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Shown in the photo on the left is a view of the elevated head tables, in the East, at the First Annual "Praise and Thanksgiving" Masonic Breakfast sponsored by the 36th Masonic District at Chester, Pa., early Sunday morning, December 1, 1968. Bro. John K. Young, R. W. Grand Master, who delivered an inspiring message, beaded a long list of Grand Lodge Officers and other Masonic Officials. The photo on
Masonic Blood Donor Club Needs Members The Masonic Blood Donor Club, with its office located at 2511 Rittenhouse Claridge, 18th and Walnut Sts., Philadelphia 19103, is anxious and hopeful of enlisting many more Masons. Participation in this Blood Donor Club includes protection for the Member and his dependents. Membership could also relieve him of costly payments for large quantities of blood, if ever needed. Bro. W ayne W. Thompson, Past M aster and Secretary of Lodge No. 211, the driving force in this new fraternal endeavor, relates that nearly 1300 Members of Lodges and other Masonic Bodies h ave "signed-up" thus far. But Bro. Thompson says: "This is far too few Members if we are to provide n eeded blood for M asons a nd their dependents in, what we hope, is a n ever expanding out-reach." Detailed informa tion may be obtained by writing to the address listed a bove. Or you may wish to call by dialing 215-M-A-S-0-N-76.
THE PENNSYLVANIA FREEMASON Distribution Office MASONIC HOMES Elizabethtown, Po. 17022 (Send fORM 3579 to Above Address)
the right shows a portion of the more than 750 Officers and Members of the Lodges in the 36th Masonic District and neighboring Lodges that attended. Members of Chester Chapter, Order of DeMolay participated in a special flag ceremony. Bro. John B. Cottrell, Jr., District Deputy Grand Master of the 36th Masonic District, presided over the proceedings.
Bro. John K. Young, R. W. Grand Master, has appointed seven new District Chairmen to the Grand Lodge Committee on Masonic Culture. They are: Harry
MASONIC DISTRICT "F"-Bro. J ames Millar, Jr. , Richmond Lodge, No. 230. 15th MASONIC DISTRICT-Bro. Kenneth R. Kingston, Warren Lodge, No. 240, as Co-Chairman to Bro. J ames A. Tracy, H arford Lodge, No. 445. 20th MASONIC DISTRICT- Bro. William K. Barry, Logan Lodge, No. 490. 21st MASONIC DISTRICT- Bro. Carl A. A. Anderson, Coalport Lodge, No. 574. 22nd MASONIC DISTRICT-Bro. Howard G . Beck er, Mount Jewett L odge, No. 627. 56th MASONIC DISTRICT- Bro. Wendell 0. L awson, Joseph Warren Lodge, No. 726.
The Grand Lodge Committee on M asonic Culture is most appreciative for the excellent service extended by the District Chairmen in their respective Districts. They h ave proven to be real "liaison" in the promotion and advan cem ent of our Grand Lodge Masonic Culture Program.
Second Class POSTAGE PAID AT Elizabethtown Pennsylvania
POSTMASTER : Please Include Complete Imprint of Address on Yowr Postal Return Clipping.
VOLUME XVI
FEBRUARY
e
1969
NUMBER 1
How We Obtained Bro. Washington's Masonic Apron
Seven New District Chairmen Appointed
MASONIC DISTRICT "A"-Bro. Rubin, Athelstan Lodge, No. 482.
AN OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE RIGHT WORSHIPFUL GRAND LODGE OF FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS OF PENNSYLVANIA
Shown above are the actual flags carried by Bro. Walter M. Schirra during the Apollo 7 flight. Bro. Shirra was made a Maso n at Sight on Nov. 4, 1967 at Jacksonville, Fla.
THANK YOU An expression of sincere appreciation is extended to all Pennsylvania Masons who keep their respective Lodge Secretaries notified of changes .of addresses. The courtesy and cooperation means so much to a Lodge Secretary. He. in turn, shares the new addresses with us so we can maintain a more current and accurate general mailing list for circulating "The Pennsylvania Freemason." However, there is still room for improvement in our objective to reach all Pennsylvania Masons with the quarterly publication of our Grand Lodge. With each mailing of "The Pennsylvania Freemason," far too many copies are never delivered. Instead, we receive those expensive Postal Return Forms telling us the addressee has moved. So, Brethren, we ask you to please notify your Lodge Secretary imme· diately when you change address.
THANK YOU
Bro. and General Marie Jean Paul Joseph Roche Yves Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette, visited America in the year 1784, arriving at New York on August 5th of that year. Remaining but a short time he hastened to visit General Washington at Mount Vernon. One of the objectives of his visit with Bro. and General Washington was to present him with a bea utiful white satin M asonic Apron bearing the national colors, red, white a nd blue and embroidered ela borately with Masonic emblems, the whole b ein g the h a ndiwork of M adam the Marquise de Lafayette. This Apron was enclosed in a handsome rosewood box when presented to W ashington, and was worn by him on September 18, 1793 when he laid the corner stone of the Capital at the Federal City (Washington, D.C.) , and is now on display in the Museum Room of the Grand L odge F. & A M. of Pennsylvania, M asonic Temple, Philadelphia. After the death of Washington this M asonic Apron was presented by the L egatees to the Washington Benevolent Society on October 26, 1816 who, in turn, presented it July 3, 1829 to the Grand L odge F. & A M. of Pennsylvania and bears the following inscription: "WASHINGTON BENEVOLENT SOCIETY "The Legatees of GEN. WASHINGTON, impressed with the most profound Sentiments of respect for the institution which they have the honor to address, beg leave to present to them the enclosed relic of the · revered & lamented " 'FATHER OF HIS COUNTRY.' " They are persuaded that the Apron, which was once possessed by the man, whom the Philadelphians a lways delighted to honor, will be considered most precious to the Society distinguished by his n ame, and by the b en evolent and grat eful feelings to which it owes its foundations.
Officers of Grand Lodge, elected a nd insta lled to serve for this Masonic Year (Front row left to right) include: Bro. W. Orvllle Kimmel, R. W. Senior Grand Warden; Bro. John Young, R. W. Grand Master and Bro. Hiram P. Ball, R. W. Deputy Grand Master. (Second row, left to right) Bro. Arthur R. Diamond, R. W. Grand Treasurer; Bro. Rochester B. Woodall, R. W. Junior Grand Warden a nd Bro. Ashby B. P aul, R. W. Grand Secretary.
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That this perishable memento of !I Hero whose fame is "'more durable than Brass'" may confer as much p leasure upon those to whom it is presented, as is experienced by the Donors. "October 26th 1816 "Is the sincere wish of the LEG ATEES."
June Quarterly To Be Held at Masonic Homes The June Quarterly Communication of Grand Lodge will be held at the Masonic Homes at Elizabethtown, W ednesday, June 4, 1969. Grand Lodge will convene at 7: 00 p.m. in the Deike Auditorium, which comfortably seats approximately 500. Guided tours throu gh t h e Homes and Patton Sch ool will b e a rra n ged d urin g the day for interested Brethre n.
1976 Committee Welcomes Ideas Although the 200th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence is a few years away, the 1976 Committee of Grand Lodge r ecommends that L odges plan and prepare well in advance of this historic celebration. The Committee also welcomes any ideas and suggestion s that will better enable it to plan and design a fitting and proper program on a Grand L odge level. Such ideas and suggestions should be mailed to: Chairman, 19 76 Committee, Grand M aster's Office, M asonic Temple, One North Broad St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19107.