What is a Freemason? Such a question is asked out of ignorance, a lack of historical knowledge. Has this nation failed to properly teach our children world history? For centuries Freemasons have worked to make this world a better place. They have been world renown scientists, philosophers, leaders, and heroes. Freemasons have made history and continue to work diligently to make a brighter future. But still that ignorant question continues to be asked...Freemasons are not a secret society, but a society that is overlooked out of sheer ignorance due to lack of a good education.
The greatest minds that this world has ever known were Freemasons...from the Age of Enlightenment to the birth of a Free Nation...Freemasons have been the guiding spirit behind the world's greatest achievements of the historical and modern era.
These are men of great honor and integrity. They work hard to ensure a better tomorrow. I have not met any other men so reliable with the desire to help and support, to promote charity, and hold true to the real meaning of Brotherly Love and Brotherhood of Man as the Freemasons.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Freemasonry began in North America
How many Masons disagree with the claim that Freemasonry began in the 18th century in the United States of America? I know of many historians, especially non-Masons, say that such a claim is absurd and obviously an uneducated remark. The documented history and plenty of written theories as to the actual origins of Freemasonry points to Europe. In fact, one of the earliest documentation of Freemasonry comes from the writings of Elias Ashmole in his journal entry concerning his initiation into the Order on 10/16/1646.
So who made such a claim? Who makes such an uneducated statement claiming that it is true? Of course such statements are made by those who claim to hold the truth and know everything about Freemasonry, even know more than the Freemasons themselves. Such claims can only come from a devout Anti-Mason preaching misinformation on the BLOGOSPHERE.
The question that a reader must ask when learning that the author is incorrect about the history of an organization that he or she is preaching against, warning the world about, and accusing said organization of such evils is how much does the author truly know and if said author is incorrect about the history of this organization then does this author really know anything about it in the first place?
Local American Red Cross agencies hope Friday's one-day drive across five locations will collect as much blood as ten or more standard drives typically amass.
"The holiday period – from November to December – has traditionally been a period of time where donor turnout falls," said Lydia Bare, donor recruitment representative for the Statesville office of the Carolinas Blood Services Region.
"In order to quickly shore up a large amount of blood to make up for the shortfall, this kind of drive comes in very handy."
This Friday, Masonic lodges throughout the area will be holding their annual blood drives, an event that Bare said originated 21 years ago.
Historically, the annual blood drive – sponsored by the Masonic Community and operated by the American Red Cross – has been the largest one-day drive in the Carolinas Region.
The blood drive will be from 2-7 p.m. at the Charles Mack Citizen Center in Mooresville and at four other locations: Statesville Civic Center (8 a.m.-7 p.m.), First Baptist Church in Taylorsville (2-7 p.m.), Conover Fire Department (2-7 p.m.) and Hickory Masonic Lodge (2-7 p.m.)
The goal is to collect at least 700 units of blood at all locations. Bare said typical drives – at churches, for example – amass between 30 and 70 pints each, depending on the drive's size. Friday's event, she said, will hopefully do the work of at least 10 drives and help area hospitals recover from the donation shortfalls felt during the holiday season.
Although all blood types are needed, Bare added that four particular blood types are currently in shorter supply than others: O-negative, O-positive, B-negative and A-negative.
There will be opportunities for door prizes at the various Masonic drives, and child care will be provided at all sites. Volunteers will serve fresh baked cookies, roasted peanuts and drinks in the canteen.
Door prizes will include sheet metal from two NASCAR Sprint Cup race cars – the No. 83 Red Bull Toyota driven by Brian Vickers and the No. 82 Red Bull Toyota Driven by Scott Speed. Both items are autographed by the drivers. Vickers' No. 83 was a Chase contender in the 2009 season.
Other door prizes include two cases of Red Bull Energy Drink.
Drive's history
This is an important time of year for blood donations. Donations are down because donors are preoccupied with other activities during the holidays, causing a decrease in blood supply.
Statesville Masons (also known as Freemasons) saw the need for a January blood drive two decades ago. The first drive was held at the Masonic Lodge on Front Street. The goal was a modest 20 pints, which was easily surpassed, and the Masons sought to assist the Red Cross with its blood supply at this critical time of the year.
The drive grew in Statesville, moving from location to location. In 2000, the drive became so large in Statesville that it was moved to the civic center for the convenience of the donors. Other Masonic lodges came on board, sponsoring other locations.
Three years ago, the American Association of Blood Banks recognized the Masonic Communities Blood Drive with the "Award of Merit for Distinguished Service in Advancing Public Understanding of the Importance of Blood Donation."
Raymond Burnette, coordinator of the Masonic Community Blood Drive at that time, was flown to Miami to receive the award.
"This award," said Burnette, "only shows Masons how important blood collection has become, and stimulates the Masonic Community to continue to provide this valuable and worthy cause."
Masons in N.C.
North Carolina Masons are heavily involved in the community and in the state. In addition to the annual blood drive, the lodges raise money for Masonic charities in North Carolina and engage in outreach to the elderly in the community. Freemasonry has been an integral part of the community in Iredell County since the late 18th century.
Church blood drive
On Thursday, Jan. 7, a community-wide blood drive will be held at Mooresville ARP church, 659 Carpenter Ave. It's from 3:30-6:30 p.m. in the Family Life Center.
Source
So who made such a claim? Who makes such an uneducated statement claiming that it is true? Of course such statements are made by those who claim to hold the truth and know everything about Freemasonry, even know more than the Freemasons themselves. Such claims can only come from a devout Anti-Mason preaching misinformation on the BLOGOSPHERE.
The question that a reader must ask when learning that the author is incorrect about the history of an organization that he or she is preaching against, warning the world about, and accusing said organization of such evils is how much does the author truly know and if said author is incorrect about the history of this organization then does this author really know anything about it in the first place?
Think about that statement while reading the following:
January 10, 2010
My wife and I want to thank the gentlemen from the Hudson Masonic Temple who helped us get our car back on the road after getting stuck in the snow during the early evening of Dec. 4. We are very grateful for their assistance, without which I'm sure it would have been "tow truck time."
Bill and Blanche O'Brien
Hudson
Bill and Blanche O'Brien
Hudson
You can always count on a Freemason to lend a helpful hand when in need...
Local American Red Cross agencies hope Friday's one-day drive across five locations will collect as much blood as ten or more standard drives typically amass.
"The holiday period – from November to December – has traditionally been a period of time where donor turnout falls," said Lydia Bare, donor recruitment representative for the Statesville office of the Carolinas Blood Services Region.
"In order to quickly shore up a large amount of blood to make up for the shortfall, this kind of drive comes in very handy."
This Friday, Masonic lodges throughout the area will be holding their annual blood drives, an event that Bare said originated 21 years ago.
Historically, the annual blood drive – sponsored by the Masonic Community and operated by the American Red Cross – has been the largest one-day drive in the Carolinas Region.
The blood drive will be from 2-7 p.m. at the Charles Mack Citizen Center in Mooresville and at four other locations: Statesville Civic Center (8 a.m.-7 p.m.), First Baptist Church in Taylorsville (2-7 p.m.), Conover Fire Department (2-7 p.m.) and Hickory Masonic Lodge (2-7 p.m.)
The goal is to collect at least 700 units of blood at all locations. Bare said typical drives – at churches, for example – amass between 30 and 70 pints each, depending on the drive's size. Friday's event, she said, will hopefully do the work of at least 10 drives and help area hospitals recover from the donation shortfalls felt during the holiday season.
Although all blood types are needed, Bare added that four particular blood types are currently in shorter supply than others: O-negative, O-positive, B-negative and A-negative.
There will be opportunities for door prizes at the various Masonic drives, and child care will be provided at all sites. Volunteers will serve fresh baked cookies, roasted peanuts and drinks in the canteen.
Door prizes will include sheet metal from two NASCAR Sprint Cup race cars – the No. 83 Red Bull Toyota driven by Brian Vickers and the No. 82 Red Bull Toyota Driven by Scott Speed. Both items are autographed by the drivers. Vickers' No. 83 was a Chase contender in the 2009 season.
Other door prizes include two cases of Red Bull Energy Drink.
Drive's history
This is an important time of year for blood donations. Donations are down because donors are preoccupied with other activities during the holidays, causing a decrease in blood supply.
Statesville Masons (also known as Freemasons) saw the need for a January blood drive two decades ago. The first drive was held at the Masonic Lodge on Front Street. The goal was a modest 20 pints, which was easily surpassed, and the Masons sought to assist the Red Cross with its blood supply at this critical time of the year.
The drive grew in Statesville, moving from location to location. In 2000, the drive became so large in Statesville that it was moved to the civic center for the convenience of the donors. Other Masonic lodges came on board, sponsoring other locations.
Three years ago, the American Association of Blood Banks recognized the Masonic Communities Blood Drive with the "Award of Merit for Distinguished Service in Advancing Public Understanding of the Importance of Blood Donation."
Raymond Burnette, coordinator of the Masonic Community Blood Drive at that time, was flown to Miami to receive the award.
"This award," said Burnette, "only shows Masons how important blood collection has become, and stimulates the Masonic Community to continue to provide this valuable and worthy cause."
Masons in N.C.
North Carolina Masons are heavily involved in the community and in the state. In addition to the annual blood drive, the lodges raise money for Masonic charities in North Carolina and engage in outreach to the elderly in the community. Freemasonry has been an integral part of the community in Iredell County since the late 18th century.
Church blood drive
On Thursday, Jan. 7, a community-wide blood drive will be held at Mooresville ARP church, 659 Carpenter Ave. It's from 3:30-6:30 p.m. in the Family Life Center.
Source
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Masons deliver 100 food boxes to needy families
Albany Masons and Eastern Stars delivered more than 100 boxes of food to families Tuesday.
This is the 16th annual Albany Masonic Christmas Food Boxes Drive. They met at the King Solomon Lodge and packed up chicken, rice, fruit and more. They personally delivered the boxes to struggling families and widows of Masons.
"That's what we do. We are supposed to give back to the community and give to those less fortunate," said Dennis Turner, Head of the King Solomon Mason Lodge.
The Masons say they're happy to do it, too. They purchased all of the food themselves. Every year they add new families to their list.
Source
This is the 16th annual Albany Masonic Christmas Food Boxes Drive. They met at the King Solomon Lodge and packed up chicken, rice, fruit and more. They personally delivered the boxes to struggling families and widows of Masons.
"That's what we do. We are supposed to give back to the community and give to those less fortunate," said Dennis Turner, Head of the King Solomon Mason Lodge.
The Masons say they're happy to do it, too. They purchased all of the food themselves. Every year they add new families to their list.
Source
Masons continue tradition of giving
This year’s donation was used to provide the toys for the Christmas party on Dec. 18. The toys were distributed by the staff, and selected for each child, according to the child’s abilities.
North Hills Child Services, located on Fred Raines Drive, serves some 84 special needs children from six months to school age. Sylvan Hills Lodge has donated to the Christmas Party since 1996, provided manpower for major playground renovation in 2004, and does continuing “handy-man” chores for the school throughout the year.
Sylvan Hills Masonic Lodge no. 754 is the only lodge of Freemasons meeting within the city limits of Sherwood. The lodge was chartered by the Grand Lodge of Free & Accepted Masons of Arkansas in 1953, and has met continuously since.
Meeting for the first five years of its existence in a classroom at what was then Sylvan Hills School, the lodge is now located at 10599 Arkansas 107, at the intersection of Bear Paw Drive. The building, which now houses the lodge, was constructed between 1955 and 1957. Sylvan Hills Lodge is affiliated with the worldwide system of Masonic Lodges, which trace their lineage to the formation of the United Grand Lodge of England in 1736.
According to secretary T.J. Henwood, service continues to be a key aspect of the mission of Sylvan Hills Masonic Lodge.
“The lodge offers its members many different ways to be of service,” Henwood said. “Internally, members are obligated to assist other members and their families in time of need.”
The most basic forms of Masonic activity are designed to help the members improve themselves simply through participation. Externally, Sylvan Hills Lodge is actively involved in several areas of community service, Henwood said.
For many years, the lodge has adopted needy families within Sherwood at Thanksgiving and Christmas, giving food and gift baskets to those who might not otherwise have cause to celebrate these holidays. Since 1995, the lodge has been part of the city of Sherwood’s “Adopt-A-Street” program, cleaning up all of Bear Paw Drive from Highway 107 to the area behind the high school stadium on the Saturday following the monthly business meeting, usually the first Saturday of the month, Henwood said.
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In 2004, the lodge partnered with the Association of Women in Construction to totally renovate the playground area at North Hills. Sylvan Hills Lodge has also determined to continue the association with North Hills to provide needed “handyman” and other services to that organization. The lodge mounted a food and relief drive for victims of Hurricane Katrina within 48 hours of the storm, eventually donating over 1,500 pounds of food to the Arkansas Food Bank Network, Henwood said. The lodge has also recognized returning veterans who have served overseas, particularly in the Persian Gulf Region.
Membership in Sylvan Hills Lodge is available by application to men at least 21 years of age who meet requirements set by the Grand Lodge, including; belief in one living God and immortality of the human soul, no criminal activity, U.S. citizenship, and unanimous election to membership by the Lodge.
Source
Local Masons recognized for kindness to widows
The Horicon Lodge, a combined lodge of Masons from Rochelle, Ashton, Steward, Creston, and Malta, resolved in 2009 to improve its service to their departed brethren’s wives. In the fall of 2008, several members had traveled to the Dixon Lodge to hear a speaker explain a program designed by the Grand Lodge of the State of Illinois to recognize the need of those in their golden years. With the support of their wives, these local Masons put their full effort into making the widows of the Horicon Lodge feel special and remembered.
On Dec. 1, Rochelle Masonic Lodge was presented the prestigious Illinois Masonic Outreach Award (IMOS) for its leadership in attending to the needs and fellowship of its widows, and aged Masons of the lodge.
“Horicon Lodge No. 244 has set themselves out among the rest as leaders in the quest to insure that our aging membership was recognized, celebrated and remembered,” said Karla K. Carwile, Director of Masonic Outreach Program of the Grand Lodge of Illinois. “The enthusiasm that is found within this lodge is something that should inspire all members in the State of Illinois. While they indicate that they owe the credit to their wives for being supportive, they too should realize the lives they have touched and the enormity of their actions.”
The Masons wasted little time at the start of the new year to begin their quest. On Jan. 29, several members gathered at Headon’s Catering kitchen to make homemade soup. On Feb. 3, 28 Masonic widows received three pints of frozen soup in special gift baskets for a meal on a cold winter day. Several non-Masonic widows also received the extra baskets that were made.
Ione McAnly’s thank you card for the soup read: “What a nice surprise I got on a cold morning from a Mr. Mulholland on behalf of the Rochelle Masonic Temple for us gals. What a nice gesture. The soups were so attractive in a nice box and ribbons – and good. My best wishes and thanks for all of you.”
Source
On Dec. 1, Rochelle Masonic Lodge was presented the prestigious Illinois Masonic Outreach Award (IMOS) for its leadership in attending to the needs and fellowship of its widows, and aged Masons of the lodge.
“Horicon Lodge No. 244 has set themselves out among the rest as leaders in the quest to insure that our aging membership was recognized, celebrated and remembered,” said Karla K. Carwile, Director of Masonic Outreach Program of the Grand Lodge of Illinois. “The enthusiasm that is found within this lodge is something that should inspire all members in the State of Illinois. While they indicate that they owe the credit to their wives for being supportive, they too should realize the lives they have touched and the enormity of their actions.”
The Masons wasted little time at the start of the new year to begin their quest. On Jan. 29, several members gathered at Headon’s Catering kitchen to make homemade soup. On Feb. 3, 28 Masonic widows received three pints of frozen soup in special gift baskets for a meal on a cold winter day. Several non-Masonic widows also received the extra baskets that were made.
Ione McAnly’s thank you card for the soup read: “What a nice surprise I got on a cold morning from a Mr. Mulholland on behalf of the Rochelle Masonic Temple for us gals. What a nice gesture. The soups were so attractive in a nice box and ribbons – and good. My best wishes and thanks for all of you.”
Source
Masonic Blood Drive participants happy to give gift of life
The 81-year-old waited along with others Friday to donate some of his "O" positive blood to the American Red Cross during the 21st Masonic Community Blood Drive at the Statesville Civic Center.
"I got a good-quality blood that they need," Hasting said. "I have all the reasons in the world to give."
The Statesville Civic Center was just one site for the one-day blood drive, which is one of the largest in the Charlotte region. Blood was also being collected in Mooresville, Hickory, Taylorsville and Conover.
The Masons hope to raise around 610 units of blood. The goal at the Statesville site was 310 units.
"I think things seem to be working great," said Ben Stikeleather, one of the Masons. "We are proud to be associated with it."
The two-hour school-opening delay in the morning hurt a bit, but foot traffic had picked up by lunch time.
Luke Parlier, 17, was giving blood for the first time Friday. He said his sister gave blood earlier in the day, and he decided to follow suit after talking with her.
Emily Watts, 21, tries to give blood as often as she can. She doesn't need to know where the blood is going — it's enough to know it will help someone, she said.
Stikeleather said the blood drive seemed to move more efficiently on Friday than it had in the past.
"They have streamlined the process," he said.
American Red Cross Donor Recruitment Representative Lydia Bare said the large drive was important to the Red Cross Carolinas Blood Services Region organizations, which serve 103 hospitals and must have 1,600 people give blood and platelets each weekday to meet demand.
Bare said blood donations are particularly important around the holidays, when collection is historically low. Blood supply remains stable, with the exception of certain types, she said.
"There is no substitute for human blood," she said.
Platelets last up to five days on the shelf, while red blood cells last 42 days, Bare said. This means the Red Cross has to continually replenish its supply. The oldest donor she works with is 86, Bare said.
Hastings believes the reason why some people don't give blood is fear. The needle or the mere thought of losing blood is enough to keep them away, he said.
"To give is one thing, but to receive is another," he said. "It is quick and it is painless."
Source
Masonic bell holds a special place in Fort Worth's early history
It rang in good times and bad, at sunrise and sunset. And if its metal could talk, it would recall the beginnings of Fort Worth and the settlers who forged what would become the city and county seat on a bluff facing the Trinity River.
No one really knows exactly how the 16-inch bell that was cast in London in 1782 made its way to North Texas, but its caretaker, Fort Worth Masonic Lodge No. 148, has kept it safe and an active part of the community since the 1850s.
Local historians believe that the bell, kept at the Masonic Temple on Henderson Street, is one of the oldest historic treasures left in Fort Worth.
"[Pioneer] J.C. Terrell wrote about the bell and who brought it here, and we have the bell itself. He [the bell] can't come with a better provenance," said Clara Ruddell, who works for the Fort Worth Convention and Visitors Bureau and is a local historian and member of the Tarrant County Historical Commission.
In early days, bells were used to alert residents of the newly formed settlements in the West. Historic documents say the bell served many purposes: It announced the stagecoach; it ushered out the old year and welcomed the new; it was the fire alarm, it called people to eat, rang for weddings, urged students to school, and tolled for deaths and funerals.
Back then, the newly formed Fort Worth had no other bell except the one that belonged to Lawrence Steel, part of the group of 10 men who organized the first Blue Lodge, which became Lodge No. 148, the first Masonic Lodge chartered in Fort Worth in 1855. They met in a room above a tavern and hotel run by Steel at the northwest corner of what was then the public square. That area is on the bluff near the 1895 Tarrant County Courthouse, at Belknap and Main streets.
Steel kept the bell at his hotel until 1871, when it was purchased by the lodge and its school. The bell eventually became known as the Masonic Bell. Today the fraternity affectionately refers to it as "Mason."
"The brotherhood helps keep the memory alive," said Robert P. "Bob" Holmes, a master Mason and curator of the Masonic Temple Library & Museum.
Officials included the bell in the dedication of the Fort Worth Police and Firefighters Memorial on June 5, said Kevin Foster, research director for the memorial. Mayor Mike Moncrief opened the ceremony by ringing the bell to announce the names of the firefighters and police officers killed in the line of duty.
Foster spent hours researching histories for the memorial. His mission became clearer when he discovered how the bell was used in the death of Deputy City Marshal Columbus C. Fitzgerald on Aug. 25, 1877. Fitzgerald was shot when he tried to quell a disturbance near the Cold Springs Race Track on the city's north side, according to historic accounts.
"At the time of his death, the fire bell began tolling the news. A lynch mob formed, and 12 men were made special officers to guard the jail," historic accounts indicate.
"Knowing what I knew [about the history], it became a goal to get that bell for our dedication," said Foster.
Since then, Mason has been invited to various events throughout Tarrant County and has been used at several weddings held in the cathedral at the Masonic Temple.
Mason also holds a special place in the hearts of Holmes and Ruddell. It was Ruddell's inquiry about the bell that opened the door for her and Holmes to meet on July 12, 2004. The pair have been together ever since.
Source
No one really knows exactly how the 16-inch bell that was cast in London in 1782 made its way to North Texas, but its caretaker, Fort Worth Masonic Lodge No. 148, has kept it safe and an active part of the community since the 1850s.
Local historians believe that the bell, kept at the Masonic Temple on Henderson Street, is one of the oldest historic treasures left in Fort Worth.
"[Pioneer] J.C. Terrell wrote about the bell and who brought it here, and we have the bell itself. He [the bell] can't come with a better provenance," said Clara Ruddell, who works for the Fort Worth Convention and Visitors Bureau and is a local historian and member of the Tarrant County Historical Commission.
In early days, bells were used to alert residents of the newly formed settlements in the West. Historic documents say the bell served many purposes: It announced the stagecoach; it ushered out the old year and welcomed the new; it was the fire alarm, it called people to eat, rang for weddings, urged students to school, and tolled for deaths and funerals.
Back then, the newly formed Fort Worth had no other bell except the one that belonged to Lawrence Steel, part of the group of 10 men who organized the first Blue Lodge, which became Lodge No. 148, the first Masonic Lodge chartered in Fort Worth in 1855. They met in a room above a tavern and hotel run by Steel at the northwest corner of what was then the public square. That area is on the bluff near the 1895 Tarrant County Courthouse, at Belknap and Main streets.
Steel kept the bell at his hotel until 1871, when it was purchased by the lodge and its school. The bell eventually became known as the Masonic Bell. Today the fraternity affectionately refers to it as "Mason."
"The brotherhood helps keep the memory alive," said Robert P. "Bob" Holmes, a master Mason and curator of the Masonic Temple Library & Museum.
Officials included the bell in the dedication of the Fort Worth Police and Firefighters Memorial on June 5, said Kevin Foster, research director for the memorial. Mayor Mike Moncrief opened the ceremony by ringing the bell to announce the names of the firefighters and police officers killed in the line of duty.
Foster spent hours researching histories for the memorial. His mission became clearer when he discovered how the bell was used in the death of Deputy City Marshal Columbus C. Fitzgerald on Aug. 25, 1877. Fitzgerald was shot when he tried to quell a disturbance near the Cold Springs Race Track on the city's north side, according to historic accounts.
"At the time of his death, the fire bell began tolling the news. A lynch mob formed, and 12 men were made special officers to guard the jail," historic accounts indicate.
"Knowing what I knew [about the history], it became a goal to get that bell for our dedication," said Foster.
Since then, Mason has been invited to various events throughout Tarrant County and has been used at several weddings held in the cathedral at the Masonic Temple.
Mason also holds a special place in the hearts of Holmes and Ruddell. It was Ruddell's inquiry about the bell that opened the door for her and Holmes to meet on July 12, 2004. The pair have been together ever since.
Source
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