AN OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE RIGHT WORSHIPFUL GRAND LODGE OF FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS OF PENNSYLVANIA Shown in the picture in the upper left is a portion of the several Officers and Members of the Lodges in Masonic District "A" and a few neighboring Lodges who participated in the annual wreath placing ceremony of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania at the Bro. George Washington at Prayer Statue, Freedoms Foundation, Valley Forge, on Washington's Birthday, Saturday, February 22, 1969. Photo above shows Bro. William H. Reese, Worshipful Master of Michael Arnold Lodge, No. 636 (left) and Bro. James W. Fry, District Deputy Grand Master of Masonic District "A" about to place the Grand Lodge w1·eath at the foot of the statue. A view of the several hundred that braved the snow-covered grounds to witness the ceremonies is shown in the photo at the left.
On Reading Masonic Books When a brother reaches the point in his Masonic study where he desires to read Masonic literature, he not only adds to his own knowledge, he is then in position to enlighten others. Thousands of books and pamphlets have been written on the philosophy, history, and symbolism of Freemasonry. However, the brother who purchases some eight or ten basic books and reads them over and over again, can acquire a good working knowledge of Masonry. Some of the finest examples of the English language are found in Masonic writings. By reading such books, one can improve in the art of writing and speaking. One is n ever alone with Masonic books. They serve as do good friends.
THE PENNSYLVANIA FREEMASON Distribution Office MASONIC HOMES Elizabethtown, Po. 17022
Masonic Temple; Philadelphia Has Guided Tours for Public
Earliest Use Of the Term Free Mason
Guided tours are conducted through t h e Masonic Temple, Philadelphia, headquarters of the Grand Lodge F . & A M. of Pennsylvania, on weekdays at 10:00 a .m., 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., 2: 00 p.m. and 3: 00 p.m. On Saturdays there are guided tours at 10:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. The Temple is closed on legal holidays and on Saturdays during July and August.
T h e term Goban Saor was in common usage among the ancient preRoman Gaelic-speaking peoples who occupied not only England, Scotland and Ireland, but also large tracts of territory in what is now France, Germany a nd Spain. The pure and literal translation of Goban Saar is Free Mason. This term is interwoven into ancient Gaelic literature, and it is quite familiar to all present-day Gaelic speakers and to students of ancient cultures and folklore. T h ere is no doubt that the ancient peoples look ed upon the Goban Saar as the personification of all that human skill and intelligence might hope to attain. His great works were prominent landmarks in all countries to sust ain this feeling of awe. It was natural that legend and the professional story-tellers embellished his n ame until his fantastic adventures easily rivaled those 1001 tales of the Arabian Nights. Co glic leis an Goban Sa or (as skilled as the Free Mason) is a common Gaelic expression. One story tells how he made a.:· which p re1'"'rved the Tuatha de Danann ~··o..,.t .-..l..-1 ·cre. The pre-historic Tuatha de Dana , eport1 a nd edly arrived in Ireland a,., J around 3,000 to 3 ,50' 1 P ' ~ · nd a lso cr edits the GobaP ~" v 11' '-:ling the p re-historic ro•lnc ··' wer~ ,_ still puzzle historian<>. Gaelic d K · io. a ries d efine Goban Saur as "A era! Isman of genius in Gaelic folk lore."
There is sanctuary in Freemasonry. In the privacy of the inner fellowship of the fraternity, a Brother will often 'lind rest for his heart and protection from the bruises of the world. That man is no true Freemason in whose nature the weary may not lind rest and the weak lind protection.
Second Class POSTAGE PAID AT Elizabethtown Pennsylvania
ISend FORM 3579 to Above Address)
POSTMASTER: Ple ase Include Complete Imprint of Address on Your Postal Re turn Clipping.
VOLUME XVI
MAY
e
1969
NUMBER 2
Cornerstones Placed, Temple, Lodge Rooms Recently Dedicated
The Tabernacle, located between Wesley and Asbury Avenues and Fifth and Sixth Streets, Ocean City, New Jersey, where Bro. John K. Young, R. W. Grand Master, will address the Ocean City Masonic Club on Tuesday evening, August 26, 1969, on the occasion of its "Grand Masters Night." All Masons are invited.
Grand Master to Address Masons In Tabernacle at Ocean City, N.J. 1976 Committee Stays Active; Seeks Ideas The 1976 Committee of Grand Lodge will meet on June 4, 1969, at the Masonic Homes at Elizabethtown, Bro. Theodore K. Warner, Jr., General Chairman of the Committee, reported t h at every possible effort will be made to assure Freemasonry adequate programs during the 2 00th Anniversary Declaration of Independence in 19 76. He added: "We welcome su ggestions from all Brethren. This is an important celebration and we need the collective t hinking of all the Brethren." Suggestions and ideas should be sent to the Chairman, 1976 Committee, Gra nd M ast er's Office, M asonic Temple, One North Broad Street, Philadelphia, P a . 19107.
Bro. John K. Young, R. W. Grand Master of Masons in Pennsylvania, will address the Ocean City Masonic Club in the Ocean City Tabernacle, Ocean City, N.J., at 8 p.m., Tuesday, August 26, 1969. Bro. Harold S. McGear, a member and Past Master of Mount Horeb Lodge, No. 528, Philadelphia, is president of the Ocean City Masonic Club. He has extended an invitation to a ll Pennsylvania Masons to attend "Grand Masters Night" of the organization on August 26. It is expected that many Grand Lodge Officers from Pennsylvania and New Jersey will attend the meeting. Freemasonry is a life to be lived, not a formality to be perfunctorily observed; it is a life to be lived and not a set of emp ty cree ds to w hich lip service is given. It is a life gro unded i n religion, organized in m orality, m ellowed b y good f ellowship, humanized in ch arity and d edicated to service.
Grand Lodge held three Special Communications during the past three months to dedicate Lodge Rooms in new Masonic Temples. Two of the Special Communications included cornerstone placing ceremontes. On March 15, Grand Lodge placed the cornerstone and dedicated the Lodge Room at the new Masonic Temple at Birdsboro, Berks County. It is the home of Union Lodge, No. 479. On April 19, Grand Lodge dedicated the Masonic Temple at Sandy Lake, Mercer County. It is the new home of Lake Lodge, No. 434. Following t he dedication, the Grand Master and those accompanying him were received at a Special Meeting of Lodge No. 434 for the purpose of observing the 100th Anniversary of the Lodge. On April 26, Grand Lodge placed the cornerstone and dedicated the Lodge Room at the Riverside Masonic Temple, Wrightsv ille, York County. It is the new home of Riverside Lodge, No. 503.
Bro. Kenneth W. Nebinger Now Local Secretary for Quatuor Coronati Lodge Bro. Kenneth W. Nebinger, Co-District Chairman of the 2nd M asonic District, is the Local Secretary for Pennsylvania for Quatuor Coronati Lodge, No. 2076, "The Premier Lodge of Masonic Research," with headquarters at 27 Great Queen Street, London -opposite Freemasons' Hall. Officers and Members of Pennsy lvania Lodges inter ested in more information and d eta ils should contact B ro. N e binger, 4707 Hunt Circle, Harrisburg, P a. 17110.