Master’s Masonic Message (JUNE)
UNITY-(noun) condition of being ONE: the state or condition of being one, harmony of
opinion, interest or feeling, the combining or joining of separate things or entities to
become ONE.
Unity is a strong word, and if it were to happen at OUR lodge one time we could not
be able to hold everybody within the doors of the lodge. Brothers it is about time that
we come together as that one common mass and shine that light as bright as we can
and we are being offered opportunities to do so. Our first opportunity will be on May
24th at our pancake breakfast which is being sponsored by our lodge along with the
Lonesome Pine Lodge located in Neon, and the Jenkins Lodge. With these three
lodges combining on that one day it will be a great day for masonry and hopefully a
tradition that will long last in fighting the horrid disease of cancer. Then on June 6th , is
the Letcher County Relay for Life. Brothers we have had a strong showing in the past
three years and it can only be better at this one. With more people attending and
more lodges coming and shining their light in the community on one day at the same
time, if one looks too hard they may go blind leaving no questions on whether you are
a MASON or not. My brothers, I need all the help I can get on these two projects, I
appreciate the hard work and sacrifices you all have made thus far during this year,
and nothing could have been accomplished without your help.
If only for one day we could lay down our squabbles, our picks and quarrels I think
these would be two great examples of coming together for the greater good of man.
Need I remind you that THE CRADLE AND THE COFFIN STAND SIDE BY SIDE, and
not only to mention that sooner than later even THE SCEPTER OF THE PRINCE AND
THE STAFF OF THE BEGGAR WILL BE LAID SIDE BY SIDE. From the Potentate of
the Oleika Temple of the Shrine, to the Sovereign Grand Inspector's Double Eagle of
the 33 Degree Scottish Rite, to the Most Excellent Grand High Priest of the Chapter,
the Most Illustrious Grand Master of the Council, the Right Eminent Grand
Commander of the Commandery, the Grand Worthy Patron of the Order of the
Eastern Star, and the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Kentucky, down to the
newly initiated Entered Apprentice that has just been brought from darkness to light.
WE all share that ONE thing in common, for we are ALL MASONS!!! I can remember
being taught that there are no big people or little people in Masonry, that we all meet
on that common level. Such things as titles are merely that, TITLES,
OPPORTUNITIES, that are GIVEN to brothers to SERVE their craft to the best of
their ability. Each with new ideas, new goals, all trying to leave their mark on this
beautiful fraternity, to make it better for the future generations that will grace our
lodge halls, to ensure the meaningful lessons will still be there to be imposed to use in
our day to day actions.
With that said above I would like to announce that we are now selling bricks for the
Cornerstone Memorial Walkway which will be constructed from the Monument beside
the roadway to the door of the Masonic Lodge. Order forms will be available soon
and mailed out with the newsletter. For those interested the bricks will cost $25
dollars and will forever be a part of OUR Masonic history. The bricks will be available
for the usual "IN HONOR OF" or "IN MEMORY OF", as well as having your name,
lodge name, and dates that you were initiated passed and raised. And, for the Past
Masters, a brick can be constructed having your name, lodge name and the year you
were master. Again if interested please contact me or any officer of this lodge. I also
recall of another teaching that alone we are but one cornerstone, but UNITED, we
form ONE COMMON MASS. Please never forget this, and if you have, this should be
your reminder.
Brother's in closing, MAY has been a great month for me in masonry. With each day
and with each meeting my eye's have been opened a little more each time. Being able
to discuss lodge business and not be frustrated with decisions, actually seeing the
meaning of parts of our obligation unfold before my eyes, and finding that with the
coming days comes happiness, joy and a sense of pride to be a MASON. If you did
not attend the Order of the Eastern Star's chicken and dumpling dinner on the 18th,
brothers you missed out on a great meal and a chance to see and talk to many of our
widows of the lodge. I believe that I am beginning to finally understand my teachings
and I am sad that it has taken me till being the Master of the Lodge to see it.
Brother's sometimes you just have to focus outside the "box" of the lodge hall,
sometimes you just have to stand back and look at the whole picture to see the
beauty of Freemasonry.
Brother's we will have degree work scheduled for the first meeting in JUNE, and I
would like all that can attend to attend, also suspension notices will be sent out this
month and brother's please if you need help with your dues, just come and ask…
that's what we are here for. Continue shining your light outside the doors of the lodge,
reach for your Brother when he is down, inform the less informed, and be proud to be
a MASON! Also, a special thanks to Brother Donald Ison for conducting the funeral
rights on May 18th, the family said THANK YOU and to tell you that you did a
wonderful job…And I will never forget, "From the Craft I came, and to the Craft I'll
return". See you at the next meeting!!!