On Friday, June 20, the 11th Annual Outdoor Meeting in the Hills will be held at Christner's Grove near Dawson, Pa. This year's meeting will be hosted by James Cochran Lodge No. 614, Connellsville. The outdoor steak fry will be served promptly at 6 p.m. The meeting will follow beginning at 7:30 p.m. Dessert will be served afterward. Advance tickets are required. The cost is $25.00 per person. This is a Masonic event; only Master Masons are permitted to attend.

Reservations can be made by mailing your request along with your payment made payable to the CDS Building Corporation to:

Why the Northeast corner? Do you remember, my brother, when you entered Freemasonry, and were told to approach the Secretary's desk? That was in the Northeast corner. Do you remember receiving your apron, presented with the tools and hearing the charge? That was in the Northeast corner. As Joseph Fort Newton tells us in his short talk, "In the Northeast corner, the initiate stands midway between the North, the place of Darkness, and the East, the place of Light, whence healing, revealing rays fall upon the life of a man... He is an Entered Apprentice, a beginner in the Masonic art, neither in the Dark nor in the Light. He has come out of the Darkness, his face set toward the Light, and his quest is for more Light, with yet much light to dawn upon him." ("Short Talks on Masonry," Joseph Fort Newton, Macoy Publishers, 1928, reissued 1969, edited by Alphonse Cerza; pp. 89-90). He then goes on to explain the origin of this symbol in various myths, philosophies and religions. Dr. Newton concludes his talk on the Northeast Corner by saying, "How can anyone watch without emotion as the Apprentice takes his place, upright and eager, in the Northeast Corner? There he stands, against a background of myth and symbol and old sacrifice. Erect before God, (who asks) him to stand erect and unafraid, and commune as friend with friend. Alas, it is not easy to keep the upright posture, physically or morally, in the midst of the years with their blows and burdens. At last, a dark Ruffian lays us low in death, and only the Hand of God, with its strong grip, can lift us from a dead level and set us on our feet forever. So, at least, Masonry teaches us to believe and live." (ibid., p. 94) And so the Pennsylvania Lodge of Research has pledged to provide our brothers with more light along their Masonic pathway.

Bro. Thomas Jackson, R.W.P.G.S., was the Warrant Worshipful Master of the Pennsylvania Lodge of Research, formed by then-R.W. Grand Master Robert L. Dluge, Jr., on St. John's Day, Dec. 27, 2000. Bro. Jackson wrote this Statement of Purpose: WHY WE ARE!

In a historical perspective, speculative Freemasonry, probably since its inception, has stimulated its members to think and to acquire knowledge. The study of seven liberal arts... is earnestly recommended to your consideration. It, therefore, behooves Freemasons to make sincere efforts to improve their intellectual capacities, as well as to increase their storehouse of knowledge. More importantly, however, it behooves Freemasonry to provide the environment wherein the membership not only has the tools with which to accomplish that end, but also has the stimulus to make it happen.

The Pennsylvania Lodge of Research has been created by the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania to supply the tools and to provide the environment. Within this Lodge of Research, the participants will be provided with the opportunity to understand more fully the contribution that this Craft has made upon the world. They will understand more completely its origin, its growth, its influence and its challenges. They will come to recognize where they, as individual members, fit into this picture of the Craft's contribution of the evolution of civil society.

Through the Pennsylvania Lodge of Research, Freemasons should develop a greater pride in belonging, and develop a greater reason to learn and understand our Craft. In short, the purpose of the Lodge of Research is to teach our members: "Why we are!"

Any Pennsylvania Freemason in good standing may join the Pennsylvania Lodge of Research, and any Freemason in good standing may attend any of its meetings. For further information on how you can join, contact Bro. Charles S. Canning, Secretary, 2938 W. Chew Street, Allentown, PA 18104, or log on to the Grand Lodge Web site at www. pagrandlodge.org and click on the Lodge of Research link.