March 2016

Wardens and Brethren,

                  Our journey continues this month as we confirm the first degree on Mr. Tim Cavanaugh. I am looking forward to bringing Tim into Masonic light, and I appreciate the efforts everyone has been giving towards learning their parts and participating in the practices.

                  We will have visitors for our degree – Coastal Lodge is coming over (all that way!) to give several newly raised Master Masons a taste of Rhode Island ritual work. I know from my one time going to a Connecticut lodge that there are interesting differences in how the degrees are presented; I am sure it will be a great evening spending time in fellowship with our brothers.

                  I want to thank the brothers who were able to travel to Hope #25 for the Grand Master’s visitation to the Southern District on February 10th. It was a last minute call for attendance, and Franklin was very well represented. The program for the evening included a rededication of the Perfect Ashlar in the West, using the same implements that were used to dedicate the cornerstone of the RI Statehouse in 1895. I am certain we will see our GM come down to Westerly before his year is out.

                   Finally, I did a little research on the meaning of “Light” to Masons. The entry in the Encyclopedia of Freemasonry (MacKey) says that light is the first of all the symbols presented to the neophyte, and continues to be presented to him throughout his Masonic career. The reverence for light, with the emblematical and mental illumination it brings, is what sets Masons apart from the profane or uninitiated, and represents the Eternal Principle of Good. After passing through utter darkness during initiation, he receives this pure and perfect light and receives the necessary instructions to invest him with that knowledge of the Divine truth, which has been the object of his labors.

I look forward to seeing you all at the March communication.

Fraternally,
Bro. Eric B. Ross
Master, Franklin Lodge #20