Brethren

     Greetings from the East, and Welcome, to "The Master's Corner".

     The Idea of writing a Master’s Message, and having it attached to our web site, has been suggested to me by our Webmaster, Bro. Frederick J. Fedak, P.M. I have for some time considered another form of communication with you, other than our Lodge Notice. Bro. Fred’s suggestion rekindled this idea in a way that I think is doable, and I thank you “O Tall One”.

     Within this page, I hope to keep you abreast of things that are happening in the Lodge, what we are trying to accomplish and improve on, various issues that confront us, and to talk of events or other special matters of interest, as well as lighthearted things: quotes or sayings that I come across, euphemisms, trivia, funny stories with a moral, or maybe just a good natured joke. I have a good amount of material, and I get more, everyday, on this newfangled contraption I am typing into at the moment.

     Each article will contain a link which will allow you to respond or comment, you are both welcomed and encouraged to do so, just click the link under the entry you wish to respond to, or comment on. In order for your response to be considered for publication, you are respectfully requested to please include your name and Lodge affiliation.

     Thank you.
      We hope you find this an informative and entertaining addition to our site.

Sincerely & Fraternally
Paul R. Knapp, P.M., W.M.

Brethren,

Greetings from the East once more. As I explained in the first “Corner’s” message, I will do this every so often to keep you updated on the happenings of the Lodge. As you know we changed Secretaries this year, and Bro. Andy is settling into the position. Along with Treasurer, Bro. Keith, we are slowly working out all the kinks.

Our greatest annual task is our Lodge Audit. As always, our Trustees from both Committees do a wonderful job in preparing their Reports. This “stupendous undertaking” was accomplished through the diligent efforts of Bro. Fred Fedak, as head of our Audit Committee, and the assistance of the Secretary, Treasurer, and myself. After a month of wrangling over the many questions and issues that the Audit Report poses, we finally sat down together at the table, and got down to business. It was an exercise in cooperation, peace, harmony, and good order; the likes of which “warmed the inner cockles of me little heart.” It is with sincere appreciation, I thank you all.

At our April Meeting we suspended 59 members for non-payment of dues. This number was from a list of 98, which in turn came from a list of 188 members who had not paid their dues as of the end of February. The 59 we suspended all owed for 3 years, and probably more. In my efforts to contact all of them, I had one fellow tell me he moved to GA. 12 years ago. Another to FLA. 20 years ago. They hadn’t paid dues in all that time, but were still on the roles. One of the consistent nice things I heard from the many Brethren I spoke with was about me calling them and just making contact. Many of them had fallen away from the Lodge and thought the Lodge didn’t care, because no one had ever contacted them. Some agreed to send money; others said they weren’t coming back to Phila. and to take them off the roles. But they all enjoyed talking about the old town, the old neighborhood, and the old lodge. It was nice to be able to give them a taste of home, if only for 10 or 20 minutes. At present, I have a revamped list of 103 names I will try to contact them over the next month or so. It is important to the finances of our Lodge that this work be done, but equally as important, to try and get members back to Lodge. To increase our attendance is the extra icing on the cake.

On Saturday, June 21st, about 10 of us will be attending a 3rd degree at Composite Lodge No. 121 of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Pa. 4301 N. Broad St. We will be arriving between 11:00 and 11:30AM, with ceremonies beginning at Noon. If anyone else wishes to go, please contact me. Well I jabbered long enough.

Always Your Fraternal Servant,
Paul

Masonic Trivia:

Who are the highest 3 ranking officers in the state of Pa. ?
The GM, the DDGM, and the WM

Who is the only person in the Lodge to interpret the “Ahiman Rezon” and/or the Digest of Decisions ?
The WM

Who may ascend to the East and take the Chair of Master ?
Any PM duly elected. Anyone who has served as a Warden, Senior or Junior.

In a Lodge where the natural progression through the Chairs is accepted, can the JW step over the SW ?
Yes, but only with the consent of the SW.

When is a person entitled to become a “Past Master” ?
At the end of his term as Master. But to become a member of Grand Lodge, that term must be one full year, from St. John’s Day to St. John’s Day.
Respond To This Article

When I was 18 and just 3 weeks shy of graduating high school, I purchased the 1st good used car of my young life from Ron Levitt. Yes it was a "Cream puff". Previous to that, I had 3 or 4 $100 junkers.(We could do that back then). Anyway, along with all the paraphernalia that dealers push upon you was a small 3 x 5 card, entitled "TAKE TIME". It listed 10 things to take time for. It is a nice list of philosophies to try to live by. I added a little extra to each one of the ten, and had one per month printed in our Lodge Notice. For those who thought they were cute and wondered where I had gotten them, click here for the List of all 10.
Enjoy.
Respond to this article

March 5, 2008
I really enjoyed the article, well done brought back a lot of the Good Old Days.
George Miller, P.M., Newtown Lodge No. 427

March 5, 2008
This masters corner is a briliant and inspiring way to communicate.
Great job --keep it going .
RON DURR, P.M., Widener-Apollo-Kensington Lodge No. 211

February, 19, 2008
This is truly extra nice, Good job !
Norm P.M.,W.M., Joseph H. Brown Lodge No.751

February, 19, 2008
Job very well done. Keep up the great work
Jim Trautz, Widener-Apollo-Kensington Lodge No. 211