~                         FRATERNAL REVIEW

Editor - Ralph A. Herbold        (11-1-91)                        No. 637

DOMlNlCAN REPUBLIC
In a letter to the editor in the September 1991 Washington Masonic Tribune (you
should eventually see this new publication as they are sending us 200 of each
issue for sample mailing) from Clarence Sherlock, PM Crescent r~odge 109:

"A bit of personal news: I am presently the Senior Warden for George Washington

Lodge #48 of the Masonic Grand Lodge of the Dominican Republic. The Lodge was
founded on 4 July 1990 and installed 22 February 1991, Washington's birthday.
Ours is the first English-speaking lodge authorized in this jurisdiction."

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PROFICIENCY
I liked this philosophy in an article H.A.O. (Grand Master H. Allen Ohrt, a mem-
ber of our I doge and an exceptionally enthusiastic Freemason I had the privilege
of meeting and talking with at the February Grand Master's Conference) about
the passing of a prominent newspaper man:

"Most people did not know that Wayne had once joined the Craft (E.A. Arcana
Lodge No. 123, Northwood). He was one of many who had 'fallen through the
cracks' without completing the degrees.

"Wayne probably had not become sufficiently exposed to realize how much of a
Freemason he had become. He did not complete the degrees for reasons perhaps
known only to himself. We, as brothers, seldom take time to attempt to find out
why. Everyone knew that Wayne had a speech impediment. Perhaps he was unable
to repeat the proficiency requirements, or felt he could not, and quit. Who
will ever know?

"We 'worry' a great deal about proficiency requirements and even attempt to
legislate new, reduced requirements. Such changes are competely unnecessary.
Those who are able to repeat the 'posting' should be encouraged to do so, in
tiled lodge. A successful presentation is a source of great satisfaction to
many of us. However, the master of the lodge is remiss if he does not declare a
candidate proficient when, after many sincere attempts, the candidate in all
likelihood will not be able to repeat those 'hallowed' lines, particularly
before an audience.

"Many a potentially good Mason has been lost to the Craft because perfection
was required. Perfection is NOT the bottom line; rather it should be a sincere
understanding. A great mistake will have been made if adequate time is not
spent on 'posting' the candidate. This is THE time when some of the symbolic
meaning and some of the history of our great and gentle Craft can be shared with
him. We do not do enough of this personal teaching. How else will he learn?

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POTPOURRI
(If Jeopardy can have such a classification so can we)

A newspaper article in the Business Section of the local paper about Pan Am and
their problems included: "They do have a fantastic history," "That history's
gone and it's not likely to be repeated any time in the foreseeable future,"

A quote by President of l.B.M., Jack D. Kuehler: "No company is going to
survive in tomorrow's global marketplace by virtue of its history."

We tend to lean heavily on this premise but maybe we should try harder to fit
the definition in the editorial section of the same paper ahout another group:

"Kiwanis is a far-flung network of local clubs of business and professional
people who do more than pay lip-service to the needs of their neighbors."

Or as Freemason Will Rogers has said to have said: "Even if you are on the
right track, you'll get run over if you just set there."

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CLANDESTINE - IRREGULAR
From the "Summons for 20 February 1992 - Ouatuor Coronati Lodge No. 2076:"

"Q. I have seen an official warning about lodges in this country which owe
allegiance to the King Solomon Grand Lodge of New York. What is this
organization?

"A. In the United States of America there are numerous Grand Lodges which
exist primarily for coloured brethren. Until very recently they were all
regarded as irregular by the Grand Lodges in which the great majority of memhers
are of what the Americans often describe as 'Caucasian' races. (The latter -
there is one sovereign Grand Lodge for each of the fifty States and one for the
District of Columbia, the capital city of Washington - are all in amity with the
United Grand Lodge of England.) It should be added, here only as a matter of
interest, that in certain States the barriers between the 'white' Grand  Lodges
and those of the Grand Lodges of the 'Prince Hall" affiliation are being moved
aside.

"There are, however, several other groups of coloured Grand Lodges which have
ties neither with those just mentioned nor with each other. Prefixes such as
'Widows' Sons', 'Sons of Light', and 'Hiram of Tyre' distinguish one from
another, and 'King Solomon' is yet another. Up-to-date and reliable lists of
these grups, their associated Grand Lodges and the daughter-lodges under each
are difficult to come by. Certainly there are King Solomon Grand Lodges in more
than one State, and I was by chance able to identify the headquarters of that of
New York when being driven slowly through Harlem!

"It has warranted at least one lodge in London and we have very properly been
warned against masonic contact with any members of it. It goes with saying
that we may not visit such a lodge nor may we invite its brethren to ours. The
warning extends to the Royal Arch because, associated with the London Lodge,
there is a chapter claimed to have been chartered by the oddly-styled 'Grand
Chapter of Texas and Canada', which would no doubt admit to being of the 'King
Solomon' affiliation."
Frederick Smyth

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MEMBERSHIP
Was asked where are members are: Every state but Wyoming, Australia (five
states), Belgium, Rrazil (two states), Canada (six Provinces), England, France,
Germany, Hong Kong, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Wales, New Zealand,
Norway, Republic of China, Scotland, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Venezuela.
