Vol. XIX. No. 4. -A MASONIC AWGAZINE O C TO B 1 9 0 PUBLISHED BY THE TRESTLE BOARD CO. SAN FRANCISCO, CAL. Oi p) WORK MADE EASY IF YOU USE A Wheeler & Wilson Wheeler & Wilson Mfg. Co. No. 231 Sutter Street Between Kearny Street and Grant Avenue San Francisco, Cal. Phone Grant 26 methods, best rooms, largest attendance, and get the most positions of any college in the West <| Call or write for Catalogue 2.7 an Francisco "Business College -738 Mission Street DON’T TAKE ANY CHANCES WHEN YOU BUY A SEWING MACHINE — BUY A = NEW HOME SATISFACTION GUARANTEED Millions of New Homes' have been made and sold. Every purchaser has a good word for it. Does not get out of order and gives no trouble. Come in and see our Latest Positive Triple Feed — all styles, all kinds, all prices. Slightly used machines $10, $15 and $20. Second-hand, $3, $5 and $8. All styles. Guaranteed. New Home Sewing Machine Co. Phorxe South 476 1 051 Market St. 3-5 f fiestlc Boaru CONTENTS FOR OCTOBER, 1905 The Grand Lodge of California 123 ‘‘Tell Him So” (verse) 12$ The Cedars of Lebanon HO The Eastern Star’s Purpose and Foundations 131 The Test of Fitness 13.1 Purity of the Ballot 134 The Talmud 135 Youth, Manhood and Age 136 A Prayer (verse) 137 Editors Corner 138-142 Wearing of Jewels in Grand Lodge For a Grand Lodge Temple A Library Life Membership Masonry in Argentine and Chile 143 Perfect Ashlars of Masonic Thought 144-145 An Emblematical Rite 146 The Legend of the Third Degree 140 Whence, Freemasonry? 150 An Ancient Legend from Persia 152 Two Women (verse) 152 Eastern Star Points 153 Chips from the Quarries 155-150 PUBLISH FT» MONT HI Y BY trestle Board (Companu 1 02- 104 Second St San Francisco , Cal. Edited by James Wright Anderson Walter N. Brunt, and Edmund Mansfield Atkinson. Business Manager. Subscription Price, $1.00 a Year; Single Copies, 10 Cents. Entered at the Post Office at San Francisco. California, as second-clas*. matter. Liberal commission to active agents. Correspondence solicited from every locality, jurisdiction and country on subjects pertaining to every Rite and Branch of Masonrv. THE TRESTLE BOARD IN EVENING CLOTHES FOR IMMEDIATE USE WE STAND PRE-EMINENT Masonic Calendar. i SftN FRMGISGO AND ALAMEDA COUNTIES. Stated Meetings. MONDAY t st *Occidental Lodge, No. 22. 1st *Hermanu Lodge, No. 127^ ' 1st f King Solomon’s Lodge, No. 260. 1st & 3d *San Francisco R. A. Chapter, No. 1. 1st & 3d {Golden Gate Commandery, No. 16. 2d & 4th gBeulah Chapter, No. 99, O. E. S. 2d&4th fffOlive Branch Chapter, No, 169 O. E. S. every ***Oakland Scottish kite Bodies. 1st & 3d fffSan Francisco Chapter, No. 196, O. F.. S. last **♦* Fruitvale Lodge, No. 336. TUESDAY 1st *Golden Gate Lodge, No. 30. fst *Oriental Lodge, No. 144. 1st **San Francisco Lodge, No. 360. 1st It Brooklyn Lodge, No. 223. every ^Mission Commandeiy , U. D. 1st & 3d ♦California Chaptei, No. 5. R. A. M 1st & 3d **Starr King Chapter, O. E. S., No 204. 1st tfOakland t. ommandery, No 11. 2d & 4th tlvy chapter, No 27, O. E. S. 2d &4th || j( Unity Chapter, No. 65, O. E. S. tst & 3d Berkeley Chapter, O. E. S., Berkele>. WEDNESDAY 1st *Mount Moriah Lodge, No. 44. 1st *Crockett Lodge, No 139. 1st *Excelsior Lodge, No. 166. 1st ^Mission Lodge, No. 169. isi& 3d tfOakland Chapter, No. 36, R. A. M. 1st *California Council, No. 2, R. & S.-M. 2d {Islam Temple, A. A. O. N. M.S. ?d& 4th ggCarita Chapter, No. 115, O. E. S. nt& 3d tKing Solomon’s Chapter, No. 170, O E S. THURSDAY ♦•Starr King Lodge, 344 ♦California Lodge, No. 1. ♦Fidelity Lodge. No. 120. gSouth San Francisco Lodge, No. 212. ♦Doric Lodge, No. 216. ^Mission R. A. Chapter, No. 79. || | Alcatraz Lodge, No. 244. §§Oak Grove Lodge, No. 215. ♦San Francisco Lodge of Perfection, No,i,S.K. ♦San Francisco Chapter, Rose Croix, No. 1. ♦Godfrey de St. Omar Council, No. 1. ♦San Francisco Consistory, No. 1. tfOakland Council, No. 12. R. & *$-. M. ♦Pacific Coast Masonic Veteran Association. 2d & 4th {Harmony Chapter, No. 124, O. E S. 2d & 4th tfOak Leaf Chapter, No. 8, O. E. S. 1 & 3d TfOakland Chapter, No. 140, O. F. S. Tst & 3d {California Chapter. No. 183. O. E. S. 1st {{{Presidio Lodge. No. 354. FRIDAY 1st *Pacific Lodge, No. 136. 1st *Loge La Parfaite Union, No. 17. 1st ft Live Oak Lodge, No. 61. 1st TfflDurant Lodge, No. 268. every *California Commandery, No. 1. 1st & 3d {Golden Gate Chapter, No. 1, O. E. S. ist *Loggi Esperanza Ttaliana, No. 219. 2d & 4th {Crescent Court, No. 3, R. & A. D. 1st 1 st ist ist ist ist ist 2d ist At Call At Call At Call 5th At Call SATURDAY TflfflAlameda Lodge, No. 167. ist tfOakland Lodge, No 188. ist ^Berkeley Lodge, No. 363. 2d ggAlameda Chapter, No. 70, R. A. M. every Masonic Board of Relief, Emma Spreckels Bldg. ,927 Market St.» Room 604. last *Past Masters’ Association, ad & 4th ^Mission Chapter, No. 155. O. E. S. ist & 3d { Aloha Chapter, O. E. S., No. 2^6. * Masonic Temple, Corner Post and Montgomery c ts f Franklin Hall, Fillmore, bet. Sutter and Bush Sts t Golden Gate Commandery Hall, 629 Sutter St. \ Masonic Hall, Railroad Ave., South San Francisco f Masonic Hall, 2668 Mission St., bet. 22d and 23d Sts ff Masonic Temple, 12th & Washington Sts., Oakland. E. 14th St., East Oakland. Peralta St. near 7th St., West Oakland Masonic Temple, Park St., Alameda. Masonic Hall. Berkeley Station. ♦♦♦Scottish Rite Cathedral. 14th & Webster Sts.. Oakland ftf 223 Sutter St. ♦♦Devisadero Hall, 317 Devisadero St. ♦♦♦♦East 14th St. and Fruitvale ave., Fruitvale {ttOctavia and Union Street*. ^Masonic Hall, Centerville, Cal. Keep Your Eyes on Palo Alto. Send for Price List of Property. J. J. Morris Co. .MOTLEY H. FLINT, DEPUTY GRAND MASTER, WHO WILL PROBABLY BE ELECTED TO THE STATION OF GRAND MASTER OF MASONS OF CALIFORNIA. Vol. XIX OCTOBER, 1905 No. 4 THE GRAND LODGE OF CALIFORNIA WRITTEN FOR THE TRESTLE BOARD BY J. W. ANDERSON. T THE time of the formation of the Grand Lodge of Cali- fornia there were three duly chartered Lodges in the State, namely, California Lodge No. 13, of San Fran- cisco, holding a charter from the Grand Lodge of the District of Co- lumbia; ^Western Star Lodge No. 75, subordinate to the Grand Lodge of Missouri; and Connecticut Lodge No. 75, acknowledging allegiance to the Grand Lodge of Connecticut. Delegates from these bodies assembled in convention, in the city of Sacramento, on the 17th day of April, 1850, for the purpose of con- sidering the propriety of establishing a Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Ma- sons for the State of California. Repre- sentatives were present also from New Jersey Lodge, holding a dispensation from the Grand Lodge of New Jersey. The delegates from the first three organiza- tions enumerated above were the only per- sons clothed with authority to organize and constitute a Grand Lodge, the organ- izations whence they emanated being duly chartered lodges. At the first ses- sion of the convention a committee was appointed to draft a Constitution for the Grand Lodge, and on the 19th of April, the draft was presented, duly considered and adopted, whereupon a Lodge of Mas- ter Masons was opened for the purpose of organizing and constituting the Gyand Lodge of California. Grand officers were then elected, and another star, destined to be one of the brightest, was added to the galaxy. Bro. Jonathan Drake Stevenson was elected as the first Grand Master — a fitting tribute to an honorable, patriotic citizen and zealous Mason. Before this newly constituted Grand Body closed its session charters were au- thorized for two subordinate lodges, New Jersey and Benicia, the former under the name of “Berryman,” which was subse- quently changed to “Jennings” This lodge was located in Sacramento: it has long since ceased to exist. Prior to the close of this meeting an order was endorsed on the charter of Connecticut Lodge chang- ing its name to “Tehama.” The latter body is located in Sacramento and is still doing excellent Masonic work. A sim- ilar order was put into effect regarding Western Star Lodge, located in Shasta County. 124 THE TRESTLE BOARD GEORGE W. HUNTER, GRAND MASTER. At this session of the Grand Lodge, the Constitution having been adopted, the following grand officers were elected : Bro. Jonathan D. Stevenson, Grand Mas- ter f Bro. John A. Tntt, Deputy Grand Master; Bro. Caleb Fenner, Senior Grand Warden; Bro. Saschel Woods, Junior Grand Warden; Bro. John H. Gihon, Grand Secretary. The first annual communication of the Grand Lodge was held in the city of Sac- ramento on the 7th day of May, 1850. In the absence of the Grand Master, the Dep- uty Grand Master presided. During the interim since the preliminary sessions of the Grand Lodge a dispensation had been granted for the formation of a new lodge in Sacramento, and its work being ap- proved, a charter was granted under the name of Sutter Lodge, thus making five lodges represented at this meeting. The Subordinate Lodges were, by order of the Grand Lodge, numbered as follows: California, X o. 1; Western Star, Xo. 2; Tehama, X o. 3; Berryman, Xo. 4; Be- nicia, Xo. 5, and Sutter, Xo. 6. Western Star Lodge was really entitled to the rank of Xo. 1, its original charter having been granted on the 10th day of May, 1848, whilst that of California was granted on the 9th day of Xovember, 1848. It is the oldest lodge in the State, and seems to be justly entitled to the honors of Xo. 1, if in number there may be honor. The lodge is located in the town of Shasta, in Shasta Count} 7 , and is still borne upon the Grand Lodge roll. A semi-annual communication of the California Grand Lodge was held in Sac- ramento, on the 26th day of Xovember, 1850. It is interesting to note that at this session the Grand Treasurer, Levi Stowell, reported that there were no funds in the Grand Treasury. In 1904 the receipts alone amounted to $68,157.05. Composed as the population of the State was, of people from all the other States and from many lands, one of the chief difficulties presenting was the di- versity in the ritualistic work. Recogniz- ing the great importance of a more uni- form work among the different lodges of the State, the Grand Lodge, in the very first year of its existence, began the con- sideration of a means to obviate the dif- ficulties. In compliance with the recom- mendation of Grand Master Stevenson, a committee was appointed to consider the matter. This committee recommended the appointment of a Grand Lecturer, whose duty it should be to visit the several lodges and instruct them in their work. At the session of Xov. 28th a resolution was adopted providing for the election of a Grand Lecturer, and Bro. John A. Tutt was selected for the office. The resolution, however, amounted to but little, since it provided that the Grand Lecturer should visit when required by the lodges, and that the lodges should bear the expense incident to the visits. The plan was prac- tically a failure, and little was done in the way of unifying the ritual until 1864, at which time a resolution was passed making the adoption of the work recom- mended by a committee appointed by the THE TRESTLE BOARD 125 Grand blaster obligatory, and also provid- ing for the appointment of a Grand Lec- turer and Deputies. This plan was an improvement^ but did not fully meet the requirements of the lodges. In 1870. a general regulation was adopted providing for the appointment of Inspectors whose duty it should be to visit the lodges, and to inspect the workings thereof, not only so far as the ritual was concerned, but also the workings of the Lodges in all other respects. This system has proven most successful, and tp it. and the efficient services of those who have occupied the position of Grand Lecturer, is attribut- able the present degree of perfection in the rendition of the work. and. greatly, the general prosperity of the Lodges. There is. perhaps, no jurisdiction in the land today in which uniformity of work is so near perfect as in California. The present Grand Lecturer, and through his zeal and labors, the Inspectors, are thor- oughly proficient, and the blessings of uniformity are everywhere noticeable. Xo cause for complaint can hereafter arise relative to this important particular. Organized with three subordinates, the Grand Lodge has constituted in all, up to the time of the Fifty-fifth Annual Communication, 364 Lodges, of which number by surrender of charter or con- solidation, 73 have ceased to exist, leav- ing upon the roll 291. Xearly all of these are in a most flourishing condition. At the close of the first annual session there were reported eleven subordinate Lodges, with a membership of 2-58 : at the close of the fifty-fifth session. 291. with a membership of 27,078. Truly. Masonry in California has with equal foot ad- vanced as have all the other interests of the State, and today the California Grand Lodge takes rank among the foremost of the Grand Lodges of Free and Accepted Masons. With due attention to the qual- ity of the Ashlars, the strength and beauty of the Masonic edifice in this lovely com- CHARLES W. NU I'll VO, PAST GRAND MASTER. monwealth will command the adm ration of the Masonic world. Up to and including the year 1S61, the Grand Lodge held its annual communica- tions in the City of Sacramento. In 1861 the Constitution was amended, providing that thereafter the meetings should take place in San Francisco. The intelligent and persistent efforts of the late Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge. Bro. Abell, had resulted in the formation of a Masonic Hall Association in San Fran- cisco. and in due time the brethren began to "set up the pillars of their faith in en- during stone.” The corner-stone of the present Masonic Temple in San Francis- co. was laid with impressive ceremonies on the 25th day of June, I860. In those days the erect ’on of such a structure was an undertaking of wonderful magnitude, and many doubted that it would ever be completed. The ability and the deter- mined perseverance of those brethren who had planned for its construction proved equal to the emergency. Their good faith 126 THE TRESTLE BOARD WILLI \M S. WELLS, PAST GRAND MASTER. and efforts overcame every obstacle and resulted in the completion of a noble monument to their own energy and to the liberality of the brethren of San Fran- cisco. The original cost of the Temple was estimated to be $100,000 ; but before it was completed the expense had grown to over $150,000. When completed it was regarded as the most perfect build- ing on the Pacific Coast, and one of the most beautiful in the land. But the times have changed, and the Order in San Francisco and in the State has attained such proportions that the Temple cannot meet present requirements. Already the erection of a more spacious and suitable edifice is contemplated, and it is hoped that, in the near future, the Grand Lodge of California will have a home provided with comforts and conveniences commen- surate with the increased interests of the Fraternity in this Grand Jurisdiction. Tbo Grand Lodge met for the first time in the'r own Grand Lodge Hall in May, 1863. It would be interesting to recount the changes that have occurred since that time in the Order in this State, but space forbids. There is perhaps nothing in the history of the Grand Lodge of California more interesting, or that has had a more bene- ficent influence, than - the establishment of our Masonic Boards of Belief. The first of these boards was organized in San Fmvfisco, in 1856. Boards have since been established in Los Angeles, Oakland, Sacramento, San Diego, Stockton and San Jose. The amount of benefactions and charities administered by these or- ganizations in contributing to the wants of distressed Masons and their widows and orphans and in the burial of de- ceased members of the Craft cannot be estimated. In dollars the sum total runs up to several hundred thousands, the San Francisco Board alone, since its forma- tion, having contributed nearly half a million. Besides the relief afforded by these Boards, the several Lodges of the Jurisdiction are obliged to meet the re- quirements of charity among their own members. There is no Grand Jurisdic- tion in the land so liberal in the dispens- ing of relief as California. GEORGE JOHNSON, GRAND SECRETARY. THE TRESTLE BOARD 12 ? 0RRIX S. HEXDERSOX, PAST GRAND MASTER. For several years the propriety and feasibility of establishing a Masonic Home in this State was considered by the Grand Lodge. The enterprise was inchoated in 1889, by the introduction and adoption of a resolution in the Grand Lodge for the appointment of a committee whose duty it would be to report a plan for the establishment of a Home. This commit- tee reported at the session of the Grand Lodge in 1890. The report was rejected, and the matter was again referred to a committee. This committee reported in 1891, and their report being referred to the Committee on Jurisprudence. Past Grand Master Estee, from that commit- tee, presented a resolution for the appoint- ment of a committee of nine, whose duty it should be to organize a Masonic Widows and Orphans’ Home, and to do and perform all acts necessary to carry the enterprise to successful operation. This resolution was adopted. As to the wisdom of such act, time alone must de- cide. The Home has been in operation at De- coto, in Alameda County. A palatial structure has been erected and other minor buddings have been provided. The ex- pense in procuring a site, erecting build- ings and conducting the Home has been quite a tax upon the membership of the Lodges, yet they appear to be zealous in support of the Home. The writer has given to the enterprise his countenance and support, yet he is a doubting Thomas. Many of the Grand Jurisdictions have engaged in like enterprises, but the pro- priety and feasibility of conducting such institutions is yet to be determined in the crucible of experience. Certainly, if they can be successfully conducted, the California Home will succeed. We would be pleased to advert to many other matters connected with the history of the Grand Lodge. Lack of space, however, forbids. A Dying Request A City of Mexico paper gives the fol- lowing incident of brotherly ^ devotion, which will be interesting to Masons as illustrative of how one Mason went “on foot and out of the way” to comply with a dying brother’s request: The unstinted devotion . of members of the Masonic Fraternity to each other, and to the duties of their Order is universally known, and has just been proved in a most impressive manner by one of our widely known and popular residents. J. R. Scales, as was duly announced in the Herald, died in El Paso on Saturday, August 26th. One of his dying request ^ was that his friend and brother Mason, H. W. Selover, Past Master of Anahuac Lodge, should be asked to read the burial service of the Masonic Order at his funeral. When her husband had breathed his last, Mrs. Scales at once wired the request to Mr. Selover in this city, and he promptly responded to the dying request of his friend, starting for El Paso by the first train and reaching that city on the follow- ing Wednesday. The funeral took place on Thursday, Au- gust 31. and was arranged by the members of the Masonic Fraternity in El Paso, and was made peculiarly impressive to those present by the fact that Mr. Selover. who conducted the last rites, had traveled 1.200 nr’les to respond to the dying wish of his friend, and to maintain the spirit of devo- tion to each other which is an inherent principle of the Order. Mr. Selover has returned to the city. 128 TEE TRESTLE BOARD 4 4 T E L L HIM SO” If you have a word of cheer That may light the pathway drear Of a brother pilgrim here, Let him know. If you have a word of cheer That will brighter make his lot, Then in mercy hide it not; Tell him so. Wait not till your friend is dead Ere your compliments are said; For the spirit that has fled, If it know. Does not need, to speed it on, Our poor praise; where it has gone Love’s eternal, golden dawn Is aglow. But unto our brother here That poor praise is ever dear ; If you’ve any word of cheer, Tell him so. — From the Master Mason. WHAT IS MASONRY THOMAS N. DAVIS, IH THE TYLER. HAT is Masonry?” I have never met two Ma- sons of reasonable experience and intelligence who gave, in effect even, the same defi- nite answer to this query, which was submitted to me by a friendly profane of atheistic and iconoclastic tendencies, very soon after I was made a Master Mason. I then evaded the issue by saying that my limited ex- perience as a member of the Craft pre- vented my giving an intelligent reply, one that he would understand and properly appreciate. Now, after forty years of active Masonic work, embracing and covering duties from the ground floor to the Grand East, T am yet without knowledge and experi- ence enough to give a succinct and definite answer to the interrogatory, “What is Ma- son r y ?” I know that I could not frame one so terse and compact that, after hearing it. all Virginia Masons would stand up and say, “That is the meat of the whole mat- ter.” The philosopher tells us that man, though he separate himself from his fel- low by the physical mountain and «the in- tellectual doctrine is, after all, generously gregarious in his nature, and seeks the level of association with his kind. If this be true he must have originated Masonry as a means to the end, for of all the organizations devised by the wit, wis- dom and experience of man, this order of orders touches more points of the compass of our human needs than does any other whose records we know from history 01- tradition; in fact, it could not be other- wise, for beneath the universal surface is the great core of brotherly love, “which unites men of every country, sect and opinion.” Many are made Masons who take no further interest save and except to pay the’r stipend of dues and keep in fair THE TRESTLE BOARD 129 standing. These may be termed surface Masons and whose use is to assist in sup- porting the inevitable expense which fol- lows every effort of organized man. Of others "the scythe of time cuts the brittle thread of life and of others, the unde- posited and inoperative dimit does its work of disintegration; then again, through the gate, over whose portals is inscribed the legend, “Non-Payment of Dues," many wander out and, few re- turning, swell the ranks of those derelicts known Masonic-ally as non-affiliates. These negative classes I dismiss and turn to the rare few those splendid spirits whose inspiration and industry and whose efforts and esprit de corps are ever feed- ing the fires on the altars of Masonry. The young and enthusiastic Mason who is charmed with the rhythm of the ritual ; he of maturer years who begins to pene- trate the inner courts, and here and there catches faint glimpses of the high mor- ality and human philosophy which dwell therein ; and he who has wrought his reg- ular hours and earned the wages of knowl- edge and virtue and learned his duty to God and Man, and who has clearer vis- ions as to how that duty should be per- formed, and who has imbibed the great truth that, while Masonry is not a re- ligion. there is a religion of Masonry which teaches him virtue and morality ; to be temperate, industrious, honest and just ; to be kind, compassionate and mer- ciful; to be benevolent, forbearing and patient, and. above all. to be truthful and to have in his heart the love of charity and the charity of love, so that when he steps to the great center and selects his doctrine and denomination, he cannot, if he be a true Mason, be a partisan, for true Masonry conserves and preserves true religion. Symy. atHetic Dentist's servant (to suffering patient) — And whom shall I have the misery of announcing, sir ? — From Le Eire in Tales. SALT LAKE BUILDING Friday, September 15th, witnessed the be- ginning of preparations for the erection of a $100,000 Masonic Temple in Salt Lake City. Ground was broken on that day at the corner of First South and Second East streets for a structure, which, it is claimed, will be the finest of its class between Chi- cago and San Francisco. The building will cover an area of 75x100 feet. It will be three stories in height. Its style of architecture is the Renaissance. It will have exterior walls of brick. The first story will be dark red fire brick, with dark brown trimming; the second, yellow fire brick, and the third story of cement plas- ter. The interior will be divided into lodge rooms, a banquet room, auditorium with a large stage, library, Grand Secretary’s of- fices, kitchens, parlors, janitor’s quarter^, cloak and toilet rooms. The woodwork finishing of the interior will be stained fir. The lodge rooms and auditorium will be also finished in orna- mental plaster and stucco work. The heat- ing system will be especially complete. It will be the force blast steam system, with exceptional ventilation appliances. The temnle’s entrance on Second East street will be nerhaps the most beautiful part of the structure. It will be anproached by a number of stone steps, and is back of a group of massive pillars. The entire ef- fect is massive and at the same time taste- ful ornamentation of simple design relieves that would otherwise be perhaps heavy. It is expected that the building will be ready for occupancy March 1st next. BE CHEERFUL “Do you believe in the gospel of cheerful- ness?” asks Bro. P. C. Huntington. "If so. be a cheerful Mason. You have every reason to be. You know in whom you trust; you know if you are worthy that you have the sympa- thy and good will of a host of brethren. You are not alone even in misfortune. Therefore be cheerful, remembering that a cheerful face and a cheerful word attracts and wins. More- over. cheerfulness is conducive to health. A buoyant heart bringeth strength There is an actual life-giving influence in the exercise and effect of cheerfulness. It brightens the eye, makes the cheeks glow* with red blood, br ngs elasticity to the step and conduces in a thou- sand wavs to promote and strengthen the phy- sical nature. If there is any man in the wide world who has a right to be and who ought to be cheerful, it is a faithful, consistent and sympathetic Master Mason. BEFORE THE GRAND LODGE Excelsior Lodge No. 166. F. and A. M., San Francisco. Roderick G. Guyett. Master, will confer the first degree before the Grand Lodge at its Annual Communication. 130 THE TRESTLE BOARD THE CEDARS BEAT forests of cedar trees once spread over the higher slopes of Lebanon, and per- haps grew also npon the sides of Hermon and Anti-Leban- on; but now there are few large trees of any kind west of the Jordan, and the profiles of the mountains cut sharp and cold, where the brown rock meets the blue sky. Here and there, however, far above the olive orchards and mulberry groves, higher even than the wheat fields or -pine forests, are a few groups of cedars. The finest trees are those found above the village of Besherri, some twenty miles inland from the port of Tripoli. They grow upon a high plateau, more than six thousand feet above the Mediterranean. Just be- hind rises the highest mountain in all Syria, and in front they look down over a magnificent panorama of fertile valleys, with the sea in the distant background. The nearest village is a thousand feet down the mountain, and the last cultivated field stops just short of the cedar grove. A few goat-herds lead their flocks to a cold spring that is fed by the snow pockets above; but at night wolves can be heard howling hungrily, and towards the end of the year the snow-drifts are deep around the old trees and the passes are closed for the winter. Few though they are, the cedars are still as they were in IsaialTs time, “the glory of Lebanon.” There are about four hun- dred of them in the Besherri group; but the Syrian peasants call them Arz er-Rub, “Cedars of the Lord,” and the great peak behind is called the “Cedar Mountain,” in honor of the little grove of trees upon its western shoulder. Most of the cedars are sixty or seventy feet in height, and some of the younger trees are very straight and symmetrical, so they might easily serve, as they once did, as masts for the ships of Tyre. When the OF LEBANON growth of the boughs is not interfered with by crowding from neighboring trees, they spread out horizontally to a great distance. They are, indeed, “fair branches^ and with a forest-like shade;” for some- times the circumference of the circle shel- tered by a single tree will be as great as two or three hundred feet. When you climb a little way into one of these trees and look over a whirl of horizontal branch- es, the upper surface is almost as level as a carpet and seems as firm as a grass plot. Indeed you can stretch yourself out on many a network of interlacing twigs that hold as firmly as a tremendous ham- mock. Most of the cedars, however, stand so closely together that they are very irregu- lar in their growth. Sometimes two branches from different trees rub against each other until the sap pours out and cements them so closely together that you cannot tell where one tree ends and' the other begins. A half dozen of the cedars have attained a girth of forty feet and over, and are of very great age. They are certainly many centuries old, and prob- ably some of them have seen a thousand years or more. These old trees are gnarled and twisted, with the rough strength of muscle-bound giants but they still bear cones among the green branches, and the balsamic juice exudes from every break in the bark, just as in the description of the Psalmist; “They shall bring forth food in old age, They shall be full of sap and green/’ It is the vigor and massiveness of the cedars that impresses you most. The trees are not beautiful so mucli as they are kingly. They are so rough and knotted, and so few in number that at first they are a little disappointing, like the mountains around them; but, like those mountains, they become more im- pressive each day that you view them. These thousand-year-old trees seem to THE TRESTLE BOARD 131 stand aloof from the hurry and bustle of the twentieth century as though they were mournfully thinking of earlier and per- haps wiser days. After you have lived a little while under their shade, the solemn magnificence of the few remaining cedars begins to quiet your spirit, and when the glorious moonlight floods the Cedar Moun- tain and casts black shadows down the deep gorges that drop away to the distant sea, it is easy to behold in the witching light the picture that these ancient trees once saw in the long ago. Dark groves of cedars nestle once more in the valleys and here and there sweep over the mountain- tops in great waves of green; a stronger peasantry speaks a different tongue in the fields below that are brighter and the or- chards that are heavier with fruit, and perhaps from the depths of the moon- painted forests there comes the ring of ten thousand axes that are hewing down the choicest trees for the temple at Jerusalem — and it is with sense of personal los^. almost of anger, that you look out again from under the dark branches of the tiny grove to the bleak, bare mountain-side, and hear the wind sing through the top- most branches the lament of Zachariah: “Wail O fir tree. For the cedar is fallen. Because the glorious ones are destroyed; Wail, O ye oaks of Bashan, For the strong forest is come down.” — Nezv Era Magazine. The Eastern Star’s Purposes and Foundations BY JOHST \\\ BKOWy. HE high moral purposes of this Order are second to none, and its foundations are strong enough for all time.” Its high moral purposes are identical with those of Free- masonry and the Order of the Temple, and its foundations are the Holy Bible and the One whose Star appeared in the East. Its theological virtues are faith, hope and charity; its tenets are brotherly love, re- lief and truth; its cardinal virtues are temperance, fortitude, prudence and jus- tice: its heroic virtues are the zeal of Adah, the patient industry of Ruth, the courage of Esther, the trustful faith of Martha, and the loving kindness of Electa ; its commendable virtues are adoration of the Master, beauty of life, constancy, de- votion to God and the Star work, dili- gence, earnestness, fervency, fidelity to friends and to Immanuel, gratitude to God, holiness, homage, honor, integrity, justice, kindness, labor of love, merciful- ness, peaceableness, piety, reverence, strength, secrecy, thankfulness, trustful- ness. uprightness, verity, vigilance in right-doing, wisdom, working for God by faith and love and worshiping Him in spirit and truth. Unquestionably the Orders “founda- tions are strong enough for all time” for they are God’s Word and “the shepherd, the stone of Israel,” the stone of whom the Lord said, “Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation," and of whom Paul said, “other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” He is the Order’s “chief corner stone, in whom the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord.” Composed and founded as above de- scribed, the Order only needs to be true and faithful to its “high moral purposes,” principles, virtues, and Day Star, to suc- cessfully carry onward its great mission and perpetually endure. Speculative Masonry To speculate on the commercial value of your membership in a Masonic Lodge does not make you a speculative Mason. — Masonic Trowel. 132 THE TRESTLE BOARD Courtesy Sunset Magazine KERN RIVER CANYON, CALIFORNIA, THE TRESTLE BOARD 133 THE TEST OF FITNESS BY BRO. WM. J. DUNCAN. HE rough ashlar is a stone as taken from the quarry in its rude and natural state/ 5 It is a rough, unpolished, un- seemly stone, which in its unprepared state would mar the beauty and utility of the building. It is unfit for the builder’s use. Its exterior is full of rough projecting corners, which prevents it from being join- ed to a smooth and properly prepared stone. The rough corners must be smoothed and made to fit the Master work- man’s square. It may be that there are defects in the stone that would endanger the whole building. The gavel must re- veal them. It may require hard knocks to remove the unseemly roughness, and dis- cover the flaws that make it unfit for use, but better give the hard knocks and de- stroy the stone than have the building en- dangered or its beauty marred. Discipline is the greatest purifier of the human race. Difficulties overcome give strength and courage that make a man better, wiser, and consequently more useful. There is nothing more important in the construc- tion of a building than the fitness of the stones that are placed in its walls — fit- ness in shape, fitness in strength, fitness in polish. The strength and stability of the edifice, the safety and permanence of the building, its beauty and attractive- ness, depend upon the fitness of all the stones that are made a part of the struc- ture. As gold must be tried by fire before it receives the stamp that marks its value, so must every living stone, built into the Masonic temple, that building “not made with hands,” be tested as to its fitness before it can be deemed proper mat. rial. It must be tried by the square of the committee of investigation and tested by the fire of the ballot. The square of the committee may discover “rough corners” which have not been removed, and the fire of the ballot may bring to light dross that makes the material valueless. Xot every rough ashlar can be polished or made square. Xot every nugget has the value of pure gold. As “all is not gold that glitters,” so all is not true that seems to be. The more you hammer some rough ashlars the rougher they get. You do not strike off one rough corner before another appears, until, if you keep on trying to remove them, you finally destroy the stone. Such living stones are nature’s misfits. Their tendencies are to do evil, and only evil, continually. Every stone that appears smooth may have a hidden flaw, like the rotten core of an apple, or the evil emotions of a wicked heart. A cloak of purity may be worn on the shoul- ders of a profligate. The paw of the lion may be soft and velvety, but beware of the claws. The utmost care is indispensable to prove the perfection of the ashlars pre- sented for the temple of Masonry. The committee of investigation and the bal- lot must be the test of fitness. “The lamb has in all ages been deemed an emblem of innocence,” a token of purity; the wolf and the tiger have not. Only those who can stand the test of fitness, who can be proved by the square of virtue, should be builded into the fabric of Masonry. This will be considered by some as a hackneyed subject, uninteresting as a “twice-told tale." But a “twice-told tale” may be most profitable. An important subject cannot be too often brought to our attention. In the multitude of affairs in which we are engaged we are apt to be- come careless of most important things. It is not the proper thing in Masonry to judge simply by appearances, to take things for granted, to consider every “good fellow" a perfect ashlar “fit for the builder's use.*’ If we do we will sometimes be sure to be deceived. With the test of fitness applied to every living 134 THE TRESTLE BOARD stone, we may reasonably expect good re- sults from Masonry. And from such perfect ashlars, we may select and set up those in the prominent places of the many buildings, in the shape of lodges, which we are erecting, which will adorn and make beautiful the struc- tures. The test of fitness of any brother who aspires to hold office should be of the highest standard. A perfect ashlar with- out crack or blemish. In character, above suspicion. In morality, a bright and shining light. In ability, well qualified. In kindness, an example. In sympathy, a model. In good works, untiring. He should be a leader, able and competent, to lead in the right way. Xo matter what position he aspires to, the humblest or the highest, he should magnify his office and realize that it is important . He should dignify his position and feel that his place in the lodge, no matter what it is, is honorable, and will bring him honor according as he is faithful. PURITY OF THE BALLOT EXTRACT FROM ADDRESS OF GRAND MASTER VOX PAT TEX. OF WASHINGTON. T HAS come to my knowl- edge during the year that some of our lodges are un- fortunate enough to have members, and even officers, who are willing to stoop to the underhanded methods known as “railroading” a petition for the degrees through the lodge. Just how it has been managed is not to the point, but it is sup- posed that, by meeting earlier than the regular time with only “safe” mem- bers notified of the early gathering, a bal- lot has been spread, with the direct object of forcing a member on the lodge who might be objectionable to others already members. * * * I wish, therefore, to utter a word of warning to the lodges about this very thing. This act would be subversive of the very fundamental prin- ciples of our order, and might end in the suspension of the Master allowing it, from all the rights and dignities of his office, and if persisted in by any lodge would eventually not only disrupt the lodge, but would imperil its charter. The Masonic institution is of such a nature that the lodge room is the Masonic home of every member, and each one has a right to say who shall be entitled to seats therein. Harmony is the keynote which should always reign, and any effort to override the opinions of even the least prominent member by introducing some one into the lodge who is distasteful to him, is in effect asking a brother Mason to step down and out that an outsider, to whom the mem- bers of the lodge are not in any way bound, may receive the degrees. It makes no difference what the character of the applicant may be, or how high he may stand in social or political circles,, if there is one member of the lodge who objects to sitting in lodge with the prospective member, common honesty and fairness demand that his wishes be respected. That this is the only just basis for harmony in the lodge is too manifest for discussion, and it is to be hoped that no lodge in this grand jurisdiction will stoop to sub- terfuge in order to override its duty t«> any member. Masonry takes the man in his rough state of imperfection and teaches him what all of us need, which is charity; that charity which changes his nature and de- velops in him that sense of feeling for those who are dependent upon him. It also teaches submission, which is essential to good government, and good government is the strength and support of our order. — David F. Mason , Idaho. THE TRESTLE BOARD 13o THE TALMUD FROM A LECTURE BY RABBI BROWNE AT MILWAUKEE, WIS. HE Rabbi entered into a graphic explanation of the origin of the great Hebrew library, showing how ir con- tained all that was good and great in Hebrew literature. One of the principal duties of the ancient Jewish rabbis was to ex- plain away apparent inaccuracies in the scriptures or sacred writings. These ex- planations. together with the traditions and stories which were told in explaining the scriptures, were not reduced to writ- ing because it was against the law to write them. They were transmitted by word of mouth from one generation to another until shortly before the time of Jesus of Xazareth. when one rabbi more bold than the rest dared to transgress the law and began the work of collecting the Talmud, which was continued by Juda. the saint. The Talmud is to the Jew what the Con- gressional Record is to the American citi- zen. Everything that- is in the Congres- sional Record is not law. but all the laws and facts and debates of the American Congress are contained in the Congres- sional Record. Even so with the Tal- mud. It contains all the laws of Juda- ism. Xot every word is a law or a fact, but it contains a code of laws which have stood 2000 years longer than any other code, and they must contain something superior. It was burned over one hun- dred times in the Fifteenth century, six times in the Sixteenth century. The Christian scholars were ignorant of what it contained. They claimed that it gave the Jew permission to lie. steal and even to murder, and they permitted it to be burned, but they could not destroy it. It bears the impress of the various centuries through which it passed, not only in its spirit, but in its language. Ethics, according to Webster, i- a cod** of laws for the government of society, be they right or wrong. The Talmud con- tains a code of laws which have stood the test of 2000 years. They can be reduce 1 to four — reverence to parents, charity and benevolence, peace and the preservation of peace, and the acquisition and diffusion of knowledge. Reverence to parents i- a law the voice of which is reverberated not only in the heart of the civilized person, but also in the heart of the savage and even in the brute. *'*T don't claim it as a Talmudic point." he said, “but no nation observed reverence to parents as did the ancient Hebrews." In eulogizing the charity and benevolence of the Hebrew, the speaker quoted the Bible and said that the Talmud went farther and =aid : “Take special care how you hand alms. For he that causes the man to whom he gives alms to blush shall not enter the kingdom of heaven." The Talmud pronounces the acquisition and diffusion of knowledge as the greatest of all human virtues. Learn- ing and teaching embrace all the noble deeds of mankind. Bacon has been praised for saying knowledge is power. Go farther back and you will find that same expression in the Talniud. The truth of it has been exemplified in th*' history of the Hebrew people. They have been kicked from one country to another, but they have fallen on the Scriptures and they have risen again. In the S. 000,000 of Jew- in the world there is not an adult who cannot read. Whether it be in free America or darkest Russia, whether he be prince or pauper, there is no Jew but can read at least one language. It may be that he can only read the Hebrew pure and classic as it was spoken by Isaiah him- self. but he can read and is not ignorant. This is the real secret of the great re- cuperative powers of the Hebrew people. —Ex. 136 THE TRESTLE BOARD YOUTH, MANHOOD AND AGE BY ALLAN MCDOWELL. VERY Master Mason knows, or ought to know, that the stations in a Masonic lodge represent (in part) the three periods of human life — youth, manhood and age. The Junior Warden's station with its one step, its pillar or pedestal of the Corinthian order of architecture, typi- cal of beauty, and for many other reasons too numerous to mention represents the first period of life — youth. The Senior Warden's station, with its two steps, its pillar of the Doric order, representing strength, and for other reasons is typical of the period of manhood. The Master's station, with its three steps and its pedes- tal of the Ionic order, and for many other reasons given or implied in each degree, and especially in the third, represents the last and final period of human life — age. Every Master Mason knows, or ought to know, that the three degrees represent (in part only) the three stages of human life. The Entered Apprentice, like the youth, is a beginner, a learner; the Fel- low Craft is a skilled workman, represent- ing a mature man ; the Master Mason is an overseer of the work, one who, from his accumulated experience and, therefore, presumed wisdom, is capable of giving good and wholesome advice to his younger and less experienced brethren, and repre- sents the period of age.. “In youth, as Entered Apprentices, we ought to indus- triously occupy our minds in the attain- ment of useful knowledge; in manhood, as Fellow Crafts, we should apply our knowledge to the discharge of our respec- tive duties to God, our neighbor and our- selves, so that in age, as Master Masons, we may enjoy the happy reflections conse- quent on a well-spent life and die in the hope of a glorious immortality." The fathers in Masonry did wisely and well in introducing in the third degree a recitation of the twelfth chapter of Ec- clesiastes, which is descriptive of age. (In copying it I shall of necessity partially disregard the punctuation and capitaliza- tion to avoid breaking the connection.) The author is speaking to a young man, as is shown in the preceding verse: “Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them." That is to say, do not think to serve the devil in your youth with the intention to switch around and serve God in your later years. You may come out all right, for God is merciful, but it is a dangerous plan to follow; besides, it is dishonest. You are attempting to cheat both God and the devil, and you may fail in both de- signs. “While the sun or the light of the moon or the stars be not darkened." They are dark days. “Yor the clouds return after the rain." They are dreary days. In childhood's and youth's sunny hours dark storms arise, but they pass away and leave the skies clearer and purer than before, but age is one long rainy day. After the clouds are apparently passing away they come back again, and the days are still dark and dreary. The author compares the human body to a dwelling house, the soul being the inhabitant. “In the day when the keepers of the house shall trem- ble." The hands which protect, defend and provide for the house become palsied in old age. “And the strong men shall bow themselves." The legs which uphold and support the house become bowed or bent by the infirmities attendant upon age. The word bow is frequently pro- nounced to rhyme with “now"; it should in this sentence undoubtedly be pro- nounced to rhyme with “no." To bow, ac- cording to the first pronunciation, is to incline the head or body as an act of civ- ility, politeness or reverence. According to the latter pronunciation it means simply THE TRESTLE BOARD 137 to bend. “And the grinders cease because they are few.” In ancient times it was necessary to have a mill to grind the food for the use of the household. The teeth are here referred to as performing that office for the body. “And those that look out of the windows be darkened.” The eyes are the windows through which the soul, the inhabitant of the house, looks out upon the world around it. “And the doors shall be shut in the streets when the sound of the grinding is low.” In the absence, wholly or partially, of the teeth, the upper and lower jaws come together. “And he shall rise up at the voice of the bird.” His sleep is no longer refreshing and undisturbed. He wakes at the crow- ing of the cock. “And all the daughters of music shall be brought low.” His or- gans of speech are impaired and his voice becomes harsh or indistinct. “Also, wdien they shall be afraid of that which is high and fears shall be in the way.” Owing to loss of strength and vigor he becomes tim- id and fearful. “And the almond tree shall flourish.”' The hoary head is com- pared to the almond tree, with its cluster of white flowers. “And the grasshopper shall be a burden.” This is a strong ex- pression, meaning that even a light object which was formerly carried with case now becomes heavy and burdensome. “And de- sire shall fail." The appetites, passion.- and ambitions of the young or middle- aged man cease to control or influence hi in as formerly. “Because man goeth to his long home and the mourners go about the streets.” In ancient times it was the custom in Asia when a man died for the women to go about the streets bewailing his death and chanting his praises. When a rich or great man died, mourning wo- men w^ere hired for the purpose, and the lamentations were continued for a num- ber of days. “Or ever the silver cord be loosed, or the golden bowl be broken, or the pitcher be broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern.” This al- ludes to the spinal cord, the head, the heart and the lungs, through which ner- vous energy and fluids are conveyed to the body. “Then shall the dust return to the earth as it w'as, and the spirit shall return to God who gave it.” -V A PRAYER Grp nt ns. Lord, the grace to bear The little pricking thorn ; The hasty word that seems unfair; The twangs of truth well worn ; The jest that makes our weakness plain ; The daring plan o’erturned ; The careless touch upon our pain; The slight we have not earned ; The rasp of care, dear Lord, to-day, Lest all these fretting things Make needless grief, oh. give us. pray. The heart that trusts and sings. — Scranton Tribune. 138 THE . TRESTLE BOARD EDITORS’ CORNER JAMES WRIGHT ANDERSON, EDMUND MANSFIELD ATKINSON, Editors. For many years the Wearing of Jewels custom preva iled in our Grand Lodge, as an unwritten law, that all members there- of should, during its sessions, wear the jewels of their respective offices in the Subordinate Lodge. In our opinion this was a custom honored in the observance and one that ought to be strictly en- forced. Under the provisions of our Constitution none but those who are le- gitimately members of the Grand Lodge are permitted to be present at the open- ing ceremonies, or during an election therein. Now, although it may seem to savor of egotism, or even effrontery, the writer is of opinion that, perhaps, no member of the Grand Lodge is better able to determine who are members than he is; and ’he is free to confess that it is not in the “power of any man or any set of men” to tell, in a multitude of six or seven hundred, whether all are members of the Grand Lodge, or even Master Ma- sons. We have often heard Tylers of Lodges, and even Tylers of Grand Lodges, aver that they were able to vouch for par- ties as Master Masons whom they had known as such many years before. We take no stock in such vainglory; for, un- less the Tyler of a Lodge has more than a mere passing acquaintance with a Ma- son, it is impossible to be certain in his recognition ; and even upon previous inti- mate acquaintance with the party, there may have occurred circumstances that would preclude the possibility of proper vouching. We have often been amused on seeing the Deacons of the Grand Lodge, usually with assistants, promenading down the Grand Lodge room looking wise, pre- tending to perform what they were well aware they could not do. X ow, if those who represent the Lodges were required to wear the jewels of their respective places, or ranks, it would be comparatively easy to recognize them as members; for it is not at all likely that any one would attempt to wear the jewel of official position unless entitled to wear it. Were he to do so he would easily be detected, and could be held accountable for his wrong-doing. Such an one would even be guilty of an infraction of the law of the State and could be held accounta- ble for misdemeanor. The time was in the history of the Grand Lodge of Cali- fornia, when the officers of the v Lodges were required to bring with them the jewels of their rank. The retiring Mas- ters of Lodges now-a-days are usually pre- sented with Past Masters* jewels. These, like the one the writer received, are sel- dom seen and more seldom worn. We are aware that the wearing of buttons has become a fad; but when utility attaches to the wearing, the wearing becomes de- sirable and proper. We should like to see the custom of wearing jewels in the Grand Lodge revived. The Fiftv-sixth An- For a Grand Lodge nual Communication emp e the Grand Lodge of California will be held at the Masonic Temple in San Francisco, commencing on the 10th day of October. Perhaps the most important matter that will be- presented for the consideration of the Grand Lodge will be the report of the committee appointed at the Annual Com- munication of 1904, in compliance with resolutions presented by the Committee on Jurisprudence relative to the disposi- tion of the stock held by the Grand Lodge- THE TRESTLE BOARD 139 in the corporation owning the Masonic Temple, and the erection of a new Tem- ple. That the present structure is inade- quate to meet the requirements of the Fraternity has long been recognized by the Grand Lodge and by the Lodges meet- ing therein. The providing of larger and more commodious quarters has become so imperative as to call for immediate action. The Grand Lodge, the Lodges of this city, and Masonry throughout the State have interests manifold — greater than existed at the time the present Temple was erected. The finances of the Grand and the Subordinate Lodges are also in a mani- fold better condition. To erect a struc- ture grander and more commodious, pro- vided with such modern improvements as beauty and convenience may suggest, will be a much less stupendous undertaking than that which was entered upon and carried to successful completion by our brethren in 1860 and 1861. In 1860 there were 130 Lodges in the State, ten of which were located in San Francisco. At that time the membership of all the Lodges was 5055, of which number 828 belonged to the Lodges in San Francisco. In 1904 there were 291 Lodges in the • State, or more than double the number in 1860. ' In San Francisco there were 19 Lodges. In 1904 the reports show a membership of 29,468, or nearly six times as many as in 1860. The membership of the San Francisco Lodges had increased to 5,885, or over seven times as many as in 1860, and more than there were in the whole State in that year. Xow, if even half of the Lodges of the city were to unite the money or stocks in their possession, ’ above what may be re- quired for the purposes of charity, with the stocks and moneys belonging to the Grand Lodge, there would be sufficient to erect a Temple of such grand proportions, of such beauty of architecture, of such sanitary, commodious and convenient ap- pliances as would enable it to command GIVE US NOTICE Subscribers are urgently requested to report promptly to this office every failure to receive the Trestle Board. It is our purpose to afford prompt and unfailing service, if such Is possible. If your magazine is not delivered promptly we want to know it. It is especially requested that all changes in address be specifically re- ported, and it is necessary in such cases that both the old and the new addresses be given, that we may find your name upon our books. Brethren, if you change your addresses you can- not expect us to know it unless you yourselves notify us of the fact. In a great majority of the cases of failure to receive the publication, which we have investigated, it has been found either that the subscriber has changed his residence without notifying us, or the non-receipt of the magazine is traceable to some other oversight not the fault of this office. Give us due and timely notice. such admiration throughout the Masonic world as Sheba’s Queen expressed for the Temple erected "under the immediate di- rection and inspection” of the Widow's Son. All that is required is union of means and union of effort. The time for this needed improvement is at hand, and it is sincerely hoped that the Grand Lodge will be able to devise some plan by which the great work may be inchoated and car- ried to a glorious completion. We acknowledge the re- ^ ceipt of the last Quarterly 1 rary Bulletin, issued from the Iowa Masonic Library. From it we learn that Masonry in that State is in a very flourishing condition. The library, owing to the exertions of the elder Grand Secre- tary. Theodore S. Parvin, and of the pres- ent Grand Secretary. Brother Xewton K. 140 THE TRESTLE BOARD Parvin, and the Trustees, has become an instrument of great good to the Frater- nity. This library is open daily from 8 a. m. to 5 p. m. Why might not our library in California be conducted in like manner. It is “a thing of beauty,” but is else of comparatively little use. It seems that few Masons, even in San Francisco, are aware that the Grand Lodge of Cali- fornia has a library. We keep on harping about non-reading Masons, and yet we afford them no opportunity to read. Let it be known that we have a library and that Masons are entitled to avail themselves of the benefits thereof, and* it will be used for the betterment of all. Many breth- ren from both city and country have the leisure, and would be glad to spend it in the library instead of killing time on the streets. If Brother Johnson, our excel- lent Grand Secretary, will start the ball a-rolling it will continue to roll — and that for much good. In the July number of the Trestle Board, we gave expression to our important topic. As there is a growing sentiment among the Masons of California in favor of such membership, and as some proposition looking to the establishment of a suitable system will be presented to the Grand Lodge at the approaching Annual Com- munication, for its consideration, we deem it not out of place again to call at- tention to the matter. Little can be ad- ded to the article above alluded to; hence we reproduce the substance of that article. We said that in order to make any system effective it should be authorized and adopted by the Grand Lodge and made a part either of the Constitution or of the General Regulations of the Grand Lodge. We prefer that it should be authorized by General Regulation. The system should provide that the funds accruing from the payment of life fees and of any other funds arising from donations or other sources, should con- stitute a permanent and sacred trust, and that such funds should in no case be di- verted to any other purpose; that they should, under proper restrictions, be in- vested in the best securities, and that only the income arising from the investment of the funds should ever be used for the current expenses of the Lodge. The min- imum for the fee should be established by the Grand Lodge, thus giving to the Lodges the power to fix the fee at any sum greater than the minimum as to them might be deemed proper. The adoption of the system should be left optional with the Lodges, thus removing the objection that the weaker Lodges might never* have sufficient funds to enable them to invest. The fee paid for life membership should belong in perpetuity to the Lodge, and should not be returnable to the family of the life member on his decease. The brothel paying for such membership does so for his own convenience, and for the security of his membership in the Lodge against any contingency in his circum- stances that may arise, as well as for the security of his family. We have never favored a system of life membership that provides for the return of the fee to the family of a Mason on his death ; nor have we ever looked with favor upon, a system adopted in some jurisdictions and Lodges of granting life membership to members who have paid dues for any specified num- ber of years; nor have we ever favored any plan of life membership savoring of life insurance. The amount paid should be a flat sum, definitely fixed, which should be forever the property of the Lodge. There are many good reasons that may be adduced showing the wisdom of life membership in Masonic Lodges; a few of these we here offer ; other reasons will suggest themselves to anyone who will give to this matter the thought which its importance merits. Life membership will benefit the Lodge. The fund properly invested will in brief Life Membership views upon this TnE TRESTLE BOARD 141 CAUTION TO SUBSCRIBERS It having recently come to the knowledge of the publishers of this magazine that unauthorized persons have solicited subscriptions and made collections on account of same, it be- comes necessary to warn brethren and subscribers not to pay any money to any canvasser not personally known to them, unless such person can show a letter of authority, signed by the Trestle Board Co., Walter N. Brunt, Manager, dated subsequent to April 1, 1905. Notice is hereby given that the pub- lishers of the Trestle Board will not be responsible for any payments made in contravention of the above caution. Pay no money to any stranger un- less he can show written authority to make collections. time result in producing an income that will materially aid in meeting the current expenses of the Lodge. This is fully proven by the experience of other bodies that have adopted a system of life mem- bership. The notable examples of Cali- fornia and Golden Gate Commanderies, Knights Templar, and of Islam Temple of the Mystic Shrine, are proof positive of the benefits that may accrue from a pro- per system. Their invested funds are producing revenues that do very materially aid in meeting current expenses. This source of income is perpetual. At present when a member of a Lodge dies, the revenue decreases to the amount of his dues; when the life member dies, the source of revenue continues during the life of the Lodge, only in a less degree. In time the income would be such as would enable Lodges to lighten materially the burden of dues upon its membership. Upon careful estimate we find that the average duration of membership in Ma- sonic Lodges i> less than ten years. Now, in Lodges in which the dues are $12 per year, the average paid per member in ten years is $120. In the same time the life member, if the life fee is fixed at $150, would pay in $210: that is, the fee of $150 and ten years' interest thereon, say at 4 per cent per annum, $G0, making the gain to the Lodge on the average of ten years, $90. The benefit in Lodges in which dues are $6 per annum would be proportionately great. But the income from the life member does not cease on the occasion of his death; there is a con- stant income, only in less degree, and for- ever. The collateral benefits are great and varied. The evil of non-affiliation is les- sened. Life members will not dimit from their Lodges and thus forfeit their privi- leges as life members; the Lodge will be secured and strengthened, and so will the members : greater interest will be gener- ated; the families of life members, as well as themselves, will be protected ; the Grand Lodge itself will be benefited. It is not necessary to further elaborate. TTe present the subject to the brethren of this jurisdiction, and particularly to the members of the Grand Lodge, as worthy of careful consideration and close by sug- gesting the following new regulation: Any Lodge desiring to do so may issue a l’fe membership to any of its members applying therefor, upon the payment by the applicant of such fee as may be by standing resolution named for such pur- pose, provided , that in no case shall the minimum fee for such purpose be less than $150 in Lodges in which the annual dues are fixed at $12 per annum, or $75 in Lodges in which the annual dues are fixed at $6 per annum. All Lodges desiring to issue life mem- berships must previously provide by stand- ing resolution for the election — at an an- nual meeting — of a Board of Trustees. At the first election three Trustees shall be elected — one to hold office for one year, 142 THE TRESTLE BOARD one for two years, and one for three years. At each subsequent annual elec- tion one Trustee shall be elected for the term of three years, to take the place of the one whose term is about to expire. All Trustees before entering upon the dis- charge of their duties shall execute a bond for the faithful performance of their du- ties, in such sum and in such surety company as may be designated by the Lodge. Said bond shall be made paya- ble to the Worshipful Master of the Lodge and all expenses incident to the execution of said bond shall be paid by the Lodge. The Trustees shall take charge of all moneys belonging to the Life Member- ship Fund, and of all stocks and invested funds belonging to said Life Membership Fund, and of all moneys placed in their charge by vote of the Lodge, for the benefit of said Life Membership Fund, and of all donations that may be made for said Life Membership Fund. They shall keep all moneys safely invested as directed by vote of the Lodge, and shall, from time to time, pay to the Secretary of the Lodge all earnings of Life Membership Fund, to be by him paid to the Treasurer of the Lodge. Said earnings shall be placed by the Treasurer to the credit of the General Fund of the Lodge. The Trustees shall keep a full and correct record of the Life Membership Fund, and of all stocks, in- vestments and moneys placed in their charge. They shall keep all uninvested moneys under their charge safely depos- ited in such reputable banks as may be selected by the Lodge. They shall at the annual meeting of the Lodge make a full and detailed report in writing of all busi- ness transacted by them during the year, together with a particular statement of all funds, stocks, bonds and deposits in their charge belonging to the Lodge. All fees received for life memberships, all moneys donated to the Life Member- ship Fund and all moneys placed therein by vote of the Lodge, shall constitute the principal of said Life Membership Fund, and only the proceeds arising from the investments of said principal shall ever be used for the current expenses of the Lodge. The Standing Resolution adopted by any Lodge providing for the establish- ment of Life Membership therein shall be adopted by a three-fourths vote of the Lodge after the members shall have had one month's notice of the proposed adop- tion; and when adopted shall not be al- tered or amended, except by a similar vote after one months notice of such altera- tion or amendment shall have been given to the members of the Lodge. Not His Turn “May you take this lesson home with you, dear friends,” concluded the preacher at the end of a long and wearisome ser- mon, “and may its spiritual truth sink deep into your hearts and lives to the end that your soul may experience salvation. We will bow our heads in prayer. Deacon White will lead.” There was no response. “Deacon White,” this time in a little louder voice, “will you lead?” Still no response. Evidently the deacon was slumbering. The preacher made a third appeal and raised his voice to a pitch that succeeded in arousing the drowsy man. “Deacon White, will you lead?” The dea- con in bewilderment, rubbed his eyes and blurted : “Oh, go to thunder ; it ain't my lead — I just dealt .” — Western Publisher . Things Wrongly Named Titmouse is a bird. Catgut is a sheepgut. Sealing-wax has no wax. Kid gloves are not made of kid. Irish stew is unknown in Ireland. Blind worms have eyes and can see. Rice pepper is not made of rice or the rice-plant. German silver is not silver, nor of Ger- man manufacture, it having been made in China for centuries. TEE TRESTLE BOARD 113 MASONRY IN ARGENTINE AND CHILE FROM REVISTA MASOXICA, BUEXOS AYRES. HE Supreme Council Grand Orient, A. & A., Scottish Rite, was regularly estab- lished by the Supreme Coun- cil of Uruguay in the year 1855, and governs five Rose Croix Chapters, 18th degree. Symbolic Lodges are governed by a dele- gated power, consisting of the Grand Master, who is elected every three years, and three councilors. The nominal num- ber of lodges is 89, but of these 31 are in recess, and the total membership is 1450. The Grand Orient of the Blue Rite was constituted on the 19th of August, 1902, by six Lodges that had seceded from the Supreme Council Grand Orient on ac- count of being dissatisfied with the elec- tion of the Grand Master the previous June. This Grand Body . solemnly re- nounced all degrees superior to that of M. M. There are now 84 Lodges under its jurisdiction, with a total membership of 2130. In September, 1902, a group of 54 brethren of Lodge Libertad, under the Grand Orient of the Blue Rite, withdrew from that constitution and formed Lodge “Amistad y Lealtad” independently. A few months later the fifty-four brethren divided themselves into five groups and opened as many lodges, the Grand Orient of Confederated Lodges being immediate- ly founded. The Grand Body has at the present time jurisdiction over 11 lodges, whilst the total membership is 590. The Xational Grand Orient of the Ar- gentine Rite was constituted in May, 1904, by three Lodges that had withdrawn from the Grand Orient of the Blue Rite. The Rite has 33 degrees, and the govern- ment is composed of -a Supreme Council of seven members. Total number of Lodges 13. Membership, 650. The Provincial Grand Lodge of Santa Fe, with jurisdiction in the province of Santa Fe, was established according to the forms exacted by Masonic jurispru- dence in July, 1902, by five regular lodges that had severed their connection with the Supreme Council Grain! Orient. This Provincial Grand Lodge works the A. & A. Scottish Rite, has a 30th degree Areopagus, a. Rose Croix Chapter, 18th degree, and six lodges, with a total mem- bership of 4T0. There is also a District Grand Lodge, English constitution, with seven Lodges ; one French Lodge, two German Lodges, five Italian Lodges and five Spanish Lodges, whilst even other Lodges meeting in the federal eajntal are classed as inde- pendent. Chilean Masonry has entered upon a period of activity and development. The question that had been raised by a few of the members — of such as are always to be found in all bodies — having been satis- factorily disposed of by the Grand Lodge, the Lodges and the Grand Lodge unani- mously propose to reform the constitution with the view of harmonizing the wording of the symbolical and the dogmatic pow- ers. The Grand Lodge of Chile has elev- en active and twenty-two dormant lodge-. A Royal Arch Chapter also holds convo- cations, and there are seventeen Lodges under various foreign Grand Lodges. THE FIRST SPADEFUL Ground was broken September 10th tor the foundation for the new Masonic Tem- ple at Berkeley, Cal., description of which has previously appeared in these column-. A large number of persons were present to witness the turning of the fir-t spadeful of earth in the construction of what will be one of the finest Masonic buildings on the Pacific Coast. The structure will be erected under the supervision of Bro. Robert Gre’g, from plans and specifications prepared by Bro. W. H. Wharff, the architect, and will cost approximately $ 70 , 000 . It will be four stories in height, and will be located at the corner of Shattuck avenue and Bancroft Way. 144 THE TRESTLE BOARD Perfect Ashlars of Masonic Tho\ight T IS our bounden duty to walk worthily — to deport ourselves as true, as genuine Freemasons. Our principles are noble, our ideas lofty. Let our lives — at least in earnest endeavor — be worthy of these. When any one of us is known to be a Mason, let that fact be warranty to the world that, noble as are our princi- ples and lofty as are our ideas, we are doing our best to make our practice ac- cord therewith. Brethren, do not let us be satisfied to talk Freemasonry, let us act it. — A. H. Burton , P. G. M ., New Zea- land. We have always been impressed with the solemnity of the Masonic ritual. We have never found a place in it that could be divested of its solemnity and leave any- thing but sounding brass and a tinkling cymbal. From our very first entrance into a Masonic Lodge our heart seemed to get closer to its Maker, and then and there we recorded a promise that we would never take God’s holy name in vain. In every degree our trust in God is peculiarly em- phasized, and no man can take His name in vain without at some time being re- minded of the lessons taught him to rev- erence God. Our heart has often been grieved to hear men professing their great love for Masonry profane God’s holy name. Profanity is a most useless and unbecoming habit, and it can not possibly bring any comfort, but often brings sor- row to him who indulges in it. Brother Mason, you should not swear. “Remem- ber thy Creator in the days of thy youth.” Remember him in thy strong manhood. Remember him when thy years are de- clining. Remember God with such rev- erence as will ever keep you from profan- ing His holy name. — William H. Bumpas , P. G. M., Tennessee. “Let us never forget that so long as we are in this present life, we are upon pil- grimage. Let us so bear ourselves that when we go down to the river, it may be with us as it was with the Pilgrim de- scribed by a quaint and famous old Dreamer, who said, even as he stood in the midst of the stream : “ ‘This river has been a terror to many, yea, the thoughts of it have also often frightened me. Now, methinks, I stand easy ; my foot is fixed upon that on which the feet of the priests that bore the Ark of the Covenant stood while Israel went over this Jordan. The waters are indeed to the palate bitter, and to the stomach cold ; yet the thoughts of what I am going to, and of the convoy that waits for me on the other side, lie as a glowing coal at my heart. I see myself now at the end of my journey; my toilsome days are ended. I am going to see that head which was crowned with thorns, and that face which was spit upon for me/ ****** “Now, while he was thus in discourse, his countenance changed; his strong man bowed under him; and after he had said, ‘Take me, for I come unto thee/ he ceased to be seen of them. “But glorious it was to see how the up- per region was filled with horses and chariots, with trumpeters and pipers, with singers and players on stringed instru- ments, to welcome the pilgrims as they went up, and followed one another in at the beautiful gate of the city. ” — Andrew C. Hubbard, Connecticut. THE TRESTLE BOARD 145 “Masonry has wrought a wondrous work in this world of ours, and her work shall continue. Greater is the outlook for the future. It rests, however, upon the individual members. See to it, brethren, that you bear this well in mind. Dare to live Masonry ! Let her principles become a part of your every day lives, a daily habit, a delight, an ever-present inspira- tion, remembering that her teachings com- mand that God is our Father; man is our brother. She places a firm reliance on the firmness of the individual. A strong char- acter is her mainstay. Strength of mind is good ; strength of heart and soul is bet- ter; but best of all is Character. Charac- ter is Masonry’s best builder. Character is Masonry’s best defender. Irreligion, vice and crime hide their heads in its presence. Be character builders each one of you ! Build squarely upon Masonry’s impregnable truths. Do and dare ! Go forth in Masonry’s great name ! Act well your part !”- — Anonymous. “To the selfish man Masonry is but a school of dreary ethics where for the time being he may be pleased with ritual and allegory which may strongly appeal to his sense of the beautiful, hut the lesson and the thought he can never learn inasmuch as charity is the fruit of unselfishness, and the head and the heart must unite to learn and to practice the living truths for which our order stands.” — E. A. Breathwaite, Manitoba. A person deformed from birth is not physically, mentally, morally and spiritu- ally perfect, and, not being in accord with the symbolism of Freemasonry, is not worthy nor well qualified to receive Ma- sonic initiation. This is so because all the symbolism and. religion of the ancient divinely acceptable sacrifice is represent- ed by a candidate for Masonic initiation, and it does not ’become any Mason to be- little the “physical requirement dogma.” A naturally deformed person is not, in the Masonic sense, a man , and therefore not eligible to the Masonic mysteries. Sen- timent and sympathy modified the law, about 1717, so that a candidate for initia- tion must have “no maim or defect in hi? body that may render him incapable of learning the art and being made a bro- ther.” That is sufficiently liberal, and by it the great majority of the Craft abide and act. If they did not do so they would symbolize that moral deformity is divinely acceptable . — John IF. Brown , Illinois. As a flower grows, ripens into blossom, and scatters its fragrance around, so our Fraternity, founded to promote the mor- ality and happiness of mankind, grows and ripens in the hearts of its members till the lustre and beauty of their lives are beheld by the world, and it is taught to search for hidden truths that lie con- cealed from all who have not passed with- in our portals. Let our todies be chaste, our thoughts pure, our words gentle, and our lives useful, to the honor and com- mendation of Freemasonry . — Arthur Isaac Truman, New Brunswick. Brethren, let us ever remember that Masons owe a patriotic duty to the Gov- ernment, and obedience to the laws of the country in which they live. Xo one has ever rightfully impugned the patriotism of our order, or cast stigma or shame upon its emblems. Masonry has always been allied with justice . — James T. BJacklock , KD. Life's experiences coming thick and fast are the soul’s appointed means of growth, and the promise coming so sweetly to our wounded and bleeding hearts. “He shall live again." dries our tears and heals our broken hearts, and all nature takes on its fresh green verdure a? an em- blem of life and beauty and we learn the lesson of life and grasp the truth of Im- mortality. — J. A. Ellis. Arkansas. 14G THE TRESTLE BOARD Courte y Sunset Magazine. DAM OX LOS GATOS CREEK, CALIFORNIA. AN EMBLEMATICAL RITE REMARKS OE BRO. W. T. BRIDWELL, AT THE LAYING; OF THE CORNER-STONE OF ST. MARK'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH, DENVER, COLORADO. H THE capacity of Free and Accepted Masons we have this day participated in one of the most ancient as well as most important ceremo- nial events known to man. Masonry is not inclined to ostentation; nor do we seek for public honor, but stand ever ready on invitation to assist on all important occasions rela- tive to public buildings; whether for re- ligious, educational or judicial purposes. The ceremonies just completed are the oldest of a public character retained by the craft and are such as have been per- formed on occasions of this kind from the earliest ages of civilization. From tradition we learn that the first corner-stone laid by the Masonic Craft was at the erection of the first temple huilt by human hands for the worship of 'Jehovah, and Masonry^s first Grand Mas- ter performed the ceremonies on that most memorable occasion. These events are made important not only by the approval of the wisest and best men of every age, but that they have received the approval of heaven is a fact which requires no argument at our hands. We are told that on the completion and dedication of that first temple the glory of the Eternal One filled the house with such exceeding brilliant splendor that no human eye could gaze upon it. and in thunder tones He proclaimed to the faith- ful of the craft that the perfectness of their labor was approved. Is it therefore a matter of astonish- ment that the Fraternity of Free and Ac- cepted Masons should be invited to lay with their ancient ceremonies the corner- stones of all buildings of great impor- THE TRESTLE BOARD 147 tance? My brethren, the fact has been conceded by the world that the Institution of which we are the true lineal successors is the only organization on earth which so far antedates all history that it now oc- cupies the first place in the worlds anti- quities. That Masonry is a religion is a fact beyond question, but not in the sense in which the Church applies the term. It is not Christianity, it is not Judaism, nor was it ever designed to take the place of Christianity, neither is it a substitute for any form of worship or system of faith. It does not meddle with sectarian doc- trines or creeds, but teaches fundamental, philosophical, religious truth. It is an institution in which every true Christian, of whatever sect or opinion, will find, if he earnestly seeks for them, abundant types and shadows of his own exalted idea of religious faith. Masonry is truly the handmaid of Christianity. ISm where be- neath the broad canopy of heaven can a place be found outside the Masons* Lodge where men of every station in life , of every religious faith and every political opinion can meet in one fraternal union. The great principles of truth underlying this wonderful Institution are the very same upon which it was founded many thousands of years ago and which have sustained it through every dispensation of time, and which will continue to hold it in one solid phalanx until God shall send forth His winged herald to proclaim that time shall be no more. These reflec- tions naturally carry our thoughts back to the times when these divinely inspired principles were first practiced and taught by our ancient brethren. From tradition we learn that in the absence of books, architectural tools and emblems were employed to impress the mind, not only in the arts and sciences which gave them such great renown as builders, but also to teach the more im- portant truths of morality and religion, and by this means have been preserved and transmitted frpm age to age the dis- tinguishing secrets which are so sacredly guarded by the Craft. These ancient tools which have served the speculative Mason in such an invaluable manner for so many long centuries are the same used at this time in almost every operative art. Without the square , the level and the plumb , the all-important art of architec- ture would be lost. Without them the op- erative workman could not apply his skill. Without them this great city with so many monuments of archi- tectural splendor would not be in ex- istence. Though dumb and inanimate, yet to the intelligent speculative Mason they speak volumes of wisdom and mys- tery. With them we have tested this corner- stone. and we declare that it has been cor- rectly made and accurately laid. To the ordinary mind this corner-stone may not appear to present any special significance, but to the mind of the intelligent Mason every line and angle on its mute face be- come radiant with symbolic meaning. We have placed it in the Xortheast corner of the building; denoting the exact point be- tiueen light and darkness , or wisdom and ignorance. The perfectness of its form being that of a cube, is a symbol of truth, that divine principle which is the foundation or chief corner-stone of every virtue. Its su- periority over the other material used in the building demonstrates the fact that when this structure shall have decayed and crumbled to dust this stone will re- main and bear testimony to the untir ng industry of those who have participated in the ceremonies of this hour. Let us apply the true sentiment ex- pressed by the symbolism of the corner- stone. the important position it occupies in the building, the perfectness of its workmanship. The accuracy with which it has been placed in position and the su- perior quality of the material of which 148 THE TRESTLE BOARD it is composed gives to it the symbolism of the soul or the immortal part of man; that spiritual and eternal part of our- selves which bears the nearest affinity to God, and which, when this tenement of clay shall return to its native element and mingle with the common dust of earth, will continue imperishable and indestruc- tible through the countless ages of eter- nity. An Involuntary Sign The Freemason , of London, England, publishes the following interesting item of news: “Several of our readers have been kind enough to draw our attention to the fol- lowing paragraph which appeared in the “Personal” column of the Express , and it appears to us we cannot do better than reprint it. It may reach the eye of the brother for whom it is intended: “On this day, July 8, 1903, on Yarmouth Beach, opposite Kelson Column, a man was about to end his life. An involun- tary sign he made caused a passer-by to mistakenly think him a Freemason, and stop. Subsequent words of encourage- ment, and loan without conditions, never forgotten. Prosperous now. Will gentle- man communicate with “Gratitude,” Box 42,361, Daily Express, Tudor street, E. C.” Men of Character Xever was there an age when the State demanded of its sons larger learning and nobler character for the solution of the complex problems looming in the near future, but the State not only demands for its servants the men of “light and leading;” it demands also a higher char- acter and a more conscientious discharge of the duties of sovereign citizenship. Character is the preserving influence of social and political life, the streams of in- fluence, which flow through the veins of society and carry health and vigor to the body politic, have their origin in the minds and hearts of the people. We hear much of the political corruption of the age and the remedies proposed for it, but we should remember it has its source in individual corruption, and the ’ only way to thoroughly purify politics is to purify the citizen The State needs servants in all its de- partments, from high to low, who are men of ingrained honesty, who will not cheat or lie or steal, who will not rob the treas- ury, take bribes nor defraud their Gov- ernment in supply contracts; men who realize their responsibility to their con- sciences to Society, to the State, and to God ; men who are great enough and splendid enough to say to the tempter, as the young King Charles V said to the pre- lates when they tried to persuade him not to keep his word of safe passport for Luther : “If faith and truth and honor are banished from all the world, they will find within me a refuge.” — Wilson I. Flem- ing, Pennsylvania. Brotherly Love The feeling of brotherly love should be constantly in your heart. You can take it into the Lodge room and carry it away with you, made stronger and more potent by the pleasant intercourse with your brethren. It adorns the counting room, the store and the shop, lightens the bur- dens of toil and sheds sunshine in the home. — W. J. Duncan, Netv York. LIFE Life is stern endeavor. But still there’s hope in sight With fish in every river An’ bait to make ’em bite. — Exchange. AS OTHERS SEE US The Trestle Board, published in San Francisco, has entered its nineteenth vol- ume. Under its present management it is one of the very best Masonic journals on our exchange list. We have all the vol- umes nicely bound in our library . — Masonic Advocate. THE TRESTLE BOARD 149 THE LEGEND OF THE THIRD DEGREE BY EDGAR E. BRYANT, ARKANSAS. HATEVER external historic doubts may be cast upon the Masonic claim that our order has existed since the days of Solomon, we, as Masons, pos- sess in the legend of the third degree wonderful in- ternal evidence of its own verity, which, connected with the probability of its being preserved by and through the ages in the craft guilds of ancient and mediaeval times, rises to a high degree of certainty. The legend of the third degree is to me one of the most wonderful and sublime narratives that mortal man possesses. Its consistent originality in detail and devel- opment, the singular incidents on which it is founded, the simplicity of its narra- tion and: its whole conception, unique and strange as it is, seem to preclude the possibility of fabrication, unless we pre- supposed among the humble toilers with trowel and square, in whose lodges we first find it, some Scott or Shakespeare with the divine faculty of fictitious creation. If it is a fiction, a genius alone could have given it such simple and grand birth and being, and it becomes a wonderful work of art. With some pretense to a knowl- edge of literature and fine art, both of ancient and modern times, and with some knowledge of the canons of criticism by which productions of the kind are to be measured and estimated, I say that the legend of the third degree, the idea on which it is founded, the simple grandeur with which it proceeds, the sublimity and unity of its conceptions and the language in which it is couched, together with its dramatic fire, intensity and force — if we concede it to be a created fiction — -is un- surpassed in the annals of literary or his- trionic art. As a fiction it should rank as one of the greatest works of art the world has ever produced. It would equal the “Iliad” of a Homer or the “Hamlet” of a Shakespeare, a canvas of an Apelles or the Madonna of a Raphael; a statue of a Phidias or the Moses of an Angelo, it is too strange, unique and wonderful to be other than true. The early Masonic lodges, like all other craft guilds, were composed of operative members alone, manual laborers in stone and mortar, workers with trowel and level and plumb, and that among this simple laboring class, uncultured and unedu- cated. there should be created a concep- tion so sublime, unique and original as the legend and drama of the third degree is hardly within the bounds of probabil- ity. Even in this day of progress, this age of secret fraternities innumerable, one who has had the pleasure to belong to other orders whose beginnings lie within the memory of man, can be but impressed with the thought of how the drama and beauty of their most solemn ceremonies pale into insignificapce by the side of the simple grandeur and sublime power of the Master’s degree in Masonry. Compare it with the higher degrees in Masonry, with the ceremonies of Council and Chapter and Commandery, and it rises far above these in moral elevation, in beauty of con- ception. in simplicity of presentation and in sublime effect. Theirs may be the more gorgeous and rhetorical in ceremonial, re- plete with more sounding phrases and loftier-worded platitude, but the simple, sublime tragedy of the Master’s degree L unapproachable. It is this internal force, beauty and sublimity of our legend that stamps it in my mind as a verity and as a truth. It is the rock upon which our or- der is founded, and in it and through it the history of the order is carried back to the glorious Temple of Solomon. The degrees of the Chapter and Coun- cil are often classed with the degrees of the Blue Lodge as constituting in a body the whole of ancient Masonry. But, while they are so regarded by all Masonic writ- ers that I have consulted. I am of the 150 THE TRESTLE BOARD opinion that the legends and traditions of those degrees are modern that they are not founded on true facts and incidents (purporting to have occurred at the build- ing of the second temple, or in the vaults of the first), but are ingenious fictions, inspired by the traditions of the third de- gree and fabricated in order to finish out the seemingly unfinished condition of that wonderful legend. The inartistic but na- tural desire of the mind for symmetry and completion, to know the solution of an enigma and the answer to a riddle, may well account for the explanatory traditions of Chapter and Council; and the idea, conception and language of the legends and traditions of those degrees do not show more ability than might be sup- posed to exist in a bright and ingenious mind, inspired by the unfinished and sug- gestive condition of the Master Mason's degree. But to the artistic and Masonic mind, to the thoughtful and philosophic soul, the very unfinished condition of the le- gend enters as one of the most essential elements of its sublimity and awe, and constitutes an essential basis for belief in its verity. It is, in a sense, a veiled pro- phecy, and its shadow and obscurity be- come oracular. In its suggestive enigma, in its unanswered questioning, is its great- est delight and beauty to the high and thoughtful soul, and so I think Solomon intended to leave it, ever provocative of inquiry, ever impressive with its mystery and ever suggestive of the moral force and power that lie beyond the veil. It brings us atouch with the unknown, and about us lies the unseen and hidden world. WHENCE, FREEMASONRY? GEO. S. CAUGHLAN IN ILLINOIS FREEMASON. HENCE originated this great institution? Masonry is of ancient origin. According to its legends it is more ancient than the “Golden Fleece or Roman Eagle." It is older than any existing European government and dates the day of its birth back beyond the time when the corner- stone was laid for the first pyramid, for tradition says it is a child of the old Egyptian mysteries. In truth, its origin is unknown. Almost every writer who has treated on this subject has been desirous to prove that his particular theory of its birth and origin is the correct one. Its. source has been ascribed to the Crusaders, the Druids and the Greeks. Other writers have just as logically maintained that it is an inven- tion of Pythagoras. While still others, to their own satisfaction at least, have traced it back to the ancient Jews. The antiquarians, who for some years past have been excavating on the sites of the almost forgotten cities of the old world, and who have resurrected from their graves the buried civilizations of the centuries of long ago, have, it is said, found marked on imperishable stone, many symbols of Ancient Craft Masonry. In all probability, however, Masonry took its rise from the various guilds and or- ganizations which were formed during the building of King Solomon's Temple. The Masonry which we practice today, with all its mystic rites and ceremonies, has for its purpose the diffusion of intel- ligence, the spreading of liberty, the teaching of morality, the practice of char- ity and the ultimate formation of the uni- versal brotherhood of man. Hence we speak of the universality of Masonry, and as far as this world of ours goes, Masonry is well nigh universal. It is found in every common- wealth on this continent; it is practiced in every country in Europe, and picks its members from the brightest of the best, from the throne to the cottage. It reaches THE TRESTLE BOARD 151 out over the mysterious deep and claims adherents in the lonesome islands of the sea; for men who act by the plumb and work upon the square are found on Sahara’s shining sands and beneath the midnight sun; in the torrid jungles of India^ and even up to that clime where Jehovah has crowned both mountain and plain with a diadem of eternal snow. But. my brethren, there is a reason for this universality of Masonry. It is not to be found alone in its charity, its high moral code or its beautiful traditions and history, hut the reason why it has survived as a vital force through all the dangers and darkness of the past, it is rather to be found in the hope it breathes through all its lessons and ceremonies, of another existence and a life beyond this “dark valley of the shadow of death.” Me, as Freemasons, are taught to be- lieve in the immortality of the soul. If, my brother, you have passed through the order and neglected this glorious theme, if in your haste to don a sword or wear a Templar’s plume, you have slighted this dearest tenet of the fraternity, if you have hurried thoughtlessly on, paying the price for the so-called “higher degrees” and failed to catch the light of celestial truth in this really sublime degree, you are in the institution of Masonry, but not of it. It is right and proper, brethren, for us to cease for a moment from our dollar gath- ering or our chase after pleasure and in- quire tomght what our Masonry is and what we really believe. There is no grand- er theme, there is no holier sentiment, there is no question springing forth from the depths of the aching human heart, out through the pallid lips of the dying, as vital as this : “If a man die, shall he live again ?” Death is the common heritage of man and the grave the final resting place for all mortality. But this cannot be the end of the soul. In the change of seasons we see eternal life, by the warmth of the sun we are cheered into a hope for immortal- itv. We stand beneath the firmament of night and down from the silvery orbs above the music of everlasting life is borne to our hungry souls. If this be but a delusion and a snare, whence comes this welcome guest, this lingering hope? Can it be that this tenement of the soul which we call the body is only a shell for vain and hopeless longings? Can it be that man, that wonderful creation whose mind while still a tenant of its easement of corruption, wings its flight away from earth and tears the secrets from the very .stars themselves, was created but to rot and decay like a carrion of the* field ? It cannot be, my brethren. Do you hunger? You may eat. Do you thirst? You may drink. Does your soul long for “greater light?” Then rest assured that some day, some where, heaven will remove the veil: for that Almighty Being who holds all things in the hollow of Ilis hand will not forget His weeping, wan- dering children. Often when I have gazed into the rigid face of some departed friend, I have won- dered where the voice has flown, or what has put out the light of the eye. I recall tonight a dear companion who often said to me, “If I die first I will surely return.” Days have rolled into months and months have merged into years, but the absent one has given no sign. It is surely Heaven’s will that there shall be no com- munication between the quick and the dead, for our Father has placed His sen- tinels in the borderland which divides this life from the life hereafter and they keep ceaseless vigils at the portals of the tomb. Therefore, my brethren, let us follow the teachings of “Our Great Light. Then “when the cold winds of death come sigh- ing around us and his chill dews glisten on our foreheads** we may by the merits of the Lion of the Tribe of Judah gain admission to the Celestial Lodge above. D ifficult Few men can handle a hot lamp chim- ney and repeat the Ten Commandments at the same time . — YoaJann Times. 1 52 THE TRESTLE BOARD TWO WOMEN I know two women ; and one is chaste And cold as the snows on a winter’s waste, Stainless even in act and thought (As a man born dumb in speech errs not). But she has malice toward her kind — A cruel tongue and a jealous mind. Void of pity and full of greed, She judges the world by her narrow creed, A brewer of quarrels, a breeder of hate — Yet she holds the key to “Society’s” gate, The other woman, with a heart of flame, Went mad for a love that marred her name. And out of the grave of her murdered faith She rose like a soul that had passed through death. Her aim is noble, her pity so broad It covers the world like the mercy of God. A healer of discord, a soother of woes, Peace follows her footsteps wherever she goes, The worthier of the two no doubt ; And yet “Society” locks her out. An Ancient Legend from Persia JEW entered a Parsee temple and beheld the sacred fire. “What,” said he to the priest, “do you worship the fire?” “Hot the fire,” answered the priest, “it is to us an emblem of the sun and of his genial heat.” “Do you then worship the sun as your god?” asked the Jew. “Know ye not that this luminary also is but a work of the Almighty Creator?” “We know it,” replied the priest, “but the uncultivated man requires a sensible sign in order to form a conception of the Most High, and is not the sun, the in- comprehensible source of light, an image of that invisible being who blesses and preserves all things?” “Do your people, then,” rejoined the Is- raelite, “distinguish the type from the original? They call the sun their God, and, descending even from this to a baser object, they kneel before an earthly flame. Ye amuse the outward, but blind the in- ward eye; and while ye hold to them the earthly, ye draw from them the Heavenly light ! Thou shalt not make unto thyself any image or likeness.” “How do you designate the Supreme Being?” asked the Parsee. “We~call him Jehovah Adonai; that is, the Lord who is, who was, and who will be,” answered the Jew. “Your appellation is grand and sublime,” said the Parsee, “but it is awful, too.” A Christian then drew nigh and said, “We call him Father !” The pagan and the Jew looked at each other and said, “Here is at once an image and a reality ; it is a word of the heart.” There- fore they all raised their eyes to Heaven, and said, with reverence and love, “Our Father,” and they took each other by the hand, and all three called one another “brother.” This Is Freemasonry ! — Ex. Sight and Sound “What is the difference between the northern and southern shores of Long Island ?” “On one side you hear the sea, and on the other you see the Sound.” — Exchange. When a man has an opportunity to beat a street-car company, his conscience is apt to be busy looking at the scenery. THE TRESTLE BOARD 153 EASTERN STAR POINTS E IT said to the shame of past centuries that womankind were thought only entitled to secondary consideration. She was held in check and hin- dered in advancement along the social scale by every conceivable obstacle. And it is through the Order of the Eastern Star that much has been accomplished for her advance- ment and elevation. She observed in Ma- sonry an educational factor in the growth and development of the human race, and the “Eastern Star” came as her oppor- tunity. Here she has demonstrated to the world her ability as a presiding officer, and shown that she is capable of managing and conducting an organization whose power and influence for good is felt throughout our land, and is destined to encircle the globe. Henceforth. “Your work shall be cheered by hope, animated by affection and honored by men. until, influencing the character and destiny of nations, it shall usher in the millenial morn. Then shall faithfulness and fidelity, loyalty and love receive their just and full reward.” — 0. IT. Miller , Oregon . Bringing Home the Golden Sheaves My sisters and brothers, let us be guid- ed in spirit and in truth by the move- ments of the real Living Star, and scale the heights of fidelity that we may demon- strate to the world that we are faithful to all moral obligations, and, as we live under the blue vaults of the Heavens, may we be able to pierce the veil and see no longer the sword of death, but the loving face of the Father, who loves his child with an undying love, and, having con- quered here, hear Him say: “Welcome home.” Then with the golden sheaves, trophies of our toil and self-sacrifice, we shall show forth the constancy of our lives, and He will know that we have been faithful to the demands of honor and justice . — Lucy B. Halstead , Arkansan. Woman’s W o r K A system of morals that merely con- sists of grips, steps, signs and words is not morality. A Masonry that 'consists only of grips, steps, signs, words, right angles, horizontals and perpendiculars is not Masonry. Masonry lives in acts and deeds, not in ceremonials. The morality of woman overleaps the ceremonial to find fruition in the real, to obtain soul com- mendation for duty done. To confer de- grees may be Masonry, but it is for wo- man to relieve distress. To recite the traditions of the craft may be ceremonial, but it is for woman to whisper a kind word to the erring. To study symbols may be philosophical, but it is for woman to raise the fallen. To know the prin- ciples of Masonry may be intellectual, but it is for woman to clothe the naked. To wear the purple may be a just commen- dation and reward for merit, but it is for woman to dry the tear of sorrow. We may refuse to reap the harvest in an un- favorable field, but a Euth may gather here a little and there a little — aye. per- chance the refuse — bind it into a bundle, which becomes a sheaf of golden grain in the eves of her Divine Master. — Wm. F. Kulu h M. W. G. P., G. G. C U. S. A. 154 THE TRESTLE BOARD The Scope of Templarism The Order of the Temple as it exists today is a symbol of Christian religion, whose outward manifestation is militant in symbolism, as typical of constant warfare with the lying varieties and de- •ce:ts of the world, as well as of its his- toric ancestry and inheritance from a military monasticism of medieval times. It is not and does not claim to be a Church, neither is it the Church’s hand- maid. It stands alone, splendid in its iso- lation. For although it is a system of Christian religion, its government is mil- itary and not clerical, and its priests are its laymen, and its laymen are its priests ; its altars are of obligation as well as of atonement and sacrifice, its creed is “Christian Religion” and not “The Chris- tian Religion,” and its bonds are temporal as well as spiritual in the strict and literal sense of devotion . — Sir Wm. G. Doty , Michigan. FAITHFULLY PORTRAYS CALI- FORNIA California and the Pacific Coast have been especially fortunate in the wealth of charac- teristic literature which has emanated from the pens of our far Western authors. Books have been written and published in which the virtues of our great Pacific Empire have been attractively set forth, and by their con- stant presentation to the great ma«s of read- ers East of the Rockies there has been created in the minds of those whose lot has not been cast in such pleasant places, a yearning, a longing for a glimpse of the “land of sun- shine. fruit and flowers,” the land of peren- nial summer, of grand sequoias, of giant red- woods, of golden orange groves, of shimmer- ing lakes, of towering mountains, of cool, re- freshing glens, of a beautiful coast “By the sea-down’s last edge Between windward and lee.” The product of the ever-readv and facile pen of the author has borne fruit in the phe- nomenal increase in tourist travel Pacificward. Perhaps.no vehicle of promulgation of Cali- fornia literature has done more yeoman ser- vice in this m’issionarv work, or more accu- rately portrayed the California idea and life than Sunset Magazine, which from a modest little book of sixteen pages, circulating 15,000 copies, in 1898, the year of its birth, has grown to a magnificent magazine with a paid circula- tion of over 60.000. Its mission is to pic- ture California and all the West, to show by drawings and paintings, by reproductions of photographs, by verse and prose, the things best worth while in the Westernland. There is nothing which will give a truer idea of Cali- fornia than a perusal of Sunset. The October Sunset contains among other good things a handsome colored cover design, “The Navajo Medicine Maker;” a frontis- piece, “Photographic Study of Fujiyama, ihe Sacred Mountain of Japan;” “When West Meets East,” by Edwin Emerson, Jr.; “An Irrigation Pilgrimage,” by Professor E. J. Wickson, of the University of California; “Columbia’s Crags and Castles,” by Roland Dwight Grant ; “Where Nature Stores Her Jewels,” a study of San Diego, by Edna Rowell Schley ; “The Chief’s Blanket,” verse, by Edwin L. Sabin; “Rainmaking in Los An- gles.” by Alexander McAdie, chief of the U. S. Weather Bureau. Sunset Magazine, Room 901, Merchants’ Exchange Building, San Francisco. $1.00 a year, or 10c a copy of all newsdealers. LIGHT Brother, are you faint and weary, Is your pathway dark and dreary? Doubt, nor fear, nor falter never, Let this be your watchword ever — “Light!” Better days may soon be dawning, Darkest hours give birth to morning, Yield not to the fiend Despair, Keep in mind old Ajax’s prayer — “Light!” Ask no garb from Nemean lion, But with heart and nerves of iron Fight your fight in fearless manner With this motto on your banner — “Light!” Light to stamp each sin with terror, Light to hunt and banish error, Light to kill or weaken sorrow, Light to gild a better morrow — “Light !” Light to make oppression falter, Light from truth’s own burning altar, Light to shine on hearts benighted, Light to see each wrong is righted — “Light!” While one intellect is clouded, While one soul in sin is shrouded. While a world for light is dying, Brother, never cease your crying — “Light!” — David Barker. The average oromoter finds it much eas- ier to work suckers than to work wonders. A lazy man works overtime telling others what to do. THE TRESTLE ROAR}) 1 o 7 } CHIPS FROM THE <5 STONE QUARRIES News of the Craft Gleaned From All Sources (*) THE CRAFT IN GENERAL The headquarters of De Witt Clinton Commandery of Virginia City, Nevada, has been moved to Reno. The Grand Lodge, F. and A. M., of Idaho, met in annual communication September 12th, the session lasting three days. The cornerstone of the new Federal building at Seattle, Wash., was laid by the Grand Lodge, F. & A. M., of Washington, September 16th. A number of Masons of Victoria, B. C., journeyed to Seattle, Wash., recently, and exemplified the English ritual before St. John’s Lodge in the latter city. The Brit- ish Columbia Masons were welcomed -with addresses by their Washington brethren. The American work was then rendered by the brethren' of St. John’s Lodge followed by a banquet. STAR NOTES The Eastern Star Masonic Home, at Boone, Iowa, will be dedicated October ISth. King Solomon’s Chapter. San Francisco, gave an ‘‘Oriental party” September 6th, at ^Franklin Hall. Mrs. Paulina Wetzlar Dohrmann, Grand Matron, visited Idlewild Chapter, at Santa Cruz, early in September. The twenty-eighth annual session of the Grand Chapter, O. E. S., of Iowa, will con- vene in Turner’s Grand Opera House, Daven- port, October 25th. San Rafael Chapter celebrated its second anniversary September 15th by entertaining Morning Star Chapter, of Petaluma, and Mill Valley Chapter. The friends of Bro. Florin L. Jones will present his name as Grand Patron of the Or- der of the Eastern Star to the Grand Chapter in October at Los Angeles. Bro. Jones has always been an enthusiastic worker in this Order. Lily of the Valley Chapter, Watsonville, entertained two hundred guests at Masonic Hall, in that city, recently, the occasion being a visit from the Grand Matron, Mrs. Dohrmann, and Past Grand Matron, Mrs. Eva Porter, of Salinas. CALIFORNIA IN PARTICULAR A new Masonic Temple is in process of construction at Santa Maria, Santa Barbara County, California. Whittier Chapter No. 9, R. A. M., which was chartered only six months ago, has ex- alted a class of fourteen to the Royal Arch degree. Five hundred Nobles of the Mystic Shrine from’ A1 Malaikah Temple of Los Angeles made a pilgrimage to Santa Barbara Septem- ber 23d. Work has begun in earnest on the Ma- sonic Temple at Santa Rosa, Cal., and it is expected that a few months will see the completion of the structure. Members of the Masonic Lodge of Ukiah, Cal., and their wives, composed an excur- sion to Santa Rosa recently, the occasion being a “raising” and subsequent banquet. Articles of incorporation have been filed with the Secretary of State for a Masonic Temple Association at Ocean Park. Cal. A temple will be erected on Marine street, at that place. The Mayor of Oakland, two Captains of Police, six police patrolmen and three other public officials officiated at the conferring of the third degree in Sequoia Lodge, Oak- land, Cal., upon a member of the Police Department of that city recently. The offi- cers mentioned filled stations in the Lodge on the occasion. THE VANCE Bro. W. K. Porter announces the attractions of his hostelry, “The Vance.” in the advertis- ing columns of this issue. Bro. Porter refers to his hotel as “The Mount Moriah of the Fraternity in San Francisco.” This house is new, clean, sunnv and central, being located in the heart of San Francisco, at 432 Taylor street. One of the convenient features of The Vance is that all rooms have private baths in connection. The patronage of Maq uis and their families is especially solicited It’s easy to plant a mortgage on a farm, but it isn't so easy to raise it. Advice that doesn’t agree with one’s in clinatioii is hard to swallow. 156 THE TRESTLE BOARD ISLAM TEMPLE On September 8fh the Nobles of Islam Temple made a pilgrimage to Sacramento, arriving at that place early in the evening. Noble Louis Breuner, on a beautiful white charger, himself clad in white, and followed by a military band, escorted the caravan to the pavilion. The caravan was headed by carriages, in which were seated the Gov- ernor and Lieutenant-Governor, Nobles George C. Pardee and Alden Anderson, and Past Imperial Potentates and other Nobles. Potentate Col. Geo. Filmer, mounted high in air on the characteristic camel, Islam’s Pa- trol in gorgeous Oriental costume and a long line of fez-bedecked Nobles, conduct- ed the unreeenerate sons of the desert, sixty-three in number, some of whom were caged in crockery crates. The streets along the line of March were most ornately lighted in honor of the visit of the Shriners and the celebration of Admission Day, and crowds of people lined . either side of the parade. Arriving at the Pavilion, which was filled with people, Islam’s Patrol, under the direction of Col. Filmer, gave, a brief but interesting exhibition drill. The Nobles then repaired to the old pavilion and con- ducted the unregenerate sons over the hot sands in the usually interesting manner. The ceremony ended, all repaired to the Masonic Temple, at which place the com- mittee had provided a banquet in all re- spects worthy of the occasion. After the banquet had been fully enjoyed the Nobles were entertained until away in the ‘wee sma hours, by amusing and interesting speeches by Nobles Field, Pardee, Hender- son, Cook, McNoble, Pratt and others. All voted the occasion one of the most enjoy- able in the history of Liam. Great credit is due the Committee of Arrangements for the excellent manner in which they had pro- vided for the visiting Nobles. All had their money’s worth of pleasant and profitable enjoyment. WHERE WILL YOU STAY? Masons from the interior who expect to be in attefidance at the annual communicat'on of the Grand Lodge, F. and A. M., of California, at San Francisco in October, as well as other readers of the Trestle Board, are earnestly recommended to the various hotels, apartment houses and dining rooms represented in the advertising pages of th : s issue. The hotels and other houses of entertain- ment herein announced, especially solicit the patronage of Masons and the members of their families, and are worthy of a trial. TWO MEN Who waits for opportunity, And, when it meets him, takes it, Is not as good a man as he Who doesn’t wait, but makes it. — Philadelphia Press. BOOK SHELF The Trestle Board acknowledges the re- ceipt, s.nce the last issue of this maga- zine, of the following Masonic publications: From Comp. Stephen Berry, proceedings of the Grand Chapter, R. A. M., of Maine, for 1905. From H. L. Stillson, Grand Secretary, proceedings of the Grand Chapter, O. E. S., of Vermont, for 1905. From Bro. Jas. A. Ovas, Grand Secretary, proceedings of the Grand Lodge, F. & A. M., of Manitoba, for 1905. From Mrs. Della Bennett, Grand Secre- tary, proceedings of the Grand Chapter, O. E. S., of Kansas, for 1905. From Bro. H. H. Ross, Grand Secretary, proceedings of the Grand Lodge, F. & A. M., of Vermont, for 1905. From Sir A. H. Bryant, Grand Recorder, proceeedings of the Grand Commandery, K. T., of Kentucky, for 1905. From Mrs. Anna C. Simpson, Grand Sec- retary, proceedings of the Grand Chapter, O. E. S., of Nebraska, for 1905. From Comp. Will H. Whvte, Grand Sec- retary, proceedings of the Grand Chapter, R. A. M., of Quebec, for 1905. From James C. Munds, Grand Recorder, proceedings of the Grand Commandery, K T., of North Carolina, for 1905. From Comp. C. N. Noteware, Grand Sec- retary, proceedings of the Grand Chapter, R. A. M., of Nevada, for 1905. From Bro. N. R. Parvin, Grand Secre* tary, proceedings of the Grand Lodge, A F. & A. M., of Iowa, for 1905. From Bro. C. N. Noteware, Grand Sec- retary, proceedings of the Grand Lodge, F. & A. M., of Nevada, for 1905. From Mrs. Rata A. Mills Grand Secre- tary, proceedings of the Grand Chapter, O. E. S., of Pennsylvania, for 1905. From Bro. W. W. Perry, Grand Secre- tary, transactions of the Grand Lodge, F. & A. M., of Wisconsin, for 1905. From 111. Bro. Wm. Homan, 33°, Grand Secretary, proceedings of the Council of Deliberation for the State of New York, A. A. S. R., N. J., for 1905- THE TRESTLE BOARD 157 From Mrs. A. M. McCallister, Grand Sec- retary, proceedings of the Grand Chapter, O. E. S., of South Dakota, for 1905. From Sir Kt. Henry L. Anthony, Grand Recorder, proceedings of the Grand Com- mandery, K. T., of Michigan, for 1905. From Bro. George A. Pettigrew, Grand Secretary, proceedings of the Grand Lodge, F. & A. M., of South Dakota, for 1905. From Rev. Bro. Wm. Ronaldson, Dune- din, N. Z., proceedings of the Grand Lodge, A. F. & A. M., of New Zealand, for 1904-5. From Comp. James C. Munds, Grand Secretary, proceedings of the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of North Carolina, for 1905. From Bro. Neil MacKel vie. Grand Sec- retary, proceedings of the Grand Lodge, F. & A. M., of Prince Edward Island, for 1905. From Sir Knight Francis E. Nichols, Grand Recorder, proceedings of the Grand Commandery, K. T., of West Virginia, for 1905. From Comp. George A. Pettigrew, Grand Secretary, proceedings of the Grand Chapter, R. A. M., of South Dakota, for 1905 From Sir Kt. A. W. Johnson, Grand Commander, proceedings of the Grand Commandery, K. T., of the District of Columbia, for 1905. JUST LIKE A WOMAN Wife— I bought the loveliest hat frame today for only 48 cents. Husband — That is certainly reasonable. Wife — I should say so. And now — Husband — Well, what now? Wife — I want you to let me have $20 to buy the trimming for it. ANNOUNCEMENT We desire to announce to the delegates and visitors to the Regular Annual Com- munication of the Grand Lodge, F. & A. M., which will convene in San Fran- cisco, October 10th, that we would be pleased to supply emblematic cards for Blue Lodge, Chapter, Commandery, Scot- tish Rite, Shrine or Eastern Star, at the following rates: 50 , $ 1 . 00 ; 100 , $ 1 . 50 ; 200 , $ 2 . 00 . If you will forward your order to us. we can have same completed upon your ar- rival, or if you will call we can print them at very short notice. Walter N. Brunt Co. 102 Second Street Kodak Finishing and Supplies California Souvenir Cards, Colored Folders and Photo- graphs R. J. Waters S, Co. Commercial Photographers 110 Sutter Street Phone John 6851 5-3 SORENSEN CO. JEWELERS AND OPTICIANS 103-1 1 1 SIXTH ST. BELOW MISSION ST. SAN FRANCISCO, CAL. SPEC AL ATTENTION TO WATCH REPAIRING Eyes Examined Free Phone Jessie 2821 158 III E TRESTLE BOARD CORNERSTONE LAID The cornerstone of the new Masonic Tem- ple at Reno, Nevada, described at length in a recent number of the Trestle Board, was laid by the Grand Lodge of Nevada in Sep- tember, with imposing ceremonies, many Ma- sons being present from all over the State of Nevada and adjoining territory. Chas. A. Beemer, Grand Master, officiated. The build- ing is to be located at the corner of First and Virginia streets. NEVADA GRAND CHAPTER The Grand Chapter, O. E. S., of Nevada was instituted September 19th by Mrs. Made- line Conkling, General Grand Worthy Matron of the United States. Anna Warren of Adah Chapter, was elected Grand Matron ; T. L. Bellam, of Martha Chap- ter, Grand Patron ; Mary Pion, of Argenta Chapter, Grand Secretary. MONTANA O. E. S. The sixteenth . annual session of the Grand Chapter, O. E. S., of Montana, was held in Butte, September 21st and 22d. Mrs. Zona Y. Kenyon was elected Grand Matron; John G, Bair, Grand Patron ; Mrs. Elva Boardman, Grand Secretary. FRESNO The Masonic Fraternity of Fresno have in prospect the erection of a temple at the cor- ner of Merced and K streets in that city, where ground has been secured for the pur- pose, a first payment having been made on the site. The building will probably be reared within the next two years. HE GETS MIXED Says Bro. J. E. Thornburgh, of Arkansas: The most considerate Mason I know is the brother in Little Rock who doesn’t know, half the time, whether his Lodge is called “West- ern Star” or “Eastern Star.” Every time he knows there is to be a meeting he asks his wife if she wants to go to Lodge. WORTHY OF OUR STEAL At Des Moines the other day four negroes got on a spree; one took out his little jack- knife and now there ain’t but three. It has been proved that, after kindling his fire, a miser stuck a cork in the end of his bellows to save the little wind that was left in them. When a young lady sees one of her ac- quaintances with a new bonnet, she just lifts up her nose and serenely wonders “where the thing got that fright.” “C-c-c-can that p-p-p-parrot talk?” asked a stuttering man of a German. “Ven he don’t talk so gooter as you, I schop, by tarn, his head off.” The occidental Hotel The Recognized Headquarters for the Army , Navy and Tourists American and European Plans Convenient to Principal Places of Interest . Ex- cellent Table. Terms Moderate. Hot and Cold Baths. Omnibus to Station and Boats. Specially Recommended by Visitors from England and America. GEO. WARREN tIOOPER. Lessee. Special Attention Paid to the Reservation of Rooms by Mail. 3-3 HOTEL NETHERLAND 300 ROOMS ON EUROPEAN PLAN. Market and Turk Streets, 18 Turk Street, Main Entrance. San Francisco, Cal. Newest, Most Central and Modern Hotel. One block from principal theatres. 40 suites with private baths. Steam heat. Hot and cold water and electric lights in every room. Long Distance Tele- phone Rates, sinsrle rooms. 75c. per day up: suites, §1.50 per day up. Take any Market St. car to Turk St. J. S. Young & Sons = - - Proprietors Telephone Private Exchange 614 3-2 For Sale A Scholarship in the leading Business Col- lege of San Francisco. Address The Trestle Board Co 102 Second St., S. F 3-1 f i THE TRESTLE BOARD IN THE HIGHLANDS From the Highland News , of Inverness, Scotland, we learn that Bro. J. Ross Robert- son, Past prand Master of the Canadian Grand Lodge, whose home is in Toronto, ar- rived recently in Stornoway, Scotland, on a visit to the birthplace of his mother. Speak- ing of Bro. Robertson’s visit, among other things the Scottish journal says: “Brother Robertson is strong on Masonry and hospitals. May he ever (adds our corre- spondent) cont.nue so, for no two grander channels for benevolence c^n be conceived On the occasion of this visit Mr. Robertson delivered a lecture to the brethren of the Fortrose Lodge on the history of Masonry, which was greatly appreciated by the large number of brethren who were present. Bro- ther Robertson was thanked for his lecture, and a very pleasant evening was thereafter spent. Mr. Robertson became from the be- ginning a real friend and benefactor to the Lewis Hospital. He furnished it throughout, presented it with a beautiful operating table, and has now given ilO to procure any neces- sary furnishings. To his credit, be -it said, his benevolence is not restricted to the Lewis. Besides being chairman of the Sick Children’s Hospital of Toronto, for which he has done a great deal, he has just given £l 5,000 to erect a Nurses’ Home in Toronto. Before leaving Stornoway Mr. Robertson visited several of his acquaintances and friends in the town and neighborhood. The Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania has again denied the Eastern Star the use of the lodge rooms. Friendshio does not mean that we must see no flaws or mention no faults. HOTEL, WALTON 452 ELLIS ST. Gentrallu Located New Fireproof Build ing. elegantly fur nibbed Rooms §2.50 a week up. Suites $5.C a week up. Front Miiies with private bath $7.00 a week up. Special monthly rate. Free bath. Excellent grill in connection. J.VftY^SIE,, Prop. • Phone EAST 1394 The Lycevim ! Phelan Hlefg., San Francisco An excellent preparatory school for the University, Law and Medical Colleges, etc. Begins its 13th year on July 24, 1905. Come and be with us, we prepare you well. References : David Starr Jordan or any Stanford Professor. PROF. L. H. GRAU, PH., D., Principal. Subscribe for The Trestle Board The J.|l.Giay Company Manufacturers of.... Presses, Dies and Special Machinery Power Punching and Shearing Machinery OF EVERY DESCRIPTION 209-21 1 Mission St. San Francisco Telephone Main 5745 S. W. Collins & Co., Inc , City and Country Real Estate, 708 Market St., San Francisco 3-lyr THE TRESTLE BOARD fQ* ^ Telephone Main 5690 77^ Cleanest and The Best Restaurant L/ ERNST H. LUDWIG, M’G’R History Building 725 MARKET ST. History Building Between the Call Building and Spreckels Market UEA TA "Breakfast , Lunch or "Dinner; TRYOURS: You'll surely declare each one a Winner. ^ ^ Your health and happiness is our Care; "Both you'll enjoy when eating our Fare. Tourists’ Headquarters Information Bureau Overland Lunches put up on Short Notice 9 PATENT APPLIED FOR B Y E. H. L. DR. R. V. KAZIAN LEMOS BR.OS. Air Brush Experts ARTISTS DESIGNERS Surgeon and Chiropodist Three expert operators always on hand 6 Post St., under Masonic Temple. Telephone 3228 When you come to San Francisco, stop at the HOTEL ORAYSTONE In business center— 66 GEARY ST.— Block and a half from Masonic Temple EUROPAEN PAN All Modern Conveniences. Newlv and Elegantly Furnished. Rates. 75 Cents Per Day and up. Special Rates by Week or Month. Take street car to Market and Geary Streets. ENGRAVERS 3_3 James Q. Chown, Proprietor. 44 Geary Street THE 'VANCE san g 1 - - — FRANCISCO SaLi\ Francisco. CaJ. Tel. Montgomery 798 143 0 Myrtle St. OAKLAND, CAL. XelepHorve Brush 10 2 The Hount Horiah of the fraternity in San Francisco. NEW CLEAN SUNNY CENTRAL Private Baths in All Rooms Special Rates to Touiists 432 Taylor St* W. K. PORTER - Mgr. 1-6 THE TRESTLE BOARD M ACO Y PUBLISHING AND MASONIC SUPPLY CO. SEND POSTAL FOR LIST OF BOOKS— OLD AND NEW MENTION ANY WANTED OR FOR SALE. PICTURES, CHARTS.CERTIFICATES Jewelry Catalog & Statistics’ Two-Year. Calendar Cards, ' Souvenirs, Specialties. Etc- OFFICE, 34 Park Row, New York, N. Y. PAST MASTERS’ JEWELS A Cosy Home IN SAN FRANCISCO FOR TOURISTS AND PERMANENT RESIDENTS Northwest Corner O’Farrell and Jones Streets A modern and splendidly furnished and equipped house, newly renovated and refurnished, containing many attractive sunny rooms, single or en suite. The location is particularly convenient to the street- car service, business center, theaters, etc., of the city. * The rates are reasonable. The house is respectable and well managed by people of experience, who study the wants of their guests. Mrs. N. A. Knobloch New Building Mrs. L. E. Leininger Steam Heat Props. Electric Lights Hot 1 1 Cold Water Telephone In Each Room Elevator THE DOLORES Elegantly Furnished Suites With or Without Bath Also Single Room* 532 O’Farrell St., Above Jones Phone East 2SOO Take Leavenworth-street cars at Temple, cor. Post and Montgomery; get off at O’Farrell, half block from hotel. No 1384 iu rollrd gold 50c, in solid gold 90c Small button. N c 487. in solid pold 50c. Botn beautifully enameled ai d richly finished. Wr manufacture the largest a*d most complete line of emblem pins, buttons, rings and charm- in Amtrica. Agents wanted, illustrated catalogue free. Universal FmDSem Buttrn Co. Office and Factory, 72 Madison Street, Chicago, 111 . No 13S4 Entrance, Office and Chapel, "Woodtawn Cemetery," near Colma, San Mateo Co. MASONIC CEMETERY ASSOCIATION 586 James Flood Building, San Francisco, Cal. TIIE TRESTLE BOARD HALSTED CO. Undertakers and Embalmers 946 Mission Street SAN FRANCISCO Telephone South 163 3-lyr Henry F. Starbuck ARCHITECT 206 Sansome Street Room 35 SAN FRANCISCO ENGRAVING Wedding Invitations and Announcements Visiting Cards, Monograsm, Crests Engraved Commercial Stationery and Cards Designer of Masonic Temples at Long Beach Lompoc Pasadena Santa Rosa PUBLIC BUILDINGS l "dalo Alto Reno, Nev. a specialty And many others. 3-lyr HARRY m. french 246 SUTTER STREET Room 24 Tel. Black 4092 San Francisco 3-12 The Modern Business Necessity The famous Calculating Machine. Enthusiastically endorsed the world over. Rapid, accurate, simple, durable. Two models: ox- idized copper finish, $5.00; oxidized silver finish, $10.00, prepaid in U. S. Write for Free Booklet and Special Offer. Agents wanted. C.E.LockeMfg. Co. 106 Walnut St., Kensett, Iowa A. Zeller bach ®. Sons THE- TA.'PE'RHOVSE Telephone Main 1133 New Fire-proof Building. New Furniture. Electri Elevuior. Electric Light Hot and Cold Water. All Modern Conveniences. PHONE FOLSOM 1981. THE EARLWOOD Eugene Woody, Earl, E. Ketchdm, Props 416-420 Sansome Street San Francisco 125 Sunny Rooms, Handsomely Furnished 50 cents per Night up. $1. 75 per Week up. 'branch at Loj ^/tngelcj 3-3 No. 156 Fourth Street, San Francisco. THE TRESTLE BOARD FOR Anyone sending a sketch and description may quickly ascertain our opinion free whether an invention is probably patentable. Communica- tions strictly confidential. HANDBOOK on Patents sent free. Oldest agency for securing patents. Patents taken through Munn & Co. receive special notice , without c harg e, in the Scientific American. A handsomely illustrated weekly. Largest cir- culation of any scientific journal. Terms, $3 a year ; four months, $L Sold by all newsdealers. MUNN &Co. 36,B “*’ New York Branch Office, 625 F St„ Washington, D. C. Wedding Invitations and Announcements ALL ON 102-4 Second Street TLEPHONE MAIN 199 BLAKE. WITT & TOWHE SAN FRANCISCO Phone Private Exchange 330 DEALERS IN Phone Red 1661 ....PAPER.... 55, 57, 59, 61 First Street Between flarket and Mission Sts. SAN FRANCISCO, CAL. Tlie Popular Dinino Room F. VV. Krone, Prop. BLAKE, MOFFITT & TOWNE, Los Angeles BLAKE, McFALL CO., Portland, Ore 35 Geary Street San Francisco BYRON HINT PUKOS I 308-310-312 POST STREET SOHMER PIANO AGENCY THE TRESTLE BOARD RIO VISTA HOTEL 253 THIRD ST, nr. Howard, S.F,,Cal. Telephone Main 1261 200 ■Rooms En Suite and Single. Rates per day, 35c. and up: per week, §2.00 and up. This hotel is con- venient, lespectable and up-to-date in every respect. Steam heat! hot and cold run- ning water. Electric lights and return call bells in every room. Inside and outside fire escapes. Electric ele- vator running all night. Ladies’ parlor. Reading room with all daily papers. Baths free to guests. Take Howard Street car to Third from ferries or Third street car from Townsend street depot to the house. MRS. EMMA OLA FSEN, Proprietor 12-7 12-12 DR. G S. MOORE’S SCIENTIFIC HAIR RESTORER Guaranteed to stop hair from falling and to show a new growth of healthy hair all over the scalp in Irom one month to three. Dr. Moore will chal- lenge the world to produce an equal to this preparation- It should be used on children's heads when scalp is diseased. Hair will never fall out if the scalp is healthy. Send for circular. Prepara- tions sent to all parts of the world. Address, DR. G. S. MOORE, 332 O’Farrell St., San Francisco ST. PRE HP MIT [RENTS New and up-to-date fire-proof build- ing, with all modern conveniences. Phone in all apartments. Under new management. Has been thor- oughly renovated and newly fur- nished. Ideal location and con- venient to all theaters. Special attention given to tourists. Rooms en suite or single, with and with- out baths. 1230 PINE STREET, TELEPHONE EAST 1444 HOTEL ARGYLE EUROPEAN 232-234 McAllister street Opposite City Hall PHONE SOUTH 809 New Modern Brick Building. Grill. 130 Sunny Rooms with Baths. Elegantly Furnished. All Comforts of Family Hotel. Special Rates to Tourists. MRS. E. M. SKAGGS ^ ^ Prop. 1-6 A Quiet Home American and Centrally Located European Plan San Marco Geo. I. Casanova, Manager 536 Taylor Street A New Modern Fire Proof Hotel Bet. Post and Geary 1-3 PHONfc MINT 3481 THE FREMONT NEW HOUSE — 1864 MARKET ST. MRS. A. A. HUTCHINS, Prop. Sunny Rooms, En Suite or Single ; Fully Equipped with all Modern Improvements; Summer Rates. 12-12 , HOTEL ST. NICHOLAS JUNCTION OF MARKET, LARKIN AND HAYES STREETS 400 ROOMS MODERN QUIET American and European Plan Rates Reasonable 12-4 S. W. Collins & Co., Inc., City and Country Real Estate, 708 Market St., San Francisco 3-lyr THE TRESTLE BOARD HADJI^c^fe 371 Geary St., few doors from St. Francis Hotel. Fitted up in unique Oriental style. Choicest Viands and best service. Large parties desiring full Oriental dinner will notify manager one hour in advance. The attention of Tourists is particu- larly called to this treat, which will live in mem- ory as a souvenir of their visit to San Francisco. Lodge TDi rectory CORINTHIAN LODGE NO. 9. Marysville, Cal. Stated Meetings, third Tuesday In each month. Frederick Henry Day. William Battles Davenport. Secretary. Master. CHICO LODGE NO. 111. Chico, Cal. Stated Meetings, Saturday of or next preceding Full Moon. Harry Saunders Moir, William Robbie. Secretary. Master. Ferndale MARIN LODGE NO. 191. San Rafael. Cal. Stated Meetings, second Wednesday In each month. George Gore Vanderlip, Richard Clarence Jones, Secretary. Master. Lithia 'tOa.ter FRIENDSHIP LODGE NO. 210. San Jose, Cal. Stated Meetings, first Thursday of each month. Perley Francis Gosbey, Henry Davenport Mathews, Secretary. Master. PURE SPARKLING HEALTHFUL BOTTLED AT THE SPRINGS BY THE FERNDALE MINERAL SPRING CO. IN THE MOUNTAINS NEAR MUIR, CONTRA COSTA CO. CALIFORNIA, U. S A. San Francisco Distributing Office: 6 EDDY STREET Phone Main 946 2-3 PEOPLE WHO ASK FOR THE ORIGINAL Clicquot CHAMPAGNE which bears VIGNIER’S Label KNOW WHAT THEY WANT “ It is not tied with a string ” THE “CLICQUOT QUALITY” is in this Label: AVIGNIER0 ••AN FRANCISCO SOLE AfiB NTS PM THE PACIFIC COW KILAUEA LODGE, NO. 330. Hilo, Hawaii. Regular meetings, Saturday nearest full moon. T. C. RIDGWAY. G. H. VICARO. Master. Secretary. MANILA LODGE NO. 342. Manila, P. I. Regular meetings, first Tuesday each month. N. G. SQUIRE, MANUEL CAMUS ROXAS, Master. Secretary. PASADENA LODGE NO. 272. Pasadena, Cal. Stated Meetings, first Monday In each month. Henry Ramel. Orren Henry Hayes , Secretary. Master. SAN JOAQUIN LODGE NO. 19. Stockton, Cal. Stated Meetings, Monday of or next preceding Full Moon. Isaac Henry Robinson, Frank Wilson Qoodrum, Secretary. Master. SANTA ROSA LODGE NO. 57, Santa Rosa, Cal. Stated Meetings, first Thursday of each month. 11 illiam Henry Pool, William Piper Sheaver, Secretary. Master. VALLEE DE FRANCE NO. 329. Los Angeles. Cal. Stated Meetings, first Friday of each month. Armand Cazeaux, Adrien Falx, Secretary. Master. SAN BERNARDINO LODGE NO. 343. San Bernardino, Cal. Stated Meetings, first Thursday of each month. John Flagg, Walter D. Wagner, Secretary. Master. PACIFIC GROVE LODGE NO. 331. Pacific Grove. Cal. Stated Meetings, first Thursday of each month. Chas. K. Tuttle. R. M. Fitzsimmons, Secretary. Master. SANTA PAULA LODGE NO. 291. F. & A. M. Santa Paula, Cal. Stated Meetings, Thursday on or before Full Moon. Edtcin Virden, J. H. Sloan, Secretary. Master. WASHINGTON LODGE NO. 20. Sacramento, Cal. Stated Meetings, first Thursday of each month. John Scott, John Henry Dolan, Secretary. Master, THE TRESTLE BOARD i. VACHTIGN 1905 IS NOW READY FOR DISTRIBUTION “VACATION” is issued annually by the California Northwestern R'y THE PICTURESQUE ROUTE OF CALIFORNIA and is the Standard Publication on the Pacific Coast for Information regarding MINERAL SPRING RESORTS, COUNTRY HOMES AND FARMS WHERE SUMMER BOARDERS ARE TAKEN, AND SELECT CAMP- ING SPOTS. This year’s edition of “VACATION 1905” . contains 200 pages, beautifully illustrated, and is complete in its detailed information as to location, accommodations, attractions, etc., with terms from $7.00 per week up. To be had at Ticket Offices, 650 Market Street (Chronicle Building), and Tiburon Ferry, foot of Market Street; General Office, Mutual Life Building, corner of Sansome and California Streets, San Francisco. Applications by Mail will Receive Immediate Response JAS. L. FRAZIER, Gen’l Manager R. X. RYAN, Gen’l Pass’r Agent Masonic Cards Ball Programs Menus, Etc. SEND JTOR SAMPLES AGENTS WANTED Ba.dgee from Ic to $5.00 each w WALTER N. BRUNT ...TUI# TEH... — and Manufacturer of — MASONIC REGALIA EMBLEMATIC CARDS and BADGES V V V V V .../j- no tv located at... 102-104 Second Street Corner of Mission, San Francisco, Cal. Die^gonaJly opposite Wells Fargo CB. Co. Express The Largeet and Moat Modern Office# on the Pacific Coaet A The Big Trees of Cala-vera^s A grove of 100 magnificent redwood giants up to 325 feet in height. Six miles south is the South Park Grove, containing 1,380 trees, sev- eral over 100 feet in circumference at the base. Mere words cannot describe the grandeur of these forests — you must see them ; your education is not complete until you do. $15 for R.o\md Trip A splendid opportunity to see these natural wonders and the country made famous by Bret Harters stories at a slight cost. Leave here today and arrive there at 10:30 tomorrow. The route is via Oakdale, Jamestown, Angels and Murphy’s. Only 22 miles stage ride. An interesting trip all the way. Fine hotel and many good fishing streams. For illustrated folders and particulars see agent. Pacific v in Oakland Office 12 San Pablo Ave. 3-2 Southern. San Francisco Office •* 613 Market St.