2004 Officers

Worshipful Master Paul J. Dore’, PM

                              (602-942-3821)

Senior Warden     Henry London, PM

                              (520-363-5126)

Junior Warden     Douglas Skowron, PM

                              (480-986-2296)

Secretary            Joe A. Henry PM

                                    (928-425-6686)

Treasurer            Oscar T. Lyon Jr, PGM

                                   (602-252-2739)

Senior Deacon     R. Scott Teichrow

Junior Deacon     William L. Sneyd

Chaplain              William “Bill” Greenen PM

Marshall               Harold Benjamin, PM

Senior Steward     Robert Gillette, PM

Junior Steward     Howard Billingsley, PM

Tyler                    Henry Johnson

Trustees:

Robert Gillette, PM  Victor G. Owens, PM

Carley Moore, PM   Howard Billingsley, PM,  R Scott Teichrow

FROM THE EAST

Brethren,

   I am asking all brethren to live masonry by example and deed.  In other words, to do outside the lodge that which we are taught within.  I believe that Freemasonry lived only in the lodge rooms is to miss the Great idea and practice of this craft.

  The kind of Freemasonry I like to think about is a living, growing, active Freemasonry where masons know their duty to God, to Country, to Family and to Self and live that kind of life every day.  You see, as masons, that’s just how we’re supposed to live, because as masons we are supposed to act just a little bit better than the rest.  And this is our reputation even among non-masons.

   King Solomon had a plan to build a magnificent temple dedicated to God and now only remnants are left to tell us of that structure’s beauty.  Today you can’t do anything about that temple.  But there is a temple you can do something about, your own inner temple, and it doesn’t take three Grand Masters or thousands of other workmen to build; it just takes you!

   The temple I’m talking about is to be constructed in your heart, soul and spirit and its size will be just what you want to make it.  The tools required to build the temple I’m talking about are not the ax, hammer or any tool used by the operative workman; you see, it only takes a true heart and loving soul.

     Brethren, we must plan to build by using our trestleboard of life, and effort that each of you will put forth, and the brotherly love and concern that you have shown toward each other.

 My brothers, our fraternity has existed over the ages. If we are to extend this great legacy, we must accomplish at least two goals.  First, we must continue to bring in good men and true.  Second, we must invest them with the same love and dedication to the craft that each of us possesses, pass our secrets on to the future of mankind by being active in our fraternity, and attend our stated meetings, contributing all that we can for the betterment of the craft. In this matter, I charge each of you to search out men you believe will bring honor to the craft as we also strive to.

Don’t miss our next stated meeting, Saturday the 14^th of February (Valentine’s Day).  Remember, that is the second Saturday of every month.  Coffee and donuts is served prior to the meeting from 9AM to 10AM.

(From the East continued)  

  We will also be honoring our widows at a special sweetheart luncheon at 12 o’clock on February 14^th (Valentine’s Day).  Our luncheon will be held at the China Taste Restaurant 338 E. Ash – Globe.  The Eastern Star will also be meeting there at the same time, which should give us a large turnout.

Thank you with all my heart, for the opportunity to serve you as Master of this great lodge. I will need your help to make this a successful White Mountain Lodge #3 Lodge this year.

Paul J Doré Sr.

FROM THE SOUTH

Brethren, I am your new JW and I'm honored to be elected to this chair and hope I can do the job.

I would like to see the lodge grow with your help. It can if we bring in at least one friend to be our Brother. As our age grows, so should the lodge. I would like to see a bunch of Brothers and friends sitting on the side line and support the Lodge which we love so much.

I would like to know what we can do to help you, so you can help us. Please feel free to send me a note so we can do better.

Douglas B. Skowron, JW

Stated Meeting Calendar 2004

     Feb             Mar          Apr               May          Jun            Jul          Aug

 5 - OES #8     4 - OES #8     1 - OES #8      6- OES #8     3 - OES #8    1 - OES #8   5 - OES #8

14 - WM #3    13 - WM #3    10 - WM #3     8 – WM #3   12 - WM #3   10 - WM #3   14 - WM #3

Education Corner

When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and the beer.  A Professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly, he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.
 So, the Professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook he jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.
 The Professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with an unanimous "Yes."
 The Professor then produced two cans of beer from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.
 "Now," said the Professor, as the laughter subsided, "I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things -- your family, your children, your health, your friends, your favorite passions -- things that if everything else was lost and only
they remained, your life wold still be full."  "The pebbles are the other things that matter -- like your job, your house, your car. The sand is everything else -- the small stuff. If you put the sand
into the jar first," he continued, "there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls." "The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you."
 "Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your partner out for dinner. Play another 9, or even 18, holes.  Smile, and so consideration toward others" he said.
 Also he continued, "There will always be time to clean the house, and fix the disposal. Take
care of the golf balls first, the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand."
 When he had finished, there was a profound silence.
 Then one of the students raised her hand and with a puzzled expression, inquired what the beer represented.
The Professor smiled. "I'm glad you asked. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of beers."

Abif

by George H. T. French (Texas)

Royal Arch Mason 1980

Three Masons spent a morning round a dining room table. One was Brother Harry Carr, the great Masonic scholar, on his recent visit to Houston, Texas. The conversation, almost a monologue, dealt with the Hebraic origin of some Masonic words. Herewith some enlightening information gleaned concerning the word Abif.

It is difficult for many Master Masons to understand that the Legend of Hiram Abif is not a historical event. Jesus taught lessons using parables in which the action wove round fictional or created characters. Aesop did his teaching with animals that spoke and acted. Freemasonry teaches its lessons by making historical characters, such as Hiram Abif, a real person, participate in activities that have no historical basis.

Hiram Abif was a real person, and is mentioned several times in the Old Testament.

 A Biblical Character

 In II Chronicles 2:13 Hiram Abif is mentioned in a letter from Hiram King of Tyre to King Solomon: "I have sent a cunning man, endued with understanding, of Huram my father's." In a list of tools described in II Chron. 4:16 it states "The pots also, and the shovels, and the fleshhooks, and all their instruments, did Huram his father make to King Solomon for the house of the Lord." He is also mentioned in I Kings 7:13, 14 and 40.

 Although written in a more outdated language, it is perhaps easier to understand the English Bible of Wyclif, published in 1388, than the corresponding passages in the King James Authorized version. John Wycliffe put it this way: "I sente to you a prudent man and most Kunnynge Hyram my fader" II Chron. 2:13, and "Hyram the fader of Salomon made to hym alle vessels in ye hous of ye Lord" II Chron. 4:16.

Hiram's Parents

 These Biblical passages seem to say that Hiram was the father of Hiram King of Tyre and of King Solomon. Can that be so?

 The Bible clearly tells us who were Hiram's parents. His mother was a widow of the tribe of Naphtali, I Kings 7:14, also described as a woman of the daughters of Dan, II Chron. 2:14. His father was a man of Tyre, I Kings 7:14; II Chron. 2:14. Therefore, he really could not have been the father of Hiram King of Tyre nor of King Solomon.

 If such is the case, then "my father's" and "his father" must mean something other than carnal paternity. Yes, and such is the case.

 "Ab"

 Myles Coverdale, one of the leaders of the English Reformation, published, with William Tyndale, a Bible in English in the middle 1530's. In it Huram appears as Hiram, followed by Abif. This seems to be the only place, outside of the Masonic ritual, where the name appears printed in this way in English.

 Going back to the original Hebrew, the name appears as "Huram Abi" and Huram Abif." Light begins to be shed on the mystery upon learning that "Ab" in Hebrew means father,

"Abi" means my father, and "Abif" means his father.

Another relevant fact is that the Talmud uses "fathers" to mean distinguished teachers of the Law, and this in turn means that "father" was a title of honor and respect. It is used as such in the Old Testament in the following passages:

Genesis 45:8 says "He (the Lord) hath made me (Joseph) a father to Pharoah." And Isaiah 22:21 says "I (the Lord) will call my servant Eliakim ... and he shall be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem and to the house of Judah." R. Tydeman, A.Q.C., 84, 192.

The Bible in Today's English uses the word "master" instead of the word "father," for some translators believe that the Hebrew word "Ab" could possibly mean "author," or "originator," or "master." Hence, in II Chron. 2:13 Hiram King of Tyre writes to King Solomon saying "I am sending you a wise and skillful master craftsman named Hiram." And in 77 Chron. 4:16 it is stated that "Huram the master craftsman made all these objects."

It would appear from all this that although the word "Abif" literally means "his father," it is used to convey a feeling of respect toward a leader or master.

 Ritualistic Legend

From all this confusing mass of material, it appears that the name Hiram Abif appeared only once in an English Bible, and that was in a 1535 version that attained very limited popularity.

What is of still more importance is that the story of Hiram Abif's death and its consequences does not appear in the Bible.

Furthermore, there is no written evidence that we know of today that tells us of the Hiramic Legend before the eighteenth century. Neither in the Bible, nor in any Masonic document, nor anywhere else.

 The intriguing point is that this notwithstanding, Anderson introduced Hiram Abif in his Constitutions of 1723, and, of even more importance still, the Freemasons of 1723 seemed to have been so acquainted with the name that Anderson did not feel the need to explain it in any way. Anderson mentions in his 1723 Constitutions that "Hiram, or Huram, was the most accomplished Mason on earth," and in the 1738 edition we are informed of the "sudden death of our dear Master Hiram Abif whom they decently interred in the lodge near the Temple according to ancient usage." But there is no hint of a tragedy.

One would be justified in believing that the name Hiram Abif was in regular use among Masons in the early 1700's, and had been received by attentive ears from the instructive tongues over the years, without benefit of the written word.

Finally, one could understand how Hiram Abif was incorporated into the Masonic ritual which was undergoing such important growth in the early 1700's. And how the tragedy appears printed in Samuel Prichard's 1730 exposure called "Masonry Dissected."

An Invitation

So you've joined the Masons, Brother?
That is fine, but there are other
Worthwhile rites you ought to know
Like advanced degrees at college.
They give further light and knowledge
You should go,
First of all, and join the Chapter
Added truths will make you apter,
They will help your onward march
If you want to find an answer,
There is one way that you can sir.
Join the Arch!

If some doubt your poor mind weariers
Are there answers to the queries
In the things that you have heard?
Does the wonder come unbidden:
Long-lost word?
If you would the knot unravel,
There's a way that you can travel,
Through the desert winds may parch;
So, in case you have a question,
This will prove the best suggestion –
Join the Arch.

Walter K. Belt
The Royal Arch Mason – Fall 1973

BEAUTIFUL EXTRACT.

THE MASONIC REVIEW - 1853

From the message of the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Virginia, at its last annual communication.

"Brethren, a solemn duty has again devolved upon me. This mournful drapery suspended around this Hall tells the sad tale, that Death, that fell destroyer, during our vacation has not been idle; it tells us that the good, the wise, the Rulers in this our Israel are fast fleeting away. The insatiable Tomb has drawn within its ponderous vortex and silent resting place, alike the old, the young, the virtuous and the upright Mason from our very midst; those to whom all the Masonic virtues were objects of ambition, and those upon whose
heads honors had been accumulated by the voice of their Brethren, and which had been so gracefully and beautifully worn.

If I should now direct that a Roll of the Craft be called, amidst many responses of those around me, would be felt that shuddering silence so deep, so ominous of departure. When amidst the lists of those whom you have delighted to honor, and who have presided over this Body with so much dignity and propriety, are galled the names of our Past Grand Masters WILLIAM MITCHELL, Jr., and my immediate predecessor JAMES POINTS, Silence, Darkness, Death are the response:- they are gone, their cheering voices are no
longer heard; their noble example, their precepts, their experience obtained in a long and consistent Masonic life, alone remain to us.

They have sped to the Spirit Land. They will mingle with us no more on Earth forever. The little mound of earth so oft bedewed by the tears of the widow and the orphan: The monumental marble, cold and silent as the head it covers, tells the sad tale of death. But we seek them not there. That little Sprig of Cassia which we find blooming at its head, teaches us to look with the eye of faith beyond the portals of the grave, that effulgent clime where light and joy radiate from the glorious throne of God, where the spirits of just men
pale perfect, clothed with ineffable bliss, continually utter their anthems of love and praise.

Brethren, what lessons of wisdom do we derive from these frequent admonitions; what are our feelings when year after year, nay, day by day, are taken from our immediate circle those near and dear to us, those whom we love and cherish, and whose lightest sigh of pain causes us distress and anguish, when they are thus called upon to pay the last great debt of nature, leaving us to mourn, and feeling as though our very heart strings are giving way when they are taken from our eight. Do we remember that we too must die, that it will be left to others to pay those tokens of respect and love to our memories that a deserving life merits, and that perhaps when least expected or desired:- Standing now as monuments of the everlasting Father's love and mercy, are we profiting by his teachings, and so living that when death is called upon to strike with his uplifted dart we may have the happy consolation that we shall inherit those joys, and meet with those we cherished on earth, and with a world of beautified spins, worship around that throne prepared for all by a God of mercy. Let us put off at once our indifference of death and its consequences, and prepare to meet it as wise, reflecting and accountable beings."