From the East
Brethren, here is a very important calendar of events for the upcoming months. Besides the annual inspections for the lodges in our district we have the Grand Masters Reception, the Grand Masters One-day Class and a host of other events which include the 300th Anniversary of Freemasonry in the world.
There are listed, many dates for the practicing of the Master Mason Degree, for OUR inspection on Thursday, May 4th.
Bro John Bull, Senior Warden, has been working diligently, bringing in new petitions, new officers, arranging practices and trying to raise the awareness that there is a lodge here and we are trying to make a difference in the lives of our members.
Included with this letter is the results of the survey he sent out. We thank Bro John for his enthusiasm.
Please come out and help to make a difference.
Brethren, as a reminder your 2017 are:
- Robert E. Koogler, Worshipful Master
- John E. Bull, Jr, Senior Warden
- Eric M. Bull, Junior Warden
- William D. Riffle, PM, Senior Deacon
- Corey A. Leggett, Junior Deacon
- James M. Simko, PM, Treasurer
- Richard L. Coy, PM, Secretary
- Kevin A. Barry, Chaplain
- Arthur G. Camp, Tyler
- Christopher L. Hanselman, Sr., Steward
- Thomas R. Spettel, PM, LEO
- Kenneth Smith, PM, Lodge Trustee
- William D. Riffle, PM, Lodge Trustee
- John E. Bull, Temple Board Trustee
Second District Grand Masters Reception
The Grand Masters Reception will be held at the Dayton Masonic Center on Saturday, March 18, 2017. Doors open at 5:30 pm, Dinner at 6:30 pm, Program at 7:45 pm.
Grand Masters One Day Class
Last day to summit petitions is Wednesday, March 1, 2017
Grand Master Douglas N. Kaylor has announced that each of the twenty five Masonic Districts in Ohio will hold a Grand Master’s Class on Saturday, March 25. Petitions and investigations are to be handled in accordance with the usual rules as found in the Grand Lodge Code of Masonic Law.
Any Brothers proposing a candidate for the Grand Master’s Class should be sure that the individual is available on March 25 and on June 24, which will be the tercentennial celebration of Modern Freemasonry, which all Grand Master’s Class candidates will be expected to attend.
Candidates will be able to complete their degree work or to receive all three degrees of Symbolic Masonry at the Grand Master’s Classes.
Far Hills Lodge has five candidates at this time.
The Class in this area will be held at the Dayton Masonic Center. Registration begins at 7:00 am.
Far Hills Annual Inspection
The Annual Inspection will be held on Thursday, May 4, 2017 at 7:00 pm in the Master Mason Degree. A dinner will be served prior to the inspection at 6:00 pm by the Ladies of Dayton-Victory Chapter, OES.
The Ohio Masonic Home Resource Center
is ready to answer questions and to help.
Call 1-877-881-1623
In Memoriam
- Paul Shartle, Jr. Born: 03/05/1920 MM: 11/16/1959 (57) Passed: 12/1/2016 (96)
- Fount Deaton Born: 12/24/1924 MM: 11/09/1951 (65) Passed: 11/30/2016 (92)
- Roland Cole Fisher Born: 05/26/1928 MM: 11/23/1951 (65) Passed: 11/03/2016 (88)
- Thomas Arthur Louis Born: 04/21/1946 MM: 02/18/1992 (23) Passed: 01/23/2016 (70)
- Paul Edward Myers Born: 01/20/1920 MM: 10/19/1953 (62) Passed: 04/2/2016 (62)
They rest from their labors
From the LEO
The Bible is the first object that the candidate feels under his hands and sees in the Lodge Room, and he soon learns through the lessons of the degrees and the learning he receives from his Mentor that there are many lessons to be learned from the Holy Bible on how to live a life, and why the Holy Bible is The Great Light of Freemasonry.
To close it would be, symbolically, to interrupt the rays of Divine Light which emanate from it. Therefore, before we can work Masonically, the Bible must be opened to indicate that the Lodge is not in darkness, but working by the light of that sacred volume.
The Bible is called the Great light of Masonry because without it on our altars of Freemasonry would be like an unlighted candle; a useful item that is not being used when it can provide so much enlightenment.
From the Secretary
A MINISTER AND MASONRY
By Brother and rev. John R. Selders, Pastor, Christ’s Church, Boardman, Ohio
My father was a Mason (a 32nd Degree and Knight Templar). He was also a great Christian. The Lodge had helped him grow spiritually. I saw Masonry as a marvelous adjunct to the church. Therefore, when I had saved up the money, I too became a Mason. The men who coached me in my degrees and many of my lodge brothers were also my church members. There was no conflict for them between the two. It never occurred to me that there would be a problem between the lodge and the church for anyone. Over the years it has become evident that some church folks are very negative about Freemasonry.
Some of this is due to misunderstanding of teaching and some due to outright lies that are perpetrated against Masonry. However, the major criticism is that Masonry is a religion and the Lodge is a church. This erroneous idea can be disproved in two ways:
(1) In the Installation Service for the Symbolic Lodge Chaplain the ritual reads, “though Masonry does not pretend to be a religious institution (church); yet she should be an auxiliary to whatever is good and great.” So, Masonry does not claim to be a church, regardless of the church-going habits of its members.
(2) In my present congregation there are many fine Masons including Past Masters, and others who have been removed by the Fraternity. These men are the “backbone” of our church. These great Masons are also grand Christians and most are in leadership positions. Here’s my question: If Masonry is a church, why are these distinguished Masons so faithful and active in Christ’s Church?
As you can see, there need not and should not be any conflict between the Lodge and the Church. The experience of this minister with Masonry has been very positive. Even as I desire to see men join our church, I desire to see them become Masons. I always promote Masonry, because it is a great auxiliary to the church.
From the West
John Bull, Jr, Sr. Warden
Brethren, Far Hills Temple will hold it’s annual inspection in the MASTER MASON DEGREE on Thursday, May 4, 2017. It takes 29 men to present this degree. All of the speaking parts have been filled, BUT we still need 10 Brethren to fill in the walking parts of the craft.
Please contact me ASAP at 937-760-8853 or jebulljr@aol.com if you an help us.
There will be three practices for the second section craft team. Monday, March 13, Monday, April 17 and a final rehearsal Monday, May 1. They will begin at 6:30 PM with food and drinks provided.
Come out and be part of the fun and help raise our newest Member. Let’s provide him the same experience we all enjoyed being raised to the degree of Master Mason.
Far Hills Lodge Survey
Below are the results of the survey sent out in November 2016. Out of approximately 200 member we received 24 returned.
The overwhelming results show an interest in holding one stated meeting a month 16-2 with special meetings called when we have degree work or a specific reason.
The day of the week was divided almost equally on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
Discussion will now begin on reducing our meeting from from two per month to one per month. Once decided a day of the week falls on those who have conflicts with a certain day of the week. We will open discussions during our Stated Meeting, Thursday, March 9, 2017.
Far Hills should hold meetings:
- Once a Month ………………………………………………… 7
- Twice a Month ……………………………………………….. 2
- Once a Month & Special as Needed ……………….. 9
What night should we hold meetings (up to 2 choices):
- Monday………………………………………………………….. 8
- Tuesday………………………………………………………… 12
- Wednesday…………………………………………………… 10
- Thursday ……………………………………………………… 10
- Friday…………………………………………………………….. 0
Social events:
- Monthly Breakfast………………………………………….. 3
- Monthly Lunch………………………………………………. 3
- Monthly Dinner……………………………………………… 1
- Quarterly Meal …………………………………………….. 13
Brethren
John Bull, Jr, Sr. Warden
Thank You for participating in the Craft team for our annual inspection in May! I know everyone has a busy schedule and it takes pride and dedication to contribute to the team. So you can plan ahead, here is our practice schedule:
Monday, February 13:
Read through only in the social room like in January. Please try to be ready to read it without little help for the book.
Monday, March 20:
First walk through in the Lodge Room (with book if necessary).
Monday, April 10:
Complete walk through both sections. (No book.)
Monday, May 1:
FINAL REHEARSAL of both sections. (No book.)
Officers, we will be ready through practice of the first part during the stated meetings. AGAIN, thank you for making Far Hills a great lodge for all of us!