| Los Altos Lodge No. 712: | Last Updated on May 18, 2000 |
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Dear Brethren and Friends,
This month I am writing about Baseball, DeMolay, Rainbow, and Freemasonry in Japan. I just got back from a week in Japan, where I went with my sons Jason and Christian, to see two major league baseball games between the Chicago Cubs and the New York Mets. This was the first time ever that Official (not just Exhibition) games were played by American major league teams in Japan, although long ago, Babe Ruth and other baseball players "barnstormed" Japan and played exhibition games after the regular season was over in the United States.
The games were to be played on Wednesday March 29th, and Thursday, March 30th at the Tokyo Dome, an indoor domed stadium in Tokyo. In planning the trip, we thought it would be interesting to attend a DeMolay meeting in Japan, especially since Jason is right now the Master Councilor of Campbell Chapter DeMolay, and is participating in DeMolay Ritual competitions.
I found the Executive Officer of Japan DeMolay on the Internet, Bro. Yusuke Tauchi (or Tauchi-san, as they say in Japan) on the Internet and telephoned him, learning that there would be a meeting of Tokyo Chapter DeMolay on Saturday March 25th. Since Jason is currently Campbell Chapter's Master Councilor, he is well versed in the DeMolay ritual, and thought it would be interesting to hear it in Japanese. We arranged to arrive in Japan early, and found our way to the Tokyo Grand Lodge Building for the meeting.
We arrived an hour and a half early (we were using the 'JR' or Japan Railroad system, and we could not guess the time accurately to travel.) So we had the opportunity to meet and talk with the Grand Master of Masons of Japan, Kazuhiro Watanabe, as well as the Grand Secretary, Chester Ditto, PGM, the Grand Treasurer, Jim Johnson, PGM, and Yuya Hirose, the Grand Orator. At 3:00 p.m. the DeMolay meeting was scheduled to start, but the chapter is in a rebuilding mode ? it has only two members - and neither of them was present. However, Jason and Christian offered to open the chapter for them, using English, of course. The chapter 'Dad' Matt Mitchell and the Executive Officer were present and gladly accepted the offer. So with the help of the Executive Officer, who is a Senior DeMolay, filling in as Marshal, Senior and Junior Stewards, Yuya Hirose filling in as Junior Councilor, and myself, filling in as Junior Deacon, Sentinel, Standard Bearer, and Senior Councilor (briefly) we opened the chapter with Jason in the East, and Christian as Chaplain, Senior Deacon, and Senior Councilor. Since there was no business to transact, Jason offered to give the 'Magnificent Seven,' which is about a third of the Initiatory degree in DeMolay, and everybody enjoyed hearing him.
We learned that the DeMolay was having an outing to the Tokyo Disneyland the next day and we were invited. The one Rainbow Assembly in Japan also was invited. They have six members, but were unable to go because apparently the girls all belong to the same church and the trip conflicted with their church. The next day was a 'free' day for us (there being no baseball games) so we gladly accepted. We spent a great time at Disneyland with the Master Councilor of Tokyo Chapter, the Chapter 'Dad' and his wife, Miki, a Japanese national. (She was very h fluent in English).
The next night was an Exhibition game between the Yomishuri Giants and the Chicago Cubs, so my sons went to that, while I attended Tokyo Umi (?) Lodge No. 11, which is the only Japanese-speaking lodge in Japan. (All the rest speak English.) Fortunately, the lodge was having a second degree that evening. Because I have learned and given the second degree 'Staircase Lecture' in both French and English, I am very familiar with the degree, so I was able to follow it exactly, although it was entirely in Japanese. A wonderful experience.
Wednesday and Thursday we saw the baseball games at the Tokyo Dome. Let me just say that there were 53,000 baseball fans present, and about 500 of them were from the United States. Everybody there was extremely polite, helpful , and cordial. We had a remarkable and wonderful experience. (The Chicago Cubs won one of the games, so Christian was pretty happy.)
I'd like to write a lot more about the wonderful hospitality of every Mason I met. It was wonderful, and I look forward to visiting again in Japan. The fraternity in Japan has only 17 lodges in the entire country. They have a total of only 2,200 members, but about 1,500 of those do not live in Japan. They are members who joined a lodge in Japan while stationed there in the military service, and have kept up their membership. Out of the 700 Masons residing in Japan, about 200 are Japanese nationals the rest being servicemen, or retired servicemen. But, although very small by our standards, they are incredibly strong, wonderfully hospitable, and living Freemasonry. A wonderful group of dedicated men, and I highly recommend that if you are visiting Japan, be sure to allow some time for Freemasonry.
I want to take this opportunity to send a heardy "Thank You" to our hosts for the Model Seder on April 17th to, Irwin Fershleiser, P.M. Charity Jarman Lodge No. 362 Ed Greenberg, P.M. Charity Jarman Lodge No. 362 and his lovely wife and a big thank you to our chef extra-ordinairre: Harriet Gluck, Past Matron, Miramonte Chapter No. 141, Order of the Eastern Star and all her helpers.
Fraternally,
Robert W. Martin, PM
Master
The Sun Is In The West
It seems that the articles I write take a securitus route to the Trestle Board. Lost in coat pockets or the never-never land of e-mail. This one I will place in the hand of our Editor personally.
As we near the 50th Anniversary of our Lodge I would like to make the following comments.. At the March Stated Meeting Worshipful Martin appointed me chair of the committee for the 50th celebration. Worshipfuls Sterling Bailey and Richard Rosenberg volunteered to serve on this committee. I look to all the long time members and Past Masters for help and ideas for the festivities. I have some ideas for next year but I am open to any and all of YOUR ideas. I thought we might have a baseball type jacket with the Lodge logo and 50th Anniversary on the back. A suggestion from a member was a Blazer type, for which a pocket crest could be made. Another was a firing glass etched with the Lodge's logo and dates. Maybe a glass similar to the ones made for the 25th (which later would become antiques).
The Grand Master has Saturday the 17th of March on his calendar for our celebration. The day is open for ideas. The Grand Master does not want to open Grand Lodge but rather have a party type day. Maybe start with something at the Lodge in the afternoon with a dinner dance in the evening. Please give your input to a member of the committee.
The installation of Los Altos Lodge for 2001 will be the first Saturday in January. January 6, 2001 is the day Los Altos Lodge 712 will start the new millennium and the way to our 100th. I would like to have an installation similar to the one we had in the early 90's. Installation in the afternoon with a reception at the Lodge and later a no host dinner dance. Give me some input on this so I can make reservations on suitable accommodations.
The Los Altos Temple Association is planning improvements that will be completed by the end of the year. New lighting in the Lodge room along with paint and up grade in the furnishings.
Exciting things are happening at Los Altos 712 for next year and I could use all of your help to make them work. I am open for everything from ideas to programs for the ladies at the stated meetings. Please bring me your suggestions for special trips, outings and activities to make 2001 a year to be remembered. If you have any good to great idea maybe you could chair it. I could use the help and will be most appreciative.
Bill Malmstrom, P.M.
Senior Warden
Los Altos Lodge Has Its First Sader
On Monday April 17th Los Altos Lodge held its first Model Seder, hosted by Irwin Fershleiser, P.M. , and Ed Greenberg, P.M., both from Charity Jarman Lodge No.362 along with Ed's lovely wife Roseann.
A Seder is a meal held during Passover by Jewish families, and involves a lot of tradition, ritual, and symbolism and is believed to be what Christ was celebrating with his Disciples as the Last Supper. It involves a lot of special foods, songs, prayers, and tradition, and is filled with deep spiritual meaning as well as fun.
To be a real Seder, it must be held during Passover, which had not yet begun. Hence the term "Model" Seder is used. The meal was prepared by Miramonte Chapter No. 141 OES under the direction of Harriet Gluck, Past Matron. Boys from Campbell Chapter, Order of DeMolay did the clean-up, under the direction of Bro. Randy Downey, also a member of Charity Jarman Lodge No. 362. We were especially fortunate to have Harriet prepare this meal, attended by over 50 people, because she is of the Jewish faith and has had lots of experience in preparing Seders, including the preparation of the cake, which has no leavening in it, and is prepared with beaten egg whites, and (she says) - a prayer.
In addition to member of Los Altos Lodge No 712, Charity Jarman Lodge No. 362, Miramonte Chapter OES, Valley Star OES, and Campbell Chapter Order of DeMolay, there were also several members from Daylight Lodge, and a Lodge in England. A wonderful time and a great meal was had by all, and we hope that we can get Brothers Ed and Irwin to come back and present another Model Seder for us next year!
Brother John Runcie, PM - 50 Year Presentation
Brethren, one of own, W. John Runcie is receiving his 50 year pin as a Scottish Rite Mason. The event will be on April 11th at the Scottish Rite Temple in San Jose. We can bring joy to ourselves and to Brother John by participating in this once in a lifetime event. Make your reservation for dinner by calling [snip].
A group of brothers from Los Altos No.712 will be visiting the Campbell chapter of the DeMolays. The visit is scheduled for May 18th at 7:30 pm at the San Jose Masonic Temple. As many of you know own brother Jason Martin is serving as Master Councilor. All Master Masons and/or Senior DeMolays are invited to attend. Light refreshment will be served afterwards.
Member Initiated into the Royal Order of Scotland
Congratulations to Patrick Bailey, our Jr. Past Master, in being recently initiated into the Royal Order of Scotland! The ROS held its recent meeting on March 4 in Buena Park, CA, and initiated a class of 87 select individuals from across the US. The requirements for the ROS are very selective, and we are happy and proud that another one of our Lodge members has been initiated into this prestigious order. Congratulations Pat!
Los Altos Lodge Receives the Grand Master's Achievement Award for 1999
We have received official notification that our Lodge has received the prestigious Grand Master's Achievement Award for 1999. Thanks to all of our Lodge members, and to Patrick Bailey our Jr. Past Master, for planning for this award and for submitting all of the paperwork! Congratulations to all!
Brother Roland Voss, PM - Hiram Award Recipient
Brethren it has come to my attention that another of our brothers is about to receive the Hiram Award. Brother Roland Voss P.M., one of our own and a member of Calaveras Lodge No. 78 in San Andreas will receive that distinguished honor on May 6. Brother Voss personally asked me to extend an invitation to all the brothers and their wives, it will be Saturday at 2 PM. There is a dinner included for all attending at Fraternal Hall - Highway 49 & Main Street. Those wishing to send congratulations can reach brother Voss at: [his address].
(Ed.)
(The following is taken (with some editing) from the publication "Masonic Information for Stated Meetings"; Published by the Institute for Masonic Studies)
Masonry is nonsectarian. Before its alter Christian, Jew, Moslem, Buddhist, Confucian may kneel together. As an awareness or conviction of the existence of a supreme being Masonry is a "religion" - that in which all men agree.
But if it is thought of as a "religion" it is distinct from other religions, since it is in harmony with all monotheistic ones. If it were to espouse one faith it would be excluding those of others and thus become a sect, dividing men instead of uniting them.
Masonry's creed is not sufficiently consistent to be regarded as religion. In many countries it adheres to the Old Testament. In Scandinavia it is officially Christian; in Islamic countries it is Mohammedan; and in France it is neutral.
Masonry has three articles of faith: belief in the existence of a Supreme Being who is not only the Great Architect of the Universe but Creator of all men, omnipresent, omniscient, omnipotent; recognition of the brotherhood of man, a natural corollary of the first because if the G.A.O.T.U. is the creator of all men, then the human race is one family; and belief in the immortality of the soul. This is the "religion" of Masonry.
The first and most inflexible requirement of Masonry is that, before entering the order, a candidate must acknowledge his belief in a Supreme Being. Masonry has steadfastly held that freedom of thought and religious worship is the right of every individual. It encourages the individual to worship his God, but it never tells him how to do so.
"Time was when one man framed a dogma and declared it to be the eternal truth" wrote Joseph Fort Newton. He also wrote "another man did the same, with a different dogma; then the two began to hate each other with an unholy hatred, each seeking to impose his dogma upon the other - and that is an epitome of some of the blackest pages of history. Against those old sectarians who substituted intolerance for charity, persecution for friendship, and did not love God because they hated their neighbors, Masonry made eloquent protest, putting their bigotry to shame by its simple insight and the dignity of its golden voice. A vast change of heart is taking place in the religious world and the various sects, so long estranged, are leaning to unite upon the things worthwhile and the various sects, so long estranged, are learning to unite upon the things worthwhile and the least open to debate. That is to say, they are moving toward the Masonic position, and when they arrive Masonry will witness a scene which she has prophesied for ages - High above all dogmas that divide, all bigotries that blind, all bitterness that beclouds, will be written the simple words of the one eternal religion - the Fatherhood of God, the brotherhood of man, the moral law, the golden rule, and the hope of life everlasting."
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