Volume 56 No. 4 FALL 2011 A First for Freemasonry, page 89 Official Publication of the page 90 Grand Lodge of Missouri A.F. & A.M. JOPLIN UPDATE Each of us remembers particular years Hall Masons of Missouri and in meeting its of our lives for things and events that leave Officers, Past Grands and Delegates, I was a lasting imprint on our mind, influencing thoroughly impressed with the dignity and how we think and react to people and high importance they assign to Masonry. It issues. There is much on the national news would be my wish that the members of our to remind us there are serious issues to AF & AM could each sit in Lodge with the be resolved, which could impact the civil Prince Hall Masons and sense in person fabric of our society. Change seems to the common bond we share as Brothers. be mandated even if it is something we I hope progress will continue toward full instinctively resist. recognition between Grand Lodges. My journey this year as Grand Master I also had the privilege to attend the of Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons of Grand Lodge of Scotland in Edinburgh Missouri has put me into contact with individuals that where they are celebrating 275 years as a Grand Lodge. convince me there is reason for hope that our Country It was most interesting to visit three subordinate Lodges will find solutions to the issues which presently seem and make comparisons with our Ritual. While their so daunting. work bears many similarities to ours, it was evident I have had the opportunity to attend many of the they emphasize the educational applications more than annual meetings of our Masonic Bodies in Missouri, the Proficiency of the Ritual itself. It was inspiring as well as the Grand Master’s Conference of North to see and feel the Harmony Masonry brings to the America and the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Scots. Prince Hall Masons of Missouri. It is an honor to serve this Grand Lodge as your Meeting the leaders and delegates at each of these Grand Master and to have the opportunity to meet so assemblies reminds me there is a segment of our many of you across the state. I hope Masonry will be a society that will continue to positively influence the source of life changing events for you as well. future of not only our Fraternity but also our Society. These individuals demonstrate Masonic Values remain Fraternally, to be the “cement and support of our civil society” and leave a lasting impression that we can adapt to changes that must be absorbed. Gail Turner In recently attending the Grand Lodge of Prince Grand Master 2010-2011 Committee on Masonic Publications the month preceding publication in February, May, without charge. Domestic subscriptions elsewhere are Gail S. Turner, Grand Master August, and November. $12.00 annually. David L. Ramsey, Senior Grand Warden Unless otherwise indicated, the views expressed Ronald D. Miller, Grand Secretary in this magazine are those of the authors and do PERMIssION TO REPRINT: All recognized Zelwin B. Eaton, Past Editor not necessarily reflect the opinions or policy of the Masonic publications have permission to reprint E. Otha Wingo, Assistant Editor Grand Lodge A.F.&A.M. of Missouri. The Editor original articles from The Missouri Freemason Steven L. Harrison, Editor, Chairman reserves the right to accept, reject, subedit and with credit to the author and the publication. Editor rearrange material submitted for publication. Pictures CHANGE OF ADDRESS (Important): Whenever Steven L. Harrison submitted for publication will not be returned. a member changes his mailing address without P.O. Box 1120 • Kearney, MO 64060-1120 The Missouri Freemason does not accept forms notifying his Lodge Secretary and a mailing of the 816-558-0436 / Call for Fax or clippings for publication. Please do not submit Freemason magazine occurs, the Post Officecharges materials in PDF format. [email protected] the Grand Lodge 75¢ per undeliverable Freemason. OFFICE OF PUBLICATIONS: Grand Lodge of Submit articles to: Missouri, 6033 Masonic Drive, Suite B, Columbia, PLEASE, contact your Lodge Secretary with your MO 65202-6535. Printed by Tribune Publishing address change so that the Grand Lodge can then be [email protected] Co., Columbia, Missouri. Periodicals Postage paid notified. GRAND LODGE OF MISSOURI at Columbia, Missouri. The Missouri Freemason (USPS 573-920) is the GRAND LODGE OF MISSOURI official publication of the Grand Lodge, Ancient POSTMASTER: Please send Address Forms INTERNET ADDRESSES Free and Accepted Masons of the State of Missouri, 3579 to Grand Secretary, 6033 Masonic Drive, E-Mail to the Grand Lodge Office and is published four times yearly. Articles to be Suite B, Columbia, MO 65202-6535. [email protected] considered for publication should be e-mailed to SUBSCRIPTIONS: The Missouri Freemason is The Grand Lodge web page [email protected], not later than the first day of mailed to every member of this Masonic Jurisdiction www.momason.orgPhone: 573-474-8561 86 Fall 2011 THE MISSOURI FREEMASON THE MISSOURI FREEMASON© VOL. 56 NO. 4 Official Publication of the Grand Lodge of Missouri FALL 2011 Published and copyrighted under the direction of the Committee on Masonic Publications CONTENTS From The Editor’s Keyboard 88 Announcing the Commemorative Grand Lodge Symbolism and Freemasonry go hand-in-hand. There have been, in turn, a of Missouri — Members' Story and Photo Album couple of events recently that are themselves symbols of what Freemasonry is 88 Third Annual Masonic Unity about. — Friends of Masonry Day On Sunday, May 22, tragedy struck Joplin, Missouri, in the form of one Scheduled of the worst tornadoes this country has ever seen. In its aftermath, people 88 Civil War Reenacting and from literally all over the world have rushed to help. At the forefront along Masonry in Missouri with those have been Joplin's own residents helping themselves and the area 89 The Swedish Connection: Masons pitching in. "That I May Travel in The Joplin Scottish Rite used its building, which remained unharmed, as a Foreign Countries relief headquarters. Masons from all over Missouri have made donations and 90 The Right thing To Do … even driven to Joplin to assist. 93 Invitation to 190th Annual RWB Richard Communication of the Grand Lowrey has provided Lodge of Missouri, AF&AM an update on the 94 Brotherly Love, Relief, and events there in this Truth Are Not Just Words edition of the Missouri 94 Sampson, Ava Lodges Freemason. When he Remember Founding Brother submitted his materials, 95 Swope Park Lodge he pointed something Commemorates 100 Years out I thought I'd pass With Two Special Events. along. Among the 95 MoCHIP Volunteer pictures was a photo Extraordinaire of a woman walking 96 The First Lost Symbols of Saint through the devastation Louis will not be The Last wearing a T-shirt which 96 Grand Lodge Launches New Membership has a quote on it from Information System baseball great Babe 97 The "Traveling" Masonic Ring Ruth, "It's hard to beat — One Mason to Another — a person who never gives up." RWB Lowrey said he thought that represented A True Story the spirit of his community, which will definitely come back from the tragedy. 97 Masonic Freemason Deadlines On a much happier note, we believe we've seen a Masonic first in the state. 98 Grand Lodge to Hold On May 5, Missouri's Polar Star Rose Hill Lodge #79 and Sweden's Salomon à "Town Hall" Area Meetings Trois Serrures Lodge held a joint meeting, opened on the Third Degree. 98 Thirteen Men with a Vision While we know border Lodges from two countries have met in joint session 99 MoCHIP ID's 125,000th Child before, we know of no other time Lodges have held this unique type of meeting, and gets a Guardian Angel made possible only by technology not available just a few years ago. Brother 100 The Third Degree David Cormier, editor of the PSRH trestelboard, wrote about this historic 100 Missouri Freemason Online meeting in this issue's cover story. 101 Rainbow Girls The events in Joplin, tragic as they may be, are a graphic example of 102 Job's Daughters the brotherly love and relief that so characterizes Freemasonry. The joint 103 Masonic Home of Missouri meeting across an ocean is emblematic of the spirit of 106 Work of Our Craft Brotherhood alive in the Fraternity. It's great to be a Steve Harrison, Editor 109 Masonic Service Awards part of it. THE MISSOURI FREEMASON Fall 2011 87 Announcing the Commemorative Grand Lodge of Missouri Members' Story and Photo Album Since 1821, the Grand Lodge of Missouri, Ancient Free firm your own Masonic profile (i.e., degrees, honors, offices, and Accepted Masons has been, with its local Lodges, a place affiliations) as well biographical (i.e., residence, employer, of learning for the Brethren to become better men, husbands career code) and contact information. Additionally, there and fathers; and to do charity and good works for others. also will be a photo and commentary from each of the local In celebration of the tradition and legacy of the Missouri Lodges. You will be able to submit a four-color photograph Masons, we are putting together a special, commemorative as well as up to a 300 word story. Besides being a substantial Members' Story and Photo Album. This publication will let 8½x11 full color edition for you to own, a portion of the total you tell of the influence being a Mason has had on your life. project proceeds will benefit the Grand Lodge. It could be about personal growth, charity activities you par- The Grand Lodge of Missouri has selected Harris Con- ticipated in and contributed to, and special times with the nect as its trusted partner to research and produce this com- Brothers you benefited from.