12. 1957. It was presided over by M. W. Leonel M. Jensen, Grand Master. Distinguished visit ors included the Most Excellent Grand High Priest of South Dakota, the Right Eminent Commander of Knights Templar of South Da kota, the Sovereign Inspector General of Scottish Rite Masonry for South Dakota, the Deputy Executive Secretary of the Masonic Ser vice Association, Washington, D.C., and representatives of the Grand Lodges of Manitoba, North Dakota, Wyoming, Montana, Colorado, Nebraska, Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois, Maine, Pennsylvania and South Carolina. Bro. Jensen during his year’s term took occasion to im press upon the fellow craftsmen “that our order in its system of government comes as near to being a true Democracy as an organ February, I960 ization could be. That our majority is governed by a minority through the consent and assistant of the majority. That the Grand Lodge officers act merely as representatives of the entire member ship and that to have a good and constructive government we must have proper and adequate representatives at Grand Lodge in order that the majority opinion might rule." He likewise gave emphasis to the major program of "Masonic Education” to the end that all officers, both of the Grand Lodge and Subordinate Lodges “could at any time they were called upon give a ten or fifteen minute talk about their duties." The report shows that Grand Master Jensen has had his hands full with the affairs of his Grand Lodge. The statistics of his year’s work show tangible testimonials of his great concern for the wel fare of the Craft. Amcng his recommendations, he urged that a by law be adopted prohibiting smoking in any lodge room from the time lodge is opened until it is closed. And he said, “x x x I feel that next to the sanctity of a church, our lodge rooms should be considered as semi-sacred space." He also deplored the excessive use of intoxicating liquors at social gatherings of groups that pre dicate their membership on some relationship to Masonry. And, for a proper action on the case, the Grand Master said. “I am well aware and very grateful that only a very small percentage of our members indulge themselves in this way. In order that our Fra ternity might retain its present high standards and even aspire to higher ones, I recommend that, if it is brought to their attention that parties are held in the name of Masonry impairing the dignity of the craft or any individual while in identifying garb of a Ma son so conducts himself as to reflect discredit on his brother Mason, our Grand Lodge officers expel same for unmasonic conduct." Grand Master Jensen in thanking those who have in one way or another made his work light and interesting did include a word for Mrs. Strain and we quote; "I want to say ‘thank you to Lilian Strain, wife of our Grand Secretary, for her cheerful encouragement and her ever ready sense of humor. She has been a welcome support when skies were grey.” (COMMENT: The tribute to the gracious Lady could not have been better. And, may we add with apologies, that she really brings sunshine to any group. She brought it to Little Rock once and we enjoyed it too). — 1967 PROCEED INGS. M. W. Leonel M Jensen, presiding; M. W. F. D. Richards, elected; R. W. Elvin F. Strain, Grand Secretary, re-elected. THE CABLETOW WEST VIRGINIA, 1957 The 93rd annual communication was held in the Shrine Mosque at Charleston, on October 16-17, 1957. Brother Robert G. Coffman, Sr., Most Worshipful Grand Master, presided. Fifteen Past Grand Masters of Lhe Jurisdiction answered the calling of the roll. Distin guished guests who are representatives of Sister Grand Lodges came from Alabama, District of Columbia, Indiana, New Jersey, North Carolina, South Carolina, Maryland, Virginia and the heads of Co ordinate Bodies of the Slate. The Grand Representative of the Grand Lodge of the Philippines near the Grand Lodge of West Vir ginia was likewise present and duly received. Grand Master Coffman believes that Freemasonry is on the march in West Virginia as he has noted in his various visitations to Subordi nate Lodges. He likewise noted the desire of the Brethren to improve their Lodge buildings. Bro. Coffman showed much concern about the Masonic Home and he anticipated that “our Masonic Home could do much more were it not” for certain restrictions as found in standing rules and regulations on the matter. He urged that proper steps he taken on the matter. The Grand Master busied himself with the usual routine of his high office. — 1957 PROCEEDINGS. M. W. Robert G. Coffman, Sr., presiding; M. W. William W Roberts, elected; R. W. Julian B. Hollingsworth, Grand Secretary, re-elected. BRITISH COLUMBIA. 1957 The 86th annual communication was held at Dunean on June 20-21, 1957, with Most Worshipful Bro. Donald A. Stewart, Grand Master, presiding. Eleven of the Past Grand Masters answered the calling of the roll. The address of the Grand Master is scholarly prepared. Most Worshipful Stewart commended the officers of the Lodges on their efforts for lhe progress of the Craft. He said and we quote: “My own observatiosn indicate that the Officers of the Lodges are conscious of lhe great care which should be exercised under present conditions in the admission of new members and the importance of providing educational programmes to enlighten their members in the teachings and philosophy of Freemasonry.” The Grand Master bu sied himself with routines attendant to his high office. There is an increase in membership and the finances are sound. — 1957 PROCEEDINGS. M, W. Donald A. Stewart, presiding; M. tV. Claude A. Green, elected; Rt. W. J. H. N. Morgan, Grand Secretary, re-elected. J E. Racela, P.M., Reviewer February, 1958 309
Date: 1958
Rights