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Masonic News & Views -- The Working Tools April 02, 2012 |
Greetings Brother, Freemasonry uses the working tools of operative masonry to teach its lessons, and it uses these tools as symbols to impress its lessons more indelibly upon the mind. If someone tells you that you should use your time wisely and to good purpose you will likely agree, but there is nothing in the lesson to give it stickiness in your mind. On the other hand, if someone holds up a twenty-four inch gauge and explains that these twenty-four equal segments represent the hours in a day. And, that these twenty-four hours are to be divided into three equal parts. And, that in those parts are to be found eight hours for the service of God, eight for your usual vocations and eight for refreshment and sleep, then suddenly the twenty-four inch gauge becomes a lifelong reminder of the lesson to use your time wisely and to good purpose. This simple lesson is certainly a wise and serious truth and one that we should all take to heart, but like all things in Freemasonry the simple gauge has more to teach us. What is a GAUGE?
As an Entered Apprentice we are told that the common gavel is used in operative masonry to break off the corners of rough stones, but in speculative Masonry it is symbolically used to divest one's heart and conscience of all the vices and superfluities of life, thereby fitting the mind as a living stone for that spiritual building, that house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. This too, is a great lesson and the gavel as its symbolic reminder is obviously a great choice, but why is it an appropriate symbolic working tool for the Entered Apprentice? What is a GAVEL?
Until next time, spread Light and delight wherever you go. Fraternally yours, Tim Couch Some source information from Missouri Handbook of Freemasonry, 2010. Now, on with the news........................ Monday, April 2, 2012: United Lodge No. 5 will meet in Special Communication for work in the 2nd Degree of Freemasonry. Lodge will be duly Opened at 6:00 PM. All Fellow Crafts are invited in.
Thursday, April 5, 2012: The Ridgerunners Scottish Rite Club will celebrate Tenebrae (Extinguishing of the Lights) and the Feast of the Paschal Lamb with a Maundy Thursday service at Hazelwood Lodge No. 459 in Seymour Missouri. The Ridgerunners and Seymour Chapter No. 144 Order of the Eastern Star will provide a meal at 6:00 p.m. with the ceremony to follow the meal. The service and meal are open to everyone and all are invited to attend. Tuesday, April 10, 2012: Friend Lodge No.352 will meet in Special Communication at the lodge hall in Sparta, MO for work in the 2nd Degree of Freemasonry. Brother Rob Turrentine will be presented for advancement to the degree of Fellow Craft. Dinner at 6:30 and Lodge will be duly Opened at 7:00 PM. Saturday, April 14, 2012: Friend Lodge No. 352 will meet in Special Communication at the lodge hall in Sparta, MO for work in the 1st Degree of Freemasonry. Dean Jenks, who has been duly elected, will be presented for initiation into the mysteries of Freemasonry. Lunch at 12:30 and Lodge will be duly Opened at 1:00 PM.
Saturday, April 14, 2012: Anderson Lodge No. 621 will commemorate the 100th Anniversary of their Lodge Charter with a re-dedication and symbolic re-laying of the cornerstone. The Grand Master of Missouri Masons, MWB John W. Hess, will attend and the ceremony will be conducted by Grand Lodge Officers. The Lodge will be Opened as a Grand Lodge at 1:00 PM and the ceremony will commence at 2:00 PM. This event is open to everyone and all are welcome to attend. Monday, April 16, 2012: United Lodge No. 5 will have work in the 3rd Degree of Freemasonry in conjunction with their Stated business meeting. Two candidates will be presented for advancement to the sublime degree of Master Mason. Dinner at 6:00 and Lodge will be duly Opened at 7:00 PM. Tuesday, April 17, 2012: The Buckeye Ritual Club will meet at Central Crossing Lodge No. 674 located in Bridgeview Plaza in Shell Knob, MO, at 6:30 PM for fun, fellowship and education on our beautiful Missouri Masonic Ritual. This month's education will focus on Opening on the 2nd Degree, lost password, late arrival, Brother who leaves early, and Closing the Lodge. The Buckeye Ritual Club is centered in the 44th Masonic District of Missouri, but of course all Master Masons are welcome. The club will meet on the 3rd Tuesday of each month and will travel to differing lodges within the 44th District. Click here to see the 2012 schedule. Mark your calendar and plan on coming out to have some fun with your Brethren. The Buckeye Ritual Club is also on Facebook. Click here for the Buckeye Ritual Club Facebook page. Saturday, April 21, 2012: Solomon Lodge No. 271, in Springfield, MO, will host a Concealed Carry Firearms class beginning at 9:00 AM at the lodge building, 1930 West Catalpa Street in Springfield, MO.
Upon completion of the course you will receive a completion certificate signed by the instructor. You will need to present this certificate to the County Sheriff's office when you apply for the permit. There is a fee for the permit application, which varies by county but is approximately $100. This fee includes finger printing and the FBI background check. Instruction will be by Jim Watson For more information and to reserve your spot in the class please contact Joe Scola at 417-827-3958 or by e-mail at: rampart713(at symbol)msn.com.
Saturday, April 28th, 2012: An Evening with The United Grand Lodge of England (UGLE)
Saturday, April 28, 2012: Solomon Lodge No. 271 will host a MoCHIP (Missouri Child Identification & Protection) Event from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM at the Masonic York Rite Temple, 1930 West Catalpa Street in Springfield, MO. At least 30 volunteers are needed to work this event.
Note the time change below: Saturday, May 5, 2012: The Grand Master's C2A (Chance-to-Advance) One Day Class will be held today at the Masonic Complex in Columbia, MO. The day will begin with breakfast at 7:00 and the class will begin at 8:00 AM. This is an opportunity for all Missouri Entered Apprentice and Fellow Craft Freemasons to advance to the sublime degree of Master Mason. Certain conditions do apply.
Saturday, May 12, 2012: Gate of the Temple Lodge No. 422 will host a C2A (Chance to Advance) one day class to confer the 2nd and 3rd Degrees of Freemasonry on duly and truly prepared candidates for those degrees.
Saturday, May 12, 2012: The Missouri Lodge of Research continues the Truman Lecture Series with an enlightening presentation and discussion led by Masonic Scholar, Arturo de Hoyos. Worshipful Brother de Hoyos is the Grand Archivist and Historian for the Supreme Council 33rd Degree, for the Southern Jurisdiction of the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry. He holds the 33rd Degree and Grand Cross of Honor. As you can see there's lots of Masonry going on in Missouri. See the links below to keep up with the latest or to submit information for your upcoming meeting or event. For help locating a lodge building visit the Missouri Masonic Lodge Map page on Masonsmart.com
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