FROM THE EAST
NOVEMBER '09
Dear Brother,
The minute book of the Lodge at Fredericksburg presents no more than the usual record
that on November 4, 1752, George Washington was initiated as an Entered Apprentice.
The youth passed through the solemn ceremony without any suspicion that the event then
occurring would become an era in the annals of our institution. Time has since taught
us that this evening was among the most important in the history of American Masonry.
That old but distinctly legible page in the record book of Fredericksburg Lodge will
be pointed to with pride by every Mason, as indisputable evidence that the wisest of
statesmen, the purest of patriots, the most virtuous of men, was indeed his brother.
The seed of Masonry sown on that evening fell not on barren soil. It grew with his growth
and strengthened with his strength, and bloomed into a glowing zeal for our order. Years
after his initiation, in those days which have been so well defined as "the times that
tried men's souls," notwithstanding his duties and labors, he would often lay aside
the ensigns of his authority, and forgetting for a time "pomp and circumstance," would
enter the secluded tent and mingle on the level with his brave companions, where
brotherhood existed above all.
Scenes of war were occurring in our Revolutionary War. But one in which Washington was
particularly engaged serves to show how he understood and appreciated Masonry. After an
engagement in which the British forces were defeated, the chest of the British Military
Lodge, containing its jewels and implements, fell into the hands of the Americans. The
captors reported the circumstances to General Washington, who at once ordered the chest
to be returned to the British, under a guard of honor. "The surprise," says the historian
of the event, himself an English Mason, "the feeling of both officers and men may be
imagined, when they perceived the flag of truce that announced this elegant compliment
from their noble opponent, but still nobler brother.
Two hundred and fifty-seven years have elapsed since George Washington knelt at the sacred
altar of Masonry, and imposed upon himself those solemn vows of obedience, fidelity, and
fraternity, which entitled him to the reception of our mystic light. Though he and other
things have since passed away, our Fraternity still remains; now as it has ever been,
indissoluble and immutable - no landmark subverted; its columns still standing strong;
its lights still burning with undiminished splendor; and its truth still pure as in the
day of its birth. When the cycle of another century shall have re-volved, and you and
I shall have gone down to the dust from whence we sprung - another generation will be here
- again to meet and celebrate that day which gave to Masonry one of the noblest of sons.
Fraternally,
Richard Gendreau, WM
TRESTLE BOARD
Monday, November 9thth, 2009 (7:30PM)
Regular Communication (Final Offical Meeting)
Location: Harmony Masonic Temple, 110 Rt. 37 West, Toms River, NJ
Dress: Business Attire
Monday, November 23rd, 2009 (7:30PM)
Informal Meeting and Party
Location: Harmony Masonic Temple, 110 Rt. 37 West, Toms River, NJ
Dress: Casual
DATES TO REMEMBER
Sunday, November 1st, 2009 (1:00PM)
Sunday Brunch
Location: Granny’s Country Kitchen, Home Depot Shopping Center, Rt 70 & Shorrock Rd
Come out and support your Lodge!
Saturday, November 21st, 2009 (8:30AM)
Lodge Treasurer’s Meeting
Location: Fellowship Hall, Burlington, NJ
Saturday December 5th, 2009 (5:30PM)
Feast of Saint Johns
Location: Fellowship Hall, Burlington, NJ
Cost: $50.00 per person
Sunday, December 6th, 2009
20th District Holiday Party
Location: Sea Oaks Country Club 99 Golf View Drive, Little Egg Harbor
Awaiting Investigation Reports
None
Awaiting Entered Apprentice Degree
None
Awaiting Fellowcraft Degree
Bro Michael Patrick Flatley
Awaiting Master Mason Degree
Bro Giacomo S Tuminaro
SECRETARY’S CORNER
2009 Dues are $97.00. If there is a discrepancy with your dues notice, please contact me as soon as possible for corrections. Thank You.
None
"The secret of success in life is for a man to be ready for his time when it comes"
-Benjamin Disraeli
Central New Jersey District Representative
Masonic Service Association Visitation Program
Michael Holt (908) 322-7246
mhstop@comcast.net
20th Masonic District! Support the Jersey Shore Chapter of DeMolay!
Show your support for Autism Awareness by purchasing and wearing this ribbon and puzzle piece.
Contact the WM or New Horizons in Autism to get yours!
November is National Epilepsy Awareness Month, a cause that hits very close to home. Join the cause!
http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org
SICKNESS and DISTRESS
Please contact Master or Secretary. Thank You.
MASONIC BIRTHDAYS - NOVEMBER '09
| Stephen V. Lane |
|
1949 |
|
David Harrison |
|
1951 |
| Ira Jacobson |
|
1952 |
|
Sydney Krupnick |
|
1953 |
| Sydney Kassenoff |
|
1956 |
|
John J. Franklin |
|
1960 |
| Albert Steinman |
|
1961 |
|
Martin Steinweiss |
|
1962 |
| Samuel Wexler |
|
1962 |
|
Howard F. Patterson, Jr. |
|
1964 |
| Richard B. Donica |
|
1972 |
|
Herbert E. Elbaum |
|
1975 |
| Charles E. Anderson |
|
1983 |
|
Arthur D. Chase |
|
1983 |
| Sean D. Gertner |
|
1994 |
|
Charles H. Smith |
|
1987 |
| Jack R. Thode, Sr. |
|
1997 |
|
Mitchel A. Gertner |
|
2002 |
| Steve Kaslov |
|
2002 |
|
Joshua Gonzalez |
|
2006 |
| Harold Gimpel |
|
2006 |
|
John P. Cunningham |
|
2006 |