T h e T e x a s M a s o n M a g a z i n e

Volume: XLVII Edition: Spring Spring 2013

The Texas Mason Magazine is an official publication of the

Grand Lodge of Texas A. F. & A. M. It is published four times

a year for the members of Texas Lodges and subscribers.

Opinions expressed by the Editor and contributing writers do

not necessarily reflect official positions of the Grand Lodge of

Texas Copyright 2012, by the Trustees of the Grand Lodge of

Texas. All rights reserved.

Publisher

The Trustees of The Grand Lodge of Texas

Editor

Benjamin Franklin Linduff

Copy editor

Clinton M. M. McKenzie.

The Texas Mason Magazine encourages submission of articles

and photographs of general interest to Masons in Texas, re-

serving the right to edit and use the articles and pictures as

needs and policies dictate.

News and articles from around the state will continue to be

published in a web based format on the Grand Lodge of Texas

website The Grand Lodge website is accessible at http://

www.grandlodgeoftexas.org

Please continue to send your articles and Lodge events and

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The preferred method of submission is via email with an at-

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If you do not have email, submissions may be sent to the

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March 2013

Masonic

Remembrance at

the Alamo.

ALAMO CAMP, HEROES OF '76

Color Guard.

Photo taken by

Don Comedy

I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E :

Page 1 …………... The Grand Master’s Message

Page 2 …….. Masonic Children and Family Svc.

Page 3 ………..Deputy Grand Master’s Message

Wardens Retreat information.

Page 4 ………………..…. Support of the Lodge

Page 5 ………… ………1956 US Grand Masters

Page 6 …………….. Grand Secretary’s Message

Page 7 ……………….….…Masonic Family Day

Page 8 ……….…Masonic Family Day Car Show

Page 9 .………….....Masonic Retirement Center

Page 10 ……………...……...Masonic Education

Page 11 ……………………..Masonic Education

Page 12 .………………2011 Merchandise Sales

The Texas Mason

Table of Contents

T h e G r a n d M a s t e r ’ s M e s s a g e

P a g e 1

V o l u m e X L V , E d i t i o n : S u m m e r

Dear Masons of Texas,

It’s hard to believe that it has been nearly six months since I was installed as your Grand Master, but what a six months

they have been! Crisscrossing the state this year, attending Lodge anniversaries, making official visits, leveling corner-

stones, and hosting conferences, has been an incredible journey that I will never forget.

Your attendance at the conferences, and the experience of re-living the Master Mason’s Obligation with so many of you,

far exceeded my expectations. I heard, saw, and felt real enthusiasm and excitement at every one of the conferences.

Brethren, the Obligation is what makes us Masons, and getting back to it just seemed like the right thing to do; you con-

firmed that for me. Thank you for making this year’s conference program a success and for your dedication and commit-

ment to Freemasonry.

That being said, Brethren, my journey is far from over. There is still much to do to ensure that our beloved fraternity will

continue to grow, prosper, and have a positive impact on our world. It is up to each of us to persevere and do what we

can to help keep this momentum going.

Getting our Brothers back to Lodge is a great place to start, and making everyone aware of Article 380 and the fact that

all a Brother Master Mason really needs in order to attend Lodge is a current dues card and picture I.D., will help.

Secondly, having the Lodges and members actively supporting the “Gift of Life” program will not only aid our fraternal

hospitals and community hospitals like Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, but it will also project a positive

image of Freemasonry to the public and help attract good men to our Fraternity.

Helping our Lodges run more efficiently, gain financial stability, and have a clearer picture of what their role in the com-

munity should be, will also go a long way towards securing our future. The leadership training provided by the Warden’s

Retreats and Fall Workshops will make a positive impact in all three areas, and both have proven to be well worth the

investment in time and money. Please make this investment in the future of your Lodge.

Lastly, preserving our Heritage is also critical to the success of our Fraternity. With your help, we can establish the

Grand Lodge Temple in Waco as the focal point of Freemasonry in Texas and the Southwest. By raising the necessary

funds to repair, update, and perpetually maintain the Temple, not only can it be better utilized by the Masons of Texas

but also by the citizens and businesses in the surrounding area. Showcasing our Temple, our heritage, and what we stand

for, will greatly benefit our Fraternity. Brethren, please join me by helping to preserve this landmark of Texas Freema-

sonry, either individually or through your Lodge.

In closing, I want to say how much I appreciate the Pride you have shown for our

Fraternity, the Respect you have given everyone, and the way you have Communicated

what we stand for as Masons.

God Bless America, God Bless Freemasonry, and God Bless each of you.

Sincerely & Fraternally,

Walter W. Rogers

Grand Master of Masons in Texas

WALTER W. ROGERS GRAND MASTER

PO BOX 148 BEDIAS, TEXAS 77831

PHONE: (936) 581-2515

e-mail: walterwrogers@yahoo.com

P a g e 2 T h e T e x a s M a s o n M a g a z i n e

From the Deputy Grand Master……..

Brethren, in the past couple of months, I have been

blessed to be at events where our Masonic widows

were invited to an evening of dining and fellowship.

Talking with these ladies and seeing the smile upon

their faces warmed my heart with that good feeling we

all love to feel. I applaud all of our Lodges and

Appendant Body organizations that include the widows

of our lost Brethren in some of their activities each

year, and praise them for remembering that part of our

obligation.

I challenge each of you to reach out to the widows of

your Lodge, and let them know that you are there for

them. They might need a little help with some things

around their home or transportation to the

Doctor’s office. Even a phone call now and

then can brighten the spirit of someone who

may feel alone and forgotten. Do it not just

because of your obligation, but because it is

simply the right thing a Mason should do.

R:.W:. Jerry L. Martin

Deputy Grand Master

Masonic Grand Lodge Of

Texas

D e p u t y G r a n d M a s t e r

P a g e 3 V o l u m e X L V , E d i t i o n : S u m m e r

Follow this link to the Registration form on the Grand Lodge Web Site.

Or cut and paste this link:

http://www.grandlodgeoftexas.org/sites/default/files/2013WardensRetreat_0.pdf

P a g e 4 T h e T e x a s M a s o n

Supports of the Lodge

When reflecting upon the operation of a lodge, it easy to recognize that the

three principal officers are critical elements. Toward that end, these officers are deemed to be the pillars of the lodge since their duties are linked clearly to their

stations, jewels, and powers. Even their names of wisdom, strength, and beauty are expressive of their roles in serving their Brothers and their lodge.

The Master in the East represents the

pillar of wisdom and is the source of knowledge and direction within the

lodge. He is responsible for the direction of all that occurs within the lodge and it

is his designs that guide the members. Following the ideals of his installation

charges, the Master sets the example of good, moral, and true conduct at all

times. While he holds the gravel and wears the Square, he sits under the

watchful All-seeing Eye, constantly work-ing for peace and harmony. As with the

sun, he rises in the East each day to lead

and direct the lodge.

The Warden in the West represents the pillar of strength and serves to support

the Master in accomplishing the goal of making each Mason happy in his labors.

The durability of the Craft depend upon the strength placed in its lessons and its

members. As the durability of a building depends upon its foundation, our lodge and its many spiritual buildings depend

upon the dedication and commitment of the Craft. Conviction in the value of moral conduct and our Masonic lessons given us strength to continue in doing

good and extending Brotherly Love to all, but especially our Masonic Brethren.

When the sun sets in the West, we should look carefully at what we have done

that day to add to our Spiritual Building. The wages we have earned should be such as to tell us that we have labored well, both within and outside the lodge

room. The Warden in the West is a constant reminder of the value of work in the service of truth, justice, and Brotherly love.

The Warden in the South represents the pillar of beauty and serves the Master in bringing this quality to the lodge. Beauty here refers to the highest degree of

pleasure to the mind through the attainment of an ideal. The beauty of an edifice is obtained in completion, when all the parts come together and all of its virtues

are revealed. It is in the noon day, when the sun shines in its splendor, that beauty, both inner and outer, may be truly visible. Thus the Craft, at labor or at

rest, are called upon to find the beauties of social virtue, express Brotherly love with kindness and benevolence, and have that internal beauty so necessary to

being a Mason.

So it is that in paying attention to the principal officers, their stations, and duties is found the foundation of our Craft. Not only must our officers lead from the

East, West, and South , but they must serve as pillars supporting each of us, our lodge, and Freemasonry. The triangle which they represent is but another symbol

for the Great Architect, which is the true support for each of us and at the end, of

the Lodge which we seek.

Masonic Education and Service Committee 2002, From the Grand Lodge of Texas Web Site.

M e s s a g e

f r o m t h e G r a n d S e c r e t a r y

P a g e 6 T h e T e x a s M a s o n

Masonic Education – Essential to Growing Membership

Masonic Education is the essential element that all Lodges must

emphasize in order to create the knowledgeable membership for

Freemasonry to thrive in Texas. With the advent of Google, many of

our new members enter our doors with a greater background about our

Craft than most of us ever had when we started. Lodges must

inculcate the new member with the zeal to continue to learn

Freemasonry while bonding him to our organization.

Ensure that your Lodge has an interesting Masonic education presentation in every

Stated meeting. Develop the new Mason’s thirst for knowledge and enhance his need to

read Masonic documents. Teach him the meaning behind the esoteric work. Take advan-

tage of the Grand Master’s conferences in the spring, the Wardens’ Retreats in the summer,

and the Regional Workshops in the early fall. Bring him to the Grand Annual Communica-

tion each December.

Educate the new member how Masonry works while participating in the Lodge’s func-

tions in our various meetings. Teach the new member about the duties of each Lodge offi-

cer. Get the new member involved! Successful Lodges have a system to teach the new Ma-

son up to the time he gets to the East, and many Lodges have a cadre of instructors to ensure

that the opportunity to learn is readily available.

If you really want to know how the Grand Lodge of Texas and its subordinate Lodges

work, then you should attend one of the annual Grand Secretary’s

Schools each year. In 2013, eleven educational opportunities are

given at various locations throughout the State. Lodge Secretaries

should attend this annual presentation and they should bring their

Masters and Wardens with them. The School is open to all Master

Masons.

R:.W:. Tom Guest, Grand Secretary

P a g e 7 V o l u m e X L V , E d i t i o n : S u m m e r

N

P a g e 8 T h e T e x a s M a s o n M a g a z i n e

G r a n d L o d g e H i s t o r y C o m m i t t e e

P a g e 9 V o l u m e X L V , E d i t i o n : S u m m e r

“a rout!

The Hourglass and the Scythe

P a g e 1 0 T h e T e x a s M a s o n

This edition of the Texas

Freemason will only be

posted on the Grand Lodge

web site and an email notice

will be sent out to those

brothers with email.

If you know a Brother who

does not have email please

print out a copy for him or

take a copy to Lodge.

The third section of the Master Mason's degree includes an explanation of the emblems of

the degree, nearly all of which is monitorial. Unfortunately, these emblems and their expla-nations often escape the Mason since they are rarely presented at the time of the degree

due to their monitorial nature. Two of these emblems, the hourglass and the scythe, deal with human life and time and are worthy of our consideration. It is interesting to note that these two emblems are of relative recent origin and primarily

found in the rituals of the United States. Indeed, there is no evidence that the hourglass and scythe were used as symbols by operative masons. It appears these two symbols were in-

troduced into the lecture in the late 18th century. The Monitor of the Lodge published by the Grand Lodge of Texas provides the following ex-planation of these two symbols.

The Hour Glass is an emblem of human life. Behold! how swiftly and rapidly our lives are drawing to a close. We cannot, without astonishment, behold the little particles, which are

contained within this machine, how they pass away almost impercepti-bly, and yet to our surprise, in the short space of an hour, they are all exhausted. Thus wastes man! Today he puts forth the tender leaves of

hope; tomorrow, blossoms and bears his blushing honors thick upon him; the next day comes a frost, which nips the shoot, and when he

thinks his greatness is still aspiring, he falls, like autumn leaves, to en-rich our mother earth.

The Scythe is an emblem of time, which cuts the brittle thread of life and launches us into eternity. Behold! what havoc the scythe of time makes among the human race; if, by chance, we should escape the nu-

merous evils incident to childhood and youth, and with health and vigor arrive to the years of manhood; yet, withal, we must soon be cut down

by the

P a g e 1 1 V o l u m e X L V , E d i t i o n : S u m m e r

all-devouring scythe of time, and be gathered into the land

where our fathers have gone before us. These two symbols, as explained, appear to be gloomy, allud-

ing to death. Yet when considered within the whole concept and philosophy of Freemasonry, the symbols are not dreary. The two emblems when considered together become symbols

of time, profitably spent in the service to God. The explanation of the hourglass indicates the brevity of life.

Time is the only resource men have in equal abundance. Eve-ryday is made up of 24 hours, and each week of seven days.

We can use this time for fruitful and profitable purposes or we can squander our time in frivol-

ity and waste. In the Entered Apprentice Degree, we are taught that time is important through the explanation of the twenty-four inch gauge. This emblem taught us to divide our

time into parts. The first part being for service to God and our fellow man, the second en-gaged in our livelihoods and the third for the refreshment and care of our physical bodies. The sand grains slowly but steadily pass through the hourglass and before we know it, time is

complete. We should use our lives to serve God and improve society by our deeds and ac-tions. We must utilize our time wisely, as time wasted is time lost.

The scythe alludes to the end of our earthly time. It is an impressive symbol of the certainty of death, which no man will escape. While we may not know the time of our passing, we must

be prepared for our demise. We prepare ourselves through our service to God and our fellow-man. We must diligently and profitably use the time God provides each of us to improve our-selves before Him. In this manner, we will be prepared to leave this world. The scythe is also

is a symbol of immortality and as such reminds us of the temporal nature of our earthly bod-ies and the glorious nature of the soul.

While the explanations of the hourglass and the scythe refer to death in rather foreboding terms, they do provide us with hope. If we use our time wisely to acquire knowledge and un-derstanding, and use that knowledge and understanding to serve God and society, then our

reward will be great. We will "be gathered into the land where our fathers have gone before us." Grand Lodge Education and Service Committee 2003

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