Master's Messages for
Worship Brother Morris D Sussman
Jan'07 - Dec'07
January '07
My Brother,
Booker T. Washington once said, "Few things help an individual more than to place responsibility upon him and to let him know that you trust him."
A new year, a new Master and a new line of officers. Will it be the same old Masonry? The same repetitive meetings? Only if you want it that way.
There is always more light for those that seek it. We have a young line behind the new Master and they want a vibrant, light filled lodge.
Remember the words of the Master's closing charge.
Be diligent in seeking more light.
Be prudent in the selection of those whose company you keep.
Be temperate in your actions with all men.
Be discreet in your daily conduct.
In The Faith
January '07
February '07
March '07
April '07
May '07
June '07
September '07
October '07
November '07
December '07
February '07
Fellow Devil Worshipers,
I recently found literature that states in no uncertain terms, that if we Masons do
not denounce our belief in Masonry and take up the religion of the true faith; we
will all go to HELL.
The literature goes on to state that if we do not denounce the Devil, we can not be
saved. I am amazed that in this day and age of enlightenment and knowledge such
stupidity and hatred should and can exist against a charitable organization such as ours.
I ask you....Who do we offend with our good deeds? Who do we harm with our charity?
It seems to me that down through the ages those who wish to do nothing of good are
willing to sully the name and character of those who would do good deeds.
Be good Masons. Remember to keep your faith and always try to seek more light. Remember
the letter “G” stands for more than geometry. It is also for the Deity each of us, in
our own chosen way, believes in.
Charity above all
January '07
February '07
March '07
April '07
May '07
June '07
September '07
October '07
November '07
December '07
March '07
A Mason, Brother Benjamin Franklin, wrote:
Be studious in your profession and you will be learned.
Be industrious and frugal and you will be rich.
Be sober and temperate and you will be healthy.
Be in general virtuous and you will be happy.
Do the words studious, industrious, temperate and virtuous strike a chord with you?
They should! These are the things a Mason should strive to be each and every day.
Come to lodge and be with your fellow Masons and let’s see what we can learn together.
Charity above all
January '07
February '07
March '07
April '07
May '07
June '07
September '07
October '07
November '07
December '07
April '07
There is an old saying, "There is no fool like an April fool." Don't be foolish and stay away from your lodge.
Your Officers want you and your Brothers miss you.
Did you know that in 1882 women were admitted into what is known as International Co-Freemasonry?
It first occurred in France. They are considered to be "irregular" lodges and are not recognized by most Grand Lodges
or regular Masonic Lodges. As the word Co- implies men belong to these lodges, but they are not masons.
They cannot be since they would be breaking their word not to attend an irregular lodge.
In The Faith
January '07
February '07
March '07
April '07
May '07
June '07
September '07
October '07
November '07
December '07
May '07
In 1775, fifteen (15) free born African Americans were initiated into the Irish Constitution Military Lodge
of Boston, Massachusetts. One of these fifteen was a man named Prince Hall. When the Irish Lodge left
North America, the African Americans were left behind as a Lodge. But they did not have all of the rights
of a true Lodge.
In 1784, African Lodge #459 was formed under a warrant from the Premier Grand Lodge of England. Because of
the War of 1812 between the United States and Britain and the forming of the United Grand Lodge of England
in 1813, all American Lodges were stricken from the rolls. Since they had no connection with English or
American Grand Lodges they formed African Lodge #1 and in effect became a Grand Lodge. From this action
Prince Hall Lodges came into being.
In The Faith
January '07
February '07
March '07
April '07
May '07
June '07
September '07
October '07
November '07
December '07
June '07
The Frenchman Francois Arout known by the name Voltaire said “I disapprove of what you say, but I will
defend to the death your right to say it”.
During the 1700s the Scottish Rite came into being. It was in fact not Scottish, but was started in France.
The name was “Rite Ecossaise” or the Scottish Rite. It is believed the Scotsman; the Chevalier Ramsey
was the one who started it. He had been given the title Chevalier of the Order of St. Lazarus by the Duke
of Orleans. In the 1740s he wrote a speech that claimed that the Freemasons were descended from the
Knights Templar of the medieval kingdom of Outremer. He did not give the speech but it was printed and believed
by many. And sometimes that is how history is made.
Remember Charity
January '07
February '07
March '07
April '07
May '07
June '07
September '07
October '07
November '07
December '07
September '07
As summer slips away, Masons prepare to return to Lodge. As they enter the Lodge Room
they pick up the Mason's tools by which they do their charitable work.
Along with our work we will consider the details of building a Lodge.
Brother Benjamin Franklin said, "I never saw an oft removed tree, nor yet an oft
removed family that throve so well as those that settled be".
Lakewood Lodge has for some years now, oft removed themselves and it is past time
that they should settle in one place. It may take some time, labor and donations of
money to have a building but we should no longer be oft removed.
In The Faith
January '07
February '07
March '07
April '07
May '07
June '07
September '07
October '07
November '07
December '07
October '07
My Brothers, Masonry can fill a man's life with all that he needs, if he pays attention to his vows.
If he keeps the secrets, keeps his brother Mason's trust and keeps his word as a man and a Mason
he cannot go wrong. If he attends to industry and is generous with his time surely he will prosper.
My Brothers, our Lodge is in need. We are in need of Masons. Not new ones, but those who have
carried blue lodge cards for a long time. Except for the officers and one or two stalwart brothers,
the attendance of our membership is abysmal. Where are you? All that is asked of you is two
nights a month. If nighttime transportation is a problem call an officer of the Lodge that lives near you
or call a brother mason who can drive at night and the two of you will be welcome.
Remember my Brother
Charity Always
January '07
February '07
March '07
April '07
May '07
June '07
September '07
October '07
November '07
December '07
November '07
What is a Mason?
An operative Mason is one who builds edifices with stone and mortar and with a knowledge of Geometry.
We, the members of Lakewood Lodge #174 are for the most part speculative Masons. You might ask, "What are they?"
I will tell you.
We are men who strive to be better men. We have taken vows to try in every way to make the world a better
place and all the people in it better off for our efforts. Every human being has a claim on us. Some we
can save and help, some we can not, but we have taken vows to try. In these efforts even if we fail, at
least we have tried and in trying we become better men.
In the Faith,
January '07
February '07
March '07
April '07
May '07
June '07
September '07
October '07
November '07
December '07
December '07
T A P S
Taps is a bugle call denoting the end of the day. The words start, "Day is done, night has come."
Among the Jewish people the belief is that as the day ends a new day begins.
The old Master of the Lodge is leaving and a new Master is coming in. A line of Masons is behind
him, ready and willing to fill the officers' chairs. A new Master, new ideas, fresh enthusiasum,
a new beginning for the Ldoge.
As the old Master I beg all Masons to come out and support the new Master, the new line and Lodge.
The new Master needs you to make every effort to come out and keep your vows as Masons. I am praying
I will see you in Lodge.
In the Faith,
January '07
February '07
March '07
April '07
May '07
June '07
September '07
October '07
November '07
December '07