      

Fraternal Review

Editor - Ralph A. Herbold            (5-1-94)

No. 691

CONSOLIDATION
The March-April 1994 Minnesota Mason included Resolution No. 9, 1994, to 
permit Lodges to merge as well as consolidate and under "Discussion" an 
explanation:

The Masonic Code now permits two or more Lodges to consolidate, with the
surviving Lodge retaining its name and number.  The feeling of "us" and "them"
often continues to exist between members.  If Lodges were permitted to MERGE
rather than consolidate, with a new Lodge name and number assigned, members of
the concerned Lodges would all be Charter Members of the new Lodge, with a
sense of responsibility and dedication to the new Lodge.  (Ed. note:  Wonder
why someone didn't think of this before.)

CHARITY
I know that many of you receive the Scottish Rite Journal and many open it and
go through it to see if anything interesting catches your eye.  At least, 
that's the way I do.  But I want to call your attention to something that 
caught my eye and I don't want you to miss it.  It is on page 24 in an article 
on the Scottish Rite Hospital in Dallas, Texas and it relates to their program 
of scholarships, taking care of patients not only while incapacitated but in 
their future.

"Another young man has been a quadruple amputee since he was ten years old.
Thanks to our scholarship, he is in his third year of college.  His desire is 
to be a priest.  He pursued this desire, but was told no one with artificial 
arms could be a priest.  Instead of becoming discouraged and quitting, he 
found three religious orders in the Roman Catholic Church that would accept 
him if he got a Bachelor's Degree first.  It has been a privilege to help him 
pursue his goals."

Incidentally, this hospital gets quite a bit of publicity each year when the
professional bowling tournament visits Texas for the proprietor of the bowling
establishment backs the hospital and sees that it is recognized.

MASONIC EDUCATION
Read into the following what you may.  I came across it in a business magazine
and it sure caught my eye as it had real meaning for me:

Quoting Cornell professor Stephen R. Barley, the leading expert on technical
workers: "When executives ask me, 'How can we build a learning organization?' 
I tell them they already have one, just get out of the way."

VIDEO - LAYMAN'S NIGHT
If your plans include such a program you can do no better than obtain a copy 
of the video, "Masonic Information Night," featuring Dr. Robert E. Winterton, 
Sr., former Grand Chaplain of our Grand Lodge and a terrific speaker.  He does 
a terrific job in explaining Freemasonry to the uninitiated. He speaks without
notes in a friendly manner which in turn gives the listener complete 
confidence in knowing what he is talking about.


If you speak on such occasions this will be an excellent add on to your
information.  If you are looking for an informational program for your newer
members and candidates this would fit the bill.  If you are looking for a
program for the ladies while the members are doing their work, use this. It is
available from William Pyron Photography, 14215 Pecan Park Lane #48, El Cajon 
CA 92021, $17.50 including shipping but California orders add 7.75% sales tax.  
Dr. Winterton speaks on "Is Masonry a Religion" on another video, same price 
but if both are ordered they are $30.00.

ADOPT A LODGE
The April 1994 Oregon Masonic News tells of a Lodge building a 'fraternal
bridge' with a Lodge in the Czech Republic, Bob Hawkins, Junior Warden of 
Bandon Lodge No. 130, Oregon, the author:

Bandon Lodge No. 130, with the enthusiastic support of MW Grand Master Lyle C.
Logan, is extending the hand of Masonic fellowship to a Symbolic Lodge in the
Czech Republic.  The members of Bandon Lodge hope to help demonstrate the
universality of Freemasonry and its association with the struggle for 
democracy.

As the result of an article in the March 1993 Scottish Rite Journal, Bandon 
No. 130 decided to "adopt"a struggling Blue Lodge in the Czech Republic.

The article in the Journal was written by Jiri Syllaba, 33, Sovereign Grand
Commander, Supreme Council of the Czech Republic.  In the article he detailed
the history of Masonry in Czechoslovakia; the history of the Grand Lodge, 
which was constituted in 1923; and the present day situation of Masonry in 
that country.

The Czech Republic Grand Lodge was reconstituted on November 17, 1990, after 
40 years of under-ground activity during the Communist regime.  Today, 
according to Brother Syllaba's article, Czech Freemasonry's "greatest obstacle 
is its poor economic situation."

Nevertheless, the Brethren hope to be able to return their Masonic activities 
to the same high standards they were before World War II.

With the approval of Grand Master Logan, Bandon No. 130 is directly contacting
Brother Syllaba and requesting him to take its offer of assistance to the 
Czech Republic Grand Lodge.  If approved, a Czech Symbolic Lodge would be 
selected and communication established with Bandon Lodge.

Trestleboards and lodge histories would be exchanged and financial support,
Masonic paraphernalia, educational materials and other assistance would create
a "fraternal bridge between East and West."

One hundred fifty years ago, Oregon became the symbol of personal freedom and
an opportunity for thousands of people struggling for a new life of their own
choosing.  In the same spirit, Bandon Lodge calls upon its fellow Oregon 
Lodges to consider developing similar programs with the new lodges of Poland, 
Hungary, Russia, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, the Baltic Republics and other 
former Eastern-bloc nations.

As Sovereign Grand Commander C. Fred Kleinknecht said so eloquently, "I 
believe it is our task, even our duty, to assist these first growths, to see 
that they flourish, and continue to assist the spread of Freemasonry around 
the globe in any way we can.  This will be difficult, but cooperation by all 
the branches of Freemasonry and by all the Grand Lodges can make a significant 
difference and can result in the formation of whole new Masonic entities 
throughout Europe and, indeed, the world."


