In Memoriam
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Distinguished Masonic Leader's Career Comes To End After Long Service Masons throughout the country are mourning the death of a dedicated Mason and leader, Bro. William E . Yeager. Right Worshipful Past Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Pennsylvania. He was R. W. Grand Master in 1950 and 1951. Bro. Yeager, who had a distinguished career in practically all Masonic Bodies. died in a hospital in his home community of Warren, Pa. He was born in Lilly Lake, Luzerne County, Pa. on Dec. 20, 1892. Bro. Yeager was made a Mason in H azle Lodge No. 327, H azleton. in 19 18, following World War I in wh ich he served as a Navy Ensign. H aving moved to Warren, he was the guiding influence in forming Toseph Warren Lodge No. 726 in 1923 and served as its fi rst elected Worshipful Master. Upon formation of the 56th Masonic District in 1932, Bro. Yeage r was appointed District Deputy Grand Master. serving un til 1942 when he was appointed to the Committee on Masonic Homes. On Dec. 27 , 1943, Bro. Yeager was installed as R. W. Junior Grand Warden. H e served as Grand Master of Masons in Pennsylvania in 1950 and 1951. Shor tly after completing his tenure as Grand Master, he was agai n elected to the Committee on Masonic Homes, serving as a member of its executive committee and subsequently as chairman. He resigned from the Committee on
Masonic Homes on Sept. 15, 1973. In a letter announcing his resignation , Bro. Yeager wrote: "Masonry has done far more for me than T could ever do for it. It is my hope that I have made some positive contribution as a token payment on my debt to the Fraternity , which I acknowledge but which T realize T can never repay." Bro . Yeager's dedication to Freemasonry and Grand Lodge is well told by hi s work and service. As examples, while serving as chairman of the Committee on Masonic Culture, "The Pen nsylvania Freemason" was first published. The pamphlets fo r I nstruction of Candidates were completed and an organized education progra m was initiated. His dedication extended to the establishment of the Committee on Information and Recognition. H e was active in the organization of the Northeast Conference on Masonic Education and Libraries. The Pennsylvania Mason Juven ile Court Institute was organized and operated by Bro. Yeager and the late Bro. Gustav L. Schramm, a Pittsburgh Juvenile Court Justice and District Deputy Grand Master. In York Rite Masonry, Bro. Yeager was a member of Occidental Royal Arch Chapter No. 235, having served as High Priest. He was a member of Occident Council No. 41, having served as T hrice Illustrious Master. He was a member of Warren Commandery No. 63, having served as Em inent Com-
THE PENNSYLVANIA FREEMASON
Second Class
Distribution Office MASONIC HOMES Eliza b ethtow n, Pa . 17022
POSTAGE
(Send FORM 3579 to Above Address)
PAID AT Elizabethtown Pe nnsy lvania
POSTMASTER: Please Include Comp lete Im p rint of Add ress on Your Postal Return Clipping.
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AN
OFFICIAL PUBLICATION
OF THE RIGHT WORSHIPFUL GRAND LODGE OF FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS OF PENNSYLVANIA
VOLUME XXI BRO. WI LLIAM E. Y EAGER R. W . Past Grand Master
mander. From 1931 to 1958 Bro. Yeager served as a director and treasurer of the Knights Templar Educational Loan Foundation of Pennsylvania. Bro. Yeager belonged to most all Bodies and Organizations in York Rite Masonry. In 1970 he served as Grand Sovereign of the Knigh ts of the Red Cross of Constantine for the United States, Mexico and the Philippines. In Scottish Rite Masonry, he was a member of the Bodies in the Valley of Coudersport. H e served Coudersport Council. Princes of Jerusalem . as Sovereign Pr ince in 1931 and 1932. For his dedicated work in Freemasonry, Br·o. Yeager was coroneted a Sovereign Grand Tnspector General, 33 °, in 1934. On Sept. 29. 1949, he was made an Active Member of the Supreme Council. He also served the Suoreme Council as Grand Captain General. At his death, Bro. Yeager was Deputv for Pennsylvan ia for Supreme Council. In Comunity activities, Bro. Yeager was so active that it is not possible to 1ist them all. I n 1970, he received Warren's Commun ity Service Award in recognition of his outstanding service. He received an honorary doctor's degree from Thiel College for his years of ded ication as a Trustee of the school. For his years of dedication and service to the Boy Scouts of America, he was awarded the "Silver Beaver" for service to boyhood. He leaves his wife, Alice Houghtling Yeager, and a son, William, Jr. On Saturday, Oct. 6, 1973, Bro. Yeager's Masonic Lodge held its 50th Anniversary. He left a hospital bed to attend the meeting. In the 50th Anniversary booklet, a history of the Lodge, the tribute to its first elected Mas ter - Bro. Yeager ended with: "Our Brother puts the Precepts of Masonry in to action in his daily contacts with his fellow men and service to the many institutions which make the community and world a better place in which we live."
MAY
e
1974
NUMBER 2
Oldest and Largest Fraternity!
Freemasons Have Faith In God and Eternal Life By Bro. Rochester B. Woodall R. W. Grand Master The Fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons is the oldest, largest and most widely known fraternal organization in the world. Freemasonry is a system of moral mysticism, expressing faith in God and eternal life, in old and simple symbols of the building arts, and teaching brotherly love. I t strives to aid members to win a clear conception of their duty to God and man, to develop their spiritual faculties and to refine and exalt their lives in fellowship and service. Some historians trace Freemasonry to the Tenth Century, B.C., during the building of King Solomon's Temple . Records reveal that Freemasonry was introduced into England in 674 A.D. Today there are more than 150 Grand
Lodges in free countries of the world with a membership of nearly 6,000,000. Symbols are used by Freemasons to remind members of definite truths. A Lambskin, for instance, widely known as the "badge of a Mason" symbolizes purity. It therefore, is emblematic of the high exemplary character taught to and expected of all Masons. Freemasonry challenges its members to the highest reaches of noble Ji ving when rightly understood. Membet·ship is limited to adult males who can meet the recognized qualifications and standards of character and reputation. One of the Landmarks of Freemasonry is not to solicit members. One seeking admission must have a desire and of his own volition request a petition from one he believes to be a Mason. The petitioner must be recommended
T he June Q uarterly Comunication w ill be held at 7 p.m., Wednesd ay, June 5, in Mason ic Temple, 4227 Fifth Ave., Oakland Area, Pittsburgh, Pa. All Master Masons are urged to attend .
by two members of a Masonic Lodge and pass a unanimous ballot. T he petitioner must be 21 years of age, mentally and physically competent, of good moral character and believe in the existence of a Supreme Being. In the United States, 13 Presidents are known to have been Masons . One of them Harry S. Truman was Grand Master of Masons in Missouri. O thers were Washington, Monroe, Jackson, Polk, Buchanan, Johnson, Garfield, McKinley, Theodore Roosevelt, Taft, Har(Continued on Page 2)
Masons Are Urged To Return to Lodge Meetings The Grand Master is doing everyth ing possible to encourage increased attendance at Lodge meetings. He is specifically poin ting out at every opportunity: " How can you be a Brother to someone you don' t even know." Bro. Rochester B. Woodall, R. W. Grand Master, has directed that Worshipful Masters in this Jurisdiction appoint five members to a Committee on Lodge Attendance. He said the names of this Committee can be printed on the Lodge Notice. Bro. Woodall said the primary du ty of this Committee is to contact members of the Lodge to: 1. Urge attendance at Lodge meet· ings. 2. Talk up the planned program of the Worshipful Master. 3. Use every idea possible to increase attendance telephone cam· paigns, car pools and even pick up and delivery service for those whn need assistance. The Grand Master added : "You will find that many members will be happy to return to Lodge meetings. "All they need to be persu aded is our concern."