Brethren, since moving our website from Geocities to MasterMason.com, the format of the Plumbline will change. You may now read all articles from the Plumbline on this one page, rather than having to click on each article printed for the month. Simply continue to scroll down the page. I hope that this will make your browsing much easier. It will certainly make my maintenance of the website much easier. Let me know if you have any suggestions.
Mel Sinclair, Senior Warden, May 9, 2004
Webmaster for Walden Lodge No. 274, Greenville, SC
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Words From The East:
Hello Brethren! April was another good Lodge meeting. Brother Mel Sinclair, SW, was back looking fully recovered after missing March’s meeting due to injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident. Brother Chris Grantham, JW, and his Stewards provided another excellent meal. As he notes in his separate column, he is planning a potluck dinner for our next regular communication.
Committee reports were brief and to the point. Brother Charles Pridmore, PM, Chairman of the Charity Committee, reported that he and fellow committee member, Malcolm Carmichael, PM, completed the re-certification of our Masonic Relief recipient. The required report was duly signed by the appropriate officers and submitted to Grand Lodge. These Brothers did a fine job.
Brother Mark Cooper, PM, Chairman of the Technology Committee, reported that his committee had completed their second meeting and that individual committee members were pursuing various assignments. I have been in contact with Brother Cooper since then and am pleased with their continuing activities. I expect their final report and recommendations soon.
Right Worshipful Brother Charlie Hendricks, PM, Chairman of the Past Master’s Advisory Committee reported that his committee members were still following-up on several assignments such as analyzing potential fundraising and cost-cutting activities, contemplating the feasibility of a possible Lady’s Night program, and studying format alternatives to the Annual Christmas Party.
Chaplain Malcolm Carmichael, PM, and I presented a demonstration of the Masonic Funeral Service as the evening’s program. The demonstration was to introduce the service to those Brothers who might not have been familiar with it, to stimulate a discussion about its more sublime meanings, and to assure the Brethren that our Officers and members stood ready to present it in public. I was very pleased with the discussion that followed. Several Brothers gave moving remarks about past services at which they had attended and participated. Many Brothers made new or renewed old commitments to attend as many services as possible. Brother Carmichael and I will do our best to make sure as much notice as possible is given to ensure the greatest attendance.
I will be attending this year’s Grand Lodge meeting to be held in Spartanburg on Thursday, April 22 and Friday, April 23. Among other activities there, I will be presenting a gift from our Lodge to the Grand Lodge general fund for approximately $700. Brother Larry Crane, PM, began the fundraiser for this gift last year after returning from Grand Lodge, where a dues increase of $2 per member was defeated on the floor. The $700 goal he set approximates the additional amount of dues our Lodge would have paid last year if the measure had passed. I will be presenting the gift in support of a similar measure on the floor this year. The $700 was raised completely by donation from individual Brothers over the year and no Lodge funds are included.
Finally Brothers, I wanted to let you know in advance that another obligation will prevent me from presiding over our next regular communication. I will not be there, but Brother Mel Sinclair, SW, and all of your other officers will “move-up” to the next respective chair and run the next meeting in my absence. Although I will dearly miss being with you, I am truly excited about this opportunity for my fellow officers. Please give them your support as they advance in Masonry!
I’ll see you in June!
Sincerely,
W. Kirby Burnett, WM
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Greetings from the West – Let us meet upon the level
Brethren:
The “sublime” degree of a Master Mason* is impressed upon our minds, but have you ever thought of what the word “sublime” means? Webster defines the word as “to elevate or exalt especially in dignity or honor”. In dignity or honor …. hmmmmm. That the degree is sublime is not a matter of discussion or proof. It is sublime only if we feel it as sublime, otherwise it is just an ordinary ceremony, if that is all it is to us. The most beautiful sunset, with all of its color, could not be sublime to a man who has been blind all of his life. The compositions of Beethoven could not be sublime to a man born deaf. If the Master Mason degree is sublime, it is because of what it does to a man’s heart.
No thoughtful man ever sees this degree with any understanding of its symbolism without a sense of awe that the mind of man could place so much wisdom in so simple a vehicle and give it so much light in so few words. This degree is a symbol of old age, of wisdom, and experience. Although it symbolizes that a man must, at times, stand alone; he also must lean upon the Supreme Architect of the Universe. Man is longing for what is “beyond”. Although ignorance and brute strength may destroy knowledge and virtue, it also teaches that, in due time, light will overcome darkness; good will win over what is evil; truth will prevail over error.
How could the degree be anything other than sublime? It contains the greatest thought, the most intense hope, and the most sincere prayer which all mankind possesses. From the beginning of time, man has wanted to see God; he has believed in God; he has struggled toward the light, often stumbling, often falling, often failing, but always stretching his hands upward.
The Hiramic Legend is the sublimity of Freemasonry; the search for that which was lost is the sublimity of life. Never will it be found here. The Lost Word is not heard, but the search for it is the reason for life. The Sublime Degree teaches that in another life it may be found. Yes, if the Master Mason degree is sublime, it is because of what it is and what it does to a man’s heart.
“What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us; what we have done for others and the world remains and is immortal.” Albert Pike
Fraternally and sincerely,
Mel Sinclair, Senior Warden
*Idea for this article taken from “….And Give Them Proper Instruction”, The Masonic Service Association, Silver Spring, Md.
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Tidings
from the South:.
Greetings Brethren. It finally seems that spring has sprung! The winter has finally released its icy grip. When we next meet again, it will be after the Grand Lodge communication. During our last regular communication, the WM. Kirby Burnett polled the members present regarding one of the key issues that will be brought up this year. It was resoundingly passed by the members present to vote for an increase in lodge dues paid to the Grand Lodge.
This will be my first attendance of a Grand Lodge communication. I am eagerly looking forward to it, even though I will not be able to participate in all of the functions because of work requirements.
The meal for this month will be a potluck dinner. The lodge will be providing a ham, and we all look forward to sampling what the members bring to accompany.
I look forward to seeing you in May.
Sincerely,
Chris Grantham
Junior Warden