Arcana Lodge #187
Ancient Free & Accepted Masons

December 1997
January 1998

Volume 7.10

Square and Compass

December 1997
January 1998
Trestleboard

Arcana Masonic Hall
920 Lowry Ave. NE
Minneapolis, MN 55418

News From the West - Looking Forward to a New Term

The last few weeks have been very exciting, making arrangements for the installation, and planning next years calendar.

I’m looking forward to incorporating several programs that I practiced as an officer in Alameda Lodge #167, Free and Accepted Masons of Fremont California.

One such tradition was to follow the first stated meeting of each month with refreshments and a short program which was usually hosted be the "Lodge Historian" (his duties were very similar to our Lodge Education Officer "LEO.") The program for the first meeting of January will be conducted by Sargent Tim Davidson of the Minneapolis Police Department. Brother Davidson will be talking about personal safety and security. Following the February meeting, and in honor of Presidents Day, Brother Gerald Chartrand has offered to give a short presentation on "Presidents who were Masons." .

We have scheduled the first set of degrees for next term starting with the Entered Apprentice Degree on Thursday, February 12th, 1998, at 7:00 PM. The Fellow Craft Degree is scheduled for Monday, March 16th at 7:00 PM, and the Master Mason Degree will be on Saturday, April 18th starting at 3:00 PM.

I would like to congratulate Worshipful Brother Dick Hunt on a great term. It was my pleasure working with, and learning from you this past year. I would like to thank everyone who has offered to help with the installation, especially the brothers who agreed to be installing officers. I also want to thank everyone who accepted an appointed office and/or committee position for the upcoming year.

In closing I would like to thank all the brothers who have provided me with encouragement and support throughout the year, especially for my efforts with this first year of my producing the newsletter. This will be the last issue of the Trestleboard for 1997. The first issue for 1998 will be mailed at the end of January. Until then, I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous new year.

Fraternally yours,
Doug Roswold, Senior Warden

Open Invitation

You and Your Friends are Cordially Invited

to attend the

One Hundred and Tenth

Open Installation of Officers of

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Arcana Lodge #187 AF & AM

Saturday Evening, 7:30 PM
December 20, 1997

920 Lowry Avenue NE
Minneapolis, MN 55418

Douglas R. Roswold
Master Elect

From Time Immemorial

On the day that I became an Entered Apprentice, the words "From Time Immemorial" epitomized the timelessness of Our Ancient Craft.

Then I turned to research, and encountered a host of theories, each, in varying degrees, at odds with one another, as to the origins of Freemasonry.

Some told me that The Craft dated from the time of the building of Solomon's Temple in Jerusalem. Others, asserting that this was only symbolic, were convinced that Masonry dated from the building of the great Cathedrals and fortresses of medieval Europe. Another, which traced Our Craft to the time of the Pharaohs of Egypt, backed itself up with convincing evidence.

Ultimately, it was up to me to decide to which school or schools of thought I should wholly or partially subscribe.

Exploring this conundrum within a mystery surrounded by an enigma, I started to question the relevance of knowing the exact point in history where Freemasonry emerged, standing distinct from the Profane.

No-doubt, scholars far more erudite than I have come to this point, and had similar thoughts on the matter, but for me, because I reached this conclusion for myself, it will always be far more real than anything I could read in any book.

When I was made and Entered Apprentice, I was asked: "Where were you first prepared to become a Freemason?"

I was faced with a classic "chicken and egg" dilemma: Do men endeavor to be good, brotherly or upstanding because they are Freemasons, or do men become Freemasons because they endeavor to be good, brotherly and upstanding?

While there are compelling arguments to support the former, I tend to be more inclined to the latter. A diamond is born of Nature, not made by man, and however crudely or skillfully cut remains, and always was, a diamond.

I doubt that any amount of symbolism, ritual, religion, philosophical teaching or plain moral guidance will make a confirmedly selfish reprobate a suitable candidate for Freemasonry. Some seed will always fall among thorns, and there are, alas, those who will never see the Light, however brightly it may be shone in their eyes. Freemasonry shows us the door, and opens it, but we must enter of our own free will and accord.

When I was made and Entered Apprentice, I was asked: "Where were you first prepared to become a Freemason?" The answer: "In my Heart," suddenly took on a far more profound meaning than I had ever given it.

On the day, way back in that proverbial "time immemorial", some man, however primitive, considered that conflict and hate simply did not make as much sense as harmony and brotherly love, and decided to live his life accordingly. I believe that it was on that day that Our Ancient Craft was born, and that in his heart, that man was the first Freemason.

Who that man was, where that man was and how that man came to that conclusion is supremely irrelevant.

Meditation on the Origins of Freemasonry by
Bro. Andrew M Bergman, Lodge Mutual #53
GL of South Africa <andrewmb@iafrica.com>
Editor of the South African Freemasonry Website:
http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Acropolis/1151
Reprinted from Masonry Universal #43

Outstanding Mason of the Month

Roy Downs

Arcana Lodge is proud to acknowledge the outstanding Mason of the month for December, Roy Downs. He has been a member of Arcana Lodge for 33 years. He not only participates in all lodge activities, but also has been Patron of the Eastern Star three times, a member of the Scottish Rite, Zuhrah Shrine, a Past President of Zuhrah Big Brothers, and a member of the Zuhrah Maskers. Roy Can be relied upon to accept any tasks asked of him, and even though he enjoys life as a retiree traveling in a motor home it appears as though his travels are scheduled so as not to interfere with his Masonic activities.

Arcana Lodge Committees

Sunshine Visitation Committee for the Ill or Homebound