Through
Masonic
Windows
by Allen E. Roberts, FPS

Brotherhood in action! Two ladies re-
turning home from Branson, Missouri, 
had their auto break down. It had run 
over a plastic feed bag, and it wrapped 
around the drive shaft. The ladies 
couldn't get if off. A Freemason stopped, 
asked if he could help, then got the bag 
off the shaft. They insisted on paying 
him. He told them to take the money to 
the Master of the Lodge in their town, 
and asked him to turn it over to the 
Masonic Home. He also asked them to 
remember that while over 200 cars 
passed them by, a Mason had stopped to 
help. He noted: "I get the feeling that 
they won't let anyone talk [against] a 
Brother from here on out." He rightly 
claims we should do what we are taught; 
help EVERYONE in need.

      *   *   *
 
An historical Masonic event took place 
in New Bedford, Massachusetts on May 
30, 1995. Wamsutta Lodge received 
members of Union Lodge No. 4, Prince 
Hall Affiliation. The Grand Masters and 
their suites from both Grand Lodges 
were heartily received. About 200 
Brethren from both Grand Lodges were 
present for this first joint meeting. One 
of the participants wrote: " All were 
warmed by the Brotherly Love displayed 
that evening...how pleasant it is for 
Brethren to dwell together in unity. "

        *  *  *

Roger Van Gordon, MPS, who edits 
"Goodly Heritage" for the Indiana 
Freemason, notes that 50 years ago Dwight 
L. Smith, FPS, was elected Grand Master
of Masons in Indiana. From then until 
the day he died Dwight was one of the 
most dedicated Masonic educators in the 
country. He wrote the history of Freema-
sonry in Indian, the title of which Roger 
now uses for his column. Dwight's work 
as Grand Secretary and Editor of the 
Freemason brought him distinction
throughout the Masonic world. His two 
booklets, an outgrowth of his feature ar-
ticles in the magazine, are still widely 
distributed. "Why This Confusion in 
the Temple," and "Whither Are We 
Traveling, " are as viable today as when 
they were first published. As President of 
the Philalethes Society he brought 
Freemasonry into this century by featur-
ing the past--the Annual Assembly, 
Feast and Forum. His work for the Craft 
must never be forgotten. Now Indiana 
has formed its first Research Lodge, and 
named it in honor of PGM and FPS 
Dwight L. Smith. The Dwight L. Smith 
Indiana Masonic Library will house his 
papers and personal books. Excellent!

  -
 
Stephen D. Piner, MPS, proudly in-
forms us that the Grand Chapter of Royal
Arch Masons in Connecticut, and its 
counterpart in Prince Hall Masonry, 
have followed the course of their Grand 
Lodges. They have agreed to mutual 
recognition. Another step in the right 
direction. We have also learned that Pres-
ton L. Pope, a Past Grand Master of the 
Prince Hall Grand Lodge, was awarded 
the Pierpont Edwards Award of the Con-
necticut Grand Lodge for distinguished 
Masonic service. He, along with Gail N. 
Smith, MPS, Grand Master in 1989, had
helped bring the two bodies together in 
mutual recognition with visitation rights. 
It's indeed interesting to not that the two 
Scottish Rite bodies of the Northern Jur-
isdiction are seriously considering 
granting mutual recognition.

       *  *  *
 
The New Mexico Freemason tells us about
the "All the Way in One Day" event that 
will take place in September. The Grand 
Master, Larry R. Packwood, is following 
the plan adopted by a few other Grand 
Lodges: the conferring of all three 
degrees in one day on numerous peti-
tioners. The Grand Master asked the 
critics who demand proficiency in the 
ritual of the candidates: Are the profi-
ciencies a contributing factor to the statis-
tics that show in that only 10-20% take
an active part in Masonry? Is the format 
of the introduction they get more appeal-
ing to us than to them? He believes Ma-
sonic education is far more important. 
He claims: If our candidates aren't being 
active enough--the fault is that of the 
leadership. Leadership will always be the 
important factor in the growth of the 
Craft.

          *  *  *
 
Leon Zeldis, FPS, Editor of The Israel 
Freemason writes: " We have so much to
offer to the young men of today ! If we can 
only make our message heard, our ideas 
known, our way of life tried. " Later he 
added: "The world needs Freemasonry 
more than at any time in the past. What 
is needed is enthusiasm on our part, the 
readiness to undertake the burden of 
making our voice heard, of teaching, of 
putting into practice our tenets. The 
hand that wields that mallet must not 
rest, the head that directs it us not despair, 
and the heart that loves must not be 
silent. " Wise words, indeed.

           *  *  *
 
Man's inhumanity to man continues, 
even as the world remembers the events 
of 50 years ago. Celebrations by govern-
ments and Freemasonry have been, and 
are, taking place. They are giving thanks 
for the ending of the brutality of World 
War II. Those who believed and believe 
in the love of man were exuberant. The 
world was at last at peace. But was it? Not 
at all. Grotesque acts continued, even 
before the firing had ceased, Dictators, 
minor and major, took advantage of the 
unsettled conditions of the day. They at-
tempt to destroy all freedom. And 
Freemasonry suffered. Neighbor mur-
dered neighbor with cowardly vigor, and 
with the most spineless weapon of all-- 
the hidden bomb. Countries were, and 
are torn asunder. Hitler, as obscene as he 
was, was nomatch for some of the present
day assassins. No religion that I've 
studied condones such villains and acts. 
The tenets and principles of Freema-
sonry are needed, as Zeldis said, more 
today than ever. But even these are under 
attack, and by individuals who claim to 
be "religious." Isn't it way past time for 
all men and women of good will to clasp 
hands and join together to fight the evils 
prevalent throughout the world?

             *  *  *

Flash! Richard B. "Red" Skelton was 
presented the Gourgas Medal, the 
highest award of the Northern Masonic 
Jurisdiction of the Scottish Rite, by the 
Grand Commander, Robert O. Ralston, 
in Reno, Nevada, on July 14. More in the
October issue.


The Philalethes, August 1995

