June 2004 Plumbline, Walden Lodge No. 274
Words From The East:
Hello Brethren! I missed being with you and presiding at our May communication due to another obligation, but I understand from many sources that Brother Mel Sinclair, SW, and all of your other officers “moved-up” to their next respective chairs and ran that meeting very well in my absence. Thank you Officers for fulfilling those duties and thank you Brethren for giving them your support!
The day afterward, Brother Mel gave me a report including the main meeting activities and items covered. He also told me that he had announced his acceptance of an excellent job opportunity that will require some long-distance commuting. Congratulations and good luck, Brother Mel!
Brother Chris Grantham, JW, and his Stewards planned and executed another excellent meal. The pot-luck dinner went over very well and there was something from every food group. With my permission, he is pursuing the possibility of having a wild game dinner for our Awards Night evening to be held at our regular communication in November. Most Worshipful Brother Kent Elkins, PGM, brought up the idea during the meeting based on his recent experience at another Lodge.
Brother Charles Pridmore, PM, Chairman of the Charity Committee, passed the hat and collected $93 to supplement committee funds. Thank you Brethren for being so generous.
There was some discussion about having a Lady’s Night activity and whether such an event should be held in conjunction with Recovery Lodge as they had previously requested. The matter was tentatively assigned to Brother Chris Grantham, JW. However, because I have decided to promote a completely different type of event, which I will announce at the next communication, I have decided to cancel any further planning for a Lady’s Night.
Most Worshipful Brother Kent Elkins, PGM, gave a presentation about the recent Grand Lodge communication held in Spartanburg. Most notably, he stated that Grand Lodge approved a $2 dues increase plan that should balance the Grand Lodge budget. Right Worshipful Brother, Robert Kendrick, PDDGM, was instrumental as Chairman of the Grand Lodge Finance Committee in recommending that the increase be adopted. His presentation was both eloquent and forceful. Great job, Brother Bob!
As announced in last month’s Plumb Line, I was extremely proud to present a check to the Grand Lodge General Fund for approximately $700 at the end of Thursday’s Grand Lodge session. The amount was raised completely by donation from individual Brothers over the year and no Lodge funds were included. Brother Larry Crane, PM, began the fundraiser for this gift last year after returning from Grand Lodge, where a similar dues increase was defeated on the floor. The $700 goal he set approximated the additional amount of dues our Lodge would have paid last year if the measure had passed. Most Worshipful Brother, Jack A. Marler, GM, was very pleased with the gift, and, in his acceptance, he was extremely complimentary of Walden Lodge and its fine Brothers.
In accordance with tradition, a motion was presented and passed authorizing Walden Lodge to “go dark” for the summer. After our June meeting, we will not meet again until September.
An investigation committee gave a positive report on a petition for affiliation, and the vote to accept the petition was unanimous.
A petition for degrees was received, and an investigation committee was assigned.
Sincerely,
W. Kirby Burnett, WM
*******************************
Greetings from the West – Let us meet upon the
level
Brethren,
What’s that? You fell into a bucket of cream? What are you going to do? Ok, so you are wondering, “Mel, what in the world has falling into a bucket of cream got to do with Freemasonry?” Great question, read on.
My brothers, do you remember the Winding Stairs? What is its significance? According to the “Pocket Encyclopedia of Masonic Symbols”, the Winding Stairs is defined as a “Symbol of the growth of mental and spiritual life, of learning, study and enlarging horizons.” It goes on to say that “The Winding Stairs of life lead us to we know not what; for some, a Middle Chamber of fame and fortune, for others, of pain and frustration.”
Let me explain further with the following story: Once upon a time, two frogs fell into a bucket of cream. The first frog, seeing that there was no way to get any footing in the white liquid, accepted his fate and drowned. The second frog didn’t like that approach. He started thrashing around in the cream and doing whatever he could to stay afloat. After a while, all of his churning turned the cream into butter, and he was able to hop out.
Often times, when faced with adversity, we freeze with fear and lapse into hopelessness. However, with courage and persistence, we may find a better solution. How might we apply this to our everyday lives? Believe in yourself and the worth of your ideas, and have the persistence to continue to build upon them. With this attitude, you’ll look for more than “one right answer”, hunt for ideas, tolerate uncertainty, look foolish every now and then, play a little bit, and be motivated to “take the next step” up the Winding Stairs.
It’s easy to live in a rut and accept what life hands you. Remember this, my brothers, “time” will pass by whether you are living your life to its full potential or not. Why not stop and look at all aspects of your life – spiritual, family, work, relationships, physical and mental state. Look around you. Plants are blooming and growing! What areas of your life do you find that are out of balance and in need fertilizer? Don’t always settle for the “first answer”. Look within yourself for your God-given talents and strengths and choose to grow.
My brothers, a man climbs the Winding Stairs because he wants to grow. It’s natural but sometimes takes courage. What will you find in the Middle Chamber? When you fall into a bucket of cream, and you will at some point, what will you choose to do?
“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, e-mail: MelSinclair1@yahoo.com
**************
Tidings
from the South:
Greetings Brothers,
I thoroughly enjoyed sampling the many dishes brought to our last meeting’s potluck dinner. There were some delicious dishes prepared, and was enjoyed by all. MWB Elkins reported that on one of his many sojourns, he had enjoyed a wild game feast prepared by one of the lodges. After hearing this and speaking to a number of the brothers, I think this might be a very good idea to pursue in the fall. I will be following up with the craft as the time comes closer.
During the month of May we lost a Life Member of Walden Lodge, and laid him to rest with a Masonic graveside service. Many thanks to WB’s Jack Grady, G. Kent Elkins, Earl Hudgins, and the rest of the craft for their assistance in making this happen. I am sorry to say that I did not know the brother, and am worse off for not knowing him. How many of you will be given a Masonic graveside service by officers who don’t know your name, and have never sat in lodge with you? I would love to meet far more of you than I have, and count it a great loss only to walk the last mile with your earthly remains, never having shared a smile, and learned more about you. Please don’t let your only interaction with your brothers be a Masonic funeral.
Sincerely, and fraternally,
Chris Grantham, JW