Emessay Notes January 2008

Appeal for Grand Lodge of Washington

     The Grand Lodge of Washington is asking for assistance to help them to recover from the devastating storm that occurred on December 3, 2007. Hurricane force winds of more than 90 miles per hour battered the coast and more than 11 inches of rain fell in a 48 hour period causing severe flooding and mudslides. Largely ignored in the media, nevertheless, the devastating results of the storm led to a declaration of a major disaster by both state and national authorities. The need for help is urgent.

     Please forward to the MSA such funds as you feel appropriate to help our devastated Brethren and their families in this stricken jurisdiction. Please make checks payable to the MSA Disaster Relief Fund and send to 8120 Fenton Street, Ste. 203, Silver Spring, MD 20910-4785.

Tall Cedars of Lebanon

     The Tall Cedars of Lebanon have for many years supported the publication of Emessay Notes. MSA is frequently asked about the Tall Cedars and so, with their permission, we are pleased to reprint a Tall Cedars information sheet:

Come and join us in our “Fun, Frolic and Fellowship.”

Travel with us to the many Forests (Lodges) in our area. Attend our Conventions and help us raise money for Muscular Dystrophy Research.

Masonic related, the Tall Cedars of Lebanon was chartered in Trenton, New Jersey in 1902.

Beginning in 1951, the Tall Cedars of Lebanon became the first organization to offer continuing financial assistance to the Muscular Dystrophy Association. This year marks our 57th Anniversary supporting MDA.

“Visit our website, use the Forest Finder to locate a Forest nearest to you & contact the Scribe for more information on how to become a Tall Cedar”

Tall Cedars of Lebanon of North America    http://www.tallcedars.org

  

La Marseillaise - French National Anthem

            Claude J. Rouget de Lisle was born May 10, 1760 in Lons-le-Saunier, Jura, France. He entered military service and became a Captain of Engineers and on April 24, 1792 while at Strasbourg he wrote Chant de guerre de l’armee de Rhin. Its six stanzas soon reached Paris and became very popular. Bro. Benjamin Carr published this song in the US in 1793. It was adopted as the French National Anthem, La Marseillaise, in 1795.

            Claude Joseph Rouget de Lisle was a member of Loge Les Freres Discrets at Charleville, France.

(Source: Bro. Norman Lincoln – The Philatelic Freemason Jan-Feb 2008)

National Conferences to Meet

            February 16-19, 2008 will see Louisville, Kentucky host the annual conferences of the Conference of Grand Masters in North America; the Conference of Grand Secretaries in North America; the Annual Meeting of the Masonic Service Association of North America; the George Washington Masonic Memorial Association; National Masonic Foundation for Children; and the Masonic Renewal Committee of North America. It is a great time for the Masonic leaders of North America to come together to share ideas and concerns, as well as participate in well-planned programs.

Just a LIttle Lodge-Room

Just a quiet little lodge-room,
But a mighty force for good;
With its loyal band of members
Learning more of brotherhood;
Striving, stumbling, but progressing
Down a pathway toward the right;
Just a humble bunch of plain folks,
Reaching, seeking for the light.

Just a quiet little lodge-room,
How it stirs the heart and soul
With the thrill of great endeavor
Toward a high and common goal;
With each pledge of faith and courage
To maintain the forward fight,
On the road that leads them onward
Even onward to the light!
           George B. Staff

(Source: A Treasury of Masonic Thought – edited by Carl Glick)