
                            EMMESSAY NOTES
            Published by the Masonic Service Association



                            July 1999

1. BARTIMAEUS  SAT BY THE ROADSIDE

	He was blind. And he was a beggar. In that far-off day there
was little Bartimaeus could do but sit by the Jericho roadside
and beg. Society acknowledged little or no responsibility for
such as he. Few of his fellow creatures felt any compassion for
him. In fact, he was someting of a nuisance to have around.

 	Then the Carpenter of Nazareth passed by. Some flash of
insight told the afflicted son of Timaeus that his eyes might be
opened. He called upon the Nazarene to mercy. "Lord," he cried,
"that I might receive my sight!" And there was Light.

	It must have been a dramatic moment, for three of the four
New Testament gospel writers describe it.

	With the story of Bartimaeus in mind, the Grand Lodge of
Indiana chartered an occasional lodge named Bartimaeus Lodge UD.
The lodge meets, only when 'a candidate is to receive the
degrees. It has no business meetings. Lodge membership is limited
to 75 and open to those who express an interest in working with
handicapped individuals.

	When a petitioner for the degrees has a physical handicap
limiting their ability to receive the degrees in the usua manner,
special conisderiation is given to their needs. Once it has been
determined what limitations exist and how the degree can be
performed recognizing those limitations, final approval must be
given by the Grand Master of Indiana.

	It is believed this is the only lodge of its kind anywhere In
the world. Bartimaeus Lodge UD exists to perform degrees on those
with physical limitations restricting their activities.

	The first candidate receiving a degree from Bartimaeus Lodge
UD was blind as was Bartimaeus of the Bible story.

(Source: Information provided by Bartimaeus Lodge UD and the
Grand Lodge of Indiana)

Funding for EMESSAY NOTES has been provided by
THE SUPEREME FOREST TALL CEDARS OF LEBANON



2. SHRINE HOSPITAL UPDATE
	Shriners Hospitals for Children will spend a record-breaking
    $1.324 million per day in 1999 to provide orthopaedic, burn and
    spinal cord injury care, conduct research and continue the
    hospital reconstruction program. The operating budget for 1999
    increased by 7 percent from $390 million in 1998 to $419
    million for 1999, including a $22 million allocation for
    research. The amount of capital expenditures for 1999 is $71
    million, a $4 million Increase over 1998. As part of the
    Shriners Hospital reconstruction and renovation program begun
    in the early 1980s, 21 hospitals in the system have either been
    rebuilt or renovated, with plans continuing for site selection
    and construction of a new facility in Mexico City to replace
    the current hospital. The new nine-story, 30-bed burn hospital
    In Boston will be dedicated in April.
    (Source: Shrine News Release)

3. DEMOLAY ON THE WEB
	How is the internet significant to DeMolay'? Not only is it a
    very important vehiele for information dissemination, it is
    also a great way for DeMolay members, potential DeMolay
    members, parents of potential members, the media, and the
    general public to learn more about DeMolay. DeMolay
    International's web site has grown tremendously since its
    inception four years ago. Currently, there are well over a
    hundred functional and user friendly pages of in-depth
    information on a host of DeMolay subjects. What is in store for
    the future? DeMolay's web site is constantly expanding and
    evolving, so check back often to see what's going on with the
    premier youth organization dedicated to teaching young men to
    be better persons and leaders. Visit DeMolay at www.demolay.org
    (Source: DeMolay News Release)

4 ROSE PARADE FLOAT
	The Tournament of Roses Parade Committee of the Grand Lodge of
    California is pleased to report that the Family of Freemasonry
    float for 1999 was awarded the Lathrop K. Leishman Trophy for
    the "most beautiful entry by a non-commercial sponsor". This is
    the first award received by the Family of Freemasonry in the
    nine years of participation in the-Rose, Parade. In addition,
    we also did most of -the decoration of the California
    Sesquicentennial float which received the Governor's award for
    the "best depiction of life in California". These successes
    placed us in a very favorable position with the Tournament of
    Roses officials. We are very pleased and honored to be invited
    to enter a float in the Parade on January 1, 2000. After
    consultation with the float builder, we have settled on a 50
    foot high Statue of Liberty surrounded by a bed of floral
    flags. This float concept is quite compatible with the Parade
    theme which is Celebration 2000 Visions of the Future The float
    will be titled Liberty for All There will be no riders on this
    float because we feel the Statue itself provides a powerful
    message. The media will be provided with information about the
    role played by French and American Freemasons in the history of
    the Statue from 1865 to 1984. Anyone wishing to financially
    support this most worthwhile project may send contributions to:
    Robert C. Coe, Treasurer, P.O. Box 661567, Arcadia, CA
    91066-1567.
    Source Rose Parade Committee News Release)

