We are all now living in a time where there is clearly economic adversity and uncertainty for our people, our nation, and the rest of the world. The pressure this is placing on all of us may give way to a tendency of being a little less civil, and a little more abrupt in our dealings with other people. It is important for us as Freemasons to remember the high standards of conduct that we all promised to live by. There is no greater example of an individual performing under adverse circumstances, than our most famous
Freemason, Brother George Washington. As an icon of the USA, we all learned in school what he did for us as the leader of the Continental Army, and then as the first president of the United States. We see images of him every day on our one-dollar bill. As such, we may take him a little bit for granted.
But stop for a moment and think about what he put at personal risk. As a leader in the rebellion, if he failed, he would lose all his possessions and forfeit his life. Remember from the British perspective he was a traitor to the Crown. Add to that the fact that the odds of his rag-tag army winning a war with the most powerful army in the world at the time were stacked against him. “Jimmy the Greek” I am sure would have placed his bet on the British. So, why did he do it? Clearly his convictions and beliefs directed his conduct. In his time of extreme adversity and uncertainty he stuck to the higher principles he believed in. So, the next time your are dealing with a stressful situation maybe brought on by current circumstances, ask yourself one question. What would Brother Washington do? I am betting you
will know the answer to the question.
In March everyone should take note of the following dates and activities:
Sunday, March 1st
Its Amwell’s turn to assist with wheelchairs at the Masonic Home.
Monday, March 2nd
The officers will start practicing for the Master Mason degree to be given
on April 6. We are going to move the start times for practice to 7 PM. This
gives the various committees some time prior to practice if they want to
also meet on a Monday evening.
Thursday, March 5th
We are hosting the District Lodge of Instruction. Everyone needs to come out
for this.
Saturday March 7th
Brother Rivera would like us to have a “painting party” for the
recreational room. I will personally spring for the cost of the pizza and
beer. Let Brother Rivera know if you are available to help on that date.
Monday, March 9th
Charity Committee meets at 6 PM.
Wednesday March 11th
We will have our normal business meeting. If everything goes well with the
investigation committee we will be balloting on Mr. D. S. S.
Brother Eissing will be giving a 5-minute history lesson on Brother George
Washington’s inauguration as President of the United States and the role a
Masonic Lodge Bible played in that event. (We did not have time in our
February meeting for this and I would like him to give this presentation.)
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Regular Commutation
March 11, 2009 @ 7:30 P.M.
General business- see Master’s notes.
Monday March 30th
The Board of Trustees will have a meeting starting at 6 PM.
We will also have an emergent meeting to examine our Fellow Craft
candidates. Since this is a normal practice night for the officers. I
believe we should do the examination prior to our big night April 6 so this
is a good time to do this. (April 6 we will raise our candidates to Master
Mason status.) We will start the emergent meeting at 7:30, and once examined
we will immediately close the meeting.
April
In April we have an issue with our “regular” meeting night scheduled for the
8th. That is the same night as the Feast of the Pascal Lamb at the Scottish
Rite. We have rescheduled our business meeting for Monday April 13. This
will also be our “Official Visit” with RW DDGM Bruce R. Conley, and RW DRI
Earl H. Reeder. All officers must be in attendance! Lets also not forget the
Grand Communication is happening on April 15th, 16th in Atlantic City.
Take care, and God bless,
Jay B. Ross WM Amwell #12
