WMJ Oct 2007 - Freemasons of Wisconsin
WMJ Oct 2007 - Freemasons of Wisconsin
WMJ Oct 2007 - Freemasons of Wisconsin
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Dennis V. SiewertJunior Grand DeaconYour Brothers <strong>of</strong> Theodore RooseveltLodge No. 322 Congratulate You!Davey L. White, Jr.Senior Grand DeaconGrand Lodge <strong>of</strong> <strong>Wisconsin</strong>TWO GM-AGs...from page 1namesake <strong>of</strong> the Masonic Lodgechartered on June 11, 1879, in SturgeonBay. He became the first AttorneyGeneral <strong>of</strong> the Territory <strong>of</strong> <strong>Wisconsin</strong>in 1836 and served until1839. He served as Grand Master <strong>of</strong>Masons in <strong>Wisconsin</strong> for two termsin 1856 and 1857.The present Master <strong>of</strong> Henry S.Baird Lodge, Ross Chapman, presentedthe Grand Master with aframed picture <strong>of</strong> Henry S. Baird sothat it might be hung in its place nextto all the other Attorney Generals <strong>of</strong>the State <strong>of</strong> <strong>Wisconsin</strong>.Alice Byrnes presented the GrandMaster with a beautiful boundleather collection containing sixspeeches delivered by Henry S.Guy K. GoodingDistrict 4 DeputyCongratulations,Brother Davey, onyour installation asSenior GrandDeacon ~ fromyour Brothers atWarren LodgeNo. 4 in Potosi-And-BrotherChristopher J.HirtheDistrict 4Area 1AdministratorBaird dating from 1826 through1832.Special thanks are in order for severalbrethren: Michael Dal Santo asChef, Mark Fischer as Assistant Chef,Charles Wingrove as Dinning RoomCaptain, James Byrnes, PGM, asMaster <strong>of</strong> Ceremonies, and JamesWade, who portrayed Henry S.Baird in the costume <strong>of</strong> that period.We learned many things aboutHenry S. Baird from his presentation.Grand Master J. B. Van Hollenshared his passion for integrity in hispersonal and political life. His foundationin Christianity and Masonry isthe driving force in his life to propelthe human race toward honesty andrighteousness in all things. As AttorneyGeneral <strong>of</strong> <strong>Wisconsin</strong>, his passionis to return honesty andrespectability to the political arena.H. S. Baird on H. S. BairdThe following dramatic readingtitled “Henry S. Baird” was presentedby Bro. James S. Wade on September20, <strong>2007</strong>, at Henry S. BairdLodge No. 174, Sturgeon Bay.“Brethren and Ladies:“My name is Henry S. Baird, ormore correctly Henry Samuel Baird,for those who would wonder whatthe “S” stands for.“We are gathered here to celebratethe visit <strong>of</strong> our Grand Master, and asthis Lodge is named after me, andlike our Grand Master I was also aGrand Master, and like our GrandMaster I was also Attorney General<strong>of</strong> what would become the State <strong>of</strong><strong>Wisconsin</strong>, I have been asked toaddress you tonight.“I must bow to this Grand Masterand give credit where credit is due. Idid hold both positions, but unlikeour Grand Master I did not hold bothpositions simultaneously.“Since I was called to the Lodgeabove over 132 years ago, and it hasbeen 150 years since I was GrandMaster, it is not surprising that I amnot remembered in Sturgeon Bay.“Perhaps I should reacquaint youwith who I am, and why thefounders <strong>of</strong> this Lodge would nameit after me. I was born May 16,1800, in Dublin Ireland.“My family immigrated to the UnitedStates and settled in Pittsburgh in1805. That is where I received mylimited education, attending schooluntil age 15. I have always been selfconsciousabout this.“The crash <strong>of</strong> 1818 wiped outContinued on page 11Notes From The Grand LecturerBy Brother Ronald H. GlaunertThe Badge <strong>of</strong> a MasonAs we contemplate any phase <strong>of</strong> our ritualisticwork and follow it through the three degrees, wemost certainly have to be impressed by the mannerin which it builds up to a climax—as in the scripturelessons for example.In the First Degree the pr<strong>of</strong>ound lesson on harmonyin the 133rd Psalm and the reference to the Dew<strong>of</strong> Herman.In the Second Degree we are given an allegorywhich speaks to the life <strong>of</strong> a man being built foursquare and true by the Square <strong>of</strong> Virtue, the Plumb<strong>of</strong> an upright character and the Plumb Line <strong>of</strong> goodjudgment.In the Third Degree we are given a Scripture lessonpowerful in its allegory, gentle in its teachings and impressive in itsstrength.After all that we turn our attention to the lambskin or white leather apronand study its allusions to the Badge <strong>of</strong> a Mason, for to recognize a conclusionis to compare the beginning and the end <strong>of</strong> the subject under consideration.The first allusion to the apron is a subtle one and occurs in the opening<strong>of</strong> the Lodge. The Worshipful Master orders that the brethren will beclothed and in order for opening a Lodge. Every brother present mustwear the badge <strong>of</strong> a Mason, the apron.The next allusion to the apron is made at its presentation to the candidatein the First Degree, where it is the defined as an emblem <strong>of</strong> innocenceand the badge <strong>of</strong> a Mason. The very use <strong>of</strong> the word “The” donates that itis the only badge that a Mason has. There is no other: the rings which wesee on fingers, the emblems that are worn on lapels or caps are onlymeans <strong>of</strong> identification. The real badge <strong>of</strong> a Mason is his character.The Apron is a badge <strong>of</strong> his character and to be worn only while at laborand serves as an example <strong>of</strong> how Masons dress when at labor, and whenhe is to be properly clothed with the Apron.At a Lodge communication, obviously, all must wear an Apron. Theyare then at labor and while at labor they are “distinguished” by the badge<strong>of</strong> a Mason. Give special attention to the word distinguished as told by theSenior Warden to the candidate. They are not “recognized” or “identified”but that they are “distinguished” by the wearing <strong>of</strong> the Apron.During a Grand Lodge Communication every Brother present must beproperly clothed. Also, at the laying <strong>of</strong> cornerstones and dedications <strong>of</strong>temples, the <strong>of</strong>ficers must be properly clothed.When a Lodge conducts a funeral service for a deceased Brother, allMasons present regardless <strong>of</strong> rank are to be clothed with a whiteApron—the symbolism teaching us that all men are equal in death. However,at Lodge communications Brethren are clothed according to theirlast degree taken.The white Apron symbolizes the life’s work, so that when at last theworking tools <strong>of</strong> life are laid down, the Apron is not placed on the body <strong>of</strong>the deceased brother, but on the casket, in recognition that a life has beenlived. It is not placed on the body but rather on the casket, as the symbol<strong>of</strong> a life well spent as a Mason.Fraternally, Ron Glaunert, Grand LecturerRonald H. GlaunertGrand LecturerBrethren, your comments or suggestions are always welcome. ContactGrand Lecturer Glaunert by e-mail at or byphone at 608-788-4953.Bro. John C. MetcalfGrand TilerGrand Lodge <strong>of</strong> <strong>Wisconsin</strong>Congratulations,Brother JohnFrom YourBrothers atDodgeville LodgeNo. 119 inDodgevilleContact the <strong>Wisconsin</strong> Masonic Journalat 262-334-1876 orWE SAVE SLIDES TO DISKSlide Scans as low as 69 cents ea. • Quality film & print scanning,DVD slideshows, image restoration, custom t-shirts, Tapeto DVD transfers: vhs, vhs-c, beta, & 8mm • Call 877-718-4588,ask about our Christmas in July special!http://www.newworlddigitalarts.comWISCONSIN MASONIC JOURNAL - OCTOBER <strong>2007</strong> - PAGE 3