Master’s Letter | July 2010
July is traditionally a “dark” month for our lodge, though like many Masons, I am not keen on that term. Masonry is all about light - 365 days a year! Nor, despite our not having a regular communication, will we be anything like inactive. We will be holding a Master Mason degree on July 7, the first Wednesday of the month. There will also be the regular Master’s Table night out on July 28 at Joe’s Crab Shack, 3020 Lohr Road, Ann Arbor.
Last month we held a joint dinner and speaker night with Golden Rule 159 at the Grotto. It was a fine evening and opportunity for the two lodges to socialize and enjoy some Masonic education. Brothers from Walled Lake No. 528, St. Mary’s No. 4, Prince Hall Masons, and Redeemer Lodge No. 53, Prince Hall Masons were also in attendance. I would like to thank the JWs Clinton Bartholomew and Jim Lakin, PM Rich Wilcox and their assistants for arranging a great meal. I would also like to thank our own PM Justin Krasnoff for his very interesting talk on Freemasons and the Civil War.
I was perusing the Blue Book recently and noticed that the Grand Lodge of Michigan recognizes only three of the so-called “ancient landmarks”: 1) a belief in a Supreme Being; 2) a belief in the immortality of the soul; 3) a volume of Sacred Law is an indispensable part of the furniture of every lodge. The notion of what is or is not “Masonry” is often a matter of heated debate. Both Anderson’s 1723 Constitutions and Dermott’s 1756 Ahiman Rezon state that the obligations, rules, and forms found in medieval stone masons charges constitute “unalterable” landmarks, but neither went so far as to state which ones or how many. It is amusing to reflect that nearly 400 years later, there is still no agreement as to what these documents meant. As many as 40 “time-immemorial” rules have been deemed landmarks over the years. In 1858, Albert Mackay compiled a list of 25 that he considered to be essential; but Mackay’s list held little sway outside of the United States and even here, as in the case of Michigan, it has not been universally acknowledged. Indeed, it seems Michigan had no official opinion on this matter until 1970 when the three above landmarks were officially adopted.
Have I mentioned lately what an amazing lodge we have? I know many of you are not local and its hard to keep up with all we are doing. I’ve been discussing updating our website with SW Brian Cors to include more images and articles about our activities. I’m also hoping that those of you who enjoy Masonic writing may share some of your papers for our site as well to enlighten your fellow brothers and those who visit us online. So do please check out aaf262.org from time to time for updates.
Lastly, please save the date of August 8. We will be helping to host Ann Arbor’s first tri-lodge family picnic with Golden Rule 159 and St. Mary’s Lodge No. 4, Prince Hall Masons. The event will take place in Gallup Park at the “Old Picnic Shelter”. Details will soon follow, but we are hoping to reserve canoes for those that would like to have a paddle before the socializing, food, and fun.
As always, I hope to see you in lodge.
Sincerely & fraternally,
Robert Blackburn, WM
UPCOMING EVENTS from Our Trestleboard
- July 7, 2010
MM Degree
Hathaway’s Hideaway - July 28, 2010
Masters Table Dinner
Joe’s Crab Shack | 3020 Lohr Road, Ann Arbor, MI - August 8, 2010
Tri-Lodge Family Picnic
Gallup Park
