Does liberty have limits?
On one hand, we’re taught that liberty is a principle worthy of the devotion of every Mason. On the other hand, if you look closely at liberty’s possible ramifications, you might develop some mixed feelings. These thoughts bubble up from an illuminating educational event, recently hosted by our lodge and presented by Bro. Kent Smith. It was titled “Liberty and the Libertine”.
By Wilbur D. Nesbit
When are you a Mason?
When you go to Lodge
If there is a meeting
That you cannot dodge?
When you wear your button?
When still up you climb?
The way to be a Mason
Is to be one all the time.
by H. L. Haywood
Give me your hand;
You are rich; I am poor;
Your wealth is your power, and by it you tread
A wide open path; where for me is a door
That is locked; and before it are worry and dread.
We are sundered, are we,
As two men can be
But we are two brothers in Freemasonry
So give me your hand. Read More
Can you believe it ~ we are into March already! The daughters were busy in February with installation on Feb 6 ~ thanks you to the Masons that attended ~ it meant a lot to the girls. Also attended the reception for the State Master Councilor of DeMolay, attended the Alumni Tea put on by the grand Guardian council for the benefit of the American Heart Association and attended a Leadership Dance for DeMolay in Tacoma. Read More
Greetings from the members and adults of Bethel #4. We have missed the deadline for the past few Trestleboards… but we want you to know we are alive and happy!
We have been very busy the past few months with various meetings and activities. The girls have been visiting as many bethels as they can and have been participating in initiations and other activities at those bethels as needed. Read More
“To everything there is a season,” according to a famous passage of scripture, “and a time to every purpose under heaven.” (Ecclesiastes 3:3)
A new season arrives this month. Both with changing weather, and with changing leadership in our lodge. Chapter 3 of Ecclesiastes contains other observations, which might apply to our lodge…. Read More
A motion to amend our lodge bylaws might be made, at the November stated communication. As master, I do not intend to make this motion myself. So I cannot predict with absolute certainty that any motion will actually be made. But here’s what might happen. Read More
Friday nights are usually not the lodge’s meeting night, but the lodge made an exception this time to accommodate a special event: The raising of Brother Kent Smith to the sublime degree of Master Mason.
The evening wasn’t just about raising a brother; it was also about creating a family legacy where the fourth and final brother of the Smith family finally became a member of the fraternity. To mark this auspicious event, WB Alan Smith and Brother Daniel Smith — both from George W. Lininger Lodge No. 268 in Omaha, Nebraska — were in attendance. WB Alan also played an important role in the degree, practicing extensively to make sure that his part conformed to Oregon ritual requirements.
Brother Kent Smith follows Brother Daniel Smith in joining the Craft. The first of the Smith brothers who was initiated was WB Alan Smith, then followed by WB Stephen Smith.
A charitable donation was made, this month, by our lodge. We donated 13 Kindle Paperwhite e-readers to a third grade class at Harrison Park School, in southeast Portland. Also, we donated appropriate accessories.
Support for public education is a longstanding Masonic tradition. Unfortunately, our public schools are under considerable financial stress. Some schools could benefit from donations of educational equipment. Read More