Editor - Ralph A. Herbold

FRATERNAL REVIEW

(4- 1-92)
No. 647

POTPOURRI 
The Winter 1991 Trowel of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, in "Brother
Naismith's Game of Basketball Celebrating its Centennial Year," had a very
interesting story, if you were a basketball fan. [Sample: we've seen
scoring go from the game of Nov. 22, 1950, when Fort Wayne (now the
Detroit Pistons) scored a 19-18 NBA win over the Minneapolis Lakers (now in
Los Angeles) to the Philadelphia Warriors' 169-147 win over the New York
Knicks on March 2, 1962] But because of its length and the limited interest
of members it was passed by.

The December 1991 Rhode Island Freemason had a lengthy story on the
symbolism of the dollar bill but for the same reasons as above, it was
passed by. There is some interest, we know, for we have had inquiries on it
periodically.

For this reason, we have pasted up both, and if you will send me two 29
cent stamps, one for postage and one for printing, copies will be on their
way.

Lee lacocca's comment sounds like --- --- ---"I feel like the guy on the
football team who is losing 60 to nothing at the half. He goes into the
locker room, and the coach says, 'We're not changing the game plan. We'll
take them in the second half.' We're behind 60-zip! We gotta change."

During the last cold spell one of our members told me he read where a 32nd
degree Mason was down to 15.

The Blue Rose, bulletin of Rosenberg Lodge No. 881, Texas: "Beginning with
this issue of our newsletter, every Mason within our immediate area will be
receving our newsletter." Another good idea.

RHODE ISLAND - AMERICAN RULE 
In Fraternal Review No. 615 of 10-15-90 we reported that the Grand Master
of Rhode Island, in a Decision, rescinded their Standing Order Number 40.
We now find that the current Grand Master has re-instated this order which
is:

"No. 40. Resolved, That the Grand Lodge of Rhode Island stands now, as
heretofore, on the 'American Doctrine' that only one Grand Lodge can be
erected in the same jurisdiction, and that such Grand Body cannot divide
with another body the control of the Craft in any given State or territory.
November 21, 1~98."

THE GROTTO 
Part of an article on the Grotto from the Winter 1991 Trowel of the Grand
Lodge of Massachusetts:

"A little Grotto history: For some years prior to 1889, several members of
Hamilton Lodge No. 120, at Hamilton, New York, stayed on after their
regular meetings, had the usual Cribbage games, told a few stories, enjoyed
the collation and went home, as we do today. Now, here is where the plot
thickens and will show what a little foresight can accomplish.  "Brother
Leroy Fairchild, who was the owner of the local hardware store, used to
shoot the breeze with the travelling men who sold him supplies, and the
topic was always about the loneliness of the evenings on the road. If any
of you have had this experience, you'll know what they were talking about.

"One day during a 'bull session,' the subject became the lack of activities
in this little town, and Brother Fairchild conceived the idea of inviting
these salesmen to join in the card games and collation after the regular
meetings at Hamilton Lodge.

"Now, these non-Masons, being curious as to what happened during the
'secret meetings' of this Masonic Lodge, before the card games, approached
Brother Fairchild who explained the basic history of Hamilton Lodge and
what Freemasonry was all about, which gave these men the incentive to seek
out the Masonic Lodges in their home communities in order to become members
of the Craft and be allowed to meet with the Masons in Hamilton.

"They were quickly nicknamed the 'Fairchild's Devils' and eventually, they
were to charter Grottoes in their own home towns.

"After several years, Leroy Fairchild, his Devils and the members of
Hamilton Lodge decided that any one who wished to become a member of the
nevils must hold Masonic Membership, and the Enchanted Realm, as we now
know it, began. The very first meeting of the new organization was held
on Septemher 10, 1889, and it was named for its leader as 'The Fairchild
Deviltry Committee.'

The idea of the order was an immediate success and proved to be so popular
that many Masons entered the Enchanted Realm, and the meetings could no
longer be held in the basement of the Fairchild hardware store. The
meetings then had to be moved into larger quarters. In answer to many
requests, on June 13, 1890, 'The Fairchild Deviltry Committee' duly
founded: The Mystic Order of Veiled Prophets of the Enchanted Realm,
M.O.V.P.E.R., or as we know it, 'The Grotto.' The Grotto encourages renewed
interest in your Blue Lodge, its activities and attendance.

LOUISIANA 
Commencing with the February 1992 issue, the Louisiana Freemason has a new
format, 36 pages, 5 1/2 x 8 1/2, and it is attractive. The Editor, Ray W.
Burgess, P.G.M., SCRL member, tells the why and how:

"This issue of the Louisiana Freemason marks the beginning of a new format
for your publication. It allows more versatility in layout and makes a more
readable product.

"When I became your editor seven years ago, we were forced to borrow from
the 'Special Purposes Fund' to stay afloat. In 1985 you approved an
additional assessment allowing us to pay the debt. We are now in a position
to transform your publication into a magazine you will be proud to read and
show your friends.

"We need stories about lodge activities, but more especially we need
feature articles. If you are inclined to research and write, let your
editor hear from you. We need good lodge histories."

Our brother is to be commended, particularly in these times when it seems
the tendency is to cut back rather than improve in this phase of
communication.
