STB-JL89
                   NATIONAL SOJOURNERS
            "BORN IN WAR, NURTURED IN PEACF,"

 We have had numerous requests for information about The
National Sojourners; therefore, we have made this organiza-
tion the text of this month's Short Talk. We would like to
acknowledge the work of Ihe Sojourners Bridge of Light com-
mittee, particularly John Henderson, for preparing the text
for this Short Talk.

  We are all familiar with the term "Sojourning Mason", but did
you know that a formal, recognized Masonic organization named
"National Sojourners" actually exists?

  The group had its beginning over 90 years ago in August 1898 in
the Philippines, upon the arrival there of a North Dakota
Regiment of Volunteer Infantry. The Grand Lodge of North Dakota
had granted this Regiment a dispensation for a field lodge and it
conducted its first meeting upon its arrival.

  Meetings were held regularly thereafter--once even while under
hostile fire at the Culi Culi Church with the officers of the
lodge wearing sidearms while bullets splattered through the roof!

  Early in 1900, the North Dakota Regiment of Volunteer Infantry
left the Philippines, taking with it the Field Dispensation. The
American Masons who were left behind quickly filled this Masonic
void by forming the first informal "Sojourners Club." In 1901,
these "Sojourners" provided the impetus, funds and
paraphernalia to charter Manila Lodge under the Grand Lodge of
California, and the "Sojourners Club," was temporarily
disbanded. One of the original members of the informal
"Sojourners Club", Surgeon Captain Harry Eugene Stafford, was
Charter Master of Manila Lodge No. 342, Grand Lodge of California
(later Manila Lodge No. I) and, in 1913, became the first Grand
Master of the newlycreated Grand Lodge of the Philippines.

  The Philippine "Sojourner Club" resurfaced in 1907, open to
Masons who were not members of local lodges, and soon had nearly
200 members from every State and Territory of the United States
and eight foreign countries. As time went by, most of the
Philippine Sojourners scattered throughout the United States. A
group of these Masonic military officers, meeting in Chicago,
Illinois in 1917, recognized the highly transient life of Master
Mason military Officers and formally organized the "Chicago
Sojourners Club." Additional Clubs quickly formed at army posts
and naval bases around the nation and overseas. In 1927, the word
"Club" was dropped and the National Sojourners were incor-
porated in 1931 as a formal part of the Masonic Fraternity.

  Since its inception, the purpose of the National Sojourners has
steadfastly been to affirm the unique responsibilities military
officers have to their brothers-in-arms, the Masonic Fraternity,
and to our Nation. Thus, National Sojourners to this day organize
commissioned officers and warrant officers of the uniformed
services of the United States (past and present), who are
recognized Master Masons, into chapters to actively provide good
fellowship among its members, to assist those who may be
overtaken by adversity or affliction, to cultivate Masonic
ideals, to support patriotic activities in Masonry and to develop
true patriotism and Americanism throughout the nation. National
Sojourners, Inc., formally brings together Masonic leaders of the
uniformed services of the United States into a united effort to
further the National Defense, and work to oppose any influence
calculated to weaken our National Security.

  Members of National Sojourners are reminded of their primary
obligations to the symbolic lodges and the Grand Lodges under
which they work. The organization's "Bridge of Light" program
provides the bridge for Sojourners to cross more easily into
active participation in local symbolic lodges and appendant
body activities. By this "bridge," many military Master Masons
have become affiliated with local lodges, and many have become
leaders of the fraternity.

  National Sojourners willingly and proudly assist local Masonic
authorities through presentations which reinforce and promote
patriotism and Americanism, both with the fraternity and the
community. Its Heros of '76 members, (an invitational
organization within the National Sojourners Inc.), attired in
colorful Revolutionary War uniforms, provide "Toast To The Flag",
"Building The Flag", "Historic Flags, "Service Flags", flag
donations, flag raisings and numerous other patriotic programs
for the benefit of Masonic and community gatherings.

  Heroes of '76, are composed of selected, worthy members of
National Sojourners who have been recognized for outstanding
service to the fraternity. Heroes of '76 Camps (named after
prominent American heroes and battles) have been organized in
nearly all of the Chapters. These Heroes of '76 Camps form an
enjoyable part of the Chapter activities and provide colorful
patriotic groups for Masonic and community programs.

  In 1976, The Declaration of Independence Bicentennial Year,
National Sojourners acquired that part of Brother George
Washington's "River Farm" known as "Collingwood". A new head-
quarters was established on this historic property, and a
reknowned Library and Museum of Americanism has since been
created that daily serves the Masonic fraternity and a public
constituency.

  This Headquarters, Library and Museum on Americanism now forms
part of a Masonicallyimportant triangle in our Nations's
Capital area; The George Washington Monument to the east in the
city of Washington, D.C.; the George Washington Masonic National
Memorial on "Shooters Hill" to the west of Alexandria, Virginia
and the National Sojourners Headquarters, Collingwood Library
and Museum on Americanism to the south on the Potomac River near
Mount Vernon.

  National Sojourners, Inc., now organized in some 150 chapters
in 44 states, Germany and Panama, is an important, highly visible
and integral part of the fraternity of Freemasons that cements
the ties that bind military Master Masons closer together for the
good of all. It has ever championed the Masonic principles that
political, economic and social problems are subsidiary to and
separate from a steadfast belief in God as the Supreme Architect
of the Universe. National Sojourners maintain that God must
motivate man if present day problems are to be solved and urges
active participation of all patriotic Americans in maintaining
that government for which our forefathers fought.

  National Sojourners remember that George Washington once said:
''When we assumed the soldier we did not lay aside the citizen!''

TOAST TO THF, FLAG by John J. Daly

Here's to the red of it--
There's not a thread of it,
No, nor a shred of it
In all the spread of it
    From foot to head.
But heroes bled for it,
Faced steel and lead for it,
Precious blood shed for it,
    Bathing it Red!

Here's to the white of it--
Thrilled by the sight of it,
Who knows the right of it,
But feels the might of it
Through day and night?
Womanhood's care tor it
Made manhood dare for it,
Purity's prayer for it
    Keeps it so white!

Here's to the blue of it--
Beauteous view of it,
Heavenly hue of it,
Star-spangled dew of it
    Constant and true;
Diadems gleam for it,
States stand supreme for it,
Liberty's beam for it
    Brightens the blue!

Here's to the whole of it--
Stars, stripes and pole of it,
Body and soul of it,
0, and the roll of it,
     Sun shining through;
Hearts in accord for it,
Swear by the sword for it,
Thanking the Lord for it,
     Red White and Blue!

