FRATERNAL REVIEW

Editor - Ralph A. Herbold       (5-1-92)        No.     649

VIDEOTAPE 
From the March 1992 Fmessay Notes: "The Masonic Service Association
requested a list of all training or informational videotapes
available through the various Grand Lodges of North America. This
information has been compiled in report form and is available
through the MSA. If you would like a copy, please write and request
'Videotape Report."' (8120 Fenton St., Silver Spring MD 20910) And
we suggest a self addressed stamped envelope, business size.

LEADERSHIP
James S. Peterson, in his own inimitable manner, wrote an article
in the January 1992 Occasional Bulletin of the Texas Lodge of
Research, based on quotations. To stimulate your thinking process,
we pass along a few of the quotations and let you fill in the
comments in your own mind:

"You can always tell the pioneers. They're the ones Iying face down
in the path ahead of you with an arrow in their back." - Don
Estridge

"So much of what we call management consists of making it difficult
for people to work." - Peter Drucker

"Progress and growth are impossible if you always do things the way
you've always done things." - Wayne Dyer

"It is the nature of man as he grows older - to protest against
change, particularly change for the better." - John Steinbeck

"The best leaders are apt to be found among those executives who
have a strong component of unorthodoxy in their character. Instead
of resisting innovation, they symblize it." - David Ogilvy

He closes with his own: "The future of the Masonic fraternity will
be in the hands of those you select to lead it. Choose wisely." Ed.
note: Could add that Texas has multiple GJW candidates - as does
several other jurisdictions.

POTPOURRI 
In the March 1992 Emessay Notes we note that California PGM E.
Arthur Haglund, member of our Lodge, was elected Chairman of the
Masonic Renewal Committee.

Again on members, we note that Robert L. Dillard, Jr., 33 and
P.G.M., had the Dallas Scottish Rite Spring Class named for him, a
rare honor as they are normally named for a deceased brother.

Almost a must, no, definitely a must, is your sending $2 to the
Masonic SerVice Association, 8120 Fenton St., Silver Spring Md)
20910, for a copy of Masonic Philanthropies. You will be amazed.

The Nebraska Mason has been revamped and the Grand Lodge of
Nebraska has become  a member of the Nebraska Press Association.
News releases concerning the major Masonic events in the state are
distributed to newspapers and other media. Radio spot announcements
are also used."


MODEL TRAINS
"Trains for Hospitalized Tots" is turning out to be a terrific
program in the Boston area. Started by the Fitchburg-Leominster
Shrine Club with non-Shrine Blue Lodge members and community
volunteers joining in, the group installs permanent working
displays of model trains in playrooms in the area hospitals. Needed
are "O" Gauge model trains, tracks, transformers, spotlights,
buildings, trees, bushes, benches, billboards and any other related
items. Non-"O" Gauge trains are also being used. Their goal is to
install 36 to 40 model trains in these hospitals. Contact SCRL
member Peter L. Peters, 3C State St., Leominster MA 01453-1553,
508-537-7867. We give this information for the above in particular
but also as an inspiration for similar projects in other areas.

NEW YORK - STATED MEETINGS 
Grand Master Richard P. Thomas, New York, presented this comment in
his message in the Winter 1991 Empire State Mason:

"One Constitutional change under consideration for proposal at the
next Grand Lodge session would have Lodges open, conduct business,
and close on the First Degree.

"Shocking? Unheard of? Not really. In fact, most of the 170
recognized Grand Jurisdictions in the world already follow this
practice. This includes England, Scotland, Ireland and other
old-line Grand Lodges. Most of these Grand Lodges have long used
the First Degree as the basic one for all Lodge activities except
for passing and raising candidates. We and our 50 sister Grand
Lodges in the U.S. are actually in the minority. What would this
mean in real terms? It would mean that once a man completes his
Entered Apprentice Degree, he would become an active member of the
Lodge. The one privilege he would Not have, until he was raised,
would be the right to vote.

"No longer would Lodges have to 'change over' to accomodate the
presence of one or two Brothers. They could be present at the
opening, and welcomed as a part of the Lodge. They could even serve
on committees and perform other services.

"Brethren, as we move into the next century, we have to be ready to
accept the challenge of change. Change is inevitable, but with
fresh thinklng, creativity and courage we can make it work for us
rather than against us.

"Perhaps the challenge of change can be best summed up in the words
of an old prayer 'God, give me the serenity to accept the things I
cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the
wisdom to know the difference."'

On a personal note: I was a Fellowcraft Mason. The Lodge was having
its 25th Anniversary Dinner, open to members and their families. As
a momento, the Lodge had tiny lambskin aprons telling of the
occasion. I was given one but could not attend the dinner as I was
not a Master Mason. Forty-two years later I still have the apron
and remember the occasion - but
