2007 September

The Louisiana
FREEMASON
VOL. 35 SEPTEMBER 2007 NUMBER 2
1922-2006
M: W: Thomas Jefferson Pitman, Jr.

Grand Master 1994
Grand Secretary 1999-2006
17908-Grand Lodge-Mason.indd 1 8/16/07 7:36:39 AM

The Louisiana
FREEMASON
The LOUISIANA FREEMASON is the Official Pub-
lication of The Grand Lodge of the State of Louisiana,
F & A.M., 5800 Masonic Drive, Alexandria, Louisi-
ana 71301. Published quarterly (January, April, July,
and October) for members of Lodges in Louisiana.
U.S. rate only. Mailed ‘Non-Profit Organization’
third class, prepaid at Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
The LOUISIANA FREEMASON will accept unso-
licited articles, with the right to edit, and use when
space permits. Articles and pictures become the
property of the magazine. Authors are requested to COVER STORY
sign articles and
M: W: T. J. PITMAN, JR.
include their name, address, phone number and, if a
member, the name of their Masonic Lodge. Articles Grand Master 1994
that are printed do not necessarily reflect the views Page 6
of the Grand Lodge of Louisiana.
Address Changes should be sent to the Lodge Sec-
retary who will notify the Grand Secretary on the
proper form. DO NOT send changes of address to
the Louisiana Freemason. Send all email, mail and
/or material for consideration for publication in the
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Louisiana Freemason to: Grand Master’s Message Page 3
W: Steven A. Pence, P.M. Editor
The LOUISIANA FREEMASON Feature Article Page 4
105 Bayhills Dr.,
Benton, LA 71006 Biography Page 6
Email: storm52@bellsouth.net
Commentary Pages 8-14
Committee To Supervise
Publication of the
Lodge News beginning on Page 15
LOUISIANA FREEMASON
W: Steven A. Pence, P.M. Editor (362)

105 Bay Hills Dr. Brief Note
Benton, LA 71006 It was a difficult task to describe the
W: Wiley G. Bell III, P.M.-Chairman (398) life of T. J. Pitman within a few pages
99 Bayou Robert Road Previously I asked Miss Colleen and
Alexandria, LA 71302
M: W: Clayton J. Borne, III, P.G.M. (P.U.I.)
daughter Pam if they would provide
433 Metairie Rd., Suite 100 a biography on TJ. Pam provided me
Metairie, LA 70005 with a history told by personal pho-
W: E. Doyle Freeman, P.M. (311) tographs, newspaper clippings, hand
415 Arrowwood Dr. bills, journals and her personal notes
Slidell, LA 70458-0908
W: Richard D. Mahoney, P.M. (246) explaining the significance of each
P.O. Box 369 item. Through TJ’s daughter’s eyes,
Winnsboro, LA 71295 his life is revealed.
W: David A. Roach, P.M. (221) A more difficult task was to con-
6511 Misty Ln.
Pineville, LA 71360
dense her story into written text. With
assistance from M:W: Bro Chuck Penn,
what you read beginning on page 6 is a
joint effort. Thank you Pam for sharing
TJ with us.
2

GRAND MASTER’S MESSAGE
The Five Year Business Plan blueprint has been
presented to the Officers of the constituent Lodges
throughout the State and has been well received by
the Brethren. The Planning Committee consists of
R:W Brothers Lloyd Hennigan, DGM; Jeff Webb,
GSW; Woody Bilyeu, GJW; Steve Pence, DDGM,
1st District; W Brothers Ed Durham, Grand Mar-
shall; Gary Gribble GSD, R. B. Smith; and myself.
I would like to take this medium to thank all of the
Committee Members for their hard work and a job
well done. Feedback and ideas from the Brethren
will be included in the final draft of the Plan, which
is scheduled to be presented to the Lodges in Octo-
ber. This Business Plan will be a living document
and can be changed as dictated by the programs
needed for the times. S. Bruce Easterly
The Grand Lodge Administrative Building is Grand Master
open and doing business. The final interior design State of Louisiana
features should be in place in a few weeks. A large
part of our history and artifacts will be utilized in the design along with a “Louisiana” theme.
The Brethren will be proud of their new structure. Along with the new Administrative
Building will be a new web site on the internet, which should communicate our message to
the Brethren and those wishing to learn about our Craft in a more user friendly and updated
format. A special thanks to Trinity Union Lodge #372 for their financial support in design-
ing the new web site.
Reports from across the State indicate that Freemasonry is attracting new members at a
pace where there may be a positive gain in membership this year. The internet and recent
movies related to the Craft have attracted attention of a number of individuals, especially
young men who are looking for and wanting membership in a fraternity, which offers our
ideals and beliefs. We need to insure we do not disappoint these individuals and grant
them access to all the light and knowledge of the Fraternity, remembering that Charity is
the cornerstone of Freemasonry.
I urge each one of you to support our appendant bodies and other members of our Ma-
sonic family. Our youth organizations are invaluable to the Masonic Fraternity and there are
several locations where new De Molay Chapters and Rainbow Assemblies may be formed.
Together the Masonic Family is strong, but competition and dissension among the Family
members causes the entire Fraternity much damage and harm.
The Grand Lodge Officers have traveled to many Lodges and Masonic events through-
out Louisiana and we have been received with friendship, brotherly love, and wonderful
hospitality at every stop along the way. We sincerely thank you for these receptions and
courtesy extended to us. This is an exciting time for Freemasonry in Louisiana. May peace
and harmony prevail and may God bless you.
Sincerely and fraternally,
S. Bruce Easterly
Grand Master, 2007-08
The Grand Lodge Session for 2008 will be held Saturday and Sunday, February 1st
and 2nd at the Bossier Civic Center-620 Benton Road, Bossier City.
3

Relevancy Of Freemasonry
In The Twenty First Century
By Clayton J. Borne, III PGM
hat is it about the Masonic Brotherhood that has intrigued men for thousands of
W years? Do the principles established by our ancient Brothers have any relevancy
to the way in which we live our lives today? To answer this question a cursory
historical analysis of the development our Fraternity and its cornerstone principles
would be in order.
The disciplines of the Masonic Fraternity have been embraced over the course of history
and have been identified with diverse social movements. From ultraconservatives to utopian
socialists all found a moral principle embraced in the teachings of the brotherhood that gave
their cause credibility and Universal Appeal. The Masonic movement relentlessly moved
for the recognition of the rights of man, the endless battle against blind ignorance, uncom-
promising intolerance, emotional superstition and human error. But where is the basic com-
mon bond in the Universal Brotherhood? What are the basic elements and the fundamental
principles that bonded these men of all ages together and formed the basis of a disciplined
social order? The more interesting question, are these principles relevant today?
George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, the Marquis deLafayette and many other
historical icons passionately embraced Freemasonry and its moral order, finding gratitude
in the honor of having their names included in its numbers. But exactly what were those
principles that would create the attraction? Was it the International Alliances made possible
by the Brotherhood or was it more fundamental concepts? Considering the historical events
in which these men were involved allow us an insight into the concepts that commanded
their loyalty. The revolutionary concepts of Liberty, Equality and Fraternity consumed their
entire being. They literally guaranteed the success of these social ideals with their lives. The
ideal of a society built on these principles would create a new social order which would
culminate and insure economic and social equality. What possible environment would
there have been in the 1700’s that would insure the academic freedom that would have
permitted the development of these revolutionary concepts with the complete assurance of
total secrecy? Could it have been within the sacred halls of their Masonic lodges? To these
honored men these principles of Brotherhood were their passions and the idealistic concepts
that were to form the foundation for the American and French Revolutions. But were these
the cornerstone principles or do we search for more basic concepts?
It is this writer’s sincere belief that masonry was and is a philosophy of life which, by
definition, transcends the limits of time. Its conscience birth, as in all spiritual movements,
must be identified as that moment in time when the Grand Architect of the Universe, our
Creator God, gave or developed in early man that unique quality which would separate
him from the rest of his creation, a rational conscience. With this gift, man was able to
then exercise the spiritual quality of choosing good over evil, and thereby able to render
obedience to the will of his Creator. This principle was then, just as today, at the core of
the Masonic discipline.
The earliest historical records reflect and confirm for our study numerous ancient societ-
ies of virtuous men dedicated to establishing a civilized order in the midst of early man’s
chaos and barbarianism. The ancient philosopher, Aristotle, discusses this discipline in what
is described by modern scholars as “Theories of the Good” and more recently developed
by legal scholars as “Classical Republicanism”. In brief, Aristotle taught that a good life
is a virtuous life, and virtue consists partly in being willing to subordinate one’s private
4

end to the common welfare, with man seen as a political being whose happiness and self-
realization come only through participation in public life, thereby allowing him to achieve
psychic independence and ultimately becoming a responsible citizen.
Originally, these movements in the earliest of times developed within organized societ-
ies and their teachings were referred to as the Ancient Mysteries. What were the principles
developed in these primitive societies that eventually led to a disciplined social order?
This writer submits that these developing societies were uniquely different for three (3)
identifiable reasons. First was their spiritual curiosity particularly into the concept of the one-
ness of God (Monotheism). Second was the corresponding concept of the spirit life after death
(Transubstantiation). These spiritual objectives were reflected in the third reason, namely,
their personal development and advancement in science and morality (Transformation).
Monotheism: The human acceptance and belief in the concept of the oneness of God was
slow to gain favor. It embodies the aspiration of the soul toward the absolute and infinite
intelligence, namely the one Supreme Deity, God. It was gradual, with the people unwilling
to relinquish their guardian deities: Diana, Zeus, Apollo, Hermes and the most cherished
Demeter “Mother Earth”; and her daughter Persephone. They were the embodiment of
the Mystery of the Harvest, of which Socrates and Aristotle, and then through Aristotle to
Alexander, were initiates.
Transubstantiation: The mystery of transubstantiation refers to the spirit life after death
and our ability as mortal being to eventually, upon death, pass to it. In Agres Savill’s excel-
lent study on Alexander the Great, she writes of Cicero, reflecting on Demeter, Persephone
and the Mystery of the harvest. The mysteries perceive the real principles of life and learn
not only to live happy, but to dies with a fair hope.
Transformation: Further, this philosophy or teaching advocates self-transformation or
the development of a character that recognizes the need to subrogate self-interest to the
interest of the common welfare. It is the awakening of each man’s higher self of his spiri-
tual nature, as opposed to his religious theology, which forms the foundation for individual
enlightenment.
Throughout ancient times, these men and their collective activities of pursuing these
spiritual objectives formed a fundamental as opposed to an organizational unity. They were
bound by and found happiness in an alliance of virtue and common ideals in the develop-
ment of our order. This alliance was not recognized as an historical event with a distinctive
identifiable institution until later during the dawn of the operative era of stone masonry.
These societies were also unique in that they advocated the sacred nature of work, which
anthropologists stress is identified in most spiritual, as opposed to religious movements.
Further as an extension of these disciplines, the concept of justice was given birth. Individuals
were recognized as having rights based or conditioned upon man’s fundamental assumption
of the obligations necessary to establish a desired order of society.
These movements, with their dedication and commitment to a Higher Spirituality,
preserved, through esoteric instructions, the ancient legends, traditions, charges and disci-
plines for those of us who would later travel the road of this life’s reality. The tracking of
the spiritual objectives and traditions of these Ancient Societies is one of the only possible
ways to establish a true Genealogy of Freemasonry prior to 925 A.D.
It is this writer’s sincere belief that the spiritual or mystic core of Freemasonry, based
on the principles of transubstantiation and transformation have not essentially changed
over the history of mankind. Respected histories document these cornerstone principles
and spiritual objectives appearing in diverse cultures and four our study, our interest focus
on those which later developed as operative artesian societies.
continued on page 37
5

M: W: T. J. Pitman, Jr.
Grand Master 1994
by
Steven A. Pence
homas Jefferson Pitman, Jr. was the son of Martha Josephine Spears Pitman
T
and Thomas J. Pitman, Sr., born at home on November 27, 1922 at Dry Creek,
Louisiana. This homestead was 80 acres, with a sawmill and farm and has been
an integral part in M: W: Pitman’s family outings as well as his upbringing. TJ
had one sister, Iva, that was twelve years his senior. Accordingly, TJ was spoiled
by his mother and sister. Sister Iva, a school teacher, had the unenviable task of teaching
her brother in the 1st and 2nd grades!
Growing up on the acreage, TJ developed a passion for hunting and fishing and everything
associated with the outdoors. Bundick Lake was less than 10 miles away and M: W: Pitman
honed his angling skills there. He was an avid hunter and was successfully deer hunting in
November 2006, prior to his death. He was quite at home in the woods and on the waters of
Louisiana’s “sportsman’s paradise”. He would spend days on end in commune with nature
at his camp at Dry Creek and in the wilds of his beloved Beauregard Parish. His daughters
shared his passion for the outdoors as well.
M: W: Bro Pitman attended public schools in Beauregard Parish and then attended the
University of Southwestern Louisiana and the University of Houston. He served in the U.S.
Coast Guard in both the European and Pacific Theaters of Operations during World War II
from 1942 until 1946. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
After military discharge, he became engaged in the business of investigating and set-
tling insurance claims and providing risk management. Employed primarily by General
Adjustment Bureau and Crawford & Company, his business career spanned 38 years. He
completed all educational courses sponsored by the Insurance Institute of America. His
dedication to professional excellence garnered universal respect by his industry peers as
he was called to points across the North American continent to clear the most difficult of
claims. He was past president of the Alexandria Claims Association. After retirement he
continued in his chosen field as a consultant settling large property losses related primarily
to the petroleum industry.
On June 11, 1949, he married Colleen East, a marriage which endured for exactly
fifty-seven years to the day. From this union were born two daughters, Pamela Sue Pitman
Broadwell and Joanna Pitman Yates, and subsequently two grandsons, Robert Thomas
Broadwell and Patrick Pitman Broadwell. When he spoke of his family one could easily
see the boundless love he had for them. When Colleen, Pam and Joanna speak of TJ you
can hear that love reciprocated.
Brother Pitman was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Alexandria and a
devoted member of the Wesley Men’s Sunday School Class. His civic memberships included
the Advancement Committee of the Boy Scouts of America, the Pioneer Club of Dallas, and
the Alexandria Golf and Country Club.
T. J. was an accomplished amateur actor. His love for the stage was a passion he pursued
throughout his adult life. As his acting skills were in constant demand, he appeared in numer-
ous Little Theater productions. He served as president of the Central Louisiana Community
Theater. He directed three productions as well as being lead actor in The Absence of a Cello,
Barefoot in the Park, All of The Kings Men, Take Her She’s Mine, Oklahoma, 10 Little
6

Indians, The Cemetary Club, South Pacific, and many others. His last performance was in
Inherit The Wind on May 21, 2006 and TJ entered the hospital on May 25th.
T. J. Pitman was raised a Master Mason in Sam Todd Lodge No. 182 in Sugartown, LA
on August 16, 1946. After relocating to Alexandria, he affiliated with Oliver Lodge No. 84
and served as its Worshipful Master in 1975. Companion and Sir Knight Pitman’s service
to the York Rite appendant bodies include the following: Past High Priest of Keystone
Chapter No. 44, R. A. M.; Past Illustrious Master of Calcasieu Council No. 19, R. & S.
M.; Past Commander of Malta CommanderyNo. 12, K. T.; Grand High Priest of the Grand
Chapter, R. A. M. Of Louisiana in 1976, Grand Treasurer for 30 years; Grand Illustrious
Master of the Grand Council of Cryptic Masons of Louisiana in 1971, Grand Treasurer for
30 years; Grand Commandery, K. T. Of Louisiana - Grand Commander -2002. A member
of the Lake Charles Scottish Rite Bodies, Brother Pitman was made a Knight Commander
of the Court of Honor in 1979 and coroneted a 33rd Degree Inspector General Honorary
in 1995. He was a Past Venerable Master of the Lake Charles Lodge of Perfection and
gave freely of his acting ability as a degree participant. A charter member of Habibi Shrine
Temple, Noble Pitman served as Charter President of Mid-State Shrine Club in 1975-76.
He was additionally honored by election to membership in Lake Charles Court No. 178,
Royal Order of Jesters.
Brother Pitman’s other Masonic memberships are as follows: The Order of High Priest-
hood of Louisiana - Treasurer for 30 years; The Order of the Silver Trowel of Louisiana,
Thrice Illustrious Master - 1975, Treasurer for 30 years; Knight Crusader of the Cross;
Louisiana Priory No. 43, K. Y. C. H., Past Prior; St. Matthew Conclave, Red Cross of
Constantine, Past Puissant Sovereign; John of Patmos Tabernacle No. 42, Holy Royal Arch
Knight Templar Priests, Past Preceptor; The Royal Order of Scotland; Louisiana York Rite
College No. 99; Louisiana Lodge of Research; Post de Rapides High Twelve Club No. 693,
John T. Charnley Chapter No. 197, 0. E. S.; and Beauregard - Anderson Chapter No. 530,
National Sojourners. In the Grand Lodge arena, M: W: Brother Pitman elected to the Board
of Charities and Benevolence in 1977, appointed Grand Senior Deacon in 1978 and elected
to the Board of Trustees of the Masonic Home for Children in 1980. He was elected Grand
Junior Warden in 1992; Deputy Grand Master in 1993; and Grand Master of Masons in
Louisiana in 1994. After serving as Grand Master, he was elected Grand Treasurer in 1997
and 1998, and Grand Secretary from 1999 until his death in 2006.
In the long and storied history of our Grand Lodge only two men have served each of the
elected stations of Grand Master, Grand Treasurer, and Grand Secretary - Samuel M. Todd and
Thomas. J. Pitman. Irony lies in the fact that Pitman’s mother Lodge bears Todd’s name.
In the year 2000, His Royal Highness, the Duke of Kent appointed T. J. Grand Repre-
sentative of the Grand Lodge of England near the Grand Lodge of Louisiana. By virtue of
the offices and stations he served and the titles he held, M: W: Thomas Jefferson Pitman,
Jr. was, at the time of his passing, Louisiana’s most distinguished Mason.
Thomas Jefferson Pitman, Jr. passed this earthly life on June 11, 2006. He was laid to
rest on June 15, 2006 in Dry Creek Cemetery at Dry Creek, Louisiana.
T. J. Pitman will be remembered as a true gentleman with an immense capacity for hu-
man kindness. He also will be remembered as a loving husband, father, father-in-law and
grandfather.

Can A Christian Be A Mason?
By: Thomas P. Brown-Grand Chaplain
ecently my neighbor petitioned a lodge for initiation into the fraternity of
R Freemasonry. I soon dropped by to congratulate him and to welcome him into

what I consider the greatest fraternal organization in the world. He is a great
neighbor, and even though he does not realize it, he has been a mason at heart
for many years.
During our conversation, his wife asked me a question which I knew would require me
to answer in a clear and meaningful way. Knowing that I am the Pastor of a little country
church, she asked me if there is any reason why a Christian should not be a member of a
lodge.
I immediately answered, “No, there is no reason why a Christian should not join a lodge.”
I then went on to explain that Masonry is a fraternity and not a religion. Masonry does not
offer any plan of salvation or method of redemption. However, Masonry is the handmaiden
of religion, for all of its lessons are taken directly from the Holy Bible. In placing that sacred
Book upon our alter we do not attempt to dictate any particular religious creed or form of
worship, but merely ask that each man study the pages thereof, for contained therein is the
blueprint for an upright and moral life.
She seemed to be satisfied with my answer; however, I later wondered why I had stopped
there. I could have gone on to tell her that for a man to be a Mason, he must profess his
belief in God. Therefore, it would be entirely impossible for an atheist to become a member
of a Masonic lodge. During the conferring of the Entered Apprentice Degree, in addition to
reciting the obligation, the candidate says seven words. These seven words are “It is, In God,
I am, Light”, meaning that the source of the light which emanates from our altar is God.
Therefore, men of all religious faiths meet at the altar of Freemasonry where each is
better prepared for their solemn duties in life by their association in this universal brother-
hood. This is the reason that Masonry has become truly universal and exists throughout the
world. Masonry is based on the universality of the Fatherhood of God and the universality
of the brotherhood of man.
Masonry is not meant to take the place of a man’s church life. All Masons are encour-
aged to be active in their church. Masonry merely makes good men better men and this
includes better church members.
Do Christians have to leave their Christian faith at the door when they enter a Masonic
lodge? Of course not. When I enter a Masonic Lodge I am the same Christian believer I
was before I entered. There is a strict admonition that religious and political differences of
opinion are never aired in the lodge room, which allows peace and harmony to prevail at all
times. There is one body of Masonry which requires a profession of belief in Christianity
before a man can become a member. This is the Commandery of Knights Templar, which
is a part of the York Rite System. Every Christian Mason should be a Knight Templar.
As the Pastor of a Christian church for thirteen years and a thirty one year mason, I can
answer from personal experience that there is nothing in Masonry which I find incompatible
with my Christian faith. Masonry is a system of Moral Philosophy and it takes good men
and makes them better men and gives each man the opportunity to be of service to God
and to our fellow man. I hope my neighbor’s wife reads this article, and she probably will,
considering that her husband is now a Master Mason and will receive this publication. If so,
I say thank you for giving me cause to think about how to answer this important question:
Can a Christian be a Freemason?

The Formation of the Hiramic Legend
by
Kenneth B. deMoss, PM
Hope Lodge #145
or many, the Hiramic Legend is the most impressive ritualistic drama in craft
F Masonry. Little is known about this man other than he was a worker in met-
als and cast both the pillars for the porch of the temple and all the vessels and
implements used within the temple. In fact, there is little mention of Hiram Abif
in the Bible. References to “the Builder” are found at 1 Kings VII 13-14 and
46-47 and 2 Chronicles II 13-14.
Never in history has a man that so little is known about become so important and en-
trenched so deeply in Masonic tradition. We as Masons should never lose site of the fact
that the Hiramic Legend is indeed just that, a legend or allegory based on very few historic
facts. However, it is a great drama that imparts significant ethical, moral, and philosophical
lessens in its ritual.
Unlike Masonry of today there were but two degrees used in the early years of the frater-
nity. The Grand Lodge of England was formed on 24 June 1717 when four London lodges
came together to form the Grand Lodge. At that time the two degree system was still in
use. Anderson’s Constitution of 1723 and the Old Charges make no mention of the Hiramic
Legend only that Hiram Abif was master of work. Not till 1738 when the second revised edi-
tion was published was the Hiramic Legend discussed in any detail. Most Masonic scholars
agree that the third degree was invented and the Hiramic Legend was written around the
mid 1720’s. There was some opposition to its addition to the degrees but by 1730 it was in
some use as evidenced by the publishing of the following exposés; The Gram Manuscript
1726, The Whole History of a Widow’s Son Killed by a Blow of a Beetle 1726 , and Three
Distinct Knocks by Samuel Pritchard in 1730.
There is no consensus among historians as to who authored the legend. However, most
believe it was John Theophilus Desaguliers, Third Grand Master of England in 1719, who
is thought to have written most of the rituals that were commonly used in the lodge. Some
scholars opine the Dr. James Anderson also had a hand in its writing. Unfortunately, the poor
record keeping during the formative years of the lodge will likely prevent modern historians
and masons from ever discovering the true author of the legend.
Through the years there have been many theories as to the origin of the legend. Some
believe it is but a mere reworking of the Egyptian story of Osirus and Isis or the Rosicru-
cian’s story The Legend of the Temple. Others believe it is from Virgil’s account of the
death of Polydorus or the story of Adonis and Astate to name but a few. This great ritualistic
drama inspires not only the candidate, who is portraying Hiram Abif in this drama, but all
who participates or witness its performance. It moves men who have witnessed this story
to reflect on their own journeys throughout life with the good as well as the bad they have
encountered along the way.

Brother Where Art Thou?
by
Kenneth Branscum
Hiram Lodge #70
Brother where art thou? You might find that a funny question seeing as how you are
reading this in the Louisiana Freemason magazine. But that really is my question. I spent
several years looking for a Mason to ask how to become a Mason. The famous saying is you
have to ask a Mason to become a Mason. What happens though if you can’t find a Mason to
ask? I was raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason finally in December 2006 at Hiram
Lodge #70 for which I am eternally grateful. However the reason I became a Mason there
is because they were the first to answer the phone in eight years. I had called a great many
lodges over the years to no avail either not to have my phone call returned when there was
an answering machine or just to have the phone endlessly ring. I had become very frustrated
over the years and nearly gave up but thankfully however I did not.
I was sure however when I was received into the ranks of the largest fraternity in the
world that I would be quickly introduced to a large number of my new brothers. Again
I was met with the daunting task of trying to hunt down my fellow brothers. You see in
Hiram only about twelve people show up regularly and it is always the same twelve. Out
of those twelve maybe six to ten would show up at a District meeting and out of that only
three showed up at the Grand Lodge. So my question became once more brother where art
thou? I had to assume that most new members felt as I did, we joined the Masons to enrich
our lives become better men and contribute to society as a whole. How can I commune with
my fellow brothers or with a KNOWN brother Master Mason if I don’t know who you are?
My lodge rolls boast 57 people yet I have met twelve.
So I asked myself how am I supposed to aid and assist or encourage and support my fel-
low brothers if I don’t know who they are. We as Masons have some of the richest history
in the world and we are letting it slip through our fingers by not speaking to one another
or attending meetings. I know that a lot of you reading this say to yourselves I have been a
mason for 10 or even 50 years and that you have attended your share of meetings. But what
about those masons such as myself? We need stewards to show us the way and teachers to
teach us the work. You wonder why the Grand Lodge would ever consider a one day class
to make master masons the reason is obvious. The communication within the lodges is poor
and between lodges even worse. My question is why? Why did I have to corner a man at a
Grand Master’s Town Hall meeting to ask these questions? How am I to know you if I have
never met you? How can I support a brother or be a patron of his business when I don’t have
a clue who he is or what he does? What possible solutions to these questions are there?
The internet is a wonderful tool and when used properly and updated regularly it could
be used not only to attract new members but to inform our current members. Just the simple
communication with each other would allow us to bolster our ranks. If we work together
instead of separately we can accomplish anything. For an example of that all I have to do
is point to our past, our ranks consisted of the most influential people in the world. Now,
however, since we have cut ourselves off from not only the outside the world but each other
as well we are falling in influence and in membership. I would be exceptionally grateful and
humbled to know all of you. My last and final question is how can I help and what would
you ask me to do?
10

Boring Our Members To Death
by W: Christopher Hodapp, PM
The Spirit stood among the graves, and pointed down to one. He advanced towards it trem-
bling. The Phantom was exactly as it had been, but he dreaded that he saw new meaning
in its solemn shape.
“Before I draw nearer to that stone to which you point,” said Scrooge, “answer me one
question. Are these the shadows of the Things that Will Be, or are they shadows of Things
that May Be, only?”
Still the Ghost pointed downward to the grave by which it stood.
“Men’s courses will foreshadow certain ends, to which, if persevered in, they must lead,”
said Scrooge. “But if the courses be departed from, the ends will change. Say it is thus with
what you show me.
”The Spirit was immovable as ever.
Charles Dickens—A Christmas Carol
Sit down and chat for about ten minutes with an insurance agent, and let him
quote you chapter and verse about the death rate among the World War II genera-
tion. Okay, I’ll grant you, there’s a certain ghoulish aspect to it. I’m bringing it
up because, like Scrooge’s portentous Specter, Freemasons have spent at least the
last fifteen years pointing an empty sleeve at the grave, and blaming our declining
membership numbers on the four-million Masons who were members during our
boom years, who had the very bad timing to pass on to the Celestial Lodge Above
in record waves over the last decade or so.
Once you’re sufficiently bored by your insurance guy, give your Grand Secretary
a call and ask him how the numbers compare for the death rate of members every
year versus the losses from attrition (demits + suspensions for non-payment of dues).
Prepare yourself for a shock. In jurisdictions across the U.S. and Canada, the losses
of members from deaths have been statistically tapering off, while the losses due to
Freemasons walking away from the fraternity have been rising. Oh, we’re initiating
a good dose of new Masons every year all right. But men whom we have initiated,
passed, and raised are deciding in increasing numbers to say “No thanks” to what
their local lodges offer. Masonic membership rolls are still dropping, but not from
natural causes. The sad truth is we are boring our members to death.
It has long been understood that the Baby Boom Generation didn’t join the
Masons (or much of anything, for that matter). As a result, there is a five-decade
difference between the generation of men who have kept Freemasonry alive for us
and the men who are now moving into leadership positions throughout the frater-
nity. At any other time in the history of Freemasonry, each succeeding generation
came along in approximately twenty-five year intervals, making changes in their
lodges, and in Freemasonry as a whole, to reflect their needs and desires. Masonry
has always adapted to serve the societies in which it resided—until recently. Now,
instead of a twenty-five year adjustment in direction, Freemasonry is suffering
from fifty years of habit and hardening of the arteries.
indeed. At one point, their rolls held the names of more than 1,800 members.
11

continued from page 11
Boring Our Members to Death
Not long ago, I visited a lodge that had fallen on hard times—very hard times
Today, they are down to 200. That’s not an unusual state of affairs for a fraternity
that artificially swelled in size after World War II, but for men who see success and
failure only in the narrow terms of numbers, it is an emergency of epic proportions.
There were members in that lodge who remember those heady days like they were
yesterday. They remember the degree nights with 150 Masons on the sidelines.
They remember the dances, and the Christmas parties, and the big group trips.
They remember the dinners when the dining hall was packed to the rafters with
their kids running up and down the room, while some successful member from
the civic or business world tried to give a speech. They look on those days fondly,
and are bewildered by the fact that no more than eight members show up for the
average meeting today. They’d had no candidates in four years, and they literally
begged their members to come and participate. No one did.
The men who kept that lodge barely alive tried to do things the way they have
been done when most of them joined a half-century ago. The same eight men met
for a meager meal before their monthly meeting. They opened lodge with perfect
ritual. They read the minutes and the bills. There was rarely any business, new or
old. They closed, fled the building, and were home by 8:00, in time to catch prime-
time network programming. Over the last five years, the same eight members have
been trading officers’ positions, and they just got tired. They were fed up. So, they
decided to merge with another lodge and be done with it.
As with any turning point of this magnitude, all 200-plus members had to be
notified of the meeting. Only twelve cared enough to show up to vote on eutha-
nizing their lodge. They had no fight in them to save their lodge. They wanted to
simply slip into the ranks of another, give up their charter and 140-year history,
and vanish from memory. They had killed their own lodge with their own failure
to embrace any change, and in fact, many of them were enraged that some brethren
from outside of their lodge had come in to try to help them at the eleventh hour
and interfere with their plans for a quiet suicide.
The lodge did nothing to interest their existing members. They weren’t broke,
but these were children of the Depression. They had almost $200,000 in the bank.
So why did they fail to serve their aging members? Bus trips to Branson. $100
cruises to the Caribbean. Casino boat trips. Tours to Masonic sites in Britain. Trips
to the Holy Land. Catered dinners. Sponsored movie nights. Loads of public awards.
Medicare drug program presentations. Estate planning seminars. Computers at lodge
to send emails to the grandkids. In short, give their existing members a reason to
keep coming to lodge, to keep enjoying it, to love it.
Neither did they do anything to attract new members. The lodge rented a room
in the big downtown Masonic Temple, so like most tenant/landlord relationships,
they figured they didn’t have to put a dime into the place if they didn’t own it.
That’s somebody else’s job, right? If only they had tried investing in their lodge.
Put in new lighting so members could see three feet in front of them. Upholster the
12

sad looking chairs and benches that have the original leather from World War I on
them. Tear up the worn and moldy carpet and replace it—maybe with one of the
few black and white checkered carpets in the U.S. we talk about in our ritual but
almost nobody seems to have. In short, make it look like something worth coming
to. Make it look like something worth joining.
Then start kicking the members into participating in lodge—not worrying about
who was going to be what officer or to memorize which part of the ritual. Actually
talk about Freemasonry, its history, its symbolism, its philosophy. Actively visit
other lodges and help with their degrees. Get members interested in other activities
in the building, or volunteering to help some of the community groups that have
been meeting there with greater frequency. We talk a big line about charity and
helping the community, so let’s start giving time, and not just checkbook generos-
ity. And if they still didn’t have a full lineup of guys willing to be officers, just
sideliners, it wouldn’t matter.
Because, once it looked like living inhabitants occasionally might be in the
place, and that it was actually a vibrant, active lodge, maybe, just maybe, some
of their grandkids might get interested in Freemasonry, because they were seeing
Freemasonry in action, instead of Freemasonry inaction. The business author James
O’Toole says, “People who do not think well of themselves do not act to change
their condition.” Even a lodge with eight regular attendees has within its active
ranks the resources to wake itself up, to do things that make them truly happy to
be there, and, sometimes, to even surprise themselves.
Leadership has no age, and there are no limits on imagination. But a lodge has to
mean something to its members. It has to remain part of their lives, every day, every
week, and every month. Because once it’s more fun, or less hassle, to stay squeezed
comfortably in the La-Z-Boy, curled up with a remote control, than it is to go to
lodge, we have lost them. No one would ever voluntarily join a memorization club,
and no one wants to join the oldest, greatest, most legendary fraternal organization
in the world, only to be sentenced to a lifetime of cold cut sandwiches made with
suspicious meat, generic cola, and monthly meetings of nothing but minute-reading,
bill-paying, and petulant sniveling over why no one comes to meetings anymore.
Be honest with yourself: What rational human being seriously wants to go to the
trouble of leaving home just to listen to someone spend twenty minutes reporting
that nothing happened at last month’s meeting either?
Lodges that provide programming for their active members—whatever their
age may be—will survive and prosper into the future. But those that stubbornly
cling to the notion that lodge is nothing special, that lodge is just one more meeting
to be endured, that lodge is that most terrible of things, ordinary—those are the
lodges that will literally bore themselves to death. Those are the lodges that will
slip silently away in the night. And the “Shadows of Things that Might Be will
have faded into the concrete Reality of a Deserted Lodge Room.
13

“Ghost of the Future!” Scrooge exclaimed, “I fear you more than any specter I
have seen. But as I know your purpose is to do me good, and as I hope to live to
be another man from what I was, I am prepared to bear your company, and do it
with a thankful heart.”
This article was originally published in the Scottish Rite Journal. Volume CXV Number 4 July-August
2007. The author, Christopher Hodapp has spent more than twenty years in advertising as a commercial
filmmaker and editor. He is Past Master of Broad Ripple Lodge No. 643 and Lodge Vitruvian No. 767
of Indiana, the York Rite, the Shrine and the Valley of Indianapolis. He is author of Freemasons for
Dummies. Solomon’s Builders: Freemasons, Founding Fathers and the Secrets of Washington, D.C.,
and co-author of The Templar Code for Dummies.
A salesman breaks down in a remote country lane, a farmer in the adjacent field
comes over and they discover that they are “Brothers”. The salesman is concerned
as he has an important appointment in the local town: “Don’t worry says the farmer
you can use my car, I will call a friend and get the car repaired while you go to
the appointment” Off goes the salesman and a couple of hours later he returns but
unfortunately the car is awaiting a part which won’t arrive until the next morning.
“It’s not a problem,” says the Farmer, “use my telephone and reschedule your first
appointment tomorrow, stay with us tonight and I’ll see that the car is done first
thing!” The farmers’ wife prepares a wonderful meal and they share a glass of fine
single malt during an excellent evening, the salesman sleeps soundly and when
he awakes there is his car, repaired and ready to go. After a full English breakfast
the salesman thanks them both for the hospitality. As he and the farmer walk to
his car, he turns to the farmer and asks “my brother thank you so much, but I have
to ask, did you help me because I’m a Mason?” “No” was the farmer’s reply, “I
helped you because I am a Mason”.
14

HAUGHTON #95 F. & A.M.
Haughton Lodge # 95, reports that
its annual installation of officers was
conducted during a special meeting on
14 December, 2007. Billy Joe Maxey-
PM was the Installing Master. Ardis
“Leon” Maxey- PM was the Installing
Master of Ceremonies. Billy Joe Maxey
installed his son Kenneth Wayne Maxey, Pictured: Front Row L to R: Johnny
PM into his third term as Worshipful Byrd-Senior Warden, W: Kenneth Maxey-
Master of Haughton Lodge. Johnny Worshipful Master, Philip Maxey-Junior
Byrd was installed as Senior Warden, Ju- Deacon, W: Bro Billy J Maxey-PM Secre-
nior Warden, Tommy Strawn, PM, was tary Back Row L to R: Kenneth Stephens-
not present due to business emergency. Senior Deacon, A. Leon Maxey-Marshal,
W: Bro J. Spencer Goodwin-PM Tyler, W:
Eugene E. Morse, PM remains Trea-
Bro Eugene E. Morse-PM Treasurer.
surer. Billy Joe Maxey, PM maintains
his office as Secretary. A. Ray Turner, Holmes, PM the Master of Ceremonies,
PM remains Chaplain. Phillip Maxey, Ardis L. Maxey, PM as Marshal. Billy
newest Master Mason, son of Kenneth J. Smith, PM and John T. Smith, PM
W. Maxey, grandson of Billy Joe Maxey, now serve as Junior and Senior Stew-
was installed as Junior Deacon. Kenneth ards. J. Spencer Goodwin, PM, was
Stephens is Senior Deacon, Reed W. installed Tyler.
AMITE CITY #175 F. & A.M.

Donnie Smith of Amite has been Front Row L:R Rodney Schiltz, Secretary,
elected and installed as Master of Amite Herman Keller, SW, W: Donnie Smith,
WM, Dale Quigley, JW and Steve Little,
City Masonic Lodge No. 175 . Install-
Treasurer. Back Row: Tennis Rick, Stew-
ing Master was Jeff Murphy, PM, the art, Lloyd Bowman Marshal, Tommy
Installing Marshal was David Wallace, Wilson, Tyler, Tony Durio, MofC and
DDGM 19th District. This annual instal- Jason Crane Senior Deacon.
lation of officers was held December 14,
2006 at Amite City Lodge # 75 located at
307 Mulberry Street Amite, Louisiana.
Other officers installed during the
ceremony were Herman Keller, SW,
Dale Quigley, JW, Steve Little, Trea-
surer, Secretary Rodney Schiltz, Jason
Crane, SD, David Bales, JD, Tony
Durio, MofC Marshal Lloyd Bowman,
Tennis Rick Senior Stewart, Tommy
Wilson Tyler.
15

TRINITY UNION #372 F. & A.M.
Trinity Union #372 installed officer with assistance from members of the Loui-
siana Masons Motorcycle Club. W: Jimmie D. Dunkin, PM-WM was installed by
M: W: Bro Harold Ballard-PGM.
Pictured: L. to R. - Tommy Wilson, Dale
Quigley, M:W: Bro Harold G. Ballard,
PGM, Jimmie Duncan, PM, Anthony
Pohlmann, PM and Allen Arellano.
AJAX #325 F. & A.M.

Officers for this year were installed during a Special Communication. The in-
stalling officers were W: Bro Joyce A. Berry, PM-Installing Master, W: Bro Keith
Birdwell, PM-Installing Chaplain and W: Bro Norman D. McFerrin, PM-Installing
Master of Ceremonies.
Prior to the program, a wonderful meal was served and great fellowship was
enjoyed by everyone.
Pictured: Front Row L: R Bro Sam
Steadman-Tyler, W: Troy W. Campbell-
PM SW, W: Kevin Berry-WM, Bro Bryan
Settles-JW, Bro Reggie Anders-Marshal,
W: Robert E. Berry-PM Junior Deacon
Back Row L: R. Bro Robert Lewis, Sr.-
SD, W: B.B. Haire-PM Treasurer, W: Nor-
man D. McFerrin-PM MofC, W: Joyce A.
Berry-PM Secretary
16

PHOENIX #38 F. & A.M.
Phoenix Lodge #38, located in
Natchitoches, had their officers installed
by W: Bro Randy Dupree-PM. The
Lodge meets at the Masonic Lodge on
Masonic Drive on the 1st and 3rd Mon-
days beginning at 6:30 pm.
Pictured: Front Row L:R -W: Bro Randy

Dupree, W: Luther Lee-WM, John
McTyre-SW, Kenny Durr-JW and W:
Bro Hyland Parckard-PM Chaplain.
Back Row L:R-W: Bro Michael Watts-SS,
Jeff Franks-SD, Shawn Owens-JD, W:
Bro M.P. McLeod-Secretary and W: Bro
Bailey Thaxton-Treasurer.
CEDAR GROVE #403 F. & A.M.

During an open meeting Cedar Grove Lodge installed its officers for 2007. In-
stalling Master was W: Bro Al Riser, W: Bro Charlie Welch was Installing Chaplain
and W: Bro Andrew Stevenson, Sr. was Installing Marshal.
Officers for 2007 are W: Albert Hinson-PM Worshipful Master, Ben Arnold-
Senior Warden, A. J. Stevenson-Junior Warden, Bill Pierce-Senior Deacon, Mark
Rodrigues-Junior Deacon, James Rigdon-Treasurer, W: Bro Andrew Stevenson,
Sr.-PM Secretary, W: Bro Charlie Dolph-PM MofC, W: Bro Thomas P. Brown-PM
Grand Chaplain-Chaplain, James Rodrigues-Marshal, Don English-Senior Steward,
Alvin Turner-Junior Steward and W: Bro Elton W. Smith-PM Tyler.
Pictured: Front Row L: R. - Alvin Turner, Bill Pierce, Ben Arnold, W: Albert Hinson-
Worshipful Master, A J Stevenson, James Rigdon and Don Ray English
Back Row L:R-Andrew Stevenson, Sr., Mark Rodrigues, Elton Smith-PM
17

ETOILE POLAIRE #1 F. & A.M.
Etoile Polaire Lodge, New Orleans
held its installation of officers with M:
W: Bro Clayton J. Borne, III-PGM act-
ing as Installing Master.
Elected Officers for 2007 are
W:Anthony “Tony” Radosti-Worshipful
Master, Joshua J. Kahler-Senior Warden,
Lawrence J. Reed, Sr.-Junior Warden,
Joseph H. Andrus-Treasurer and Junior Pictured: L:R. - M: W: Bro Allen G.
J. LeBeouf-Secretary Tidwell-PGM, M: W: Bro Clayton J.
Borne III-PGM, W: Anthony “Tony”
Radosti-WM and M: W: Bro Louis J.
Caruso-PGM
Pictured: Members and guests of the 2007

Installation Program
W. H. BOOTH #380 F. & A.M.

W. H. Booth officers for 2007 are
Jesse Camp-Worshipful Master, Keith
Tindell-Senior Warden, James DeMoss-
Junior Warden, Gerald Weakly-Trea-
surer, Richard Haynes-PM Secretary,
Buddy Blair-PM Chaplain, Larry Blair,
Sr.-Senior Deacon, Stephen Mead-Junior
Deacon, Ken Prim, Jr.-Marshal, Tony
Fabio-Senior Steward, Jim Smith-Junior
Steward, Donald Grindstaff-MofC and
Billy B. Robertson-PM Tyler.
Pictured: Members and guests

of the 2007 Installation Pro-
gram
18

PLAIN DEALING #237 F. & A.M.
Plain Dealing Lodge Officers for 2007 are pictured below.
Front RowL:R - W: Elvin Erwin-PM, WM, Michael L. Ervin-SW, Terry Richardson-

JW, W: Bro Bobby L. Jenkins-PM Chaplain, Fred Bissell-Tyler
Back Row L:R - W: Bro H. B. Grisham-PM Installing Master, W: Bro J. Davis
McCall-PM Treasurer, Eddie B. Chandler-Secretary, Kenneth F. Ward-JD, Ronald D.
Barringer-MofC and W: Bro James E. Covington-Installing Marshall. Not pictured
Billy R. Impson-SD.
CYPRESS #89 F. & A.M.

Special Programs
During an open meeting of Cypress
#89 honoring wives and widows, a
potluck meal was served and enjoyed
by all. The five widows attending were
presented with bouquets of flowers and
gift certificates. Ms Mikki Prescott, an
alligator farmer and friend of many of
the members, gave a presentation on
alligators that was well received by
everyone. Ms. Prescott was presented W: George W. Winham-WM and Mikki
a Certificate of Appreciation from the Prescott
Lodge. Cypress #89 held a Special Com-
munication to honor all past and present
members of the Armed Forces. A talk on
patriotism was presented by W: Bro Dr.
Ben Rush, MD who served in WWII. W:
Bro Rush is past master of Silent Broth-
erhood Lodge #146 that recently cel-
ebrated its sesquicentennial anniversary.
Dr. Rush advised that he was retiring on
August 1st. W: Bro Rush was presented
a collector’s coin and certificate of ap-
W: George W. Winham-WM and W: Bro
Ben Rush preciation from the Lodge.
19

BLANCHARD #447 F & AM
M: W: S. Bruce Easterly-GM assisted
by R: W: Steven A. Pence-DDGM 1st
Masonic District presented a Pennsylva-
nia 60 Year Membership award to Bro
Lewis F. Mitchell a member of Eulalia
Lodge #342 of Coudersport, Pa. Bro
Mitchell’s two grandsons Bro Gary
W. Mitchell of Pine Grove Lodge #11,
Port Huron, Michigan and Bro Mark A.
Mitchell of Blanchard Lodge #447 were
present. Blanchard members W: Bros
Pictured L:R- Bro Gary Mitchell, Bro
D. C. Hall-PM, Bennie W. Terrell-PM
Lewis Mitchell and Bro Mark Mitchell
Secretary and Bro Charles C. Dockery
also attended.
CYPRESS LODGE #89 F&AM

50 Year Certificate
W: George K. Winham-PM WM
accompanied by W: Bros James M.
Tigert, Sammy L. Craft-PM Treasurer
and George W. Horst, Jr.-PM Secretary
visted Bro Aaron S. Kelly in his home
to present Bro Kelly with his 50 Year
Membership Certificate, Credentials and
Lapel Pin. Bro Kelly is recovering from
serious injury and was delighted to have
the officers of the Lodge visit and enjoy
Pictured L:R- W: Bro Jim Tiger, W:
George Winham-WM, W: Bro Sammy a time of fellowship.
Craft, Bro Aaron Kelly and W: Bro
George Horst
20

LIBERTY LODGE #123 F. & A.M.
Honesty & Integrity Night awards program and the benefits of
Liberty Lodge #123 held their Spring applying the principles of honesty and
Honesty and Integrity awards program. integrity in their daily lives.
The recipients this year were Dustin G. W. Bro. Fred Sullivan D.G.L. 6th
Cowdin a Junior at Grand Cane Cen- District was the featured speaker while
tral High School, Grand Cane, La. and R: W: Bro Andrew Bing-DDGM 6th
Jeremy L. Kyle a Junior at Logansport Dist presented each with the Holy Bible
High School, Logansport, La. Dustin and M.W. Bro Roy Delaney-PGM with
was accompanied by his Dad, Mr. Greg W: Shelby Jackson-WM of Liberty
Cowdin and his Grandmother Mrs. Ber- Lodge presented each with the certifi-
tha Cowdin along with family members. cates and keys
Jeremy was accompanied by his Mother
and Dad, Mrs. Lisa and Mr. Gus Kyle
and other Family members.
A delicious dinner of fried catfish
with all the trimmings, prepared by
members of Liberty Lodge and numer-
ous homemade desserts prepared by the
Ladies of Liberty Lodge were enjoyed
by all. After dinner Dustin and Jeremy
were presented with Masonry’s Honesty Pictured: L. to R. -W: Bro Fred Sullivan-
and Integrity Awards and each with a DGL, M: W: Bro Roy B. Delaney-PGM,
Dustin Cowdin, Jeremy Kyle, R: W:
gift of the Holy Bible. The program
Andrew Bing-DDGM and W: Shelby
explained the Honesty and Integrity Jackson-WM
JOPPA #362 F. & A.M. Pictured: L. to R.-Frank Gunn III,

Elizabeth Scott and W: Earl Hancock-
Honesty & Integrity Night
Joppa Lodge held its annual Hon-
esty and Integrity Award program and
honored two local high school students.
Frank C Gunn III and Elizabeth K
Scott were this year’s recipients. The
students were each presented a $500
Savings Bond in addtion to certificates
and keys. W: Earl R Hancock-WM and
R: W: Steven A Pence-DDGM 1st Ma-
sonic District made the presentations. 65
members, visitors and guest attended.
21

CENTER #244 F. & A.M.
After a great meal of smoked ribs and chicken the members and guests gathered
in the Lodge with Senator Ben Nevers giving the invocation. W: Earl Reese-WM
introduced Hunter B Thomas, son of Ray and Dana Thomas; Natalie Dodds,
daughter of Michael and Shari Dodds; Christina M Seal, daughter of George and
Susan Seal and Mason E Westmoreland, son of Theresa M King and Bradley E
Westmoreland. Guest speaker, David Cheatam spoke of the H&I Award.nic District
made the presentations. Awards and
brief talks were also given by Sheriff
Aubrey Jones, Senator Ben Nevers and
the Mayor’s Office provide gifts repre-
sented by Bro John Sumrall.
Pictured Front Row L:R- Christina Seal,
W: Earl Reese-WM and Natalie Dodds
Back Row L:R-Mason Westmoreland and
Hunter Thomas
MILLERTON #245 F. & A.M. Pictured: Front Row L:R.-Joshua Gray,

Hayley Harman, Clayton Estep, Allison
Honesty & Integrity Night Lewis and Reed Phillips. Back Row L:R
Millerton Lodge of Haynesville Dave Acklin and W: Sidney Garrett-
presented the Honesty and Integrity
Awards this spring. This year’s students
were Allison Lewis, Clayton Estep and
Reed Phillips of Claiborne Academy
and Hayley Harman and Joshua Gray of
Haynesville High. W: Sidney T Garrett-
WM and W: Bro Dave Acklin-PM made
the presentations.
TALLULAH #308 F. & A.M.

Tallulah Lodge held its annual
Honesty and Integrity Award program
and honored three local high school
students. Kellye Alison Lowery, Naomi
Ruth Wise and Robert Holt Adams were
this year’s recipients. The students were
each presented a $100 US Savings Bond
in addtion to certificates and keys. W: Pictured L:R- W: Alan Machen-WM,
Bro Travis M. Holley-Grand Tyler and Robert Adams, W: Bro Travis M. Holley-
W: Bro Alton C. Reeves-District Grand PM Grand Tyler, Kellye Lowery, Naomi
Lecturer for the 7th Masonic District Wise and W: Bro Alton C. Reeves-DGL
made the presentations.
22

J. C. STEWART #460 F. & A.M.
Five deserving students received
the Honesty & Integrity Award pre-
sented by J. C. Stewart Lodge #460,
located in West Monroe. Pictured at
right are recipients Front Row L:R
Jordan Roberts, Rosalie Baylock
and Jordan Wood. Back Row L:R
Joe Landry and Jacob Wood. The
Woods are twin brothers.
ASHLAND #196 F. & A.M.

Ashland Lodge presented Honesty & Integrity Awards to Katies Stiles, Emily
McLaren, Daniel McAlexander, Jameson Campbell, Jacob Fontenot, Kelli Thomas,
Chevis Mary Hood and Cody Holland. The back row R: W: Andrew Bing-DDGM
6th Masonic District, W: Thomas Scott-WM and W: Bro Fred Sullivan-DGL 6th
Masonic District.
23

SLIDELL #311 F. & A.M.
Three well deserving high
school students were presented
Honesty and Integrity Awards by
Slidell Lodge No. 311. Pictured
L:R R: W: J F “Jeff” Webb-
GSW, Kimberly S. Reilly, Zach-
ary J. Vann, Caitlin M. Cooksley
and W: Nick F Castjohn-WM
ATKINS #266 F & AM

50 Year Member Honored
During a Stated Communication
Atkins Lodge presented W: Bro Arvin
Douglas Morgan, Sr. with his 50 Year
Certificate, credentials and lapel pin by
W: C. Dwayne Cryer-WM. W: Bro Mor-
gan was raised in Bishop Lodge #1083,
Bishop, Texas in April 1957.
MILLERTON #245 F & AM

50 Year Member Honored
Millerton Lodge presented two 50
Year certificates to Bros Lawrence Hines
and Curtis Jackson. W: Sidney Thomas
Garrett-WM took the occassion to thank
these brethren for their continued ser-
vice to Masonry.
Pictured L:R - Lawrence Hines, W:
SIdney Thomas Garrett-WM and Curtis
Jackson
24

ASHLAND #196 F. & A.M.
Widows Honored
Pictured L:R-Mrs. Mamie Huckaby,
W: Henry E. Cox-WM and Mrs. Clovis
Ashland Lodge held its annual Wid-
ows Night and used the opportunity
to present 50 Year Certificates to two
brothers. The annual event is a favorite
for the members of Ashland.
Pictured L:R-W: Bro George A. Simpson,

W: Henry Eugene Cox-WM and Bro New-
ton Blanchard “Sonny” Powell, Jr.
GRAHAM-WASHINGTON #413 F. & A.M.

Returning Home
M:W: S. Bruce Easterly-GM and R:W: J. F. “Jeff” Webb-GSW presented a
duplicate of the Graham-Washington Lodge #413 charter to W: Julius M. Ripp,
Jr.-WM. The presentation took place at the Scottish Rite Temple in New Orleans.
David R. Graham Lodge #413 and George Washington Lodge #65 merged in 1998.
Washington Lodge was chargered on March 3, 1950 and was named for George
Washinton. David R. Graham Lodge #413 was charted on February 27, 1924 and
named for M: W: Bro Graham.
Katrina destroyed the ar-
chives of both lodges, but
Bro Julius Ripp and William
Banner made a resuce mis-
sion to retrieve what as left
of the lodge jewels, books,
records however being under
water for serveral weeks most
Pictured L:R-W: Bros Claude
Bourgeous, Alan Smason,
R J Deffess, W: Julius Ripp
W: Bros Sam Montgomery, William Banner and Leon Perret.
25

EAST GATE #452 F. & A.M.
Friend to Friend Night
The Guest Speaker for the evening
was Bro Huelett “Clo” Fontenot a
member of Hurd Merrill Lodge #454
in Livingston. Bro Fontenot spoke of
his commitments to family, church and
duties as a State Senator.
During the evening W: Errol
Villneurve-WM presented Bro Fon- Pictured L:R - Bro Jack Claunce, R: W:
tenot, James Fleming Jr and Jack Guy A. Jenkins-DDGL 13th Distict, W:
Claunce a Certificate of Appreciation Errol P. Villneurve-WM, Bro Huelett
for their service to Masonry and the Fontenot and W: Bro James P. Fleming,
Jr. (seated)
community.
CYPRESS #89 F. & A.M. W: George K. Winham-PM WM had

All In the Family the gift of raising son Adrian Keeth Win-
ham, thus having two sons and son-in-
law members of the Masonic family.
Pictured L:R-Jeremy Haas (brother in
law), Adrian Keeth Winham, George
Keith Winham and George Kevin Win-
ham.
CROWLEY #243 F. & A.M.

Memorial Honors PGM
After noting the article in the Louisi-
ana Freemason concerning M: W: John
William Armstrong-GM 1917 and see-
ing that he was rasied in Crowley Lodge,
W: Bro Hershel S. Robinson purchased
a Memorial Perpetual Membership for
the Past Grand Master.
The Certificate is displayed in a Pictured L:R-W: Bro Hershal Robinson
prominent location in the Lodge. and W: Richard Arnaud-WM
26

FAIR PARK #436 F. & A.M.
Past Masters Night
W: Bro Thomas P. Brown-Grand Chaplain provided the program for Fair Park
Past Masters Night. There were 14 Past Masters present, along with their respective
families. The deceased Past Masters were honored by lighting candles in their memory.
Members of Fair Park OES #18 were in attendance, having recently returned from
Grand Chapter.
Pictured above Front Row L:R- John T. Adams, Stanley Welch, Steve Vasko, Bob
Salts, W.T. Bacle, R.N. McElhatten and Jeff Linn. Back Row L:R- Roy May, Richard
Johnson, Forrest Davis, Dave Linn, Terry Smith, Mike Smith and James Smith.
ATKINS #266 F. & A.M.

Past Masters Night
W: Cecil D. Cryer-WM
welcomed the guests and in-
troduced the Past Masters in
attendance. Also recongized
and honored was W: Bro Wil-
liam R. Richards by being
made Secretary Emeritus and
certificate. W: Bro Richards
served Atkins Lodge for 24
years as Secretary.
Pictured L:R- Front Row W: Bros Jackie R. Johnson, Elton A. Bruner, Raymond L.
Paddie and Hoyt S. Hooper Back Row: W: Bros James A. Allen, William R. Richards,
James R. Enkey and James H. Pieper. Top: W: Cecil D. Cryer-WM
27

BLANCHARD #447 F. & A.M. importance of Blanchard Lodge in the
Community.
Honors Night Bro Talmage R. Reese, a Charter
At the recent Award Night, W: Bryan
Member of Blanchard Lodge was also
Moore-WM presented Bros John Cecil
in attendance.
Brau and Roger D Fields 50 and 25
Year certificates, respectively. M:W:
S. Bruce Easterly-GM assisted in the
presentations and spoke briefly on the
L:R- W: M: S. Bruce Easterly-GM, Bro

Roger D. Fields and W: Bryan P. Moore-
WM
L:R- W: M: S. Bruce Easterly-GM,
Bro John Cecil Brau and W: Bryan P.
Moore-WM
RAYNE #313 F. & A.M.

Honors Night
At the recent Award Night, W: Mi-
chael A. Venable-WM presented W:
Bro Hershel S. Robinson-PM with a
certificate honoring him as Mason of
The Year. W: Venable had the distinction
of being the youngest Master Mason in
Louisiana.
T. B. GILBERT #423 F. & A.M.

All In The Family
T. B. Gilbert Lodge, located
in Franklin Parish, conferred the
Master Mason degree on three
new members. W: R. Michael
Ferrington, Jr.-WM advises that
the new brothers are a father and
his two sons. Shown in the pho-
tograph at right are Jay Barfield,
Charles Edward Barfield (father)
and Guy Edward Barfield. W:
Ferrington is shown behind these
new Master Masons.
28

AMITE CITY #175 F. & A.M.
Widows & Ladies Night
The ladies were presented a red rose by W: Donald R. Smith-WM, represent-
ing the Lodge’s pleasure of their company symbolizing Masons’ love for all their
ladies. Entering the dining room, the Ladies were greeted with a room filled with
hearts, flowers and lots of love and music to fit the occasion by Lynn Bankston
of Franklinton..
The Master then welcomed everyone
and the ladies were treated to a fine din-
ner. At the end of the meal the Master
asked all to meet in the Lodge Room for
the evening’s entertainment.
When the audience was settled in, the
Master gave a talk about family values
and how the Masonic way of life takes a
good man and makes him better.
The most important part of the speech
was to honor the Widows of Masons and
to insure them “We here at Amite City
Lodge # 175 have realize that Masonic
Ladies play a very important role in the
Masonic way of life.” Smith said.“We
want to continue to provide functions for our Masonic families, more especially
the Mason’s Ladies.” The evening closed with a lot of hugs and well wishes.
EAST GATE LODGE #452 F. & A.M.

Junior Past Master Honored
Pitkin Lodge #338 hosted their an- hosting 8 potential members includ-
nual Bring a Friend Night open to the ing three Baptist Ministers from area
Community. The evening began at 6:30 Churches. Everyone enjoyed good and
with the Lodge serving fried chicken wholesome fellowship before and after
accompanied by many side dishes and the meeting. Everyone enjoyed another
desserts to the 50 members and guests great evening at the local masonic lodge
present.W:B: Jerry W. Deters, Lodge in Pitkin, La.
Secretary & a member of The Permanent
Committee on Work, was introduced
by WM Roy Cloud as the evening’s
keynote speaker. Brother Deters talk de-
scribed what a Mason and Freemasonry
are. His remarks compared the similari-
ties of a man living a Christian Life to
liviing a Masonic Life concluding their
is no difference; each are taught from
the Holy Bible. ‘The Lodge enjoyed
29

Louisiana Masons Motorcycle Chapter
Covington Lodge No. 188
The purpose of forming a Masonic Mo-
torcycle Chapter is to bring together Master
Masons who share a common interest in mo-
torcycle riding, promoting good fellowship and
encouraging membership in our fraternity.
Our goal is to enhance the opportunities
to enlarge the circle of Masonic friendship
beyond the scope of the lodge, ride with broth-
ers who are dedicated to the great precepts of
our fraternity and enjoy the great outdoors on
motorcycles.
Meetings are held at Covington Lodge No.
188 on the last Sunday of the month at 9:00
A.M. Anyone wishing to become a member
must own a motorcycle of any type and color
& be at least 350cc in displacement. For any
inquires please contact Bro Tony Pohlmann,
P.M.-President.E-Mail TonyPohlmann@aol.
com
10th Masonic District Chapter
On July 22, 2007 a new Masonic Motorcycle Chapter was formed in Lake
Charles, LA. The members voted to name it the Louisiana Masons 10th District
Motorcycle Chapter. Elected to serve as officers were: Wallace LaBove, President,
Troy Roberie, Vice President, Daryl Johnson, Secretary, Charles Richardson, Trea-
surer, and Greg Newton, Sergeant at Arms/Road Captain. There were 11 members
present from 6 different Lodges in the District. The meetings will be held the 4th
Sunday of each month at 2:00 PM in the small building at Habibi Shrine Club at
2928 Pack Road in Lake Charles, LA. If any area Masons are interested in joining,
contact Daryl Johnson at tasseltales@yahoo.com or 337-842-0768.
30

PITKIN #338 F. & A.M.
A Special Presentation
Pitkin Lodge received several mem-
bers from Bunkie Lodge. W: Roy Cloud-
WM and W: Bro Elvin Sadler,-PM
have been family friends for years. Bro
Sadler has served Bunkie as Worship-
ful Master several times. His sons and
son-in-law have no plans to serve as
Worshipful Master Sadler, a 50+ year
Mason wanted to leave his legacy as Past
Master to someone near and dear to him.
He presented Bro. Cloud his personal Pictured L:R- W: Bro Elvin G. Sadler-PM
Apron and charged him to carry on the of Bunkie #326 presents W: Roy V. Cloud,
good deeds of a Worshipful Master and Jr.-WM with his Past Master’s Apron
eventually a Past Master. Sadler’s Apron
was received with the same sincerity as
it was presented.
FELICIANA #31 F. & A.M.

Friend to Friend
Feliciana Lodge No.31, St, Francis-
ville, began the Bring a Friend evening
with dinner duck gumbo prepared by
W: Clint Sullivan, W.M.and topped
off with a mouth-watering dessert. W:
BroWendell Fontenot delivered a topic
of “ Generosity and Charity”. W: Bro
John Rarrick the Lodge Historian, gave
a talk about the “ Day the War Stopped”
and took us back in time to the year
1863 during the Civil War, in which
a union soldier was given a Masonic
Funeral from members of Feliciana
Lodge No.31.
W: Bro Kevin Bearden spoke of the
growth of the Lodge over the years, and
how Feliciana Lodge No.31 is one of the
fastest growing Lodges in the area.
W: Bro Wendall C. Fontenot presents a

talk on Generosity & Charity.
31

RUDOLPH KRAUSE #433 F. & A.M.
Friend to Friend
Pictured L:R- R: W: J. F. “Jeff” Webb-
GSW, W: Pierre “Rocky” Schexneider-
WM and W: Harry C. Northrop, III-
Grand Pursuivant.
Rudolph Krause Lodge #433, in Lake
Charles, was honored to have as their
Bring a Friend Night guest speaker,
R:.W:. J. F. “Jeff” Webb, GSW. After
the proper introduction of his lovely
wife Anita, R: W: Webb proceeded to tell about the origins of Freemasonry, and
how an operative group of men became the speculative group as we know it today.
When he was senior deacon, Worshipful Brother Pierre “Rocky” Schexneider,
Master, had heard Brother Webb give his “Plumb Line” lecture at the 2004 Bring
a Friend Night, and made a note to invite him back. Also, in attendance, was the
Grand Pursuivant, Harry C. Northrop III.
HAP ARNOLD #457 F. & A.M.

Re-obligation
Hap Arnold conducted a moving and rewarding Re-obligation and Rededication
Ceremony. Bro Lawrence B. Renfro-SW presented himself at the inner door of the
Lodge seeking entrance and permission to re-obligate and rededicate his life to the
ideals and principles of Freemasonry. He expressed a deep desire to become more
dedicated to ideas of Freemasonry and felt that renewal of his obligation was in
order. W: Richard S. Feinberg-WM commended Bro Renfro for his sincerity and
stated that he himself shared those feelings and felt that all present would benefit
from the Re-Obligation Ceremony. Led in prayer by W: Bro: Billy J. George-
Chaplain, W: Bro Hoyt S. Hooper began the obligaion. After the ceremony, each
Brother related what the Ceremony had meant to them. Masonic Spirit prevailed.
32

COVINGTON #188 F. & A.M.
Award Night
Covington Lodge #188 presented a 25 year certificate to Bro. Allen Mendel

at his home because his health would not allow him to attend Lodge meetings.
Pictured above left side are Bro Michael E. Hall-SW, Bro Allen Arellano-JW, W:
Anthony L. Pohlmann-WM and Bro. Allen Mendel, seated.
Covington Lodge #188 was presented the achievement award from the Grand
Lodge for W: Bro Robert L. Gilhaus-PM Worshipful Master for 2006. Pictured
above right are W: Bro David B. Way-DGL 14th Masonic District, W: Bro Robert
L. Gilhaus-PM and W: Anthony L. Pohlmann-WM
ATKINS #266 F. & A.M.

Special Tribute
During a Special Meeting of Atkins
Lodge, W: Dewayne Cryer-WM had W:
Bro James Allen-PM Secretary pres-
ent a program to explain the Masonic
Freaternity and what Masonry means
to him personally.
W: Cryer took the opportunity to give
tribute to W: Bro Laarry B. Ledbetter, L:R - W: Bro James A. Allen-PM Secre-
Sr.-PM (1993). W: Bro Ledbetter was tary and W: C. Dewayne Cryer-WM
DDGM of the 1st Masonic District in
2000, Grand Commander of the Grand
Commandrey of Knights Templar in
Louisiana 2005-2006 and is a member
of the Grand Lodge Permanent Com-
mittee on Work and the Charity and
Benevolence Committee. Bro Ledbetter
has held a certificate of proficiency since
1996 and is a 33° Scottish Rite Mason.
33

FELICIANA #31 F. & A.M.
The Day the War Stopped
On June 15, 2007, the members of
Feliciana Lodge No. 31, reenacts the
Masonic burial of the late Lt. John Hart
during the Civil War in the “ The Day
the War Stopped”.
Members of Covington Lodge #188 out-
side of Feliciana Lodge Hall.
Brethren in funeral procession during reenactment
Hiram, the 52 Chevy P/U, attracts attention after the St. Francisville parade.
34

EAST GATE LODGE #452 F. & A.M.
Birthday Celebration
A Special Communication was held
to host a birthday celebration for W: Bro
James P. Fleming, Jr.-PM who turned 90
years young.
Bro. Fleming has been a Mason for
58 years and is a member of numerous
Masonic related fraternities. During
his years as a Mason he has received
numerous awards, commendations, and L:R- James P. Fleming, Jr. and W: Erroll
recognitions from pendent bodies of the P. Villneurve-WM
Masonic rite.
On this special night, East Gate
presented Bro. Fleming with a Table
Plaque recognizing him as the 2007
Master of the Year for decades of ser-
vice and contributions to the lodge and
the craft. Bro. Fleming was asked what
Masonry meant to him and his answer
L:R- Front Row: W: Erroll Villneurve-
was “Masonry means that I am closer
WM, W: Bros Jack Claunce, Charles
to the Lord!” Peabody, Tom Perry, Ernest Easterly and
Special guest in attendance included Mabry Caddis L:R-Back Row: W: Bros
Bro. Bev Guillot-GSD and William J. William Mollere, Larry Moore, Carle
Mollere, 33°, AASR Deputy in Loui- Jackson and Joe McNeal. Seated: Bro
siana. James Fleming
COVINGTON #188 F. & A.M.

Independence Day Celebration
Covington Lodge held an open house
in July to celebrate Independence Day.
The patriotic program was put on by
W: Bro R. J. Deffes, P.M. and his wife
Gloria. A Taps lecture followed by W:
Bro Leon Perret, P.M., who played Taps
on the trumpet. W: Bro. Deffes lectured
on the U.S. flag, which was very inspi-
rational. The program ended with Bro.
Perret playing God Bless America on
L:R-W: Bro Leon Perret, M:W: Bro the trumpet which touched everyone as
Clayton J. Borne III-PGM, W: Anthony they sang along.
L. Pohlmann-WM, Gloria Deffes and W:
Bro R. J. Deffes.
35

BLANCHARD CHAPTER #236
Surprise Visit
During a regular meeting of Blanchard
Chapter #235-OES, Worthy Matron Ms. M.
L. “Cissi” White was surprised by M:W:
Roy B. Delaney-PGM and W: T. Patrick
Dickson-WM 1st Masonic District. W: M:
Dickson and M: W: Bro Delaney presented
Cissi with a plaque expressing the District’s
appreciation for her dedicated and faithful
service to the 1st Masonic District.
THE YORK RITE COLLEGE #99

Gold Awards
L:R Cathy Hall, D. C. Hall, Ballard Smith and L:R- W: Bro Don Parks and W: Bro Lloyd
Roy Delaney Pence
L:R- M:W: Bro Delaney-PGM, Ms. Lois Jack-

son, Mrs. JoAnn Regan Welsh and M:W: Bro
Smith-PGM
Louisiana York Rite College No. 99
exists to foster a spirit of cooperation
among each of the bodies of York Rite
Masonry and awards certain honors for
outstanding service to the fraternity.
The Gold Honor Award is presented
by the college to any Masonic brother Melvin M. Regan, posthumously.
for rendering faithful and outstanding York Rite College officers making
service to any branch of Freemasonry. the presentations are Don Parks, Gove-
The recipient is not required to be a nor of the York Rite College, M: W: Bro
member of the college. This year the Ballard Smith, Past Govenor and M: W:
Gold Honor Award was presented to Bro Roy Delaney the Grand Govenor in
three brothers who have served the Louisiana for the York Rite Sovereign
Craft faithfully for many years. They College of North America.
are Lloyd G. Pence, David C. Hall, and
36

Relevancy of Freemasonry in the 21st Century cont’d
from page 5:
The Hamitic Egyptians (4000 BC) that migrated to all parts of the Mediterranean to
be known as the Etruscans in Italy, the Pelasgoi in Greece and the Hittities in Asia were
referred to by historians as the “Temple Builders”. The Zoroastrian Societies (3000 BC) in
Persia, the Resicrucian Societies (1500 BC) in Egypt, the Druids (1000 BC) and the Es-
sence Societies (200 BC) are evidences of spiritually motivated, disciplined societies, all
having an artesian component.
This writer is convinced that our fraternity is the result of no one identifiable institution
or school of thought, but rather a philosophical and spiritual movement emerging in Ancient
Artesian Societies where man is seen individually and collectively confronting his human-
ness in an attempt to understand himself and his place in the universe. It is the challenge
of viewing human existence played out in life by the struggle between the powers of evil
relentlessly confronting through temptation the divine principles of good.
The advocacy of an unselfish state of being achieved through a disciplined transformation
of one’s life was then, just as it is in our fraternity today, encouraged in these societies in
order to achieve the ultimate rewards of sharing eternity with one’s creator. This philosophy
fostered, even in the most ancient times, the principles of character: truth, morality and
brotherly love. As is often stated, the movement fosters a Brotherhood of Man under the
Fatherhood of God.
This writer further submits that although the core spiritual concepts of transubstantia-
tion and transformation appeared in various unrelated cultures and was not unique to one
society, when these core concepts emerged in the teaching of ancient societies of architects
and builders, the spark was ignited which would eventually culminate in our Masonic
fraternity. It is clear, however that the craft’s philosophy and teachings preceded its formal
organization by thousands of years. Reaching that point in history which we refer to as
the “Operative Period”, the alliance or virtue and common ideals had finally developed a
distinct identity.
Irrespective of when this spiritual and operative alliance began, the principles of the
Masonic Fraternity continue to challenge the brotherhood to elevate the awareness of God
in their lives and enhance the family of mankind through implementation of the cornerstone
principle of Charity, expressed through Friendship, Morality and Brotherly Love. Man’s
implementation of the virtue of “Charity” was then, just as it is now, the passageway through
which God bestows His mercies and blessings upon mankind.
The Dionysian Architects (1055 BC) with their signs and symbols for recognition pur-
poses combined operative skills while emphasizing as their purpose of charity, the Roman
Collegia (715 BC) were the keepers of the trade secrets of the Roman Empire; the Euclidian
School (323 BC) evidenced the esoteric traditions of the Liberal Sciences as taught by the
Greek geometrician Euclid (323 BC - 283 BC) were all clearly identifiable societies whose
dimensions and spiritual objectives clearly mirror very distinctive evidence of the origin of
our Brotherhood and its spiritual identity.
Within the confines of these movements, influenced by these social, economic and spiri-
tual development, the Masonic craft walked across the pages of history similar to other trade
unions with the major exception of their banding together and allowing the philosophers to
be concerned not only with the spiritual nature of their Artisan trades, but with the orderly
progress of humanity and a defined social order.
In its daily practice the individual advancement in our craft was achieved by the Master
Artisans teaching their initiates to apply the Principles of Operative Masonry and Archi-
continued on page38
37

Relevancy of Freemasonry in the 21st Century cont’d
from page 37:
tecture to the Science and Art of Human Self Awareness and Character Building. It was
the development of a system of morality defined in the form of ritual and usually veiled by
its masters, teachers or elders by allegories and symbols. The “Old Charges” found in the
Gothic or York Constitutions during the 1300’s, confirm that the ancient operatives struggled
to preserve this dynamic principle and traditions as found in the crafts’ disciplines from
Egypt through Jordan into Europe.
This writer further submits that the evolution and development of speculative Freema-
sonry is noted historically by the formal organization of our fraternity into a formal brother-
hood operating under defined constitutions wherein the principles of the order are taught by
signs, allegories, charges and lectures exemplified within the framework of defined degrees,
symbolizing advancement in spiritual and moral development. The noted Masonic historian,
Mackey attempted to define the fundamental principles governing the modern-day Craft in a
twenty-five point list, referred to as the “Landmarks of Freemasonry”. The principles, signs
and symbols of the modern-day Craft, as in the ancient orders, are still grounded upon the
principles of obedience to the will of the grand architect of the universe, our creator, God.
The 21st century presents man with a high tech society which functions completely at
the mercy of the computer. We now talk to computers; we allow computers to think for us.
The computer has the ability to provide society with all of its needs. It brings the world to
our fingertips. All of this is considered an advancement as it makes the complex nature of
modern society manageable and efficient. However it has a corresponding negative result
in that it creates personal isolationism where there is no need for human contact or personal
commitment to anything much less disciplined causes, such as moral, compassionate caring
societies, the dynamic elements that our brotherhood has fought to maintain.
This quest in our modern day society is only possible and able to be accomplished through
an insistence and reliance on the principle of truth and defined spiritual objective. It is only
in this way that man can have continued spiritual and intellectual growth and continued
transformation to improve justice in society with a distinct collective reflection and imprint
on the community in which we live.
These changing times present man with the ability to live a very different life-style;
however our most basic needs as social creatures remain the same. The basic tenets of Truth,
Charity and Brotherly Love as espoused by our Spiritual Brotherhood are as necessary to
us as individuals as they are to the progression of an ordered society. This is as true today
as it was to our ancient brothers. As the brotherhood employes its tenets in its daily lives
we are better able to understand why our forefathers embraced the dynamic sociological
principles of Liberte`, Egalite` and Fraternite` as espoused in our brotherhood. Are these
principles relevant in the 21st century? How is it even thinkable they would not? They are
essential and it is our brotherhood’s mission to insure that they endure.
M: W: Bro Borne, PGM presented this paper at the World Conference of Regular Grand
Lodges held in Paris, France in conjunction with the French National Grand Lodge.
38

Masonic Calendar-Events
September-December
Scottish Rite Supreme Council Washington D C
September 20th-22nd
Southwest York Rite Conference Little Rock
September 23rd
10th Masonic District Open Air Lodge Vinton
October 2nd
Caring and Sharing Coushatta
October 13th
York Rite Meeting Alexandria
October 20th
Grand Lodge Board Meetings Alexandria
November 8th-9th
Scottish Rite Conference of the Orient Shreveport
November 10th
Scottish Rite Honors Day Shreveport
November 20th-21st
Grand Lodge of Alabama Montgomery
December 6th-8th
Grand Lodge of Texas Waco
39

The Louisiana Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
FREEMASON P A I D
P.O. BOX 12357 Baton Rouge, LA
Permit No. 920
ALEXANDRIA, LA 71315-2357
17908-Grand Lodge-Mason.indd 40
2007-08 OFFICERS
S. Bruce Easterly, Grand Master
Lloyd E. Hennigan, Jr., Deputy Grand Master
J. F. “Jeff” Webb, Jr., Grand Senior Warden
Woody D. Bilyeu, Grand Junior Warden
A. Ray McLaurin, Grand Treasurer
James M. Walley, P.G.M., Grand Treasurer “Emeritus”
Roy B. Tuck, P.G.M., Grand Secretary
Thomas P. Brown, Grand Chaplain
H. Edward Durham, Grand Marshal
Beverly J. Guillott, Grand Senior Deacon
Gary L. Gribble, Grand Junior Deacon
A. Bruce Woods, Grand Sword Bearer
Harry C. Northrop, III Grand Pursuivant
E. Doyle Freeman, Grand Standard Bearer
Travis M. Holly, Grand Tyler
Willey G. Bell, III, Grand Photographer
Robert L. LaBorde, Assoc. Grand Photographer
Dr. Eric C. Hahn, Grand Organist
I.C. Turnley, Jr., M.D., P.G.M., Grand Physician
8/16/07 7:37:09 AM

2007 September

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The Louisiana

M: W: Thomas Jefferson Pitman, Jr.

17908-Grand Lodge-Mason.indd 1 8/16/07 7:36:39 AM

W: Steven A. Pence, P.M. Editor (362)

17908-Grand Lodge-Mason.indd 2 8/16/07 7:36:40 AM

17908-Grand Lodge-Mason.indd 3 8/16/07 7:36:40 AM

17908-Grand Lodge-Mason.indd 4 8/16/07 7:36:41 AM

17908-Grand Lodge-Mason.indd 5 8/16/07 7:36:41 AM

17908-Grand Lodge-Mason.indd 6 8/16/07 7:36:41 AM

17908-Grand Lodge-Mason.indd 7 8/16/07 7:36:41 AM

R Freemasonry. I soon dropped by to congratulate him and to welcome him into

17908-Grand Lodge-Mason.indd 8 8/16/07 7:36:42 AM

17908-Grand Lodge-Mason.indd 9 8/16/07 7:36:42 AM

17908-Grand Lodge-Mason.indd 10 8/16/07 7:36:42 AM

17908-Grand Lodge-Mason.indd 11 8/16/07 7:36:43 AM

17908-Grand Lodge-Mason.indd 12 8/16/07 7:36:43 AM

17908-Grand Lodge-Mason.indd 13 8/16/07 7:36:43 AM

17908-Grand Lodge-Mason.indd 14 8/16/07 7:36:43 AM

AMITE CITY #175 F. & A.M.

17908-Grand Lodge-Mason.indd 15 8/16/07 7:36:45 AM

AJAX #325 F. & A.M.

17908-Grand Lodge-Mason.indd 16 8/16/07 7:36:45 AM

Pictured: Front Row L:R -W: Bro Randy

CEDAR GROVE #403 F. & A.M.

17908-Grand Lodge-Mason.indd 17 8/16/07 7:36:46 AM

Pictured: Members and guests of the 2007

W. H. BOOTH #380 F. & A.M.

Pictured: Members and guests

17908-Grand Lodge-Mason.indd 18 8/16/07 7:36:47 AM

Front RowL:R - W: Elvin Erwin-PM, WM, Michael L. Ervin-SW, Terry Richardson-

CYPRESS #89 F. & A.M.

17908-Grand Lodge-Mason.indd 19 8/16/07 7:36:48 AM

CYPRESS LODGE #89 F&AM

17908-Grand Lodge-Mason.indd 20 8/16/07 7:36:49 AM

JOPPA #362 F. & A.M. Pictured: L. to R.-Frank Gunn III,

17908-Grand Lodge-Mason.indd 21 8/16/07 7:36:51 AM

MILLERTON #245 F. & A.M. Pictured: Front Row L:R.-Joshua Gray,

TALLULAH #308 F. & A.M.

17908-Grand Lodge-Mason.indd 22 8/16/07 7:36:53 AM

ASHLAND #196 F. & A.M.

17908-Grand Lodge-Mason.indd 23 8/16/07 7:36:54 AM

ATKINS #266 F & AM

MILLERTON #245 F & AM

17908-Grand Lodge-Mason.indd 24 8/16/07 7:36:55 AM

Pictured L:R-W: Bro George A. Simpson,

GRAHAM-WASHINGTON #413 F. & A.M.

17908-Grand Lodge-Mason.indd 25 8/16/07 7:36:56 AM

CYPRESS #89 F. & A.M. W: George K. Winham-PM WM had

CROWLEY #243 F. & A.M.

17908-Grand Lodge-Mason.indd 26 8/16/07 7:36:57 AM

ATKINS #266 F. & A.M.

17908-Grand Lodge-Mason.indd 27 8/16/07 7:36:57 AM

L:R- W: M: S. Bruce Easterly-GM, Bro

RAYNE #313 F. & A.M.

T. B. GILBERT #423 F. & A.M.

17908-Grand Lodge-Mason.indd 28 8/16/07 7:36:59 AM

EAST GATE LODGE #452 F. & A.M.

17908-Grand Lodge-Mason.indd 29 8/16/07 7:37:00 AM

17908-Grand Lodge-Mason.indd 30 8/16/07 7:37:01 AM

FELICIANA #31 F. & A.M.

W: Bro Wendall C. Fontenot presents a

17908-Grand Lodge-Mason.indd 31 8/16/07 7:37:02 AM

HAP ARNOLD #457 F. & A.M.