June 2005 Plumbline, Walden Lodge No. 274
Greetings from the East
My brothers all:
What a beautiful day, as I write this message. The past month has been a pretty busy Masonic month for me. I just returned from Cooper Lodge where I was able to participate in their blood drive. While my work has kept me in Florence, SC much of the time, I’ve enjoyed the fellowship and fine work at three lodges, viz., Hampton, Mecca, and Amity. I attended a regular communication meeting, an EA degree, a FC degree, a MM degree, and had the honor of sitting in the West for the FC degree. It is good to visit and meet those with a common love for our great fraternity.
Grand Lodge elections were held in April and the results are as follows: MW Bro. Ronald C. Mitchum, Grand Master; RW Bro. Gerald L. Carver, Deputy Grand Master; RW Bro. Barry A. Rickman, Senior Grand Warden; RW Bro. Jay Adam Pearson, Junior Grand Warden; MW Bro. Jack A. Marler, Grand Treasurer; MW Bro. G. Ray Marsh, Grand Secretary; and RW Bro. Dr. Glenn R. Mosteller, Grand Chaplain. RW Bro. Bill Rogers was appointed District Deputy Grand Master for the 18th Masonic District. Congratulations to these fine men as they lead all Freemasons of South Carolina, under the jurisdiction of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Ancient Free Masons of South Carolina.
A special thanks to several brothers for filling in this past month: Worshipful Bro. Larry Crane, Junior Warden; Worshipful Bro. Jack Grady, III, Secretary, and newly made Bro. Master Mason, Steve Johnson, Steward. We had a good meeting and if you were not there, we missed your presence.
I’m sure that most of us go through perilous times in our lives. Perils and hazards present themselves to us as we negotiate many turns and they occur more often than we might like. I was recently reminded of a time in my life when I had to travel on a perilous journey. Let me use the following as an illustration or allegory. My destination has always been clear. My path began as a gentle slope in a sheltered forest. Nourishment was plenty and my physical and emotional needs were met. Lessons were learned.
Some time later it seemed as if I were traveling a winding staircase with knowledge being disseminated at each step. As I continued to travel I became more aware of some mountains in the distance, and on occasion I would stumble a bit on an unnoticed rock or perhaps experience fear as I traversed a steep ravine. My brothers, at that time I noticed a raging river. I knew that I had to cross to the other side to complete my journey. Darkness came upon me. My brothers, have you ever come upon such an obstacle and sense of hopelessness? I recalled lessons learned earlier in life, in the protected forest, and the answer to a familiar question: In whom do you put your trust? I stopped and did what you and I always know to do before undertaking any great danger or trial. At this point several options became clear: attempt to swim across the raging river; take a different path in order to avoid the treacherous waters; or perhaps there might be a third option. As more light entered my consciousness, I could see more clearly. The raging river was the same. The waters were indeed dark; however, there was a greater power present. As I approached the rough waters, there were rocks positioned at various places across the river. Yes, these rocks were to become my “stepping stones”. Using these stepping stones to cross the river, I was safe, dry, and with this re-discovered light, I could see each step. These stepping stones had names, names that I recognized. Among the stepping stones I found: fellowship, morality, brotherly love, faith, hope, charity, character, integrity, wisdom, strength, beauty, truth, temperance, prudence, and justice.
I noticed that charity was the largest and truth was the highest. I paused longer on these two rocks. I took note that to ascend to the top of truth absolutely took the most energy and courage; however, from the top I could see as never before. In the distance, there appeared to be a house. Not an ordinary house, but one not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. My destination was clear and at that moment I was at peace with all. My Brothers, the stepping stones mentioned in my feeble attempt at this lesson are certainly available to us all. There will be more raging rivers in my journey, more ravines, more peaks and more valleys. Armed with the Masonic lessons that we all have an opportunity to learn, and turning this knowledge into action, we will successfully reach our destination.
My Brothers, if you haven’t been to lodge in a while, please join us. You will be most welcomed.
Please don’t forget to visit Walden Lodge #274 on the internet. Our website can be found at: http://www.mastermason.com/walden274
“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, Worshipful Master
Tidings from the West
Greetings Brothers,
Your committee for the Centennial celebration in 2008 held it’s first meeting after the third degree conferred on April 21st.
Yes you read that correctly! Walden Lodge will celebrate 100 years of Masonry in just 3 short years. While that may seem a long way off, in reality it’s less than 36 months away. We have begun the process, and will be briefing the membership on a regular basis at our regular communications. I will also be keeping you up to date in my regular monthly column.
So, what does this mean? Well there will be many opportunities and challenges ahead. One of the first tasks we will have to take on will be putting together a budget and submitting it to you for your approval. We also need your help! We need any photos you may have of Walden Lodge, and Main Street Greenville. We are particularly interested in photos of Main Street from the early 1900’s. If you have some that we may use, or know where we may obtain some, please contact any of your elected or appointed officers with that information. We also are putting out a call for Masonic memorabilia. If you have any Masonic memorabilia pertaining to Walden Lodge, or masonry in general you could donate, that would be greatly appreciated. We are planning on putting together and expanding our collection.
To our past masters, and senior members, I extend a personal, and special invitation. We want to hear from you, and capture your stories, and recollections of Walden Lodge. Please attend our coming meetings! I need to begin the task of assembling notes on a history of the lodge, and can only do so with your help. If you need assistance coming, contact me directly. I will make it my duty to get you to a meeting.
Brothers, I am excited about this task and look forward to the next three years. They will pass quickly. I look forward to meeting with you “on the level”.
Sincerely, and fraternally
Chris Grantham, Senior Warden
Tidings from the South
I am glad to greet you once again, my Brothers. Our Saturday morning 3rd degree was a treat for me, as I have never been to a morning degree. It was refreshing to see some new faces and to enjoy the great breakfast that was prepared by Tommy's Ham House. I wish there were more Brothers in attendance but the food did not go to waste. All left over food was taken to the Mission kitchen on Washington Ave where it was deeply appreciated.
Please, join us for our next meeting on June 2nd and enjoy the fellowship that can only come by way of being a Mason. Please plan to come by 6 PM to enjoy the great food and fellowship. Need a ride??? Just call anyone listed on here and we will be sure to get you here and back home, safely.
Chick Davis, Junior Warden