From the Worshipful Master

As the Worshipful Master for 2016, I will be wearing the square. Like the level, the square is a symbol that has come to hold great meaning even in the general public. People speak of “a square deal” and “being square” with someone. In this way, even to the general public–the “profane”–the square represents honesty and fairness. And this, I think, is incredibly important to the master of the lodge. All masons are expected to be fair and honest, but for the master, I think, this is even more vitally important, because he is in the highest position in the lodge.

The master must deal fairly with all the brothers, and with those outside the lodge, because he has the ability, in his position, to be unfair, whether intentionally, or accidentally. We joke that the master isn’t always right, but is never wrong, and this is to an extent, a truism. The master’s decision is final, in many cases, and so he must look to the jewel he wears to remind him that honesty and fairness are essential, when in a position of leadership.

So I hope to always remember.

Bryan Bullock
Worshipful Master

From the Senior Warden

First of all, I would like to thank all of you Brethren who put your confidence in me to act as this year’s Senior Warden. I promise I will do all I can this year to fulfill all that is required of me in this office.

The Senior Warden wears the Level. This is such a wonderful working tool as it reminds us of our equality. Whenever we meet another fellow Mason, we “meet upon the Level.” Our Brothers who have come and gone over the last 300 years of shown us a magnificent example of what it means to “meet upon the Level.” The stories of how our Brothers have conducted themselves in past should give us pride in our fraternity. This is especially evident in the 1800s and early 1900s. In a time where the United States, and the whole world for that matter, separated themselves by race, creed, and religion; there was one organization that brought men of all backgrounds together in friendship and brotherly love. In a way we are the hipsters of inclusion, as we were bringing men together regardless of the labels that separate us before it became cool. I would like to share a story of an incident that I was able to personally witness. It was a small and modest dialogue, but it has deeply impacted me.

While we were meeting for a York Rite degree, I noticed one of my fellow York Rite candidates approached an older, more experience Brother in the Craft. This experienced Brother has done almost everything you can think of in the Masonic community and the appendant bodies. He is a past master, past grand-master, and past everything else in the York Rite at the very least. Even I do not know all that he has accomplished and all the capacities he has served. As before, my fellow candidate approached this experienced Brother and asked “what should I call you? Most worshipful, illustrious, most excellent…” and he went on.

This veteran Craft member, very much deserving of many honorary titles, just gave this younger Mason a smile, held out his right hand and replied, “how about Brother Bill?”
Although the exchange probably went unnoticed to everyone, it left a deep imprint on my memory. I think of this a prime example of what it truly means to “meet upon the level.”
My Brothers, this next year let us strive to be on the Level with each other. We all have many labels both inside the fraternity and outside the fraternity. However with each other, we are Brothers above all else.

Christopher Huson
Senior Warden

From the Junior Warden

Historically, the Plumb was used by operative Masons to try perpendiculars. As speculative Masons, the Plumb admonishes us to walk uprightly in our several stations before God and man. What I believe this should mean to us is that we should be honest and fair in all our dealings. A good Mason should be a man his brothers look to for an honest, but not hurtful, opinion.

We as Masons have a duty to be honest and true to our fellows, both inside and out of the lodge. Our actions should be just and upright, and we should endeavor to encourage and inspire such behavior from our peers. We should never accept or give more than our due, ever remembering that eventually we shall be judged by that truest Plumb line, eternal in the Heavens.

Cameron Smith
Junior Warden