FRATERNAL REVIEW

Editor - Ralph A. Herbold         (7-1-91)                        No. 632

PENALTIES
The Autumn '90 Victorian Mason (Australia) had this as a part of the "Oration -
Mark Grand Chaplain:"

"Is Freemasonry ferocious and barbaric in its penalties for violating an
obligation?

"Let's be honest.  Each one of us have at some time thought so.  But no more
than the penalty, which the bible teaches, is inflicted by a loving God.  The
Christian Master said:  'If your foot offend you, cut it off.  If your eye
offend you, pluck it out;' and He reminds men that those who do iniquity shall
be cast into a furnace of fire.  And that everlasing punishment may be the
penalty for failing to fulfil Christian obligations.

"So, the violence of masonic obligations may be said to face penalties no more
barbaric than that of the Christian, but we know, of course, that the penalty of
both are meant to be allegorical."

NORTH DAKOTA - MEMBERSHIP - TABLE LODGE - PRINCE HALL
Interesting items gleaned from the 1990 North Dakota Grand Lodge Proceedings:

Of interest to those involved in Lodge consolidations:  A proposed amendment
that did not receive a majority for passage but enough to cause a carry-over to
next communication:  "When a lodge surrenders it Charter or Merges with another
lodge, members of those lodges who do not want a Demit, or elect not to join a
Host Lodge, shall be entitled to remain in the craft by becoming members of the
Grand Lodge AT LARGE."  (2/3 required, laid over for simple majority)

This apparently the result of two lodges sending demits for entire membership
with the notation "WE OUIT," their problem, once again, the lack of masonic
education.

Alcoholic bveverages may be served at a Table Lodge by dispensation from the
Grand Lodge and according to guide lines established by the General Policy and
Purposes Committee.  The Grand Lodge has a matching scholarship program, lodge
contributions matched by Grand Lodge contributions, giving $21,000 in grants for
the year.  They have a similar program for local community projects, their
foundation giving $l for every $2 by the lodge.  The Grand Secretary-Treasurer
is an appointed officer and they also have a Grand Education Officer.

They had a very detailed and complete report on Prince Hall even though no
Prince Hall Grand Lodge in their state.  But the Minnesota Prince Hall Grand
Lodge has two lodges in North Dakota so they will be considering recognition
at this year's communication, we note in the latest issue of their publication.

RITUAL
The April 1991 bulletin of the Vancouver (Canada) Lodge of Education and
Research brings out differences in ritual there by reporting the forming of a
new lodge using the Canadian Work.  They were to have an address by W.  Bro.
Wallace McLeod on "The Reason For Ritual Divergence," noting that there are four
official British Columbia Workings.

The June 1991 Occasional Bulletin of the Texas Lodge of Research, in the report
of their March 16th meeting which featured an address by Christopher Haffner,
District Grand Master of Hong Kong and the Far East, E.C., and we quote:

"Brother Haffner, when asked to comment on the opening of TLR, noted that we
opened in the third degree rather than the first.  Also, that Scottish EAs have
neither voice nor vote, FCs have voice but no vote and MMs have voice and vote.
British and Irish lodges open on the first degree, therefore EAs have voice and
vote.  The installation of Masters is private to installed Masters.  Instead of
reciting a pledge to a flag, the National Anthem is sung at some meetings.
British elections are different, inasmuch as they elect the Master, Treasurer
and Tiler.  All other officers are appointed.  The Master must be elected from
among those who have served as Wardens.  In Scottish lodges, anyone is eligible
to be elected, although they tend to move up by year."

JESSE HELMS - MASONIC HOME - PUBLIC RELATIONS
One of our Senators is apparently active in Freemasonry when we read in the May
1991 North Carolina Mason that:

"U.S. Senator Jesse Helms, Grand Orator, member of Raleigh Lodge No 500,
delivered a stirring address during which he received several standing
ovations.  He paid tribute to the men and women of Desert Storm.  And he spoke
eloquently of the great worth of Freemasonry, of his strong attachment to it,
and of the fine example set for him by the greatest Mason in his life - his
father.  It was the Senator's third appearance as Grand Orator of the Grand
Lodge over a period of years."

The North Carolina Mason is facing the same situation as we are and as a result
are changing publication from every month to every other month but doubling the
number of pages each issue to have the same end result, but cutting postage
expense in half.

And quoting from the Grand Master's Program:

"II. LET'S PRACTICE MASONRY IN OUR COMMUNITIES

"A.  At the Oxford Orphanage we have the best child care facility in the state,
yet we could take care of twice as many children as we are now housing.

"Accordingly, I hope the Orphanage Committee in each lodge will be the most
important and active committee in the lodge for the coming year.

"In addition, I respectfully request every Mason designate himse|f as a
committee of one to see to it that neglected, abused or dependent children in
his community are given an opportunity to be placed at the Oxford Orphanage.
Keep a sharp look out, talk to teachers, guidance counselors, ministers,
juvenile court personnel, and others in the community who are in contact with
children.

"B.  I respectfully request every lodge, either individually or in concert with
the other lodges, to organize, promote, and participate in at least one worth-
while community project during the year."


