Communications

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

May 2011 Communication

Posted in: Communications, From the East by webmaster on April 15, 2011 | No Comments

Brethren,

By the time you get this, Mt. Moriah should have its new website up and running. I hope you all have a chance to check it out at MM116.org and let us know what you think. Additionally, our J.W. has created a Facebook page for the lodge. For those that use Twitter, he has also set us up an account there as well. Links to both can be found on MM116.org. We hope you enjoy our expanded digital presence!

The Open House on April 2nd went well and Mt. Moriah received several new petitions for the Fall class. Thank you to everyone that helped out, from our tour guides to our banner hangers to our slide show creator. Mt. Moriah survives only through the help of those who volunteer their time to the lodge.

Speaking of volunteers, we can always use more. We are 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.

Last month ended, and this month began, with an MDCHIP event held at Calvary Baptist Church during the Towsontown Spring Festival. Hopefully all went very well; I’ll have more information on the results in next months communication.

Lastly, don’t forget to call our S.D. Cory Wright about reserving your tickets to the Aberdeen Ironbirds game on June 25th! It’s going to be a fantastic evening!

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

April 2011 Communication

Posted in: Communications, From the East by webmaster on April 8, 2011 | No Comments

Brethren,

As these communications are written well in advance of when they are received, I am going to go ahead and be optomistic and assume that the Lodge had a fantastic March. The St. Patrick’s Day Parade was a huge success, Bro. Bob O’Schott’s Corned Beef Dinner was well attended and especially delicious and that both the 3rd degree conferral on the 8th and the 2nd degree conferrals on the 22nd went off without a hitch. If for some reason they didn’t, I think we should all just agree to blame the Tyler.

On to current events. April is going to be one heck of a month for not only our Lodge, but all Lodges in Maryland. April 2nd is the statewide open house, where non-masons can come and learn about The Fraternity, its purposes, its members, its history, and, if found worthy, perhaps begin their own journey into Masonry. Additionally, on April 9th (as of this writing), Mt. Moriah will be, at the request of our Most Worshipful Grand Master, hosting a second open house specifically for students of Towson University.

With the Grand Lodge’s advertising campaign in full swing, we have received many referrals from the Grand Lodge. I would personally like to thank W. Bro. Hank Diener for his help in contacting these individuals. He has done a fantastic job, and all of us, especially me, owe him a great deal of thanks.

You may have noticed that Mt. Moriah looks a little different, a little better lately. The 507 has had some painting done, and added some new furniture to the library, that we may put our best face forward for all of the visitors this month. Thanks then goes out to the members of the 507 as well, for keeping our Temple looking good and well-cared for.

Lastly, as always, we can always use extra volunteers. We would love to have an extra individual help out occasionally with refreshments. The sick and shut-in committee could also benefit from a few volunteers to help send cards, call, and visit our brethren who are unable to attend lodge for health reasons.

Fraternally,

Peter V. Bates
Worshipful Master

March 2011 Communication

Posted in: Communications, From the East by webmaster on March 25, 2011 | No Comments

Brethren,

Looking out the window at the snow on the ground, I sincerely hope the groundhog was correct, and that by the time this communication finds you, we are enjoying more Spring-like weather. The vernal equinox falls on March 20th this year, officially signaling the beginning of Spring. Time for the geese to head North, the baseball players to head South and my annual migration to Home Depot and Valley View Farms.

One of the consistent themes of Spring is that of rebirth. On that note, I would like to take a moment to remember our recently departed Brother, William Goldsborough, Secretary Emeritus, who has been reborn into the Celestial Lodge above. As he passes to that undiscovered country, our thoughts and prayers go with him and also to his family. Thank you to the many Brothers who came out for his memorial service.

This month, Mt.Moriah Lodge has several events taking place. Your Officers and I will be marching in the Baltimore St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Brother Bob O’Schott will be preparing his now-annual famous Corned Beef and Cabbage Dinner, and later in the month our catechism class will be displaying their proficiency and receiving their Fellow Craft Degree. I hope many of you are able to attend these events as we spread the cement of brotherly love and affection.

While Spring does bring an annual rebirth, it does take a certain amount of work to cultivate that growth to its fullest potential. We are fortunate enough to have a large catechism class this Spring, and are expecting an even larger one this Fall, but it will take the entire Lodge to participate to help not only this class to grow, but all of us to reach our full potential. To this end, we are still looking for volunteers to help out on some of the committees. If any of you are able to lend a hand with the Lodge’s activities, even if you can only give an hour or two a month, there are plenty of opportunities to help your Lodge. Please contact myself or our SW George Hoffman for more information.

Lastly, a reminder that Mt. Moriah Lodge will be providing four $750 scholarships to the relatives of Mt. Moriah members. Or members of a Masonic Youth Organization affiliated with Mt. Moriah Lodge. Applicants must be graduating senior, undergraduate or graduate student. Applicants must also have a GPA of at least 3.0, participate in school/community activities, and exemplify the principles and tenets of Masonry. For applications or more information, please contact Bro. Derrick Chaudron, P.M. at 410-817-9627 or download the application directly from www.mm116.org under the “Links” section.

Fraternally,

Peter V. Bates
Worshipful Master

February 2011 Communication

Posted in: Communications, From the East by webmaster on February 25, 2011 | No Comments

Brethren,

With 2011 off to a fast start, I want to recognize the many Brothers who have accepted appointment to work on the various Lodge committees. You will find a current listing in the last couple pages of this Communication. You will also note that a number of Committee “job opportunities” remain open, and I would be glad to hear from any of you with the interest and time available to lend a hand to the Lodge’s activities. Even if you can only give an hour or two a month, there are plenty of opportunities to help your lodge.

This fall we may have an unusually large catechism class thanks to the advertising campaign recently begun by the Grand Lodge. I would like to be prepared for this by having extra catechism instructors available to help. If you are willing and able to help teach the next generation of Masons, please contact our SD, Brother Cory Wright, or myself for more information.

I would like to thank everyone who came out on Jan. 4th for the Installation of Officers. It was an amazing night for me, and I was thrilled to have a packed lodge to share it with!

Fraternally,

Peter V. Bates
Worshipful Master

January 2011 Communication

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

Brethren,

Congratulations to the newly elected and appointed officers of Mt. Moriah Lodge.

Again I want to thank the Officers and Brethren of Mt. Moriah for their support during my time of illness and hospitalization. With my departure, I would like to leave you with these thoughts.

Are you an active member?
The kind that would be missed or are you just contented that your name is just on the list?
Do you attend the meetings and mingle with the flock?
Or do you stay away from them and criticize and knock?
Do you take an active part to help the work along?
Or are you satisfied to be the kind who just belongs?
Think this over, Brother are you an active Member or do you just belong?

Fraternally,

John S. English
Worshipful Master