Editor - Ralph A. Herbold

FRATERNAL REVIEW

( I - 15-93 )                 No.  663

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RITUAL - APOLOGIES
SCRL Fraternal Review 660 included an error that completely changed the concept
of the item, no doubt puzzling many, and I heard about it. A spelling check
would not have caught it. I normally put an item on my computer screen and then
read it back against the copy. I then print it on my dot matrix printer, sit in
a comfortable chair, and slowly read it again. After corrections it goes to the
final printing and storage. And I still goofed. Here it is:

As written: "You are not to quit this sacred retreat of friendship and virtue,"
Should be: "You are now to quit this sacred retreat of friendship and virtue,"

Hope most of you noted the obvious error and corrected it in your mind.

RESEARCH LODGE - C. WESTON DASH
Sorry to get a letter of resignation from Brother Dash (long time Secretary and
Past Master of Maine Lodge of Research) due to advancing age and smaller
quarters. For the record, this valiant brother no doubt had more to do with the
advancement of the research lodge program in our country in the last ten to
twelve years than any other single person. We extend our best wishes for him in
his retirement and may he enjoy it with the satisfaction in his mind that he did
all he could in the best way he could. He deserves our congratulations.

PUBLIC RELATIONS
One of the finest items to come to our attention is "100 Ways to Serve Your
Community" by Werner H. Morlock, 6459 Silver Ridge Circle, Alexandria VA 22310,
Deputy Grand Master of Virginia. While it is particularly adapted to his state,
it can be readily adapted to your state for many of the ideas are really
national in scope. It is just what the title says it is. If you and your Lodge
have a desire to be a viable part of your community you could do no better than
send a check, payable to him, for $7.48 for a copy. He has evidently been
working on this for a long time and it is a goal for his stewardship when he
more than likely will be a Grand Master.

SCOTTISH RITE
A small item with a large import from "Highlights of Annual Meeting" in the
November 1992 Northern Light, Northern Jurisdiction Scottish Rite:

"A committee was appointed to examine the feasibility of a merger with the
Supreme Council for the Southern Jurisdiction." (On inquiry I find that the
Southern Jurisdiction has a committee working with them.)

RUSSIA
There have been conflicting reports in the Masonic press regarding Freemasonry
in Russia but the following in a letter from Nat Granstein, L'Assistant Grand
Master of the Grande Loge Nationale Francaise, is the correct information:
"Harmonie Lodge #698 was consecrated January 14, 1992 at our grand lodge
building in Neuilly. Brother George Dergachev was installed as Worshipful
Master. Brother Alexandre Rimsky-Korsakov is the Senior Warden.

"The name Harmonie (in French) will be changed to its Russion name (almost
similar) when and if we ever consecrate the Grand Lodge of Russia and naturally
then the lodge will become number one. Therefore you can understand that its
present #698 is that given in our normal numerical sequence.

"This month (September 1992) between September 4th and September 8th, we
transferred Harmonie Lodge to Moscow and whilst there we initiated 14
Candidates from that city where it is now permanently housed. Two candidates
from irregular lodges were regularized by us in the regular manner. There is a
tremendous demand from persons desiring to enter freemasonry but we are
proceeding slowly to ensure that we accept only those who are worthy and not
those wanting to use the Craft for their own purposes."

TABLE LODGE
In SCRL Review 662 mention was made that we had inquiries as to what a Table
Lodge was and suggested a book. Here is further information extracted from the
Grand Master's Message in the September 1992 Wisconsin Masonic Journal:

"It was an old puzzle to historians until a half century ago to explain how
Freemasonry was able to grow, first in Britain and America and then around the
world. The puzzle was solved when historical research began to discover, for
the first time, how large had been the place of feasts in early lodges.

"The average early lodge had only 8, 10, 15 or possibly 25 members. Not enough
to keep a modern American lodge in existence, yet it flourished generation
after generation and it was those small lodges which made Freemasonry great!

"As American lodges became larger and as the various grand lodges came into
being, the Table Lodge disappeared for many years. They now seem to be making
their way back.

"It is a proven fact that the lodges who are active not only with degree work
but with activities in the community and with social events are successful
lodges. The Table Lodge can be a vital part of these festivities."

Might add that when talking with Richard Fletcher, Executive Secretary of the
Masonic Service Association and a Past Grand Master of Vermont, he told me that
the one item that has had a large part in revitalizing Freemasonry in Vermont
was the Table Lodge. And not only in Vermont for they developed a wonderful
camaraderie with the brethren in Canada near their border.

*        *        *        *        *        *

CUBA
"From the East of Grand Lodge - Edgar W. Darling" in the Fall 1992 Trowel,
publication of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts:

"Upon returning from England, we paid a visit to our Caribbean Naval Lodge in
Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, where our men and women stand guard at a fence line that
separates our Naval Base and a free nation from Cuba. Again, there was a pride
shown by our Massachusetts Masons and the other Masons on Base who are doing
everything in their power to practice Masonry by helping everyone to survive in
a tense area without all the benefits we enjoy at home."
