The Investigator's Responsibility to Masonry

The investigation of a Petiton for the Three Degrees is a serious matter and should not be considered routine.

When the Master of a Lodge assigns one of its members a petition to be investigated, he is saying, in substance, to that member, "You know the type of man the Masonic Fraternity accepts.  The recommenders on this petition say the applicant quailifies.  Now I want to know your opinion."  From there it becomes a matter for that member, acting not only as a member of that Lodge, but as a representative of the entire Masonic Fraternity, to investigate the petitioner as sincerely and honestly as he is capable of doing.

Let us first think of Masonry.  It is an organization composed of men who believe in the Deity; who believe in righteousness and justice; who live by and adhere to a moral code of ethics, and who practice a philosophy of life second to none. Here are men of every walk of life who compose a fraternity of moral, social and intelligent persons creditably recored in every community, men who believe in each other, thier fellow members.  Masonry is the binding together of this type of men and cementing them into an everlasting fraternal association.  Masonry, which asks no man to join its ranks, will accept no less. 

Now comes the petitioner - a stranger - wishing to become a member of that group!  WHO IS this stranger?  What are his motives for wishing to gain membership?  Will he be worthy and well qualified?  The investigation process is to determine the answers to these quesitons.

Upon accepting the assignment, the Investigator is now employed by your Lodge and the entire masonic family, world-wide, to investigate the petiton of an applican who wishes an intimate knowledge of Masonry and association with its members. The petitioner is actually being considered not only for membership in our Lodge, but for world-wide Masonic membership with the opportunity to visit and associate with Masons everwhere.  Each visitation the new member may make, in any Lodge in the world, will be as a member and representative of your Lodge.  He should, therefore, be the type of man of whom you can be proud and honored to have represent you and your Lodge.

It now becomes obvious, as you evaluate your investigative assignment, that it is important -- important that only the right type of man is accepted, for the Mason of today, more so than ever, is an intregal part of our nation and our way of life. 

Masonry was instrumental in the founding of this country and so will be its re-founding. In the Masons' hands and those of his associates, lies the future of the America of tomorrow.

(Sourced from a California publication by Walter Van Wagern - affiliation unkown)

Wounded Warrior Project Check Presentation

On Saturday November 7, 2009, members of Jackson Masonic Lodge #45 presented a check for $500 to the Wounded Warrior Project. The presentation took place at the Air National Guard facility at McKeller-Sipes Airport following the 5k – Run sponsored by AASF #3, also benefiting the Wounded Warrior Project.

The funds donated by Jackson Lodge #45 were raised at the Pancake Breakfast held for held at the Lodge for this event. The entire $500 was raised by the breakfast and donations by members of Jackson Lodge #45. Many thanks to all those who participated and made this a successful event. Events such as these help present the Lodge and Masonry in a positive public light.

The Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) works to raise awareness and enlist the public’s aid for the needs of severely injured service men and women, to help severely injured service members aid and assist each other, and to provide unique, direct programs and services to meet their needs.

Photos by Brother Jimmy Owen:

Deceased Brother of Jackson Lodge #45

James Harding

Roberts


Graveside services for James Harding Roberts, age 86, will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, November 7, 2009 in Centerville Cemetery, with Rev. Frank Bowling officiating and with military honors at the service. Replogle-Lawrence Funeral Home is in charge.

Mr. Roberts died Tuesday, November 3, 2009 in the Tennessee State Veterans Home in Humboldt.

He was born in Henderson County, TN, son of the late Alvis and Nora Horn Roberts, and attended school there and graduated from Milan High School. During World War II, he served in the U.S. Army Air Force. Mr. Roberts retired following 37 and a half years as an employee of the Department of Defense with the Federal Government. He had many stateside and overseas assignments, and also served one year in Vietnam. He loved his family with all his heart and was always there for them. Mr. Roberts was a member of the Medina First Baptist Church, and a 50 year member of Jackson Masonic Lodge #45.

He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Dorothy Sue West Roberts of Jackson; a daughter, Deanna Roberts Britton and husband Walt of Collierville; two sons, Dr. Barry Roberts of Tulsa, OK and Preston Roberts and wife Carol of Allentown, PA; two grandchildren, Carin Roberts Apter of Riverdale, NY and Lauren Roberts Mehmedovic of New York, NY.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Mary Thelma Ross.

Pallbearers for the service will be Oscar Walt Britton, James Marion Parrish, Steve Threet, Murry Nevil West and Joe Lambert.

Visitation will be Saturday from 12 Noon until 1:45 p.m. at the funeral home.


Replogle - Lawrence

Funeral Home

Medina, Tennessee

731/783-3026
This obituary was published in the Jackson Sun on Nov 6, 2009.

Jackson Lodge #45 Pancake Breakfast

All-You-Can-Eat

$5 Donation



October 31st, 2009

6:30 am – 9:30 am

Jackson Lodge #45

2911 Hwy 45 By-Pass

Jackson, TN 38308



In support of the

Wounded Warrior Project

Shriner's Night At Pringles Park

May 28, 2009
7:00 PM

Your West Tennessee Diamond Jazz and surrounding are Shriner's Clubs are teaming up to offer everyone a night of fun and excitement at Pringles Park!

The Shriner's Club will be entertaining some very special guests, while also reigniting community awareness of the clubs humanitarian efforts. We are looking forward to hosting a great night for the Shriner's Club and their special guests.

General Admission tickets will be sold for a special rate of $1. The Shriner's Club will be donating these tickets to the guests of their choice. A Shriner's representative and a special guest will throw out the ceremonial First Pitch. The Shriner's Club will be acknowledged for their charitable efforts throughout the night via Scoreboard and PA Announcements.

Also available at Pringles Park:

$1 Hotdogs $1 Fountain Drinks $1 Draft Beer $1 Popcorn

The Revolutionary Masons

The recent Tea Parties across the nation advocating the return to traditional values and principles (I dare say Masonic values and principles) bring to mind the lead up to the original one in Boston on December 16, 1773. The following are some excerpts from "Freemasons In The American Revolution" by Charles S. Lobingier:

"At the outbreak of the Revolution, Masonic Lodges in America were few and feeble. The oldest of them had existed less that half a century and the membership was exceedingly small. But what was lacking in members was more than supplied in quality. The Freemasons of that period included the flower of colonial citizenship and their very fewness was a source of strength. In a small lodge all could know and trust each other. Hence it is not strange that some of these colonial lodges became the centers of revolutionary thought.

Foremost among these was the Lodge of St. Andrew at Boston. Founded in 1756 and chartered by the Grand Lodge of Scotland in 1760, it began its career independent of English influence and just in time to share in the opening scenes of the war for independence. Joseph Warren was its Master, and on its rolls were the names of John Hancock, and James Otis and many others who are now recognized as the leading characters of that eventful epoch. And almost every important movement in the patriotic cause in Boston, preceding and precipitating the Revolution, may be traced back directly or indirectly to St. Andrew's Lodge.

The famous "Sons of Liberty," organized in 1765 to resist the enforcement of the Stamp Act, were but an offshoot of this Lodge, and was also the "North End Caucus" to which was committed the execution of some of the most daring plans of the patriots. Both of these organizations met at the Green Dragon Tavern which was owned and occupied by St. Andrew's Lodge, and the members of the latter were leaders in the former. It was at this tavern that the historic Boston Tea Party was planned by Warren, (Paul) Revere and other members of St. Andrew's. The records of the lodge disclose that on the evening after the tea-laden ships arrived in Boston harbor there was an adjournment on account of small attendance and the secretary adds the significant note that "consignees of tea took the brethren's time." The minutes of December 16, 1773, the date of the tea party, show that the lodge was again adjourned until the next evening. Its members were among that band of enthusiasts who had boarded the ships and were rapidly heaving the obnoxious tea into the waters of Boston Harbor.

In the days that followed it was Paul Revere of St. Andrew's Lodge who earned the title of :The Patriotic Mercury" or "The Messenger of the Revolution."

Centennial Lodge #491 Detroyed By Fire

At approximately 8:30 pm last night (4/8/2009) the Centennial Lodge #491 of Erwin, TN was destroyed by fire. Lodge #45 can sympathize with their loss. We suffered a similar fate in 1979 when the Jackson Lodge #45 building on Baltimore Street in Jackson was destroyed by a fire.
Please keep the Brothers of Lodge #491 in your thoughts and prayers.