| Los Altos Lodge No. 712: | Last Updated on July 18, 2002 |
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It seems like I just wrote my article for March and here I go again. The lodge is busy with activities and the conferring of degrees. The very end of February saw a very successful Crab Feed/Sweethearts' dinner.
The attendance was wonderful and as always Worshipful Bill Malmstrom did a great job with the crab. Thank you Bill!
Our March stated meeting was the annual Official Visit of our Inspector. March also saw the Lodge used as a polling place for elections. To the polling place workers, job well done.
On TUESDAY April 30, we will be participating in a joint Public Schools Program (with Palo Alto-Roller and Mountain View- DeAnza) at Palo Alto Lodge. At 7:30pm Bob French, Palo Alto Schools Historian, will give a brief talk on Palo Alto Public Schools development and how Freemasons were involved.
Following the talk each of the participating lodges will be making a presentation to a representative from their respective school districts. There is a dinner at 6:30pm, cost $10. Make your reservations for this event only with Palo Alto lodge by Friday April 26 to (650) 322-0338.
In March (if you receive this in time), April and May we will be conferring several degrees.
By the time you read this Brother Batson, EA will be passed to the degree of Fellowcraft. Way to go Joe! It is important that as many of you attend the degrees as possible. This is the first impression our candidates have of us. Let's show them we care.
Ladies program: For April we have a special ladies program. The Eastern Star Chapter has requested a month to attend (NOT cook, serve and cleanup) the dinner. After dinner some of the members of our own Valley Star Chapter OES will give a presentation on Eastern Star and Answer your questions. I hope to see you all in April.
Fraternally,
Robert Lake
Master
At our March Stated Meeting we balloted on our second petition of the year and will be conferring another first degree on Monday, March 25th, 7:30 p.m., at Los Altos Lodge. Please attend and help your Brethren form the lines for our newest candidate. Our officers and Lodge formally received Worshipful Dan R. McDaniel, Inspector of the 170th Masonic District, on his official visit to the Lodge. We still have our Charter so we must have performed 'the work' to his satisfaction. Congratulations are in order to Brother Batson for being passed to the degree of Fellowcraft on March 11th.
My wife, Jill, recently shared this story with me and I'd like to share it with you:
A water bearer in India had two large pots, each hung on the ends of a pole which he carried across his neck. One of the pots had a crack in it, while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water. At the end of the long walk from the stream to the house, the cracked pot arrived only half full. For a full two years this went on daily, with the bearer delivering only one and a half pots full of water to his house.
Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments, perfect for which it was made. But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection, and miserable that it was able to accomplish only half of what it had been made to do. After 2 yrs of what it perceived to be a bitter failure, it spoke to the water bearer one day by the stream. "I am ashamed of myself, and I want to apologize to you. I have been able to deliver only half my load because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your house. Because of my flaws, you have to do all of this work, and you don't get full value from your efforts," the pot said.
The bearer said to the pot, "Did you notice that there were flowers only on your side of the path, but not on the other pot's side? That's because I have always known about your flaw, and I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back , you've watered them. For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate the table. Without you being just the way you are, there would not be this beauty to grace the house."
Please remember to appreciate all the different people in your life!
Fraternally,
Richard G. Weyers
Senior Warden
[awaiting text]
Good evening, Brethren:
It is again my pleasure to stand before you tonight on this the occasion of my official visit to your lodge, and I bring you greetings from our grand master, the most worshipful C. Ray Whitaker. Our Grand Master's theme for the year is "communication: key to education". Communication, as in between you and non-masons, and education, as in the education of non-masons about masonry.
Who are the non-masons we are talking about here? Well, they are your family, your friends, your business associates, your fellow church members, and, possibly, civic leaders with whom you are acquainted. Let's start with your family. There are sons, nephews, brothers, fathers, and in-laws who know that you are a mason, but do they know about masonry? Hopefully, yes. Perhaps not, however, with the others that I just mentioned. That brings us to the education part of the Grand Master's theme. It's our job to tell them about masonry, and I'm going to try to help you in doing that.
Masonry has distinguished itself from other fraternal and service organizations by an important tradition: no man may be solicited or invited to become a mason. An applicant must seek membership of his own free will and accord. This tradition has been widely misinterpreted by well-meaning masons. It has been carried to extremes when a member refrains from discussing the fraternity with an interested prospective member. This attitude is far more prevalent than we like to admit, and has undoubtedly deterred many good men from joining our fraternity.
There is a distinct difference between solicitation and information. Solicitation is the active and persistent attempt to influence somebody to do something. This approach to a prospective member is certainly unacceptable to the Masonic Fraternity. But a man of character will not join an organization of which he has little or no knowledge. Offering information is not solicitation.
What sort of information may you provide? You may provide information on the purposes and principles of Freemasonry. You may answer questions about the organization of the fraternity, membership requirements, financial obligations, expectations of members, personal development, charities, community service, family activities, and many other subjects which would help a prospective member decide if he wishes to apply for membership.
Lodges may sponsor programs to explain what masonry is and invite non-masons to the program. Masonic information nights are useful in this regard, with a well-qualified guest speaker in attendance. There are several grand lodge committees that are helpful in planning programs, such as the Masonic Education Committee, the Masonic History Committee, the U.S. Constitution Observance Committee, and others.
You may even ask a man whom you believe to be a worthy prospective mason if he as ever considered becoming a mason, and would he like some further information that might help him make an informed decision. After providing the information, the prospect should be left to make his own decision without persuasion. If he makes no decision within a reasonable time, you may make a single follow-up contact to see if additional information is needed. Brethren, much of what I have said here tonight may be found in the Appendix of the California Masonic Code, if you wish further reference.
So, you see that there is much you can do to educate non-masons about masonry. You don't just keep your mouth shut and hope they get it by osmosis, because they won't. Brethren, we belong to the best fraternity in the world. Let's make it grow by making it known!
Thank you.
Dan R. McDaniel, PM
Inspector, 170th Masonic District
Our deepest condolences are extended to Worshipful Brother Clifton Dion, PM, on the loss of his beloved wife Sylvia, who passed to rest on January 23, 2002.
[Editor's Note: The following is reprinted from the pages of, "One Hundred Years of Freemasonry in California."]
It was Worshipful Master Saschel Woods of Western Star Lodge who took the first step toward organizing a just and legally constituted Grand Lodge of California On April 5, he inserted a notice in the Placer Times, of Sacramento, announcing the intentions of the brethren in that part of the state: "Sacramento, April 5, 1850" "After a meeting of the Worshipful Masters of the following Ancient York Masons, held at the Masonic Hall in Sacramento City, on April 5, A. D., 1850, Viz.: Brother John A. Tutt, Connecticut Lodge No. 75; Sascllel Woods, Western Star Lodge No. 98; Wm. N. Doughty, New Jersey Lodge U.D.; B.D. Hyam, Benicia Lodge U.D.; on motion it was
"Resolved, That it is deemed expedient to form a Grand Lodge in this State, and that a convention be held for that purpose on April 17, 1850, at the city of Sacramento. Also that all regular Lodges of Ancient York Masons of the State of California and all present and Past Grand officers be invited to attend said convention.
"Resolved, That the above proceedings be published in the different newspapers of San Francisco and Sacramento City.
"It was further Resolved, That Brother William M. Doughty be empowered to forward a copy of the above resolutions to every and all legally constituted Lodges throughout the State who are not here represented to meet with us in said convention. "Saschel Woods, Chairman"
The convention called by Woods met in the Sacramento Masonic Hall which was anything but pretentious for so momentous an occasion as organizing a Grand Lodge. It was located in the attic of a three-story structure called the "Red House," on the southeast corner of J and Fifth streets. Also, it was hardly all that could be desired in another respect. Before long the second floor, supposedly a lodging house, was discovered to be occupied by persons whom Sherman delicately described as ineligible to join the Masonic Fraternity because of their sex and morals. In negotiating the stairs to and from Lodge the brethren who kept their eyes open had ample opportunity to meditate on the evils of what Lecky called the world's oldest profession. But the building had to serve the local Craft till a better place could be found, which was not long.
With Charles Gilman, Past Grand Master of New Hampshire and Maryland in the chair, the convention got under way at ten o'clock on the morning of April 17.
Once upon a time there was a rich King who had four wives. He loved the 4th wife the most and adorned her with rich robes and treated her to the finest of delicacies. He gave her nothing but the best.
He also loved the 3rd wife very much and was always showing her off to neighboring kingdoms. However, he feared that one day she would leave him for another.
He also loved his 2nd wife. She was his confidant and was always kind, considerate and patient with him. Whenever the King faced a problem, he could confide in her, and she would help him get through the difficult times.
The King's 1st wife was a very loyal partner and had made great contributions in maintaining his wealth and kingdom. However, he did not love the first wife. Although she loved him deeply, he hardly took notice of her!
One day, the King fell ill and he knew his time was short. He thought of his luxurious life and wondered, "I now have four wives with me, but when I die, I'll be all alone."
Thus, he asked the 4th wife, "I have loved you the most, endowed you with the finest clothing and showered great care over you. Now that I'm dying, will you follow me and keep me company?" "No way!", replied the 4th wife, and she walked away without another word. Her answer cut like a sharp knife right into his heart.
The sad King then asked the 3rd wife, "I have loved you all my life. Now that I'm dying, will you follow me and keep me company?" "No!", replied the 3rd wife. "Life is too good! When you die, I'm going to remarry!" His heart sank and turned cold.
He then asked the 2nd wife, "I have always turned to you for help and you've always been there for me. When I die, will you follow me and keep me company?"
"I'm sorry, I can't help you out this time!", replied the 2nd wife. "At the very most, I can only send you to your grave." Her answer came like a bolt of lightning, and the King was devastated.
Then a voice called out: "I'll leave with you and follow you no matter where you go." The King looked up, and there was his first wife. She was so skinny as she suffered from malnutrition and neglect. Greatly grieved, the King said, "I should have taken much better care of you when I had the chance!"
In truth, we all have 4 wives in our lives: Our 4th wife is our body. No matter how much time and effort we lavish in making it look good, it will leave us when we die. Our 3rd wife is our possessions, status and wealth. When we die, it will all go to others. Our 2nd wife is our family and friends. No matter how much they have been there for us, the furthest they can stay by us is up to the grave. And our 1st wife is our Soul. Often neglected in pursuit of wealth, power and pleasures of the world. However, our Soul is the only thing that will follow us wherever we go. So cultivate, strengthen and cherish it now, for it is the only part of us who will follow us to the throne of God and continue with us throughout Eternity.
(Submitted by Brother Doug DeForeest)
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