Meeting Calendar 2005/2006

          Sep              Oct            Nov              Dec              Jan             Feb

   1 - OES #8    6 - OES #8   3 - OES #8   1 - OES #8    5- OES #8    2 - OES #8

 10 - WM #3   8 - WM #3   12 - WM #3  10 - WM #3  14 - WM #3  11 - WM #3

White Mountain Lodge #3 - 50 years ago

September 1955

The first degree of Masonry was conferred on Robert H Morrison. Brother Lyon presided as Master and gave the charge.
 

Doric Lodge #26 - 50 years ago

September 1955

Nothing to report.

Something to Think About

The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness. We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom. We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.
We've learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've added years to life not life to years. We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer space but not inner space. We've done larger things, but not better things. We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice.
We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less. These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete. Remember, spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever. Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your
side. Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent. Remember, to say, "I love you" to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you. Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again. Give time to love, give time to speak, and give
time to share the precious thoughts in your mind. AND ALWAYS REMEMBER: Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

In the Great Light of Masonry, in the book of Ruth, there is a passage that refers to the rite of Discalceation; the plucking off of

one's shoe: "Now this was the manner in former time in Israel concerning redeeming and concerning changing, for to confirm all things; a man plucked off his shoe, and gave it to his neighbor; and this was a testimony in Israel." Ruth 4:7 KJV
There is much to be learned about all of the symbolism of the Rite of Discalcation, and not all of it has to do with Masonry. For instance, I remember as a kid, almost every wedding party leaving the church had tin cans and shoes trailing behind the car with the Bride and Groom in it. Well, there is some symbolism in having the shoes tied to the back of the car. There was an ancient custom of throwing a shoe after the Bride in a wedding. This symbolized the renunciation of control over her by her parents and the transferring of that control to the Groom.i Well, I don't remember ever being at a wedding where the Father of the Bride tossed a shoe down the isle after her, but there were always a bunch of old shoes tied to the back of the Grooms car.
In The Great Light of Masonry some of the symbolism of taking off one's shoe and giving it to another was a renunciation of rights or the transferring of rights. It's interesting that when a shoe was given to bind a bargain, or to renounce a right, each party to the agreement kept one shoe, because the possession of one shoe by each person was evidence of the transaction.
Much of the Symbolism of Discalceation also has to do with Masonry as well. For instance to the Candidate the absent shoe in the first two degrees "denotes that he is forming new ties, and taking upon himself new obligations."ii In the process he is casting off all degrading ties of the past, and he is to "climb the heights of intellectual and moral achievements and cultivate the tenets of brotherly love, relief and truth."iii The symbolism to the candidate is that rights are being transferred to him and that mutual obligations are being assumed.iv
Among Masons, the use of this ceremony indicates much symbolism. In one instance it is symbolic of the initiate agreeing to surrender his own will in all that relates to the order and become obedient to its ancient laws,v and in another sense the symbolism is of the candidate's truthful testimony to the Brethren of the Lodge. In addition the plucking off of one's shoe Masonically symbolizes sincerity of intentions in entering on an important work. "It is a sign of consecration to that work and of a persevering effort to complete it."vi
The use of shoes from the first use was, and is, to protect the feet from the ground being traveled over, and from the extreme heat and cold experienced in most climates. In the third degree when both shoes are removed the symbolism has to do with when approaching a sacred place the shoes are removed to avoid contaminating Holy Ground.vii A good explanation of this is given in the Masonic Concordance of the Holy Bible: "Since washing was a symbol of purification and consecration, a worshiper, before taking part in a sacred ceremony, must either take off his ordinary garments, wash himself, [the rite of Lustration,] and put on clean clothes, or wash both his garments and himself. Shoes, however, could not be washed and must be removed." Masonically the symbolism of being without shoes in the third degree is as approaching a consecrated place, and devotion to a holy purpose.