I was attending the Conference of Grand Masters of North America and one of the topics was “Who is Guarding the West Gate. It is you, my Brother, who is guarding the gate?” If someone should ask you for a petition or someone you know asks for one, would you sign that petition without knowledge of his background or would he uphold and conform to our code and constitution? In past years everyone lived in the community in which they were born and everyone knew of their character. Most of the time members of the Lodge knew the petitioner’s family and could give a favorable opinion of that person. In today’s transitient society you may have known a person that moved away for several years and returned. We can’t possibly know that persons action in the years he was away. It is therefore necessary to have a criminal background check into their character by a reputable company. It is also necessary to visit the petitioner’s home and get the wife’s opinion of Freemasonry. If we let one man in with bad character we may lose many good men who refuse to join because they will not associate with the questionable member. As a member of an investigation committee you are obligated to complete an extensive background check on the history of an applicant. Any member who knows something concerning the applicant has a duty to convey the information to the Worshipful Master or the investigation committee. You are the Guard at the West Gate.
In a few days we will observe the Thanksgiving holiday.  In America we have so much for which to be grateful.  God has blessed us as a fraternity, as a nation, as well as a family.  We are able to wake each morning and greet a new day in good health.  We are able to go where we want and do as we please—to church to worship, school to learn, or work to provide for the needs of our families.
We take so much for granted. Why are we free as a nation?  It’s because we have a military who volunteers to leave family, businesses, and homes to defend our nation if necessary, so that we won’t be in bondage like so many other countries.  Many of them have never known how wonderful it is to be free.  Many of our men and women in Armed Services sacrifice so much for us.  Some of them come home without limbs, blind, burned beyond recognition and others never see America again because they have paid the ultimate sacrifice with their lives.
Share Thanksgiving with others this year to show how much you appreciate what you have.  Make a contribution to feed the homeless.  Give them clothing to keep them warm in all kinds of weather. Many churches have ministries to donate food and clothing for the needy.  They also need to hear and know that someone loves and cares for them.
And, above all, as you gather around a bounteous table of food with your families and friends, remember to thank God for His blessings and live a life of gratitude each day.

​Fraternally,

William B. Rogers
Grand Master

As we meet together in our various Lodges do we ever consider the dedication and hard work of our forefathers in building the facilities we’ve inherited?  Their desire to build upon their predecessors’ labor is to insure they would give us this great fraternity in better condition than they received it.

It is time for us to reflect upon our responsibility and ask ourselves if we have the fervency and zeal that distinguishes us from our ancient Brethren.

As a Fraternity we have great philanthropies and we should be proud of that.  However, we aren’t a philanthropic organization.  We are to be more than promoting fundraisers  for different purposes.  Are we not to be different from other civic clubs and organizations? We are to be Brothers dedicated to promoting Relief and Brotherly Love and in doing so we are building better men….husbands, fathers, community leaders, and citizens.  It also strengthens that “Mystic Tie” that binds us into a sacred band of Brothers.

Are we following someone else’s expectations by doing the same things the same way year after year?  Our meetings should be inspiring, interesting, and creative, not just come and open the Lodge, read the minutes, pay bills, close, and go home.  Our Lodges must distinguish themselves from other fraternities or clubs by creating an experience that Brothers perceive as worthy of their time and effort. Do we have a good agenda of Masonic activities planned for our meetings such as an inspiring Masonic speakers, a good program of Masonic Education readily available for our Brethren to enjoy and learn more about our great Fraternity. There are many publications and videos readily available if we would only spend a little time in search of these. 

We must live up to the duties and responsibilities which we voluntarily took upon ourselves as Masons.  We come of our own freewill and accord.  We are not invited into the Fraternity.  We knocked upon the door for admission.  We are to live our Masonic principles before the public and in our everyday life.  If we do this, we will make a positive impact on others.  At first, they might seek admission just for the fraternal association but if they see we have something to offer them that is beneficial to daily living, they will see our Fraternity in a different light and seek admission.

If they do let’s give them the best fraternal experience we have to offer.  And finally ask yourself:  “Have I given the Fraternity my best?”

 

Fraternally,

 

William B. Rogers

Grand Master

 As I write this article our country is celebrating the fourth of July or Independence Day. The question came to me “Why do we celebrate the fourth of July”? This date should remind us of the freedoms we enjoy because of the brave men and women who fought the British government for the privilege of being free and giving us an independent America. The signers of the “Declaration of Independence” were courageous men who pledged their lives, their fortunes, their future and their sacred honor for the cause of freedom and independence. Most of these brave men lost everything and many lost their lives in the pursuit of the freedoms we now enjoy as free Americans. Also many of the signers were Freemasons.

     Some of the signers of the Declaration of Independence were from South Carolina. They were Thomas Heyward, Jr., Edward Rutledge and Arthur Middleton. They were captured by the British during the Charleston Campaign in 1780. They were held prisoners in dungeons at the St. Augustine Prison until their exchange a year later.

     Independence Day is associated with fireworks, cook-outs, parades, family reunions, ball games, speeches, concerts and other ceremonies, as well as other public and private celebrations of the history of our government and traditions of the United States. Independence Day is the birthday and National Day of Celebration of the United States.

     At the bombardment of Fort McHenry by ships of the British Navy in the war of 1812, Francis Scott Key, a thirty-five year old lawyer and amateur poet, was on one of those British ships trying to secure the release of Dr William Beanes, a prisoner of the British. As they watched the shelling of Ft. McHenry throughout the night, Key penciled a poem describing what he was witnessing. The poem was published in the Baltimore Patriot with the title “The Defense of Fort McHenry.” The poem became known as “The Star Spangled Banner.” Key’s poem was declared in 1931 by the U.S. Congress as the official anthem of the United States. A Mason named John Stafford Smith set the poem to music to the tune of an old English tune called “To Anacreon in Heaven” a difficult melody with a large vocal range sometime between 1770 and 1775. We are more familiar with the first stanza, but the anthem contains four. In indignation over the start of the American Civil War, Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr. added a fifth stanza to the song in 1861 which appeared in songbooks of the era.

     I hope that as you celebrated the “Fourth of July with your families and friends that you kept in mind that we are free because of the sacrifice of so many brave and honorable men.

        May God bless us, our Fraternity and pray that He will bless The United States of America.

  Sincerely and Fraternally,

William B. Rogers

Grand Master