Masonic Life

Enjoyed a great fellowcraft degree the other night. Also enjoyed trying to get the South Carolina AFM traveling gavel for our lodge.

My local lodge has a fundraising dinner for our March meeting.
What does your lodge do for fundraising?

Does your lodge do any fundraisers like this?
I went to a lodge that did a retro video game tournament for a fundraiser. It was a great idea.
Please share any fundraising that has done well with your Masonic body.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/breakfast-with-santa-tickets-722861737917?aff=oddtdtcreator

Seconded

Watch, Listen & Subscribe @

💻 YouTube
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🥃rumble
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Also, on Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio,
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I have a question for the brothers. Do you have any interesting degree teams in your area?

We had a great night at my lodge (one of our page administrators)
A Fellowcraft degree was put on by our Windows Son degree team.

A good group of brothers & a fun podcast

Watch, Listen & Subscribe @

💻 YouTube
https://youtube.com/

🥃rumble
https://rumble.com/user/AtRefreshmentMasonicVideoPodcast

Or find us on Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio,
Amity, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts, Pandora, Stitcher, and TuneIn

Shhhh .... Don't let anyone know .... (I enjoy doing our sign work)

York Rite is growing in my home State.
After COVID ended, we have seen a great resurgence in our blue lodges and other branches.
How about you brothers out there? Have you seen a renewed interest in your lodges?

Great night at Lexington 152 AFM in South Carolina.
Congratulations to our 5 new Master Masons; fantastic food and work. 2 DDGMs, both JGDs, 3 PDDGMs in attendance with 51 total Brothers.

Keep these brothers in your prayers

Here is an interesting piece of information about our Masonic Life page. The people that follow this page mainly reside in the United States, but I happy to see folks from all over the Globe.
I actually know a few brothers from Brazil that have moved close to me in the United States.
I also know a few brothers in the Philippines.

Had some great fellowship & good food for our St Patrick's Day(ish) dinner tonight.
We had our eastern star sisters and many brothers.
It felt like a family getting together for dinner.
These are the parts we need to remember brothers. Yes we need to do our ritual work well & talk about our bills ...
But don't forget fellowship should be done with a smile ...

R∴W∴ Walter H. Hunt author and Librarian for the Grand Lodge of Masons in Massachusetts, in which body he serve as the Grand Historian.

Please be sure to visit the website "Masonic Genealogy" setup by Brother Hunt,

"Masonic Genealogy
We build our future upon our understanding of the past.
http://www.masonicgenealogy.com/

MasonicGenealogy.com is a collection of biographical, Masonic Lodge, district and other historical data for Freemasonry in the New England area, with a first emphasis on Massachusetts.

This site is, and will continue to be, a work in progress. A volunteer team of Masonic researchers and editors continue to add information as sources are identified and examined. This information is displayed in a Wiki format, allowing collaborative update by our team of editors.

The MasonicGenealogy.com team would welcome participation from other jurisdictions. Contact our webmaster, R∴W∴ Walter Hunt at [email protected]"

You might also like to visit his other sites;

Biography and Introduction: http://www.walterhunt.com/?page_id=2
page: https://www.facebook.com/hotc17

Let's not forget our OES ladies this Valentines day!

Frederic A. Bartholdi

Bartholdi was raised a Master Mason October 14, 1875 in Alsace-Lorraine Lodge in Paris, France.
Frederic A. Bartholdi (1834-1904) Designer of Statue of Liberty in New York harbor. b. April 2, 1834 at Colmar, Alsace, France. He was one of the early members of Lodge Alsace-Lorraine, Paris (Oct. 14, 1875) which was composed of prominent intellectuals, writers and government representatives.

When his famous statue Liberty Enlightening the World was achieved, Bartholdi convened his lodge to review it, even before the statue was shown to the U.S. committee. On June 19, 1884, the lodge, as if it were a pilgrimage, went in a body to review his masterpiece that was to be the gift of the French people to the United States.

On Nov. 13, 1884 Bartholdi delivered a lecture and gave the lodge a report on the history and various methods used in the ex*****on of his statue. Again the lodge witnessed his emotion when he came back from his visit to U.S. in 1887, and he told them of the ardent welcome he had received and of the wide enthusiasm created by his work. Another famous work by Bartholdi is Le Lion de Belfort, commemorating the defense of Belfort in Franco-Prussian War.

Sir Sandford Fleming

Initiated: May 9, 1854
Passed: November 14, 1854
St. Andrew's Lodge No. 1, York England

Sir Sandford Fleming was born in Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland. A Scottish-born Canadian engineer and inventor, known for proposing worldwide standard time zones. Canada's postage stamp, a huge body of surveying and map making, engineering much of the Intercolonial Railway and the Canadian Pacific Railway, and being a founding member of the Royal Society of Canada and founder of the Royal Canadian Institute, a science organization in Toronto.

Brother, Sam Houston "The Raven" (1793-1863)
Raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason in Cumberland Lodge #8 of Nashville, Tennessee on July 22, 1817.

In Texas, he joined Holland Lodge #1 in 1837 and presided over the establishment of the Grand Lodge of Texas .
1854 He was a member of Forrest Lodge No. 19 in Texas.

Bro. Houston was attorney general for Nashville TN, and appointed adjutant general of Tennessee.

He served two terms in Congress (1823-27) and in 1827 was elected governor of Tennessee.

He was the President of the Republic of Texas from 1836 to 1838, a military hero and the Governor of Texas in 1859, ... I could go on for ever.

Out of many accounts of his life I have read & enjoyed... some more than others, I'll list a link to one of them below:

"Old Hickory and the Raven, Two Masons for Manifest Destiny"
By Robert C. Barnard, MPShttp://grandlodgeofiowa.org/docs/Biography/OldHickoryAndTheRaven.pdf

____________________________

Sam Houston Memorial Museum Complex

http://www.texasescapes.com/EastTexasTowns/HuntsvilleTexas/Sam-Houston-Memorial-Museum-Huntsville-Texas.htm

https://www.facebook.com/samhouston.memorial.museum

Brother, George Stanley McGovern
(1922 – October 21, 2012)

He was a war hero, historian, author and U.S. Representative, U.S. Senator, and the Democratic Party presidential nominee in the 1972 presidential election.

Brother McGovern became a Mason in Resurgam Lodge No. 31 in Mitchell, South Dakota.
He was initiated as an Entered Apprentice on 28 September 1954,
Passed to the Degree of Fellow Craft on 16 November 1954, and was
Raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason on 21 December 1954.

Shortly after his resignation from his teaching position, he received the 32° of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite in Oriental Consistory, Yankton, South Dakota, becoming a Master of the Royal Secret on 13 November 1955.

His devotion to the principles of Freemasonry, as expressed in his years of public service, resulted in his being coroneted a 33° Inspector General Honorary by the Supreme Council, 33°, of the Southern Jurisdiction on 23 October 1969.

He volunteered for the U.S. Army Air Forces upon the country's entry into World War II. After the war he gained degrees from Dakota Wesleyan University and Northwestern University, culminating in a Ph.D., and was a history professor.

1943 - 1945 United States Army Air Forces (Distinguished Flying Cross)
1957 - 1961 U.S. House of Representatives
1963 - 1981 U.S. Senator

Throughout his career, McGovern was involved in issues related to agriculture, food, nutrition, and hunger. He was the first director of the Food for Peace program in 1961,
As sole chair of the Senate Select Committee on Nutrition and Human Needs during 1968–1977, McGovern publicized the problem of hunger within the United States and issued the "McGovern Report" that led to a new set of nutritional guidelines for Americans.

McGovern later served as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Agencies for Food and Agriculture from 1998–2001 and was appointed the first UN Global Ambassador on World Hunger by the World Food Programme in 2001. The McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program has provided school meals for millions of children in dozens of countries since 2000 and resulted in McGovern being named World Food Prize co‑laureate in 2008.

During his career, McGovern has received many awards and honors including the Presidential Medal of Freedom

Brother, Christopher Houston “Kit” Carson (1809-1868)

Raised a Master Mason 1854 in Montezuma Lodge #109 Santa Fe, Territory of New Mexico under dispensation for the Grand Lodge of Missouri.
Brother Kit then became a Charter Member and first Junior Warden of the new Bent Lodge #204 in Taos, New Mexico.

He was a frontiersman, western guide, and trapper. He first gained fame as a distinguished guide for explorers in the western frontier

When in Wyoming at the age of twenty five he met and married an Arapaho Indian woman by the name of Waa-Nibe. (Singing Grass). He and Singing Grass had two children. She died giving birth to the second child. Kit then married a Cheyenne woman, home sick, she left him and returned to her tribe shortly after their marriage.

In 1842, he met and married Josefa the daughter of a prominent Taos, New Mexico family and was baptized in the Catholic Church. They raised eight children together.

He built his home in Taos New Mexico, Today that home is a Museum owned by Bent Lodge #42 and operated by the Kit Carson Memorial Foundation, Inc.

Click on the link below for more about the Museum:

Website:
http://www.kitcarsonhomeandmuseum.com/

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kit-Carson-Home-Museum-Inc/117956874897577

Brother, Robert Macoy (1815 – 1895)

He founded what may be the largest Masonic publishing, regalia, and supply house, Macoy Publishing & Masonic Supply Company.
http://www.macoy.com/

1866 to 1876 OES was under the leadership of Brother Macoy
http://www.easternstar.org/

Brother Macoy was instrumental in the founding of the Order of the Amaranth.
http://www.amaranth.org/NewHistory.asp

Brother Macoy was initiated in Lebanon Lodge No. 191 in New York City, January 20, 1848, passed, January 27, and Raised February 3 of that year.
On August 15, 1855, he withdrew to affiliate with Adelphic Lodge No. 348.

He was elected Deputy Grand Master of New York in June, 1856 and reelected in 1857.

He was exalted in Orient Chapter No. 138, Royal Arch Masons, September 5, 1849 and became a member of Adelphic Chapter No. 150 on December 24, 1855. He was also affiliated with Union Chapter No. 180, Americas Chapter No. 215, and De Witt Clinton Chapter No. 142.

He also received the Cryptic degrees and was a charter member of Adelphic Council No. 7, Royal and Select Masters. He was elected Grand Recorder of the Grand Council on June 4, 1855.

Knighted in Palestine Encampment No. 18 of New York City, in February, 1851, and in March withdrew to join Morton Encampment No. 4. On April 28, 1874, he affiliated with DeWitt Clinton Commandery No. 27 Knights Templar, where his membership continued for 20 years.

He received the Scottish Rite degrees sometime prior to December 9, 1850, for on that date he received the 33rd Degree, Sovereign Grand Inspector General.

In 1866 Brother Macoy published A Dictionary of Freemasonry, which comprised his own work ("General History of Freemasonry" and "Cyclopaedia of Freemasonry") as well as George Oliver's Dictionary of Symbolical Masonry of 1853.

As a publisher. He published (and oftentimes either edited or helped to write) a long list of Masonic books, among them The Master Workmen, 1849- The Masonic Manual 1852; The Book of the Lodge, 1855, a work of immense national influence which American Masonic historians have overlooked- Vocal Manual, 1853- Masonic Minstrel, 1857; Worshipful Master Assistant, 1885; Rise of Adoption, 1868, and in 1890- and the General History, Cyclopedia, and Dictionary of Freemasonry which is described under ENCYCLOPEDIA.

I am not sure why, but every time I attempt to post a picture with the information about this Worthy Brother, Facebook will not post the picture. I will attempt to post his picture in the comments.

Grand Master, Brother, Jose Abad Santos
(February 19, 1886 – May 2, 1942)
Secretary of Justice and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Philippine.

“to obey your orders is to become a traitor to the United States and to my country. I prefer to die rather than live in shame.” ~ Jose Abad Santos.

-Made a Master Mason in Bagumbayan Lodge No. 4 on September 6, 1919.
-Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of F.&A.M. of the Philippine Islands 1938-39.
-Member, Philippine Bodies, A.&A.S.R.
-32nd Degree KCCH, 1941, Supreme Council, Southern Jurisdiction, U.S.A.

Chief Justice of the Supreme Court at the outbreak of World War II. Invited by Philippine President Quezon to go with him to the United States in WWII, he preferred to remain and be with the people in their darkest hour.

1942, Captured by the Japanese invaders and asked to collaborate, he refused and said...

“to obey your orders is to become a traitor to the United States and to my country. I prefer to die rather than live in shame.”

Seeing his son crying, he told him, “Do not cry Pepito. Show these people you are brave. It is a rare opportunity for me to die for our country. Not everybody is given this chance.”
-He was one of the greatest Filipino heroes of World War II.

___________________

Ref:

Supreme Court E-Library
Padre Faura St., Ermita
Manila, Philippines
http://elibrary.judiciary.gov.ph/images/justices/abadsantos_jose.jpg

wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jos%C3%A9_Abad_Santos

USC Research Computing Facility
http://www-bcf.usc.edu/~camiling/bio/jsantos.htm

The Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the Philippines.
http://www.glphils.org/

I wish I could be there for this event.

Celebrate the Memorial’s Cornerstone Centennial and receive a special ashlar made from the building’s original granite! Because of the scarcity of this stone, only 200 of these Ashlars can be produced. Obtain yours today, and help support the February 2023 centennial celebration.

https://gwmemorial.org/blogs/news/order-a-limited-edition-cornerstone-centennial-ashlar

Brother, Robert Archer Cooper (1874 - 1953)
Grand Master, Potentate, Lawyer, Governor, US Judge

Raised in Ornan Lodge No. 69, Fork Shoals, South Carolina.
Demitting to Princeton Lodge No. 129 and then to Palmetto Lodge No. 19.
He was the first elected master of Laurens Lodge No. 260, Laurens SC.

Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of South Carolina from 1915-17.
He also served as Potentate of Omar Shrine Temple at Charleston.

1898 Admitted to bar

1900-1904 Member of the South Carolina State House of Representatives .

1919-1922 Twice Governor of South Carolina.

1922-1927 Federal Farm Loan Board.

1934-1947 US Judge for the District of Puerto Rico, Appointed by Brother & President Franklin D. Roosevelt

Died August 7, 1953 (age 79 years, 56 days).

"The secret of Masonry, like the secret of life, can be known only by those who seek it, serve it, live it. It cannot be uttered; it can only be felt and acted. It is, in fact, an open secret, and each man knows it according to his quest and capacity. Like all things worth knowing, no one can know it for another and no man can know it alone." ~ Brother, Dr. Joseph Fort Newton.

Brother, Dr. Joseph Fort Newton. (1880 - 1950)

Raised: May 28, 1902
Friendship Lodge No. 7, Dixon, Illinois

Grand Chaplain: 1911-13 Grand Lodge of Iowa

Brother Newton was a Baptist minister and masonic author he is remembered for several masonic books, The Builders in 1914 and The Men’s House in 1923 being two of the most widely reprinted.
His autobiography, River of Years (1944), contains many masonic references.

Greetings Brothers!
I was wanting to start a comment thread here that might give us more things to look forward to.
Maybe even get us to do some Masonic Traveling.
What lodges do outdoor or unique Degrees?

If you could share the lodge name, location & date if you have it.

December 27th, Feast of St. John the Evangelist, Congratulations to all of the new officers elected and appointed!

As we go into the upcoming masonic year starting on St John the evangelist day, let's remember those who have put in the work before us.
Good work, level work, plumb work.
Let's strive to make this fraternity better every day.
May brotherly love and affection prevail.

Happy Thanksgiving brothers