AN OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE GRAND LODGE, FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS, OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Volume DL
Number 2
Summer l9E
Saturday, August 29 The Grand Master's Committee on Lodge Development and Membership is organizing a Fellowship Night for Prospective Masons. The activities will begin at 6:00 P.M. on Saturday evening, August 29,1992 at Almas Temple, 1315 K Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. Plan now to attend this extravaganza with your prospect. Enjoy an appetizing buffet, fellowship, and entertainment with a prospective Mason. Admission for all Masons is $20.00. If you bring a prospect, however, theadmission fee is waived. Admission for prospective members is free. This event will provide us with an excellent opportunity to introduce our
non-Masonic friends to Freemasonry. Ample parking is available in the garage off 13th Street at a cost of $2.50. In conjunction with Fellowship Night, the Committee is also putting together plans for the Grand Master's Class. The Grand Master's Class is a membership class being organized to confer the three degrees of Masonry in a single weekend on duly elected candidates. Members of the class will also be given the opportunity to receive the Scottish Rite and Shrine degrees on Friday and Saturday evening of the following week. Thus, in a matter of just two weekends, qualified men will be able to become aster Masons, Scottish Rite
Masons and Shriners! And they may do s o at bargain rates in accordancewith an agreement made by the Grand Lodge, the Scottish Rite Bodies of D.C., and Almas Temple, k k 0 . N . M . S . T o make your reservations please complete the registration card on the inside back cover of this issue of the Voice of Freemasonry and return it to the Office of the Grand Secretary not later than Friday,August21 in order that planning for the evening may be completed.
en Fellowship Night .................................................. August 29, 1992 Entered Apprentice Degree .......................... November 13, 1992 Fellowcraft Degree ........................................ November 14, 1992 Master Mason Degree .................................. November 14, 1992 Table Lodge .................................................... November 14, 1992 Scottish Rite Degrees ............................November 20 & 21, 1992 Shrine Degrees ................................................ November 21, 1992
The Curse of Jacques de Molay Jacques de Molay, last Grand Master of the Knights Templar, was burned at the stake in Paris in 1314. Legend says that as the flames grew higher, he shouted out a curse on King Philip IV and Pope Clement V, calling for them to meet him before the throne of God to answer for their crimes against the Crusading order of the Knights of the Temple. They both joined him in death within the This event marked the end of two hundred years of Crusades, in which the search for the ecstasy of the True Cross was constantly thwarted by the unbridled brutality, greed and venality of the Middle Ages. Learn more about the Knights of the Temple and the Crusades by purchasing your copy of I)ungeon,FireandSword -TheKnightsTemplar in the Crusades" by John J. Robinson. This latest book by the celebrated Masonic author is available in limited quantity through the Grand Lodge Office for $20.00, a discount of $4.95 off the cover price.
=% New Lodge with an Ancient Name For the second time in as many years, our Grand Lodge is instituting a new full-function constituent Lodge with an international membership, thus confirming (as if any confirmation were needed) the status of our Nation's Capital as a de facto world capital, certainly in Masonry. Sojourner Kilwinning Lodge, U.D., which began work early this year under dispensation from Grand Master Samet, will become Sojourner Kilwinning Lodge No. 1798 late in July, with the ceremonies of constitution set for July 25th. The charter officers of this lodge, made up of "international brother Masonsn whose primary or mother lodge memberships are under the Scottish, English or Irish Constitutions are: Bro. and Dr. Edward 0. Pratt, Worshipful Master; Bro. and Dr. Ralph Romain, Senior Warden; Bro. Merriman F.C. Parkinson, Junior Warden; and Bro. George S. Nicol, Secretary. The Lodge meets at Takoma Lodge Hall at 4:00 P.M. on the fourth Saturday of each month. It will open, close and confer degrees normally under D.C. Ritual, but once each quarter
(dates to be publicized in advance) it may under its dispensation and charter hold a communication "in full conformance with the Masonic teachings promulgated under the Scottish Constitutions." Thus the new lodge joins its international sister lodge, Mehr No. 90,constituted early in 1991 and made up of Iranian brethren in exile, in workingpartly in our ritual and partly in that of another jurisdiction. The name "Kilwinning", as part of the new Lodge's designation, is characteristic of many Lodges having their origins among Scottish Masons or those made Masons in Scottish-chartered Lodges. Along with Mother Kilwinning, Canongate Kilwinning, Greenock Kilwinning, Cumberland Kilwinning, and countless others of ancient and later date, our newest Masonic Lodge bears the proud name of a small town inscotland that, at least in legend and tradition, if not in verifiable fact, is associated with Robert the Bruce and others important in Scottish Masonic and profane history. It thus honors a proud heritage and is expected to add luster to D.C. Masonic life and history.
A STATEMENT OF PURPOSE This publication is designed to be an organ of information, instruction, and inspiration for all who hold allegiance to this Grand Jurisdiction. Please be aware that any mistakes in this publication are there fora purpose; wepublish something for everyone and some people are always looking for errors. Comments and contributions should be directed to the attention of the editor, care of the Grand Secretary.
Voice of Freemasonry Grand Lodge Office 5428 MacArthur Blvd., N.W. Washington, D.C. 20016 (202) 686-1811 Editor Hugh Y. Bernard, Jr. Editorial Board Stewart W. Miner - Publisher C. Brian Schwartz Dan L Frederick Harold Grainger Lloyd C. Huff Brooks C. Dodson Howard J. Sweet
Grand Lodge Officers Ekcted Jerold J. Samet ..........................Grand Master George R. Adams ........Deputy Grand Master William T. Jenkins ......Senior Grand Warden J. Philip Smith ..............Junior Grand Warden Stewart W. Miner, P.G.M. ....Grand Secretary Robert F. Sutphin, P.G.M. .. Grand Treasurer Stafford Appel ........................ Grand Lecturer William E. Chaney ...... Senior Grand Deacon Vacant ............................ Junior Grand Deacon Robert F. Drechsler ....Senior Grand Steward Eldon J. Brown ............ Junior Grand Steward
Lloyd C. Huff ............................ Grand Marshal Eugene N. Richardson .......... Grand Chaplain Thomas E. Weir ...... Deputy Grand Chaplain Dennis D. Kirk ................ Grand Sword Bearer Grant R. Berning .............. Grand Pursuivant Mansour Hatefi ..................................h i s t a n t Grand Chaplain Walter F. Simon ....................h i s t a n t Grand Chaplain Grand Historian Carl R. LeVine ...................... Gerhard Meinzer ............................ Grand Tiler George R. Kidwell .... Deputy Grand Lecturer Harold A Blood ...... Grand Lodge Physician C. Douglas Hillmuth Grand Standard Bearer Dan L Frederick .. Aide to the Grand Master David E. Baer ...... Aide to the Grand Master Harold Grainger .. Aide to the Grand Master David A Freed ............ h i s t a n t Grand Tiler Richard A. Fielder .............. G.L. School Tiler
Led by Grand Master Samet, Grand Lodge Officers, and a host of brethren from manyjurisdictions, our Grand M g e is expected to play a leading role in celebrating the bicentennial of the laying of the White House Cornerstone on Tuesday, October 13,1992. Attendance should be large and the Masonic role in the ceremonies impressive. Particular honors will be accorded to Washington's Potomac Lodge No. 5, which under its earlier designation actually conducted the stone laying ( or "leveling") ceremonies in the presence of President George Washington and the White House architect, WB James Hoban, who later was to be the first Master of Federal Lodge No. 1 in D.C. At that time there was no
DeMolay had its origin in the District of Columbia in a resolution proposed and passed on May 17, 1921 by the Mithras Lodge of Perfection, the business arm of the four local coordinate Scottish Rite bodies, which agreed to sponsor and appropriate the necessary seed money ($200.00) to establish the first DeMolay Chapter east of the Mississippi. Mithras Lodge still sponsors this chapter, which took the name of Robert Le Bruce and has always met where the local Scottish Rite Bodies have met (the old Scottish Rite Cathedral at Third and E Streets, N.W., from 1921 to 1940, and the present Temple at 2800 16th Street, N.W., 1940 to date). So far as is known there is now only one suniving member of the charter group of teen-age boys who were made members of DeMolay at the first full ceremonial meeting of Robert LeBruce Chapter on October 14,1921. Heis BrotherRichard George Whiting, still active and vigorous, and an occasional attendant at his
Grand Lodge in D.C., and often regular craft Lodges laid cornerstones. At that time, Potomac Lodge was known as Lodge No. 9 of Maryland, and its Master was Brother Peter Casanave. But for a strangers diligence and reportorial qualities, we would have absolutely no record of this event. Potomac Lodge's earliest minutes are for 1795. Washington, D.C. was little more than open country in 1792, and evidently the tiny local papers in Georgetown and Alexandria did not deign to cover the historic event. But a "gentleman in Philadelphia" who witnessed the event wrote a letter to a friend in Charleston, South Carolina about it. This friend, probably aware that architect James Hoban had
once lived there, gave the account to the local paper, the Charleston City Gazette, which published the only extant account of the ceremony in November 1792. (Incidently, the "first stone" of the "President's House" was laid in the southwest corner of the house.) As with many earlier cornerstones, no vestige of it has been located. Fruitless searches for it were made when the underpinnings of the original house were dug up while M.W.B. Harry S. Truman was President. Particulars of the ceremonies of reenactment, including the Masonic procession will appear in the September issue of the Voice of Freemasonry.
Brother Richard G. Whiting, holding his patent of membership, with Grand Secretary Stewart W. Miner (left); Grand Master Jerold J. Samet and Voice of Freemasonry Editor Hugh Y. Bernard.
Mother Lodge, now known as Wm. R. Singleton-Hope-Lebanon Lodge No. 7. Future Grand Master of D.C., Carl H. Claudy, who proposed the resolution to sponsor the pioneer D.C. DeMolay Chapter, in writing of that memorable meeting, said that any Master Mason who was present could not fail to be con-
vinced that in DeMolay, "a new power has been born into the fraternal world." A team of twenty-eight men and boys from the Mother Chapter in Kansas City, Missouri arrived to confer the two DeMolay degrees on the charter D.C.
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Bernard E. Shultz, Buddy Saunders, G M Samet, Grand Secretary of Scotland Arthur 0. Hazel, William A. Willis, Jr., and Stafford Appel
Robert V. Pinkston, Senior Grand Warden of the Grand Lodge of South Carolina, has been in the forefront of a now culminated effort to place a marker at the grave of Past Grand Master Aubrey R. Marrs, who served this Grand Lodge as Grand Master in 1944. MWB Marrs was a leader of distinction and accomplishment; he brought to the position of Grand Master native ability of exceptional quality, enhanced by splendid educational advantages, and a background of recognition as an honor man in his student days and a master workman throughout the stages of his Masonic advancement. The term of MWB Marrs was notable for the increased activity manifested in the fraternity in this jurisdiction. Under his direction the Brethren supported a program that was responsible for the sale of almost $6 million worth of war bonds and stamps, the raising of more than 1000 new Masons, and a net increase in membership for the year of 671! Brother Marrs also issued the dispensation whereby Emergent Lodge No. 0, Free and Accepted Masons (our Grand Lodge School Lodge) was created. MWB Marrs advanced a program of progressive change, for part of which the fraternity was not at that time ready. In his report to the Grand Lodge on December 20, 1944, for example, he made an impassioned plea to modify the fraternity's positions relative to the receipt of petitions frommaimed candidatesand to permit the reduction of the ritual to written form. The Craft turned him down. H e planted ideas, however, and years later, long after he had left the jurisdiction, Grand Lodge acted favorably on both of these issues. The Masons of the District of Columbia are indebted to the GrandLodge, A.F.M., ofSouth Carolina and especially to RWB Robert V. Pinkston, Senior Grand Warden, for their work on behalf of our very worthy Past Grand Master, Aubrey R. Marrs, whose remains are buried in the cemetery of the St. Helena Episcopal Church in Beaufort, South Carolina.
R W L o r d Burnham (r), Provincial Grand Master of England and Grand Representative to Grand Lodge of D.C. in England and Lady Burnham (I-c) with G M Samet and his mother Margaret.
The home of Lord and Lady Burnham was built in 1630 on 1600 acres. It has nine bedrooms and is located about 25 miles northwest of London.
O u r Senior Grand Warden, William T. Jenkins shows us oneof the many "high" points of the trip. Actually, this pub has the highest elevation of any in Ireland.
Led by Grand Master Jerold J. Samet, an impressive delegation of Masons from this jurisdiction went to London in June to celebrate the 275th anniversary of the founding of the first Grand Lodge on St. John the Baptist's Day, June 24,1717. On that date, four old or "time immemorialnLodges in the London area sent representatives to a meeting at a tavern in St. Paul's Church Yard, confirming an earlier decision in February 1717 at the Apple Tree Tavern to revive a series of quarterly meetings. At the June meeting the Grand Lodge was formally constituted and organized,withAnthony Sayer, Gent., as Grand Master. There has been unbroken Grand Lodge activity ever since, with royalty and nobility often filling the Grand East. The path was not always smooth, and from 1753to 1813, the original Grand Lodge (though the older, dubbed historically the "Modernsn)had to contend with a rival Grand body (the self-styled "Antients" or "Atholl Masonsn). This would be of dry academic interest only, had it not been for the profoundly disruptive influence this rivalry was to have on Masonry in the Thirteen American Colonies and the early Federal period. By 1813, an Act ofunion brought the two rival bodies in England together into one United Grand Lodge of England. Harmony at Grand Lodge level has prevailed since. In 1957, the Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia observed the 240th anniversary of the Grand Lodge with special services at the Washington Cathedral. The 1992observance was attended by Masonicleaders and luminaries from all the Craft wheresoever dispersed.
G.M.Samet stands beside a statue of R o b e n Le Bruce in front of Stirling Castle in Edinburgh, Swtland.
Stafford Appel, Grand Lecturer (c) with Margaret Samet (I) and hiswife Yetta (r) visit Stonehenge while in England
Guard at Edinburgh Castle in Swtland This is Fordell Castle in Swtland. It is the home of Sir Nicholas and Lady Fairborn who hosted lunch for our group.
9
asonic Employment Clearing
aduates Awarded asonic Foundation Scholarships
Ifyon arelookingfor a job, write your free "advertisementn in approximately CiO words or less and mail to Grand Secretary Stewart W. Miner, Grand Lodge of D.C., 5428 MacArthur Blvd., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20016. All information is kept confidential. Ifyouwish tomntact one of the applicants, write to Grand Secretary Miner at the above address or call him at (202) 6861811. He will advise you how to get in touch with the specific persons you desire. ARCHITECI'
The 1992 Masonic Foundation Scholarship winners at the awards banquet hosted by the Grand Lodge.
This year the Masonic Foundation awarded 16scholarships of $500 each to 1992 graduates of D.C. Public High Schools. The winners were selected from a group of 100 applicants, whose credentials were carefully evaluated by the Grand Lodge Scholarship Committee, chaired by Senior Grand Deacon William E. Chaney, Jr. The scholarship winners and their parents and guardians were honored at an awards banquet, hosted by the Grand Lodge,at the Sphinx Club of Almas Temple on June4,1992. At this dinner each winner was presented a certificateby the Grand Master and a Cross pen by the Masonic Foundation. In the group of 16 winners there were three class valedictorians and one salutatorian! Scholarship recipients for 1992and the High Schools from which they graduated are as follows: Arthur R. Mickle ....................................................Ballou High Celeste M. Jackson ............................................. Banneker High Chesiree k Brooks ........................................... Banneker High Nicolas B. Grujic ............................................. Banneker High Lori E. President ................................................ Coolidge High LaShaun R. Franklin ............................................ Dunbar High Ching Wan N. Yim ............................................... Dunbar High Francesca E. Yaasi ................................................ Dunbar High Tammy Y. Bowman ........................................ Dunbar High E. Bond .................................................................. Ellington High Donta M. Baylor ...................................................... Phelps High Olive A. Cox ...................................................... Roosevelt High Rachel B. Reinhard ...............................................Wilson High Oluchi V. Njoku .....................................................Wilson High Victoria E. Garner ............................................. Woodson High Mondez J. Holloman ........................................ Woodson High In addition, Vincent M. Mahoney Memorial Scholarships in the amount of $500 wereawarded to two 1991graduates who have now completed their first year of college. The recipients of these awards were William E. Hendrick, a student at Howard T Tn&mrr;t.r
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D n - ~ t hrl r t ~ ~ d p n ~ t Pol Tprh
Seeks position to utilize 10years of U.S. architectural experience. Graduate of Universityof Liverpool (Bachelor of Architecture) and University ofRangoon (B.S. in CivilEngineering). Fellow of Institute ofArchitects,Pakistan; Member Royal Institute of British Architects. Registered Architect in Burma and Pakistan; registration pending in D.C. References furnished on request. (Respond to J-9U)l)
FINANCIAL MANAGER Seeks position to utilize 22 years of experience in the development and administrationof financial services for a Fortune 5 0 internationalcorporation undergoing significant technological, industrial, and market changes. Has working knowledge of Lotus 1-2-3, TSO, ISPF, IDMS, DB2, and Honeywell systems. Fluent in French and Arabic; working knowledge of Spanish. Graduate of College De La Salle, Cairo, Egypt (B.A. in Accountinflinance). (Respond to J-9202)
MATHEMATICLAN/
COMPUTER SClENTIST Seeks position utilizing 20 years of experience in applied science, engineering, and computer programs. Strong background in FORTRAN, COBOL, EXCEL, DBase 111,REXXand in UNIVACExec I1 and VIII, PDP, VAX, UNIX, IBM, and VM/SP. Graduate of University of Maryland (B.S. in Mathematics and Physics) and American University (M.S. in Operations Research and Management Information Systems). (Respond to J-9203)
PERSONNEL /RECRUITMENT MANAGEMENT SPECIALIST Seeks position to utilize 10 years experience in staff recruiting and placement, focusingon banking, financialsenices, and data processing fields. Hasextensive experience in client development, marketing, and personnel retention. Holds B.A. degree in political science from American University (1975). (Respond to J-m)
AUTOMOTIVE MANAGEMENT Seeks position utilizing over 30 years of experience in the Automotive Service Management area. Hasextensive experience in Customer Relations, Personnel Retention and overall operation of all aspects related to the operation of a successful service and retail establishment. Education College Business Management. (Respond to J-9205)
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SYSTEMS ANALYST / MANAGEMENT CONSULTANT Seeks position to utilize recently conferred MBA. Interested in management consulting and information systems development and analysis. Four years experience innon-profit res.earch/advancemen t. Extensive microcomputer experience and programming course work (FORTRAN, BASIC, PASCAL). Graduate of William and Mary (BBA in Management) and American University (MBA in Information Systems). (Respond to J-9206)
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Whiting continued from page 3
members. Included in the illustrious roster of attendees were the founder of the order, Dad Frank S. Land, the Grand Master of Iowa, Grand Master Councillor Alexander Cochran, and a future Missouri Grand Master, Ray V. Denslow, Masonic author. If other survivors of the charter group are known to readers of this article, we would wish to hear from them o r their families. Brother Whiting has carefully saved his memorabilia of the occasion, which was also attended by the Supreme Council, 33' of the Southern Jurisdiction, A.A.S.R., then in its biennial session. After being installed on December 28, ity, the first timean installed Grand MasBrother Whiting's handsome certifi1991,as Grand Master of Masonsof the ter of a Grand Lodge, while actively in cate is signed by Frank S. Land, Grand District of Columbia for 1992, Most that office, was also installed in the Scribe of the Grand Council, Alexander Worshipful Brother Jerold J. Samet highest office in the gift of DeMolay. Cochran, Grand Master Councillor; and had only four months to wait beNo Mason has done more, certainly, for the local Robert Le Bruce Chapter, fore donning his second Grand to earn such a dual honor. We have the Master Councilor, Robert E. Doyle, Master's hat, that of Grand Master had several senior DeMolays as Jr., and the Scribe, Harry C. Temps. Isof the International Supreme CounGrand Masters inD.C. in the sued inFebruary 1922,it clearly indicates cil of the Order of DeMolay. He was past. The names of the late that both DeMolay degrees were coninstalled in impressive ceremonies at Elmer F. Stein, together with ferredat thecharter ceremonial of OctoDetroit, Michigan, on the 27th of April. y that of M.W.B. Donald L. Malber 14,1921. M.W.B. Samet's biography, including lorey, come immediately to Born on Delaware Avenue, S.W., in his earlier DeMolay activities and honmind, and no doubt there have been Washington, D.C., December 6, 1904, ors, were set forth in the spring issue of others. But the Samet double honor at Brother Whiting was educated in the this publication. This is, in all probabilthe highest level appears to be a first. local publicschools. True to the hopes of DeMolay leaders that its initiates would enter Masonry, Richard Whiting received r I I I u I . I Clip and return to the Office of the Grand Secretaly, his degrees in the former Lebanon Lodge I 5428 MacArthur Blvd., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20016 No. 7 in March, April and May 1928, I being raised May 31,1928. In 1929 he joined the International Union of Elevator Const., Local 10 of Washington, working actively in elevator installation, August 29,1992 Alrnas Temple repair, and maintenance for more than 45 years until retirement in 1974. Brother Name Whiting married on June 30, 1933 and fathered two daughters who are now aged Full Address 54 and 52. His wife is now in a nursing home, but Brother Whiting continues to live independently at homeon Greenock Road in Silver Spring, Maryland. AlPhone # Lodge though he never held office either in DeMolay o r in Masonry, he has lived the Save the $20.00 admission fee by bringing a prospective Mason. life of a good Mason, good citizen, and good family man, exemplifyingthe teachYour Prospect's Name ings ofthe Craft in his daily walk. Few of us can do better. Prospect's Full Address
Two Grand Masters in One Leader
plan to attend Fellowship Night. -
Prospect's Phone #
Grand Master Jerold J. Samet has expressed warm thanks to those who helped the Grand Lodge provide assistance in support of the Hexagon Gala ofMarch 14,1992,which raised a total of $100,000 for the St. John's Child Development Center in Washington. The funds will be used to establish a Scholarship Fund for the Early Intervention Program at St. John's, with particular focus being placed on infants and children up to age four that are encumbered withdevelopmental disabilities. Although non-Masonic organizations also participated, none worked more diligently than the Masons of D.C. and their families, ably organized by W.B. Marvin I. Rosenbloom and the Grand Lodge Charity Committee. All deserve credit for their work manning telephones, taking ticket orders, making reservations, and fielding inquiries in connection with the Hexagon performance, "Capitol Offenses," a satirical revue presented at the Duke Ellington Highschool of the Arts. This project, the first of several in 1992 to be sponsored by the Grand Lodge Charity Committee, was part of the on-going communityawareness program of the Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia.
Voice of F r ~ Grand Lodge, F A A M . , of D.C. 5428 MacArthur Blvd., N.W. Washington, D.C. 20016 Address Correction Requested
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Stewart W. Miner, Grand Secretary (1) and Eldon J. Brown, Junior Grand Steward (r) present a checkto representativesofst. John's ChildDevelopment Center, GayleS. Union (left center) and Sara R. Foer. Director and Asst. Director respectivelv of Development and Public Relations for the Center.
A Gathering of Eagle The 1,600brethren known to have been Eagle or King Scouts as well as those brethren who have been scout leaders are invited by the National Sojourners to attend "A Gathering of Eagles" Picnic on Saturday afternoon,August 22,1992at the Collingwood headquarters of the National Sojourners in Mt. Vernon, Virginia. Ifyouareeligible to attend call Brother Ken Gibalaat 301-933-4902 for reservations or information.
Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 559 Washington, D.C.
The M.E.S.H. Corporation (Masonic and Eastern Star Home) has notified the Voice of Freemasonry ofa number ofcemetery lots that the Corporation owns. They are located in the following cemeteries: Cedar Hill Cemetery; Congressional Ceme tery; Fort Lincoln Cemetery; George Washington Cemetery; Glenwood Cemete~y;National Memorial Cemetery; Parklawn Cemetery; Rock Creek Cemetery; and Washington National Cemetery. They also have two burial crypts at Fort Lincoln. If any Masons or their friends are interested in purchasing these lots, they will be sold at a considerable discount. The Masonic marked lots will not be sold to anyone who is not a Mason. For more information, please contact the M.E.S.H. Corp. by telephone at (202) 291-3172.