Please welcome our newly obligated Entered Apprentice Brethren.
Thanks to all who helped confer the degree to these worthy, well-qualified men.
We had a wonderful turnout and look forward to seeing these Brothers progress through their degrees in the coming months. Their Masonic journey has only begun!
(Left to right) Brother William Gilmer, Brother Travis Coy Bunn, III, and Brother Richie Mobley, who has been already initiated but due to Covid-19, was unable to move forward until now.
It is not ornamental, the cost is not great,
There are other things far more useful, yet truly I state,
Tho of all my possessions, there’s none can compare,
With that white leather apron, which all Masons wear.
As a young lad, I wondered just what it all meant,
When Dad hustled around, and so much time was spent
On shaving and dressing and looking just right,
Until Mother would say: “It’s the Masons tonight.”
And some winter nights she said: “What makes you go,
Way up there tonight thru the sleet and the snow,
You see the same things every month of the year.”
Then Dad would reply: “Yes, I know it, my dear.”
Forty years I have seen the same things, it is true.
And though they are old, they always seem new,
For the hands that I clasp, and the friends that I greet,
Seem a little bit closer each time that we meet.”
Years later I stood at that very same door,
With good men and true who had entered before,
I knelt at the altar, and there I was taught
That virtue and honor can never be bought.
That the spotless white lambskin all Masons revere,
If worthily worn grows more precious each year,
That service to others brings blessings untold,
That man may be poor tho surrounded by gold.
I learned that true brotherhood flourishes there,
That enmities fade ‘neath the compass and square,
That wealth and position are all thrust aside,
As they’re on the level men meet and abide.
So, honor the lambskin, may it always remain
Forever unblemished, and free from all stains,
And when we are called to the Great Father’s love,
May we all take our place in that Lodge up above
We had an incredible turnout thanks to everyone who joined us! The food, the conversation, and the overwhelming love that was shared this night were inspiring and we can’t wait to see all of our families, friends, and visitors again.
Here are a few images from our night and if you’d like to share yours, please email us or send a message on Facebook!
Someone at the Lodge
I know there is someone at the Lodge,
There’s a meeting there twice a month.
I know someone cuts the grass,
I can tell because it gets done;
I know someone pays the lights and water,
Because I see them on each month.
I know someone repairs the building;
Because I see it happen when needed.
I know someone teaches the work;
Because candidates go through.
I know someone sends in the reports;
Because the Lodge keeps its charter.
I know someone keeps things going;
I’d like to help but don’t have time.
I’ll let them do it,
They seem to always be around.
I’ll just wear my ring;
And pay my dues.
When others ask about the Lodge;
I’ll proudly say I’m a member.
And I’ll just let someone else,
Do all the things that keep it going.
Sometimes, though, I wonder…
Who is that someone?
Robert E. Rowland, PM
Secretary, Goshen Masonic Lodge No. 71
Dedicated to Past Masters of Fraternal Lodge No. 37
An old man going a lone highway,
Came, at the evening cold and gray,
To a chasm vast and deep and wide.
Through which was flowing a sullen tide
The old man crossed in the twilight dim,
The sullen stream had no fear for him;
But he turned when safe on the other side
And built a bridge to span the tide.
“Old man,” said a fellow pilgrim near,
“You are wasting your strength with building here;
Your journey will end with the ending day,
You never again will pass this way;
You’ve crossed the chasm, deep and wide,
Why build this bridge at evening tide?”
The builder lifted his old gray head;
“Good friend, in the path I have come,” he said,
“There followed after me to-day
A youth whose feet must pass this way.
This chasm that has been as naught to me
To that fair-haired youth may a pitfall be;
He, too, must cross in the twilight dim;
Good friend, I am building this bridge for him!”
(McDonough, GA – November 4, 2021) The Officers of Fraternal Lodge No. 37 invited Boy Scout Troop 62 to present a U.S. flag retirement ceremony before the evening’s meeting. After burgers and hotdogs were served, the ceremony took place in the lodge parking lot with several Brethren in attendance. Many brought their retired flags for the event and each flag was properly and respectfully retired by fire.
When the United States flag (Old Glory) becomes worn, torn, faded or badly soiled, it is time to replace it with a new flag, and the old flag should be “retired” with all the dignity and respect befitting our nation’s flag. The traditional method of retirement is to incinerate the flag, but this does not mean that one should simply drop the entire flag (intact) into a fire.
A flag ceases to be a flag when it is cut into pieces. In addition, it is easier to completely incinerate the flag, if it is cut into smaller pieces. A flag should never be torn up like an old bed sheet. It should be cut up with scissors or shears in a methodical manner. The corners of the flag should be stretched out over a table top and someone should cut the flag in half, vertically (be careful not to cut up the blue star field (see the figure). Then, place the two halves together and cut them in half, horizontally. You will end up with four pieces of flag, one being the blue star field.
The reason we do not cut the blue star field is it represents the union of the fifty states and one should never let the union be broken.
U.S. Scouting Service Project
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