KING OSCAR JULY COLUMN

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TRESTLEBOARD & SPECIAL EVENTS
July 4 Independence Day
July 9 Stated Meeting
July 23 Special Meeting
Aug 1 Sixth N. E. District Picnic
Aug 13 Stated meeting
Aug 20 P. M. Membership Dinner
Aug 27 Special Meeting

FROM THE EAST
Brethren, Hello:
We have all read the many accounts of our Masonic Brethren and their successful efforts in the birth of our Nation. In honor of those brethren, this Fourth of July let us proudly fly the “Stars & Stripes.” Wear our Masonic shirts during parades and while visiting with neighbors. We are proud of our history and the part our fraternity played in its creation.
Speaking of history, my term as Worshipful Master is soon coming to a close, as is this communication. I wish to thank the brethren for their attendance. We have been averaging about forty a meeting. For July lets strive for fifty-five, I know “we can do it!”
Fraternally,
Craig Stewart
Worshipful Master

FROM THE NORTH & ELSEWHERE
Last month we experienced computer problems with a Beagel and Bloodhound virus and were not able to complete our column in the usual manner. For that reason there was no letter FROM THE EAST, SICKNESS & DISTRESS nor OBITUARIES. This month we have made every effort to make up for the omissions.

LEST WE MIGHT FORGET - KING OSCAR HISTORY
In 1985 Russell E. Johnson took the reins. He remembers numerous social events, a dinner dance that worked well. A visit to Ensor Lodge in Kentucky to witness the “rough and ready” third degree which has ensured that state’s fame in the folklore of the Craft. A visit from Muskegon Michigan’s lodge, noting out-of-state lodge visits which began in 1917.
During the year Russ began planning for the future to strengthen our Lodge. NOTE: Taken from “King Oscar’s Centenary Celebration” Booklet by Randy Becker.

WWW WISE WORDS OF WISDOM
The beginning is the half of every action taken. Greek Proverb
Never bend your head, Always hold it high. Look the world straight in the face. Helen Keller (1880-1968)
The greatest undeveloped territory in the world lies under your hat. Author unknown
Knowledge shrinks as wisdom grows. Alfred North Whitehead (1861- 1947)
Work hard. There is no short cut. Alfred Sloan Jr. (1875-1966)
Striving for excellence motivates you; striving for perfection is demoralizing. Marriet Braiker – Psychologist
NOTE: The following two wise words of wisdom were giving me by Illustrious Brother Robert H. Sherman 32º of Santa Fe, NM. They are from bumper stickers.
Politicians and diapers are alike, both require changing frequently, for the SAME REASON.
If God had intended us to vote - he would have given us candidates. (Very, very good, Illustrious Sir)

AUGUST BIRTHDAYS
Thirty-seven of King Oscar’s brethren were born in the month of August, named for Augustus Ceasar. They are: Germain J. Maurais, John E. C. Anderson, Leroy L. Gross (1); Kenneth “Ken” P. Johnson (2); Edward B. Salzinger, John W. Aldridge (3); Vernon C. Nohren (4); Henry Krueger (5); George C. Evanson (6); Daniel A. Carlsen (9); Harry R. Brahmstadt, Karl E. Johnson (10); Mayen E. Jreisat (11); Dallas R. Tyler, Charles Vavrosky (12); Robert G. Drewka, Charles C. De Longhi (13); Lloyd A. Ericson, Micheal Wicker, David J. Johnson (14); John R. Hoffman (15): Steven A. Schenk (16); Thomas K. Mooncotch (17); Warren E. Mueller, Jerry G. Japczyk (19); Joseph M. De Cola, Einar T. Wold, Christobel M. Alonso (20); Jorge L. De Jesus (22); Edward L. Van, Oscar A. Oregar (25); Jeffery N. Hoshell, Acil L. Couch (26); Frank M. Painter III, Kenneth L. Kirby (28); Roy H. Westergren, (30); Roy L. Stastny (31).
Brethren, of one of our warmest or hottest months, now that you are mature “keep cool!” It is later than you may wish to admit! God bless! So mote it be!

MASONIC EDUCATION
From the Winter 2003 Virginia Masonic Herald
“From Education comes Knowledge,
From Knowledge comes interest,
From Interest comes Participation,
From Participation comes Commitment,
From Commitment comes Enthusiasm.
From Enthusiasm comes Growth,
From Growth comes Progress.”
Note: Included in the May mailing from the Southern California research Lodge F&AM.

EXPOSE – RITUAL
An interesting thought relative to exposing our ritual or ceremonies
found in “Symbols, Symbolism and Allegory” by Brother Ross Dalziell in the May 2001 Waikato Lodge of Research No. 445, New Zealand, Proceedings:
“I believe a layman reading our ritual would gain little understanding
from it. He might get some thoughts about King Solomon’s Temple and glean some of the more superficial meanings from things like our working tools. Unless he was prepared to sit down and look carefully at each ceremony and the various sections of each he would be left with a feeling that we were a strange institution with not very much to us at all. But we know differently, that it is by repeated efforts and study of those myriad of symbols that our principles and tenets are established and passed on to those who espouse the Masonic cause.
“It is only by repeated efforts and constant study that we can at last
produce the perfect ashlar, a stone of true die, fit for the eternal temple.”
Note: From the May mailing from the Southern California Research
Lodge F & AM.

FREEMASONRY IN TODAY’S WORLD
The March 2004 Short Talk Bulletin, published by the Masonic Service Association was comprised of a copy of a message in the “Winter 2004 Voice of Freemasonry,” a publication of the Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia. The original article was written by brother Stewart W. Miner, a Past Grand Master of Virginia and the current Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia.
Following are comments by brother Ralph A Herbald, of the Southern California Research Lodge, concerning the subject address by brother Miner. They are worthy of your serious consideration.
“In my mind brethren, the return to health of the Craft will depend in the long run not on quick fixes or gimmicks, but rather upon the fullest appreciation of the depth or lack of depth of the average member’s concern for Masonry and its works; upon the understanding of the reasons underlying the Mason’s lack of appetite for fraternal involvement and on the apparent preference of almost all Masons to remain outside, rather than within the circle of active brethren. The future will depend, in the long run, on the reversal of ingrained and unhealthy attitudinal patterns. Thus our major interest should not rest on the number of members that are on our rolls or on the length of the list of names recorded on the attendance roster. Rather our efforts should focus on finding a solution to the most fundamental, indeed, the root issue for our order - the Freemason’s undeveloped interest in Freemasonry. Unfortunately, this is an untreated and contagious malady about which we seem to know very little. Our problem is not so much a lack of new members as it is in our abdicating our responsibility of making Freemasons out of our members.”

PHILALETHES SOCIETY
A Grand Master of a United States jurisdiction has charged his Fraternal Relations Committee to investigate the Philalethes Society. To date the Society headquarters has not received any formal correspondence from that Grand Lodge or its Committee. The Society has been told the jurisdiction is expected to “find” and recommend that the Society should be banished from that State. It is rumored this movement is spreading among a few other jurisdictions. NOTE: Taken from the April 2004 issue of the “Philalethes” magazine.

SILENT SUMMONS
For those of you who do not have a personal computer, is not “hooked on” e-mail and are not on any of my many e-mail address lists the following meaningful story follows. It was originally e-mailed to me by illustrious brother and fellow HOOSIER, Richard Yena.
“A member of a Lodge, who previously attended meetings regularly, stopped going. After a few weeks, the Worshipful Master visited him. It was a chilly evening. The Master found the brother at home alone, sitting before a blazing fire.
“Guessing the reason for the Master’s visit, the brother welcomed him, led him to a comfortable chair before the fireplace. The Master made himself comfortable, but remained silent.
“In the grave silence, the Master contemplated the dance of the flames around the burning logs. After several minutes he took the fire tongs and carefully picked up a brightly burning ember and placed it to one side on the hearth. Then he sat back in his chair.
“His host watched all of this in quiet. As the one lone ember’s flame flickered and diminished, there was a momentary glow and its fire was no more. Soon it was cold and dead.
“Not a word had been spoken since the initial greeting. The Master glanced at his watch and chose this time to leave. He slowly stood up, picked up the cold dead ember and placed it back in the middle of the fire. Immediately it began to glow once more, with the light and warmth of the burning coals around it.
“As the master reached for the door to leave, his host, with a tear running down his cheek, ‘Thank you so much for your fiery summons, I’ll be back at Lodge next meeting!’”
NOTE: The author is unknown. We hope you enjoyed the moral!

GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY
Doesn’t that expression, “golden anniversary” impress you? Believe it indicates “Fifty Years.” One wouldn’t think that Barbara and Chuck Strobel could have anything other than possibly their chronological age that old, BUT appearances are deceiving. June eleventh this year, 2004, they celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversary. Living proof of what clean, wholesome living can accomplish! CONGRATULATIONS, MAY YOU HAVE MANY, MANY MORE! GOD BLESS!

PAST MASTER’S DEGREE NIGHT
May 28th was our annual Past Master’s degree night. Brother James M. Clevenger was raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason. One of his partners in “assessing” at the Cook County’s Assessor’s Office, Worshipful Brother David Arthur Olver, occupied the Oriental Chair. This affair, one of the lodge’s traditional events, was as usual well attended
Not only was the occasion eventful it was high lighted by the participation of Rite Worshipful Brother Donald L. Dykinga, a King Oscar Past Master, Grand Lecturer, Past District Deputy Grand Master, Past Rite Worshipful Grand Sword Bearer.
Don, did I leave anything out? If I did, think I’m running out of space, forgive me, please? REMEMBER, your regular attendance is demanded by, NOT, Whispering George C. F. BUT by “Screaming Niemann!” This is NOT a “silent summons” as reported above! Are YOU listening, oops I mean reading? God bless!

POINTS of THE COMPASS
North, South, East West, Northeast, all have symbolic meanings in the lodge. North, is “a place of darkness” for an astronomical reason explained in the lecture, also a symbol of “ignorance.” East, where the sun “rises to open and adorn the day” is a symbol of light and therefore “ knowledge.” South, where the suns at meridian, is symbolic of “rest and refreshment.” West, where the sun sets, is symbolic of co-control with the Master of the lodge and the station of that officer who “pays the craft their wages.” Northeast, dcscriptive of the place where cornerstones are laid, is symbolic of “beginning,” the place midway between the darkness (and therefore ignorance) of North and the light (and therefore knowledge) of the East.
NOTE: Included in the May issue of “EMMASY NOTES,” a
publication of the Masonic Service Association and excerpted from The MSA Digest - Masonic Vocabulary.
For those of you who may have wondered why your correspondent always sets in the North; now your suspicions should have been confirmed – IGNORANCE is the reason! So mote it be!

JACQUELINE VAUGHN OCCUPATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
In our April 2004 column we made you aware of the subject school operated by the Chicago Public School System for students who are developmentally disabled, and the amazing learning opportunity provided by the “Close Up Washington Program.” King Oscar Lodge contributed generously to the program.
Brother Sheridan Ostrander, a personal friend of the school’s principal recently received a letter reporting how successful the trip was. They visited the city, monuments met Illinois representative, Rahm Emmanuel, Senators Dick Durbin and Peter Fitzgerald.
They visited Annapolis, Harpers Ferry, saw a performance in the Ford Theater. Learned how congressmen vote, each seat has a box next to it with three buttons. Red is a NO vote, green is a YES vote and yellow is an abstention. The letter was signed by: Hollye Kroger, Joaquin Flores, Sean Hicks, Steve Rush and Jabari Lockhart.
NOTE: Obviously they had a great time and a wonderful learning experience, our contribution greatly assisted this venture. Makes you feel good, doesn’t it?

FLORIDA VISITORS
We were honored by the presence of Worshipful Brother Ken Lindgren at our Past Master’s degree Night. He and better half, Pattie, were in town for a family High School graduation. Pattie stopped bye for a bit and delivered some “promised kisses” to a few of her favorite King Oscarites.
Received the following email June 2nd: “It was wonderful to get to see so many handsome Gentlemen. Personally I really enjoyed the hugs. We have missed our extended family. Please, thank them all from both of us. Hope to see all of you again soon. Love, Pattie xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo”
Pattie, we were very pleased to welcome the both of you, your hugs were wonderful! “Florida transplants,” come back soon, you hear?

SICKNESS & DISTRESS

NOTE: If YOU know of any brother who is ill or in distress PLEASE let us know. The masthead of this column lists the officers of the Lodge. Let one of us know so that we may “COME TO THERE AID!”

OBITUARIES

Brother Burton L. Ferslew was born March 25, 1921 in Chicago, Illinois. He was initiated June 3, 1955, passed August 19, 1955 and raised September 16, 1955 in Ben Franklin Lodge. He joined the Grand Master of heaven June, 2004. He was a Master mason nearly 49 years.
Brother John R. Seibert was born June 5, 1953 in Chicago, Illinois. He was initiated September 16, 1983, passed February 10, 1984 and raised April 6, 1984 in Crete lodge # 763. He affiliated with King Oscar Lodge # 855 October 31, 2003. He passed this life June 5, 2004, having been a Master mason nearly 21 years.
Thus ends the life of two just and upright masons. May their souls rest in peace.

CLOSING
Came across the following bit of verse while pondering an appropriate conclusion for this month’s column. It is by Ella Wheeler Wilcox and is entitled:
“The Winds Of Fate:”

One ship drives east and another drives west
With the selfsame winds that blow.
‘Tis the set of the sails
And not the gales
Which tells us the way to go.

Like the winds of the sea are the ways of fate,
As we voyage along through life:
‘Tis the set of the soul
That decides its goal,
And not the calm or the strife.

May we all make sure to: “properly set our sails!”
Until next time,
God bless,
Whispering George C. F.

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