From the Worshipful Master

The emblem the Worshipful Master carries around his neck is the square. The square is one of the most noticeable and fundamental symbols of our fraternity. It can be synonymous with trust. When we keep something “on the square,” we are beholden to keep our brother’s secret as our own. We are reminded to square our actions by the square of virtue. When we do this, we measure our actions of some other guiding force. This could be a moral or ethical code, religious precepts, or high-standing cultural norms. These could be synonymous with the three great lights of Freemasonry. The craftsmen in ancient days used a square to ensure that an ashlar was cut correctly, just and true. Likewise, in the speculative craft, we make sure the ashlars of ourselves, of the temple that is us, is put together by bricks that are also just and true. An inscription on Baal Bridge in Lemerick, Ireland reads “I will strive to live with love and care- upon the level and by the square.” This inscription dates back to 1517. One of the first obligations of a Mason is to be on the square with his dealings with his fellow man. I want to share with you a poem from a short talk article that dates back to 1924:

It matters not whate’er your lot
Or what your task may be,
One duty there remains for you
One duty stands for me.
Be you a doctor skilled and wise,
Or do your work for wage,
A laborer upon the street,
An artist on the stage;
Our glory still awaits for you,
One honor that is fair, To have men say as you pass by:
“That fellow’s on the Square.”
Ah, here’s a phrase that stands for much
‘Tis good old English too,
It means that men have confidence
In everything you do,
It means that what you have you’ve earned,
And that you’ve done your best,
And when you go to sleep at night
Untroubled you may rest.
It means that conscience is your guide,
And honor is your care;
There is no greater praise than this:
“That fellow’s on the Square.”
And when I die I would not wish
A lengthy epitaph;
I do not wish a headstone large,
Carved with fulsome chaff,
Pick out no single deed of mine,
If such a deed there be,
To ‘grave upon my monument,
For those who come to see,
Just this one phrase of all I choose,
To show my life was fair:
Here sleepeth now a fellow who
Was always on the Square.”

My brother, as this ensuing Masonic year begins, I hope that we cannot just meet upon the level, but part upon the square.

Christopher Huson
Worshipful Master

From the Senior Warden

First of all, I want to thank everyone for allowing me the opportunity to serve Wayfarers in this high and distinguished position.

I find myself wearing the apron and jewel of the Senior Warden, who sits in the west, and is symbolized by the level.

The level is an instrument used by operative masons to prove horizontals, but we as Free and Accepted Masons use it as a symbol of being equals. Though we may have different stations in life, within a lodge all men are equals. This equality does not hold true in the world outside of our fraternity, my hopes are that one day our light will make its way into the world to where all are treated as equals.

Kenneth Olsen
Senior Warden

From the Junior Warden

I first of all want to thank Wayfarers Lodge for the continued trust and faith you show in me. I am humbled and honored to once again represent Wayfarers as your Junior Warden and later this year at our Annual Grand Lodge Communication. Being a member of Wayfarers has been an amazing journey, one I approach with pride and humility all at the same time.

That said this year my jewel of office is the Plumb. The Plumb admonishes us to walk uprightly in our several stations before G-d and man. Well, we hear that in the ritual but what does that really mean? If the Square is about integrity, and the Level is about time, there is one piece missing… Justice. To walk uprightly means to act justly and with honor in all things that we do. It is my goal of this year to act justly in leading our Craft while at refreshment. I plan to approach this role again this year by doing all I can to help coach our candidates, see that Lodge policies are followed, and support our Worshipful Master in all he wishes to accomplish. This is the role of a Pedestal Officer, and I take that role seriously.

I am looking forward to a wonderful year, and again I am happy to be serving you once again. My door is always open and I hope that you will will walk through and greet me as we work towards a better and more productive future for our little lodge in Sunnyslope.

Yours in the Craft,

Jason Michlowitz, PM
Junior Warden