Professional Documents
Culture Documents
FREEMASON
VOL. 37 FALL 2009 NUMBER 2
S
urprisingly very little has ever been written concerning two little Masonic
conventions which took place during the middle of the nineteenth cen-
tury. They met with high hopes and expectations in an effort to develop
a uniform system of ‘work and lectures’ that would be acceptable to all
of the Craft in America. Though they failed to accomplish these rather lofty goals,
our Masonic lodges today owe them a great deal for their efforts and the recom-
mendations that resulted. Much of how our Masonic Lodges conduct themselves
today can be attributed and traced back to the suggestions which the delegates of
these conventions brought forth.
In the early 1820’s, there was a great need for reestablishing and/or standardizing
the ‘work’ and ‘ritual’ in America especially after the disastrous times following
the Morgan Affair and the Anti-Masonic movement that followed. For those not
familiar with this dark time for Masonry, in 1826 the fraternity was accused of
kidnapping and murdering William Morgan who was reportedly planning to publish
a book revealing all Masonic “secrets”. Even though these allegations were never
proven, from this incident sprang the Anti-Masonic movement. Brothers left the
order under the resulting pressure from their homes, work, and church. We lost
over half of our membership in less than ten years, with many lodges closing or
“going dark” forever.
Prior to this point in American Masonic history, lodges in the United States were
never very uniform because of their varied origins. At this time lodges received
their charters from either Grand Lodge of the ‘Moderns’ or the ‘Ancients’, referring
to the two rival Grand Lodges of England. Each Grand Lodge had different ways
of presenting the ritual, therefore, whatever Grand Lodge charted a particular lodge
dictated what ritual it followed. During this time many exposes were published and
distributed which revealed our secrets. Further some traveling cowan and former
masons revealed the secrets of the order by staging demonstrations for the general
public, performing degrees in their entirely. To protect themselves, lodges altered
their operational practices, including changing how signs were given and using
different passwords to keep the profane from gaining admittance to their meetings.
However this ultimately had a negative impact in that it made it all but impossible
for brothers of different lodges to visit other jurisdictions as they were unable to
pass the examinations. This deprived visiting brothers from admission and sharing
in the fellowship. Some remedy had to be found to address this predicament.
At the 1839 session of the Alabama Grand Lodge it was suggested that a conven-
tion should be held in Washington D. C. in March of 1842, with all twenty-three
Masonic jurisdictions invited to attend. The purpose was to try and formulate
continued next page
4
The Little Convention
from page 4:
a standardized American ‘ritual’ and ‘work’ that would be acceptable to all the
Grand Lodges. In March of 1842, a convention was held as planned. Sadly only
ten jurisdictions saw fit to send delegates. With so few in attendance very little
could be accomplished. Therefore, it was decided to adjourn after only two days
of meetings. Though the convention did not produce the desired results, it did
promulgate a handful of useful suggestions that were to be carried over to the
subsequent convention.
For example, it was suggested that each Grand Lodge should elect a well-
educated and experienced brother, who was well-versed in the workings and
ritual of their respective jurisdictions, to be made Grand Lecturer and become a
delegate to a convention that would be hosted in Baltimore, Maryland the following
year. Further, the delegates proposed that each Grand Lodge should issue to their
members a certificate of good standing which eventually led to the dues cards we
use today. Further, it was recommended that when a brother is suspended for any
reason, he was barred from all rights and privileges of the Craft. Finally, it was
also suggested that all lodge business should be conducted in the Master Mason’s
degree (traditionally, it was the practice that all business of the Lodge be conducted
in the Entered Apprentices degree , a practice that remains common in the majority
of Lodges outside the United States).
As suggested by the previous convention attendees, a subsequent convention
was held in 1843 in Baltimore, Maryland. Again, as with the preceding conven-
tion, attendance problems plagued this gathering of the brethren. Only fourteen
delegates arrived in Baltimore with the remaining nine jurisdictions choosing not
to send representatives. The delegates in attendance were distributed between
four committees: (i) a committee to work on lectures and the conferring the three
degrees in Masonry, (ii) another to work on the ceremonies of consecration and
installations, (iii) a third to address Masonic jurisprudence, and (iv) finally, a
committee to work on the procedures and wordage to be used when conducting
Masonic funeral services.
The committee on the “work and lectures” charged famous brothers John Dove,
Charles Moore and Anthony O’Sullivan with the duty of publishing a National
Monitor to be used by the lodges throughout the country. The Monitor was to
be based on Thomas Smith Webb’s “Freemasons Monitor” which nearly all ju-
risdictions had already adopted. The primary exception was Pennsylvania which
expressed no desire to change as it already utilized a combination of ‘Moderns’
and ‘Ancients’ ritual.
Like the conventions themselves, the project to develop a standardized Na-
tional Monitor failed to meet its intended goal. The three brothers charged with
the development of the National Monitor failed to agree on the ultimate contents
of the document. Brother Moore insisted on injecting material which was neither
adopted nor approved by the delegates of the convention, and, despite vigorous
objection by Brothers O’Sullivan and Dove, published his own monitor in 1844
continued on page 8
5
Freemasonry and the War Between the States
By
Roger Busbice - Lafayette Lodge #87
F
reemasonry is an ancient and noble order which has been part of this
Republic since its beginning. It has always been understood by Ma-
sons that, though they may differ in religion, in politics, and in cultural
heritage, their brotherhood remains.
In 1860, Abraham Lincoln was elected President of the United States
with only 39% of the popular vote. He was not on the ballot in the states of the
Deep South and was viewed as a Northern regional candidate whose devotion to
federal power was a threat to Southern states’ rights and to the South’s agricultural
economy. On December 20, 1860, South Carolina exercised her legal and consti-
tutional right to leave the federal union and seceded from the United States. In the
early weeks of 1861, Alabama, Mississippi, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas
also seceded. On February 4, 1861, they established a new nation, the Confederate
States of America. Lincoln refused to remove federal troops from Ft. Sumter, S.C.
and from Ft. Pickens, Fla. On April 12, 1861, war began in Charleston. Virginia,
Arkansas, North Carolina, and Tennessee soon seceded to join the Confederacy as
did the Indian Territory and substantial parts of Missouri and Kentucky.
The first real battle of the War Between the States took place at Manassas, Vir-
ginia, on Bull Run Creek, in July, 1861. It was a major Southern victory and, also,
the scene of a Masonic act of brotherhood which superseded the divisiveness of
war. A wounded Union officer, and Mason, W. H. Raynor of Ohio who had been
captured was given medical assistance, money, and protection by brother Mason
J. H. Lemon, a Confederate cavalryman from Virginia.
Two years later, at Gettysburg, the most famous and the bloodiest battle of
the conflict, numerous Masons held important command positions on both sides.
Among those present on the Confederate side were General John B. Gordon of
Georgia, General Harry Hays of Louisiana, General Joseph B. Kershaw of South
Carolina, General James L. Kemper of Virginia, General George Pickett of Virginia,
and General John D. Imboden of Virginia. On the Union side, Masonic commanders
included General John H. Ward of New York, General David Birney of Pennsyl-
vania, General Alfred Pleasanton of Pennsylvania, General George Stannard of
Vermont, and Colonel Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain of Maine.
Masonic Confederate General William Barksdale of Mississippi, reportedly
wore the red fez of a Shriner when he died leading his brigade in a heroic charge
against the Yankee lines on the second day of the Battle of Gettysburg. On July 3,
1863, the final day of the battle, Masonic General George Pickett’s Virginia Divi-
sion, assisted by General Johnston Pettigrew’s North Carolina Division, advanced
across a mile of open ground to attack the center of the Union line. The Union
corps holding that position was commanded by General Winfield S. Hancock, a
continued next page
6
Mason from Pennsylvania.
One of General Pickett’s brigade commanders was General Lewis Armistead,
a Mason from Virginia. Before the war, he and Union General Hancock had been
best friends as well as brother Masons. (Armistead’s uncle had commanded the
defense of Ft. McHenry during the War of 1812.) The Confederate divisions had
been torn apart by Union musket and artillery fire as they advanced and only parts
of Armistead’s brigade remained intact when they reached the Union line. With
his hat on his sword, Armistead waved his men forward as the Yankees poured
bullets into them. Mortally wounded, he fell beside a Union cannon and gave the
grand hailing sign of distress. A Union officer and brother Mason, Captain Henry
H. Bingham provided General Armistead with assistance and medical care. Re-
cently, the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania erected a monument on the Gettysburg
battlefield depicting Captain Bingham and General Armistead. The monument is
called “Masonic Friend to Masonic Friend.”
About the same time as the Gettysburg campaign in the East, Union forces
which had invaded Louisiana and Mississippi were besieging Vicksburg and Port
Hudson. A Masonic Union naval officer, Lt. Commander J.E. Hart of New York,
shot himself on the gunboat Albatross which was in the Mississippi River near
St. Francisville, Louisiana. The officers of the gunboat sent a party ashore under
a flag of truce and met with William W. Leake, the acting Master of the Lodge at
Bayou Sara. Brother Leake, who was a soldier in the Confederate Army, and his
brother Masons from the area accepted the body of Brother Hart and a Masonic
burial, which included both Confederate soldiers and Union sailors and marines,
was held in the cemetery of Grace Episcopal Church in St. Francisville. Brother
Hart’s tombstone states, “This monument is dedicated in loving tribute to the
universality of Freemasonry”.
At the end of the war, Masons in the occupying Union Army protected
and defended the oldest Masonic Hall in Richmond, Virginia from looters and
arsonists. At Appomattox, several days later, the Union field commander chosen
to officially receive the surrender of the Confederate troops was former Colonel,
now Major General, Joshua Chamberlain of Maine, a Freemason. As the defeated
Confederates marched between the ranks of Chamberlain’s men, he gave the order
“Present Arms” to honor the Southerners. Seeing this, Confederate General John
B. Gordon of Georgia, a Freemason, wheeled his horse and brought down his
sword in a sweeping arc to salute Chamberlain. This example of “honor answer-
ing honor” was a noble first step toward reuniting the Republic---and a reminder
of the brotherhood which unites all Masons.
7
continued from page 5
The Little Convention:
entitled “The Masonic Trestle Board.” Brother Moore claimed it to be the true
‘work’ of the Baltimore Convention of 1843. The validity of this monitor remained
suspect and it was ultimately only adopted by a handful of lodges. Brother Dove
later published his own monitor in 1846 called “The Virginia Textbook,” in which
he claimed to correct the errors of Brother Moore’s monitor.
Unfortunately, Brothers Dove and Moore died before the three brothers could
come to some agreement as to the content of a true standardized work to guide the
lodges throughout the country. The sole surviving member, Brother O’Sullivan,
never completed the task of seeing the National Monitor published. This left each
Grand Lodge the duty of publishing a monitor of their own choosing.
The efforts of these conventions and its delegates were the most ambitious at-
tempt ever to standardize Masonic work across the United States. While it appears
that these efforts failed in that regard; it did in fact make some lasting contributions
which changed the face of modern American Masonry. Despite rejection by the
majority of jurisdictions of the time, eventually many of their suggestions were
incorporated into our lodges. Clearly those dedicated brothers’ efforts succeeded
in bringing forth a more standardized and uniform form of Freemasonry.
A brief listing of some of their recommendations and suggestions that see regular
use by lodges today are as follows:
8
Parting Shots
By
The Editor
H
aving held the editor’s slot for two years I started to piece together a few
conclusions. There are 257 Lodges in the Grand Lodge of Louisiana but
only approximately ten percent of those contribute to these pages. I want
to express sincere appreciation to those members that submit articles for
their Lodges. Thank you. There are a few ways I could express my con-
clusions based on the 90% of the Lodges not participating with this magazine.
I could conclude that 100% of the Lodges are participating in the community,
within their districts and presenting educational and interesting programs during
their meetings but only 10% have the time to write about the activities. However
strictly based on the number of Lodges participating in the Grand Lodge Achieve-
ment Award program, that determination would not be supported by facts. In 2008,
the latest reporting year, 62 Lodges or 23% qualified for that award.
I could conclude that the Lodges that aren’t submitting articles to the Freemason
are providing members with their own newsletter on a regular basis. These Lodges
don’t wish to have their efforts duplicated. Lodges are using their own publication
as an outreach to members that due to distance or other circumstances are unable
to attend on a regular basis. Given the financial issues that many Lodges currently
face, this is a stretch of even my imagination, but it might be a possibility.
I could conclude that many Lodges have submitted articles in the past and they
weren’t published. The Lodges finally exhausted the energy to continue with submis-
sions without results. I won’t dismiss this possibility in its entirety. I have received
pictures and articles that due to restrictions in the Handbook of Masonic Law, were
not used. Perhaps this same scenario has occurred in the past. The Circulars and
Publications section of the Handbook reads in part: “No constituent Lodge shall
permit the names of its applicants or candidates to appear in any publication or be
sent to its membership, except as a part of the necessary notices to sister Lodges.”
I can not print articles that involve the Initiation or Passing of your candidates.
I could conclude that many Lodges view the publication of their activities vio-
lates the sanctity and disturbs the solemnity of the Craft. We are not a social club
nor are we expected to be featured in the society pages of local press.
Finally I could conclude that the majority of the Lodges view this publication as
another just another Grand Lodge program. Antagonism still exists. What that atti-
tude fails to address is an important fact. This publication may be the only Masonic
information many of your members receive. You are denying your members and
the Craft the opportunity to read about activities, new programs and ideas, honors
and awards and seeing in pictures and words the fruits of your labors.
You may reach your own differing conclusion. Please share them with me.
9
One Hundred Fifty Years
Haughton Lodge #95
I
n the Spring of this year Haughton Lodge #95 celebrated its 150th Char-
tered anniversary. The event was well received by over 80 attendees to
include the Honorable Carlton Anderson, Mayor of Haughton, M:W:
J.F. “Jeff” Webb, Grand Master and sev-
eral members of his Official family. W:
Johnny C Byrd, WM welcomed everyone to the
ceremony and introduced Past Masters, Perpetual,
50 year, and 25 year members of the lodge in at-
tendance. Also, in attendance were members from
Bossier City Chapter 175 OES, and representatives
from York Rite and Scottish Rite bodies and El
Karubah Shrine.
After introductions, the attendees enjoyed an
excellent meal prepared and served by the Ladies of Bossier City Chapter 175
OES, which included Wanda Hagmeyer, Worthy Matron; Lou Ann Foshee, Assc.
Matron; and sisters
Jean Tucker, PM, and
Angel Jolley.
Following lunch,
members and guests
received an outstand-
ing historical presen-
tation by Brother Cliff
Cardin a member of
Haughton #95 and the
Bossier Parish Histo-
rian. Brother Cardin
informed guests and members about
the Lodge’s amazing transformation
from its original location in Bellevue
to its present home in Haughton. It was
also noted, that the lodge would have
celebrated this anniversary 8 years
and 2 months earlier if it weren’t for
the Civil War, at which time numerous
lodges in Louisiana either surrendered
or lost their Charter due to its members
participation during war.
M: W: Jeff Webb, WM was intro-
continued next page
10
continued from previous page
Haughton Lodge #95:
11
ISTROUMA #414 F. & A.M.
L-R: William Rose PM-Secretary, Herb Russell Junior Deacon, George Mitchell PM-Tyler, Sam
Riddle PM-Chaplain, Keith Duncan Worshipful Master, Ray Leteff Senior Warden, MC Taylor PM-
Treasurer, Elmo Burton Junior Warden, Allen DeArmond PM-Senior Deacon.
W. Bro. James Wingate, PM presided over the installation of 2009 Officers
for Istrouma Lodge #414, Baton Rouge, LA. Assisting him were W: Bro. Steven
Sibley, PM Installing Marshall and R.W. Bev Guillot, GSW- Installing Chaplain.
Also, during the installation, W: Bro. MC Taylor was awarded Mason of the Year
2008 for Outstanding Service to Istrouma Lodge #414.
Front row L:R-David Verret SD, R.D. Verret PM WM, Harold Weber SW, Mark Charpentier
Tyler,Jesse Hebert PM Secy.
Back row L:R-Paul Boudreaux Treasurer, Merrill Jacob Chaplin, Lionel Lancon Jr. PM MC,
Michael Ursenbach JW.
12
MANY #411 F. & A.M.
R.W. Bro. Jeff Webb, D.G.M. installed the Lodge’s 2009 officers. L:R-Junior Palmer;Ed Burnitt;
David Horner; R.W. Jeff Webb; Eddie Teal; Frank Dew; Dan Haig; Fred Denham; Jason Heard;
Clauriste Byles; and Graylon Broadway. Missing is Benny Crittenden.
2009 Officers Front Row : L:R:, Bro.William Worley-SD, Bro.John Boyd-SW, W: Thomas C. “
Buddy “ Foster-PM, WM, Bro. Peter Chasas-JW, Bro. Terry Gannaway-JS, W: Bro Barney Harris-
PM Secy
.Back Row: L:R: , Bro. Jimmy Clifton-JD, Bro. Jon Bartlett-Treas, W :Bro. David Marime-PM
Marshal, W: Bro. Art Barton-PM SS, W: Bro: Jimmy Wallace-PM Chaplain.
13
MAGNOLIA #238 F. & A.M.
2009 Officers L:R Jared Lebleu-Senior Stewart; Ray Moses-Grand Lecturer, 10th Masonic District
and Installing Marshall; Dan Lindsey-Treasurer; Carl Lebleu-Senior Warden; Troy Lebleu-Junior
Warden; James Boswell-Tyler; Jeff Webb-Deputy Grand Master and Installing Officer; Larry Lee-
Junior Deacon; Carey Cooley-Marshall; Terry Fowler-Worshipful Master; John Franklin-Chaplin;
Ron Jackson-Secretary; Paul Ledger-Master of Ceremonies; Otis Anderson-Installing Chaplin, P.M.
Merryville Lodge; Jessie Daily, Junior Stewart.
2009 Officers Sitting L:R R: W: James D Parker, DDGM 15th District, W: Martin H Short, Jr. WM,
M: W: Bro Louis J Caruso, PGM
Standing L:R Bernard Covell Jr., Evan C Hart, W: Bro Hilliard W Creath, Sr., W: Bro Arturo V
Yap, W: Bro Lloyd A Hebert, Clarence J Orgeron, Jr., W: Bro Dominck Manno, W: Bro Ernest A
Schiro, Jr., W: Bro Francisco C Hernandez, Jr.
14
CYPRESS #89 F. & A.M.
2009 Officers Front L:R - W: Bro A Frederick Langley, PM-SD, W: Bro George K Winham, PM-
Secretary, Herman Nash, MofC, W: George W Horst, PM-WM, W: Bro T Horace Hill, Sr., PM-JD,
N Faine Miller, JW, Ernest Pease, Tyler Back Row L:R - W: Bro Jeremy T Haas, PM, W: Bro Wayne
L Seals, PM-Chaplain and W: Bro C Jackson Leachman, PM-SW
W. Bro. Steve Pence presided over the installation of 2009 Officers for Cypress
Lodge. Assisting him was W: Bro. Hollis B “Tookie” Grisham, PM Installing
Marshal. Also, during the installation, W: Bro. Jeremy Hass, PM was presented
with his Past Master’s apron for his leadership in 2008
Freemasonry embraces the highest moral laws and will bear the test
of any system of ethics or philosophy ever promulgated for the uplift of
man. General Douglas MacArthur
15
ASHLAND #196 F. & A.M.
2009 Officers Front L:R - W: Bro D Terry Carr, PM-Chaplain, W: Bro N Brooks Powell, PM-
Secretary, H E “Butch” Weaver, Treasurer, W: James W Speir, WM, Gerald R Robinette, SW, W:
Bro Chris W Robinette, PM-JW
Back Row L:R - Ronnie Quick, JS, W Leroy Rushing, SS, W: Bro A Thomas Austin, PM-Tyler, Larry
Page, JD, J Nathan Cherry, SD
Back Row L:R - W: Bro Sam J “Buster” Friday, PM-Marshal, R: W: Michael A Watts, DDGM 6th
District-Installing Marshal, W: Bro Fred M Sullivan, DGL 6th District-Installing Master.
Front Row L:R -Larry Cook, JW, W: Benjamin J Herron, WM, Bobby M Bowen, SW 2nd Row
L:R - Glen Payne, SD, Gene Payne, Treasurer, Gary Curtis, Tyler, Allen C Pichon, MofC 3rd Row
L:R - W: Bro Shawn M Jones, PM-Chaplain, Chris Spalding, SrS, Dale Hicks, JrS
Not pictured W: Bro E Vaughan Gay, PM-Secretary and Benjamin R Boerner, JD
16
SHONGALOO #352 F. & A.M.
Front Row L:R- Jeffrey Dean, Senior Deacon, R Brian Dennis, Senior Warden, W: Patrick B Britt,
Worshipful Master, W: Bro Daniel C Moore, PM-Junior Warden and W: Bro Robert R Charles,
PM-Chaplian Back Row L:R - Steven Williams, Junior Deacon, John Mosley, Junior Steward, W:
Bro John R Stanley, PM-Treasurer, W: Bro Roger D Dew, PM-Tyler, W: Bro A Clayton Strange,
PM-Marshal and W: Bro Waldo W Fuller, Jr., PM-Secretary
Front Row L:R- Zack Scarbrough, Jr Steward, Stephen Mead, Junior Warden, W: Bro Larry C
Blair, Jr, PM-Senior Warden, W: Bro Kenneth R Prim, PM-Chaplain, W: Bro Eugene D Seely,
PM-Secretary and M: W: Bro S. Bruce Easterly, PGM-Installing Master Middle Row L:R - W: Bro
Jessie L Camp, PM-Tyler, Trent H Duncan, MofC Back Row L:R - Gerald L Weakley, Treasurer
and W: James C DeMoss, Worshipful Master
17
CEDAR GROVE #403 F. & A.M.
Front Row L:R- W: Bro Charles T Dolph, PM-MofC, Mark A Rodrigues, SW, W: A J Stevenson,
WM, W: Bro James B Goldsby, PM-JW Back Row L:R - James T Rigdon, Treasurer, Bruce W Ted-
der, Sr., Senior Deacon, Bruce W “Cody” Tedder, Jr., Junior Steward, W: Bro Andrew H Stevenson,
Sr., PM-Secretary, Ronnie H Hinson, Junior Deacon, W: Bro John R “Buddy” Pickett, PM-Tyler,
Don R English, Marshal
2009 Officers were installed with Jane McDaniel serving as Installing Officer, Lynn
Bankston as Marshall, Barbara Seivier as Grand Organist and Shirley Stroud as Secretary.
Geri Rose was installed as Worthy Matron, Bill Rose as Worthy Patron, Sheila Thornhill
Associate Matron and Rex Thornhill as Associate Patron. Percy Lee was the Chaplain and
was assisted by Joe Stroud.
19
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20
LIBERTY #123 F. & AM
Honesty & Integrity Awards
The Lodge held their spring Honesty and
Integrity awards, recognize two outstanding
high school students. The Students selected
were Ms. Kara P. Martin & Mr. William S.
Taylor. Ms. Martin is the daughter of Mar-
shall & Syrenia Martin, Grand Daughter of
Bob & Claudette Martin and Grand Daughter
ofTena Henshaw; Mr. Taylor is the son of
Mike & Kim Taylor, Grandson of Bill & Pat
Taylor and Great grandson of Mrs. Thelma L:R- William Taylor, M: W: Bro S Bruce Easterly,
Holdbrook. PGM and Kara Martin
Our guest Speaker was M: W: Bro S The guest, visitors and members enjoyed
Bruce Easterly, PGM. M.W. Easterly spoke a delicious meal of fried catfish prepared by
briefly on history of Masonry and its back- Bros. Jack Huffman and Jim Mason and an
ground fundamentals and to the students on array of delicious desserts prepared by Mrs.
the aspects of Honesty and Integrity and in Evan Baliali, Mrs. Diane Mason, Mrs. Con-
applying it to their daily lives. nie Jackson, Mrs. Alice Huffman and Bro.
Harold Elliot.
L:R- M: W: Llloyd E Hennigan, Jr., GM, R: W: Woody D Bilyeu, GSW, M: W: Bro Eugene F Love,
PGM, daughter Phillis and W: W Bryan Price, PM-WM
21
ISTROUMA #414 F. & AM W: Bro H B “Cookie” Billingsley spoke
on the meaning of Honesty and Integrity
Honesty & Integrity Awards and presented the awards to Brittany Nic-
hole Williams and Jacob Andrew Still. W:
Keith Duncan, WM thanked the youth for
their achievements and expressed gratitude
to their respective families for bringing the
child up in the way they should go.
22
TRINITY UNION #372F. & AM
Honesty & Integrity
Ten worthy young adults were recognized
for their accomplishments and exemplifying
the principles of the award. The recipients
were: Austin Butler, Bradley Chambers, Geof-
fery Goynes-Clark, Chloe Hidalgo, Bradley
Howes, Brennan Howes, Andrew Kinchen,
Garrett Tillman, Emma Waguespack, and
Carlee Wilson. The speaker for the evening
was C.J. Pell, a recent recipient of the award, Front Row: L:R- Chloe Hidalgo, Bradley Howes,
Brennan Howes, Emma Waguespack, Carlee
who spoke on the meaning of honesty and
Wilson;Back Row: L:R -Geoffrey Goynes-Clark,
integrity to today’s youth. W: Bro Aubrey C Bradley Chambers, Austin Butler, Garrett
Brignac was the chairman for the event with Tillman, Andrew Kinchen
W: Charles D Smith, Jr., WM presiding.
ATHENS #136 F. & AM Fair Park honored two fine young men
Honesty & Integrity Awards with the Honesty & Integrity Award. W: Bro
John T Adams, Jr., PM presented John David
Adams and Patrick Thomas Dickson with
certificates, keys and a monetary gift.
24
Mt. MORIAH-QUITMAN #59409 F. & AM
Honesty & Integrity Award
gave a outstanding tribute outlining each
of the recipients’ achievements. W:M:
Earl J. Huguenel, Jr., presented each of
the awardees with a beautifully framed
certificate, check and key.
Taylor Jayroe, second from left,
is the daughter of Bro. Steve Jayroe,
L:R Jeremy Nesbit, Northshore High School; Sec., granddaughter of W: Bro. Philip
Taylor Jayroe, Northshore High School; W:M:
Earl J. Huguenel, Jr., Sara Donnes, St. Mary
Molaison, Tres., and niece of W: Bro.
Dominican High School; Gabrielle Relle, Ridge- Guy Gerhardt, Chaplain. Also Ryan Hu-
wood Prep High School and Ryan Huguenel, guenel, right end, is the son of Bro. Da-
Dutchtown High School. vid Huguenel, grandson of Bro. Earl J.
Mt. Moriah-Quitman Lodge #59 F. Huguenel, Sr. and nephew of W:M: Earl
& A.M., located in Jefferson, LA held J. Huguenel Jr. all members of Mount
its annual Honesty & Integrity Award Moriah-Quitman Lodge No. 59.
Night. W: Bro. Edward Borgstede, P.M.,
served as Master of Ceremonies and
CHOUDRANT #339 F. & AM
Honesty & Integrity
Choudrant Masonic Lodge #339
honored two Choudrant High School
students. W: Bro Ed Collins, DGGL and
Past Master of Choudrant Lodge, spoke
to the students, their friends and family
about the importance of honesty and
L:R Ed Collins, Ashlynn Barr, Joseph Simmons
integrity, and the history of the award. and W: Nathan McNabb, WM
25
LANDMARK #214 F & AM W: Warren Williams, WM welcomed
Past Masters Night the attendees and recognized Landmark
Lodge Past Masters. Those present
were W: Bros: Durwood Lindsey, Dale
Harper, Eric Harper, Jimmy Oates, Ray
Cantrell, and Glenn Hunt.
Also honored that night was Lo-
gansport High School Student Chelsea
Thomas. Chelsea, the daughter of
Rodney and Carol Thomas of Keatchie,
received a Certificate of Appreciation
for her First Place winning Social
L:R W: Warren A Williams, WM, Miss Chelsea Studies project titled Freeemasonry, in
Thomas and Grandfather & W: Bro Raymond which she gave a brief history of our
e Cantrell
fraternity’s history. Chelsea said she
learned a great deal from the project
and she also enjoyed the bonding with
her grandfather, Ray Cantrell-PM, who
assisted with the project.
ATKINS #266 F. & AM L:R Front Row W: Bro Bill Rose-PM Sec’y,
Herb Russell-JW, W: Bro Robert Wicker, Martin
70 Year Milestone Taylor and W: Bro George Mitchell.
Back Row: R: W: B J Guillot-GSW, W: Bro Jim-
mie Dunkin-DGL 13th District, Rex Thornhill,
Sam Riddle-Chaplain, Elmo Burton, W: Bro
Chuck Taylor, Ben Wicker and W: Bro Amos
Smith
29
St. JAMES #47 F. & A.M. An historic event took place at St.
James Lodge No. 47. A Master Mason
Special Mason degree was conferred on Ryan Salter
who is in the Army and was home for
a short leave from Iraq. Ryan is a 4th
generation Mason, three of which are
living and shown in the attached pic-
ture. From left to right are Joe Richard,
Master of the Lodge; Frank Dedman,
grandfather and Secretary; Ryan Salter,
son and new member; and Brent Salter,
father and member.
R F McGUIRE #209 F. & A.M.
Fire & Police Appreciation
R. F. McGuire Lodge #209 F&AM
held dinners for the police and firemen
of the town of Rayville, LA. In atten-
dance were the police and firemen of
Rayville, the Mayor of Rayville (Harry
Lewis), the Chief of Police (Willie
Lee Robinson), the Fire Chief (Willie
Mathis) and several town Aldermen as
well as numerous officers and members
of the lodge.
The Officers and Brethren of R.F.
McGuire would like to thank the police
and firefighters everywhere for their
hard work and dedication to keeping
everyone safe. We pray each day that
you are kept safe.
30
The Grand Lodge Masonic Cemetery located at 400 City Park Avenue,
New Orleans, LA, announces the completion of three, newly constructed
columbarium sites on the premises of Cemetery 2 of the Grand Lodge Ma-
sonic Cemetery.
Each columbarium has 24 cremation niches on each side for a total of 48
niches for each columbarium. Choice of cremation niches are available for
purchase on a first come, first serve basis.
As it is a Masonic cemetery, the purchaser must be either a Mason or the
wife, child, parent, grandchild, grand-parent, brother or sister of a Mason.
The price for each niche is $1,500.00. The purchase package price includes
a bronze niche plate indicating the name of the person to be interred in said
niche and the birth year date.
The Cemetery Sexton, Alfortish Enterprises, Inc., will process the sale of all
columbarium niches. Their office telephone number is: 504-393-2026.
Please see the photo above for a view of the three newly constructed colum-
bariums.
LIVONIA #220 F. & A.M. The brethren of Livonia Lodge in
New Roads honored a special member
Recognition W: Bro Dale W Gustin, 90. The Lodge
presented a plaque commemorating his
sixty-eight years of service to Masonry.
Presenting the plaque was W: Warren
M Lachney, WM. W: Brother Dale was
a Past Master of Tyrian Lodge in Innis,
which closed over twenty-five years ago.
Despite the fact that he no longer drives,
Brother Dale never misses a meeting
and holds the office of Senior Steward.
Honorable and determined men and
Masons like Brother Dale are few and
far between. He is truly an inspiration
to us all.
31
ATKINS #266 F. & A.M.
Honoring Veterans
Atkins Lodge held an open meet-
ing for the purpose of recognizing
and thanking veterans of our military
services. The Worshipful Master gave
a short talk honoring our combat vet-
erans. He addressed various reasons
they might have served, stressed that L:R - , Bro Murelyn Carter, W: Bro Elton A
the reason they served was far less im- Bruner (PM 1964), W: Bro Geoffrey C Clement,
Sr., Cpl Ian Tetrault, W: Bro James R Enkey,
portant than that they did serve, spoke Bro Robert L Ward, JD and W: Bro William R
of what our countries literally owes to Richards
those who have risked life and limb in
combat for the country, and closed by
listing what further duties our combat
veterans owe the country and their
fellow citizens.
The seven combat veterans present
were individually honored with the
thanks of the Lodge and a certificate
attesting to the Lodge’s and the Fra-
ternity’s appreciation for their (and
their families’) sacrifices. The six
combat veteran members of Atkins not
L:R - W: Bro Elton Bruner, the Lodge’s only
present for this meeting received their surviving WWII combat Veteran and W: Carey
certificates at the next regular meeting C Allison, WM.
or will at the next regular meeting they
attend. The group included one WWII the State of Louisiana, to living family
veteran, one veteran with service in members who could not attend the pre-
both Korea and Vietnam, a number of sentation: one for a WWII veteran and
Vietnam Veterans, three veterans of Illinois Mason and one for an one Iraq
the War In Iraq, and one young man War veteran and Atkins Lodge member
(and future Mason?) who was home who is working out of state.
on temporary leave from an ongoing Those of us who did not face the hor-
assignment in Afghanistan. Two other ror and privation of serving in combat
certificates were given to Atkins Lodge should always be grateful to those who
members for them to give, on behalf of stood in our place in the breech, includ-
Atkins Lodge and the Grand Lodge of ing those who did not return.
32
Mt. MORIAH-QUITMAN #59 F. & A.M.
Ladies Night The members of Mt. Moriah-Quitman
Lodge #59 located in Jefferson, held
its annual Ladies Night with W: Earl
J. Huguenel, Jr., W.M. welcoming the
members and ladies for their attendance.
W: Huguenel honored the ladies in atten-
dance with a short speech and thanking
them for their support of their husbands
and being a valuable asset to the Masonic
family. Each lady was introduced by
their husbands with the number of years
of marriage. Gifts were presented by
W: Earl J. Huguenel, Jr., W.M. to each
lady in appreciation for their support. A
delicious meal was served immediately
after the presentations.
Whenever or wherever people are in need Masons are there to help. From
large undertakings to the smallest of needs, Masons are always there, caring and
serving. I have always been interested as to why Masons devote so much time
to their Fraternity. A good answer to this question came from a Grand Master
who once told me that he enjoys his involvement because it gives him another
dimension to living.
Dr. Norman Vincent Peale
33
MAGNOLIA #238 F. & A.M.
Veterans Honored
Magnolia Masonic Lodge held its
annual Patriotic Night and honored area
veterans. M:W: J. F. “Jeff” Webb, GM
addressed the one hundred plus visitors
and thirty two veterans. Shown in the
picture with W: Terrell D Fowler, WM
of Magnolia Lodge and M:W: Jeff Webb
is W: Bro Robert R. Reeves of Gillis,
L:R W: Terry Fowler, WM, W: Bro Robert Reeves
Louisiana. W: Bro Reeves was pre- and M: W: Jeff Webb, GM
sented the Fidelity Award, the first given
in Lodge history. Bro Robert, a retired the first infantry division of the army.
rice farmer, fought in Italy during WW W: Bro Reeves is Past Master of
II. He parachuted into southern France Magnolia serving as Master in 1957 and
and fought through France into Belgium. served as treasurer for twenty five years.
He received two Purple Hearts for the He is also a retired champion bull rider.
injuries received during the Battle of the Brother Reeves is married to Berna
Bulge. He fought with the Big Red One, Dean Reeves and has two children.
L:R W;Bro. Guy R. Gerhardt-2008, W;Bro. Vincent Guillera, Jr.-2005, W;Bro. Joseph J. Baham-2004,
W; Bro. Jefferey P. Borgstede-1996 & 2006, W; Earl J. Huguenel, Jr. W.M., W;Bro. Jared A. Wilkes,
Jr.-1990, W; Bro. Anthony J. Alouise-1988, W; Bro. Philip L. Molaison 1972 & W;Bro. Charles R.
Smith-1970.
35
ATKINS #266 F. & A.M.
Past Masters Night
Atkins Lodge #266 held a Special Called Communication to honor it’s Past
Masters. Each Past Master briefly addressed the Lodge after which all of the Chairs
were filled by Past Masters to close the Lodge.
L-R 1st row: James Kelly, PM (Joppa 362), Paul Carson, PM (Haughton 95), Hoyt Hooper, PM (Hap
Arnold 457), Elton Bruner, PM, Ray Paddie, PM, Terry Harris, PM, and Jackie Johnson, PM.
2nd row: Jim Enkey, PM, Ricky Hall, PM.
3rd row: Jim Allen, PM, W: Carey Allison, WM and Bill Richards, PM& Secretary Emeritus Atkins
266.
The Valley of Monroe’s cast for The Rose Upon the Altar
Union Fraternal Lodge sponsored Widows Night to honor the widows of our
fallen brothers. They were honored with a wonderful dinner, each recognized and
presented with a red rose followed by the Masonic play: “The Rose on the Altar”
as permitted by the Masonic Service Association and presented by the Monroe
Scottish Rite Bodies.
36
JEANERETTE #255 F. & A.M.
Past Masters Night
Front row L:R David Verret SD, R.D. Verret PM WM, Harold Weber SW, Mark Charpentier
Tyler,Jesse Hebert PM Secy.
Back row L:R Paul Boudreaux Treasurer, Merrill Jacob Chaplin, Lionel Lancon Jr. PM MC,
Michael Ursenbach JW.
38
INDIVISIBLE FRIENDS # 404 F. & A.M.
GERMANIA #46 F. & A.M. Indivisible Friends Lodge #404 in
Gretna of the 15th Masonic District and
Joint Meeting Germania Lodge #46 in New Orleans
of the 16th Masonic District have for
the past eleven years shared our July
regular communications as a joint meet-
ing. This is because the Lodges Stated
Communications are scheduled for the
same days. The benefit of this joint
meeting is to allow members to observe
the Scottish Rite and York Rite rituals
in the opposing Districts. Dispensation
from the Grand Lodge is received and
the York Rite ritual is used to open our
Lodge and Germania closes in the Scot-
tish Rite. When at Germainia, the Lodge
L:R W: Kenneth A Austin, WM Indivisible is opened in their ritual and closed using
Friends and W: C Glenn Cupit, WM Germa- the York Rite.
nia. This joint communication has been
a grand success and is one of the high-
lights of our Masonic year.
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
2009-10 OFFICERS
Jules F. “Jeff”, Webb, Grand Master
Woody D. Bilyeu, Deputy Grand Master
Beverly J. “BJ” Guillot, Grand Senior Warden
Frank N. du Treil, Jr., Grand Junior Warden
A. Ray McLaurin, Grand Treasurer
James M. Walley, PGM, Grand Treasurer “Emeritus”
Roy B. Tuck, PGM, Grand Secretary
William J. Mollere, Grand Chaplain
H. Edward Durham, Grand Marshal
Philip H. Thibodeaux, Grand Senior Deacon
Frederick Anderson, Grand Junior Deacon
Michael F. Webb, Grand Sword Bearer
James E. Steen, Grand Pursuivant
Al E. Franks, Grand Standard Bearer
Clyde O. Morgan, Grand Tyler
Willey G. Bell, III, Grand Photographer
W. Bryan Price, Grand Organist
I.C. Turnley, Jr., M.D., PGM, Grand Physician