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Official Publication for the Grand Lodge of Vermont, Free & Accepted Masons

The Green Mountain

FALL 2015

freemason VOL. 100 ISSUE 4

Who Was Hiram Abiff?

IN MEMORIAM A List of all our

Brothers who have passed the last 12

months

Plus . . .

Parades

Golf Tournaments

Masonic Picnic

Recap of the 221st Grand Lodge Communication


Official Publication for the Grand Lodge of Vermont, Free & Accepted Masons

The Green Mountain

FALL 2015

freemason VOL. 100 ISSUE 4

Who Was Hiram Abiff?

IN MEMORIAM A List of all our

Brothers who have passed the last 12

months

Plus . . .

Parades

Golf Tournaments

Masonic Picnic

Recap of the 221st Grand Lodge Communication

2


the green mountain freemason

How to Contact Us

Editor John Tester can be contacted either by phone at 802-989-3760, or e-mail at [email protected].

Advertisements

Advertisements for the Green Mountain Freemason help offset the costs so we can bring you this new and ex-citing Trestle Board two or three times per year. Ad prices are $65.00 per issue and will appear in the 5,000 +/- copies of the Green Mountain Freemason that are mailed and delivered to Brothers near and far. Please con-tact Bro. John Tester for more information or to place an ad. All advertisements are the same size.

Submissions

When sending in pictures of brothers receiving service pins or other awards, PLEASE include ALL of the following information: NAMES of ALL the people in the photo The LODGE name the brother is from The DATE the award was given If presented out of state, name of the LOCATION Any special details (age of Bro, etc.)

Grand Lodge of Vermont—Free and Accepted Masons The Office

Ann Winter Secretary

[email protected]

49 East Rd Barre, VT 05641

802-223-1883 800-479-3975

Fax: 802-223-2187

Hours Monday - Thursday 8:00am to 4:00pm

Closed Fri, Sat, Sun


The Grand Officers Most Worshipful Grand Master

George J. Deblon [email protected]

Right Worshipful Deputy Grand Master

Victor Stone [email protected]

Right Worshipful Grand Sr. Warden

Stuart Corso [email protected]

Right Worshipful Grand Jr. Warden

James B. Stevens [email protected]

Right Worshipful Grand Secretary

Butch Donnelly Jr. [email protected]

Right Worshipful Grand Treasurer

Theodore Corsones [email protected]

Right Worshipful Grand Sr. Deacon

Kirk C. White [email protected]

Right Worshipful Grand Jr. Deacon

A. Stephen Farrington [email protected]

Worshipful Grand Lecturer

Paul C. Mosher [email protected]

3


Contents

This Issue 4 From the Grand Master

5 Brian Carley, PGM 50th

8 Masonic Family Picnic

17 Tribute to a Mason

19 From the Dep. Gr. Master

20 C. A. R. E. Raffle Winners

Green Mountain Freemason

EDITOR

John R. Tester Independence Lodge #10

COMMITTEE

Cedric Smith PGM Pulaski Lodge #58

John R. Tester

Independence Lodge #10

Charles R. Kettles Mad River Lodge #77

Christopher Johnson

Franklin Lodge #4

SUBMISSIONS

Articles, stories, history, events, recognitions, bi-ographies, and pictures can be sent to the editor

at

[email protected]

or mailed to

John Tester 656 Route 73

Orwell, VT 05760

All submissions must be accompanied by a name and contact e-mail and/or

phone number. Pictures that are mailed will not be returned un-less accompanied by a

stamped, self-addressed envelope.

Submissions are due 3 weeks prior to the publication date.

PUBLICATION

Publication office: Grand Lodge of Vermont

49 East Road – Berlin Barre, VT 05641-5390

The Green Mountain

Freemason is published under the authority of the Grand Lodge of Vermont

F&AM.


Advertising in the green mountain freemason Businesses are encouraged to advertise in the Green Mountain Freemason.

All advertisements are 2 inches by 3½ inches and are black and white. The cost for advertisement is $65.00 per issue.

For more information or to submit an advertisement please contact the editor:

John Tester, 656 Route 73, Orwell, VT 05760 802-948-2841 [email protected]

22 Independence Lodge

200th Anniversary

23 Lodge of Research

24 Parades!

27 Supporting Teens

6

9

13

14

17

District Meetings

in memoriam

Golf Tournaments

221st Grand Lodge Recap

Merritt Edson Day

25 Who Was Hiram Abiff?

4


Most Worshipful Grand Master George Deblon

Greetings,

As I am writing this we are approaching the fourth anniversary of Tropical Storm Irene, Vermont’s greatest natural challenge since 1927. We were not ex-pecting this storm to be as forceful as it was, leaving in its wake, many Vermont towns devastated and isolated. We were all made aware of the severe damage that this storm left in its path. As Vermonters we pulled together taking care of one another, neighbor helping neighbor, with bravery, generosity and humor pulling us all together. Those of us who were in the middle of this storm will never forget the sights, the sounds, the smells and the force of water. We witnessed many of our

neighbors and friends homes getting washed away by the rapid moving water. If you recall the day after Trop-ical Storm Irene it was a beautiful day with blue skies and perfect temperatures, but the most remarkable part for me was seeing how everyone put aside their differences and worked together, even those who have not talked to one another for years banding together with the common interest of helping one another in the time of need. This storm actually brought everyone closer.

As Freemasons we do not need a storm to remind us that we should always be involved in our commu-nities, help our neighbors and assist in whatever way needed, big or small. There are three great duties as Ma-sons we are charged with, and in order are; to God, our Neighbors and lastly to Ourselves. This is the way it should always be!

Brothers, by working together we can make our lodges stronger, more vibrant. It is not our physical building which makes us good Masons, it is what is in our hearts, our personal character, and our commitment to the Fraternity that makes us good Masons. We need to be willing to help one another by putting aside any differences and doing what is best for Masonry as a whole, being willing to work with other lodges that are struggling to aiding and assisting one another. It is a team effort! It is the responsibility of each one of us to let the Masonic light shine, and membership for the Fraternity is also the responsibility of each one of us.

I am very proud to be a Mason, just as all of you are and we should show our families and the public that we are proud. We should show them some of the reasons why we are proud by hosting Family Nights at our lodges to help educate our loved ones about this great Fraternity. Let’s help them to feel involved, after all, when a man becomes a Mason, his family becomes a Masonic Family. His wife, or significant other, be-comes a Masonic Lady, and we should show them support by hosting a Ladies Night or a Ladies at the Table. I am hoping that most of our lodges will participate in a state wide Open House, with all the other New Eng-land States, on Saturday, October 17. I strongly encourage more family oriented events at our lodges. Feel free to contact me for tips and suggestions on how to make your own Open House a success. I look forward to hearing your personal stories of how your event was received. Together we can make these Open Houses en-joyable for everyone who attends.

Brothers, I thank you for electing me as the 86th Grand Master for the Grand Lodge of Vermont. It is a great honor. I was pleased to see so many of you at the Installation of Grand Officers and at the reception

(Continued on page 5)

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which my home lodge, Rural Lodge #29, hosted on June 14. It was quite a surprise when the Widows Sons presented me with my vest. It was an impressive and well executed ceremony and so powerful to see so many brothers rise to a stand at it’s commencement. And, what a sight to see so many motorcycles around the park in Rochester!

On Saturday, August 15, the Grand Lodge of Vermont had the great privilege to do a Masonic Dedica-tion Ceremony in Chester for the Monument in the memory and honor of Brother Merritt A. Edson, which hopefully you all read about in the last Green Mountain Freemason. We are looking forward to doing a Cor-nerstone Laying Ceremony at Independence Lodge #10, in Orwell, on Saturday, September 19. The itinerary and all the details are in this issue.

Hope everyone has been enjoying their summer, they sure go by fast! District Meetings will be start-ing up in just a short while, the first meeting is at Adoniram Lodge #22 in Manchester on Tuesday, September 8. I’m looking forward to seeing many of you at the 13 district meetings this year.

Thank you for your time, generosity, and talents.

On The Level,

George J. Deblon Grand Master

Bro. Brian Carley, PGM 50 Year Presentation

On March 20, 2015, Brother Brian Carley, PGM, was presented with his 50 Year Service Button and certif-icate by Brother Roger Crouse, MWGM. The presentation took place at Brattleboro Lodge #102 during its regular communication. Pictured from L-R starting top right and going clockwise: Bro. Roger Crouse, MWGM, Bro. Brian Carley, PGM and his wife Linda. Bro. Brian Carley’s wife Linda “pinning” him with his 50 Year button. Bro. Roger Crouse, MWGM shaking the hand of Bro. Brian Carley’s great-grandson while other family members look on.

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2015 District Meeting Calendar Meetings open at 6:00pm Dinner begins at 6:30pm

Meetings resume at 7:30pm Meetings close at 9:30pm

Dist Date Day Host Lodge District Deputy

E-mail Phone Number

#2 9/8 Tuesday Adoniram #42 Manchester Depot

Randy Novotny [email protected] 375-6432

#11 9/16 Wednesday Olive Branch #64 Chester

Earl J. Miller [email protected] 259-2691

#6 9/22 Tuesday Granite Lodge #35 Barre

Dexter Rowe [email protected] 279-5153

#5 9/25 Friday Ethan Allen #72 Williston

Vincent Comegno [email protected] 899-1335

#3 9/29 Tuesday Libanus Lodge #47 Bristol

Ken Goodrich [email protected] 453-6490

#4 10/2 Friday Eureka Lodge #75 Fair Haven

Richard E. Boise [email protected] 747-4481

#13 10/7 Wednesday Mt. Vernon #8 Morrisville

Michael Chase [email protected] 798-2016

#9 10/9 Friday Mystic Star-Phoenix Brookfield

Leon R. Dion [email protected] 439-9320

#8 10/14 Wednesday Mt. Lebanon #46 Jamaica

Robert Baldauf [email protected] 579-1361

#7 10/16 Friday Lincoln Lodge #78 Enosburg Falls

Eli Gabuzda [email protected] 309-8397

#12 10/19 Monday Crescent Lodge #66 Lyndonville

Robert duMaire [email protected] 748-1631

#10 10/21 Wednesday Memphremagog #65 Newport

Michael J. Ladd [email protected] 525-3175

#1 10/23 Friday White River #90 Royalton

Brian O. Newton [email protected]

Hosting lodge will open at 6:00pm and receive District Deputy All officers in full regalia

Grand Lodge officers in tuxedos please!

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Father-Son-Brothers

On Friday, August 21, 2015, Roy Mosher was raised to the sublime de-gree of a Master Mason in Crescent Lodge #66 in Lyndonville, VT. The degree was conferred by the Widows Sons Degree Team.

Top Picture:

L-R: Bro. Paul Mosher, Grand Lec-turer and Master of Crescent Lodge; the newly minted Master Mason Roy Mosher, son of Wor. Paul Mosher; Bro. Cedric Smith PGM, Bro. Tom Johnston IV PGM; Bro. George Deblon MW Grand Master.

Bottom picture:

The Widows Son’s Degree Team with other members of the Grand Lodge and Crescent Lodge.

Pictures are credited to RW Cedric Smith

PROUD TO BE A MASON

If you would like to order a shirt, hat, vest, jacket, decal, button, or other merchandise available please visit the website below or you can call or e-mail Lady Kerry Deblon.

Show your pride in being a Freemason, and order today!

802-746-8527

[email protected]

http://www.vtfreemasons.org/proud/index.asp

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Masonic Family Picnic

On Sunday, July 12, the six lodges of District 3; Dorchester #1, Union #2, Morning Sun #5, Independence #10, St. Paul’s #25, and Libanus #47, got together and put on a Masonic family picnic at the Button Bay State Park in Vergennes. With donations from each lodge and prior planning by the picnic committee, the event was entirely free for everyone who attended. There was a BBQ lunch of hamburgers and hotdogs (1), and numerous salads, chips, and desserts (2) which resulted in a long but eager line of hungry people (3). There was cooler after cooler of drinks (4) as well as face painting (5), games (6), balloon animals, and swimming. More than 80 people came out and enjoyed the festivities.

A huge thank you to the picnic committee for putting on a splendid event.

1 1 2 3 3

4 5 6

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Adoniram Lodge - #42 Ryland R. Spaulding 4/12/1935 1/5/2015 Grand Prairie, Texas Adoniram Lodge - #42 Rutherford M. VanVeghten 7/12/1921 1/13/2015 Bennington, VT Adoniram Lodge - #42 Joseph H. Harrington 6/29/1927 1/19/2015 North Port, Florida Aurora Lodge #22 Albert D. Smith 4/16/1915 8/26/2014 Greensboro Aurora Lodge #22 Howard W. Martin 4/3/1926 2/14/2015 Vermont Aurora Lodge #22 & Donald C. Brown 11/15/1929 3/14/2015 Berlin, VT Summit Lodge #104 Black River - Lafayette Lodge - #85 & Howard H. Hatt 5/31/1936 11/16/2014 Springfield, VT St. John's Lodge #41 Blazing Star Lodge #23 Steven Lott 7/30/1954 11/18/2014 Townshend, VT Brattleboro Lodge - #102 Frederick W. Tyler 10/7/1925 8/4/2014 Brattleboro, VT Brattleboro Lodge - #102 Eric H. Delling 9/11/1916 10/29/2014 Brattleboro Lodge - #102 Wilfred K. Griffin 11/6/1925 12/25/2014 Brattleboro, VT Brattleboro Lodge - #102 George P. Triantafel 1/19/2015 Brattleboro Lodge - #102 Bernard McKee Jr. 6/27/1932 1/26/2015 Burlington Lodge - #100 Eben Sutton Jr. 2/1/1919 2/15/2015 Sagle, ID Caspian Lake Lodge - #87 Donald C. Richardson 10/6/1941 11/14/2014 Morrisville, VT Caspian Lake Lodge - #87 Carl B. Harvey 2/10/1923 12/8/2014 Greensboro Center Lodge #34 Kenneth R. Pollack 11/24/1937 1/15/2015 Charlotte, N.C. Center Lodge #34 Paul G. Anderson Sr. 12/26/1922 4/25/2015 Proctor, VT Center Lodge #34 Dean R. Burgess, Sr. 11/18/1936 5/13/2015 Rutland, VT Central Lodge - #62 Woodrow D. Pike 9/8/1917 9/21/2014 Newport, VT Central Lodge - #62 Nick Burdick 6/20/1948 4/19/2015 White River Jct, VT Charity Lodge - #43 H. Ross Kinney 12/2/1923 1/1/2015 Wilder, VT Charity Lodge - #43 & Richard V. Rosen 3/30/1928 3/17/2015 Middletown, PA Rutland Lodge #79 Chipman Lodge - #52 Frederick H. Thurlow 11/14/2014 Columbus Lodge #11 Ray Bishop 9/14/1917 11/25/2014 Columbus Lodge #11 Gene R. McCarthy 12/23/1940 12/22/2014 Columbus Lodge #11 Arlington O. Hazen 7/14/1921 1/28/2015 Shelburne, VT Crescent Lodge - #66 Linwood R. Pierce 5/11/1932 11/11/2014 Lyndonville, VT Dorchester Lodge #1 Forrest S. Rose 1/4/1923 1/10/2015 St Albans, VT Ethan Allen Lodge - #72 L. William Fogg Jr. 5/5/1934 12/29/2014 Damariscotta, ME Eureka Lodge - #75 Silas S. Chapman 6/27/1954 10/5/2014 Hanover, NH Franklin Lodge #4 Arnold R. Leadbeater 1/5/2015 St Albans, VT Franklin Lodge #4 Douglas Underwood 1/15/2015 St Albans, VT Franklin Lodge #4 Kenneth A. Barrett 3/1/2015 St Albans, VT Franklin Lodge #4 Charles H. Strait 5/5/2015 St Albans, VT Franklin Lodge #4 Johnny Dulier 2/22/1930 5/21/2015 Zephyr Hills, FL Franklin Lodge #4 Marvin L. Austin 8/15/1941 5/29/2015 W. Palm Beach, FL Friendship Lodge #24 Ronald R. Romano 4/22/1933 6/22/2015 Gilbert, S.C. Friendship Lodge #24 James H. Lane 3/14/1941 8/7/2015 Burlington, VT

Lodge Name Birth Date Date of Death Location

We have had to say goodbye to many of our friends. Their memories, however, will remain with us until we join them. We have listed below the names of our Brothers who have

passed away in the last 12 months.

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George Washington Lodge - #51 & Maurice A. Brown 8/29/1935 8/30/2014 Patriot Lodge #33 George Washington Lodge - #51 & Wayne D. Rowell 5/5/1925 9/30/2014 Brattleboro VT Social Lodge #38 George Washington Lodge - #51 Merlin E. Spear 9/26/1923 1/6/2015 Northfield, VT George Washington Lodge - #51 F. Ray Keyser Jr. 8/17/1927 3/7/2015 Brandon, VT Granite Lodge #35 William P. Fraser Sr. 5/17/1935 11/5/2014 Burlington, VT Granite Lodge #35 Carroll H. Duranleau 12/19/1934 4/2/2015 Burlington Green Mountain Lodge #68 Russell S. Therrien 12/13/2014 Hiram Lodge - #101 Massie S. Mehl 3/23/1932 9/13/2014 Kingston, N.Y. Independence Lodge #10 & Jordan F. Atwood Jr 4/5/1924 8/3/2014 West Rutland, VT Hiram Lodge #101 Independence Lodge #10 Robert M. Miller 11/1/2014 Independence Lodge #10 & Garnard M. Cookman 3/1/1955 8/13/2015 Orwell, VT Morning Sun Lodge #5 & Union Lodge #2 Isle of Patmos Lodge #17 Alan K. Kinney 2/11/1922 10/6/2014 South Hero, VT Isle of Patmos Lodge #17 & Robert L. Van Ornum Sr. 6/6/1926 12/25/2014 Tampa, FL Washington Lodge #3 Isle of Patmos Lodge #17 Donald Deo 4/21/1938 12/28/2014 Burlington, VT King Solomon's Temple Lodge #45 Milton W. Bellows 11/4/1937 5/4/2015 Gloucester, VA Lamoille Lodge #6 Alton Bruso Sr. 8/24/1924 10/4/2014 Fairfax, VT Lamoille Lodge #6 Mark D. Ovitt 5/19/1951 2/14/2015 Burlington, VT Lamoille Lodge #6 Arthur W. Webb 1/2/1920 5/30/2015 Fairfax, VT Libanus Lodge #47 Charles R. Hazard 5/2/1918 10/3/2014 Libanus Lodge #47 Roderick D. Burritt 2/28/1926 11/29/2014 Monkton, VT Libanus Lodge #47 Carl A. Nelson 2/24/1928 3/28/2015 Bristol, VT Libanus Lodge #47 Floyd B. Hall Jr. 5/8/1926 4/11/2015 Lincoln VT Libanus Lodge #47 Stanton H. Bryden 12/14/1921 5/19/2015 Bristol VT Lincoln Lodge #78 Bruce D. Benjamin 12/6/1934 10/18/2014 St Albans, VT Lincoln Lodge #78 Stephen J. Perley 2/28/1940 11/3/2014 Richford, VT Lincoln Lodge #78 Conant H. Chamberlain 10/27/1927 2/13/2015 White River Jct, VT Lincoln Lodge #78 George O. Stebbins Jr. 8/6/1928 3/28/2015 Enosburg Falls, VT Mad River Lodge #77 Virgil W. Liberty 9/21/1914 1/11/2015 Westfield, MA Mad River Lodge #77 Richard S. Ward 10/19/1924 8/5/2015 Burlington, VT Marble Lodge #76 T. Jerome Breton 3/30/1933 1/3/2015 Danby, VT Masonic Union Lodge #16 Alvin W. Warner 7/30/1918 4/19/2015 Lowell, VT Masonic Union Lodge #16 Walter E. Smith 8/15/1930 6/6/2015 North Troy, VT Masonic Union Lodge #16 Peter W. Cross 3/10/1935 7/29/2015 Carrolton, TX Memphremagog Lodge #65 George H. Jepson 12/17/1928 1/28/2015 Rutland, VT Minerva Lodge #86 Raymond L. Withington 12/5/1923 11/29/2014 Sharon, VT Minerva Lodge #86 Harry N. Brainerd 2/2/1926 7/13/2015 Minerva Lodge #86 Douglas E. Smith Sr. 3/15/1959 8/2/2015 Topsham VT. Missisquoi Lodge #9 Theodore F. Wetherby 11/7/1940 12/5/2014 Richford, VT Missisquoi Lodge #9 Keith A. Smith 11/9/1933 4/4/2015 Burlington, VT Missisquoi Lodge #9 Allen L. McMurphy 12/25/1925 7/9/2015 St Albans, VT Moose River Lodge #82 Herbert E. Berry 1/1/1928 5/14/2015 Tilton, NH Morning Flower Lodge #71 Walter R. Cleveland 12/10/1940 11/14/2014 Glens Falls, NY Morning Flower Lodge #71 A. Gorman Smith 2/27/2015 Albany, NY Morning Star Lodge #37 Gary W. Kenyon 7/25/1952 11/28/2014 St. Petersburg, FL Morning Sun Lodge #5 Walter E. Reed 2/28/1938 10/27/2014 Middlebury, VT


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Morning Sun Lodge #5 & Reginald E. Bishop 3/9/1940 4/17/2015 Farlee, VT Social Lodge #38 Mount Anthony Lodge #13 Mark R. Gates 4/22/1953 11/10/2014 Indianapolis, IN Mount Moriah Lodge #96 Frederick Grube 6/1/1955 9/12/2014 Mt. Lebanon Lodge #46 Alexis A. Fisher 11/15/1938 10/12/2014 Marrietta Ga Mt. Mansfield Lodge #26 Robert L. Kinney 12/13/1923 9/21/2014 Hills, Iowa Mt. Mansfield Lodge #26 Walter E. Maki 1/29/1922 10/6/2014 Mt. Vernon Lodge #8 James D. Campbell 12/7/1933 10/16/2014 Portsmouth, VA Mt. Vernon Lodge #8 Robert E. Smith 10/13/1936 11/5/2014 Morrisville, VT Mystic Lodge - #56 Frank E. Lamphier Jr. 4/6/1934 9/24/2014 Morrisville, VT Mystic Lodge - #56 Bernard L. Newton 9/5/1926 1/21/2015 Berlin, VT Mystic Lodge - #56 Ralph M. Clark Jr. 12/12/1926 3/9/2015 Plattsburg, NY Mystic Star-Phoenix Lodge #97 Richard E. Alonso 9/26/1935 9/4/2014 Florida Mystic Star-Phoenix Lodge #97 Albert J. Kondi 11/19/1934 10/17/2014 Lebanon NH Mystic Star-Phoenix Lodge #97 & Lloyd G. Bartholomew 9/15/1921 4/2/2015 Rochester, MN Morning Star Lodge #37 Mystic Star-Phoenix Lodge #97 Robert W. Soule 7/13/1925 6/14/2015 Leb. NH Olive Branch Lodge - #64 Douglas C. Seymour 12/25/2014 Berlin ,VT Olive Branch Lodge - #64 Robert J. Wyman 5/5/1938 1/16/2015 Keene, NH Olive Branch Lodge - #64 Prentice F. Hammond 6/9/1932 3/8/2015 Bartonsville, VT Olive Branch Lodge - #64 Vincent P. Crocker 4/26/1925 5/29/2015 Rutland, VT Olive Branch Lodge - #64 & Gilbert E. Carey 3/18/1928 6/29/2015 Springfield, VT Brattleboro Lodge #102 Pulaski Lodge - #58 Claude L. Gadwah Jr 12/30/1932 10/22/2014 Woodsville, NH Pulaski Lodge - #58 Angelo R. Zampieri 8/12/1925 11/2/2014 Dover, NH Red Mountain Lodge - #63 George H. Jepson 12/17/1928 1/28/2015 Rutland, VT Rural Lodge #29 Lewis B. Harvey 2/2/1940 12/23/2014 Middlebury, VT Rural Lodge #29 Arthur C. Sulham 7/10/1928 1/15/2015 Rutland, VT Rural Lodge #29 Ned G. Eaton 10/29/1919 1/21/2015 Rutland Lodge - #79 Calvin C. Jones 10/5/2014 Rutland Lodge - #79 L. Graham Collins Sr. 11/6/2014 Rutland Lodge - #79 Richard G. Foster 11/10/2014 Rutland Lodge - #79 Edward W. Kent Jr. 3/1/1940 2/3/2015 Rutland Lodge - #79 Rolla M. Jasmin Jr. 2/3/1923 7/20/2015 Rutland, VT Seneca Lodge #40 Moses L. Trayah 12/6/1919 9/9/2014 Burlington, VT Seneca Lodge #40 John R. Campbell Jr. 2/23/1938 10/25/2014 Milton, VT Seventy-Six Lodge #14 Arthur J. Nokes Jr. 3/11/2015 Florida St. John's Lodge #41 Erich Tlaker 4/18/1928 11/19/2014 Baldwinsville, NY St. John's Lodge #41 Howard G. Peck 4/6/1912 4/17/2015 Windsor, VT St. Paul's Lodge #25 F. William Baxandall 8/27/1934 10/15/2014 Hancock, MI St. Paul's Lodge #25 Gerald O. Rockwell 3/18/1932 8/4/2015 Rochester, NY St. Paul's Lodge #25 Gordon R. Ketcham 1/17/1926 8/16/2015 Middlebury, VT Summit Lodge - #104 Allwin C. Brockway 6/9/1915 1/21/2015 Temple Lodge - #54 John D. Bricker 8/7/1930 8/17/2014 Columbus, OH Temple Lodge - #54 James G. Condict 12/13/1930 4/9/2015 Lebanon, NH Union Lodge #2 Wayne H. Reeves 11/20/1931 2/6/2015 Middlebury, VT Union Lodge #2 Frederick E. Lowd 7/28/1927 2/19/2015 Union Lodge #2 Winston B. Rose 10/27/1929 5/19/2015 Rutland, VT United Brethren Lodge #21 Allen H. Britton Jr. 5/18/1919 11/26/2014 Naples, Florida Unity Lodge - #89 Reginald C. Fox 2/26/1936 5/30/2015 Jacksonville, VT


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Unity Lodge - #89 Norman E. Hadley 6/14/2015 Jacksonville, VT Unity Lodge - #89 Norman O. Stevens 6/29/1933 7/2/2015 Jacksonville, VT Valley Lodge - #106 John F. Houston 9/22/1924 10/7/2014 Orleans, VT Valley Lodge - #106 Kenneth A. Hitchcock 3/6/1924 6/2/2015 Sterlings, MA Vermont Lodge #18 & Ray C. Magee 3/1/1931 5/15/2015 Shelburne, VT Friendship Lodge #24 Vermont Lodge #18 Robert E. Dukeshire 7/11/1927 5/17/2015 Washburn Lodge - #92 David S. Emery 9/14/2014 Simsbury, CT Washington Lodge #3 Austin A. Isijola 5/9/1958 12/18/2014 Burlington, VT Washington Lodge #3 Herman S. Thomas 1/31/1924 2/2/2015 Bedford, NH Washington Lodge #3 Bruce H. Cram 5/10/1921 4/1/2015 Burlington, VT Washington Lodge #3 Robert E. Fenix 10/15/1920 5/27/2015 Burlington, VT Washington Lodge #3 Floyd J. Moorby 7/2/1915 6/5/2015 Sarasota, FL Waterman Lodge - #83 William H. Jewett 4/16/1940 3/15/2015 Burlington, VT White River Lodge - #90 Kent J. Batcheller 6/17/1935 10/9/2014 Lexington, MA White River Lodge - #90 David E. Clark 8/3/1965 10/30/2014 Sharon, VT White River Lodge - #90 Norman S. Case Jr. 7/8/1917 11/15/2014 Williston, VT Winooski Lodge - #49 Linwood R. Pierce 5/11/1932 11/11/2014 Lyndonville, VT Winooski Lodge - #49 Roland T. Jones 7/7/1938 1/21/2015 Berlin, VT Winooski Lodge - #49 Cloyd W. Cary Jr. 9/20/1925 2/13/2015 Berlin, VT Winooski Lodge - #49 Lawrence F. Clough 10/22/1933 4/20/2015 West Stewartstown Winooski Lodge - #49 Bernard R. Woodard 7/8/1928 6/20/2015 Waterbury, VT Wyoming Lodge - #80 John C. Coffrin Jr. 10/30/1927 10/17/2014 Springfield, VT Wyoming Lodge - #80 Perry L. Kiser 6/11/1942 3/19/2015 Burlington, VT


“Why wear the apron?” the young mason said, As the mourners so silently bowed every head.

The prayer was perfection,-ceremony profound, Not one single person uttered a sound.

The minister spoke, all telling with love, That our brother had passed to the lodge up above.

That his life here below was not easy for sure And many the sorrow he’d had to endure.

This man dedicated to helping his race, Unconscious of background or color of face.

With a life dedicated to sharing of time While supporting a friend with a comforting rhyme.

Who brought out in others the “best” of the best, Without criticizing, or putting to test.

That the life he had lived, as a mason and friend, Was a lifetime of sharing, right up to the end.

The lambskin was placed with all loving care A release from the labor on earth he did bear

The evergreen sprig shows the faith we all hold That the Soul is immortal and none can control

It’s reign o’er the grave, so that death has no power For ever and ever or even this hour.

We commit to the ground, these earthly remains

And cherish the memory, suffer the pains. While we trust his spirit to God who did give it

This was his life and the way he did live it.

And so we account for our time here on earth That our tasks ever after may be of Thy worth.

Now go with the Father in his gracious keeping, And leave him to be, our brother-just sleeping.

So you see there’s a reason that all men are born That’s the reason I guess that the apron is worn.

Author Unknown

Tribute to a Mason

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Golf Tournaments 2nd ANNUAL RED MOUNTAIN LODGE MASONIC OPEN

Saturday September 12, 2015 Shot gun start at 12:30pm sharp

Manchester Country Club 229 Beech Street

Manchester, Vermont

4- PERSON SCRAMBLE $100.00 PER PERSON

Includes green fees, cart and meal to follow

Prizes awarded for longest drive & closest to the pin. Boo-Bee Prize for worst score

Raffles and other prizes will be awarded

Contact: Jack at 802 375-8085 Randy at 802-375-6432

The Grand Lodge F.&A.M. of Vermont 14th Annual Golf Tournament to Benefit C.A.R.E.

Monday, September 21, 2015 Shotgun start will begin at 1:00pm

Green Mountain National Golf Course Barrows Town Road—Route 100

Killington, Vermont

$100 per player includes golf, cart, dinner and prizes

The event will also include a raffle. All donations will be gratefully accepted

For more information about the tournament, or to sponsor a hole

contact Ed Wilson at (802) 263-5515 or David Katz at 802-362-0041 or

email [email protected].

Downloadable registration forms are also available on

the events calendar at gmngc.com.

14


HIGHLIGHTS OF THE 221st ANNUAL COMMUNICATION Of The

GRAND LODGE OF VERMONT, F. & A.M. June 10, 2015

KILLINGTON GRAND HOTEL AND RESORT

The Grand Master's Banquet was held on Tuesday evening at 7:00 p.m. Distinguished

guests were introduced.

The 221st Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of Vermont, F. & A.M. was

called to order at 9:00am on June 10, 2015 by Brother Roger L. Crouse, Most Worshipful

Grand Master.

There were ten distinguished guests present and introduced, three Canadian jurisdic-

tions, and five jurisdictions from the northeastern United States and the National Masonic

Foundation for Children followed by eight distinguished Masons of Vermont of other Masoni-

cally related bodies.

Twenty-six of the twenty-eight Grand Officers, twelve District Deputy Grand Masters,

eight of ten Past Grand Masters, thirty-six permanent members, fifty-two Grand Representa-

tives and forty non-voting Brothers were present.

The Credentials Committee reported 80 lodges represented with 237 voting members in

attendance with a total of 270 Brothers present. Tucker #48 and Moose River #82 were not

represented.

The Grand Secretary reported that 91 new Master Masons were raised this past year

ending March 31, 2015. This compares to 98 for the year ending March 31, 2014. The net

loss for the year was 208 compared to 186 for 2014. There are 5,489 Vermont Master Masons.

The Two Hundred Twenty-Second Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of Ver-

mont will be held in Killington, Vermont on Wednesday June 15, 2016.

Grand Lodge was closed in ample form at 3:45pm Wednesday, June 10, 2015.

15


Honors & Awards

PHILIP C. TUCKER MEDAL: Bro. Roger L. Crouse, MW Grand Master Grand Lodge of Vermont Bro. Barry C. Hughes, M.W. Past Grand Master, R.W. Grand Treasurer, Grand Lodge of Delaware

JOHN BARNEY MEDAL: Bro. Paul H. White, Sr., Aurora Lodge # 22 Bro. James B. Stevens, Grand Lecturer Bro. Roger S. Burr, Grand Marshal

CHESHIRE AWARDS: Rutland Lodge #79 for creating the highest number of new members Aurora Lodge #22 for having the highest percentage

of new members. SPECIAL AWARDS: Bro. Willard “Kip” Campbell for attending 24 different

lodges during the last year. RW Michael Moore for attending 17 different lodges

during the last year. TRESTLEBOARD AWARDS: Independence Lodge #10 Morning Star Lodge #37 Mad River Lodge #77 United Brethren Lodge #21 Caspian Lake Lodge #87 YOUNG MASON OF THE YEAR: Bro. Richard W. Swenson Seneca Lodge #40 & Charity Lodge #43 Officers elected for 2015-2016:

M.W. Grand Master ............................................................................. George J. Deblon R.W. Deputy Grand Master ....................................................................... Victor J. Stone R.W. Grand Senior Warden ..................................................................... Stuart V. Corso R.W. Grand Junior Warden ................................................................... James B. Stevens R.W. Grand Treasurer ................................................................... Theodore G. Corsones R.W. Grand Secretary ...................................................... Robert J. “Butch” Donnelly, Jr R.W. Grand Senior Deacon ........................................................................ Kirk C. White R.W. Grand Junior Deacon ........................................................... A. Stephen Farrington

Officers Appointed for 2015-2016

W. Grand Lecturer .................................................................................. Paul C. Mosher W. Deputy Grand Treasurer .................................................................... Russell J. Slora W. Deputy Grand Secretary ................................................................. . Cedric L. Smith W. Grand Chaplain ............................................................................ Rev. Michael Ford

16


W. Deputy Grand Chaplain .................................................................. Harold E. Newell W. Assistant Grand Chaplain ............................................................. Gerald A. Morong W. Assistant Grand Chaplain ......................................................... Benjamin A. Brayton W. Assistant Grand Chaplain .......................................................................................... W. Grand Historian ............................................................................. Tobin G. Winters W. Grand Marshal……….. ................................................................ Michael W. Reed W. Grand Sword Bearer …………………………….……………..…….Brian Locke W. Grand Pursuivant ........................................................................ Joseph G. Sampson W. Grand Organist.............................................................................. James R. Chancey W. Deputy Grand Organist ................................................................... Seth M. Hopkins W. Grand Senior Steward ........................................................... Christopher V. Johnson W. Grand Junior Steward ....................................................................... Erik C. Johnson W. Grand Piper ................................................................................... Donald C. Murray W. Aide to the Grand Master ............................................................. .Michael R. Moore W. Grand Tyler ………………………………………………….……. ..... Robert K. Fox

District Deputy Grand Masters:

R.W. D.D.G.M., District No. 1 ............................................................... Brian O. Newton R.W. D.D.G.M., District No. 2 ............................................................ Randy G. Novotny R.W. D.D.G.M., District No. 3 ........................................................ Kenneth L. Goodrich R.W. D.D.G.M., District No. 4 ............................................................... Richard E. Boise R.W. D.D.G.M., District No. 5 ..........................................................Vincent J. Comegno R.W. D.D.G.M., District No. 6 ................................................................ Dexter L. Rowe R.W. D.D.G.M., District No. 7 ................................................................. Eli R. Gabuzda R.W. D.D.G.M., District No. 8 ................................................................. Robert Baldauf R.W. D.D.G.M., District No. 9 ...................................................................... Lee R. Dion R.W. D.D.G.M., District No. 10 ......................................................... Michael J. Ladd, Sr R.W. D.D.G.M., District No. 11 ...................................................................Earl J. Miller R.W. D.D.G.M., District No. 12 .......................................................... Robert F. duMaire R.W. D.D.G.M., District No. 13 ................................................................ Michael Chase

The Installation of the Grand Officers followed the Grand Lodge Banquet on Wednesday evening. The Installa-tion of the new Officers was ably performed by:

Brother Thomas Johnston, IV, M. W. P. G. M. ............................ Installing Grand Master Brother Cedric L. Smith, M. W. P. G. M. ................................. Installing Grand Secretary Brother Roderick J. Maclay, M. W. P. G. M. ........................... Installing Grand Secretary Brother Theodore G. Corsones, M. W. P. G. M. ........................ Installing Grand Chaplain Brother Earl J. Washburn, M. W. P. G. M. ................................. Installing Grand Marshal Brother James R. Chancey, W. Grand Organist .......................... Installing Grand Organist Brother Donald C. Murray, W. Grand Piper .................................... Installing Grand Piper

17


MERRITT EDSON DAY Chester, Vermont

On Saturday, August 15th, the town of Chester cele-

brated the 100th anniversary of the high school graduation

of one its most famous citizens, Lt. General Merritt Edson of

the United States Marine Corps,

and a Brother of Olive Branch

Lodge #64.

The day started with a pa-

rade that featured a contingent of

Grand Lodge officers, including Most Worshipful George

Deblon. After the parade and with several hundred people

looking on, a granite monument to Edson was unveiled dur-

ing a flyover of some vintage Marine Corp airplanes.

Brother Merritt was praised and remembered by

speakers from the Vermont National Guard, The American

Legion, the Vermont State Police, the National Rifle Associ-

ation and the Master of Olive Branch Lodge #64. The Key-

note speaker, however, was General Edson’s grandson,

Colonel David Edson, USMC.

The Grand Master and the Grand Lodge

officers in attendance then performed the corn,

oil and wine ceremony for the new monument.

See additional pictures from the day on the fol-

lowing page.

All pictures on this and the next page are credited to A. Stephen Farrington (except Gen. Edson portrait).

18


The contingent from the Grand Lodge march in the opening parade

Colonel David Edson, USMC, Gen-eral Merritt’s grandson, gave the key-note address to the crowd.

After the parade, the Grand Lodge officers changed into their tuxedo’s in preparation for the ceremony dedicating the monument.

From L-R, bottom row: Brother Victor Stone, DGM, Brother Mike Reed, GMarshal, Brother Harold Newell, DGC, Brother Brian Locke, GSB, Brother Tom Johnston IV, PGM, acting GSW. Top row: Brother George Deblon, MWGM, Brother Jim Stevens, GJW, and Olive Branch #64 Worshipful Master Tom Amsden.

“The object of our Fraternity is to promote morality, to keep men honest and upright, true to their God and faithful to our country, and to unite them by strong bonds of charity, friend-ship and brotherly love.” Olive Branch Lodge #64 Chester Masons

Grand Master George Deblon performing the corn, oil, and wine ceremony with Deputy Grand Master Victor Stone looking on.

19


Mentoring as an Essential Characteristic of Freemasonry

It has often been recognized that our fraternity has a very strong oral tradition that requires the instructive tongue of a seasoned, knowledgeable Master Mason

and an attentive ear from a candidate or new Brother. This is true not only for the transfer and preservation of our ritual and the customs of our fraternity but also in the variety and wealth of life’s knowledge and experi-ences that can be shared by a man who has been tested by much of what life has to offer with those starting out on their life’s journey. It has been my experience that in order for our oral tradition to work well we need to have an intense focus on our new members. Further, it is necessary to apply personal one-on-one time to cultivate a new member’s in-terest, instruct them in the ways and traditions of Freemasonry, and, from them, learn about their talents, capa-bilities, and motivations. This set of activities seems best described and best implemented by the process and art of mentoring. The origins of the word mentor can be traced back to the epic poem, The Illiad, by the ancient Greek poet Homer. In that work, Odysseus, the king of Ithaca, as he was preparing to set out for the Trojan War, asked his longtime friend, “the wise and sensitive, Mentor, to take charge of his son’s education and tutor him on how to be king and guide him in the ways of the world.” Much later, at the very end of the 17th century, the word “mentor” made its way into the English Language as a term meaning someone who imparts wisdom to and shares knowledge with a less experienced colleague. Of course, like most things, the notions of mentors, mentoring, and mentorship have been discussed and stud-ied, particularly in the context of organizations and organizational leadership. As we now understand it, men-toring is a relationship where one wiser and more experienced person assists another to grow and learn. It is a personal and organizational relationship where an experienced individual or leader helps another member in developing their skills and knowledge. Mentoring, at its simplest involves the sharing of advice utilizing the mentor’s experience as a starting point. But it is more than just advice; mentors provide support, guidance, friendship, role modeling, assistance, and an empathetic ear. In general, mentoring provides immense benefits to the parties in the relationship-the mentee, the mentor, and the organization. The benefits to the mentee are obvious: increased self-confidence and self-esteem, enhanced skills, advice and counsel about dealing with weak areas, leveraging strengths, and a support system that ena-bles quicker understanding of organization and culture. To the mentor, the mentoring process provides an opportunity to obtain a greater understanding of the barriers experienced at lower levels of the organization, an opportunity to enhance their own skills in coaching, coun-seling, listening, and modeling behaviors, and the satisfaction of making a difference in the life of their proté-gées. Equally important, mentoring has a profound impact on organizations. Mentoring helps to engender higher

From Deputy Grand Master Victor Stone

20


membership retention. It strengthens an organization’s culture and ethics. It leads to fostering shared values, increasing team work, and developing morale and motivation across the organization. Study after study shows that effective mentoring produces members who are more easily socialized into a community and are able to make significant contributions. As well, the mentoring process helps the organization prepare new leaders, and, thus, gain a clearer understanding of leadership succession. All of these things contribute to an improvement in the long-term health of the organization as a social system. The obvious call to action here is that thoughtful mentoring can have a profound effect on the health of our fraternity. We all spend considerable time and effort trying to find good candidates, those that can benefit from and contribute to the fraternity. We all spend considerable time working to support the candidates through their degrees. However, we can’t let down after the Master Mason degree milestone. We need to do the necessary work to ensure that our new members stay engaged, find their place in the Lodge, and cultivate the motivation to contribute. We need their investment of time and effort. But in order to elicit that invest-ment from them we need to invest our time in our new members. Please consider being that mentor who will make a difference to a new Mason and your Lodge. To close I’ll leave you with two thoughts…. Mentoring is a brain to pick, an ear to listen, and a push in the right direction. Any one of you can perform that role. A lot of people have gone further than they thought they could because someone else thought they could. Any one of you could be that important someone else.

2015 C.A.R.E. Raffle Winners

1st Prize Assisted skydiving jump Winner: Brother Edward D. Wilson 2nd Prize Scenic flight over Manchester/surrounding mountains. Winner: Brother Roger M. Pike 3rd Prize 4 tickets to Pump House Water Park. Winner: Brother James Edgerton, Sr. 4th Prize $100.00 in gift certificates to MacLaomainn’s Scottish Pub Winner: Brother Leon Miller

21


Brother George Deblon, MW Grand Master, holding a steak that Brother Dave Trombley, Sec-retary and Chief Chef at Minerva Lodge No. 86, East Corinth, Vermont had just barbecued. The event, that was held on August 18, 2015, was the annual steak feed held at Minerva Lodge each year. Photo submitted by Cedric Smith.

Brother Cedric Smith, PGM, presenting Brother Gordon Aus-tin his 55-year membership but-ton in Freemasonry at his home in Florida. Brother Austin is a member of Island Pond Lodge #44, Island Pond, VT.

Photo submitted by Cedric Smith.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU! It is your submissions brothers, that make the Green Mountain Freemason a great Trestle

Board. Thank you for all your submissions for this issue, their fantastic. Please send pictures and articles about all the great things our Fraternity does for future issues.

22


Robert ‘Bruce’ McKay received his 65 year button and certificate on August 11, 2015. Bruce was raised a Master Mason in Boyleston Lodge, W. Boyleston, MA on December 19, 1949. He affiliated with Masonic Union Lodge #16, Troy, VT on August 22, 1996, serving as Master of the Lodge from 2000 – 2003 and 2006 – 2007. He is a PDDGM, District #10, serving from 2007 – 2009. L-R: RWDDGM Michael Ladd, District #10; WM Donald Karlovich, Masonic Union #16; and Don-ald Austin PM of Masonic Union #16 and PDDGM District #10.

independence lodge #10 free and accepted masons

200th Anniversary Celebration

Saturday, September 19, 2015

11:00am to 2:00pm Orwell, Vermont

Food - Music - Ceremonies - Exhibits - Presentations

1815

2015

23


Ellie E. Hinton received his 65 year button and certificate on July 25, 2015. Ellie was raised a Master Ma-son in Island Pond Lodge #44 on February 25, 1950 and served as Master of the Lodge from 1959 – 1961. Ellie’s five sons and six grandsons are Master Masons; many are pictured in the background with other Masonic relatives. Pictured at right are RWDDGM Michael Ladd, District #10; Wor. Ellie Hinton; and WM Pat Sloan of Is-land Pond Lodge #44

The Vermont Lodge of Research typically confers no de-grees. Rather, it is entirely a vehicle for its members learn-ing more about Masonry and for sharing that knowledge with other like-minded brethren. It meets three times per year, holding its winter meeting in the northern part of the state, its fall meeting in the southern part of the state and its annual meeting in April in Rutland.

The next meeting of the Vermont Lodge of Research is on Monday, September 28, 2015 at Olive Branch Lodge #64 in Chester. Dinner at 6:00pm and the meeting at 7:00pm.

ALL MASONS ARE WELCOME Pictured at left are VLR Master Steven Engle, SW John Tester, and JW A. Stephen Farrington.

24


WM Chuck Newton, Memphremagog Lodge #65 Newport, sponsored a tractor and trailer in the Derby Inde-pendence Day Parade on July 4, 2015. Members from Memphremagog Lodge and other Lodges in District #10 participated. The tractor, owned by the Newton family, is a 1947 Massey Harris 44-6 which is in great shape.

Top Left: Driver: Chuck Newton. Rider on trailer: Brian Thompson, Walking: Del Eldridge Top Right: L-R: Michael Ladd, RWDDGM, Dictrict #10, Chuck Newton, WM Memphremagog Lodge #65, Del Eldridge, PM Central Lodge #62, Brian Thompson, JD Memphremagog #65, Roland Woodard, WM Or-leans Lodge #55, Danny Marsh, PM and Sec. Valley Lodge #106, Scott Whitehouse, EA Memphremagog Lodge #65, Scott’s son in wagon.

Independence Lodge #10 entered a float in the Memorial Day Parade on May 24, 2015 in Orwell. On the float at left is Wor. John Tester, at right is PDDGM Richard O. Buxton.

Brattleboro Lodge marching in the Brattleboro Fourth of July Parade with their float dedicated to Fort Ticonderoga of whom some of the Green Mountain Boys who cap-tured it were Freemasons.

The mural of the fort that was at-tached to the cart was painted by member Harral Hamilton.

PARADES!

25


hose of you old

enough to remem-

ber the radio version of

the Lone Ranger may

remember the famous

tag line at the end of al-

most every show: “Who

was that masked man?”

The question was al-

ways asked by someone

who had been rescued

by the “Lone Ranger” -

whose identity was kept a

closely guarded secret from

those he helped.

In a similar way, Ma-

sons may ask “Who was Hi-

ram Abiff?” We know a little about him from our

Masonic Degrees—but not a lot. In fact, we do not

know much more about where he came from and

how he got to his position of prominence in Mason-

ry than we know about where the Lone Ranger

came from, and how he got to be the famous res-

cuer of those in trouble on the Western frontier.

The name Hiram first appears in the Bible in

the book of First Kings. In chapter seven we find

that “Now King Solomon invited and received Hi-

ram from Tyre. He was the son of a widow of the

tribe of Naphtali, whose father, a man of Tyre, had

been an artisan of bronze. He came to King Solo-

mon and did all his work.” He is not

called Hiram Abiff in the passage,

and it is only in the Book of Second

Chronicles that we learn that his

name was Abiff, (or something simi-

lar to that), and that he was sent of

King Solomon by another Hiram,

King Hiram of Tyre. Here is what is

written in Second Chronicles 2:11-

14: “Then King Hiram of Tyre, an-

swered in a letter that he sent to Sol-

omon, ‘I have dispatched Huram-abi,

a skilled artisan, endowed with un-

derstanding, the son of one of the

Danite women, his father a Tyrian.

He is trained to work gold, silver,

bronze, iron, stone, and wood, and

in purple, blue and crimson fabrics

and fine linen, and to do all sorts of

engraving and execute any design

that may be assigned him, with your

artisans, the artisans of my lord,

your father David.’”

From these meager biblical (Continued on page 26)

WHO WAS HIRAM ABIFF?

The legend of Hiram Abiff is an allegory. It is not about a real human being who was the Architect of the Temple, even though the story is based on the real “Hiram Abiff” found in the Bible.

26


sources, the Masonic legend of Hiram Abiff has been created. There is no mention in the Bible that

he was the Architect of King Solomon’s Temple. That is a Masonic invention. However, he is depict-

ed as a skilled worker in various media—metal, wood, and stone, as well as fabrics. He was also an

engraver, and good at artistic designs. It was from these references that he was transformed in our

legend to become the architect of the Temple of Jerusalem, “well skilled in arts and sciences.” It

looks as if we took an ordinary craftsman and made him into something else. Or did we? There is

another story here that needs to be told.

Freemasonry teaches by symbol and allegory. The concept of a “symbol” is easy; the con-

cept of an “allegory” is more difficult. We can all understand the symbol of the Twenty-Four Inch

Gauge. Although the story is based on the real “Hiram Abiff” found in the Bible. Instead it is about

someone who takes the talents that God has given him, and makes a difference. In our allegory, Hi-

ram Abiff is a man “endowed with understanding” to transform

the ordinary into the extraordinary. We depict him as someone

who knew how to take common stone and craft it into a mag-

nificent building—perhaps the most magnificent that has ever

been built. He is a man “full of skill, intelligence and

knowledge” (the words from the Bible) who could build for

eternity. He is a man whose devotion to duty, and to the prom-

ises he has made, make him an example worthy of all emula-

tion. We remind the newly raised Master Mason that Hiram

Abiff is someone to imitate, and that, therefore, he should nev-

er let any motive swerve him from his duty, violate his vows, or

betray his trust. If he “gets it”, then, like Hiram Abiff, he will be

someone who will make a difference.

Hiram Abiff is pictured in our allegory as a man and a

Mason who made a difference— not because of what he did with that which he possessed, but be-

cause of what he did with what he possessed. You can do that too, with what you possess. You too

can make a difference— just like Hiram Abiff!

Who was Hiram Abiff? He was someone who made a difference.

By John L. Cooper, Deputy Grand Master Grand Lodge of California

California Masonic Magazine, Fall, 2007

27


Supporting Teens in Addison County

Brother Lawrence Hartshorn of Moose River Lodge was presented his 65 year button and certificate at the Canterbury Inn in St. Johnsbury on July 24, 2015.

Pictured from right to left: Paul Mosher, Grand Lecturer; Roy Mosher; Shawn Kincaid, WM of Moose River; Lawrence Hartshorn; Michael Dow; Jay Messer; William McCrae and Bruce Quimby.

$3,000.00 donated to the Addison Central Teens by Union Lodge #2. Check was presented by Wor. Master Jim Selleck to Addison Central Teens Executive Director Colby Benjamin.

65

YEARS

28


Grand Lodge of Vermont F&AM 49 East Rd Barre, VT 05641-5390

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