Harmony Lodge, # 22, A.F.M.

Paul S. Griffin, WM

Brethren, ,

This month will mark the midpoint of my term as Master of Harmony Lodge. I must say that so far it has been both a rewarding and a challenging experience, as the activities of this past month illustrate.

It has been very rewarding to see several men commence their Masonic journey on May 3, when Ernest Wade Myers, Rayford Wallace Myers, Jonathan David Radu and David Matthew Panuska were initiated as Entered Apprentices. In his inaugural effort, Brother Christian Sherbert, our Junior Warden, did a commendable job in conferring the first degree on these men. Our Steward, Brother Larry Morales, presented the working tools, WB Sonny Gay, PGS, gave the Apron Lecture in his usual moving manner and RWB Joe Giunta, PDDGM of Port Royal Lodge, lectured the new EAs in his informative style. The work was done very well and the participating brothers are to be commended.

Another rewarding experience occurred on May 24, when Samuel Patrick Keeler was raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason. He stood a very good Fellowcraft proficiency, which was conducted by WB Michael Henslee of Mariner Lodge in Charleston. We are grateful to Brother Henslee, who has been providing courtesy instruction to Brother Keeler. The three basemen were RWB Chuck Weickhardt, DDGM, WB Charlie Spears, PM and WB Sonny Gay, PGS. WB Henslee played the Wayfaring Man and the three Fellowcrafts were RWB Ricky Smith, PDDGM, WB Joe Nix, PM and RWB Terrell Altman, PDDGM. WB Wayne Holsopple, PM, substituted as the Steward and RWB Joe Giunta once again presented the lecture. WB Johnny Harvey, PM, had the honor of raising Brother Keeler. It was practically a Past Masters degree with so many PMs participating and their willingness to be involved is greatly appreciated.

It was a challenge to perform the work that evening because we are still without the benefit of air-conditioning. I appreciate the perseverance of those present that night, particularly as our clothing became increasingly saturated with perspiration. Despite the adverse conditions, the degree work was well-done. Another challenge is having to bring the electrical wiring for the HVAC units up to code. This was an unexpected snag which will be resolved, albeit at an additional cost and the units will be operational very soon. Toward that end, the capital campaign is progressing nicely. To date, some 33 brothers have contributed $5300 to the HVAC fund. Thanks to all of you who have made a donation! If you have not already done so, please consider joining your brothers and make a contribution. Any amount will make a difference and will be appreciated!

We greatly appreciate the following brothers for their generous financial support of the HVAC capital campaign fund:

James C. Adams	Kevin U. Ennis	Vaughn H. Meese
Samuel T. Baker	Raymond C. Fletcher	H. H. Mills, Jr.
Arthur Gene Bellis	Harold P. Greene	R. Wayne Milner
Hal P. Cahill	John M. Griffin, Jr.	E.W. ‘Bill’ Nettles
Laron H. Cain	Paul S. Griffin	James M. Outlaw
Clayton H. Cooler	Howard R. Harris	William L. Parker
Charlie W. Dempsey	John G. Harvey	Robert V. Pinkston
Emerson G. Dickson	Ray L. Harvey	Birger K. Rasmussen
Craig B. Dopson	Robert B. Hill	Scott W. Robinson
Edward L. Emanuel	John R. Hudson	William B. Ten Eyck
George F. Emminger, Jr.	Billy Frank Johnson, Jr.	J. Howell Youmans

In Peace and harmony,

Paul S. Griffin

Worshipful Master

---

Brethren,

Why are discussions of politics and religion forbidden in lodge?

The prohibition goes back to the early history of the Fraternity. It is written in the second paragraph of the sixth “Old Charge” (Behavior after the Loge is over and the Brethren not gone); “No private Piques or Quarrels must be brought within the Door of the Lodge, far less any Quarrels about Religion, or Nations, or State policy, we being only, as Masons, of the Catholick Religion above-mentioned; we are also of all Nations, Tongues, Kindreds, and Languages, and are resolved against all Politicks as what never yet conduc’d to the Welfare of the Lodge, nor ever will. This charge has been always strictly enjoin’d and observ’d, but especially since the Reformation in Britain, or the Dissent and Secession of these Nations from the Communion of Rome.”

Freemasons today hold that the Old Charge prohibits lodge discussions of politics in the sense of partisan politics and religion in the sense of sectarian religion. [One Hundred One Questions About Freemasonry, The Masonic Service Association, 2003]

Something for Everyone

Advertise your fraternal affiliation proudly! The Harmony Lodge jewelry cabinet is OPEN FOR BUSINESS. From bumper stickers to lapel pins and anything in between, all you have to do is ask your Senior Warden. Cash, check or money order, they’re all good. If you don’t see it, ask and it shall be rendered unto you via catalog order or a quick look in a box or under something else. We have Blue Lodge, Scottish Rite, York Rite and Eastern Star paraphernalia and prices, unfortunately, are reflective of current inflationary spirals.

Brethren, ,

There are many aspects of the ritual for which the candidate can hardly be expected to be prepared, and this is as it should be. Yet, even after the new Master Mason is raised, he can look back upon his recent journey with considerable curiosity and wonder, asking such questions as, “What have I done?” or “What was this all about?” So many new words, so many new concepts, so much to deal with in such a short time!

One of these concepts, which I did not take the time properly to research before publishing it in this news-letter, was to confuse “Free & Accepted Masons” with “Ancient Free Masons,” to wit, this extract from the May 2011 edition:

“The Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of South Carolina met in Greenville on Thurs­day and Friday, April 28-29.  After all the formalities were gone through, the one shining star of the event was that our very own Charles Weickhardt has been selected as the new District Deputy Grand Master for District 4.  Congratulations, Charlie!”

Of course, the Grand Master himself noticed this discrepancy and made a call to our Worshipful Master Craig Dopson, who notified me forthwith.  Ignorance is no excuse and I should have known better.  Lesson learned and thinking stimulated, I believe it is time for a new column!

I hereby offer this humble beginning to what I hope will be a continuing effort toward improved under­standing for all masons, but more especially our newly initiated, passed and raised brethren in their ongoing search for more light.

Illumination

In the three lectures regarding the various working tools of the EA, FC and MM, reference is made to “free and accepted masons,” to wit:  “But we as Free and Accepted Masons are taught to make use of them (it) for (a) more noble and glorious purpose(s),” etc.

1.      Is there a substantive liturgical or historical difference between “free and accepted masons” (F. & A.M.) and “ancient free masons (A.F.M.)?”

2.      If South Carolina masons are A.F.M., why does the Ahiman Rezon refer to “free and accepted masons?”

3.      Is the Ahiman Rezon specifically a South Carolina text or is it more broadly accepted and used in other states?

From Right Worshipful Brother Charles Weickhardt, DDGM, 4^th Masonic District of South Carolina, these answers:

1.      AFM is specific only to The Grand Lodge of South Carolina and has been for at least 275 years.  You will take note that this makes our Grand Lodge unique, as other Grand Lodges characterize themselves as Ancient Free & Accepted Masons (A.F. & A.M.) or Free & Accepted Masons (F. & A.M.), etc.

2.      Suggested reading for this answer is A.G. Mackey’s History of Freemasonry in South Carolina.  You will note the Ahiman Rezon was introduced to the Craft in 1737 by a Charter granted from the United Grand Lodge of England.  Research about the Ahiman Rezon is readily available on line.

3.      I suggest canvassing the other 49 grand lodges to find the answer.  My concern is for our Most Worship­ful Grand Lodge.  We operate by the 36^th Edition of the Ahiman Rezon with the Code and Constitution.  You will note this was originally prepared by Dr. Frederick Dalcho and revised over the years by the Grand Secretaries.

* * * * * * *

 

It is hardly likely that I will begin a new effort to canvass the remaining 49 grand lodges in these United States; however, it is perhaps a task for future consideration. Many thanks are due to RW Brother Weickhardt for his astute and informative response to my inquiry and for providing further light in Masonry.

If there are brothers out there who are reading this column and are reminded of questions they may have had during their rituals and wish to seek more light by asking those questions, remember that every Master Mason you know is willing, even eager to provide answers. However, if you wish your questions to reach a broader audience, this Senior Warden and Newsletter Editor will be happy to receive them at 843-441-8317 or howardharris@hargray.com

Fraternally,

Howard R. Harris

Senior Warden & NewsLetter Editor

---

Brethren,

It has been a busy April and May for degree work at Harmony Lodge 22 and the Stewards and I have enjoyed the opportunities to participate and be involved. As we all go through Masonry, we perceive more and more regarding our Craft. To that end, I hope you enjoy as well as Master the quiz below.

MASTER MASON QUIZ – 10 Questions

1.  What stage of Life does this degree represent?

A.  Youth

B.  Manhood

C.  Middle Age

D.  Advanced Age

 

2.  What does the Master Mason degree symbolize?

A.  Culmination of your Masonic career

B.  Man’s domination over man

C.  Victory over death and immortality of the soul

D.  Mortality of the soul

 

3. What are you reminded of at your reception at the door?

A.  All the lessons of Freemasonry

B.  The tenets of Freemasonry

C.  Your obligation

D.  Your previous degrees

 

4. What is considered the heart of this Degree?

A.  Entry into the Lodge

B.  The Sprig of Acacia

C.  Placement of Lodge Officers

D.  Your Obligation

 

5.  What is a clandestine Lodge?

A.  Lodge located in another state

B.  Lodge without its own building

C.  Lodge not in session

D.  Lodge not issued a Charter by a Grand Lodge

 

6.  What is meant by the term “Dotage”?

A.  Young man who is uninformed

B.  Condition in which you were expected to be found

C.  Diminished state of mind

D.  The loss of membership by the vote of the Lodge

 

7.  What is a Libertine?

A.  One who believes in Liberty for all

B.  One who acts without moral restraints

C.  A medal worn by Lodge Officers

D.  The sword at the Tiler’s Door

 

8.  What do Signs, Tokens and Words mean to a Mason?

A.  Methods of recognition

B.  Symbols of Officers’ ranks

C.  The language of Freemasonry

D.  The rewards a Free Mason can expect to receive

 

9.  Who was Hiram Abif?

A.  King Solomon’s son

B.  A tent designer and builder

C.  King David’s nephew

D.  The Widow’s Son worthy of imitation

 

10.  What is taught by the use of the Three Ruffians?

A.  Rewards can not be attained by illicit means

B.  Rewards can be attained by illicit means

C.  Good things always come in threes

D.  The three principle stages of life

 

The 2^nd half of the quiz will follow in July.

 

Fraternally,

Christian Sherbert

Junior Warden

---

Fraternal Greetings Brothers, ,

This Masonic year has been busy for Harmony Lodge with degree work and our Capital Campaign. Attempting to raise the money to pay for the HVAC to be replaced is no easy task; however, our Worshipful Master Paul Griffin has met this challenge head on. We have collected around a quarter of what is needed to replace the HVAC within the last month. The work is being done and we should have more comfortable temperatures in which to meet by the time you receive this newsletter. If you have not contributed to our Capital Campaign please consider doing so.

We have a number of candidates in process at this time and the work being done is very good. Please come out and join us for some of this work or one of our Regular Communications. We can always use a helping hand.

Enjoy the upcoming summer months. See you at the Lodge.

Fraternally,

Kevin V. Ennis, PDDGM

Secretary

---

Note: Your newsletter editor needs your correct/updated email address; please send it to him at 843-524-0981 (home) or 843-441-8317 (mobile) or howardharris@hargray.com.

---

From Home Page WEB Manager

Dear Brethern,

Here is the calendar for June 2012.

(A copy in Adobe PDF form is here for easy printing and reading) PUT THIS CALENDAR ON YOUR REFRIGERATOR AS A REMINDER.

---

Wit & Wisdom

“Affliction is a good man’s shining time.”

-- Poet Edward Young

“Cursing the darkness only delays the dawn.”

-- Ralph Waldo Emerson

“A good upbringing means not that you won’t spill sauce on the tablecloth, but that you won’t notice it when someone else does.”

-- Anton Chekhov

“You can live to be 100 if you give up all the things that make you want to live that long.”

-- Woody Allen

“A celebrity is one who is known to many persons he is glad he doesn’t know.”

-- H.L. Mencken

“The most perfidious way of harming a cause consists of defending it deliberately with faulty arguments.”

-- Friedrich Nietzsche

---

Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday Dear Brothers, Happy Birthday to you!

06.02 William Lamar Betha, Jr.	06.11 Larry Talmadge Conley
06.04 Robert Burton Hill	06.13 Earnest Franklin Murphy
06.08 James Remsey	06.23 Theodore John Garbera
06.08 William Curtic Smith	06.24 Edward Leeland Emanuel

---

Education WEB page information links is always "under construction", there is so much available for us to learn.

Pictures WEB page is always..."under construction" as we add new pictures.

---

South Carolina Grand Lodge Official Web Site.

South Carolina Masonic Research Society Official Web Site.

Harmony Lodge history, 1756 to 1983.

Update to Harmony Lodge history from 1983 to 2000.

Most current Update to Harmony Lodge history from 1984 to 2009. - Under construction

Masonic information, "What's A Mason?"

---

Trestleboard Articles and Lodge News Letters 2012.

May 2012 Harmony Masonic Lodge No.22 A.F.M. News Letter.

April 2012 Harmony Masonic Lodge No.22 A.F.M. News Letter.

March 2012 Harmony Masonic Lodge No.22 A.F.M. News Letter.

February 2012 Harmony Masonic Lodge No.22 A.F.M. News Letter.

January 2012 Harmony Masonic Lodge No.22 A.F.M. News Letter.

---

Trestleboard Articles and Lodge News Letters 2011.

December 2011 Harmony Masonic Lodge No.22 A.F.M. News Letter.

November 2011 Harmony Masonic Lodge No.22 A.F.M. News Letter.

October 2011 Harmony Masonic Lodge No.22 A.F.M. News Letter.

September 2011 Harmony Masonic Lodge No.22 A.F.M. News Letter.

August 2011 Harmony Masonic Lodge No.22 A.F.M. News Letter.

July 2011 Harmony Masonic Lodge No.22 A.F.M. News Letter.

June 2011 Harmony Masonic Lodge No.22 A.F.M. News Letter.

May 2011 Harmony Masonic Lodge No.22 A.F.M. News Letter.

April 2011 Harmony Masonic Lodge No.22 A.F.M. News Letter.

March 2011 Harmony Masonic Lodge No.22 A.F.M. News Letter.

February 2011 Harmony Masonic Lodge No.22 A.F.M. News Letter.

January 2011 Harmony Masonic Lodge No.22 A.F.M. News Letter.

Trestleboard Articles and Lodge News Letters 2010

Trestleboard Articles for 2010.

Trestleboard Articles and Lodge News Letters 2009

Trestleboard Articles for 2009.

Trestleboard Articles and Lodge News Letters 2008

Trestleboard Articles for 2008.

Trestleboard Articles and Lodge News Letters 2007

Trestleboard Articles for 2007.

Trestleboard Articles and Lodge News Letters 2006

Trestleboard Articles for 2006.

Trestleboard Articles and Lodge News Letters 2005

Trestleboard Articles for 2005.

Trestleboard Articles and Lodge News Letters 2004

Trestleboard Articles for 2004.

Trestleboard and Lodge News Letters 2003

Trestleboard Articles for 2003.

Trestleboard Articles 2002

Trestleboard Articles for 2002.

Trestleboard Articles 2001

Trestleboard Articles for 2001.

Trestleboard Articles 2000

Trestleboard Articles for 2000.

---

Dear Brethren,

Harmony Lodge By-Laws "are under construction" and are formated for WEB page presentation only. For an EXACT copy as published and approved by the Grand Lodge, please read the "By-Laws" in Adobe PDF format that you can print from the following link:

Here is the exact By-Laws in .PDF format.

(A copy in Adobe PDF form is here for easy printing and reading).

---

Masonic Paraphernalia

Display your pride in membership in the Masonic fraternity and Harmony Lodge.

---

South Carolina Masonic WEB Site rules.

---

To E-mail the Harmony Lodge HomePage WEB Manager.

Copyright © 2000-2012 [Harmony Lodge, A.F.M.]. All pages of this website. All rights reserved.