Mt. Hood Lodge No. 32 met on December 8th at the Barberton Grange for our Special Communication to open a Lodge of Entered Apprentices and one of Table Instruction. District 19 holds a special place in the hearts of many Brothers near and far. The fellowship, support, and genuine affection can be easily found at every event, Degree, and meeting. This, our second 7 Masters Table Lodge, provided an opportunity to celebrate that fellowship, with Brothers from every Lodge in the District and beyond joining to celebrate.
Preparation for this event started months prior through the diligent efforts of our Junior Warden, Brother Alex B. As the Grange was opened around 4 PM, work began in the kitchen and did not stop until well into the evening. Brothers who had been initiated, passed, or raised within the last year were invited to assist as Stewards during the evening. In addition, several Brothers from other Lodges supported the event. Thank you to Brother Jeremy D. of North Bank Lodge No. 182 for stepping up as Junior Warden for the evening. The Officer position was a critical part of the evening events, during which he performed beautifully! Also, Brother Ron Fryer who shuttled Brothers to and from our offsite parking location.
Checking in to the event wasn’t exactly a quick process. First, names were checked against our attendee list. Then, each Brother received a lapel pin commemorating the event, a shot glass to be used (quite a bit) later in the evening, and an Entered Apprentice from Hiram and Solomon cigars. They then moved on to sign two large black frames, the event register, and certificates personalized to each of our Stewards thanking them for their support of the event
Brothers then quickly found their seats for the Festive Board. The table was set with themed placemats and centerpieces consisting of chalk, charcoal, and clay. Attending Worshipful Masters sat at the center of the tables flanking either side of the room. Brother Joe G., the owner of
Front of House media, was busy capturing moments from the evening through his lens. The photos from our event were provided thanks to his effort, of which we are very appreciative! VW David R., our event Chaplain, kicked off our festive board with a thoughtful prayer. After which we proceeded to introduce visiting Brethren.
Each Master, previous to his investiture, signifies their acknowledgment and assent to several Ancient Charges and Regulations of our fraternity. One of which is to hold in veneration the original rulers and patrons of Freemasonry, and their regular successors, supreme and subordinate, according to their stations. In accordance with this tradition, and with much joy, we took time to introduce many of our visiting Brethren in attendance, including:
- WB Terry P., WM of Rainier Lodge No. 24 AF&AM of Oregon,
- WB Dale V., Grand Tyler of F&AM of Washington,
- VWB Gordon J., Senior Grand Steward of F&AM of Washington,
- MW Ridge G., Past Grand Master of F&AM of Utah,
- MW James R., Past Grand Master of F&AM of Washington,
- MW Mike S., Past Grand Master of F&AM of Washington,
- RW Clint B., Grand Secretary of F&AM of Washington,
- RW Steve M., Deputy Grand Master of F&AM of Washington,
and with distinct honor, Most Worshipful Brother Edward Woods, Grand Master of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Washington.
During our welcome message, which emphasized the importance of every Brother in the Craft (text below), Brother Justin G. assisted in exemplifying an Entered Apprentice proficiency catechism from 1730, highlighting the consistency of the lessons inculcated in Masonry. After which, we proceeded to our first ‘practice toast’. The honor was given to Brother John H. of Silver Star Lodge No. 286, the District’s newest Master Mason, who had been raised to the Sublime Degree just two nights prior. A proper Masonic Toast includes twenty-nine (29) different steps, so some practice was necessary. While the accuracy of that first toast left little to be desired, we had fourteen more toasts to refine our technique.
The honor of our evening’s first official toast was given to VW Ric B., Deputy of the Grand Master to District 19. After a proper introduction, VW Ric offered a toast to the First Deputy of the Grand Master in District 19. Since 1936, District 19 has enjoyed having a Deputy of the Grand Master who, as encouraged today by our Grand Master, leads by example and conduct. After which, our Festive Board began.
Our first course of the evening was a plate of quiche and olive prepared by Brother Alex B. Each of the following courses was preceded by a proper introduction to one of the Worshipful Masters in District 19. The entire meal included a potato soup from Brother David Hastings, the recipe of which is non-Masonic and thus will remain a secret. Brother Alex B. offered an enticing third course of bacon-wrapped shrimp. VW David D. prepared a tasty caesar salad.
Brother Conner’s dish of tenderloin, potatoes, and green beans followed. The meat was so delicious and well prepared, Brother Connor was called into the dining hall to receive a round of applause and public grand honors. (It was that good.) A delightful peach cobbler prepared by Brother Jerramie R. came next, followed by a mignardise of chalk, charcoal, and clay prepared by Brother Sage B. In all, the meal was filling, delicious, and enjoyable!
During our Festive Board, each sitting master of the Lodges of District 19 proposed a toast.
WB Rick J., Worshipful Master of Washington Lodge No. 4, was introduced and then proposed a toast to the first Worshipful Master of Washington Lodge No. 4, WB Lewis Van Fleet. He then outlined WB Van Fleet’s impressive personal, fraternal, and professional life, then challenged all Masons to seek the drive, humility, and fortitude to live as WB Van Fleet had exemplified.
WB Will L., Worshipful Master of Mt. Hood Lodge No. 32, proposed a toast to WB Henry C. Morrice, the first Worshipful Master of Mt. Hood Lodge No. 32. WB Morrice, having been raised in 1867, soon moved to Oregon and established Mt. Hood Lodge No. 32. He then enjoyed much success in the early Scottish Rite, Valley of Portland, and was their first Grand Libriarin helping to create a tradition of Masonic Study and Education still pursued today.
WB Roy G., Worshipful Master of Longview Lodge No. 263, graciously sat in for our Brothers from White Salmon Lodge No. 163 who were unable to attend due to weather. WB Roy cheerfully offered a toast to Worshipful Brother Mike N. and the Brothers of White Salmon Lodge No. 163.
WB Chad B., Worshipful Master of North Bank Lodge No. 182, was introduced then proposed a toast to WB Andrew J. “Uncle Jack” Oakly and noted that Uncle Jack built the Officer’s pedestals and alter which are still in use today by North Bank Lodge No. 182!
WB Garrett H.., Worshipful Master of Ridgefield-Daylight Lodge No. 237, was introduced and then proposed a toast to WB William Sheridan Miller, the first Worshipful Master of Ridgefield-Daylight Lodge No. 237. WB Garrett noted WB Miller’s mother lodge was Goldendale Lodge No. 31 and his efforts to organize the Ridgefield Power and Light Company.
VWB Gordon J., Worshipful Master of Silver Star Lodge No. 286, was introduced, then proposed a toast to WB Carl Johnson, the first Worshipful Master of Silver Star No. 286. During his toast, he read a portion of a letter penned on September 13, 1949, by then-Past Master, W Bro. Carl Johnson, to be included in a time capsule to be opened on the Lodge’s twenty-fifth anniversary. A portion of which, was read in Lodge.
“The only meeting place was the Odd Fellows Hall, whose limited facilities we had to share with numerous other organizations. Its inconveniences and crowding were cheerfully borne by the brethren because they were already laying plans, starting a fund, and looking forward to a day when they would have a Temple of their own. Two of our three objectives had already been achieved: – the forming of a well-knit Masonic group and the granting of a Charter. The third objective, having a temple of our own, became our next goal. Our initiation fee was advisedly set fairly high for the two-fold purpose of diverting a portion of it into the Temple Fund and to eliminate those prospective applicants who were unwilling to make a sacrifice in order to participate in our Labors and Privileges.”
After the Festive Board, the Stewards came in and found seats among the Brothers in the dining hall. There was much cheer and conversation. A rap from the gavel gathered everyone’s attention as we then proceeded to sing our first song of the evening, The Entered Apprentice Song. While the melody increased the fun in the room, I think all would agree we could use a bit more practice.
We then proceeded to conduct a proper Table Lodge, with all the cherished toasts and songs that accompany this time-honored Masonic tradition. The details of which will be left to those in attendance. As the program for the evening ended, many Brothers continued the evening with joyful conversation and laughter. A canopy set up in the parking lodge served as a suitable cigar lounge as Brothers stayed on location well past midnight.
Opening Remarks from WB Will L.
Again, let me welcome you to our 7 Masters Table Lodge. This event was started last year with inspiration from MW Brother Cameron’s theme, “Live the Legend.” There is value for us to gather in numbers to break bread and rekindle our affection and our purpose together. But are these activities Legendary? MW Brother Edward Wood’s theme this year may help us find the answer.
Inscribed above the Temple of Apollo was the maxim Gnothi Seauton or in English, “Know Thyself”. These words were followed by the phrase “nothing in excess” [looks around], but I think we’ll ignore that part for right now.
In the wise words of the pre-Confucian old Master Lao-Tzu, the respected Chinese philosopher from the 5th century BC:
“Watch your thoughts, they become your words; watch your words, they become your actions; watch your actions, they become your habits; watch your habits, they become your character; watch your character, it becomes your destiny.”
When we take action to change our thoughts, the rest follows. So what are our thoughts, and what are our Destinies? How should we know ourselves, and are we taking the time to really wallow in the footsteps that we follow?
Brothers, we are the inheritors of a centuries-old tradition that presents men with a philosophy for life. A forum for steel to sharpen steel, and a resource for inspiration and purpose. We are a group of men in the shadow of Legends who came before us. We meet in temples we did not build, read rituals we did not write, and spend funds we did not earn. We are blessed to have more resources at our disposal than the men who came before us and the tools necessary to be Legends in our own right.
Our individual talents, resources, and capabilities may at times limit our scope, but every Mason can be a Legend for at least one Brother. The Legend in a Brother’s life who inculcated a love for the Fraternity, and empowered him to benefit fully from our rights and privileges.
Being a Brother’s Legend is as important today as it was back in the early 1700s when men sought safe harbor during the Enlightenment. This was important even as our fledgling country took root and traveled west to create towns built through Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth.
What’s more, Masonry was a beacon of hope during the Spanish Flu and Great Depression. It offered a place of peace and quiet as men returned from multiple world wars. Masonry provided a ready-made online community during the recent pandemic. And now, as society tries to deal with a world connected online but strangers in person, Masonry once again offers up its value to men who approach the altar to answer the question being asked for over three hundred years:
[1st Degree Proficiency exemplified, with the assistance of Brother Justin G.]
Thank you, Brother. Could we please have a round of applause for Brother Justin G., Mt. Hood’s newest Entered Apprentice.
That ritual was taken from an expose written in 1730, It helps us appreciate the consistency of the lessons inculcated in Masonry. These documents from history allow us to know ourselves as Masons, and ground ourselves in the tenets and principles of our organization.
As we now move on to enjoy the rest of this evening, I invite you to think about why you’re here and what your place is in the Fraternity. What are you doing to earn those precious Masonic wages? With the struggles we currently face, please keep in mind that there is no calvary coming to save our fraternity. We are the men on horseback with all the resources necessary to lead our Fraternity, and the men in it, to a prosperous future. We exemplify one-on-one relationships that are more than the sum of their parts. Let’s make sure our next generation becomes Legends in their own right.
