Master's Messages for
Worship Brother David C Wilson

Jan'06 - Dec'06

January '06

Brethren:

We hear 'peace and harmony being the principle support of all institutions, especially this of ours' twice in every meeting. We also offer up a prayer that has a passage 'may brotherly love prevail' at the end of every meeting. My brothers, sitting in the West this past year, I could not help but notice, at times, brotherly love as well as peace and harmony are being stretched a little thin in our Lodge. As your Master, I can not resolve each and every difference that exists between some of the brethren. I can, however, as your Master, urge each and every member to examine his own cable tow and ask 'what can I do to contribute to the good cause of restoring our Lodge to a place where peace and harmony prevail and brotherly love is alive and well'?

In addition, brethren, let me say that many of us belong to the various appended bodies of Freemasonry. This is indeed admirable. Remember however, that without your Blue Lodge there would be no other bodies to belong to. Your Blue Lodge should come first. Ask yourself brothers, am I putting my Lodge aside, where and when I am needed in favor of another body? Our Lodge is in need of all of the support we can give. We can not go forward without the wholehearted support of each and every one of our members. Additionally, my brothers, support goes way beyond just paying our dues.

Until next time, brethren, with your help we can make this year a year that will stand out as one of the best years for our Lodge and for our Fraternity. Live in peace and 'may the god of love and peace delight to dwell with and bless you'.

January '06 February '06 March '06 April '06 May '06 June '06 September '06 October '06
November '06 December '06

February '06

Brethren:

Recently I received a communication from our past master regarding a young man wishing to become a Mason. I arranged to meet this young man and in the course of our chat, I asked why he wished to become a Mason and how he knew of our fraternity. He explained as follows: "As a youngster at summer camp, the two men he looked up to who were on staff were wearing Masonic rings. When he asked what the rings meant, he was told they were Freemasons. Well, those brothers made a lasting impression on this person. For at a very young age he decided that if these men were Masons, he wanted to be one also. And, as he grew up, everyone he met that was a Mason was a person of great character and admirable personality, he told me.

Many of us show "Masonic Light" in one way or another - whether it be a piece of jewelry, an auto sticker, etc. Our emblem is well known. Our actions - whether in our work place, traffic or wherever circumstance may lead us - are reflections of each of us and of our Masonic fraternity. If we act upon the square and keep a tongue of good report with all mankind, then less can be said of our fraternity in a negative light. One only has to go to the internet or library, reference Free Masonry, and peruse some of the misconceptions and outright lies to know what I am referring to. Ask yourself, my brothers, in my daily life am I projecting the kind of light that shines upon our craft in a "good light"?

Travel well January '06 February '06 March '06 April '06 May '06 June '06 September '06 October '06
November '06 December '06

March '06

Brethren:

When we all came into our Lodge, we were all given a “Little Blue Book” at the completion of each degree. Keep in mind, for some of us; it has been some time since then. How many of us have read from them through the ensuing years? How many of us just skimmed through them; how many of us just put them into a drawer where they were forgotten or how many of us just never really got a chance or were unable to find the time to read them at length?. I just recently came across mine and felt compelled to read them again. Much of what I read then I had forgotten and it was like reading for the first time.

If I may, in the ensuing months I will attempt to shed more Masonic Light with the assistance of these books. The point is brethren, by waiting for the monthly trestle board and that short paragraph that will or may shed some Masonic Light for us, we are depriving ourselves of that inestimable privilege of gaining more Masonic Light. Brethren, there is so much available to us right in our own ritual ciphers, the three books I mentioned above. Don’t just wait and see what the Master will have to say in a given month in regard to “Light” – the sources of “Light” are available to all of us as free masons as well as some sources are available to the profane. Remember, on our first admission into the lodge, what were we in search of? It’s out there brethren, seek it out.

Travel well January '06 February '06 March '06 April '06 May '06 June '06 September '06 October '06
November '06 December '06

April '06

Brethren,

As spring approaches, our gardens will soon become a beehive of activity. The beehive is in itself a Masonic symbol, as explained thusly: “The beehive is an emblem of industry and recommends the practice of that future to all created beings. From its busy inmates a man may profitably take an example of thrift and providence. Man was formed for active and social life; and he who will not endeavor to add to the common stock of knowledge may be deemed a drone in the beehive of nature”. Our very institution should and could exemplify the beehive - active, productive, protective. Active speaks for itself, Brothers. A beehive that is not swarming with workers will cease to exist. Productive in a sense that we move our fraternity forward and assist in its growth. And protective as to protect our craft from misconceptions, rumors and yes, even outright lies.

Spring is a time of renewal, so could it be a time of renewal to each of us Masonicly? By renewing our commitment to our fraternity, we can begin anew to plant our Masonic ‘seeds’ with all mankind.

Even though the sands of time may claim the “Queen Bee”, the hive must continue and can only continue through the efforts of its workers. Are you a worker, Brother? Let’s continue forward and strive for the degree of perfection that can only be achieved collectively.

Travel well

January '06 February '06 March '06 April '06 May '06 June '06 September '06 October '06
November '06 December '06

May '06

My Brother,

In our Masonic travels we hear the phrase “that noble intention that he who can do, will”. This is ever so evident now in our Lodge. Recently I was incapacitated due to an injury. I shattered my heel bone. Upon learning that I would need to be off it for some time, I realized I would not be able to fulfill some of my duties as your Master. This caused me great concern. However, my concerns were quickly dispelled with one phone call. My first phone contact to our Senior Warden solved the problem! He assured me that he was prepared and could and would assume the East in my absence. Hence that ‘noble intention’ was fulfilled. Not only our Senior Warden, but the balance of our line was prepared to do so if necessary. Our Wardens just stepped into the positions they had to be because they could and were ready. Wouldn’t it be grand if everyone in the Lodge would take the time to commit a small portion of our ritual to memory? It would make things so much easier if the Lodge knew we had depth in ritual as well as leadership. I am looking forward to a speedy return and I have been assured by my physician that if I stay off my foot it will not be such a long confinement. Please assist your brothers and officers in keeping our Lodge strong, alive and well. The Lodge still needs your help.

Travel well

January '06 February '06 March '06 April '06 May '06 June '06 September '06 October '06
November '06 December '06

June '06

My Brothers,

As we approach the summer break, I will exercise my prerogative and depart from the custom of spreading Masonic Light in my message from the East in favor of a short personal note since I haven't been able to attend Lodge and speak to you in person. Let me thank you all for your continued support and for supporting our interim Master, Bro. Morris Sussman. I also want to thank all the Brothers who have called with their best wishes, and finally, thank you all for your cards.

It now appears that I will be able to open Lodge in September. Over the summer I will be working on bringing in the programs I had planned earlier plus more for the winter. I would also like to ask the State Police Blue and Gold Team in, if all works out well.

I hope to see you all at our annual picnic - your committee has done an outstanding job and this should be among the best we have had. Don't forget to bring and appetite!

Have a safe and enjoyable summer. I bid you all, Act by the Plumb till we meet again on the Level.

Travel well,

January '06 February '06 March '06 April '06 May '06 June '06 September '06 October '06
November '06 December '06

September '06

My Brother:

As our Lodge moves from darkness and again to light, I hope this message finds you all in good spirits, fine health, and basking in the memories of a fine summer. As we return to ‘light’, we find we have a busy period ahead to look forward to. We have applied for a Grand Lodge dispensation and if all goes well, we will have six Fellowcraft candidates. We will need some help.

Once again, brethren, I ask you to examine your cable tow and ask yourselves if you can be of any aid to your Lodge. Remember your Fellowcraft Degree, when the Worshipful Master said “And if industry and zeal attend your labors”?

Brethren, come to Lodge, bring some zeal and labor with me to continue to bring our Lodge forward. See you all soon.

Travel well

January '06 February '06 March '06 April '06 May '06 June '06 September '06 October '06
November '06 December '06

October '06

My Brother:

As Masons, we are a part of the oldest fraternity and brotherhood in the world. But what is the meaning of Brotherhood? In pondering this question, each Mason must, with the aid of fellow Masons, continue to seek the light, and find their own answers. As Dr. Joseph Newton wrote, “The secret of Masonry, like the secret of life, can be known only by those who seek it, serve it, and live it. It cannot be uttered; it can only be felt and acted. It is, in fact, an open secret, and each man knows it according to his quest and capacity. Like all things most worth knowing, no one can know it for another and no one can know it alone. It is known only in fellowship, by the touch of life upon life, sprit upon spirit, knee to knee, breast to breast, hand to hand.”

As Masons, we address ourselves as “Brother”. But take a moment to ponder what that means. It is up to each individual to come up with their own definition and to act according to the working tools that our most Honorable and Ancient Society has provided, and taught, to us. It is up to each one of us to continue to pursue “Those sublime principles which claim our attention as Masons.” This will secure and maintain our Fraternity for all time, and set the example for our future posterity.

Always remember, that a fellow Mason is a brother, because of his own free will and accord, he has chosen to seek the light of truth, and has been accepted into our Fraternity to work for the welfare of each other, and the entire human family. And because he earnestly desires the Brotherhood of Man, of all men, under the Fatherhood of God.

If that Masonic hope and ideal were the real secret of Masonry, then it is obviously no secret at all, but in fact shared by many men in many places.

Travel Well

January '06 February '06 March '06 April '06 May '06 June '06 September '06 October '06
November '06 December '06

November '06

January '06 February '06 March '06 April '06 May '06 June '06 September '06 October '06
November '06 December '06

December '06