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VOICE OF FREEMASONRI
From the GranJMaster
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M. W Brother Robert fi Drechsler Is the glass half full or half empty? That depends, says one sage, on whether you are drinkingor pouring. By the time that you will receive this issue of the "Voice, the question will be apropos for at that time the Masonic year will have reached its mid-point. Have these past six month been replete with Masonic activities for you and the other members of your Lodge? I sincerely hope so. But more importantly, what are your plans for the future - for the rest of the year? Do they include a full complement of Masonic activity? Many of our Masonic organizations "call off' their meetings during July and August, thereby encouraging the enjoyment of the vacation months to the fullest. This is as it should be. As we enjoy our recess from the norm, however, let us appreciate that the vacation period affords us an enrichment opportunity. Why not take advantage of the summer lull by reading a Masonic book or two? Why not reacquaint yourself with the work of Carl Claudy or with the pamphlets issued in our Lodge System of Masonic Education? I am informed that the Wardens will soon be receiving the first part of aMasonic correspondence course, the completion of which is aprerequisite to service as Worshipful Master. This is a good step forward in ow training program, and if you are a Warden anticipating service in the East next year, I urge you to receive and make constructive use of the program as it is offered. Summer is also a good time for Wardens to satisfy the prerequisites imposed by Section 83 of our Grand Lodge Code. Call any member of the Work and Lectures Committee for instruction or examination. Finally, speaking of preparation for service as Worshipful Master, please don't overlookthe fact that installation in that officepresupposes the conferral of the Past Master's Degree, either in a Royal ~ r c chapter h or an emergent Lodge of Actual Past Masters. Thank you all for your warm and gracious reception of me and the Grand Lodge Officers at our Grand Visitations this spring. These visits have been interesting and informative,I think, and I have personally enjoyedverymuch the hospitality that you afforded us. Enjoy your summer, and if possible, include in your schedule our Family Day picnic at Front Royal on August 16. It will be fun for the young (there will be ponies and swimming) and the not so young alike! "
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FrontCover Photo: Janet Lanman, Member, Board of Governors, Chelsea School; Stewart W. Miner, P.G.M., Grand Secretary;Robert F. Drechsler, Grand Master; William F. Patterson, Chelsea Headmaster; and Jeanne Kersting, Chelsea School Director of Development.
This publication is designed to be an organ of information, instruction, and inspiration for all who hold allegiance to this Grand Jurisdiction. Pleasebe awarethat any mistakes in this publicationarethere for apurpose;we publish something for everyoneandsome people are always lookingforerrors.Commentsand contributions should be directed to the attention of the editor, care of the Grand Secrehy.
-Grand Master
Voice of Freemasonry Grand Lodge, F.A.A.M., of D.C 5428 MacArthur Blvd., N.W. Washington, D.C. 20016 Tel: (202) 686-1811 Fax: (202) 686-2759
E-mail: DCMASONS@AOL.COh www.geocities.com/CapeCanave 1278
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Editor C. Brian Schwartz EditorialBoard
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Stewart W. Miner Publisher Hugh Y. Bernard, Jr.
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Magnolia Lodge No. 53 Consecrated
Looking Ahead -Wardens, Deacons, Secretaries The Annual Leadership Conference of the Grand Lodge will be held a t the 4-H Conference Center in Front Royal, Virginia from September 19 through September 21, 1997. The Deacons, Wardens, and Secretaries of the constituent Lodges will be invited to attend, and with the permission of the Grand Master, the conference will be available, a t a fee, to other brethren as well. The program this year will focus on the conference theme, "Looking Ahead." Offered a t one of the most desirable settings in northern Virginia, the Conference will emphasize leadership and fellowship, and afford our officers with invaluable instruction and guidance. It will also serve to establish for those participating close and lasting fraternal relations with their counterparts at all levels. It should be noted that this year the program does not provide for the examination of those seeking to establish proficiency in accordance with Section 83 of the Grand Lodge Code. Those seeking such certification are advised that instruction and examination opportunities will be provided by the Committee on Work and Lectures a t the Grand Lodge Building in the District of Columbia. Prospective Worshipful Masters are also advised that the leadership examination stipulated in Standing Resolution No. 2 1 of the Grand Lodge Code is now being given, by correspondence, in two parts. The examination of leadership and management will be based on information appearing in the Grand Lodge publication entitled "Preparingfor the Leap into Lodge Leadership." The examination on Masonic law, of course, will be based on the Grand Lodge Code. /Naan.v ,*%+I Chalrmn Masonic Education & Service Committee
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On May 3rd the Grand Master, accompanied by three members of the 1963 Master's Association and Past Grand Masters Jenkins, Brock, Kahn, Lester, Brewer, and Kenyon, made their way to Graves Mountain Lodge in Virginia to honor Past Grand Master Charles B. Gilley and present him with his 50-year Veteran's emblem. Present for the ceremony were a number of Brother Gilley's family friends, his Companions from Mt. Pleasant Chapter No. 13, and, of course, members of his Mother Lodge, Justice-Columbia No. 3, which he served as Worshipful Master in 1955. In conjunction with the presentation of the Veteran's emblem, the group, numbering 34 in all, thoroughly enjoyed the "family style" lunch for which the Graves Mountain Lodge is known. Particularly noteworthy was the presence of three members of the Master's Association when Brother Gilley was Grand Master in 1963. They were Worshipful Brother Nicholas G. Chacos, Master of Congress Lodge No. 37; Right Worshipful Brother Eldon J. Brown, Master of Singleton Lodge No. 30; and Most Worshipful Perry A. Lester, Master of Harmony Lodge No. 17.
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A Special Communicationofthe Grand Lodge was convened by the Grand Master at the Odd Fellows Hall, 701 24th St., N.W., on April 17 for the purpose of consecrating Magnolia Lodge No. 53 and immediately thereafter for the installation of the officers of this Lodge. The consecration ceremony was completed in accordance with the prescribed ritual of the Grand Lodge, and upon its completion, the Grand Master installed the Lodge officers who were present. The Worshipful Master of the Lodge is C. David Haacke, P.G.M., of Maryland; the Senior Warden is Joseph M. Van Name; and the Junior Warden is Earl Fain IV. This Lodge is the fruit of the labors of several Masons who were members of the Kappa Alpha Fraternity in college. Addressing those assembled after his installation, Worshipful Brother Haacke stated that this new Lodge will be of special interest to Kappa Alpha men and induce them to continue to Masonicallydevelopthe fraternalism that had'been nurtured by their Kappa Alpha experiences.
(L-R) Past Grand Masters DarwinA. Brock, Perry A. Lester; CharlesV.Brewer; GM Robert F. Drechsler;CharlesB. Gilley; William T. Jenkins; Frank A. Kenyon; and Theodore M. Kahn gather for a photo at Graves Mountain Inn.
The GrandLodge Scholarship Committee has selected 15June graduates 0fD.C. Public High Schools to receive 1997 Masonic Foundation Scholarships. According to information announcedby the Committee Chairman, Eugene H. Albert, this year's winners are as follows: Lena Jean Gamble, Ballou High; Tracey Caldwell and Megan Donovan, Dunbar High; Yaa Walker, School Without Walls; Tiffiany Howard, Geneene Green, and Ryan Richmond, Banneker High; Enedina Espinal andNtunbaNzongola, Ellington High; Lemont Bennett and Chisom Ahaghotu, Coolidge High; Courtney Tardd, Wilson High; Martrelle Pyatt and Monique Miles, Eastern High; and Debbra Snow, Woodson High.
This yearthe Chelsea Schoolis among those institutions to which we, as a Grand Lodge, lend monetary and spiritual support. In consequence of an initiative launched by the Grand Master at his installation, the Masonic Foundation is now trying to raise $6,000.00 or more for this worthy cause during the current Fiscal Year. In a visit to the school on May 23rd, the Grand Master, accompanied by the Grand Secretary,presented Chelsea Headmaster, William F. Patterson, with our initial gift - a check in the amount of $2,500.00. There are those among us some who have asked, "What is the Chelsea School, and who does it serve?" The Grand Master's response is that the Chelsea School is an institution organized to help dyslexic children of the Washington Metropolitan Area to learn to read, write, and overcome related learning disabilities. It currently offers a self-contained day program to some 125boys and girls in grades 5 through 12. In recent years 90% or more of its graduating seniors have gone on to post secondary education and college. In Greek, "dyslexia" means dzflculty with language. Dyslexia, as well as other language based learning disabilities, is reflected in the areas of spoken and written expression, reading and math. The primary hallmark of those who are so afflicted is under achievement in written language and reading skills by students of average to above average intelligence. At the Chelsea School a richly diverse and experienced staff of professionals choose methods of instruction that teach each child how to best apply his or her learning strengths to compensate for weaker skills. Individualized tutoring is a major component of the Chelsea program, wherein a conscientious effort is made to create an environment conducive to converting failure into success. The student body, diverse in cultural and social character, comes from Maryland (56%), the District of Columbia (42%), and Virginia (2%). Guided by a 20-member Board of Governors, the school is fully
accredited by the Maryland State Department of Education as an Intensity V school for students with specific learning dyslexialdisabilities. The Chelsea family prides itself on an educational philosophy which, in addition to academics, emphasizes the growth of the whole student - the development of character, self-esteem, social skills, and community responsibility. The Middle Division of the school offers an ungraded program to students from age 11to 14. The program is based on individualized instruction, offered in settings which place six to seven students in each class. In this program a team of teachers collaborate in scheduling and teaching. While the thrust of the curriculum is academic, the Middle Division program also emphasizes growth in socialization and personal responsibility. Upper Division students focus on core content courses, along with electives that serve individual talents and needs. Instruction includes offerings that hone organizational, time management, and study skills, with electives in art, music, dance, and journalism/media courses being offered. Particular emphasis is placed on the preparation of students for transition, after high school, into life's various options, including higher education. The majority of students graduating from the Chelsea School have gone on to college and post-secondaryschools. Some of the colleges and universities attended by Chelsea men and women are: Adelphi, Hofstra, New England College, Radford, West Virginia Wesleyan, Frostburg, and the University ofMaryland, Eastern Shore. One such graduate, Joshua Schechter, now a scholarshipstudent at WesternMaryland University, recalls that when he entered Chelsea, he was "just another kid who had been dumped by his prior school." He speaks proudly of his Chelsea experience by stating that "I learned at Chelsea
that a learning disability is not a lifetime sentence . . .I learned that if I worked hard enough, I could accomplish anything I wanted." And this philosophy has already carried him far on the road to success. The Chelsea School was founded and incorporated in Washington, D.C. in 1976 as a 501 (c) (3) high school, organized for the express purpose of teaching dyslexic students. At this time the school was quartered in a church basement, where eight students were in attendance. Relocated to leased space at the Jessup Blair mansion in 1984,the student body quickly grew to 50. In 1990the school occupied its current facilities, a former Catholic High School for girls. This move permitted the expansion of the dyslexic program, which now offers instruction ranging from the elementary grades through high school. The mission of the Chelsea School, according to Headmaster Patterson, "is to remediate the dyslexic student." "This we do," he states, "by programs that offer traditional,structuredclasses,coupled with appropriate use of technology," all with the objective of accelerating "our students to become societal leaders in the 21st Century." If you would like to have a part in this great challenge, you may mail your taxfree contribution to the Masonic Foundation, 5428 MacArthur Boulevard, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20016. Be sure to indicate on your check that your gift is tendered in support ofthe Chelsea School. In the meantime the Grand Master and the 125 students now at Chelsea await your
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R ECOCNI 7 ION ISSUES:
WHO AND WHAT IS AMASON? - by Paul M. Bessel, Secretary, Lodge ofthe Nine Muses Recognition is an important and often very controversial issue in Masonry, one that really focuses on a foundation principle "Who is a Mason?" Furthermore, the more you consider the issue, the more complicated it seems to become. Some think thatrecognition is automatically afforded all those Grand Lodges that support the "ancient landmarks." Fine. But this raises a fundamental question - what are the "ancient landmarks?" The landmarks, we are told, are the fundamental policies of Freemasonry, which are presumed to have existed since time immemorial and can never be changed. Again, fine. But how are we to rationalize this conception with a basic reality, that is, the fact that the landmarks are defined independently by every Grand Lodge? Some Grand Lodges list dozens of ancient landmarks, some list just a few, and some do not list any. And although we hear that the ancient landmarks cannot be changed by any man or body of men, many Grand Lodges have at some time or other considered and adopted changes in their landmarks. More than a hundred years ago, Albert G. Mackey, an influential Mason, compilcd a list of 25 landmarks that he considered basic, and some Grand Lodges follow that list to this day. But in the early 1900's, Roscoe Pound, another influential Mason and a legal scholar, claimed that many of Mackey's landmarks were incorrect. Pound then listed what he considered to be a better list of landmarks. It is evident that Grand Lodges, in exercising their autonomy, have the power to establish their own landmarks. In consequence landmarks are not uniform from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. How then do Grand Lodges agree on the issue of recognition? The answer is simple - they don't. This raises a question -is it possible to establish procedures that would lead to uniformity? It is suggested that one way would be to recognize all the Grand Lodges that are recognized by the Grand Lodge of England, and no others. But this would not be acceptable to Grand Lodges in the United States, for U.S. Grand Lodges recognize some Grand Lodges that the English do not, and vice versa. Maybe we should go along with what other U.S. Grand Lodges do relative to recognition. But this too may not be possible. For a period oftime the Grand Lodge of Oregon, for example, withckew recognition of the Grand Lodge of Idaho, thereby prohibiting Idaho Masons from visiting in Oregon and vice versa. Each of those Grand Lodges claimed it was in the right. What should other Grand Lodges have done? This is not an isolated incident. There have been other times when some U.S. Grand Lodges withdrew recognition of other U S . Grand Lodges. In the 1950's the Conference of Grand Masters of North America attempted to deal with difficulties concerning recognition, particularly since it was difficult for Grand Lodges to obtain
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essential details about foreign GrandLodgesprevious toinitiating steps toward recognition. The Grand Masters established the Commission on Information for Recognition, which gathers information and reports at the Conference. The Commission's reports are intended to provide information for the consideration of each Grand Lodge, each of which makes its own recognition decisions. Maybe it would be helpful to see what fundamental principles might be generally accepted as being helpful in defining what most of us consider fundamental to Freemasonry. Most Masons in the U.S. would say these principles should include a belief in God, the conferral of the three degrees as we know them, restricting membership to men, and most importantly the acceptance of men of all faiths as members. Why is it then, in view of these principles, that every Grand Lodge in the United States recognizes Grand Lodges that openly restrict their membership to prohibit specific ethnic or religious groups from joining? No less importantly, why is it that some Grand Lodges, apparently operating just as ours do, and are just as "regular" as are Grand Lodges in the US., not recognized by any U.S. Grand Lodges? As you can see, the subject is very complicated. Maybe it would help to define a few terms. "Regular" usually refers to a Grand Lodge that follows the main principles that other "regular" Grand Lodges follow. Remember, though, that no one can define these principles because each Grand Lodge defines them differently. Still, this term is used frequently, without any clear definition, and it thus leads to unnecessary disputes. "Clandestine" is usually considered a term to designate a phony Grand Lodge, one that does not follow "regular7' Masonic principles. But remember that some Grand Lodges that discriminate are accepted by our Grand Lodges, while others that follow the same principles that we follow are not recognized. The term "clandestine" does not have any clear definition, and also confuses discussions. There is only one clear term, and that is "recognized by a specific Grand Lodge at a specific time." Every Grand Lodge has a list of the other Grand Lodges that it recognizes at any given point in time. If a "Mason" is someone who follows the ancient landmarks, or some other definition of fundamental Masonic principles, what are those principles, and who defines them? Every time our Grand Lodge makes a decision about the recognition of a Lodge it makes a decision about who is a Mason in our eyes, and thus, we decide what Freemasonry is all about. Is it about belief in God? Is it about tolerance of men of different religions? Is it about freedom of speech and freedom of thought? What can be more important to each Mason than the answers to these questions?
by John Greenwood, PM, 33'
Visit to Jerusalem
Hon. Grand Director of Ceremonies, Grand Lodge of Israel
3000th Anniversary of Freemasonry in the Holy Land Last year it was my great pIeasure to travel to the Holy Land and again visit Jerusalem, the Cradle of Symbolic Freemasonry. It was my honor to represent our SovereignGrand Commander of the Scottish Rite (S.J.), Illustrious Brother C. Fred Kleinknecht, 33O, at the installation of the new Sovereign Grand Commander of the Supreme Council of Israel, Illustrious Brother Leon Zeldis, 33". The very impressive ceremony was attended by the Grand Master of Masons of the state of Israel, M.W. Bro. Ephraim Fuchs, and other dignitaries, as well as a number of Brethren from 14 different Supreme Councils. The following day the visitors were conducted on a guided tour of the city which became the Capital of Judea under King David. One of the most interesting parts of the visit, from the Masonic standpoint, was the underground walk along the huge retaining wall built by King Herod, sustaining the platform over which stood the Temple. The so-called "Wailing Wall" is but a small part [exposed above ground] of this 1,666 feet long wall, which can be followed along a tunnel. The wall was originally about 100 feet high; it includes some of the largest hewn stones in the world (one of them is about 55 feet long and weighs well over 400 metric tons). Another fascinating Masonic Site is the "Lishkat Gazit" (Hewn Stone Chamber), adjacent to the Temple wall, which had two round columns placed inside, that did not reach the roof. In other words, the two columns had no architectural function. When Charles Warren discovered the chamber, then filled with rubble, he called it the "Mason's Lodge." Archaeologists subsequently claimed the building to be of later construction, but some researchers claim it was the meeting place of Sanhedrin at the time of Herod. Onnumerous occasionsMasonic ceremonies and degree work have been performed in King Solomon's quarries in Jerusalem. The official emblem ofthe Grand Lodge of the State of Israel is the only Masonic emblem in the world which emphasizes the Universality of the Craft by superimposing over the Square and Compasses the Star of David, the Cross and the Crescent. On this trip I was accompaniedbyWor. Bro. Maurice Goldchain who was very helpful as my interpreter when we visited a Spanish . speaking Lodge in Haifa. In Israel Jews, Christians, Moslems and Druse work together in the spirit of true Brotherhood of Man under the Fatherhood of God. In the Grand Lodge there are more than 70 Lodges, and Masons in that jurisdiction work in eight different languages, namely: Hebrew, Arabic, English, German, French,
Spanish, Rumanian and Turkish. The Lodge of the Holy Land No. 50 works under the Constitution of the Grand Lodge of Israel. This unique Lodge was created to serve the needs of Freemasons who, while living outside of Israel, wish to strengthen their ties with the Fraternity in the Holy Land and to keep informed of Masonic Life in the Cradle of Freemasonry. The Lodge has a worldwide membership and applications for affiliation are welcomed from Brethren holding membership in regular Lodges under recognized Grand Lodges. The Lodge of the Holy Land holds meetings by special dispensation, giving welcome to groups of Masonic Pilgrims visiting the Holy Land and its many Masonic relics. The Master of the Lodge is appointed by the Grand Master and is hmself a high ranking Mason. At present the position is held by R.W. Bro. Joseph Salem, Hon. Dep. Grand Master, Grand Lodge of Israel, and Past Sovereign Grand Commander of the Supreme Council for Israel, A.A.S.R. Upon affiliation with the Lodge, the Brother receives a suitable Membership Certificate and the Lodge Medal. In addition, he will receive a copy of all official publications of the Grand Lodge of Israel. Members are encouraged to visit Israel and every effort will be made to put them in contact with Lodges and Brethren. A somewhat similar program also exists under the Supreme Grand Royal Arch Chapter, to which is subordinated The Holy Land Royal Arch Chapter No. 8. A number of our Brethren have been members of this chapter for many years. In conclusion, permit me to say that King David, a man of war, conquered JERUSALEM 3000 YEARS ago. King David, a man of PEACE, composed apsalm that reads: Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem: They shall prosper that love thee. Peace within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces. For my brethren and companions' sakes, I will now say, peace be within thee. Psalm 122:6-8
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The Order of DeMolay -
by Kurt J. Hamrock, Chapter Advisor Tenleytown-Chevy Chase Chapter, Order of DeMolay
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out three years ago, I was asked to take on one of the toughest jobs around - that of serving as the advisor of a local DeMolay Chapter. At the time, Tenleytown - Chevy Chase Chapter had fallen on hard times, it was not meeting regularly, and most of its members and advisors had faded away. I wasn't sure that I was up to the task. As a Senior DeMolay from a Chapter in Texas, I knew how much hard work it takes to make a youth group like DeMolay successful. The proper mix of member involvement, officer leadership, and advisor guidance is an elusive formula. My misgivings were finally overcome by my firm belief that everyyoung man should have the chance of experiencingDeMolay. I "took the plunge" and began working with the one or two members still active with the Chapter. We started out gradually, planning small activities to which the active members could invite their friends. The Chapter also took advantage of activities sponsored by other D. C. DeMolay Chapters, as well as the jurisdictional organization, Nation's Capital DeMolay. Throughout 1994, we slowly but surely increased our active membership, and a number of our members attended the 75th Anniversary Celebration of DeMolay, held in Kansas City, Missouri. In 1995, the Chapter began asserting its independence. Although we could not yet fill all of the officer chairs, we began having regular installations and regular meetings. We started having fund-raisers to help keep our activity costs down. The Master, Senior, and Junior Councilors, who are the three top officers of a DeMolay Chapter, designed and executed a calendar of activities. Our goal was to balance "fun" activities like sports and trips with community service, educational, and leadership activities, and to show the members that all of these events can be enjoyable when properly planned. In 1995, we also started an annual tradition of attending the Old South Ritual Tournament in New Orleans. DeMolay, like Masonry, has a variety of ceremonies that are performed from memory. The Old South Tournament is one of several competitions around the country designed to encourage DeMolay members to learn and improve their ritual. The Chapter had an even better year in 1996. Our membership continued to grow, and we had the largest attendance of any Chapter at the 1996 Jurisdictional Conclave, which is the annual meeting of the jurisdiction. Our athletic program continued its success, and we took home trophies from jurisdictional competitions in basketball and volleyball. Also well-attended were our visits to the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum and the Holocaust Memorial. We were also able to perform our own membership ceremony without any help from the other DeMolay Chapters. Perhaps most importantly, we increased the membership of the advisory council, which supports the Chapter in all its endeavors.
(L-. ., JeMolay Chapter Advisor Kurt Hamrock; Matthew Byrd; Peter Spiropoulos; Sean Nelson; and Seth Schoem
Our success continues in 1997. Already this year, in addition to our annual New Orleans ritual competition, we have visited the National Cathedral,removed graffiti from our lodge building, held a charity casino night, helped serve dinner at a lodge fund-raiser, conducted a Chapter retreat in West Virginia, and organized a prospect night for potential new members. As our membership increases, the number and quality of our activities continue to rise. The Chapter's success has left me with many fond memories. Many of the older members are now enrolled in colleges throughout the country. Those who go to school locally are still active with the Chapter. The first Master Councilor with whom I worked currently serves on our advisory council and has petitioned our sponsoring lodge for Masonic membership. Another Past Master Councilor has moved on to bigger and better things and is now the Jurisdictional Master Councilor. Most of all, I have enjoyed being a part of an organization that brings together young men from all walks of life and teaches them the value of friendship, leadership, toleration, and commitment to those ideals that make life worth living. Despite all of the distractions that modern-day life provides teenagers, I believe that DeMolay still represents a unique opportunity for young men between the ages of thirteen and twenty-one. (Twelve-year-olds who have Jinished the seventh grade may also petition for membership.) DeMolay Chapters meet at three Masonic lodge buildings in the District of Columbia: William R. Singleton Lodge Hall, Takoma Masonic Center, and Naval Lodge Hall. The geographic placement of these lodges guarantees that any young man living in the area has ready access to a DeMolay Chapter. Our DeMolay Chapters are always looking for prospective new members. If you have a son, grandson, or nephew, or if youknow of some young man from your church or community who should be in DeMolay, please let me know. Only by identifying these young men of character can the Order of DeMolay grow. In addition, if you have any time to spend as a DeMolay advisor, any of the local DeMolay Chapters would welcome your support. A couple of hours a month can make a big difference to a Chapter and its members. Organizing a sports team, helping out at a fund-raiser, assisting with the Chapter newsletter, training officers how to run a meeting, working to improve a Chapter's continued ->
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Third Generation Raised in Hiram-Takoma Lodge No. 10
C02VTRLBUTORS Contributions received since the last issue of the "Voice." A number of contributions from Masons in other jurisdictions and from other Grand Lodges, have been received. Among those participating are the following:
Name
Worshipful Brother W. McGordon Ferguson (r), Past Master of Hiram-Takoma Lodge No. 10, has been doubly blessed as a Mason. His son, G. Lee Ferguson Q), is also a Past Master of Hiram-Takoma Lodge and is currently the Junior Grand Steward of the Grand Lodge. And on May 22nd, he was present in Lodge to participate in the raising of his grandson, Robert M. Ferguson (c), Lee's son. Robert's interest in and involvement with the Masonic family began early in life. He served his DeMolay Chapter, Samuel Gompers - Benjamin Franklin Chapter, as Master Councilor, and he is the recipient of the Degree of Chevalier. During the period in which he was active in DeMolay, his father served on the Advisory Council of his Chapter. Not unsurprisingly, his petition for the degrees was signed by his father and his grandfather and his investigating committee included three senior DeMolays who are also members of the Lodge. Further, as a candidate, he was conducted in each of the three degrees by either his father or his grandfather, who both participated actively in his raising. It is great indeed to know that the Ferguson impact on HiramTakomaLodge, now in its 76th consecutive year, will continue into the next century.
Jurisdiction
CHARLESBAUM....................................COLORADO HARRIS J. BELINKIE .............................. DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA CHARLESV. BREWER............................. DISTRICTOF COLUMBIA DONALDDICKERT .................................. COLORADO CLAUDDUTRO...................................... COLORADO MASONICBROTHERHOOD FOUNDATION ..........NEWYORK NEWJERSEY HARRYR. GEORGE................................ RICHARD E. GERLACH............................ DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA CHARLESW. HENLE .............................. OHIO HARRISONJ. KERN ................... . ......... DISTRICTOF COLUMBIA DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA MICHAEL H. KOPLITZ ............................. DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PERRYA. LESTER................................. BLACK HAWKLODGENO. I I .................... COLORADO GEORGETOWNLODGENO. 1 2 ...................COLORADO NAT'L.-STANSBURY-DAWSON NO. 1 2 ............ DISTRICTOF COLUMBIA CHEYENNEWELLS LODGENO. I 3 2 ............ COLORADO BERKELEYLODGE NO. 1 34.. ...................COLORADO MARINER'S LODGE NO. 1 5 0 ....................NEW JERSEY BYER'SLODGENO. 1 5 2 ........................ COLORADO 1 5~7 B . . ......... P A ~ L ~ B ~ R ~ / S ~ E No. D E ~ R ~ NEWJERSEY MONMOUTHLODGENO. 1 7 2 ...................NEWJERSEY ALEXANDRIALODGE NO. 1 75 ...................TENNESSEE TUENDAWIELODGENO. 1 9 5 .................... OHIO THEODOREROOSEVELTNO. 2 1 9 . ..............NEW JERSEY SAEINALODGENO. 3 2 4 ......................... OHIO CORINTHIANLODGENO. 3 5 ..................... COLORADO SEMPERPARATUS LODGE NO. 49.. ............ DISTRICTOF COLUMBIA TRENTONLODGENO. 5 ..........................NEWJERSEY HUDSONLODGENO. 5 10 ....................... OHIO LEANORELODGE NO. 5 1 2 ...................... OHIO HARMONYLODGE NO. 6 1 ........................COLORADO DAMASCUSLODGENO. 643 ....................OHIO HORACEA. IRVIN LODGE NO. 647 ............OHIO DODGECOUNTYLODGE NO. 7 2 ................WISCONSIN MASONICFOUNDATIONOF .........................MAINE GRANDLODGE, F. & A . M . , OF ..................NEWJERSEY ROYALC. SCOFIELD .............................. OHIO JULES S. TEPPER................................. DISTRICTOF COLUMBIA GEOFFREYL. THORPE ............................IDAHO HERBERTM. WEBER ..............................DISTRICTOF COLUMBIA OHIO RAY D. WEDIG .....................................
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Grand Master's Aide Receives 50-Year Award
DeMOLAY - continued from previous page
ritual work, supervising the work of the Chapter treasurer and scribe -- these tasks, and more, await you. Whatever your interest, ability, and availability, we have an advisor position to match. In looking back upon our efforts of the last three years, I attribute our success to two principles. First, we endeavor to provide activitiesthat are "first-class" in every way. The teenagers of today have many demands on their time, and DeMolay can only compete by giving the boys an opportunity to plan and participate in quality events. Second, we try to maintain a topnotch comrnunications structure. The best activities in the world will fail if the Chapter membership does not know about them. Term calendars, newsletters, stated meetings, and telephone committees are essential to spreading the word about the Chapter's activities. Timely notice to each of the Chapter members, from the most Senior Past Master Councilor to the newest initiate, will go far towards maintaining their involvement with the Chapter. If we can adhere to these two guiding principles, then the next three years for Tenleytown-Chevy Chase Chapter, Order of DeMolay, should be even more successful than the last.
Although he served Naval Lodge No. 4 as Master in 1994, and is the current holder of that Lodge's Fidelity Medal, Brother Walter D. Graham, Ill recently received his 50-year award in his Mother Lodge, Anacostia No. 21. Pictured are: (L-R) Rev. Walter D. Graham, Ill, his son; Katherine Graham, his wife; Robert F. Drechsler, Grand Master; Walter D. Graham, Jr.; John S. Lloyd,WM of Anacostia Lodge No. 21; and Daniel T. Graham, his son.
Voice of Freemasonry (TPtw1.dLodge, F.A.A.M., af D.C.
DC 20016-2524