Communications

February 2012 Communication

Posted in: Communications, From the East by webmaster on February 2, 2012 | No Comments

Brethren,
Our lodge has started 2012 in a busy way! By the time you read this, we’ll have initiated our sizable spring class and our new Entered Apprentices are busy learning the catechism. Our officers’ line has advanced and Bro. Cory Wright, S.W., presided over a fantastic ritual. I’m also pleased to report that he will exemplifyin the first degree by the time the next monthly communication is mailed!
We are currently planning our charitable golf outing for the beginning of the golfing season. We’ll have the date and location set in our next monthly communication so you’ll have time to plan. I hope that you’ll be able to join us in this event that has always proved to be a fun-filled day and from which we’ve raised a sizable amount of money for our charitable works.
With the help of our Lodge Treasurer, I’m completing our 2012 budget. Over decades, inflation takes its toll and our costs have increased across the board. With our Treasurer’s help I’m trimming the lodge’s budget the best that we can. But to help support our lodge’s charitable giving and other operations, we will hold another 50/50 raffle. Our last 50/50 was verysuccessful and I’m sure that this year’swill be too. To get the ball rolling, we’ll enclose five tickets with the next monthly communication.

Finally, I wish you and your families a happy, healthy and prosperous 2012.

Sincerely & Fraternally,
George W. Hoffman Worshipful Master

January 2012 Communication

Posted in: Communications, From the East by webmaster on January 13, 2012 | No Comments

Brethren,

It is with great pride and humility that I take the East. I thank you for your confidence in me and for entrusting me with your lodge for the next year. But before we speak of the future I must proffer my sincere congratulations to our outgoing Worshipful Master, Peter Bates. It was not only an honor, but also a pleasure, to serve as his Senior Warden. And without his help I would not be writing this message today.

For any man to reach the East requires a concerted team effort: the long process of progressing through the chairs, ritual work, participation, reciting charges, middle chambers, grasshoppers, obligations, and finally, lectures. And each Worshipful Master has a number of Brethren who have served as his mentors over the years. Accordingly there are many Brothers and friends, without whose help, dedication and belief in me I would not have made it to this point. They are too numerous to thank on this page, but to all I offer my deepest and most-heart felt thanks.

I congratulate Bros. Cory Wright and John Glasby, our new Senior and Junior Wardens-elect. I’m excited to work with them and the rest of the line officers on our plans. Yes, the upcoming year will be exciting. We have a great class coming in. We’re bringing back some old traditions but also trying out a few new ideas. I’ve talked with a number of members, both long-standing and brand new, to hear their ideas and we’ll act on many of those. Also, our outgoing Worshipful Master has had many great ideas that we simply did not have the time or resources to implement this year but we’ll continue to push forward with those.

As always, Brethren, I am but a phone call or email away; if you have questions,concerns or comments, please get in touch with me.

Brethren, I remain.
Sincerely and Fraternally yours,
George W. Hoffman Worshipful Master-Elect

Past Master 2011 Communication

Posted in: Communications, From the East by W. Peter Bates on | No Comments

Brethren,

I would like to thank you all one last time for the great privilege and high honor it has been to serve as the Worshipful Master of Mt. Moriah Lodge.There are far too many brothers that need to be thanked to list them all here individually, instead, just know that to each of you that has helped either myself personally, or the lodge in general during this past year, I am truly and deeply grateful.

I wish my friend and Brother, Worshipful Master-Elect, George W. Hoffman, all the best for the coming year, and I hope you will stand with in supporting him throughout his term. It is only with the support of the Brethren that a Worshipful Master can be successful.

All the Best to You and Yours in the NewYear.

Sincerely and Fraternally,
Peter V.N. BatesWorshipful Master

December 2011 Communication

Posted in: Communications, From the East by W. Peter Bates on December 1, 2011 | No Comments

Brethren,

As 2011 comes to a close, I want to wish all of you a blessed holiday season and a happy and healthy new year.

With my time in the East coming to an end, I remember with fondness many special moments over the past year. From watching the progress made by catechism classes and officers alike, to the pancake breakfasts and the St. Patrick’s Day Parade march, I have some wonderful memories from 2011.

Those memories wouldn’t have been possible however, without the help of so many brothers that they are too numerous to list here. Instead, I offer
a most heartfelt and sincere “Thank You.” Thank you for all of the support, advice, patience and good counsel.

Traveling through the line has been an amazing experience. I learned a lot about both Masonry and myself. I look forward with confidence and enthusiasm towards next year. I know our Senior Warden, Bro. George Hoffman will do an excellent job as Master, and that the rest of the officers will rise to the challenge ahead of them.

It has been an honor and a privilege to be the Master of Mt. Moriah. One that I will never forget.

Sincerely and Fraternally,
Peter V.N. Bates
Worshipful Master

November 2011 Communication

Posted in: Communications, From the East by W. Peter Bates on October 20, 2011 | No Comments

Brethren,

I was told that this year would go by quickly, I had no idea just how quickly they meant. It’s hard for me to believe that next month I will be writing my final “message from the East”.

Thank you to everyone who came out to Harvest Home Day, we once again had a terrific turnout! I’m also proud to announce that Mt. Moriah won the first annual Corn Husking competition that was held that morning as well!

I am going to keep this month’s message to a minimum, as our Senior Warden has a few words he’d like to say to you as well. I would however like to remind everyone about our upcoming Christmas party on the 20th of December. This will be a terrific time for all masons and their families. Please RSVP to our SD, Brother Cory Wright at 410-916-3283, we need an accurate count of the number of folks attending, as well as the age and gender of children so that we can help Santa provide appropriate gifts.

I wish a safe and blessed Thanksgiving to you and all of your families.

Sincerely and Fraternally,
Peter V.N. Bates
Worshipful Master

October 2011 Communication

Posted in: Communications, From the East by W. Peter Bates on September 20, 2011 | No Comments

Brethren,

My wife is a summer person. She loves the sun and the beach, and she turns a wonderful tan color after she lays out. I on the other hand am 50% Irish. 20 minutes of sunshine and I turn bright pink. Any longer than that and I literally burst into flame. When the temperature hits 75° I head for air conditioning. Needless to say, I am THRILLED that October is here! The crisp Fall air, the smell of the leaves, I can’t wait!

Ever since I can remember, Autumn has always been my favorite time of year. I was born near Boston, and when I was very little, I can still remember going for drives to Vermont and New Hampshire with my grandparents just to see the Fall foliage. There was a restaurant somewhere up there in the mountains that I remember. It had an incredible view, and my Grandfather would always stop there and we would all get a huge slice of lemon meringue pie. (Glasby take note)

Enough of my reminiscing…. on to what’s in store for Mt. Moriah this October!

By the time you read this, George Hoffman and Cory Wright will have (crosses fingers) successfully completed their law classes at the Grand Lodge. Congrats to both of you! The line will be practicing hard on our 3rd° ritual, and our famous pancake breakfasts will be back in full swing.

Speaking of pancakes, we are still looking for someone to step into P.M. John English’s shoes and help out with the pancake breakfasts. After several years on the griddle, John is finally laying down his spatula. I wouldn’t be surprised though if you see him stopping in from time to time to make sure the pancakes are up to his standards!

This month’s pancake breakfast will be on October 15th. Immediately following the breakfast we will be conducting the 3rd° ritual and raising our current F.C.’s. Please join us for the breakfast, the ritual and a lunch afterward. It’s always nice to have a lot of brethren in the seats during ritual work, and I know the class would appreciate your attendance.

Our annual Memorial Service in remembrance of those Mt. Moriah brothers who have passed to that Celestial Lodge above will be held on Tuesday, October 4th. We will dispense with the formal lodge meeting and host the friends and families of those departed brothers. Following the service refreshments will be provided.

Harvest Home Day this year includes a new Corn Husking Competition. Come on out and cheer your Mt. Moriah corn husking team to victory! Mt. Moriah always has a terrific turnout at Harvest Home Day, and I hope this year we continue that tradition. The parking arrangements will be new this year. The lots adjacent to the main gates of the Grand Lodge, located at 303 International Circle will be used for parking. Shuttle service will be provided for those that would like it. Signs will be placed by the parking entrances to help guide us all to the new area.

Past Masters Night is coming up on November 1st. There will be a dinner beforehand, and, following the dinner, F.C. William Ridgely will be raised to the 3rd° degree by our P.M.’s. For dinner reservations, please call Bro. Cory Wright at 410-916-3283 or visit our website, which now includes online reservations! Menu details will be posted on the website as well.

Speaking of online reservations, I hope many of you have had the opportunity to visit our site and see what an amazing job our Junior Deacon, Bro. John Glasby has done. Expect to see more online reservations for other dinners and events very soon! While you will always be able to call our S.D. for reservations, this will allow those that would like to make reservations online to do so. Also on the website will be the new parking guidelines for Harvest Home Day.

Lastly, I would like to make a request. On October 11th, the line will be rehearsing the 3rd° ritual. We could definitely use some extra folks for that rehearsal, so if you aren’t busy we would really appreciate you coming down to lend us a hand.

Sincerely and Fraternally,
Peter Bates

September 2011 Communication

Posted in: Communications, From the East by W. Peter Bates on August 23, 2011 | No Comments

Brethren,

Many of you have told me that you enjoyed the historical tidbits I included in the July communication; I’ve done a little goggling and found a list of Masonic and other events that occurred in Septembers past.
September 2, 1945 – President Truman proclaims V-J Day upon the surrender of the Japanese.

September 3, 1783 – Treaty of Paris signed that ended the American Revolutionary War.

September 4, 1820 – James K. Polk (U.S. President 1845-1849) received his 1st degree in Columbia Lodge #31, Tennessee.
September 5, 1997 – Death of Nobel Peace Prize winner and advocate for the poor, Mother Teresa of Calcutta.

September 5-6, 1972 – Eleven members of the Israeli Olympic Team were killed during an attack on the Olympic Village in Munich by members of the Black September faction of the Palestinian Liberation Army.

September 6, 1620 – The Mayflower ship departed from Plymouth, England, bound for America with 102 passengers and a small crew.

September 9, 1776 – The U.S.A. came into existence as the Continental Congress changed the name of the new American nation from the United Colonies to the United States.

September 11, 2001 – The worst terrorist attack in U.S. History.

September 11, 2000 – The Grand Masters of the Grand Lodge of D.C. and the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of D.C. signed a ceremonial “proclamation” symbolizing their mutual recognition that had been voted on favorably by both Grand Lodges in 1999.

September 12, 1826 – William Morgan, who had published an exposé of Masonic secrets, was taken from the jail in Canandaigua, New York, kidnapped, and possibly later murdered. This was the trigger for the Morgan Affair and the Anti-Masonic movement and Anti-Masonic Party in the United States from the 1820s through the 1840s.

September 12, 1990 – Treaty was signed to reunite East and West Germany.

September 13, 1882 – A monument was dedicated in Batavia, New York, to William Morgan, the man who’s kidnapping and possible murder by Freemasons started the Anti-Masonic movement in the United States in 1826. The monument says Morgan was a “martyr to the freedom of writing and printing the truth.”

September 14, 1901 – Eight days after being shot, President William McKinley died from wounds suffered during an assassination attempt. Theodore Roosevelt then took over the presidency.

September 14, 1982 – Former actress, American born Princess Grace of Monaco died following a car accident.

September 14, 1844 – The Grand Lodge of Michigan was founded.

September 15, 1851 – The Grand Lodge of Oregon was formed.

September 15, 1890 – Birth of prolific English mystery writer Agatha Christie (1890-1976).

September 18, 1793 – The cornerstone of the United States Capitol building in Washington D.C. was laid in an elaborate, formal Masonic ceremony, with George Washington personally playing a key role and wearing Masonic regalia.

On this date in 1856, the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Indiana was organized.

September 20, 1784 – The Grand Lodge of England issued a warrant to African Lodge #459. This charter is a prized possession of the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, and African Lodge #459 has continued to exist to the present time.

September 23, 1857 – The Grand Lodge of Nebraska was formed.

September 25, 1786 – The Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania was organized.

September 25, 1897 – Birth of William Faulkner (1897-1962), considered by many the greatest U.S. author.

September 26, 1872 – The Shrine of North America (AAONMS) was organized, in New York City.

September 30, 1949 – Gerald R. Ford (U.S. President 1974-1977) received his 1st degree in Malta Lodge #465, Grand Rapids, Michigan.

One of those dates above, September 11, 2001, will soon see its tenth anniversary. I remember watching it all unfold, live, on my TV. It was unreal. I was in a state of disbelief for the first few minutes. Disbelief turned to horror, and in the days that followed, rage. I’ve often wondered if the feelings that those of us not old enough to remember Pearl Harbor have about 9/11, are similar to those experienced by those who witnessed or listened to the reports on the radio on that day in 1941.

The talking heads say “the world changed” that day. I don’t know if it has. Sure “things” changed, things always change. Human nature never seems to though, and without that will anything ever change? I’m not sure, but I do know that, through Masonry, I’m trying to change my little corner of the world.
Brotherly Love. Relief. Truth. These things are truly important. Going through the line you repeat those words so many times that they can become just words. We all need to remember what those words really mean, and how we can exemplify those virtues in our everyday lives. That seems to be the real secret of Masonry.

Sincerely and Fraternally,
Peter V.N. Bates
Worshipful Master

August 2011 Communication

Posted in: Communications by webmaster on July 27, 2011 | No Comments

Brethren,

Welcome to the Thanks and Congratulations episode of “Message from the East”.

I’d like to start out with congratulations to our S.W. Bro. George Hoffman for an excellent
exemplification of the 3rd degree at the DGL’s School of Instruction the last Wednesday of June. He
did a fantastic job and we are all proud of his accomplishments.

Congratulations also to our S.D. Bro. Cory Wright for a flawless obligation when Bro. Will Brandt was
raised.

Speaking of Bro. Brandt, congratulations to him on his speedy recovery and his dedication to
completing his work. We look forward to his proficiency.

A thank you to all the P.M.’s that came out to help with Bro. Brandt’s raising. Special thanks to
W. Bros. Todhunter and Sandy for organizing the officers and P.M.’s, and delivering the lecture
respectively.

Thank you to our most recent graduating class of M.M.’s for coming out to help assist as Fellowcrafts
with Bro. Brandt’s raising. It’s fantastic to see you all continue to come to lodge and show your
support .

Congratulations to the large class of E.A.’s on your first step into Masonry. This new large class would
not even exist however without the help of W. Bros. Diener and Todhunter, who have been tireless in
their efforts to contact, inform, and instruct the many GL referrals we have received.

A well-deserved thank you also goes out to our “Kitchen Bobs”, Bros. Bob Schott and Bob Wilkinson
for all of their hard work in the kitchen, from pancake breakfasts, to cooking and cleaning up after
meetings. Your hard work is appreciated by all. On the subject of pancake breakfasts, please
remember, W. Bro. John English will be retiring from pancake duty at the end of this year, and a
replacement will be sorely needed.

Most especially, I would like to personally thank W. Bro. Jim Todhunter for EVERYTHING he does for
Mt. Moriah.

I doubt many people are aware of the full extent of his service to the lodge, but suffice it to say, without
his constant efforts, the lodge wouldn’t be what it is; From communicating with potential candidates
and GL referrals, to readying them in the prep room, to helping organize their rituals, to teaching them
catechism, assisting the officers with their ritual work, to his role with the 507 Committee, and the
countless other ways he makes our lodge a better place. He is truly an unsung hero, and I honestly
don’t know how I would have personally managed to get this far without him. Jim, you have my eternal
gratitude!

Lastly, a huge congratulations to our J.S. Michael Cohen on his recent nuptials. It was a beautiful
ceremony with a beautiful bride. Cheers to Michael and Courtney!

Sincerely and Fraternally,
Peter Bates W. M.

July 2011 Communication

Posted in: Communications, From the East by webmaster on June 24, 2011 | No Comments

Brethren,

While doing a little reading about the Fourth of July, I found an interesting list of other famous events in July:

July 1, 1997 – Hong Kong returned to China
July 2, 1964 – Lyndon Johnson signs Civil Rights Act
July 3, 1863 – The Battle of Gettysburg ends
July 4, 1776 – The U.S. Declares Independence
July 5, 1996 – First successful cloning of a mammal
July 6, 1942 – The Frank family takes refuge (as in The Diary of Anne Frank, who was 13)
July 7, 1930 – Building of Hoover Dam begins
July 8, 1960 – Pilot Francis Gary Powers charged with espionage
July 9, 1877 – Wimbledon tournament begins
July 10, 1925 – Scopes Monkey Trial begins
July 11, 1804 – Aaron Burr kills Alexander Hamilton in a duel
July 12, 1909 – 16th Amendment approved, power to tax incomes
July 13, 1972 – Los Angeles Rams (Irsay) and Baltimore Colts (Rosenbloom) swap owners
July 14, 1789 – French revolutionaries storm the Bastille
July 15, 1971 – Nixon announces visit to communist China
July 16, 1945 – Atom bomb successfully tested
July 17, 1955 – Disneyland opens
July 18, 1979 – Gold hits record $303.85 an ounce in London
July 19, 1799 – Rosetta Stone found
July 20, 1969 – Armstrong walks on the moon
July 21, 1861 – The First Battle of Bull Run
July 22, 1934 – John Dillinger gunned down
July 23, 1764 – James Otis publishes views on taxation without representation
July 24, 1911 – Machu Picchu discovered
July 25, 1946 – 1st bikini is shown at a Paris fashion show
July 26, 1775 – U.S. Postal System established
July 27, 1949 – First jet makes test flight
July 28, 1868 – 14th Amendment adopted
July 29, 1958 – NASA created
July 30, 1945 – U.S.S. Indianapolis bombed
July 31, 1975 – Jimmy Hoffa disappears

Of these famous events, The Battle of Gettysburg is perhaps the most notable for the Masons and Masonic history involved. The following is a selection from the St. Stephens Lodge #145 website.

The Battle of Gettysburg, which took place from July 1 through July 3, 1863, is the most famous, most bloody, and in many ways the most significant battle of the U.S. Civil War from 1861 to 1865. Robert E. Lee took his Confederate Army of Northern Virginia on a controversial invasion of the Northern States in an effort to alleviate Virginia from having armies continue to fight there, and also in an effort to bring the Union Army of the Potomac out of its fortifications, to a climactic battle that could end the war and result in independence for the Confederate States of America.

Abraham Lincoln understood the significance of Lee’s invasion of Pennsylvania, and he appointed Union Major General George G. Meade to lead the United States army, with orders to prevent any attack on Washington, D.C., or Baltimore, Maryland. General Meade led his army into northern Maryland, while General Lee split his army into different parts with missions leading to the hoped-for capture of Harrisburg, the capital of Pennsylvania, with other missions to follow. However, Lee did not realize that Meade’s army was as close as it was, until June 28. Then, he issued orders for the parts of his army to regroup at Cashtown or Gettysburg.

In the meantime, some of Lee’s army was camped near Gettysburg, and some of Meade’s army was in Gettysburg. They clashed briefly on June 30, and again in much larger numbers on July 1. Both sides threw in reinforcements, until the July 1 battle became a very large battle, very hard fought by both sides. At the end of the day the force of overwhelming numbers resulted in a Confederate victory for that day. The Union army regrouped on the hills and ridge south of Gettysburg, in a very strong position, under the leadership of Major General, and Brother, Winfield Scott Hancock, one of the most widely admired generals of the Civil War.

On July 2, General Lee attempted to defeat the Union army by attacking both ends of it, in another extremely hard-fought day with thousands of casualties. One of the most significant events of that day was the defense of a hill called Little Round Top by a Maine regiment commanded by Colonel (later Major General), and Brother, Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain. When his men ran out of ammunition, knowing that if he gave up his position the entire battle might be lost, he ordered a bayonet charge that might have been suicidal. Instead, he won a highly-praised victory, plus a Medal of Honor, and fame that resulted in his being later be elected Governor of Maine four times.

The climax of the battle took place on July 3. After a quiet morning, in early afternoon General Lee ordered the most massive cannon attack ever on the North American continent. Then, he ordered about 12,000 men to attack the center of the Union position, across about a mile of open country. Both the Southerners and Northerners generally showed great courage in facing each other, realizing that this might be the event that would decide the war and the fate of our country. Among the leaders of this event, known as Pickett’s Charge, was Confederate Brigadier General, and Brother, Lewis Addison Armistead. The leader of the Union force being attacked was the Union Major General, and Brother, Winfield Scott Hancock.

Armistead and Hancock were both career soldiers, and before the Civil War they were friends when both were U.S. Army officers in California. Both were also Freemasons.

When the Confederate attack reached the Union line at Gettysburg, there was fierce fighting. General Armistead was shot twice, and as he went down he gave a Masonic sign asking for assistance. A fellow Mason, a Union officer named Henry H. Bingham, then a Captain, later a higher officer and then a very influential Congressman, came to Armistead’s assistance and offered to help. Armistead reportedly asked to see and talk with his friend General Hancock, but he was told that Hancock had been very badly wounded just a few minutes earlier. Union Brother Bingham then helped Confederate Brother Armistead off the field and to a hospital, but Armistead died two days later. General Hancock, to the surprise of many, recovered and resumed his command later in the Civil War.

This incident, of a Freemason who was a Union officer helping a Freemason who was a wounded Confederate officer, is one of the greatest examples of the ideals of Freemasonry in action. In 1993, the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania completed and dedicated a monument on the Gettysburg National Cemetery, with the cooperation and support of the United States government, that shows Brother Bingham, a Union officer, assisting Brother Armistead. This statue is extremely dramatic, and it is called the “Masonic Friend to Friend Masonic Memorial.”

In the words of Sheldon A. Munn, one of the Freemasons who helped bring about the construction of this monument:

“The ‘Friend to Friend Masonic Memorial,’ at Gettysburg will help demonstrate to the world that Freemasonry is, indeed, a unique fraternity; that its bonds of friendship, compassion and brotherly love withstood the ultimate test during the most tragic and decisive period of our nation’s history; it stood then as it stands now, as ‘A Brotherhood Undivided!’”

At a time when our nation was most divided, the spirit of Masonry overcame those men, and all of their differences and animosity, with a historic example of brotherly love. If, in the midst of war those masons could overcome their differences, surely we can all do the same in our everyday lives, and remember to treat others as we ourselves would like to be treated.

On a more joyous note, I hope everyone that came out to the Aberdeen Ironbirds baseball game had a terrific time at the game, and enjoyed the fireworks afterwards.

Speaking of fireworks, at the Grand Lodge Semi-Annual communication, it was mentioned that parking would be open for anyone wishing to view the Oregon Ridge Fourth of July fireworks display from atop the hill. I definitely plan on going, and will hopefully see some of you there as well.

Lastly, we are still looking for members to join the sick and shut-in committee to help send cards, make phone calls and visit our brethren who are unable to attend lodge for health reasons. If this sounds like something you could help with, please give me a call.

Thank you for reading this extra long “Message from the East”, I was slightly indecisive this month and couldn’t decide what to exclude, so you’ve gotten the whole kit ‘n kaboodle. Hopefully no one will miss the extra blank “notes” pages at the end of most communications.

Sincerely and Fraternally,
Peter Bates

June 2011 Communication

Posted in: Communications, From the East by webmaster on May 30, 2011 | No Comments

Brethren,

I honestly can’t believe how fast this year is going by. June already! It seems like Installation was just a couple of weeks ago! There’s still so much to do this year, and, as always, we could always use more volunteers to help us with various tasks.

Speaking of volunteers, a giant THANK YOU to everyone who helped with the MDCHIP event at this years Towson Town Spring Festival! In the day and a half the festival lasted, we registered somewhere close to 165 children! Beautiful weather, great food, live music and all of our volunteers made it one terrific weekend. Hopefully next year we can top that number, as well as top the number of Masonic volunteers.

If you haven’t already made your reservations for the June 25th Aberdeen Ironbirds baseball game; What are you waiting for?! Call our Senior Deacon, Bro. Cory Wright, today to reserve your spot at the game. There are only about 30 tickets left, and it promises to be a great time shared with brothers, friends and family. And yes, there will be fireworks after the game!

Worshipful Master
Peter V.N. Bates