From the East – September 2020
Brethren,
This morning Worldmeters.info reports that in the US we have experienced over 6 million infections and 184,000 deaths related to COVID -19. Out of the 50 states, Oregon has done relatively well. It is sixth lowest in infections and seven lowest in deaths among the 50 states when measured by per capita. The battle continues and our discipline of restraint seems to be working to limit the injury and death caused by the virus. Hopefully soon we will be able to return to in face meetings and greetings which demonstrate our commitment to brotherly love, relief, and truth.
This week, we will be taking the HVAC units off the lodge roof and actively begin the repairs to the roof and replacement of the obsolete HVAVC units. When this work is completed in a couple weeks we expect to eliminate the leaking roof and have reliable cost-efficient HVAC for the Lodge.
Shortly the local schools and colleges will be restarting in some form. We hope to be able to celebrate the advancement of our scholarship awardees and recognize their achievements. At this time September’s Stated meeting is probably in jeopardy. Hopefully, we will be able to announce and deliver awards, as well as hold elections for the 2021 in October.
ORIGIN OF THE WORD FREEMASONS
Source: P.S.Review of Freemasonry
The first-known use of the word Freemasons – in the form Free Masons – occurs in City of London Letter-book H of 9 August 1376, though the word is in fact deleted in favour of Mason.
Masons and Freemasons were interchangeable during the 15th and 16th centuries and Freemasons were generally meant to denote hewers or setters of freestone, Masons being used to embrace all stoneworkers.
Ashmole in his diary wrote that he was made a Free Mason and referred in 1686 to the “Fellowship of Free Masons”.
James Anderson when writing his 1723 Constitutions did not use the single word – Freemasons – once. Whatever the reasons, the 1723 Constitutions contain approximately 126 references to Masons, 12 to Free Masons, 10 to Free and Accepted Masons, 9 to Free-Masons, one to Accepted Free Masons and none to Freemasons. And such is the tenacity of tradition that to this day most of the Constitutions are addressed to Free and Accepted Masons and not to Accepted Freemasons.
The earliest-known anti-masonic leaflet, of 1698, warns the public against “those called Free Masons” – almost certainly what we now know as speculative Freemasons.
Warren Burkholder
Worshipful Master
