Saturday, April 8, 2023

Wearing a Masonic Ring

Masonic Ring in Sterling Silver ~ Cigar Band Style 027es - ProLine Designs

As a purely personal choice, many brethren like to wear a Masonic ring on their hand. Often, that ring is adorned with the square and compasses.

A common unspoken rule says that you should wear it with the square and compasses facing you (i.e., the bottom of the square and the two tips of the compasses towards you) before you make it through the chair and, once you have sat in King Solomon's chair, reverse it and have them facing away from you. This is made to mimic the perspective you would have on them during your lodge meeting based on whether you sit in the East or anywhere else. Conversely, if your lodge positions the compasses in the opposite way (i.e., facing toward the master rather than the candidate), then it feels reasonable you could justify reversing the guidance above.

-author unknown

Saturday, February 4, 2023

Harmony Lodge No. 21
F. & A. M
LOGAN, UTAH 84321


2022 Annual Lodge Historical Report 

2022 AD/6062 AL (our 106th year) has been a year of growth for Harmony Lodge No. 21 under Worshipful Master Kurtis B. Payne’s leadership. Focus for the year has been on growing the brotherhood within the lodge. The lodge’s leadership was tasked with reaching out to every brother, extending invitations to visit, and having meaningful events that brothers would be excited to attend.

Many events were planned for the year to bring the brothers together at the lodge outside of regularly stated meetings. Several movie nights were planned and well attended. Masonic or other educational activities were planned every month to allow the membership to learn more about the appendant bodies, attended an Easter service at St. John’s Episcoble Church on Easter Sunday, discussion on the role of past masters, and business items for the lodge. Philosophy and Cribbage meetups were had every Sunday during the spring and into summer.

A virtual visit from our Most Worshipful Grand Master early in the year was well attended. Many questions were asked and great information was shared. This virtual visit allowed many of our lodge brothers living outside of Utah to attend and share in the visit.

A large effort was made to clear the rolls of the lodge. Each brother who owed multiple years of past dues were contacted via email, mail, and phone. Personal contact was made with every brother. Several brothers stated they appreciate the contact and made efforts to bring their dues current. Because of this personal contact and effort, we are happy to say that at the end of the year, no member of Harmony lodge owes past dues.

A great St. John’s feast was held during the summer at the masonic temple in Logan. It was a potluck dinner affair. Many brothers and several interested gentlemen attended. A good time was had by all.

A public installation of officers for the pursuing masonic year was held in December. Worshipful Master Payne was installed for his 2nd year as Worshipful Master. Worshipful Brother Snyder acted as installing officer and did an exceptional job. The lodge recognized our Worshipful Master’s lady Suzanne Payne, presenting her with flowers as appreciation for her support of her husband and to our lodge. Single roses were also given to each lady in attendance.

We look forward to another great Masonic year. 

Peace and Harmony prevailing, 

     Gary Roberts, Senior Warden

     Kurt Payne, Worshipful Master


Tuesday, November 15, 2022

FY 2023 Elected Officer Results

 


Elections for the officers of 6023/2023 for Harmony Lodge No. 21 in Logan, UT were held on November 08, 2022. The following are the results of that election. Presenting the elected officers FY 6023/2023:

  • Worshipful Master - Kurtis B. Payne, PM
  • Senior Warden - Carl C. Ellsworth
  • Junior Warden - Matthew A. Harris, PM
  • Secretary - Gary T. Roberts
  • Treasurer - Lloyd E. Harris
  • 3 Year Trustee - Gary T. Roberts

 

  • Appointed Officers:
    • Senior Deacon - Seth Pritchard
    • Junior Deacon - Philip Henderson
    • Chaplain - David Snider, PM 

Worshipful Payne is in the process of appointing the other officers and other appointments. As brother accept these positions, this blog post will be updated. 

A notice of the installation of officers will be forthcoming.

     

 


Monday, March 14, 2022

The Silent Summons

A member of a certain Lodge, who previously attended meetings regularly, stopped going. After a few months, the Worshipful Master decided to visit him. It was a chilly evening, and the Worshipful Master found his brother at home alone, sitting before a blazing fire. Guessing the reason for the Worshipful Master's visit, the brother welcomed him, led him to a comfortable chair near the fireplace and waited. The Worshipful Master made himself comfortable, but said nothing.
In the grave silence, he contemplated the dance of the flames around the burning logs. After several minutes, the Worshipful Master took the fire tongs, carefully picked up a brightly burning ember and placed it to one side of the hearth, all alone. Then he sat back in his chair, still silent.
His host watched all of this in quiet contemplation. 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 Worshipful 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 all the light and warmth of the burning coals around it.
As the Worshipful Master reached the door to leave, his host said, with a tear running down his cheek, "Thank you so much for your fiery summons, my brother. I'll be back in our Lodge next meeting."
-- Author Unknown

Saturday, January 29, 2022

Harmony Lodge No. 21 - 2021 Annual Lodge Historical Report

2021/6061 (our 105th year) has been an interesting masonic year of growth for Harmony Lodge No. 21 and its members. Worshipful Master Andrew Lonero started his second year in the east with a bang continuing and focusing on the care of the brethren who are members of our beloved lodge through the COVID-19 pandemic. Care was taken with coordination of the Logan Masonic Temple board to put protocols in place to protect the brethren from infection while still allowing us to meet and conduct lodge business and conduct degrees. The Temple Board also met to start planning efforts to install baseboards in the lodge room, Tyler's room, and banquet room of our beloved building and conduct future planning for the lodge building and lodge finances.

Building on the success of Zoom meetings that were conducted the year prior, the lodge continued to meet online monthly for the first half of the year. This allowed members of our lodge to see and greet many familiar faces of brothers who now live in other jurisdictions. Great discussions were had as well as even better discourses and discussions were shared. Interested gentlemen were also invited to attend which allowed them to get to know the brothers of the Lodge and the brethren to get to know them in return.

A couple of lodge by-laws changes were presented to the brethren. The first was to change the life membership terms to match those listed in Grand Lodge’s bylaws. This was later approved by the brethren and Grand Lodge. Another was an addition to having alcohol removed from the lodge when brothers were present. This was approved by the brothers, but rejected by Grand Lodge as there are already Grand Lodge by-laws that govern this. Worshipful Master Lonero gave his appreciation for those who proposed these by-laws as it gave our lodge the opportunity to discuss them and learn and review the process for making by-laws changes.

Our Grand Master and several members of his line held a visitation during our stated meeting in February. A great discourse was had and the evening was enjoyed by all in attendance. Many questions were asked (both of the brethren and by our Grand Master) and illuminating answers were received helping to clarify and enlighten.

Minor repairs were made to our building including fixing several leaks in the plumbing, clearing rubbish from around the building, adding a stair railing to the entrance of the building, shoveling snow, mowing, deep cleaning the building, moving a brother into his new home, installing the base boards, and cleaning the roof of the lodge. Several work parties were formed to do the work. Many members helped and contributed resources that greatly reduced the costs of these efforts having to be borne by the lodge. The brethren used these work parties as an opportunity to get together shoulder to shoulder, labor together, and grow the links that bind our brothers together outside our regular stated meeting and degree work.

Brothers continued to progress their degree knowledge at every opportunity. Most Tuesday nights, practices and catechism work was held in order to be better prepared to open and close our lodge and conduct each of the degrees as well as to progress our candidates. Their efforts paid off as several new masons were well pleased with their experiences.

Degree work also progressed with interested gentlemen petitioning to be elected to receive the Three Degrees of Freemasonry.  Three gentlemen were initiated with two brothers being passed, and one now ready to be raised.  At Harmony Lodge we truly had an effort “of who best can work and best agree.” It has been wonderful to witness this and is reflected upon our lodge coin of “How good it is for brethren to dwell together in unity”. 

Under the direction of Worshipful Cliff Hunter, PM, the lodge has restarted holding a Cribbage and Philosophy meetup every Saturday morning early in the AM hours. Several brothers and prospective members are attending, having coffee and other warm beverages. The discussion and brotherhood has been great and the event is very much enjoyed. The plan is for this great tradition to continue.

A St. John’s Feast and Festive board was held during the summer. The lodge used this as an opportunity to raise funds for the Cache Valley Food Pantry. Formal invitations were sent out to members of the lodge asking for a donation for each plate. The meal was catered by a local chef. The costs of the meal were covered by a donation from one of our brothers thus allowing all the funds per plate to be donated to the food pantry. A total of $1,000 was given. Later in the year additional food donations and donated funds were also delivered to the food pantry. 

We look forward to another great Masonic year. 

Peace and Harmony prevailing, 

Gary Roberts, Junior Warden

Kurt Payne, Senior Warden


Sunday, November 28, 2021

The Importance of Thanksgiving (Year Round!)

When Billy Walsh was a youngster, his family lived near Mrs. Smithson. A widow eighty years of age, Mrs. Smithson was in constant pain and crippled by rheumatoid arthritis that ravaged her body. Living alone she could only walk a few steps at a time with the help of her cane. Every week when Billy’s mom went to the market, she took her son, who would always deliver groceries to the old widow. The family car would pull up into Mrs. Smithson’s driveway and the command would be heard, “Billy, here are Mrs. Smithson’s groceries.” That was all the instruction that was needed. Billy instantly responded, delivering the groceries with a sense of delight. Without fail Mrs. Smithson always gave Billy a quarter for his efforts.

The boy enjoyed the older woman, especially listening to her stories. She told him about her life, a beautiful, old church in the woods, horse and buggy rides on Sunday afternoons, and much about her family’s farm that had no modern conveniences such as electricity or running water. After a short time together the older woman would give Billy his quarter, which he would half-heartedly refuse, knowing that she would insist that he keep it. Usually he walked across the street to Johnson’s candy store and bought himself a treat.

One day in mid-December Billy was delivering the woman’s groceries as usual, but the season’s first significant snow was falling and the boy very much wanted to go out and play. He decided, therefore, to make his delivery and refuse to accept Mrs. Smithson’s weekly offering of 25 cents. The snow beckoned him to go outside.

Thus, Billy delivered the groceries much faster than normal. The older woman took the items out of the bag and told Billy where each went in the cabinets. Normally he enjoyed this, but the snow was calling. Then, somewhat suddenly Billy began to realize how lonely Mrs. Smithson must have been. She had been a widow for nearly twenty years and she had no children. Her only living relative, who never came to visit, lived far away in Boston. Nobody even called her at Christmas. When the holiday drew near, the house had no tree, no presents, and no stockings. For her, Christmas was just another day on the calendar. Billy began to think, Maybe the snow could wait a bit; it wasn’t that important.

Billy and Mrs. Smithson sat and talked about many things but especially past Christmas celebrations. The journey of reflection and memories must have been somewhat healing for the older woman. Then she said, “Well, Billy, I bet you want to go out and play in the snow.” She reached into her purse, fumbling to find the proper coin. “No, Mrs. Smithson,” he said, “I cannot take your money this time. I am sure you have more important uses for it.”

But she replied, “What more important thing could I do with it than give some to a friend at Christmas time?” She placed a silver dollar in Billy’s hand. He tried to give it back, but she would have none of that.

Billy hurried out the door and ran to Johnson’s candy store. He wondered what he would buy – a comic book, a chocolate soda, or ice cream. Then he spotted a Christmas card with an old country church on the cover. It was just like the church Mrs. Smithson had described from her youth. Billy purchased the card and borrowed a pen to sign his name. “Is this for your girlfriend?” Mr. Johnson asked. Billy started to say, “No,” but responded, “Well, yeah, I guess it is.”

He walked across the street and rang the widow’s doorbell. He handed her the card, saying, “Merry Christmas, Mrs. Smithson. Thank you for your kindness.”

The older woman’s hand began to tremble as she opened the card and read its contents. She began to cry. “Thank you very much,” and then in almost a whisper, “Merry Christmas to you.”

Several weeks later, one cold and blustery day, an ambulance arrived at Mrs. Smithson’s home. Mrs. Walsh, Billy’s mother, told her son that she had found Mrs. Smithson in bed; she had died peacefully in her sleep. On her nightstand was found, still illuminated by a light, a solitary Christmas card with an old country church on the cover.

In essence the story is one of thanksgiving, the young boy’s thanksgiving to the woman and her thanksgiving to him. Our second lesson, drawn from 1 Thessalonians, presents us with a message of thanksgiving, but one that is specific in giving thanks through giving.

Saint Paul wrote 1 Thessalonians, most probably the first letter of his corpus, approximately in the year 50 AD. He had founded the Christian community at Thessalonica during his second missionary journey (Acts 17:1-9). In the short passage we heard proclaimed, the apostle offers thanks to the Thessalonians. He is grateful for them and the faith they have demonstrated, but he wants to suggest certain ways that thanksgiving must be manifest.

First, Paul suggests that thanksgiving must be an act of presence; he believes we demonstrate thanks to each other by being physically present with one another. As a nation, we in the United States have just completed the celebration of our national day of Thanksgiving. Most people gathered with families and friends; we were present to each other. We intentionally sought to be with these people at this special time. Many people traveled great distances; one might say we went out of our way to be present to special people in our lives. We made these journeys joyfully because these are people we know and love; there was no great strain to be physically present with these people. We welcomed the opportunity.

However, Paul’s concept of presence as an action of thanksgiving requires more of us. Being an excellent judge of human character, Paul realized that to be present to people we know, like, or perceive can be of advantage to us is not difficult at all. He realized the need, and so must we, to move beyond being present simply to those we like, but in an act of thanksgiving, to be present to those we know and possibly do not like. I suspect at the outset Billy was not too pleased to be present to Mrs. Smithson, as it would take him away from his friends. But he learned about the importance of being present, especially to those who needed him most. Equally importantly he discovered the peace and beauty that came to him through his act of thanksgiving. He found that he was serving not only the individual, but God who gives us the opportunity to be present and serve.

Being present can manifest itself in many different ways. We need to take up the challenge and be thankful by visiting a neighbor, a colleague at work, or a member of our church community who is sick, whether in the hospital or at home. Taking the time that we seemingly do not possess to be present with another and simply sit and listen is a great gift, almost a lost art in today’s world. Many times all people need is simply a compassionate ear. We need to be present with the elderly, family members most assuredly, but also those we know in various ways. We need to be present for special events – birthdays, anniversaries, and weddings. But the everyday events, being present for meals, sporting events of children, and family time together is essential. Paul is asking the Thessalonians to be present to each other and thereby demonstrate thanksgiving. The same is true for us.

A second aspect of Saint Paul’s concept of thanksgiving is mutual love. He writes, “May the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we abound in love for you” (1 Thessalonians 3:12). As the first season of the new liturgical year, Advent presents us the opportunity for new beginnings, to start afresh in demonstrating mutual love. If we are at odds with someone it is the perfect time to once again demonstrate the love to which all Christians are called. Jesus never held a grudge. In fact, we recall his words on the cross, “Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34). Disagreements arise within families, coworkers, neighbors, and even within our church communions. Paul’s words encourage us to “drop the hatchet” and move toward reconciliation and love. Still, we must go further. We must reach across borders and boundaries that separate and drive people apart. Racial and ethnic divisions, national boundaries, and even religious denominations and teachings keep us from being the mutually loving people that is part of Paul’s thanksgiving message to the Thessalonians.

Instead of division and strife we should offer love as the concept of belonging, unity, and harmony. A thanksgiving of mutual love requires us to be inclusive in all we do and say. Jesus continually crossed borders, both literally and figuratively, to demonstrate an inclusive ethic with all people. He visited lands and cities outside Israel, such as Tyre, Sidon, and the Gerasene Territory. He never shied away from lepers, cripples, the blind, or others with physical handicaps. On the contrary, he embraced these people, demonstrating an ethic of being inclusive.

Rather than being inclusive, too often people in contemporary life are exclusive. We choose our friends, opportunities, and associations with great care. Only certain people or possibilities that pass our personal litmus test show up on our radar screens. People are chosen based on their attributes, skills, and the possibilities they bring in our lives. Opportunities similarly are chosen if they will advance our personal or professional lives or serve us in an advantageous way. The thanksgiving effort of mutual love that Paul preaches to the Thessalonians is completely antithetical to such an exclusive way of thinking or acting.

Paul’s third aspect of thanksgiving is proper conduct. He writes, “May he so strengthen your hearts in holiness that you may be blameless before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints” (1 Thessalonians 3:13). The new start that Advent brings challenges us to transform our lives of faith and make them more conformable to that of Christ. We should use this time to root out vices that ill-affect our health – smoking, overheating, excessive drinking, or laziness. It is a time to cast out hatred, jealousy, pride, and arrogance, those things that create violence in our lives, and replace them with justice, goodness, humility, kindness, and those things that generate peace. In short, we must root out actions that are inconsistent with our common Christian vocation to holiness. As a Christian hymn goes, “Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me.” We must find peace in our hearts by doing what is right. Right conduct leads directly to peace within our hearts.

There is a short little story that aptly illustrates this point. One day a young man answered a want ad for a farm hand. He told the owner about his previous experience, which was abundant, and his references were impeccable. He ended the interview in a rather odd way, however, by telling the owner that he could count on him, because he could sleep during the wind. The owner was confused but he could not argue with the man’s credentials, so he was given the job.

Late one night a fierce Midwest storm arose. It was two in the morning, but the farmer arose, got dressed, and went outside to see what needed to be secured. First, he checked the barn, but the doors were closed, shutters were locked tight, and the animals were tethered and safe. He next checked the springhouse, the pump room, and storage shed, and all the trucks. Everything was secured. He ran from place-to-place thinking most assuredly that something must be out of order. Finally, the owner stuck his head in the bunkhouse and saw the farmhand fast asleep. He remembered the curious statement of the farmhand when he was interviewed, “I can sleep during the wind.” The farmer smiled and thought to himself, “Yes, he is at peace and has done all things well. He can sleep during the wind.”

As we begin a new liturgical year by lighting the first candle on the Advent wreath, Saint Paul encourages us to manifest an attitude of thanksgiving. While saying “thank you” in a physical sense is a start, we must go further. Paul tells the Thessalonians that he is grateful to them, but now they must demonstrate an ethic of thanksgiving of presence, mutual love, and right conduct to others. Similarly, we need to manifest thanksgiving in our lives. People need us to be present to them; they have the right to our love and respect. Society and God challenge us to reform our lives more along that of Jesus Christ. As we get set for our Advent journey to begin Let’s not leave behind Thanksgiving and remember always to be thankful. Our attitude can be so simply and succinctly stated, as articulated by Saint Ignatius of Loyola, “May all we do and say give greater glory and honor to God.” Amen.

by Rev. Preston Van Deursen, Director of Pastoral Care at the Masonic Village at Elizabethtown


Wednesday, April 14, 2021

Meditations on My Masonic Ring

 Meditations On My Masonic Ring


Authored by Arbon C. Ransom

Reviewed and edited by Gary Robert's and Jason Lee 


    On the top of my masonic ring is the Compass that makes the divine circle in which bounds one should stay. With it one is able to make the Square. If one uses a compass to draw a circle and then draws a straight line from one side of the circle to the other, that passes through the center point, they will now have two additional points where the line starts and ends on the circumference of the circle. A fourth point may now be arbitrarily chosen on the circle’s boundary. If this point is connected with straight lines to the end points of the dissecting line made earlier, one will have made a right or square angle. Thus, the angle of the square comes from and can be tested by a circle. It is fitting that the Square of morality and virtue is contained and formed within and beneath the circle, or compass. Ethics and morality are determined by what is self-evident, sacred, and inviolable. In the middle of these parts, of the properly lived and examined life, is the letter G. It represents the Name of God. It is also fitting that this virtuous and controlled life would be centered around a Supreme Being, or transcendent Good.

    We can trace the Name of God back to many different and ancient cultures where it was considered to be a source of great power. Among the ancient Hebrews, it was believed that the proper utterance of the Ineffable Name of God by one who is worthy would result in the working of great miracles, or the power of God being manifest on the earth. So perhaps it is within the life lived by the Square and Compass that the power of God or the Divine is found. What is this power? The GAOTU designs, creates, and dictates all things. He is the Logos that harnessed truth to speak potential into being, and saw that it was good. When we live according to divine principles determining our actions we discover, or it is revealed to us, that the Divine or the creative is within us and can be manifested. If we speak and act out Truth we will turn the potential within and around us into something good. How else are we to be expected to truly transform ourselves from a rough ashlar into a smooth one? This is something simple, yet I believe it to be one of the enlightened principles and secrets that Freemasonry offers to those who have eyes to see and ears to hear. When we truly realize our potential, we begin to act for ourselves and not be acted upon. We realize that life is not meant to be squandered by being a piece in someone else’s game.

    So, when I look at that ring on my finger I am reminded of who I truly am and of what I am capable. 

Wearing a Masonic Ring

As a purely personal choice, many brethren like to wear a Masonic ring on their hand. Often, that ring is adorned with the square and compa...