          This file is copyright (c) 1994 The Philalethes Society and
          uploaded here with permission. All rights including any
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          Permission to quote from, redistribute or to otherwise use
          these materials must be obtained from the copyright holder
          directly by contacting The Philalethes, Nelson King, FPS,
          Editor, 2 Knockbolt Crescent, Agincourt Ontario Canada,
          M1S 2P6. Tel: 416-293-8071 Fax: 416-293-8634 or 
          CIS: 71202,22
          
          Published in the August 1994 Issue
          
          
                    FORTY YEARS AGO
                          by
                 Rick E. Gustafson MPS
          
          It was August 1991 and the phone rang. 
          "Daddy, Chuck Roblee wants to talk to you," announced my
          daughter Megan.
          "Hi Chuck. What's up?" I asked.
          "Are you going to the Semi-Annual Philalethes meeting in
          Indianapolis?" he asked. "It would be a great chance to meet
          some of the foremost Masonic authors."
          "I saw the notice in the last issue of The Philalethes and the
          program certainly looks interesting," I said, "but doesn't the
          Research Lodge (Silas H. Shepherd Lodge of Research No.
          1843 F. & A. M. Wisconsin) meet that same weekend?"
          "Yes it does and as the Master, I know I should be there, but
          I'm sure the lodge officers can handle the meeting," he
          responded. "Besides, it's not often that a Philalethes Society
          meeting is held this close to us."
          "Well, I promised my girls I'd take them to the Scottish Rite
          (Milwaukee Valley) Masonic Zoo Safari Day again this year. I'd
          have to be back by late Sunday morning," I said.
          The journey to Indianapolis began a few weeks later. I left
          Sheboygan at 10:30 a.m. Friday, September 13th. I picked up
          Gary Shaw in South Milwaukee at noon and Chuck in Racine
          at quarter to one. Chuck warned us that we might have to stop
          every hour or so because he was still recuperating from his
          prostate operation.
          As we neared Chicago, I noticed a red car in my rear view
          mirror approaching at a high rate of speed. I had my cruise
          control set at 69 miles per hour. 
          "Look at this one coming," I said, "he's got to be doing 80."
          Gary, an officer in the Milwaukee Police Department, turned to
          look.
           "I bet it's a young woman," he chuckled, "it's a red car."
          He was right! It was a woman, young and kind of cute, too.
          Gary explained that for reasons, best known by advertisers,
          young ladies are attracted to small, fast red cars. His
          observation often held true all the way to Indianapolis.
          Chuck entertained Gary and me by reflecting on his Masonic
          beginnings. His story of how he eventually received his
          Chapter degrees in the Canal Zone during WWII was
          intriguing. We encouraged Chuck to write up the ordeal and
          present it to the Research Lodge. He continued by telling us
          of his marriage to his wife Millie in 1951 and that he joined the
          Philalethes Society that same year. 
          "That's forty years ago," he reminisced.
          Having reached our destination, we checked into the Holiday
          Inn and ventured out for dinner. On our return, we noticed a
          group of suspicious looking characters engaged in lively
          conversation in the lounge area.
          "That's Al Roberts," exclaimed Chuck excitedly. "Come on
          over, I'll introduce you to him."
          I had previously talked with Br. Roberts on the phone a few
          times and recognized him from his books and articles. Roberts
          introduced us to Br. Joseph Walkes, Jr., editor of the Philaxus
          Magazine. During the ensuing conversation, I commented that
          Chuck was celebrating forty years in the Philalethes Society.
          Several other Masons soon joined the group and we all shared
          our anticipation of the following day's events before retiring for
          the evening.
          Morning quickly arrived. We hurried into the meeting room
          where we met the featured speakers William Whalen, author
          of "Christianity and American Freemasonry," and John
          Robinson (not yet a Mason), author of "Born in Blood." We
          also met Philalethes Society Officers Wallace McLeod, Forrest
          Haggard, and John Hilliard. We took this opportunity to have
          several of them autograph their books for us. 
          The morning session was devoted to the guest speakers.
          Whalen explained why he believed Freemasonry and
          Christianity were incompatible. Robinson talked about his
          theory of the connection of Freemasonry with the medieval
          Knights Templar. 
          After lunch, Br. Roberts conducted a question and answer
          session with the authors fielding written questions submitted
          by the participants. Br. Hilliard presented Mr. Whalen a
          Masonic keepsake in appreciation for his courage in appearing
          in the "lions' den of Freemasonry." Mr. Robinson announced
          that his new book "Dungeon, Fire and Sword: The Knights
          Templar in the Crusades" would soon be published. The
          afternoon session ended with a viewing of the video tape
          "Unseen Journey."
          At the evening banquet, Br. Roberts gave a talk about
          Freemasonry. President Hilliard made special presentations to
          the organizers of the conference and congratulated them on
          their success. He then called Charles L. Roblee to the stage
          and presented him the Philalethes Award of Merit. Br. Hilliard
          commented on Chuck's forty years of membership in the
          Society and nearly fifty years as a Mason. A reception,
          following the banquet, afforded the participants ample time to
          relate many "tall tales of Masonry." I wondered (to myself, of
          course) if anyone ever thought of compiling a compendium of
          copious comments under the subject "When I was Master . . ." 
          We departed Indianapolis early Sunday morning so I could
          meet my family at the Milwaukee County Zoo. On the way
          home, Chuck entertained Gary and me by telling us about his
          Masonic trials and tribulations in the Canal Zone during WWII.
          He told us about his marriage to Millie forty years ago and that
          he joined the Philalethes Society that same year . . . and Gary
          and I grinned from ear to ear. 
          "Here comes another red one," I interjected. "Any bets?" 
          "No way," said Gary.
          Here was a nice Camaro doing about 75. And behind the
          wheel - well you know the rest of the story.
          