louisiana scottish rite trestleboard 2008.pdf · ies of freemasonry without studying the scottish...

December 2008-January 2009 ORIENT OF LOUISIANA Volume 10 Issue 6

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Louisiana

Scottish Rite Trestleboard

Scottish Rite KEEP MOVING FORWARD

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No Scottish Rite mason can truly comprehend the myster-ies of Freemasonry without studying the Scottish Rite sym-bolic degrees. Although the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Ritebegins for most brothers with an initiation beginning at the4th degree, the Scottish Rite Constitution of 1762 specifiesthat the Scottish Rite degrees begin in the symbolic lodge whichpractices its first three degrees. In Louisiana, we are very for-tunate to have Scottish Rite Symbolic Lodges. Indeed, many ofour Scottish Rite Lodges once fell under Scottish Rite Juris-dictions and in governing bodies within the bosom of the GrandLodge of Louisiana in a Scottish Rite Symbolic Chamber thatpracticed the Scottish Rite degrees in toto as a complete Orderfrom the very first degree through the last degree being thethirty-third. Albert Pike is often attributed as having said thatmasons cannot understand the higher degrees without a study

of the f irst three. The oppositestatement is also true. You can-not understand the higher de-grees without having experi-enced or studied the first threesince they begin our esotericjourney into the mysteries of theCraft. As stated by Ill. Bro. Pike

in Morals & Dogma: "The Blue Degrees are but the outer por-tico of the Temple. Part of the symbols are displayed there tothe Initiate, but he is intentionally mislead by false interpreta-tion. It is not intended that he understand them, but it is in-tended that he shall imagine he understands them.Their trueexplication is reserved for the Adepts, the Princes of Masonry.The whole body of the Royal or Sacerdotal Art was hidden socarefully...in the High Degrees, as that it is even yet impos-sible to solve many of the enigmas which they contain. It iswell enough for the many of those called Masons, to imaginethat all is contained in the Blue Degrees; and whoso attemptsto undeceive them will labor in vain, and without any true re-ward violate his obligations as an Adept. Masonry is the veri-table Sphinx, buried to the head in the sands heaped round itby the ages." (Morals & Dogma, p. 819). Albert Pike was soinfluenced by the Scottish Rite Symbolic degrees that he de-voted several books to the subject; see, e.g., Liturgy of the BlueDegrees and Esoterika, the Symbolism of the Blue Degrees.These books are highly recommended for a holistic understand-

Mozart’s The Magic Flute: an EssentialIntroduction to the Mysteries of the

Scottish Rite Symbolic Degreesby

Marc H. Conrad, 32° KCCHValley of New Orleans

ing of the Scottish Rite degrees.It is little known in our con-

temporary age, but, many secretsconcerning the mysteries of theScottish Rite Symbolic degreesmay also have been revealed bythe famous composer Mozart inhis opera called The Magic Flutein 1791. Mozart first experi-enced Masonry joining the fra-ternity as an Entered Apprenticein December of 1784 at "Benefi-cence" Lodge in Vienna (ZurWohltätigkeit). In 1785, he received the Fellow Craft and Mas-ter Mason degrees at "True Concord" Lodge (Zur wahrenEintracht). See The Cambridge Mozart Encyclopedia by CliffEisen, et al, p. 179 (Cambridge University Press, 2006). Ma-sonry in Vienna differed from the rest of the world, however,and practiced what was to be known as the Rectified or StrictObservance Rite. This type of masonry utilized Knight Templarthemes and later incorporated Rosicrucian and other occultpractices involving alchemy and astrology. See Mozart and theEnlightenment: Truth, Virtue and Beauty in Mozart's Operasby Nicholas Till, p. 120-21 (W. W. Norton & Company, 1995).Moreover, Mozart's lodge, Beneficence Lodge, enjoyed a mem-bership consisting solely of Catholic freemasons who embraceda less radical version of the "Age of Enlightenment" and whofostered a healthy respect for religion as seen through the Lightof Reason. Id. at 124-27. Mozart actively participated in Viennamasonry and also encouraged his father to join him in its mys-teries. Mozart's last letter to his father in 1787 contains a hid-den Masonic reference. See Mozart's Letters, Mozart's Life:Selected Letters By Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart by RobertSpaethling (edit. & trans.), p. 388 (W. W. Norton & Company,2000). Mozart's love for the fraternity compelled him to com-pose many works for the fraternity and compositions with Ma-sonic themes. Several known Masonic works by Mozart are"Travel Companions" (K498), "O sacred bond" (K148), "Ma-sonic Joy" (K471), "Masonic Music of Mourning" (K477),"Flow this day, beloved brothers" (K483), "You, our new lead-ers" (K484), "You who honor the creator of the Infinite Uni-verse" (K619), and "The Magic Flute" (K620). Of these, "TheMagic Flute" is his most widely known work that has tran-scended into our contemporary age. This opera has been per-formed from time to time in New Orleans and in other commu-nities-it may even be in production now somewhere due to itspopularity. Yet, those who want to view it at their leisure maydo so using the Internet. For example, a very credible produc-tion of The Magic Flute now appears on YouTube as performedby the Northwestern University's

Louisiana Scottish Rite TrestleboardPublished bimonthly by the

Louisiana Scottish Rite FoundationP. O. Box 64 Shreveport, LA 71161

EditorSteve Pence

105 Bay Hills DriveBenton, LA 71006

Tel: H: 318-965-9977

E-mail: [email protected]

Louisiana Scottish Rite Trestleboard is published bi-monthly by the Louisiana Scottish Rite Foundation. Anyarticle or views expressed in this publication are thoseonly of the writer and do not reflect the official positionof the Louisiana Scottish Rite. The editorial policy ofthis publication grants free reign to the Editor, within thelines of Masonic principles and teachings. Articles andpictures submitted become the property of this publica-tion.

Permission is granted to use contents of this Trestle-board for Masonic purposes, as long as credit is given tothe source.

Editorial StaffEditor:

Steven A. Pence, 33°Valley of Baton Rouge:

Albert J. Meek, 32°Valley of New Orleans:

Marc H. Conrad, 32° KCCHValley of Shreveport:

John F. Ayer, 32° KStAValley of Lake Charles:

John C. Butterick, 32°Valley of Monroe:

Beryl C. Franklin, Ph.D., 33°

AllegianceThe bodies of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite

of Freemasonry, sitting in the Orient of Louisiana, ac-knowledge and yield allegiance to the Supreme Councilof the Thirty-third degree for the Southern Jurisdictionof the United States of America (Mother Supreme Coun-cil of the World) whose See is at Charleston in the Stateof South Carolina, and House of the Temple, Washing-ton, D.C., of which

Ill. Ronald A. Seale, 33°Sovereign Grand Commander

and

Ill. William J. Mollere, 33°,

Sovereign Grand Inspector General

Orient of Louisiana

Ill. Charles L. McCarty, 33°Personal Representative for Valley of New Orleans

Ill. Ballard Smith, 33°, PGMPersonal Representative for Valley of Shreveport

Ill. Richard B. Smith, 33°Personal Representative for Valley of Lake Charles

Ill. Robert J. Hutchinson, 33°Personal Representative for Valley of Baton Rouge

Ill. Woody D. Bilyeu, 33°, GSWPersonal Representative for Valley of Monroe

M.W. Lloyd E. Hennigan, Jr., 33°and Grand Master of Masons in Louisiana


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Calendar of EventsGrand Lodge

Grand Lodge Communication 2009Alexandria February 7-8Honors Breakfast Feb 8Foundation Annual Meeting

Orient of LouisianaLeaderhip Certification ConferenceMonroe January 24Conference of the OrientMonroe April 25

ReunionsNew Orleans May 9Shreveport April 4-5Lake Charles April 18-19Baton Rouge March 7-8Monroe May 2

The budget should be balanced, theTreasury should be ref illed, publicdebtshould be reduced, the arrogance ofofficialdom should be tempered and con-trolled, and the assistance to foreign landsshould be curtailed lest Rome becomebankrupt. People must again learn to work,instead of living on public assistance.

Marcus Tulius Cicero

You cannot help the poor by destroyingthe rich. You cannot strengthen the weakby weakening the strong. You cannot bringabout prosperity by discouraging thrift.You cannot lift the wage earner up by pull-ing the wage payer down. You cannot fur-ther the brotherhood of man by incitingclass hatred. You cannot build characterand courage by taking away men’s initia-tive and independence. You cannot helpmen permanently by doing for them whatthey could and should do for themselves.

Abraham Lincoln

Check Your CalendarJanuary 10 York Rite WorkshopFebruary 11-15 Masonic WeekendWashington DCMarch 7-10 Grand Chapter/CouncilHammondApril 13-14 Grand CommanderyHammondOctober 4-6 Supreme CouncilWashington DC

Scottish Rite protocol requires that “ev-ery principal Body of the Rite,” i.e., thosehaving a distinct constitutional existence,must keep a Visitors Register in its ante-room. All visitors will record their names,titles, or other pertinent information in thisbook.

Honors are traditionally reserved foraccomplishments within the Ancient andAccepted Scottish Rite and are not paid toanyone because of a dignity or office de-pendent on achievement outside the Rite,except to the Grand Master of the GrandLodge of the State. A Brother must wearhis cap and may wear his chain, cordon,and jewel to receive such honors. The GrandMaster is received with 8 lights, 8 swords,and under an arch of steel. The GrandCrosses of the Court of Honour, the Depu-ties commissioned by the Grand Com-mander, and all Inspectors General Honor-ary of the Thirty-third Degree, other thanthose hereinafter mentioned, are receivedwith 8 lights, 8 swords, and under an archof steel.

All Sovereign Grand Inspectors Gen-eral and Emeriti Members are Special Rep-resentatives of the Mother Supreme Coun-cil, and Active Members and Representa-tives of other Supreme Councils in Amitywith this Jurisdiction’s Supreme Councilwill receive a formal salutation of 9 lightsand 9 swords under an arch of steel withswords clashing and mallets beating.

The reception of a Grand Commanderof another Jurisdiction, or a Past GrandCommander of any Jurisdiction, requires10 lights and 10 swords under an arch ofsteel, swords clashing and mallets beating.As a mark of special respect, the sovereignGrand Commander of the Mother SupremeCouncil, or his Special Delegate or Proxy,shall be received with 11 lights and 11swords under an arch of steel, swords clash-ing and mallets beating.

Protocol for Reception of Visitors

The Louisiana Scottish Rite Foundation

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John L. Atkinson, 33° G.C.President

In Memory of Lee C HornsbyLake Charles Scottish Rite Bodies

In Memory of Robert B Smith, Jr.

Louisiana Scottish Rite Foundation

D Walter Jessen Scholarship Fund

In Memory of Mrs. Barbara KleinD. W. Jessen & Associates, LLC

Boudreaux Trahan

continued next column

The Foundation is proud to announcethe following speech and language schol-arships for 2008. These $1,250.00 awardsare given to graduate students workingtoward a Masters Degree in speech pa-thology.

HammondHolly C Smith

Emlie R Scianna

MonroeAlison L Tugwell

Samantha K MathisLauren Cross

Scholarships

The Foundation is so very blessed bythe continued financial support fromwithin the Fraternity as well as from thosefrom outside.

It is only fitting that these supportersbe recognized.

Donations continued:

The Louisiana Scottish RiteFoundation's fiscal year ended June 30thwith excellent results, as did each of thefive Learning Centers. On a sad notehowever, Ms Norma Johnson who super-vised the learning center at Monroe forthe University of Louisiana at Monroeretired in June. Norma did a most out-standing job for both the Foundation andUniversity. We miss her and wish her thevery best in her retirement. The univer-sity has placed Ms. Donna Thomas in thatposition.

Smith Pugh & Company, LLP, Certi-fied Public Accountants are in the pro-cess of conducting the annual audit andresults when received will be reported.

The following is a listing of the ex-penses and expenditures of the Founda-tion from July 1. 2007 to June 30, 2008:Speech Centers: $71,417.50Scholarships: (Speech) 35,500.00Scholarships:(Engineering) 6,002.00Management in general: 13,043.00Total Expenses: $125,962.50

The Foundation’s D. Walter JessenCivil Engineering Scholarship provided$2,000.00 scholarships to two studentsattending Louisiana Tech in Ruston.

Brandon E Keck-Bossier CityAshley M Cummins-Stonewall

Foundation Updates

Contributions

Donald W. HathawayPaul M. Plummer

Thomas R. BrewtonAnsel M. Stroud, Jr.

Harold K. ChamberlainJerry E. TempleJames C. DavisJames E. GottCarl H. Hines

Jason McLaughlinJohn V. BonnetteJoseph E. MoorePalmer R. LongHarry C. AdamsPatrick Collard

Charles O. GloverJohn B. May

Frank P. RobisonCharles F. Jackson

John W. WalkerBrian S. CanfieldEdward L. Lamb

John T. ScottCharles O. GloverOscar C. LaBordeRobert Southern

Red River Council Nr. 52Coushatta Chapter 102 RAM

Silent Brotherhood Lodge Nr. 146

To the FoundationRichard G. Cotton

H. Edward DurhamCharles H. Coppedge, Jr.

Ralph C. PayneLarry B. Ledbetter, Sr.

Clyde StroutJames T. Wiggins

John B. MayFrank P. Robison

Charles F. JacksonJohn W. Walker

Brian S. CanfieldEdward L. Lamb

John T. ScottBilly M. Dearing

Hugh W. McCulloughJesse Boyd, Jr.John M. Dark

William R. Boggess

Lake Charles Lodge #165Richard B SmithHarold H Young

In Memory of Donnaud B WilliamsHershel S. Robinson

In Memory of L. Clark GreyHershel S. Robinson

In Memory of Isadore “Beau”Greenwald

Herhel S Robinson

In Memory of Courtland E HathawayDr. & Mrs. Beryl Franklin

In Memory of Jesse L Carter, Sr.Dr. & Mrs. Beryl Franklin

In Memory of Carolyn L PenceCalvin L Elliott

George & Louise McAnn

Donations continued:

In Memory of Carolyn L PenceNaresh Sharma

Robert HutchinsonKenneth R BarnesJohn L Atkinson

H Edward DurhamMr & Mrs. Lewis Doherty, III

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music depar tment: Mozar t 's The Magic Flute Act 1(tinyurl.com/59dghy); Mozart's The Magic Flute Part 2(tinyurl.com/6254ok). The opera as performed by Northwest-ern University's music department lasts a bit over two hours,but, is worth viewing to experience the opera's mysteries.

Mozart's "The Magic Flute" offers a veiled window intothe mysteries of the Rosicrucian influenced degrees practicedin Vienna during Mozart's participation in the fraternity in1791. Many theories abound regarding the esoteric and Ma-sonic content of this opera and one should view it through eso-teric eyes of the Rosicrucian legends and the window of Free-masonry to fully understand the story. The opera begins byshowing us a young prince, Tamino, who has been cast into astrange fantasy world wherehe encounters a dragon thatattacks him. He falls uncon-scious from the attack, butthree muses who are ser-vants of the Queen of theNight arrive in time to slaythe dragon-they also be-come enchanted with himand fight over who shouldhave him, but they decide

to depart failing to reach any agreement. When he awakens,he encounters Papageno, a strangely clad man who wears feath-ers and who catches birds for Queen of the Night's three musesin exchange for food and wine. Papageno tells Tamino that hedefeated the dragon, but the three muses return catching

Papageno in a lie. They muzzle him with astrange magical lock placed over his mouthcompelling his silence. While enamored withTamino themselves, they show him a por-trait of the Queen of the Night's daughter,Pamina, with whom he instantly falls in love.They inform Tamino that Pamina has beencaptured by Sarastro, an elderly magus, wholives in a mysterious palace adjacent to aTemple consisting of Gates of Nature, Rea-son, and Wisdom. The Queen of the Nightappears and demands that Tamino rescue her

daughter from Sarastro. In return, the Queen of the Nightpledges to allow Tamino to marry Pamina if he rescues her. Toassist Tamino with the rescue, the Queen of the Night equipsTamino with three boys as guides and a magic flute-she alsogives Papageno magic bells. They both use these magical in-struments to escape danger and to summon strange creatures.When Tamino reaches Sarsastro's palace and the Temple, heapproaches the Gates of Nature and Reason where invisiblevoices tell him to "Go back!" When Tamino arrives at the Gateof Wisdom, a priest convinces him that Sarastro is noble andwise and Tamino decides to become his disciple. These en-counters include an interaction with Sarastro's servent,Monostatos, a moor, who also secretly desires Pamina's hand

Tamino is also forced to remain silent during the ordealeven when approached by his true love, Pamina, who believesthat Tamino's silence means that he no longer loves her-thiscompels her to attempt suicidewhich is halted by the interven-tion of the three guides who takeher to Tamino. Earlier, Paminais visited by the Queen of theNight who gives her a daggerwith which to kill Sarastro.Monostatos discovers the plotand attempts to blackmailPamina with this information,

but Pamina refuses his advances. The scene changes from theTemple of Ordeal to the Pyramids where Papageno encountersan old woman who changes into the young and beautifulPapagena, his esoteric opposite. However, priests chase her

away. Papageno and Papagenalater reunite when Papagino usesthe magic bells to summon her.Tamino and Pamina, now reunitedby the three boy guides, arrive ata rocky waterfall and a cavern offire where they are tested by trialsof water and fire. They pass thesetrials using the magic flute that

Pamina reveals was carved by her father from an ancient oaktree. The Queen of the Night and Monostatos arrive and at-tempt to destroy Sarastro's temple but they are cast into theeternal dark by Sarastro’s magic. The opera ends with Sarastrocongratulating them for having survived the ordeals. He ad-mits them into the Temple and thanks the gods. For an assess-able English translation of The Magic Flute in prose, pleasesee The Magic Flute By Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart by EdwardJoseph Dent (translator) (1911). For a very brief summary,also see Two Hundred Opera Plots by Gladys Davidson, p. 247(1911).

Those familiar with the Scottish Rite Symbolic degrees,especially the Scottish Rite's Entered Apprentice degree, willrecognize the similarities between our unique Scottish Rite ritu-als and the themes and symbols that are portrayed during TheMagic Flute. Among the arcane esoteric themes portrayed, the

continued from front pageMozart’s Magic Flute:

Alchemical Dragon

in marriage. Upon seeing each other at Sarastro's court, Taminoand Pamina fall in love and embrace. Sarastro will allow themto marry only if they survive several trials of ordeal at theTemple. Sarastro also refuses to return them to the Queen ofthe Night claiming that she has superimposed "superstition"upon the people. Sarastro then sings a blessing upon Taminoand Pamina asking Isis and Osiris to bless them should theymeet death during the trial. Papageno also chooses to undergothe trials saying that he will do so in exchange for a wife, buthe refuses any gift of wisdom especially if he must undergohardship to obtain it. He is promised a wife, his perfect oppo-site, Papagena. Tamino and Papageno undergo several trials ofsilence as tempted by the allure of women. Papageno ques-tions the trials of silence but remains steadfast.

Papageno

continued on page 13

Alchemical Trail by Fire

Alchemical Trail by Elements

Valley of New Orleans NewsThe Oldest Scottish Rite Valley in the World - Chartered April 7, 1811

Albert Pike was Grand Commander of Grand Consistory of LouisianaFrom April 1857-January 1859

Meets on the first Wednesday of every month

New Orleans Scottish Rite Temple619-621 Carondelet Street

New Orleans, LA 70130-3503Secretary: Lloyd A. Hebert, 33°

Tel: 504-522-3789 Fax: 504-527-5982Email: [email protected]

WebSite: www.nolascottishrite.com

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Calendar of EventsStated Communications 7:30 PM

Wednesday, December 3rdTraditional Holiday CelebrationEsoteric Lecturer-St. John’s DayRefreshmentsWednesday, January 7thAnniversary of the Valley of New OrleansLecture-Valley’s Building


In MemoriamWarren Joseph Nunez 32°Elvin Lewis Oglesby, 32°

James Francis Osborne, Jr., 32°Josephy Ulrick, 32°

William Franklin Wells, Jr., 32°

2009 Membership Fees are dueby December 31, 2008

Knightly News

Recent Valley News

S&F,Bro. Guy Wilson 32º, KSA.

The Knights of St. Andrew are plan-ning our annual Robert Burns Supper.Last year's celebration garnered the at-tention of the House of the Temple whichpublished pictures of our event on itsNational website. We hope that this year'scelebration will offer us the same success.As many of the brethren already know,Robert Burns is considered the poet lau-reate of Scotland and the unofficial poetof Freemasonry. Bro. Burns was dedi-cated to the Craft by evidence of his par-ticipation and his literary works writtenabout Freemasonry. The House of theTemple hosts a large collection of hisworks consulted by literary scholars from

around the world. They also honor himby maintaining a room and library dedi-cated to his research. This year's Knightsof St. Andrew Robert Burns Supper willbe held on the weekend of his birthdayon either Saturday, January 24th or Sun-day, January 25th. Many of our Knightsattend the dinner in full Scottish Rega-lia-kilts and all. We will also be issuinginvitations to join the Knights of St. An-drew to the worthy dedicated workers inthe Valley. If you would like to join ourmerry band in honoring the Bard of Scot-land, then please contact Lloyd Hebert orme for more information.

continued previous columnKnightly News:


On October 1st the Valley celebratedthe obligatory Feast of Tishri. All enjoyedgood fellowship and a fine meal where-upon the Venerable Master of the Knightsof St. Andrew, Bro. Guy T. Wilson, 32º,KSA, lead the traditional toasts by hisgood fellows of the KSA. After the toasts,our Venerable Master, Bro. Ion Lazar, 32ºKCCH, presented a moving lecture on theimportance of the Feast of Tishri to theScottish Rite. Bro. Lazar also offered sev-eral theories regarding the Feast ofTishri's possible esoteric meanings as in-terpreted by several branches of the An-cient Western Mystery traditions and asoffered by traditional Biblical history.Later, the Valley opened the Lodge ofPerfection in full regalia as performed bythe members of the 14th Degree Teamunder the direction of Bro. Warren A.Hintz, Jr., 32º KCCH who assumed therole of acting Venerable Master. Bro.Hintz delivered a dramatic performanceof the 14th Degree obligation and re-ob-ligated all Scottish Rite masons in atten-dance. The Valley also received a reportby Bro. Ray Thompson 32º KCCH of theNew Orleans Scottish Rite Foundationwho described the extensive damage that


continued previous columnRecent Valley News:

the Valley's building received followingHurricane Gustav. Bro. Thompson urgedthe brethren to consider donating fundsfor repairs and restoration of our historicbuilding.

On November 5th the Valley cel-ebrated the Thanksgiving Holiday with afine meal. All in attendance enjoyed thefestivities and fellowship enjoyed. TheValley and its brethren thanked theG.A.O.T.U. for the bounty provided to ourFraternity and its members for the yearof 2008. Both the opening and closingprayers expressed this thanks and devo-tion with beautiful expressions and offer-ings. We all certainly have much withwhich to be thankful and we honor ourCreator for his Divine Providence and theblessings bestowed upon our Fraternalbrotherhood. The Valley also celebratedthe anniversary of our historic buildingby reading the minutes description itsdedication

From the Secretary’s DeskI want to remind the brethren that the

election of our Valley's officers will takeplace on January 7th. All brethren in goodstanding with 2009 dues cards are en-couraged to attend the election to supportand elect the Valley's leaders for the up-coming year.

The dues notices from the SupremeCouncil have been mailed and perhaps somehave their dues cards enclosed. Note thatalthough you have your card, it is also anotice for 2009 dues payment.

As you receive your dues notices, pleasenote that there are important blank spacesthat would greatly help the Valley Secre-tary, i.e. Phone numbers, wife’s name, e-

Valley of Shreveport News Chartered October 26, 1913

Meets on the second Tuesday of every month

Shreveport Scottish Rite Temple725 Cotton Street

Shreveport, LA 71101-9713Secretary: John L. Atkinson, 33° G.C.


Web: www.shreveportscottishrite.com

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IN MEMORIAM

CALENDAR OF EVENTSTuesday, December 9thRegular Meeting 6:30 PMElection & Installation of Officers

Tuesday, January 13thRegular Meeting 6:30 PM

April 4th-5th Spring ReunionNote: Advisory Conference meets at 5:00 pm

before each meeting.


Give a Living Legacy! Donate tothe Shreveport Scottish Rite

Foundation

From The Secretary’s Desk

Knights of St. Andrew

Master Craftsman Program

2008 OfficersShreveport Lodge of Perfection:Venerable Master: Robert L LaBorde, 32° KCCHSenior Warden: Richard L Hollier, 33ºJunior Warden: Larry B Ledbetter, Sr., 33º

Shreveport Chapter Rose Croix:Wise Master: H Edward Durham, 33°Senior Warden: Stanford L Jensen, 33ºJunior Warden: Gary L Gribble, 33°

Shreveport Council of Kadosh:Commander: Stanford L Jensen., 33°1st Lt. Commander: Gary L Gribble, 33º2nd Lt. Commander: Charles F Jackson, 33°

Shreveport Consistory:Master of Kadosh: Robert L LaBorde, 32° KCCHPrior: Charles E Shearer, 33ºPreceptor: Richard L Hollier, 33º

Treasurer All Bodies:Louis E McGee, 33°Secretary All Bodies:

John L Atkinson, 33° GC

2008 OfficersKnight Commander: E Allen Kelly, 32° KStAKnight Warden: Carey C Allison, 32º KStAKnight Captain: Joseph E Moore, 32º KStAKnight Steward: John F Ayer, 32° KStA

An Urgent Matter

Shreveport Scottish RiteFoundation Gifts

T.J. Fulkerson, 32ºThomas Cortez Page, Jr., 32º

Daniel Paul Willis, 32º, KCCHWillis Lane Sterling, Sr., 32ºCharles Edward Raney, 32º

James D. Odom, 32ºCharles E. Watson, 32º

Neal Shaver, 32ºPoole Rogers 32º

Druce A. Chapman,32ºRobert V. Roberts, 32º, KCCH

Aubrey L. Osburn, 32ºWalter A. Merritt, 32°

In Memory of Jean CaldwellKen Caldwell

In Memory of Jane BazzellBallard L Smith

DonationsH. Edward Durham

Joe W. Miot, Jr.Gayle K Hamilton

James B. TuckAlvin W. Magee

Evie F. Young, Jr.

John Atkinson, 33° G.C. is asking thatyou check your wallet and see if you haveyour current 2008 dues card. Johnwanted to let everyone know dues for theValley for 2009 will be $75.00. Have youthought about Perpetual Membership?It's a great program that guarantees thefuture of the Valley. If you have changedyour address, phone numbers, includinge-mail address please let the office know,so we may communicate with you.

One hundred thirty-six members ofthe Shreveport Scottish Rite Valley havenot paid their 2008 dues. Our by-lawsstate that members who have not paidtheir current year dues by December 31,2008 are to be suspended. Receipts fromdues is the major source of our funds forour annual budget. If there is a mistakein the 2009 dues notice you received, orany questions please call the office callthe Office at 318-221-9713 or e-mail usat [email protected]. We can illafford the loss of 136 member.

The Valley now has twenty one mem-bers enrolled in program, which offersmembers an opportunity to immersethemselves in the Rite’s history and morallessons of the Degrees.

Ballard L. Smith, 33° Personal Rep-resentative, Samuel S. Cannon, 32°, T.Patrick Dickson, 32° KCCH, E. LouisMcGee, 33° Director of Work, and E.

Michael Ironsmith, 32° KCCH have com-pleted the curriculum. Contact BroAtkinson if you are interested in enroll-ing or just want additional information.

continued previous columnMaster Craftsman:


Fall ReunionShreveport Scottish Rite Bodies held

their fall reunion on September 27 & 28,with a class of seven candidates and con-ferring a total of twenty degrees. We be-gan at 7:30 on Saturday morning withregistration and orientation and thefourth degree beginning at 8:30 AM. Wefinished the 21st Degree and the eventsplanned for Saturday at 6 pm.

Sunday morning we started the 24thdegree at 8:00 PM, followed by the 26th,

Valley of Lake Charles News Chartered October 16, 1923

Meets on the third Wednesday of every month

Lake Charles Masonic Temple717 Hodges Street

Lake Charles, LA 70601Secretary: Charles G. Callahan, 33°


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CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Wednesday, December 17thElection of Officers18° ConferralWednesday, January 21stInstallation of Officers30° ConferralWednesday, February 18th32° ConferralWednesday, March 18thPresentation of all Masonic BodiesThursday, April 9thService of RemembranceWednesday, April 15thPresentation to honor Public OfficialsSpring Reunion April 18-19Wednesday, May 20thdeMolay Ceremony of Light & FlowersWednesday, June 17thMasonic HeroesWednesday, July 15thCarl Cludey Masonic PlayWednesday, August 19thAnnual Charter out of town tripFall Reunion September 12-13Wednesday, September 16thHonor Past Venerable Masters & 50Year members


IN MEMORIAM

2009Membership fees are dueDecember 31, 2008

Personally Speaking

Fall Reunion

Billy Jo Jones, 32°Charles Taylor Van Metre, Jr., 32°

Merritt Valerian Sweeney, 32°Isadore Greenwald, 32°Joe Lavera Barrett, 32°Lloyd Clark Gray, 32°

Lee Collins Hornsby, 33°Herman John Chauffe, 32°Eddie Marshall Farris, 32°

William Arthur Gamble, 32°

2008 OfficersLake Charles Lodge of Perfection:Venerable Master: Jimmy H Leger, 32° KCCHSenior Warden: C Clifford Heath, 32º KCCHJunior Warden: Daryl G Johnson, 32º, KCCH

Lake Charles Chapter Rose Croix:Wise Master: Kenneth V Michel, 32° KCCHSenior Warden: John C Butterick, 32ºJunior Warden: Allen R Fruge, 33°

Lake Charles Council of Kadosh:Commander: Archie E Hickman, Jr., 32° KCCH1st Lt. Commander: Jimmy H Leger, 32° KCCH2nd Lt. Commander: William B Powell, 32º KCCH

Lake Charles Consistory:Master of Kadosh: C Clifford Heath, 32° KCCHPrior: Donald R Veret, 32º KCCHPreceptor: Murry C “Bo” House, 33º

Treasurer All Bodies:Clarence L Callihan, 32° KCCH

Secretary All Bodies:Charles G Callahan, 33°

Back Door Lunch: 4th Friday of everymonth, beginning on January 30th.

As Hurricane Ike cancelled our FallReunion, we debated the best course forrescheduling. The calendar for the re-mainder of the year was not favorable forany weekend.

In September a decision was made tooffer one degree during our monthly meet-ing, immediately following the businessmeeting. This was the first time we havetried this schedule. We conferred the 4thand 14th Degrees in October and Novem-ber, respectively. The remaining degreeschedule is:

18° December 17th30° January 21st

32° February 18thOur regular reunion schedule will re-

sume with the Spring Reunion on April18-19.

At the time of this writing, LakeCharles Scottish Rite Bodies have justcompleted hosting a successful Confer-ence of the Orient for Scottish Rite lead-ers from throughout the state of Louisi-ana, and the annual Family Day for ourlocal brethren and their families. Bothwere great opportunities for fellowshipand time well spent reflecting on themany ways family and friends positivelyimpact our lives.

For our stated communication inJanuary, we will install our officers in allfour bodies for the 2009 year. The invest-ment committee will be meeting with ourmoney managers earlier that day to re-cap the turbulent times we are currentlyexperiencing in the financial markets andplot a strategy for the future. Thatevening, we will confer the thirtieth de-gree on the candidates from our fall 2008reunion.

On January 23-24, the principal of-ficers of each Scottish Rite Body will at-tend the annual leadership workshop inMonroe. This is an on-going trainingprogram that is aimed at building lead-ership skills for these officers to effec-tively operate our Scottish Rite Bodies.These skills can likewise be very usefulin our Blue Lodges and other appendantbodies.

In February, our own IllustriousBrother Jules Frederick "Jeff" Webb, 33°will be elevated to the office of GrandMaster of Masons in the State of Louisi-ana. Brother Webb has been a dedicatedworker in Masonry for many years. He


Valley of Baton Rouge NewsChartered October 20, 1955

Meets on the second Monday of every month

Baton Rouge Scottish Rite Temple14598 Florida BoulevardBaton Rouge, LA 70819

Secretary: Beverly J. Guillot, 33° GJWTel: 225-275-0668 Fax: 225-273-0750

Email: [email protected]

8

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Dinner 6:30 Meeting 7:30Monday, December 8thElection of OfficersMonday, January 12thInstallation of OfficersMonday, February 9thShane Crump presents Masonic WorkingToolsSpring Reunion March 7-8Monday, March 9th7th Degree presentationThursday, April 9thService of RemembranceSunday, April 12thEaster ServiceMonday, April 13thChapter of Rose Croix conducts meetingMonday, May 11thCouncil of Kadosh conducts meetingMonday, June 8th21st Degree presentationMonday, July 13th25th Degree presentationMonday, August 10th28th Degree presentationMonday, September 14thFeash of Tishri - KCCH Club & KStAconducts ceremonyFall Reunion October 4-5Monday, October 12thDanny Smith presents 8th Degree


In MemoriamLamar Noble Coxe, 32°

Harry H Gabriel, Jr., 32°Wiley Seville Noble, 32°James Oliver White, 32°

2009 MEMBERSHIP FEES ARENOW DUE

2008 OfficersBaton Rouge Lodge of Perfection:Venerable Master: Jimmie A Galloway, 32° KCCHSenior Warden: Ricks M Bowles, 32º KCCHJunior Warden: A Nicholas Auck , 32º, KCCH

Baton Rouge Chapter Rose Croix:Wise Master: Marshall L Woodard, 32°Senior Warden: Charles R Peabody, 32º KCCHJunior Warden: Robert T Canzonire, 32º

Baton Rouge Council of Kadosh:Commander: David M Wallace, 32° KCCH1st Lt. Commander: G Eugene Cagle , 32°2nd Lt. Commander: William E Womack, 32º

Baton Rouge Consistory:Master of Kadosh: Wayne M Mitchell, 32° KCCHPrior: Lawrence D Wade, 32ºPreceptor: Brian L Watson, 32º KCCHTreasurer to All Bodies Ben F Melanson, 33°

Personal Representative Notes

May God continue to bless you for your service,Robert J Hutchinson, 33°

Personal Representative

Greetings Brethren. If my friendswould have told me I would have so muchfun, I would have retired earlier. I havehad the opportunity to attempt to call allthe brethren in the Baton Rouge ScottishRite. It has been satisfying and discour-aging as many members have had somedifficult times but satisfying in that I'vehad the opportunity to talk to some oldfriends and help a few new ones.

The year 2008 is ending and 2009 isbeginning. Installation of officers will beat our regular meeting on January 12th.A new group of officers in the four bod-ies is taking charge and are looking at agreat year under the leadership of RicksBowles 32º KCCH who will be VenerableMaster of the Lodge of Perfection. Weneed you to be a part of the valley andattend some of the meetings. If we couldget 10% of our members to attend meet-ings, we would have 100 brothers at eachmeeting.

Brethren, anyone who knows me,knows of my strong family ties. Masonryis a family affair also and many treat itas such. Recently we lost some key play-ers in this Masonic family when Mrs.Carolyn Pence, wife of Ill. Lloyd Pence,33° died. Carolyn and Lloyd Pence werea team and were leaders in our Masonicfamily as well as their own family, churchand community. Their absence is felt at

every meeting. We also lost Mrs. SelmaGeiger, wife of Emanuel Geiger. Regard-less of the type of Masonic meeting, Mrs.Selma and "Manny" were in attendanceand served as head of so many Masonicorganizations. To the entire Pence fam-ily and to Emanuel and the entire Geigerfamily, our prayers and condolences to allin this loss we have all sustained and MayGod keep you all cradled in his arms.


continued from previous columnPersonal Representative:

From the Secretary’s DeskI would once again like to remind and

encourage all members who have not yetpaid their 2008 dues to do so quickly. Ac-cording to Supreme Council Statutes, wemust suspend members who have not paidthe current years dues by December 2008.

You should already received your duesnotice for 2009. If you have not paid your2008 dues, it will show on this dues noticethat you owe dues for 2008 and 2009. MyBrothers, it saddens us to have to suspendany member so please bring your dues up-to-date and keep them current.

Update on our facilities—HurricaneGustav knocked down a couple of trees andthey fell over our fence, causing some dam-age. A piece of siding was blown off and wehad slight damage on the corner of the roofof the main building.

We have installed a new security sys-tem and painted the kitchen in the mainbuilding. We are trying to remodel to pro-vide a building our members can be proudto support.

FraternallyBev Guilliot, 33°

Secretarycontinued on page 12

Valley of Monroe NewsChartered November 13, 1971

Meets on the first Thursday of every month

Monroe Scottish Rite Temple205 University Avenue

Monroe, LA 71203-3701Secretary: Robert C. Joyner, 33°


9

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Thursday, December 4thDinner with Ladies 6:00 PMProgram 7:00 PMAnnual Christmas Party25 & 50 Year Certificate AwardsInstallation of OfficersThursday, January 1stNo Meeting DarkThursday, February 5thDinner with Ladies 6:00 PMProgram 7:00 PM


2009 Membership fees are due byDecember 31, 2008

Monroe Has A First

Tenent vs TenantCompasses vs Compass

IN MEMORIAM

Davis Cleveland Bennett, Jr., 32°Charlie Wade Carter, 32°Owen Eugene Cobb, 32°

Leverett Kyle, 32°Edward Lester Little, 32°

James Roy Nutt, 32°

December at Monroe Valley

continued previous columnTenent vs Tenant:

Editor’s note: M: W: Hennigan is the ONLY sittingGrand Master to have completed the course.

What Should I, As a Mason, Do?

The Scottish Rite in Monroe is veryproud of its membership, but is extremelyproud of one of its own! Most Worship-ful Grand Master, Lloyd E. Hennigan,33° is the source of the pride. As most ofyou know, the Monroe Scottish Rite Bod-ies have encouraged its membership toparticipate in the Master Craftsman Pro-gram. This program is an excellent edu-cational program that is designed to helpits members become more aware of themeaning of each degree and the lessonstaught in the degrees. Il l : BrotherHennigan is the "First" sitting GrandMaster to complete the lessons and ex-ams that earn him the title of "MasterCraftsman". Congratulations Most Wor-shipful Grand Master Hennigan!! Wenow have another reason to be exception-ally proud of you!

M:W: Lloyd E. Hennigan, Jr., 33° GM receivesMaster Craftsman Certificate from R: W: WoodyD. Bilyeu, 33° Personal Representative GSW The duty of man is not a wilderness

of turnpike gates, through which he is topass by tickets from one to the other. It isplain and simple, and consists but, of twopoints - his duty to God, which every manmust feel; and, with respect to his neigh-bor, to do as he would be done by.

Thomas Paine-AuthorWhile I realize that it may not be

important to lots of the Brethren, it is tosome of us. The "it" I am referring to isthe use of the word tenant when refer-ring to the principle of Masonry that weas Masons hold as part of our dogma ordoctrine. According to the dictionary,tenant is one who occupies lands orhouses for which he pays rent, a renter.

The word tenet is described as: a prin-ciple, doctrine, opinion or dogma. In re-ferring to the foundations of Masonry, thecorrect word is tenet.

Another common usage is the singu-lar form of the word compass. A compassis an instrument for telling directionwhile the plural…compasses, is an instru-ment for prescribing circles. In my littlerural lodge, in which I was raised to theSublime Degree of Master Mason, it wasemphasized that, the correct form wascompasses, the plural form because theinstrument had two legs, one or both ofwhich could be elevated above the Squareas a symbol of advancement through thedegrees.

On December 4th, at 6:00 pm theMonroe Scottish Rite Bodies will havetheir Annual Christmas Party instead ofthe usual dinner before the regular meet-ing. At this time, the Ladies (and Breth-ren) always bring their favorite recipe andthis makes for a delicious Pot-luck din-ner. Everything from meat to dessert.Scrumptious!

After the Pot-luck, the Brethren gointo the Lodge room for their regularmeeting (business), and election of offic-ers for 2009, then the Ladies and guestsare invited in and they witness the instal-lation of officers for the ensuing year. Thispart of the meeting is always an openmeeting to allow the spouses and childrento see their loved ones installed into of-fice, thereby letting the family know thattheir support is very important to themembership.


10


The Mousetrap

Venerable Master Griggs presents Master Craftsman Certificates to C. EdCollins, 32°, M:W: Lloyd E. Hennigan, Jr., 33° Grand Master, R: W: WoodyD. Bilyeu, 33° Grand Senior Warden and Personal Representative.

continued from page 9Monroe Valley News:

A mouse looked through the crack in the wall to see thefarmer and his wife open a package. "What food might thiscontain?" The mouse wondered - he was devastated to dis-cover it was a mousetrap. Retreating to the farmyard, themouse, proclaimed the warning. "There is a mousetrap in thehouse! There is a mousetrap in the house!" The chicken cluckedand scratched, raised her head and said, "Mr. Mouse, I cantell this is a grave concern to you, but it is of no consequenceto me. I cannot be bothered by it." The mouse turned to thepig and told him, "There is a mousetrap in the house! There isa mousetrap in the house!" The pig sympathized, but said, "Iam so very sorry, Mr. Mouse, but there is nothing I can doabout it but pray. Be assured you are in my prayers," The mouseturned to the cow and said, "There is a mousetrap in the house!There is a mousetrap in the house!" The cow said, "Wow, Mr.Mouse, I'm sorry for you, but it's no skin off my nose." So, themouse returned to the house, head down and dejected, to facethe farmer's mousetrap alone. That very night a sound washeard throughout the house - like the sound of a mousetrapcatching its prey. The framer's wife rushed to see what wascaught, in the darkness, she did not see it was a venomoussnake whose tail the trap had caught. The snake bit the farmer'swife. The farmer rushed her to the hospital, and she retunedhome with a fever. Everyone knows you treat a fever with freshchicken soup, so the farmer took his hatchet to the farmyardfor the soup's main ingredient. But his wife's sickness contin-ued, so friends and neighbors came to sit with her around theclock. To feed them, the farmer butchered the pig. The farmer'swife did not get well, she died. So many people came for herfuneral; the farmer had the cow slaughtered to provide enoughmeat for all of them. The mouse looked upon it all from hiscrack in the wall with great sadness.

So, the next time you hear someone is facing a problemand think it doesn't concern you., remember - when one of usis threatened, we are all at risk. We are all involved in thejourney called life. We must keep an eye out for one anotherand make an extra effort to encourage one another.

REMEMBER: Each of us is a vital thread in anotherperson's tapestry; our lives are woven together for a reason.

One of the best things to hold onto in this world is aFRIEND!

From: Keystone Koments - Wichita High Twelve Club

Master Craftsman Program Monroe’s participation in the Scottish Rite Master Crafts-

man Program is a source of pride in our Valley. Upon comple-tion of the course the member is provided a lapel pin and cer-tificate from Supreme Council. During his regular meetings,Venerable Master Challie B. Griggs, 32° KCCH encouragesmembers to partake of this successful educational curriculum.Special emphasis is afforded to recognize a member that hascompleted the program. Due to the overwhelming response,

the Supreme Council is having to reorder the Scottish RiteRitual Monitor and Guide from the printer and will again beable to process orders for the Master Craftsman program.


continued from previous columnMonroe Valley News-Master Craftsman:

continued from page 6Shreveport Valley News-Fall Reunion:

Fraternally submittedDr. Beryl C. Franklin, PhD 33°

28th and the30th degrees, ending at 11:30 for church servicesconducted Rev Bob Salts, 32° KCCH. After lunch, the 31stand 32nd degrees were conferred and we concluded the ritualwork at 4 pm. Presentation of dues cards, copies of Bridge ToLight and 32° Jewels were made to the members of the class.

Our Fall Class candidates and newest Masters of the RoyalSecret are: James B. Brooks of H D Anderson Lodge #320,John C. Dougherty, III of Jefferson Lodge #38, Chad C. Driskellof Joppa Lodge #362, Jerry H. Howell of Leesville Lodge #240,Kurt Duane Howes of Joppa Lodge #362, Daniel C. McGuireof Atkins Lodge #266 and John F. Knox of W H Booth Lodge#380. Fraternally

E. Louis McGee, 33°Director of Work

Knightly NewsSir Knight Commander E. Allen Kelly and the Chapter re-

cently supported the Valley in all aspects of the reunion. TheChapter also conducted a Squiring Ceremony and inducted threenew Squires: Johnny C. Byrd, John D. Autry and Gary T.Rushworth, Sr.

If you are interested in joing the Knights of St. Andrew, arededicated to service and eager to participate, talk to any Knightabout joing our growing ranks.

11


CENTER NEWS

Admiral E. A. Barham, 33°Scottish Rite Childhood Learning Center


Southeastern Louisiana Regional Scottish RiteChildhood Learning Center

Currently at the Southeast Region Scottish Rite ChildhoodLearning Center, we are serving 6 children with speech andlanguage needs, whose diagnoses span Down Syndrome, Pho-nological Processing Disorder, Articulation and Language de-lays, and Childhood Apraxia of Speech. The two scholarshiprecipients for the fall 2008 semester are graduate studentsEmilie Scianna of Ocean Springs, MS and Holly Smith ofPonchatoula, LA.

In addition, the Louisiana Scottish Rite Foundation wasrecognized for their great contribution to the university at ourrecent Homecoming celebration for doners.

Our new administrator is Larry W. Jacobson. He is a mem-ber of New Orleans Valley and lives in Hammond. He hasbeen a great support, and we are happy to have him, after los-ing Charles Williams over the summer.

Aimee Adams, Clincial Supervisor-Center CoordinatorDepartment of Communication Sciences and Disorders

SeLU

L:R Dr. Donnie Booth (Dean of College of Nursing and Health Sciences),Dr. Jaqueline Guendouzi, Dr. Paula Currie(CSD Department Head), LarryJacobson (Scottish Rite Administrator), Aimee Q. Adams (Scottish Rite Clini-cal Supervisor)

Baton Rouge Scottish RiteChildhood Learning Center

During a recent Scottish Rite Meeting, the Worshipful Masterof Trinity Union Lodge #372 presented a very generous donationto the Baton Rouge Scottish Rite Childhood Speech and LanguageCenter.

In September, the Officers and Members of Eastgate Lodge#452 also presented the Center with a generous donation. The isthe only way that we are able to provide the needed help to themany children in our area that have problems with speech disor-ders.

We started our Fall 2008 Semester a few days after Gustav

made his visit. We did not have any damage to the Center, how-ever we lost power for several days. We have 12 very energetic youngchildren who enjoy coming to the Center.

continued from previous columnBaton Rouge Center:

Joe A Stroud, 33°Center Adminsitrator

L:R Robert J. Hutchinson 33° Personal Representative, W: Jimmie D.Duncan, WM 32° and Joe A. Stroud, 33°

Cards of Thanks

Thank you so very much for your scholarship award for the Fall Semes-ter at UlM. The money is greatly appreciated, not only by me but my parents.

SincerelyClint Hairston

I wanted to write and personally thank you for the opportunity to pro-vide therapy through the Scottish Rite Foundation. I enjoyed working in yourfacility on University Avenue, as well as working with the young clients. Isaw progress in the children I provided therapy and hope that I will hear oftheir continued progress. Once again, thank you for the scholarship. It was apriveledge and an honor to be associated with the Scottish Rite. If my uncleand grandfather were here, they too would be proud. This is a reason it hasmeant so much to me!

Sincerely,Alison Lauree Tugwell

Cards of Thanks

Mr. Atkinson:Thank you so very much for you choosing me as one of the Scottish Rite

Scholarship recipients, for this very generous award. I greatly appreciatethis gift as it will tremendously help me through my graduate school years.

Secondly, I wanted to let you know that it is an honor to be associatedwith such a great cause of humility and charity. Once again, Thank you!

SincerelyStacey E. Picou

Mr. John Atkinson:Than you so much for choosing me as one of the Scottish Rite Scholar-

ship recipients. This opportunity means a great deal to me. The funds youprovide will help with my bills, fill my stomach and most importantly con-tinue my journey to become a better clinician. Thanks again!

Sincerely,Hope Taylor

Southeastern Louisiana Regional ChildhoodLearning Center

12

Scottish Rite KEEP MOVING FORWARDcontinued from previous columnBaton Rouge Valley News-October Meeting:

From Your Director of Work


continued from page 8Baton Rouge Valley News:

October Meeting

At this same meeting, Ill: Mollere was presented with his Mas-ter Craftsman lapel pin. Brother A. Nicholas Auck, 32° KCCHDirector of Work was also presented with his Master Craftsmanpin, as well as with his Certificate.

Brother Mollere spoke to the members regarding the programand the impact it has had on his understanding of the Rite.

At the regular meeting in October, the members of the Valleyreceived Ill: William J. Mollere, 33° SGIG in Louisiana in dueform. With the assistance of the Baton Rouge Valley Knights of St.Andrew, Ill: Mollere was escorted and introduced by Ill: CharlesD. “Danny” Smith, 33°.

Brother Mollere thanked the members of his mother Valley fortheir reception and continued dedication to the Rite.

L:R Robert J. Hutchinson 33° Personal Representative, A. Nicholas Auck,32° KCCH Director of Work and William J. Mollere, 33° SGIG

We were honored and pleased to have in attendance five Mas-ters of the Royal Secret that were members of the Fall Reunion. Alltwelve members of the class have enrolled in the Master Crafts-man Program. Venerable Master Jimmie Galloway, 32° KCCHwelcomed and thanked the new members for attending. BrotherGalloway remarked that their future participation in the Valley isgreatly appreciated and that by attending their first meeting afterthe reunion speaks volumes of their desire to be active.

Fall Reunion Class Front Row L:R Gregory M. Core, Charles M. Chaney, B. LeeHarris, Richard A. Harris, Brent R Salter, D. Gary White, Joshua P. Mora. Backrow L:R: Joseph M. W. “Jay” Reynolds, Bruce E. Ernest, Robert A. Delatte, John

W. Tilly, Earl J. Crochet.

What is a successful Reunion? That depends on who youare. As a candidate, you should glean moral, ethical, spiritualor at least informational guidance that sparked some desire tolearn more. As the Director of Work, I look for quality Degreesthat are presented in a timely manner. Sadly, the Reunions arebuilt more around the time that we believe you will give up tobecome a 32° Mason than anything else. That probably shockssome of you who were told that the Scottish Rite is the Univer-sity of Freemasonry and teaches many, many lessons.

It is for that reason that the Valley of Baton Rouge is con-centrating on the quality of the 29 Degree teams. The Valley isnot interested in presenting all degrees twice a year at our Re-unions. Rather we will exemplify degrees in the Spring or Fallas well as during Stated Meetings, to truly educate our Broth-ers. This will afford our members to learn those magnificentlessons and still not expand beyond a two day reunion. Addi-tionally, we are taking steps to improve the quality of the de-grees by providing training and resources to Degree Directorsand their teams. On November 15, we will hold our first De-gree Director training seminar. During the class, we will re-view Degree Directors responsibility and ways for them to man-age their team's performance. In addition to reciting the words,our Degree teams must make quality presentations in a man-ner that educates our members, engages their conscience, en-ergizes their desire to live masonry in their daily lives andfosters study in the great truths of Masonic philosophy. I be-lieve this is truly making masons, not dues paying members.

I have also developed a schedule of rehearsals and degreepresentations over the next two years. With timely informationand reminders, Degree Directors will not be waiting to seewhich degrees will be exemplified during Reunions; rather theycan plan practices accordingly. All rehearsals will be held theweekend prior to each Reunion and will ensure the Stage andSound Crews are in sync with the performance. After severalpractices the rehearsal will also serve to validate a degree team'shard work.

These are the first steps we must take to provide qualitydegrees to our members, rather neophyte, sojourner or expert.

FraternallyNick Auck, 32° KCCH

Director of Work

13


opera exposes its audience to a battle between light and dark-ness, falling and then rising from a deep sleep or death, thetest of secrecy and silence, theconflict between reason, reli-gion, and superstition, a peekinto the initiation of a profanethrough the mysteries of anesoteric order, a reverence forwisdom and knowledge, and asymbolic alchemical union or"Chemical Wedding" in the tra-dition of the Rosicrucian cur-rents that were believed to beflowing in Vienna Masonry.

The characters in The Magic Flute also undergo trials ofthe cardinal elements, many of which are also given duringthe Scottish Rite's Entered Apprentice Degree and portrayedin its Chamber of Reflection. No commentary exists or re-mains by Mozart himself describing the intent of his allegori-cal story in The Magic Flute. However, viewers and commen-tators of the opera throughout the years since its first offeringin 1791 have recognized its possible Masonic connotations andesoteric depth.

The esoteric depth (or lack thereof) of The Magic Flute hasbeen debated since it was written and one is free to dwell on

these topics as deep as one cares todip into the bottomless enigma ofthe esoteric wading pool. Somehave even authored fascinating andlengthy works explaining the pos-sible alchemical and Rosicrucianreferences found in the opera. SeeThe Magic Flute: Die Zauberflöte:an Alchemical Allegory byMatheus Franciscus, Maria Berk(2004). Incredulous theories havealso been offered in the past argu-ing that Mozart was poisoned byFreemasons and the Illuminati forhaving revealed too many secret

esoteric mysteries in the opera. See The Mozart Myths: A Criti-cal Reassessment by William Stafford (1991). In The MozartMyths: A Critical Reassessment, Mr. Stafford, its author, of-fers an excellent account of the possible Rosicrucian symbol-ism attributed to The Magic Flute from the Scottish Rite's 18thDegree (Rose Croix degree). Of course, he also debunks thisand other theories. Id. at 40-41. Regardless of whether TheMagic Flute is simply an entertaining fantasy or whether itcontains hidden secret currents of esoterica that were travelingthrough the lodges of Vienna Freemasonry, The Magic Fluteoffers an opportunity for Freemasons to challenge these ideasand experience their own mystical exploration into thefantastical world created by another Freemason through a veryentertaining opera and musical masterpiece. What is known,however, is that Mozart was well acquainted with the esoteric

Alchemical Wedding

continued from page 4Mozart’s Magic Flute:

ideas traveling through the Masonic circles during the "Ageof Enlightenment". For example, we do know that Mozart'spersonal library contained works discussing alchemy,neoplatonism, religious mythology, the music of the spheres,and other esoteric “Age of En-lightenment” ideals, includingthe moral philosophy of Kant.See The Magic Flute: DieZauberflöte: an AlchemicalAllegory by MatheusFranciscus, Maria Berk, p.118, 312, 533 (2004); Mozartand the Enlightenment: Truth,Virtue and Beauty in Mozart'sOperas by Nicholas Till, p.316-317 (W. W. Norton & Company, 1995). It is also known that the depth of Mozart's eso-teric knowledge was sufficient enough for him to consider start-ing his own esoteric order called the "Grotto" (Zur Grotte) forwhich he had drawn rules for its operation; however it neversaw fruition. See Life of Mozart by Otto Jahn (P.D. Townsend,Translator), p. 403-404. (1882). Scottish Rite brothers every-where should take the opportunity to see, promote, explore,and discuss Mozart's The Magic Flute if a production appearsin their community. The opera offers a Masonic lodge, espe-cially a Scottish Rite Symbolic Lodge, the opportunity to viewour esoteric traditions through the eyes of a musical geniusand fellow initiate of our mysteries. And, if the opera doesn'tcome to your local theater, one can explore its themes by view-ing several productions of it now freely available on theInternet.

Isis and Osiris

Queen of The Night

14


Ill. William J. Mollere, 33°Sovereign Grand Inspector General

THE FINALWORD

“Here We Go Again”


Well, we have elected a new President - thankfully thereare no more political ads; we have observed Veterans Day andhopefully remembered those who have sacrificed for us; we havejust feasted with family and friends observing Thanksgiving;and now we set about preparing for that sacred period of theyear when many of us celebrate a special Birth. Politicallycorrect folks call this the "Holiday Season" - I still call it Christ-mas. Whether you are a Christian or belong to another faith; itis still "Christmas". We all know that and should acknowledgethat. We all get into buying gifts, giving gifts, decorating thehouse, attending numerous parties, visiting family and friendsthat otherwise we do not normally visit or see. It is a joyousperiod - a tiring period - a very busy period - we do it everyyear - it is part of our nature. Merry Christmas!

And yes, the end of 2008 is also here - a year of unbeliev-able events. Two hurricanes that ripped apart our State anddamaged our homes and several of our Scottish Rite buildings;a financial crisis that melted down safe reserves and threat-ened businesses and planned retirement activities; a politicalcampaign that polarized our nation and state and had morenegative comments than positive messages; and too many deathsof family and friends and good Brothers. Praise God that 2008is almost over!

So, here we go again - a NEW YEAR. (Practice writingthe new date 2009 on your checks and letters - it may takeseveral tries.) Most of our Masonic Bodies will have electednew leadership in November and December and most will havebeen installed by January 1 - so we begin the new year withnew leaders; will 2009 be better? I do know that my 2009 cal-endar is already full of planned events - a busy year ahead.Will the events all be rewarding and worth the efforts to go andparticipate? I trust that they will - I hope so. We humans are afunny lot - we keep calendars and anticipate events into thefuture and plan events and details and run ourselves crazy try-ing to keep all of the events straight - and strangely enough,whether the events are successful or not, the sun comes up thenext morning. I keep trying to remember that wonderful say-ing: don't worry about the small stuff; and everything is small

continued from page 5New Orleans Valley News-From the Secretary:

mail, etc, along with your Lodge/Lodges name and number. Thisinformation helps us maintain our records. Please take a momentof your time and send this to us.

FraternallyLloyd Hebert, 33°

Esoteric & PhilosophicalLecture Committee

The Supreme Council's new Master Craftsman EducationalProgram has enjoyed unprecedented success around the Na-tion. Scottish Rite masons from all over the world and theUnited States have enrolled seeking more Light in Freema-sonry. Many in the Orient of Louisiana have already com-pleted the program. In fact, the Master Craftsman educationalprogram has attracted so many enrollees that the SupremeCouncil has ordered a second printing of the new Scottish RiteMonitor and Ritual Guide and the Master Craftsman programmaterials. Our Valley's enrollees in Scottish Rite's new MasterCraftsman educational course are advancing very well in theprogram. Everyone in our group has completed the first twosections and we are now working on the third quiz. The coursework is leaving the area of Scottish Rite history and its originsand beginning to discuss the esoteric lessons of the ScottishRite's Lodge of Perfection degrees. Participation in the pro-gram is mandatory for all Valley officers. If you would like tojoin our study group, give an educational lecture to the Valleyin 2009, or if you have a suggestion about a proposed lecturetopic, then please inform Bro. Marc H. Conrad, 32° KSA KCCHwhen you next visit the Valley. If you would like to enroll inthe Master Craftsman course, you may do so by asking theValley's Secretary or going directly online to the SupremeCouncil's website at http://www.scottishrite.org.

Fiat Lux!S&F,

Marc H. Conrad, 32º KCCH.

continued from page 7Lake Charles Valley News-Personally Speaking:

and his wife, Anita, have traveled the state extensively and arewell acquainted with and well loved by all. We wish him asuccessful and prosperous year as Grand Master.

Our February stated meeting will include the conferring ofthe thirty-second degree, Master of the Royal Secret degree.This would be a great opportunity for you to come and reflectupon your own receiving of the degrees and also welcome ournewest Scottish Rite brothers.

Please mark you calendars for the third Wednesday of eachmonth and plan to attend our meetings. There is food, fellow-ship, and opportunities for service and leadership awaiting you.Come and join in the great cause of human advancement bybeing involved in the Lake Charles Scottish Rite. To borrow aquote from Brother Mark Twain that appeared in the Novem-ber/December 2008 Scottish Rite Journal "To do good is noble,but to teach others to do good is nobler, and no trouble." Letus do the nobler. Fraternally

Richard B. Smith, 33°Personal Representative

15


Bill Mollere, 33° S.G.I.G.

continued from page 14The Final Word-”Here We Go Again”:


continued from previous columnThe Final Word-”Here We Go Again”:

stuff! But we humans being a funny lot make small stuff intobig stuff. We need to prioritize our lives better in 2009. SomeNew Year's Resolution? Here we go again.

Firstly, my church schedule is always well planned - everySunday possible, attend early church service and then SundaySchool where I share teaching duties and keep up a weeklyemail notice to all of our forty or so Class members. Secondly,every year, I tell myself to keep better contact with my familyand good friends - call them regularly - go by and visit my oldaunt and uncle - have lunch with some old colleagues fromwork who have retired and who were fun to be around. Butbefore it is over, I will forget to call or make lunch arrange-ments - time will get away from me - priorities.

Of course my Masonic activities get moved up the ladder ofpriorities - after all, I "need" to be at all of those meetings!Once in awhile, I stop and reflect on a meeting as I am drivinghome and ask, "what did I bring to that meeting and what amI taking away from that meeting?" Did I attend for the rightreason; did I go to share Brotherhood and be with my Broth-ers; learn more about my Craft; experience Fraternity; gainMore Light? Or, did I go because I was supposed to go - ex-pected to be in attendance - didn't have anything better to do?Did I go to eat the meal; drink the coffee; sit and talk aboutothers? When I left for home, did I feel better for having at-tended, know more than when I entered the building, enjoyedhaving been with my Brothers? Was it worth the effort of get-ting dressed, driving and spending those precious minutes andhours away from home, family and other friends? Sometimeswe all need to question our priorities.

Looking at our membership statistics each year, I am sad-dened by the loss of Brothers who decide to just quit. Our non-payment of Dues (NPD) list continues to amaze me - some aregood friends and men known for years. Why would someonejust quit paying Dues after years of being a member? Maybethose Brothers asked themselves the questions posed above.What did they take home from the meeting? Did they attend,even originally join, for the right reason? Was it worth themspending that time away from home? Did they gain More Light?Recent information from one of our General Secretaries in oneof our Valleys shared with me a group of responses that hereceived when calling delinquent members - "I don't want tobelong anymore"; "I don't enjoy the meetings"; "I don't feelwelcome when I attend a meeting"; "the meetings are boring";"a small group of big-shots run everything"; "you didn't doanything but read the Minutes, talk about sick people and takeup an Almoner's collection - there was nothing interesting";"I went to get more Masonry and you didn't offer any."

We all place value on activities and events in our lives -that is how we prioritize them. If something is worth attend-ing; we attend. If something is worth participating in; we par-ticipate. If something is worth continuing to pay Dues into; wepay Dues. Perceived value of the activity or event today, morethan ever, determines the level of importance in our lives andthus the priority in our lives.

The leadership of Scottish Rite's duty is to challenge every

Master of the Royal Secret with a quality experience duringtheir entire Scottish Rite experience - every meeting, everyReunion, every event. Every member must "want" to attendand participate and be a part - feel that their membership hasvalue - that it is worth their time, their effort and their talentsto belong. So how do "we" get there? YOU are the "we" too.We all need to work on making it worth the effort - place thatvalue on being a member. Have you offered to be a part? Haveyou started taking the Master Craftsman Course to learn moreabout Scottish Rite - More Light? Have you offered to help puton one of those "missing Degrees" that was not offered at yourlast Reunion? Have you volunteered to be at one of our fiveChildhood Learning Centers during the week to welcome theparents of the children being treated? Have you taken a placein the wardrobe room, the kitchen, the dining room, the office,the welcoming registration area, even offered to be a stand-inin a Degree that has a last minute vacant position due to ill-ness or family emergency? All of these positions are open! Likelittle Mikey; try one, you'll like it. We set our priorities on thevalue of the experience - is it worth the effort? I think that it is- I hope that you think that it is - so, here we go again - 2009 -a New Year; a new opportunity to be an active, participating,involved Scottish Rite Mason. For all who feel that there isvalue in belonging and who have their priorities straight, thankyou for continuing to be a Scottish Rite member.

Louisiana Scottish Rite FoundationLouisiana Scottish Rite Trestleboard

Post Office Box 64Shreveport, LA 71161

Tel: 318-221-9713

December 2008- January 2009 Issue08-06


Non-Profit Org.U.S. Postage

PaidBaton Rouge, LAPermit No. 2408

Baton Rouge Scottish Rite ChildhoodLearning CenterP.O. Box 15766Baton Rouge, LA 70895-5766Telephone: (225) 275-0668Admiral E. A. Barham, 33° ScottishRite Childhood Learning Center205 University AvenueMonroe, LA 71203-3701Telephone: (318) 343-6388Southeastern Louisiana RegionalScottish Rite Childhood LearningCenterSoutheastern Louisiana UniversityScottish Rite Temple619 Carondelet StreetNew Orleans, LA 70130Telephone: (504) 522-3789Shreveport Scottish Rite ChildhoodLearning CenterScottish Rite Temple725 Cotton StreetShreveport, LA 71101Telephone: (318) 221-9713

16

Lake Charles Scottish Rite ChildhoodLearning CenterUniversity of Louisiana-LafayetteLake Charles Masonic Temple717 Hodges StreetLake Charles, LA 70601Telephone: (337) 436-1676

Did You Know? It is the mission of the Scottish RiteofFreemasonry, SJ, to improve its membersand enhance the communities in whichthey live by teaching and emulating theprinciples of Brotherly Love, Tolerance,Charity, and Truth while actively embrac-ing high social, moral, and spiritual val-ues including fellowship, compassion,and dedication to God, family and coun-try.

STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES← Fulfill the promise of additional Ma-sonic knowledge through education andtraining.← Build a Positive Public Image of Free-masonry and the Scottish Rite.← Support and expand our philanthropicactivities.← Provide a framework for effective lead-ership to ensure the stability and long-term success of the Fraternity.← Provide a financial process to ensurethe stability and long-term success of theFraternity.

Mission Statement

Does the Supreme Council have an Of-ficial Flag for the Southern Jurisdiction?

Yes! Article XIII, Section 23. “ScottishRite Official Flag.” The official flag shallbe as follows: the dimensions shall be 3' x5'. The field shall be white with a centeredScottish Rite eagle. The eagle shall have adark brown body, white heads and tail feath-ers and gold beaks and talons. Upon itsbreast shall be an erect, bordered white tri-angle, with a centered “32.” The eagle’stalons shall clutch the blade of a silver, flam-ing sword draped with a gold banner, bear-ing, “SPES MEA IN DEO EST.” Centeredvertically above as well as below the eagleshall be a purple horizontal bar, trimmedwith gold at the top and bottom and extend-ing the width of the flag. Each bar shallhave white lettering. The bar above the eagleshall bear the words “Ancient & AcceptedScottish Rite of Freemasonry.” The bar be-low the eagle shall bear the words “South-ern Jurisdiction, United States of America.”Note: These flags are available from theSupreme Council, Washington, DC

louisiana scottish rite trestleboard 2008.pdf · ies of freemasonry without studying the scottish...

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