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nking@freemasonry.org or nking@onramp.ca




Through Masonic Windows

by Allen E. Roberts, FPS

On pages 4 and 5 will be found my
heartfelt sentiments concerning the life
and death of Jerry Marsengill, one of
Freemasonry's great Master Masons. All
of us have lost a friend, Brother and men-
tor.        ...

Santa Claus IS a Freemason! Accord-
ingto that excellent periodical, The North-
ern Light (Nov. 1991), he affiliated with
Garrett City Lodge No. 537, Indiana
several years ago. On December 14, 1991
he was also affiliated with Virginia Re-
search Lodge No. 1777, Virginia. Be-
cause he will not be able to attend fre-
quently, Claus has insisted that a member
of the Lodge who displays his attributes
and disposition be selected as his rep-
resentative for the year. This will make his
alter ego Master Mason No. 1 of Virginia
Research Lodge. Claus said he will accept
membership in any Lodge that will adhere
to his principles. What are these princi-
ples? Masonic -- all the way!

Absolutely wonderful news! Every
Grand Lodge in the United States, with
the lone exception of West Virginia, now
is a member of The Masonic Service As-
sociation of the United States . It' s a dream
fulfilled for many of us who have long
supported the objectives of this wonderful
organization born in 1918. The MSA is
headed by Richard E. Fletcher, FPS, as
Executive Secretary.

Masonic Philanthropies: A Tradition of
Caring compiled by S. Brent Morris, FPS,
fills a void in the Masonic story. It's a
colorful production. The entire staff re-
sponsible, principally John W. Boettjer
and Donna L. Sharp, deserve a pat on the
back. The Supreme Councils ofthe South-
ern and Northern Jurisdictions of the
Scottish Rite joined together, happily, in
this venture. All have shown what can be
accomplished for the benefit of Freema-
sonry when its leadership join hands.
Copies of this 100 page book may be
obtained from the Scottish Rite bodies or
The Masonic Service Association. Learn
how well over five million dollars a year is
disbursed by Freemasonry for the benefit
of American citizens.

Good news. Grand Master W. Scott
Stoner, according to The Pennsylvania
Freemason, was invited to help the Pott-
stown Salvation Army celebrate its 100th
year. And he accepted a first-time award
(for an organization rather than an in-
dividual) for service to others to be pre-
sented to Stichter Lodge No. 254. It's
good to find two organizations (the Salva-
tion Army and Freemasonry) that put
service to others before themselves joining
hands in friendship and love.

The first DeWitt Clinton Award of Pub-
licity Lodge No. 1000 of New York, ac-
cording to the Empire State Mason, was
presented to Hugh Downs of ABC ' s 20/20
fame. This award was "created to honor
non-Masons whose public service in-
volvement exemplifies Freemasonry's
own historic concern and high esteem for
voluntary service through contributions
of time, skills, and financial sup-
port...given freely toward significant en-
deavors in the public interest. " Excellent.
And an excellent choice of the first re-
cipient.

Robert C. Singer, MPS, who succeeded
Wendell K. Walker, FPS, as Grand Secre-
tary of the Grand Lodge of New York, we
strongly suspect, had much to do with the
creation of the foregoing award. Under
his leadership many forms, Grand Lodge
books and records, and community serv-
ices are being enhanced. Such progressive
endeavors we expect (and applaud) of
members of The Philalethes Society.

A new research body has been born. It's
St. Alban's Research Society. Based on its
first issue, and my knowledge of its editor,
I strongly recommend it to all members of
our Society. Its masthead states: "The
Society is a non-profit corporation, organ-
ized exclusively for charitable, edu-
cational, literary and scientific purposes
including but not limited to the study of
social and fraternal organizations and the
publication and distribution of informa-
tion relating to such organizations. The
Society is not affiliated with, and member-
ship in the Society is not predicated upon
membership in, any other organization,
fraternal or otherwise. " But based on its
quarterly publication, Arnerican Masonic
Review, and the Masonic knowledge of its
Editor, Pete Normand, I strongly suspect
it will be more Masonic than anything
else. Membership in this Society (or sub-
scriptions to its periodical) is $12. Checks
should be made payable to either the pub-
lication or the St. Alban' s Society and
mailed to: PO Box 10361, College Sta-
tion, TX 77842.

Heartwarming news from the Wisconsin
Masonic Journal: At the recommendation
of the Grand Master of Masons in Louisi-
ana, a vote was called for to rescind the
Edict severing relations with the Grand
Lodge of Connecticut. His "recommen-
dation was approved by a near unani-
mous standing vote." The Edict had
severed relations with Connecticut be-
cause that Grand Lodge (among eight
others) had recognized Prince Hall Ma-
sonry as legitimate. The "near unani-
mous " vote should awaken the bigots and
diehards on both sides to the fact that
Brotherly Love must prevail if Freema-
sonry is to remain a viable force for good
in the world. ...

For the ninth year the Prince Hall Ma-
sons in the Richmond, Virginia, area took
needy children on a shopping spree for
Christmas presents. In the TV coverage
the leadership was disappointed. There
were far more children needing assistance
than the Masons could provide. The joy
shown by the children helped make ones
heart expand with pride knowing some-
one within the Craft was helping.

For the eighth year the Freemasons of
Des Moines, Iowa, provided a full course
Christmas dinner for the needy. For the
first time the jovial leadership of Jerry
Marsengeill was missing. But it was good
to see this affair continued. And it's good
to see many non-Masons participating in
helping those who need help.

Community help is becoming more and
more prevalent within Masonic circles.
The Grand Lodge of Wisconsin has en-
dorsed an "Adopt-A-Highway Program. "
Lodges signing up for the program take
the responsibility for litter control on a
two-mile segment of a state highway.
They pick up litter at least three times a
year in their area. A sign with the name
of the Lodge is placed at the beginning
and end of its segment, announcing to the
public that Freemasonry is at work. Ex-
cellent public, needed and spiritual rela-
tions.


The Philalethes, February 1992
