Brethren, I asked the Worshipful Master for a few minutes of your time tonight so that I might thank you for your kindness, friendship, and teaching this past year.
Nothing great has been achieved unless the pattern has first been conceived in the mind and heart. Call it what you will- Vision, Dream, or Designs upon the Trestle Board, it is the same. In that sense, we Masons are Dreamers.
There is only one group of men whom the Nazis and the Fascists hate more than the Jews. They are the Freemasons. In Italy, indeed, the anti-Jewish feeling is of recent vintage and largely artificial, whereas the Blackshirts’ hatred of Freemasonry is old and deep.
The eye in the pyramid (emblazoned on the dollar bill, no less) is often cited as “evidence” that sinister conspiracies abound; which will impose a “New World Order” on an unsuspecting populace.
The Masonic apron is a symbol of Free & Accepted Masons. Its symbolically pure and spotless surface is ever a reminder to me of purity of life and rectitude of conduct.
“There are a lot of Masons in this old lodge tonight” began the Old Past Master. “See the new faces? Must be most two hundred. Pretty good attendance, what?”
Forms for Perpetual membership are available from Secretary Pence. In 2005 annual dues for St. James Lodge increased from $54.50 last year to $59.50 this year, due to a $5.00 increase in Grand Lodge per capita charges.
2004 was a very good year for our great Lodge. All of the repairs we started to the Lodge were completed. We had a great master and accomplished many good things.
Brethren: Once again the Holiday Season is upon us. The year is almost finished. “MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR” My year is almost up also. It has been an enjoyable ride and I must say I will miss it but I am also looking forward to being a Past Master.
