Emessay Notes February 2011

The Chairman’s Report

The Chairman’s Report 2008-2009 published in the Ars Quatuor Coronatorum Transactions Vol. 122, 2009 concluded with the following most impressive message:

To conclude, it is appropriate for the following ‘Masonic Song’ to be exhumed from the pages of The Freemasons’ Magazine for January 1796. It was written from Portsea Island, Hampshire, by ‘J.R.—NK—N’ and gracefully expresses sentiments in the mode of the 18th century which we can all echo in 2010. A musical brother may care to set it. Maybe we would publish.

MASONIC SONG

I
Thus happily met, united and free,
A foretaste of heaven we prove;
Then join heart and hand, and firmly agree,
To cultivate brotherly love.

With corn, wine, and oil, our table replete,
The altar of Friendship divine;
Each virtue, and grace, the circle complete,
With aid of the musical nine.

III

Thus blest, and thus blessing, employment supreme!
May Masonry daily increase,
Its grand scheme of morals, our fav’rite theme,
The source of contentment and peace.

J.R—N K—N.

Portsea

This peculiar virtue of the Quatuor Coronati Correspondence Circle lies in its spread of Masons across the world, keen one with another to enrich their knowledge of Freemasonry, and at a distance joining head, heart and hand. Long may our Circle go forward to expand that endeavor! For ourselves, the Council of directors, the entrustment is indeed an ‘employment supreme.’

John Acaster, Chairman
Q.C Correspondence Circle Limited

3rd International Conference On The History Of Freemasonry

The George Washington Masonic National Memorial, Alexandria, Virginia, U.S.A.

May 27-29, 2011

Statement of Purpose

By holding a biennial conference open to the public, the main purpose of the ICHF is:

To promote Freemasonry as a subject for academic study
To present and debate relevant contributions in this area of research
To create a forum for interactions between researchers, experts and a wider audience
To encourage individuals to take an interest and participate in an active exchange of knowledge
in the area.

For more information please go to:

Conference website: www.ichfonline.org
Conference Organisers Website: www.northernnetworking.co.uk

Freddy The Freeloader

The gentle humor, laced with enough fun for fans by the millions, was the province of Richard Bernard Skelton, native of Vincennes, Indiana, who went to Hollywood, became famous and helped TV’s big variety shows become important to millions of viewers. To all, he was Red Skelton and he wanted to be known as just a clown.

Of the many characters he invented, Freddy the Freeloader was probably the most famous. It’s certainly the name that comes to mind for many who remember him.

In these politically correct days, Freddy would be known as a homeless person. Then, people referred to him as a loveable bum, a tramp with a philosophy honed by years of deprived circumstances. Freddy always looked on the bright side and, as Red would portray him, the down-at-the-heels fellow found ways to help others while causing the live audiences to laugh until they were hoarse. His ratings stayed healthy for years at CBS.

What wasn’t generally known by audiences was the fact that Red was portraying parts of himself. He grew up poor, just as his Freddy character, but never lost his humor and respect for others. The tales of his kindnesses to many are legion. The story of his meeting with vaudeville star Ed Wynn on the streets of Vincennes by the Pantheon Theater has a few versions. However the meeting happened, he was a boy selling newspapers to help support the family and the happy encounter resulted in Red Skelton eventually becoming a star in Hollywood, on radio and TV.

(Source: David Goodnow – Retired Anchor/Editor CNN Headline News - who also points out that Red Skelton was a member of Vincennes Lodge #1, Vincennes, IN)