FRATERNAL REVIEW

Editor - Ralph A. Herbold        ( 10-15-91 )                       No. 636

SHRINE - ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES
A comment by then Deputy Grand Master, now Grand Master, H. A. Ohrt, in the
April-May-June North Dakota Mason made me think:

"I wonder if recent discord among Shrine-Masons might, in part, have resulted
from our reserve toward or perhaps even our contempt of them. It is my
personal belief that Shrine Clubs should be encouraged to meet in the 'festive'
portion of our halls (and of course share in maintenance costs). This may help
to cement our relations and perhaps each time a 'Shrine-Mason' crosses the
threshold of the Freemasons Hall, a small twinge of conscience might urge him
to attend his lodge in the future."

Recent legislation allows alcoholic beverages in L odge dining rooms. Could it
be that Shrine Clubs might now find it desirable to meet in Lodge facilities?
Sure be worth exploring.

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PUBLIC RELATIONS - CHARITY
Don't know as this is written if Resolution 90-19 carried at our Annual
Communication but if it did this should be of interest and it was in "Grand
Master's Corner" (James N. DeMoss) in the August 1991 Nebraska Mason:

"Take some time and look around your community. Something there needs to be
done which your lodge can do.

"On the Ist of June I was privileged to be seated in a small lodge in Northern
Kentucky. This was a lodge with 94 members. nuring the meeting (there were 21
in attendance, counting me) the Secretary reported on a family just South of
the town who had been 'burned out.' Immediately, one of the brethren moved
that the usual monetary gift NORMALL.Y given by the lodge be presented to the
family to assist them in their troubles. A memher of the Scottish Rite Club of
that area (Lodge Chaplain) assured those present the Club would match the gift
of the lodge. Other funds were given. All of this action and compassion by
the Lodge and its brethren to help a family in need - and that family is in no
way Masonically Related!! I sometimes wonder how many Nebraska Lodges would do
the same. Would yours?"

Frankly, Brother DeMoss, we couldn't, wouldn't be legal, but we could, if ---

On another page the banner of the lodge he visited, De Moss Lodge No. 220 F~AM
DeMossville KY was pictured.

The same issue related that representatives of the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of
Nebraska took part in the Midwest (12 states and Manitoba) Conference on
Masonic Education and was unanimously invited to attend next year.

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PRINCE HALL - GEORGIA
Had a letter from SCRL member Earl D. Harris, P.G.M., Georgia that included:
"Noted in your Fraternal Review for June 15, 1991, No. 631, a quotation from
M.W. Bro. Jim DeMoss of Nebraska commenting on Georgia's October 1990
Resolution regarding Nebraska's action of recognizing Prince Hall affiliate
organizations. I was one of the proposers of such Resolution as a compromise
to the proposition that Georgia withdraw fraternal recognition altogether. With
all due respect ot M.W. Brother DeMoss, his rephrasing of a part of the Georgia
Resolution (and the misquotation) is not exactly what was said. Georgia takes a
very strong stand concerning the 'American Doctrine' of sovereignty of each
Grand IJodge over the Three Symbolic Degrees within their particular geographical
jurisdiction, and was surprised when some of our sister Jurisdictions wished to
share their sovereignty with others. The Resolution that was adopted actually
'strongly disapprove(d) and condemn(ed) the action of any other Grand Lodge'
that thereafter made such recognition; it never condemned any Grand Lodge (now
or in the future), only this particular action. I feel that the last sentence
of the portion that you quoted shows Brother DeMoss to be fair; I note that it
is his 'personal opinion' (of which every one has the right), and I feel that in
reverse it also might be a fair statement of many of Georgia's leadership
concerning Nebraska's action. There are always at least two sides to an issue;
and those issues are not always what they may seem at first . . . they may not
always be purely 'positive or negative,' or 'black or white,' or 'yes or no.'

"I wish that there were some way to show your readers 'one other side of the
coin.' If there is and you wish to quote the above, please feel free to do so."

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MASONIC EDUCATION - AUSTRALlA
From "Diplomas awarded in Masonic Education" in the June 1991 Tasmanian Mason,
and I really like the way it was put, the reason for Masonic education:

"'It is often said that a brother's enthusiasm for Freemasonry, the enjoyment he
derives and the contribution he makes to a Masonic way of life is in proportion
to his understanding of Freemasonry, its teachings, its allegories, its symbols,
its history and the way it is governed.'

"The above quotation introduced an article written for the S.A. (South African)
Masonic News by W. Bro. Denys Luckin (SCRL member) of the Hobart Lodge of
Research. Bro. Luckin went on:

"'A brother left to his own devices will often have difficulty in making a
systematic advance in Masonic Knowledge. Many Grand Lodges are now providing a
method of overcoming this problem. An interesting one is that provided by the
Grand Lodge of South Australia leading to a Diploma in Masonic Education (Dip
M.Ed.). The planned programme of study over four years will enable Freemasons
to gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of Freemasonry."'

There was also a story about the Grand Installation Ceremony of the Grand Lodge
of South Australia which was unlike those usually held in Australia because the
wives and friends of masons were allowed to be present. This resulted in an
attendance of over 1800.

Other functions for brethren attending the Installation included a First Degree
working by a South Australian Lodge using the German Schroder ritual. After
the candidate was initiated he was given the Book of Constitution, the By-Laws
of the Lodge plus a card on which he was told he must obtain the signatures of
six Worshipful Masters after he had attended their Lodges. Three of the visits
to be to Lodges where a first degree is worked and three at which lectures are
given. Then, and only then was he eligible to be passed to the Second Degree.
