Germania Lodge No. 46 F&AM

Germania Lodge Newsletter - September 2007
Klaus J. Kueck, P.M., Secretary/Editor

Condolences to W. Bro. Pat Cox and sons

Our deepest condolences go out to W. Bro. Pat Cox and Brothers Allen and David Cox, husband and sons of Rose Cox, who passed away on September 1. Mrs. Rose had been sick for some time, she fought a courageous battle and had recently placed on Hospice. For us old timers we all remember her with fondness at the many lodge events.

HISTORICAL LECTURE
sent in by Bro. Glenn Cupit

“A Table Lodge is a form of a Masonic Lodge meeting. It was the most common form of lodge meeting in the early and mid 1700’s in Europe and throughout the world as Masonry spread through colonial possessions. In simple language, it merely meant that the lodge met for dinner, and as the members sat around the table, eating and drinking, conducted the business and conferred degrees. This was described in Dr. Oliver’s 1859 Institutes of Masonic Jurisprudence, and virtually the same description appeared in 1844 in the Freemasons Quarterly Review, the leading Masonic publication of that day.
“Lodges were not arranged according to the practice in use today. The Master stood in the East and both Wardens were placed in the West. The South was occupied by the senior Entered Apprentice, whose business it was to obey the orders of the Master and greet and welcome visiting Brethren, after determining that they were Freemasons. The junior Entered Apprentice was placed in the North in order to prevent the intrusion of cowans and eavesdroppers. A long table, and if a large group, two parallel tables, ran from the pedestal in the East to the Wardens who sat at the end of the table(s). The emblems of Freemasonry were placed on the table, or on a pedestal, near the Wardens, together with the materials of refreshment. Every section of the lectures had its own peculiar toast and sentiment, and at its conclusion, the lodge was called from labor to refreshment by certain ceremonies, and a toast called “the charge” was drunk in a “bumper”, with all due honors, and accompanied by an appropriate song. After the toast, the lodge was called from refreshment to labor for another section of the degree or meeting. This continued throughout the lodge meeting as the members ate.”
“Festive boards were special feasts that were called to celebrate festivals of Freemasonry, June 24 as St. John the Baptist Day, December 27 as St. John the Evangelist Day, and in England, April 23 as St. George’s Day, and in Scotland November 30 as St Andrew’s Day.
“Table Lodges continue in many European Lodges today as an extension of the regular lodge meeting. The lodge completes all business and retires to the dining hall where a meal is served and toasts are offered. The ritual varies, but the fellowship is the same. We gather this evening to perform a small section of the Table Lodge ritual and perform a portion of the ceremony performed by our ancient Brethren, all in fellowship.
I thank you supporting and participating in the Table Lodges we have held in Baton Rouge and we look forward to seeing you on September 28th, 2007 at the Camelot Club, if your schedule permits you to be with us again this year.
With fraternal regards, Cordially and fraternally,
Naresh Sharma
Annual Table Lodge on Friday, September 28, 2007
M. W. & ILL. ROBERT HANNON, 33º
S. G. I. G. of Arizona, Past Grand Master of Arizona,
Past Grand Commander of Knights Templar is the Keynote Speaker

Lodge of Nine Muses No. 9, F&AM, is sponsoring the annual Table Lodge on Friday, September 28, 2007, at the Camelot Club in downtown Baton Rouge. The social hour starts at 6:00 p.m. and the Table Lodge will open at 7:00 p.m.
We are fortunate to have M.W. Robert Hannon, 33°, PGM, SGIG in Arizona, as the keynote speaker. M. W. Hannon has been intimately involved with Masonic Renewal in the U.S., he is a leader extraordinaire and is an extremely good speaker.
The ticket for the Table Lodge is $75 per person and will include an engraved souvenir “firing” glass. Dress is formal for Lodge members.
Brethren kindly spread the word among your friends, Masons and non-Masons. I would appreciate your letting me know at your earliest as to how many will be in your party. This will help me allocate tables and arrange seating of our members and their guests.
Let us make this the best Table Lodge.
With kind fraternal regards,
Cordially and fraternally yours,

Naresh Sharma

Brethren:
I am pleased to inform you that the Table Lodge arrangements are proceeding well and the response from attendees of the past events has been encouraging. I will start the process of seating assignments soon. To enable me to embark on this arduous task I would appreciate if you would kindly furnish the following information:
1. The number and names of the guests accompanying you. Kindly also let me know if you would like to share your table with someone. Remember we like members of Lodge of Nine Muses spread out so they may answer the inevitable questions, which tend to come up during the evening, about our Lodge.
2. I would also appreciate if you would let me know the choice of entrée of each person attending the Table Lodge. Please choose from the following:
6 oz. Filet Mignon (cooked medium) with a Mushroom Butter Jus
Pan Sautéed Snapper with Toasted Almonds & Sauce Amandine
Grilled Breast of Chicken topped with Spinach & Artichoke Florentine
Thanking you in advance for your cooperation and looking forward to another great Table Lodge, I remain,

Fraternally yours, Naresh Sharma

For more information, call: 225-753-1114
Please make out checks to: Lodge of 9 Muses Table Lodge
Mail to: 19414 Creek Round Ave Baton Rouge, LA 70817

MASONIC BIRTHDAYS FOR AUGUST
Andy Kessler 09/21/1943 - 64 yrs.
John Schackai 09/19/1950 - 57 yrs.
Billy Ohler P.M. 09/25/1985 - 22 yrs.
Craig Hart 09/09/1992 - 15 yrs.
Garry McKelvey 09/08/1993 – 14 yrs.
Adam Schexnayder 09/06/2003 - 04 yrs
Jacob Schexnayder 09/06/2003 - 04 yrs
Mark Dorsey 09/22/2004 - 03 yrs.

TRESTLE BOARD

Wednesday, Sept. 12, 7:00 p.m., regular business meeting at Germania. Further discussion about all fees. Balloting.
Thursday, Sept. 20, 7:30 p.m. 16th district meeting at Kosmos in Bayou Lacombe. Refreshments served. (call if you want to car pool)
Wednesday, Sept. 26, 7:00 p.m., regular meeting double EA degree.
Wednesday, October 10, 7:00 p.m. regular meeting double FC degree

Deep Thought

For a few moments, please allow your imaginations to run wild and consider what may take place at the Installation of The Celestial Lodge, otherwise known as the Grand Lodge Above.
Even though it was late fall, there was a warm breeze blowing and the sun was setting behind the Lodge Hall. Gathered in the parking lot filled with their works were Bros Henry Ford, Ransom Olds, Walter Chrysler, John Willys and Andre Citroen. The only vehicle missing was Bro Hart Massey's tractor.
Greeting members in the entrance hall was Bro Cliff Arquette of Charley Weaver fame and Bro Ed Wynn. In the boardroom, a group of senior DeMolays were gathered including Bros Walter Disney, Chet Huntley, Wendell Corey, Van Johnson, Robert Cummings, John Steinbeck, Fred McMurray and John Cameron Swayze.
King Gillette, razor in hand, passed the lodge caretaker who was having a minor problem with his vacuum cleaner, which was quickly cleared up with the help of its inventor, Bro Frank Hoover, while at the other end of the hallway Bros Emmett Kelly, Clyde Beatty and all seven of the Ringling Bros were discussing the Shrine Circus.
Taking a quick look into the Banquet Hall, Bros John Molson, Frederick Pabst and Joseph Schlitz were busy rolling in some kegs of beer for Bros Sam Bronfman, late President of Seagrams Distillers, who was setting up the bar for the Festive Board to follow the Ceremony. Bro Colonel Harland Sanders was cooking up a storm in the kitchen and it was an easy guess as to what the evening meal would consist of.
The orchestra members for the dance to follow the Banquet were tuning. Members of this All-Star group included leader Paul Whiteman, WC Hardy, Nat King Cole, Irving Berlin, George M Cohan, Cyril Stapleton, Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, Count Basie and Al Jolson. Tonight's performance would be M.C.ed by Bros Arthur Godfrey and Danny Thomas.
Magical Bros Harry Houdini and Harry Blackstone were setting up their props while Bros WC Fields, Oliver Hardy, Bud Abbott, Harpo Marx, and Foster Brooks were fine tuning their comedy routines for tonight's show which was being produced by Bros Cecil B DeMille, Flo Ziegfeld, Louis B Mayer, Hall Wallis and DW Griffiths.
A number of sports celebrities were gathering together, including Bros Abe Saperstein, creator of the Harlem Globetrotters, who was explaining his version of the game to Bro James Naismith, the inventor of the game. They were joined by baseballers Bros Charles Ebbetts, Ty Cobb, Branch Rickey and Cy Young, the first pitcher to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
A little further along the hall was an array of masons dressed in knee breeches, lace cuffs and powdered wigs, others in tuxedos, including Bros Kit Carson, Davey Crockett and Buffalo Bill Cody, clad in their familiar buckskins, Chiefs Crazy Bull, Tecumseh and Joseph Brant in their native attire. Most colourful are the military uniforms of Lord Nelson, Lord Cornwallis, Captain James Cook, the Duke of Wellington and John Paul Jones.
I was gazing in awe at these members of Celestial Lodge, when the Grand Master, MW Bro Harry Truman, appeared from the preparation room accompanied by Bros John Jacob Astor, Luther Burbank, JC Penney, Adlai Stevenson and Jennings Bryan.
Bro John Diefenbaker had just signed the Tyler's Register with one of Bro John Shaeffer's pens. He was accompanied by Bros Robert Borden and RB Bennett. fellow Canadian Prime Ministers, and by Bro Joe Smallwood of Newfoundland.
At this time, the Tyler, Bro J Edgar Hoover, informed the brethren that the meeting was about to come to order. On entering the lodge room the brethren were greeted by the Inner Guard, Bro Paul Revere. Seated already were polar explorers, Robert F Scott of England and Bro Richard E Bird of the United States, together with Matthew G Perky and Canada's Henry Larsen. Bro Charles Lindbergh could be seen in deep conversation with Bros Hap Arnold, Gus Grissom, Eddie Rickenbaker and Charles Kingsford-smith.
From the Junior Warden's station came a burst of laughter. Bro Will Rogers had brought broad smiles to the faces of the Royal personages gathered around him, including George 1, Frederick the .Great, Gustav V of Sweden and George VI. To the right of the Junior Warden's chair, architect Sir Christopher Wren was joined by Statue of Liberty sculptor, Frederic Bartholdi.
Bros Norman Vincent Peale and Peter Marshall, who would assume the Chaplain's duties this evening, were in conversation with the DuPonts, Peter and Victor, and the Rothschilds, James and Nathan.
Gathered around the Secretary's desk, Bro Rudyard Kipling was discussing the evening's proceedings with Bro Robert Burns, who was to give one of the Charges assisted by Bro Mark Twain. Also taking part were Bros Conan Doyle, Walter Scott, Samuel Johnson, Alexander Pope and Robert Service.
The Grand Organist, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, was discussing last minute changes with Bros Gilbert and Sullivan.
Bros Clark Gable, Peter Sellers, Wallace Beery, Douglas Fairbanks and Brian Donleavy were discussing boxing with champions Jack Dempsey, Jack Johnson and Sugar Ray Robinson. Another small group, in the persons of Bros John Wayne, Hoot Gibson and Tom Mix, were listening to Bro William Thaddeus Phillips, also known as Butch Cassidy.
The founding members, Bros George Washington, Sir John A MacDonald, Guiseppe Garibaldi, Benito Jaurez, John Hancock and Ben Franklin were seated in the East. They have been joined by Sir Stamford Raffles, founder of Singapore. The Generals, Omar Bradley, Jimmy Doolittle, George C Marshall, John Pershing and Douglas McArthur, take their seats next to Franklin Roosevelt and Winston Churchill. The Lodge Treasurer, Bro Henry Knox was busy collecting dues from Bros Thomas E Dewey and William McKinley. The Master, MW Bro HRH The Duke of Connaught, has rapped the gavel to call the Lodge to order and it is now time for us to depart. With one last took at this brilliant assembly, one wonders what the public's perception of Freemasonry might be if they were able to visit such a lodge.