August 2022 Gila Valley Lodge No. 9 Trestleboard

August 2022

Most Worshipful Jim Baker, Past Master of Gila MW

Valley Lodge No. 9 has been immortalized by famed artist, Travis Simpkins. Travis is a freelance artist, with clients throughout the United States and Europe.

Bro. Travis Simpkins has been a professional artist for many years, long before becoming a Mason, and has been fortunate to find his talents in high demand within the Fraternity.

Since 2017, he has served as a portrait artist for the Supreme Council, 33°, NMJ in Lexington, Massachusetts. He has worked on many projects for the NMJ, creating more than 80 works of art for the Sovereign Grand Commander and Supreme Council. His Masonic themed artwork has attracted interest from esteemed museums, and his works are now included in the permanent collections of the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library & Museum and the George Washington Masonic National Memorial.

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A listener. The punishment which was directed in the old lectures, at the revival of Freemasonry in 1717, to be inflicted on a detected cowan was: "To be placed under the eaves of the house in rainy weather, till the water runs in at his shoulders and out at his heels." The French inflict a similar punishment: "On le met sous une gouttiere, une pompe, ou une fontaine, jusqu'à ce qu'il soit mouillé depuis la tete jusqu'aux pieds," meaning They put him under the rain-spout, a pump, or a fountain, until he is drenched from head to feet. Hence a listener is called an eavesdropper. The word is not, as

has by some been supposed, a peculiar Masonic term, but is common to the language. Skinner gives it in his Etymologicon, and approvingly calls it vox sane elegantissima, aptly sound word; and Blackstone (Com, mentaries iv, 13) thus defines it:

Eavesdroppers, or such as listen under walls, or windows, or the eaves of a houses to hearken after discourse and thereupon to frame slanderous and mischievous tales, are a common nuisance and presentable at the court or are indictable at the sessions. and punishable by fine and finding sureties for their good behavior. ~Mackey

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As we all know the desert is hot in the summers here in Arizona. The heat is dry and we are all told to drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. This is true, but there are a couple little things we need to remember as well with this.

normally dry which are most likely running and running deep and fast.

When the summer is dry we do in fact need water, Crossing these but we also need to make sure we are drinking oth- washes can be er things in between all the water as well. No I am very dangerous if not life threatnot referring to alcoholic beverages..haha… I am ening, so please referring to things like Gator Ade, Power Ade, or even just water with lemon or lime in it. These add- do not cross the ed ingredients help the body hold some of the wa- washes if they are running. ter in. If we drink too much water and nothing else Another issue with the rains are the main roads and we can actually drink ourselves into dehydration freeways. When the rains happen these roads bedue to the water stripping all of the nutrients we re- come slick and can cause accidents due to this. Cars quire away. The best way to ensure you stay hydrat- will also be hydroplaning on the freeways at posted ed no matter the time of year is to drink something speeds potentially causing multi car pileups due to with electrolytes in it, especially if you have been loosing control after driving through a puddle and sweating a lot. sliding across multiple lanes of traffic.

With all of that being said the monsoons are upon us and the weather will turn to that of being very hot and humid. It is more important during these times to stay hydrated. I know more water in the air why worry? That is precisely why to worry. With the added water in the air people sometimes forget to stay hydrated. People will also sweat more when the weather is humid and thereby causing them to loose the essential fluids they need to stay hydrated.

We all love living here in the desert for the wonderful weather we enjoy every fall/winter, but we do have our times where we need to be more careful.

Please as we head into monsoon season, be aware of your surroundings and if it is raining, leave early for wherever you are going to ensure you can get there safely. And if you are outside during these times remember to stay hydrated as well.

The monsoons are also capable of bringing massive Fraternally, amounts of rain in short amounts of time. With the dirt here being baked most of the year it does not like to absorb the water like in other parts of the 2022 Master world, so flooding is a real concern. When the rains Gila Valley Lodge No. 9 come we need to be aware of the washes that are

Eric Smith

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Soon after they had completed their researches into .So if this plumb rule points towards the centre of the Masonic Light, Adam and Sandeep had turned their earth, it is indicating that we need to look into the inattention to the three movable jewels – the Square, the terior.’

Level and the Plumb Rule.

‘Or if the plumb rule points towards our own centre,’ Adam had suggested that of the three, he had been said Sandeep, ‘then that is where we have to go to most intrigued by the Plumb Rule. seek the Truth. Then the “hidden stone” is our own Truth!’

‘Why is that?’ asked Sandeep.

Get your tickets now! This is going ‘Yes,’ said Adam, to be big!

‘Well, it all started at school, when I learned about ‘it really is one of https://tinyurl.com/55vfpah8 Isaac Newton and the famous story of the apple fallthe “hidden mysing from the tree in a dead straight line until it hit the teries of Nature ground. and Science”.’

In my mind, I projected the journey of the apple ‘And the plumb backwards, up into the sky, far above the apple tree, rule, being “true”, and imagined that, were something to fall from the provides us with canopy of heaven, it would have hit the same spot.’ another allegory.

‘If you think about it,’ said Sandeep, ‘the plumb rule, In Hindi, we have being located between heaven and earth, joins the sev- a word That meaning “Truth” en-starred canopy of heaven with the mosaic pavement.’ There was a pause. ‘Actually, it’s a struggle be- but can also mean tween opposing forces – we have to descend in order “Divine Wisdom”. to ascend.’

Suddenly Adam was struck by something he had read Just as the plumb rule is always elsewhere.

“True” so is also the Divine Wisdom – actually they ‘Do you remember the hermetic Latin acrostic are the same thing.

V.I.T.R.I.O.L.?

And the ability to perceive the truth and to distinguish Visita interiora terrae, rectificandoque, invenies occul- between truth and untruth, light and darkness, like the tum lapidem.’ opposing black and white squares of the mosaic pavement.

‘Sorry,’ said Sandeep, ‘my Latin isn’t up to it.’

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We say that a yogi’s mind must be sharp as the sharp- ‘Then that is why the plumb rule, like Jacob’s Ladder, est sword, in order to split the Truth and the Untruth. like the Hexalpha, all connect heaven and earth, macJnana yoga is the study of the Truth.’ rocosm and microcosm as Hermes Trismegistus said “to achieve the wonders of the One Thing”.

‘And in St. John’s Gospel,’ said Adam, ‘we read “And ye shall know the Truth, and the Truth shall make The plumb rule takes me out of my inner microcosm you free”.’ and opens to me a vast space, enlarged to the space of the macrocosm.’

‘Well, then that resonates with one of the Upanishads: Yes, thought Sandeep, here I am in an upright position, my feet planted on the ground because of the “If That is known here, then Truth is established; if law of gravity, but I aspire to rise, to make my way to not known here, it is the greatest loss. Having reflectcelestial realms. ed through every element, the wise risen from this world become immortal”.’

ARTICLE BY: Julian Rees ‘Do you mean that the wise, the truly wise, become one with the Creative Principle?’ asked Adam.

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Dear Brothers,

ther away from the east? Why do we worry about We are now again in the Dog days of Summer. The Grand Lodge members making official visits? good news is that at least it has cooled off for the All of these questions may seem silly to some and past week or two. With all the needed rain and the may spark genuine conversation to others. Either soon to be cooler temps to stay let's look into how way we need to start adding more questions to our this summer has impacted us as a whole. We went meetings rather than just showing up to see a busithrough Grand lodge session in June to start the ness meeting happen and go home. For if all we are new masonic year, we have made it through our 4th showing up is to be a number and a name on a rosof July festivities and we are starting to make it back ter then why are we in the lodge? If we are just a to the end of summer! So, what is next? side liner then why are we present at Lodge? If we just want to be there to see the results of others As we go through our month of August, we are work then why are we attending Lodge? If it is just for the brother hood and comradery then why are we attending Lodge? The first and foremost is we are here to learn and should be asking questions and looking for more knowledge through all of those things not just stopping at the surface.

So, the next time we are at a meeting, either a Stated or Degree, we should take the time to ponder on nearing the end of the year!! We are more than half what is happening in the moment, in the past and in way through!! And we are starting to work our way the future for masonry. For if we don’t then we are no longer following what our charges have set us out to cooler temperatures. So, as we are making our to do! way through these cooler days lets work our way Fraternally, through cooler minds in Lodge. Yes, as Lodge meetings start back up again in a Month let's try and find more knowledge and questions to bring to the meetings. When we open our lodge meetings why 2022 Senior Warden do we have the set questions at the beginning to Gila Valley Lodge No. 9 open each degree? Or why do we all tend to sit fur-

John Woode

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Congratulations to Taylor P from Saguaro Chapter, the DeMolay of the year in Arizona.

Taylor was awarded his PMCMSA award and red jacket from DeMolay International.

It's approximately 8 months of hard work, planning, budgeting, follow thru and paperwork to achieve. So now jump to Saturday night the Annual Arizona DeMolay State Association Convention. Taylor was installed as the State Senior Councilor for Arizona DeMolay State Association for the 2022-2023 term. Cooper was installed as a State Representative for his Chapter, Saguaro. Thinking the awards were complete, nope Taylor was then awarded Arizona's DeMolay of the Year Award (that face, priceless). To finish the night Taylor accepted the Most Inspirational Chapter of the Year Award for Saquaro Chapter.

We are very proud of our DeMolays!

The

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Due or Ample Form?

Sitting in Grand Lodge for the Quarterly Communications you will be struck by the use of the term ‘In Ample Form’ as part of the Opening and Closing.

For clarity in later parts of this paper it has to be noted that the Quarterly Communications are usually always presided over by the Pro Grand Master, if not the Grand Master. So, what is ‘Ample’ form, when in lodges the term ‘Due’ form is used?

Laurence Dermott GC of the Antients, the colossus of Freemasonry, stated: ‘Whereas meetings of Grand Lodge were in essence formal affairs with a considerable amount of administration to be dealt with, various proposals to be heard and decisions to be made, there was nonetheless an element of jollity and ribaldry. This juxtaposed with the formality and correctness of whether a Grand Lodge was opened in ‘due form’ or ‘ample form’ (the latter being with his Lordship presiding (if ever)), showing Dermott’s pernickety attention to detail. From his book of Constitutions, wherein songs are recorded, there seems to be an expectation of singing and merrymaking, all of course whilst partaking of copious amounts of liquor and consuming a hearty meal’.

sence of Laurence’s power as without a Grand Master present he could rule the roost as the Grand Secretary.

Aspects of this state of affairs are noted: ‘Every Grand Master of the Antients was installed in his own private apartment or rooms and in no case did any of them attend Grand Lodge for this purpose.

In fact, they rarely attended for any purpose. From time to time they were apprised of the business of the Grand Lodge and no doubt their acquiescence sought.

The power lay to all intents and purposes with the officers of the Grand Lodge, the most dominant claiming to be acting on behalf of the Grand Master’.

The role of Grand Master in this period was solely one of being a figurehead.

It may well have been that once or twice a year papers for signature were put before him but in all other respects the day-to-day business of the Grand

Dermott clearly was pernickety about this, as he was with many other aspects of his Antient Freemasonry.

Bearing in mind Grand Masters rarely (if ever) attended Grand Lodge, the kernel of this pontificating may be surmised. His use of the word ‘lordships’ need not be taken as a lord of the realm, although in his era this was usually the case, with the Earls of Blessington, Killie, and the Duke of Atholl being the first three.

The term is more generic and refers to the Grand Master. This of course was the es-

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Lodge was undertaken by the Grand Secretary.

As an interesting footnote there is long and tedious argument by Matthew Bywater as to whether the signatures of the 4th Duke were bone-fide, or whether they had been made ‘on the GM’s behalf’ by Laurence himself.

There is tortuous research into the quality of handwriting and style that seem to neither prove nor disprove anything.

What however is the case, is that, for the main part Laurence Dermott’s signature was significant.

He certainly signed all the warrants throughout his period and that signature seems to have been sufficient to carry the day. There are many Antients lodges extant that proudly boast that their warrant bears the signature of Laurence Dermott.

Other References are found when scanning the literature and it is not hard to find to the ‘Due’ or ‘Ample’ defined, some from abroad, vis: Form: A lodge is always opened and closed in Form on the degrees of Entered Apprentice and Fellow Craft except when the Grand Master presides.

Due Form: Meaning according to the ancient usages and customs, the laws and ritual of the Grand Lodge. A lodge is always opened and closed in Due Form on the degree of Master Mason except when the Grand Master presides.

Ample Form: The Grand Master may open and close a lodge in shortened form to save time. His power and authority are ‘ample’ to accomplish his purpose, regardless of the manner in which he performs this essential piece of ceremony.

From The Masonic Dictionary: AMPLE FORM: Opening or closing of any Lodge or Grand Lodge by the Grand Master; opposed to

‘due form’ or ‘full form’ which is according to the prescribed ceremonies.

Even when the full form is used in opening or closing a Grand Master’s ceremonies are said to be conducted in ‘ample form’.

When Grand Lodges and Lodges are opened or closed by qualified officers other than Grand Masters or Masters, they are sometimes said to be opened or closed ‘in form’.

The History of True Resolution Lodge No. 16 states that: The Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge F. & A.M. of Washington was formed in 1903-4 and 16 years later a group of men, led by R.R. Lawrence, contacted this Grand Lodge for a dispensation. This was granted September 29th, 1919.

On July 26th, 1920, at a stated communication of True Resolution Lodge No. 16 UD in Vancouver BC, Most Worshipful Grand Master E. H. Holmes along with Grand Senior Warden W. D. Cole and

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DDGM A. H. Huddleston were in attendance.

The Gavel of Authority and the Peg of Knowledge were given to the Grand Master where he proceeded to open a Grand Lodge in Ample Form for the consecration, dedication and constitution of True Resolution Lodge and the installation of its officers.

The Grand Marshall proclaimed that True Resolution Lodge was regularly constituted, dedicated and its officers installed.

This was followed by an address by our first Worshipful Master R. R. Lawrence who expressed great approval of the consolidation and his willingness to be submissive to the Grand Lodge and its officers.

After a brief lecture by the Junior Warden, business was completed, and the Lodge closed in due form.

All is now determined, and the stipulated forms are: FORM; DUE FORM; AMPLE FORM and it hinges on ‘who’ presides.

In the case of regular lodges their meeting being presided over by the Worshipful Master then (assuming work up to the third degree is likely) the use of DUE FORM is correct.

Only when a Grand Master is presiding is the term ‘Ample form’ appropriate, as is the case with Provincial, District and Metropolitan Grand Lodges and Grand Lodge itself.

It now becomes very clear why Dermott became pernickety about the term ‘Ample’ as rarely (if ever) did a Grand Master attend Grand lodge.

This is stated in relation to the ‘Antients’ Grand Lodge, it may not be correct for the ‘Moderns’ Grand Lodge. So, in the absence of the Grand Master who else will officiate and still correctly open and close in ‘Ample’ form?

The rank of Deputy Grand Master or Assistant Grand Master does not suffice in respect of this quandary.

However, Grand Lodges often have a ‘Pro’ Grand Master with such powers vested as with the Grand Master (Oxford English Dictionary: per pro – by proxy). The confusion that often arises is that ‘pro’ means ‘programme’ as in assisting with the programme of work.

But in many ways, this is more akin to the role of ‘Vice’ as in Vice royal. Lord Mountbatten was the last Viceroy of India and carried out his duties on behalf of the Monarch and with full powers thereof.

The role of ‘Pro’ was in place in the Moderns Grand Lodge before the Union of 1813, and in the mid 1700s an ‘Acting’ Grand Master became known as the Pro Grand Master. However, in 1782, the Earl of Effingham formally assumed the office when the Grand Master, the Prince of Wales, was elected Grand Master. Grand Lodge then decided: ‘That whenever a Prince of the Blood did the Society the honour to accept the office of Grand Master, he should be at liberty to nominate any peer of the realm to be Acting Grand Master’.

This is the nub of the matter! The rank (Acting/Pro) is only created when the head of the Fraternity is a Prince of the Blood Royal, probably giving rise to the misconception of ‘assisting with the programme’ of work, although granted this would be a distinct part of the job.

Therefore, when so acting as such (as Grand Master) the term ‘Ample’ is correct. Regular lodges are ‘due’, and when (and only when) the Grand Master – or his Pro – presides are they ‘ample’.

Let’s hope that one day each lodge will have a Grand Master (visiting) in that role and therefore can experience the latter. Hopefully no lodge will ever have to endure opening only in ‘form’, although to be correct on some occasions it should. But never say never!

Source: Bro. Paul Gardner, 10Kent Lodge No 15, (UGLE)

I hope this writing finds everyone healthy and happy.

Dana and I are holding up very well for our age and mistreatment we’ve experienced. You know the old saying, ( you gotta be tough when your dumb ). We could be in a cool climate you know.

By the time you read this, I will be in San Antonio Texas for my Granddaughter’s graduation from Air Force boot camp. I can’t express how proud I am of her. Since I will be there a few days, I contacted Texas Grand Lodge and a local Lodge in San Antonio about a visit. They both said no problem, COME ON DOWN! Then I ask if my son-in-law could visit as well? He being an E.A. only and no dues card. I’m very happy to say that with a little help from a few Brothers that hurdle was overcome, and Texas said welcome to him as well. What a cool experience for both of us. As you can tell I’m looking forward to this.

THEN PLANT- five rows of lettuce: let us be faithful, let us be loyal, let us be unselfish, let us love one another, let us be truthful.

NO GARDEN is complete without turnips: turn up for Church, turn up with a smile, turn up with a new idea, turn up with real determination, when you turn up at Lodge Fraternally,

Dewey Jefferson 2022 Junior Warden Gila Valley Lodge No. 9

Ok enough of that. We are in the Dog Days of summer now with extreme heat. So, drink large quantities of your favorite beverage and use sun screen.

By the way, don’t forget your proficiencies as lodge elections are not far away. See ya in September Lodge. Now a little humor, All-Season Planting Time, PLANT- five rows of peas: preparedness, promptness, perseverance, politeness, prayer.

NEXT PLANT- three rows of squash: squash gossip, squash criticism, squash indifference.

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"The Key," says Doctor Oliver (Landmarks I, page 180), "is one of the most important symbols of Freemasonry. It bears the appearance of a common metal instrument, confined to the performance of one simple act. But the well-instructed brother beholds in it the symbol which teaches him to keep a tongue of good report, and to abstain from the debasing vices of slander and defamation." Among the ancients the key was a symbol of silence and circumspection; and thus Sophocles alludes to it in the Oedipus Coloneus (line 105), where he makes the chorus speak of "the golden key which had come upon the tongue of the ministering Hierophant in the mysteries of Eleusis—Callimachus says that the Priestess of Ceres bore a key as the ensign of her mystic office. The key was in the Mysteries of Isis a hieroglyphic of the opening or disclosing of the heart and conscience, in the kingdom of death, for trial and Judgment.

In the old instructions of Freemasonry the key was an important symbol, and Doctor Oliver regrets that it has been abandoned in the modern system. In the ceremonies of the First Degree, in the eighteenth century allusion is made to a key by whose help the secrets of Freemasonry are to be obtained, which key "is said to hang and not to lie, because it is always to hang in a brother's defense and not to lie to his prejudge." It was said, too, to hang "by the thread of life at the entrance, " and was closely connected with the heart, because the tongue "ought to utter nothing but what the heart dictates." And, finally, this key is described as being "composed of no met-

al, but a tongue of good report." In the ceremonies of the Masters Degree in the Adonhiramite Rite, we find this catechism (in the Recueil Précieu:, page 87): What do you conceal?

All the secrets which have been intrusted to me.

Where do you conceal them?

In the heart.

Have you a key to gain entrance there?

Yes, Right Worshipful.

Where do you keep it?

In a box of coral which opens and shuts only with ivory teeth.

The Pinal County Animal Care and Control is once again full of dogs and needs our help again. Please bring in your old blankets and dog toys for us to donate for our next Stated Meeting!! There will be a box for collection of the donated items!

Other items that are needed: Cleaning supplies - Blankets and towels – Peanut butter (xylitolfree) –12 Pet Food—Medicine - Office supplies - Grooming tools

Of what metal is it composed?

Of none. It is a tongue obedient to reason, which knows only how to speak well of those of whom it speaks in their absence as in their presence.

All of this shows that the key as a symbol was formerly equivalent to the modern symbol of the "instructive tongue," which, however, with almost the same interpretation, has now been transferred to the Second or Fellow-Craft's Degree. The key, however, is still preserved as a symbol of secrecy in the Royal Arch Degree; and it is also presented to us in the same sense in the ivory key of the Secret Master, or Fourth Degree of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite. In many of the German Lodges an ivory key is made a part of the Masonic clothing of each Brother, to remind him that he should lock up or conceal the secrets of Freemasonry in his heart. But among the ancients the key was also a symbol of power; and thus among the Greeks the title of Kxeiaouxos~ or key-bearer, was bestowed upon one

holding high office; and with the Romans, the keys are given to the bride on the day of marriage, as a token that the authority of the house was bestowed upon her; and if afterward divorced, they were taken from her, as a symbol of the deprivation of her office, Among the Hebrews the key was used in the same sense. "As the robe and the baldric," says Lowth (Israel, part ii, section 4), "were the ensigns of power and authority, so likewise was the key the mark of office, either sacred or civil." Thus in Isaiah (xxii, 22), it is said: "The key of the house of David will I lay upon his shoulders; so he shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open" Our Savior expressed a similar idea when he said to Saint Peter, "I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven." It is in reference to this interpretation of the symbol, and not that of secrecy, that the key has been adopted as the official jewel of the Treasurer of a Lodge, because he has the purse, the source of power, under his command.

~Mackey's Encyclopedia of Freemasonry

What is a Common Gavel ?

The common gavel is one of the working tools of an Entered Apprentice. It is made use of by the Operative Mason to break off the corners of the rough ashlar, and thus fit it the better for the builder's use, and is therefore adopted as a symbol in Speculative Freemasonry, to admonish us of the duty of divesting our minds and consciences of all the vices and impurities of life, thereby fitting our bodies as living stones for that spiritual building not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. It borrows its name from its shape, being that of the gable or gavel end of a house; and this word again comes from the German gipfel, a summit, top, or peak the idea of a pointed extremity being common to all.

The true form of the gavel is that of the stonemasons hammer. It is to be made with a cutting edge, as in the engraving, that it may be used to break off the corners of rough stones, an operation which could never be effected by the common hammer or mallet. The gavel thus shaped will give, when looked at in front, the exact representation of the gavel or gable end of a house, whence, as has been already said, the name is derived.

The gavel of the Master is also called a Hiram, because, like that architect, it governs the Craft and keeps order in the Lodge, as he did in the Temple.

Source: Mackey 13

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Grand Care (GCARE) is designed to support Arizonans by funding one-time medical care payments or by reimbursing co-payments for Arizona citizens who receive medical care because they suffer from a "chronic disease" constituting a chronic health condition. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control defines "chronic diseases" as those conditions that exist for at least, but no less than, one calendar year and require ongoing medical attention or limited activities of daily living or both, including, but not limited to, Alzheimer's Disease, Arthritis, Asthma, Cancer, Cardiovascular Disease, Chronic Kidney Disease, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Diabetes, and Stroke.

We are committed to helping those with chronic illness deal with the high cost of medical care, prescriptions and co-pays. We understand hardships are caused for basic living needs when one is living with a chronic illness. Our organization is committed to operating with excellence while providing ser-

vice.

Grand Care is an Arizona non-profit corporation and gratefully accepts IRS 501(C) (3) tax-deductible contributions from individuals, business and groups

Your support and contributions will enable us to meet our goals and improve conditions. Your generous donation will fund our mission. You can mail donations to P.O. Box 64251, Tucson, Arizona 85728 4251 or send them securely through our certified PayPal account.

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Light is an important word in the Masonic system. It conveys a far more recondite meaning than it is believed to possess by the generality of readers. It is in fact the first of all the symbols presented to the neophyte, and continues to be presented to him in various modifications throughout all his future progress in his Masonic career. It does not simply mean, as might be supposed, truth or Sodom, but it contains within itself a far more abstruse allusion to the very essence of Speculative Freemasonry, and embraces within its capacious signification all the other symbols of the Order. Freemasons are emphatically called the Sons of Light, because they are, or at least are entitled to be, in possession of the true meaning of the symbol; while the profane or uninitiated who have not received this knowledge are, by a parity of expression, said to be in darkness.

The connection of material light with this emblematic and mental illumination, was prominently exhibited in all the ancient systems of religion and esoteric mysteries. Among the Egyptians, the hare was the hieroglyphic of eyes that are open, because that animal was supposed to have his eyes always open.

The priests afterward adopted the hare as the symbol of the moral illumination revealed to the neophytes in the contemplation of the Divine Truth, and hence, according to Champollion, it was also the symbol of Osiris, their principal divinity, and the chief object of their mystic rites thus showing the intimate connection that they maintained in their symbolic language between the process of initiation and the contemplation of divinity. On this subject a remarkable coincidence has been pointed out by Baron Portal (Les Symboles des Egyptiens, 69) in the Hebrew language.

There the word for hare is arnebet, which seems to be compounded of aur, tight, and nabat, to see; so that the word which among the Egyptians was used to designate an initiation, among the Hebrews meant to see the light.

Order your GM Coins with this QC Code of religion which were practiced by the nations of antiquity, we shall find that light always constituted a principal object of adoration, as the primordial source of knowledge and goodness, and that darkness was with them synonymous with ignorance and evil. Doctor Beard (Encyclopedia of Biblical Literature), attributes this view of the Divine origin of light among the Eastern nations, to the fact that: Light in the East has a clearness and brilliancy, is accompanied by an intensity of heat, and is followed in its influence by a largeness of good, of which the inhabitants of less genial climates have no conception.

Light easily and naturally became, in consequence, with Orientals, a representative of the highest human good. All the more joyous emotions of the mind, all the pleasing sensations of the frame all the happy hours of domestic intercourse, were described under imagery derived from light. The transition was

If we proceed to an examination of the other systems 16

natural from earthly to heavenly, from corporeal to spiritual things; and so light came to typify true religion and the felicity which it imparts. But as light not only came from God but also makes man's way clear before him, so it w as employed to signify moral truth and preeminently that divine system of truth which is set forth in the Bible, from its earliest gleamings onward to the perfect day of the Great Sun of Righteousness.

As light was thus adored as the source of goodness, darkness, which is the negation of light, was abhorred as the cause of evil, and hence arose that doctrine which prevailed among the ancients, that there were two antagonistic principles continually contending for the government of the world. Duncan (Religion of Profane Antiquity, page 187) says: Light is a source of positive happiness: without it man could barely exist. And since all religious opinion is based on the ideas of pleasure and pain, and the corresponding sensations of hope and fear, it is not to be wondered if the heathen reverenced light.

Darkness, on the contrary, by replunging nature, as it were, into a state of nothingness, and depriving man of the pleasurable emotions conveyed through the organ of sight, was ever held in abhorrence, as a source of misery and fear. The two opposite conditions in which man thus found himself placed, occasioned by the enjoyment or the banishment of light, induced him to imagine the existence of two antagonistic principles in nature, to whose dominion he was alternately subjected.

Such was the dogma of Zoroaster, the great Persian philosopher, who, under the names of Ormuzd and Ahriman, symbolized these two principles of light and darkness. Such was also the doctrine, though somewhat modified, of Manes, the founder of the sect of Manichees, who describes God the Father as ruling over the kingdom of light and contending with

the powers of darkness. Pythagoras also maintained his doctrine of two antagonistic principles. He called the one, unity, light, the right hand, equality, stability, and a straight line; the other he named binary, darkness, the left hand, inequality, instability, and a curved line. Of the colors, he attributed white to the good principle, and black to the evil one.

The Jewish Cabalists believed that, before the creation of the world, all space was filled with the Infinite Intellectual Light, which afterward withdrew itself to an equal distance from a central point in space, and afterward by its emanation produced future worlds.

The first emanation of this surrounding light into the abyss of darkness produced what they called the Adam Kadmon, the first man, or the first production of the Divine energy.

In the Bhagavad-Gita the Book of Devotion, a work purporting to be a dialogue between Krishna, Lord of Devotion, and Arjuna, Prince of India, and one of the religious books of the Brahmans, it is said: Light and darkness are esteemed the world's eternal ways; he who walketh in the former path returneth not that is, he goeth immediately to bliss; whilst he who walketh in the latter cometh back again upon the earth.

In fact, in all the ancient systems, this reverence for light, as an emblematic representation of the Eternal Principle of Good, is predominant. In the Mysteries, the candidate passed, during his initiation, through scenes of utter darkness, and at length terminated his trials by an admission to the splendidly illuminated sacellurn, the Holy of Holies, where he was said to have attained pure and perfect light, and where he received the necessary instructions which were to invest him with that knowledge of the Divine Truth which had been the object of all his labors.

Source: Mackey

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The George Washington Memorial Society comprises a select group of members who are dedicated to supporting the Memorial and its Mission. The purpose of the Society is to raise support for the George Washington Masonic National Memorial’s operations and to increase awareness of the Memorial’s mission among Freemasons and the wider community.

The emblem of the Society is a special version of the official crest of The George Washington Masonic National Memorial Association. An image of the Memorial building in the center of the emblem serves as an important reminder of the commitment that each member of the George Washington Memorial Society has made.

Please note that GWMS membership is for individuals only. Lodges are encouraged to consider the Society of Washington Lodges, and other opportunities for support are available for lodges and other organizations as well.

Charter Membership is conferred for contributions of $1,000 or more to the Memorial with the membership application, and $250 or more per year thereafter.

Your Memorial Society dues benefit our annual fund, and are put to use to support the daily operations of the Memorial. To support the restoration work, consider an additional contribution to the Landmark Century Campaign.

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In England, Scotland, and Ireland at the beginning of the first Grand Lodge in 1717 there was an unknown but comparatively large number of Lodges and Masons called generally St. Johns'. St. Johns' Lodges prior to 1717 may have been Lodges without any copy of the Old Charges, were therefore self-constituted as the meaning of that term would have obtained in that time; also, there were a number of Masons not in any Lodge, and apparently in some instances "one Mason not in any Lodge would make another.

and from 1748 to 177O at least 162 [six per year] signed our Minute Book ...."

When the Antient Grand Lodge was formed in 1751 it described itself as founded according to the Ancient Institutions of York. Its members often called themselves, and were called by others, York Masons. When the Antient Provincial Grand Lodge of Canada was formed in 1792 at Montreal (and Canadian Masonry influenced New England and New York Masonry in many ways) it became known AS the York Body and After the new Grand Lodge system was established a its members called themselves York Masons. The number of the St. Johns' Lodges (one may believe a many Antient chartered Lodges which were warranted larger number than existing records account for) con- during or prior to the Revolution in the Colonies also tinued to work (and not as Operative Lodges) but nev- called themselves York Masons. The term "York" was er joined the Grand Lodge. Yet during the first half of therefore introduced into America by Canadian and the Eighteenth Century these were accepted as genuine British Lodges and Brethren, and hence did not origiLodges, and their members often Visited regular (on nate here. the Roll of Grand Lodge) Lodges. The Rev. George In his introduction to Memorials of the Mason* UnOliver had a muddled theory that Free masonry had ion, William James Hughan animadverts on the Amerbeen revived and reformed by St. John the Evangelist ican use of "York," which he took to be an Americanand for that reason he called Craft Masonry "St. John's made myth. (This Introduction, famous in 1874, is Masonry." Owing to the large circulation of his books now obsolete.) in America this term came into general use (it is obsoElsewhere he accuses American Masons of "boasting" lete now); Oliver's St. John's Masons had no connecof being "York Masons." Bro. Hughan was in his own tion in thought or theory with the St. Johns' Masons generation second to none as a cautious, accurate, hisfamiliar to Eighteenth Century Lodges. torical scholar, but he had the misfortune to be in One of the many proofs of the numerousness of St. some degree in error, and oftentimes w holly in error, Johns' Masons is given by the records of Old Dundee in his statements of fact about American Masonry. His Lodge, No. 18 (probably older than Grand Lodge). attribution of the York myth and boasting to us is one On page 168 of his history of that Lodge Arthur Hei- of his mistakes. We created no myth about York, for ron writes: "In olden days there were certain Lodges as said above the term came straight from Britain and who were never regularly constituted, [by Grand Canada; we never boasted about it. Today the word Lodge] but merely recognized St. John as their leader. "York;" has lost any meaning it was ever supposed to They were looked upon as 'Unattached' or have, and when used, if ever it still is used, functions as 'Independent Lodges,' but their members w ere ala mere label to distinguish the Craft and Chapter Rites lowed to visit the regular [on Grand Lodge Rolls] from Templarism and the Scottish Rite.

Lodges on terms of equality, signing themselves as 'St. ~ Mackey Johns' Men'; paying generally an extra fee.

'Old Dundee' received many such Brethren as visitors, 19

On July 16, 2022 Gila Valley Lodge No. 9 our Lodge welcomed the newest Brother to the Fraternity. A dedicated group our Lodge Members and a small group of visitors from nearby Lodges raised a very worthy Man into our privileges.

Please welcome Brother Hugo next time you run into him at Lodge.

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Aug 9, Ocotillo Chapter No. 21 OES

Aug 1, MW Jim Baker Recognition

Call for time

Florence Town Coucle 775 N Main St

Aug 11, Apache Lodge No. 69

6:00 pm Presentation

7:30 pm Stated Meeting

Aug 27, El Zaribah Shrine

Aug 20, Memento Mori Widow Sons

Cornfest Arts and Crafts Show El Zarihah Shrine 10:00 am Show

Location TBD: https://www.facebook.com/groups/WSMMChapter

11:00 am Stated Meeting

July 21, Eloy Lodge No. 46

Sept 5 Gila Valley Lodge No. 9

7:00 pm Stated Meeting

5:30 pm Trustee Meeting

Sept 1, Pinal Lodge No. 30

Sept 10, Jr. Parada Fundraiser

7:00 pm Stated Meeting

Coolidge Florence Elks Club 2241 S Attaway Coolidge

Sept 5, Gila Valley Lodge No. 9

5:00 pm Event

5:00 pm Dinner at Lodge 7:00 pm Stated Meeting 9:00 pm Post meeting discussion at Mount Athos

Sept 12, Sabbar Shrine 7:00 pm Stated Meeting

Sept 10, White Mountain No. 3

Sept 12, Gila Valley Lodge No. 9

10:00 am Stated Meeting

Book Club 5:30 pm Meeting

Sept 10, Globe Chapter No. 7 R.A.M 2:00 pm Stated Meeting

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The “Capitular” or Chapter Degrees of Freemasonry refers the four degrees of the York Rite system that follow the “blue lodge” or “Craft” degrees. The Holy Royal Arch is the final degree and the culmination of the Chapter experience for a candidate. The Chapter is the second body of the York Rite of Freemasonry (following the Symbolic or 'Blue' Lodge), though in some Jurisdictions it is considered the completion of the initial three degrees and is part of the regular Craft experience. All Master Masons are eligible for membership. Contact RW Jim Baker, or WB Paul Dore at pauldoresr@cox.net for more information

Do you have a son 12-21 years Old? Saguaro Order of the DeMolay is the premier youth leadership organization building young men of character and dedicated to making young men better people and leaders and sponsored by Gila Valley Lodge 9, Pinal Lodge No. 30, and Eloy Lodge No. 46 Meetings are held twice monthly on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month starting at 6:00 pm. All parents are welcome and are encouraged to attend and get involved in this great organization. They meet at Pinal Lodge #30 located at 1140 E. Florence Blvd., Casa Grande, Arizona 85122.

Great Men wear a Fez! We're counting on you… Who do you know that would make a good Mason and Shriner? A friend? A family member? A coworker? Commit to making a difference!

The future of our fraternity relies on your commitment.

CLICK HERE TO REFER A GOOD MAN The individual you refer will receive a series of communications, the first of which will identity you as the referral source.

The Scottish Rite is a Masonic organization that continues a Master Mason's education of the first three degrees. The Scottish Rite is one of several appendant groups of the worldwide fraternity known as Freemasonry. Each Valley has up to four Scottish Rite bodies, and each body confers a set of degrees. In the Southern Jurisdiction these are the Lodge of Perfection (4°-14°). Chapter Rose Croix (15°-18°), Council of Knights Kadosh (19°-30°), and the Consistory (31°-32°). The 33rd Degree is an honorary degree awarded for exceptional service. Have a question? Ask a Personal Rep!

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The Widows Sons, Masonic Riders Association is a group of Master Masons who have gathered together to promote Freemasonry within the motorcycling community and help introduce motorcycling to our non-riding Masonic brethren. As Freemasons we are committed to "Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth" tenets of our lives, as Widows Sons we are devoted to supporting Widows and Orphans of our Masonic brethren. We hold events and rides as fundraisers for this noble cause, and other charitable causes. The chapters in Arizona are very diverse with members from various areas, lodges, and a variety of motorcycles.

The goal of the Ladies’ Oriental Shrine, as set forth at the organizational meeting in 1903, is to promote sociability, good fellowship and the betterment of all Ladies connected with the organization. Our Ladies participate in parades, mini-clinics, Shrine Circuses, and much more. Ladies may choose to be active in a variety of special interest Units within each local Court such as Oriental Bands, Patrols, Clown or Dance Units. Our Ladies are always ready to display their pageantry and glamour in order to show the public how much they enjoy their activities.

Today, LOSNA has nearly 8,000 members in 64 Courts across North America and even members in Japan and Taiwan.

High Twelve is an association of Master Masons who desire an hour of Masonic fellowship independent of the formal ritual of Lodge but dedicated to the service to the fraternity. High Twelve was founded by E. C. Wolcott in Sioux City, Iowa on May 17, 1921.

We practice the great lessons of Freemasonry and encourage members to attend and participate in their Blue Lodge activities. High Twelve unifies Master Masons from many Lodges in an association where fellowship grows into lasting friendships. As High Twelve Masons, we support the Public School System and encourage participation in constructive community activities. There are over 300 active High Twelve Clubs with 25,000 members in the United States, Canada and Foreign Countries.

www.azmasoniclibrary.org 23

Jim Reid Frank Musil MWGM Rex Hutchens WB John O’Hara PM WB Delbert Lewis PM WB Ray Osbourn PM Wilbur (Bill) Dean Lawrence Baby Rylee Ringer Baby Miguel Martinez

Daryl Neil Carroll Michael Jr. James Jameson Nicholas Hayduke Richard Platt Michael Henry

Baby Angeliya Celeste Holt MW Grand Master of Arizona First Responders The Armed Forces Our Veterans Our dearly departed Brethren Brethren Gila Valley Lodge No. 9 Town of Florence Government United States Government

9/4 9/8 9/9 9/15 9/19 9/27

Don Richard Rudolph Anderson Eric Smith

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9/13/1962 9/29/1966 9/26/2015

Brethren, Friends, and Family, This year the Masonic Charities of Arizona approved 33 grants totaling $70,000 to worthy organizations throughout Arizona. These 501c3 charitable organizations provide much needed services to their communities all over Arizona Those services include Veteran assistance, Domestic abuse shelters, child learning disabilities, training and assistance for people with special needs, support for soldiers abroad, Adult literacy programs and Personal hygiene kits for the working poor and homeless.

We are able to award these Grants from the income of our investment fund, Lodge and Personal donations and support from Grand Lodge. In order to keep up with the desire to expand our Grant distribution to more organizations and communities around the State we ask for your help.

We have registered with the Amazon Smile Foundation. Amazon Smile will donate 0.5% of the purchase price of eligible products to the charitable organization selected by their customers. For Amazon customers to select the Masonic Charities of Arizona to receive these donations go to http://smile.amazon.com/ch/942746389 to automatically select us. Or you can go to www.smile.amazon.com and you will be prompted to select a charity. Now you are ready to shop and support the Masonic Charities of Arizona.

The Board of Directors of the Masonic Charities of Arizona extends our appreciation to all of you for your support.

Fraternally, Roger Biede III Secretary, Masonic Charities of Arizona rcbthree@hotmail.com www.masoniccharitiesaz.com

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Email: jiminys@yahoo.com

Bro. Email: jwoode591@gmail.com

Dewey Jefferson Email: djndjedderson48@yahoo.com

MWGM Jim Baker 2022-23 Grand Master F. & A.M of Arizona

Bro. John Bryon Singer Email: jbyronsinger@aol.com

Chairman: WB Eric Smith Email: jiminys@yahoo.com

Bro. Lee Apger Chairman: John Woode

Email: lkapger@gmail.com

Email: jwoode591@gmail.com

Chairman: WB Dewey Jefferson Email: djndjedderson48@yahoo.com

WB Robert Malloy Email: robert_molloy@cox.net

Chairman: WB Roger Biede III PM Email: roger.biede@gmail.com

Chairman: Brian Gay

Bro. Steve Murphy

Email: bg1973@hotmail.com

Email: santanman7921@gmail.com

Chairman: WB Roger Biede III Email: roger.biede@gmail.com

Bro. Spencer Sego Email: spencersego@gmail.com

Chairman: John Woode Email: jwoode591@gmail.com

WB Anthony Raimondi

Roger Biede III PM Chairman

Email: raimondi_57@msn.com 26

Robert Molloy PM, John Woode

27

28

The first mention of Moon Lodges can be found in the Cooke Manuscript of 1410, one of the oldest documents belonging to the Masonic Craft. In the U.S., Moon Lodges were first noted in colonial times around 1717 to be operating in Philadelphia, Boston and Tennessee There appears to have been approximately 3000 moon lodges in the U.S. at the turn of the last century but by the 1950’s that number had decreased to 500. Today, by last count, there are roughly 129 moon lodges in the U .

S .

A moon lodge was born out of necessity due to the lack of natural or artificial illumination by which one could travel to and from meetings. During the 18th century, transportation was limited to horseback, horse & buggy, walking and even in some circumstances by boat. There were no paved roads and very few gravel but merely two dirt ruts that would meander through bush and fields rarely in a straight line. With only a candle or coal oil lamp to light the way, a full moon provided welcome companionship for a long and lonely trek. Individuals would travel 8-10 miles or more and were unable to make the long trip home at night and would be supplied lodging by a fellow brother, leaving after br eakfast to return home the next morning.

Gila Valley Lodge No. 9 continues to follow this tradition and is honored to be still one of the remaining “Moon Lodges” in the United States. Our Stated Meetings are the Monday On or Before the Full Moon of the Month, The Lodge also goes “Dark” during the summer months of July and August, where no Stated Meetings are 29held.