Free and Accepted Masons, Toms River, NJ
THE NOMINATIONS FOR 2019OFFICERS OF HARMONY LODGE WILL CLOSE ON TUESDAY NOVEMBER 20th 2018 AND THE ELECTION OF OFFICERS WILL TAKE PLACE AT OUR ANNUAL MEETING ON DECEMBER 4, 2018. OUR INSTALLATION WILL BE AN OPEN INSTALLATION ON SATURDAY DECEMBER 8th, 2018 AT 1PM
Fraternally,
David F Nash, PM
Secretary – Harmony #18
My Brother,
A Mason – By Bro. Carl W. Mason
(From The Virginia Masonic Journal, Richmond, Va.
March, 1916)
A Mason’s hand is a hand that helps,
That lifts the fallen one.
That comes, in need, with a kindly deed
To him whose strength is gone.
A Mason’s heart is a heart that loves
The best that is good and true;
He stands the friend, his best to lend,
Under his banner blue.
A Mason’s eye is an eye that smiles
and his a cheering voice;
He spreads the light, despite the night
And makes the world rejoice.
Over the earth in stranger lands,
Where distant peoples dwell,
The eye, the grip, the life, the lip,
Of love unchanging tell.
As we move from the summer into the fall let us remember the oaths we have taken, our obligations not only to others to ourselves , to become better men. Let us look deep into our hearts, into our very being and ask of ourselves – What can we do to become better men, better citizens, better masons? Each day when we are amidst the concerns and employments of the world we can strive to make just a small difference in the world about us. It may be true one small deed may not mean much but if each of us strives to help the world and those around us, that one small point in Our Creater’s universe will join with others of our brothers and each good will grow, in so doing we will show others what it means to be a Mason.
Have a great Thanksgiving !!
Fraternally,
John W. Lord, WM
My Brother,
The Master Degree
The Travel
Unknown
(From Masonic Poems, The Masonic Service Association of the (United States) Copyright 1924
Life’s brief moments, swiftly flying.
Speed us near and nearer Death;
Earth and Time are quickly dying,
Passing like a vapour breath.
Earth and all its passions perish,
Rime and all its duties cease;
Wealth and power, that mankind cherish,
Bring us here no joy and peace.
Swift, swifter still, at every breath,
Near, and more near, steals silent Death;
Help! Help us now, O Thou Most High!
In this dead hour of mystery.
The dark in references this verse may be, ’tis not the intent to make us, you and I, melancholy but to remind us of that which is our duty, while on this earthly plain, to follow our oaths and obligations. We look to the Almighty for guidance in our daily affairs. We look upon our country, our neighbors and ourselves and think ” How can we leave this a better place when once we leave our earthly bodies.” Not for glory or adoration but for the sake of doing what is best for others. The true spirit of service is that which is done in quiet anonymity. As we move on in life, toward the end we all must reach, Let us do for others as we would do for ourselves.
When we have passed to that Lodge on High let all who knew us, friend and foe alike, say of us, “He was a good man, he was a Mason”
Fraternally,
John W. Lord, WM
My Brother,
The Square and Compass Bro. Odillon B. Slane
(From the Builder, Anamosa, Iowa. June 1917)
Both Points beneath the Square
Darkness, doubts, dungeons of despair,
Yet trusting in God who answers prayer,
Follow your guide – nor fear nor care,
Light will come with effulgent glare.
One point above the square,
As yet but partially there
is light, for more light prepare;
As you ascend the winding stair.
Both points above the square
Friendship and Morality share
With Brotherly Love, tenets taught where
Masons kneel and vow, and swear.
As we return from our summer pleasures, refreshed and renewed by time spent with family, let us renew our labors, let us recommence our journey to better minds yours and mine working together to learn the lessons of our degrees, to remind each other of the oaths we have taken. There is much we might discern from the lessons taught in symbol and allegory, but we must journey together to search for the light. Our travels may take us to many a place and should we, perchance happen upon a like-minded Brother with whom we may discourse on the lesson from the Grand Architect of the Universe, let us open our minds and hearts that we may take the lessons to our hearts that we may be better men.
As a side note, My Brother, you may have heard that we had been embroiled in a battle with the Temple Air Conditioner, It was a fierce fight at times, tho with only minor casualties. But it is with pleasure that I may report that we have overcome, at least for now, the fiendish foe and we now may once again vanquish the heat.
Fraternally,
John W. Lord, WM
My Brother,
Before summer rain – Poem by Rainer Maria Rilke
Suddenly, from all the green around you, something- you don’t know what- has disappeared ; you feel it creeping closer to the window , in total silence.
From the nearby wood you hear the urgent whistling of a plover, reminding you of someone’s Saint Jerome: so much solitude and passion com from that one voice,
whose fierce request the downpour will grant.
The walls with their ancient portraits, glide away from us, cautiously, as though they weren’t supposed to hear what we were saying.
And reflected on the faded tapestries now; the chill, uncertain sunlight of those long childhood hours when you were so afraid.
As I write this ( it has finally stopped raining) I am sure that you and all the Brothers are eager for the sun to return and the rain to stop. Perhaps though we should take this time to ponder the world around us. There is little that we can do to stop the rain, we must accept it as a gift from our maker. When August comes, and the lawn begins to turn brown we will wish for the rains to come, but even this we do not know. We only truly have today, we only truly have this moment and what shall we choose to do with each and every moment that we have. We can choose to worry about that which we cannot control, or we can choose to seize each and every moment that we are granted and make the best of it. We can choose to follow our teachings and become a true and faithful brother, we can choose to acknowledge every persons claim upon our kind offices. Choose well my Brother.
Have a great summer!!!
Fraternally,
John W. Lord, WM
MY Brother,
The Mystic Art
( This poem has been attributed to Sir Edward Bulwer-Lytton)
The world may rail at Masonry,
And scoff at Square and Line
We’ll follow with complacency
The Master’s great design.
A King can make a gartered Knight,
And breath away another;
But he, with all his skill and might,
Can never make a Brother.
This power alone, thou, Mystic Art,
Freemasonry, is thine;
The power to tame the savage heart
With Brother-love divine!
In the turmoil of our world our craft is evermore important for we forgo the petty differences which so many allow to tear apart the bonds of peace. We must always remain true to our oaths and obligations. I challenge you, Brother, to look within yourself and ask yourself if what you do is right and just. If each of us can but endeavor to just do better each day for our God, our country, our neighbors, our family and ourselves then we cannot help but make this small world in which we live a better place.
It is by bettering ourselves that we can begin to influence those people and events that we encounter and experience each day toward healthier and happier life. In a world that, day by day,, is driven by strife and anger we can act in a manner befitting our fraternity. This is not always easy, and we will certainly never reach perfection but if we always struggle to be better men we cannot help but become better men.
Fraternally,
John W. Lord, WM
My Brother,
Apprentice Degree
Unknown from Masonic Poems,
The Masonic Service Association
Through midnight dark I feebly grope my way
oppressed with fear;
I dread to go, yet I dare not stay with danger near;
Eternal Father guide my feet right,
And lead me, step by step, up to the light.
I do not know the secret path I tread thro’ scenes
unknown
I humbly wander wither I am led – Thy power I own;
Eternal Father! guide me through this night.
and lead me, step by step, up to the light.
The World, it’s pride and passions, wealth and power,
all, all are gone;
Blind, poor, and weak, I trust in this dead hour, on
thee alone;
Eternal Father! guide me in thy Might,
And lead me, step by step, up to the light.
Perhaps the words above, so eloquently spoke by some unknown mason, will recall to your minds your first degree. We were taught that within the fraternity we will often have a friend to guide us but above all, even when we are alone, we will always have the Grand Architect of the Universe with us to guide our feet to help us in times of darkness and peril. It is up to us to listen to the inner voice that each of us has even if it is just “Would I want my mother to see me doing this?” When my life is put before me will I know that I have done the best I can to follow my obligation?
I must remember that all my worldly institutions of wealth and power are but illusions when put before for that spiritual building – that house not made with hands -eternal in the heavens.
Fraternally,
John W. Lord, WM
MY Brother,
The Plumb
By Bro. Neal McAuley, August 1915
(From The Builder, Anamosa, Iowa)
Build up your life like the temple of old
With stones that are polished and true;
Cement it with Love, and adorn it with gold
as all Master builders should do;
Upon a foundation, well chosen and strong,
Build now for ages to come;
Make use of the good, while rejecting the wrong—
And test all your work with the plumb.
What do we mean when we say, “by the plumb”? Part of our lecture describes us as an upright man and a Mason. The plumb teaches us to walk uprightly, the symbolism being that the plumb gives us vertical line. But this does not merely mean for us to walk with our head held high and our shoulders back. We may do this, but we are also admonished to not have haughty behavior. so we must also remain humble and not believe that we are better than others. We are taught to always refer to our sacred texts for more light and more knowledge for by doing this we may be able to discern the proper path for us to take.
More symbolically the plumb teaches us to keep our behavior upright, that we may allow our behavior to speak for us, to show all that we are worthy men, and worthy of the inestimable privileges that are granted to us. If we can examine our actions in the broad light of day and be proud of them then we are symbolically upright. The plumb is there to remind us to always act “by the plumb”.
Fraternally,
John W. Lord, WM
A Mason’s Pledge by Robert Morris “Brother, let us often ponder what we Masons pledged to do, When, prepared at yonder’s alter, We assumed the Masons vow, Foot and knee, breast, hand and cheek. Let these oft our duties speak. ” In the Entered Apprentice degree, we describe Freemasonry as a system of morality, veiled in allegory (or a story) and illustrated by symbols, meaning that we use biblical accounts to teach virtue and morality or as it is often referred to as more light, light being knowledge. But what kind of knowledge do we seek? How to enrich ourselves with gold and valuables? No! We seek to know the proper path to follow in life. Many choices we make in our daily travels are easy, although deciding on what to have for lunch at a diner can pose some difficulties. In most cases we know right from wrong, we should not steal, and our oaths give us further direction as to how we should act.
It is often in the dealings with relationships, be they personal, social, business or other interactions with our fellow human beings that there may be areas where it might be hard to readily determine the right path. It is at these times when we should not act hastily but pause and reflect on the right course of action. Looking to that “inestimable gift of God to man” that was given to us as our rule and guide is where we can find guidance. If we take heed of the lessons we are taught in the further degrees of Masonry we can find answers.
Fraternally,
John W. Lord, WM
My Brother,
A Mason’s Greeting
By Bro. John Edmond Barss, March 1916
To all who hope for life beyond the living, To all who reverence one holy name – Whose liberal hand will not be stayed from giving. Who count all human fellowship the same. Whose lives ascend in wisdom, strength and beauty.
Stone upon stone, square-hewn and founded well. who love the light-who tread the path of duty. Greet you well, brethern! Brethren, greet you well!
This poem is from “Masonic Poems” published in 1924. My purpose is not necessarily to study or understand the writing, though that would be an interesting exercise. For it speaks to our journey through life and our search for more light. My purpose is to remind us that, as Free and Accepted Masons we have a long time-honored fraternity. Our customs, our ritual, our degrees,our traditions, and our purpose run deep. The stones of our temples, both symbolic and real, represent our strength and our steadfastness.
In a world that, day by day, is seemingly more partisan we must stand as an example to our God, our country, our neighbors, our family and to ourselves. An example is that we stand together for doing what is right. We may have differences in politics or other areas of life, but we must be brothers in arms, at times to be captain, at times to steer the ship, at times to act as the stabilizing center. This becomes our duty as being better men, to rise above petty differences, to show these things by our example.
Fraternally,
John W. Lord, WM