Master's Message
February 2012 Trestleboard
My
Brethren, A Missive from the East;
There is no excuse for
my forgetting to express my appreciation to Cheri’ Quartarolo for her work on
the invitations and boutonničres for the installation. As has been the case for several years,
Cheri’ is one of the first to volunteer at the lodge and her expertise has been
instrumental in the success of stated meeting dinners, as well as our
installations. Cheri’, forgive me, and
thank-you.
To our new brother,
Jerry Phann, my thanks to you and your lovely wife, Debbie, for all your help
serving and cleaning up after the installation.
It was brought to my attention that at some time during the evening I
mistakenly called you Clint. My apologies. I can only claim an incredible case of
nervousness and stage fright for the whole evening.
Our Secretary, Brother
Don Carter, P.M., has informed me that there is an error in the new
Roster. Three of our Brother’s names
were omitted. Please add Bill Bauman,
Ehren Hawkins and Duane Morlan to your list of Hartley Brothers. Our apology for this omission.
Our practice for Second
Degree ritual is going well. I
anticipate an excellent program.
I visited Brother Jim
Swatts at St. Helena Hospital. He is in
ICU and couldn’t speak, but was alert and signs were hopeful. Please remember
all of our brothers in need in your prayers.
Call a brother and
invite him to Lodge. Brother Plata is
planning Lasagna for the next stated meeting dinner. We hope to see you there.
Fraternally, J. J. Jackson, Master
Lessons from the South, The Heights of Her’mon
This month we continue with our study of
the 1st degree perambulation, taken from Psalm 133. At this point, I would like to focus upon
the particular phrase “as the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon
the mountains of Zion”. Like many
before me, I assumed Hermon was an historical individual. In actuality, Hermon is a mountain.
Mount Her’mon is part of the Anti-Lebanon
mountain range, with its summit lying between Syria and Lebanon. It has an elevation of 9230 feet, making it
the highest point in the region. Many
cultures and religions refer to Mount Hermon, using a multitude of names. In general, though, it is generally referred
to as the Old Man or the Elder with the White Beard.
There are numerous facets of historical
importance concerning the mountain. For
our purpose, however, we will focus on one important fact. Due to the height of Mount Hermon, it
continually receives an exceptional amount of precipitation in the form of
snow, rain, and dew. This water forms
not only the source of the River Jordan, but of most tributaries in the
area. Without this watery “blessing” or
“anointment”, life would simply not be able to exist in the Holy Land. It literally holds life in its grasp, uniting
those within its shadow in brotherly love.
Next month we will delve into a few of
those confusing measurements (cubits, handsbreadth, etc?) that are so often
mentioned in Masonry. Until then
brothers, take care.
Brother Douglas Prather, Junior Warden
p.s.
If you would like me to write on a particular mysterious subject in
Masonry that you have wondered about, please send me an email at hartleylodge199@sbcglobal.net, or better yet……come and see me at the
lodge!