KING OSCAR OCTOBER 2005
COLUMN
VISIT OUR WEBSITE
www.kingoscarlodge.com
IT IS LOADED WITH GOOD STUFF
TRESTLE BOARD & SPECIAL EVENTS
OCT 6-8 GRAND LODGE
OCT 14 STATED MEETING
OCT 20 17 th DEGREE @
SCOTTISH RITE
OCT 21 MEDINAH BANQUET
OCT 22 MEDINAH GRAND
OPENING
OCT 28 SPECIAL MEETING
OCT 30 END DAYLIGHT TIME
OCT 31 HALLOWEEN
FROM THE EAST
Brethren & Friends:
Greetings, thank you for electing me your Worshipful Master for the next twelve months. It is a great honor to be the Master of any Masonic Lodge, especially King Oscar Lodge # 855 A. F. & A. M. of the State of Illinois!
Rest assured I will do my utmost to perpetuate the outstanding reputation of this great lodge. This effort, in essence, is a two way street, it can only be attained with your participation. Knowing that you are as interested as am I, we will be looking forward to your presence the second and fourth Fridays of each and every month!
See YOU in Lodge ??
Fraternally,
Dan Auro
Worshipful Master
FROM THE NORTH & ELSEWHERE
FIRST THINGS FIRST
Last month when informing you of the two King Oscarites nominated to receive Scottish Rite Red prayer caps next year I “blurbed” something to the effect “it was too bad only the Master was permitted to have his head covered in a blue lodge considering we have quite a number of the “red brigade” among our members.
" WELL one of "ours" was recently nominated to receive, next year, the "white prayer cap" he will then be "crowned a 33 degree" Scottish Rite Mason. That individual is Roy Stastny who will be joining King Oscar's sizeable group of the "white cap brigade" of "illustrious Sirs." Roy will become the thirteenth member of of the distinguished group. Presently it consists of : George Atwood, Claude Bird, Harry Brahmstadt Jr,. Bill Bissen, Jim Durbin, Royle Epperson, Elmer Gielow, Ken Johnson, Steve Klos, Mohsen Modaressi, Sheridan Ostrander and Cary Willis."
ON AGING – IT DOES HAPPEN!
“The other day a young person asked me
how I felt about being old. I was taken aback, for I do not think myself as
old. Upon seeing my reaction, she was embarrassed, I explained it was an interesting
query and I would ponder it, and let he her know.
“Old age, I decided is a gift.
“I am now, probably for the first time in my life, the person I have always wished to be. Oh, not my body! I sometimes despair over my body, the wrinkles, the baggy eyes, and the sagging butt. Often I am taken aback by that old person that lives in my mirror, but I don’t agonize over these things for long.
“I would never trade my amazing friends, my wonderful wife, and my loving family for fewer gray hairs or a flatter belly. As I have aged, I’ve become kinder to myself, and less critical of myself. I’ve become my own friend. I do not chide myself for eating that extra cookie, or for not making my bed, or for buying that silly concrete gecko that I didn’t need, but looks so avante garde on my patio. I am entitled, to overeat, to be messy, to be extravagant. I have seen too many dear friends leave this world too soon; before they understood the great freedom that accompanies the aging process.
“Whose business is it if I choose to read
or play on the computer until
4 a. m. and sleep until noon?
“I will dance with myself to those wonderful tunes of the 30’s, 40’s and 50’s, and if I, at the same time, wish to weep over a lost love … I will!
“I will walk the beach in a swim suit that is stretched over a bulging body, and will dive into the waves with abandon if I choose to, despite the pitying glances from the bikini set. They too, will get old.
“Know sometimes I am forgetful. But there again, some of life is just as well forgotten, and I eventually remember the important things.
“Sure, over the years my heart has been broken. How can your heart not break when you lose a loved one, or when a child suffers, or even when a beloved pet gets hit by a car? But broken hearts are what give us strength and understanding and compassion. A heart never broken is pristine and sterile and will never know the joy of being imperfect.
“I am so blessed to have lived long enough to have my hair turn white, and to have my youthful laughs be forever etched into deep grooves on my face. So many have never laughed, and so many have died before their hair could turn silver. I can say “no,” and mean it. I can say “yes,” and mean it.
“As you get older, it is easier to be positive. You can care less about what other people think. I don’t question myself anymore. I’ve earned the right to be wrong.
“So to answer your question, I like being old. It has set me free. I like the person I have become. I am not going to live forever, but while I am still here, I will not waste time lamenting what could have been, or worrying about what will be. And I shall eat desert every single day.”
Author Unknown
NOTE: Received via email from an OLD Harvester associate of eons ago.
WWW WISE WORDS OF WISDOM
Just pray for a tough hide and a tender heart. Ruth Graham
Success is often just an idea away. Frank Tyger
When you judge someone, you don’t define them, you define yourself. Wayne Dyer
HOPE: Tomorrow’s veneer over today’s disappointment. Eva Esar (1890-1995)
A man’s greatest battles are the ones he fights within himself. Ben Okri
Doubt is a pain too lonely to know that faith is his twin brother. Kahlil Gibran (1883-1931)
Doing what is right isn’t the problem. It’s knowing what’s right L. B. Johnson (1908-1973)
To forgive heals the wound, to forget heals the scar. Author Unknown.
Great thoughts come from the heart. Luc De Clapiers (1715-1747)
There is only one journey. Going inside yourself. Ranier Maria Rilke (1875-1926)
MASONIC ODDITIES
During 1779 and 1789 William Preston, known for the published first edition of “Illustrations of Freemasonry” in 1774, was expelled from the society. During this period, and in 1787, he promoted the Order of Harodim, an organization restricted to Freemasons.
In the early 1700’s the Letter “G” was usually drawn on the floor in the middle of the Tracing Board or laid out in templates where it was always visible from the West.
The five points of Fellowship have appeared in Masonic Catechisms since 1696.
While many of our Masonic phrases are taken from the Holy Bible, many also can be found in the Oxford English Dictionary, such as Avocation, candid, diffidence, hele, etc. Others come to us from writers and poets such as Milton, Shakespeare, Plato and various religious leaders such as John Wesley and Coverdale.
There are eight pages dedicated to secrecy in Laurence Dermott’s “Ahiman Rezon.” Dermott refers to secrecy in regards to Freemasonry as the “Bounds of true Religion, Morality, and Virtue” as being the “precepts of the Royal Art.”
NOTE: Taken from the June 2005 “The Philalethes,” the official organ of the Philalethes Society, Freemasonry’s largest worldwide research society.
A BAG OF TOOLS (A poem by R. L. Sharpe)
Isn’t it strange
That princes and kings,
And clowns that caper,
In sawdust rings,
And common people
Like you and me
Are builders for eternity?
Each is given a bag of tools,
A shapeless mass,
A book of rules;
And each must make --
Ere life is flown –
A stumbling block.
Or a steppingstone.
NOTE: These verses are favorites of Illustrious
Brother Reverend Ridell Kelsey MSA, 33° and your correspondent. Freemasons
ALWAYS make “stepping stones!“ Enjoy “re-running this occasionally
to remind us - NEVER “stumbling blocks!”
NOVEMBER BIRTHDAYS
Thirty-eight King Oscar brethren were born in November, they are: Claude W. Cinnett (1); Eugene C. Thornton (2); Robert W. Shrode, Robert W. Kapfhamer (4); Martin S. Chew, Darwyne T. Croom (5); Christopher Steininger Jr. (6); George B. Weidinger, Christ P. Korbilas (7); James Clinton, James E. Morgan (8); Charles De La Riva (9); Avelino Q. Rufo (10); Homer A. Guy, Gary S. Randau, James V. Nolan (14); Melln A. Lindblad, Dennis A. Johanson (15); james T. Chalikis, Robert Nelson (18); Rudolf Schulte (19); David A. Olver, Douglas W. Reynolds (20); James W. Dunn (22); Rod C. Erickson, Paul J. Caldwell (23); Earl G. Lohn (24): George C. F. Niemann, James A. Warneck, Harold W. Kearey (27); Dan B. Houser (29); James R. Williams, Daniel A. Bixler, Eliot S. Echenique, Edward A. Rund, John F. Eichler (30).
Happy birthday guys do not eat too much of that ”foul” fowl, turkey, Thursday the 24th, Thanksgiving Day!
MASONIC SYMBOLISM – (Conclusion of this series.)
The language of symbolism is one of the oldest, deepest, and richest means of communication, by seeking deeper meanings embedded in our symbols; we are helped along life’s path. We grow in our understanding and appreciation.
Masonic symbolism teaches valuable lessons at the descriptive, allegorical, tropological, and ultimately, the anagogic level if we look for them
The monument of the broken column reminds us
of the lessons learned when we were raised to be Master Masons.
This concludes this series of articles relative to Masonic Symbolism.
APPLIED FREEMASONRY
MASONRY was brought to America from England in the year 1730 when a Masonic Lodge was formed in Philadelphia. The Craft had crossed the channel to England from Europe about 300 years before and in the process transformed from an Operative to a Speculative Order.
As we prepare to go into the 21st Century, Freemasonry may enter a third stage termed “Applied Freemasonry” as it begins to serve the human race, its true destiny.
Masonry has not yet achieved this goal partly because of complacent satisfaction in its superiorities and the atmosphere created by rituals and fraternal friendships. These are beneficial, but Masonry is not a secret society or a social club. The changes, which will accompany Masonry’s transition to the third stage when Masonic principles are put into practical and helpful use, will not hurt the values, which Masons hold so important and immutable.
Much of our Masonic secrecy’s no longer needed. People today are not enhanced with secret societies. And there is nothing secret about what Masons do. The more the general public knows about Masonry the more useful the Fraternity will become. Masonry must be more universally understood, both inside and outside as a way of life, which has a helpful, practical, supporting, purpose.
There are five stages of life in every organism: birth, growth, use, decay and death. This applies to life groups, to nations, and races. It applies to religions and systems of governments. The stage of usefulness should start during the age of growth. Masonry is at the end of its growth stage and it must now turn to a state of usefulness
In the new era Masonry should inspire all Masons to live a Masonic life. How a Mason lives outside the lodge is much more important than what he does in it. Taking another degree, another oath, learning a new sign does not necessarily evidence forward steps in Masonic living. We need not change our rituals. What we need is a change in the understanding of them. We need not change precepts or doctrines or duties. What we need is to recognize their significance and how to apply them in practical and useful ways in our daily lives.
California and Hawaii Freemasonry has taken the first step in Applied Freemasonry with the adoption of an outgoing, aggressive program of support for the education of our children in the dangers of alcohol and drug use. Masons individually and collectively must lead the way in demanding higher standards of education, greater citizen participation in government, local, state, and nation. Work for a cleaner environment, preservation of the Bill of Rights, morality in government and business.
Historically Masonry resists change. But humanity is changing and like it or not Masonry, consisting of human beings, cannot divorce itself from human life.
The change from Speculative to Applied Freemasonry will not harm Masonry anymore than the change from Operative to Speculative. For Masonry to live on in the future, it must demonstrate its usefulness to mankind. NOW is the time to start a new kind of Freemasonry!
NOTE: From the spring issue, 1989, of the California Freemason magazine By – Very Worshipful Ralph H. Head, and included in the July 2005 Fraternal Review Bulletin of Southern California Research Lodge F & A M.
NEWS FROM FLORIDA
Ken Lindgren’s “better half, ”Pattie, the power behind the throne, informs us they are very busy. Their grandson, Aidan is “cutting” his first tooth, rolling over AND only the Almighty knows what is to follow? Pattie didn’t say they were too busy to stay “out of mischief” wonder? She and Ken send their love and best wishes to the KO family. The KO family returns it two fold! God bless.
SICKNESS & DISTRESS
Chester Smith was in attendance at “Back to the Rite Night” September
1st, taking nourishment and passing out dinner tickets. Good to see you back,
Chet!
Gilberto Balabin is among us again. Welcome back Gilberto.
Craig Stewart has been out of circulation due to a leg injury.
OBITUARIES
Brother Robert Nelson was born November 18, 1937, he was initiated January 11, 1963, passed February 22, 1963 and raised March 22, 1963 in King Oscar Lodge # 855. He passed this life August 19, 2005.
Brother Richard T. Abbott Was born December 13, 1933 in Chicago, Illinois. He was initiated April 18, 1975, passed September 19, 1975 and raised October 17, 1975 in Providence lodge # 711. Brother Abbott served as Master of Providence in 1979, was commissioned a Grand Lecturer of the Grand Lodge of Illinois and was a recipient of the Meritorious Service Award of the Scottish Rite by the Valley of Chicago. He passed this life August 28, 2005.
Brother Bertil S. Bohrnell was born December 23, 1935, he was initiated June 18, 1965, passed July 23, 1935 and raised October 29, 1935 in King Oscar Lodge # 855. He passed this life August 30, 2005.
These departed brethren now sit at the right hand of the Grand Master of Universe. We pray Almighty God that their souls rest in peaces and that You sooth the grief of the loss, suffered by their families and loved ones.
Lord, hear our prayers!
CLOSING
Now that the Labor Day weekend is past, the kids are back at school, gasoline is well in excess of $ 3.00 a gallon and Illustrious Brother Noel C. Dicks is our Grand Master, work of all kinds awaits. Preparations must be made for Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, the year 2006, Fall, Winter and, before we know it – Spring, yes siree!
We Freemasons must remember who we are and what true Freemasonry really is, much, much more than JUST ritual and floor work!
Until next time, God bless!
Whispering George C. F.