■ 


VoL XVII. JUNE, 1904. No. 12. 





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CONTENTS FOR JUNE, 1904 


Robert Burns as a Freemason 453 

The Masonic Decalogue 455 

Corner-Stone Laid 456 

Golden Gate Commandery 456 

Oxnard Chapter Dedication 456 

Father and Sons 456 

Remarkable Masonic Incident 457 

Shriners as Actors 457 

Stockton Lodge of Perfection 455 

Nevada Commandery 453 

The Death Roll 455 

$50,000 Temple 45S 

Fiftieth Anniversary 455 

Eastern Star 45S 

Officers of Santa Rosa Lodge, No. 57 450 

The Exclusiveness of Masonry 460 

Eastern Star in California 463 

Encouragements of Freemasonry 464 

Is Freemasonry a Luxury? 467 

An Imposter Caught 467 

Masonic Manhood 463 

Develop Your Forces 46S 

Freemasonry and the Home 469 

Wanted — Handsaws 460 

Perfect Ashlars of Masonic Thought 470 

Editor’s Corner 472-473 

Striving for Consistency 474 

The Prophet of Almas •! 474 

Masons Should Read 474 

The Presentation 475 

Man’s Mission 47^ 

I’ll Pay You For It 475 

Powers of a Lodge 470 

The Afterglow 4^1 

The Reward of Merit 4^2 

The “Only Woman Mason” 4S3 

The Three Pillars 453 

Welcome for Visiting Fraters 4S4 

Chips from the Stone Quarries 4^9-401 


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454 


THE TRESTLE BOARD. 


1787, that the author is able to give the 
following to his fraternal readers: 

“At a general encampment of St. Abb’s 
Lodge, the following brethren were made 
Royal Arch Masons: Robert Burns, from 
the Lodge of St. J ames, Tarbolton, 
Ayrshire, and Robert Ainslie, from 
the Lodge of St. Luke, Edinburgh. 
Robert Ainslie paid one guinea ad- 
mission dues, but, on account of 
Robert Burns’ remarkable poetical genius, 
the encampment agreed to admit 
him gratis, and considered themselves hon- 
ored by having a man of such shining 
abilities for one of their companions.” 

Previous to Robert Burns being made a 
Master Mason, St. David’s Lodge No. 174, 
and St. James’ Lodge were consolidated 
under the name “St. David’s Lodge No. 
174, Ancient Freemasons,” and later sep- 
arated, each claiming their pride, “Bob- 
bie” Burns, to hold membership in said 
Lodges. 

Bro. Burns, after becoming a Mason, 
wrote many Masonic poems and songs. 
Through Scotland the 24th of June is 
generally observed by the Masonic frater- 
nity. In A. L. 5786 and in the early part 
of June, Bro. Burns being somewhat 
anxious to have a large attendance on the 
24th (St. John’s Day), sent to his brother 
Mason, the Doctor John Mackenzie, the 
following notice in poem form: 

“Friday first’s the day appointed 

By our right worshipful annointed 
To hold our grand procession : 

To get a bald of Jonnie’s morals 

And taste a swatch of Manson’s barrels 
I’ the way of our profession. 

The Master and the brotherhood 
Would a’ be glad to see you, 

For me I would be mair than proud 
To share the mercies wi’ you, 

If death, then wi’ skaith then, 

Some mortal heart is hetchin’. 

Inform him, and storm him 

That Saturday you’ll fetch hira.*’ 

The attendance on that St. John’s Day 
was large at renowned St. David’s Lodge, 
and a more proud Freemason never stood 
in Masonic cloth than Robert Burns as 
he extended the warm hand of friendship 
and brotherhood upon that grand occa- 
sion. Some of the minutes of that old 


Lodge are written by the poet. The mem- 
bers of St. David’s Lodge cherish with no 
small amount of pride the sacred tradi- 
tions of that Masonic body. The life of 
Robert Burns is dear to the curious and 
thinking Freemason throughout the en- 
tire world. His Masonic songs and poems 
are numerous, and are familiar in the 
minds of many Scotch Freemasons. He 
w^as a frequent and most welcome visitor 
to Masonic meetings in many places of 
“Bonnie” Scotland. The following is 
from his talented pen : 

“There’s mony a badge that’s unco braw, 

Wi’ ribbons, lace and tape on; 

Let Kings and Princes wear them a’, 

Grie me the Master’s apron. 

The honest craftman’s apron, 

The jolly Freemason’s apron, 

Bide he at hame, or roam afar, 

Before his touch fa’s bolt an’ bar, 

The gates of fortune fly ajar, 

’Gin he wears the apron. 

For w’alth and honor, pride and power, 

Are crumbling stanes to base on: 

Fraternity sh’u’d rule the hour 
And ilka worthy Mason. 

Each free accepted Mason. 

Each ancient crafted Mason. 

Then, brithers, let a halesome sang 
Arise your friendly ranks alang. 

Gudewives and bairnes blithely sing 

Ti’ the ancient badge wi’ the apron string 

That is worn by the Master Mason.” 

The records of January 12, A. L. 5788, 
St. Andrew’s Lodge, Edinburgh, show him 
to have visited there on that evening. Bro. 
Burns died July 21, 1796, and was buried 
on the following 26th at Alloway Kirk, 
Ayr. To the tourist a most interesting 
sight is the old churchyard of the kirk, 
where sleeps all that is earthly of Robert 
Burns, a brother among mankind and one 
of the bright lights in the poetical world. 
He was born, lived and died upon Ma- 
sonic ground, for once trod that hallowed 
soil the same Grand Master that erected 
the famous Melrose Abbey, whose hon- 
ored compeers all brethren of human free- 
dom are to thank for thp stand taken by 
them in those most trying times; acts, 
which were instrumental in shaping the 
destinies of the great Anglo-Saxon race. 
To the Scotch brethren the Freemasons of 
the entire earth should extend the heart 
greeting for their endeavor in preserving 
those sacred traditions. 


THE TRESTLE BOARD. 


4-V) 


The Masonic Decalogue. 

EXTRACTS FROM SCOTTISH RITE MORALS AND DOGMA 


Masonry has its decalogue, which is a 
law to its initiates. These are its ten com- 
mandments : 

I. Grod is the eternal, omnipotent, im- 
mutable Wisdom and Supreme Intelli- 
gence and exhaustless love. 

Thou shalt adore, revere and love Him. 

Thou shalt honor Him by practicing 
the virtues. 

II. Thy religion shall be to do good 
because it is a pleasure to thee, and not 
merely because it is a duty. 

That thou mayest become the friend 
of the wise man, thou shalt obey his pre- 
cepts. 

Thy soul is immortal. Thou shalt do 
nothing to degrade it. 

III. Thou shalt unceasingly war 
against vice. 

Thou shalt not do unto others that 
which thou wouldest not wish them to 

do unto thee. 

Thou shalt be submissive to thy for- 
tunes, and keep burning the light of wis- 
dom. 

IV. Thou shalt honor thy parents. 

Thou shalt pay respect and homage to 

the aged. 

Thou shalt instruct the young. 

Thou shalt protect and defend infancy 
and innocence. 

V . Thou shalt cherish thy wife and thy 
children. 

Thou shalt love thy country and obey 
its laws. 

A I. Thy friend shall be to thee a second 
self. 

Misfortune shall not estrange thee from 
him. 

Thou shalt do for his memory whatever 
thou wouldest do for him if he were liv- 
ing. 


VII. Thou shalt avoid and tlee from 
insincere friendships. 

Thou shalt in everything refrain from 
excess. 

Thou shalt fear to be the cause of stain 
on thy memory. 

VIII. Thou shalt allow no passion to 
become thy master. 

Thou shalt make the passions of others 
profitable lessons to thyself. 

Thou shalt be indulgent to error. 

IX. Thou shalt hear much. Thou shalt 
speak little. Thou shalt act well. 

Thou shalt forget injuries. 

Thou shalt render good for evil. 

Thou shalt not misuse either thy 
strength or thy superiority. 

X. Thou shalt study to know men : that 
therebv thou mavest learn to know thv- 
self. 

Thou shalt ever seek after virtue. 

Thou shalt be just. 

Thou shalt avoid idleness. 

But the great commandment of Ma- 
sonry is this: ‘*A new commandment 
give I unto you : that ye love one another. 
He that saith he is in the light, and 
hateth his brother, remaineth still in the 
darkness.” 

Such are the moral duties of a Mason. 
But it is also the duty of Masonry to assist 
in elevating the moral and intellectual 
level of society; in coining knowledge, 
bringing ideas into circulation, and caus- 
ing the mind of youth to grow : and in 
putting, gradually, by the teachings of 
axioms and the promulgation of positive 
laws, the human race in harmony with 
its destinies. 

We do not undervalue the importance 
of any truth. We utter no word that ’can 
be deemed irreverent by any one. of any 
faith. We do not tell the Moslem that it 


456 


TEE TRESTLE BOARD . 


is only important for him to believe that 
there is but one God, and wholly unessen- 
tial whether Mohammed was the Prophet. 
We do not tell the Hebrew that the Messiah 
whom he expects was born in Bethlehem 
nearly two thousand years ago, and that 
he is a heretic because he will not so be- 
lieve. And as little do we tell the sincere 
Christian that Jesus of Nazareth was but 
a man like us, or His history but the un- 
real revival of an older legend. To do 
either is beyond our jurisdiction. Ma- 
sonry, of no one age, belongs to all time; 
of no one religion, it finds its great truths 
in all. 


Corner Stone Laid. 

The corner-stone of the new Masonic Tem- 
ple at Redondo, Cal., was laid with appro- 
priate ceremonies May 10th, by the Grand 
Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Cali- 
fornia. Past Junior Grand Warden Charles 
E. Mitchell officiated as Grand Master. 

The Grand Lodge convened at 2 p. m. at 
Forester’s Hall and proceeded to the site of 
the new building and there awaiting them 
were the handsome corner-stone with the in- 
scription, “Laid May 10, 1904, by the M. W. 
Grand Lodge F. & A. M., and a large crowd 
of interested spectators. 

Prayers were said by Grand Chaplain C. 
W. Leckenby after which Past Master P. S. 
Venable presented Acting Grand Master 
Mitchell with a handsome silver trowel in 
behalf of Redondo Lodge, No. 328, F. & A. 
M. The ceremony then proceeded and as 
the stone was placed in its respective posi- 
tion the Grand Honors were given. 

A receptacle containing the following ar- 
ticles was placed in the stone: Roll of mem- 
bership, copy of the by-laws of Redondo 
Lodge, membership roll of Carnation Chap- 
ter, No. 171, O. E. S., Book of the Holy 
Writings, list of Redondo Board of Trade, 
list of Redondo Board of Trustees, copies of 
local newspapers, F. & A. M. Monitor. 

At the close of the ceremony the lodge 
reconvened and all repaired to the banquet 
hall, where an elegant collation was served. 
Speeches were then the order. 

The new building will be of brick and will 
be two stories, the upper floor being devoted 
entirely to lodge purposes, the lower floor to 
store rooms, etc., and when completed will 
cost between seven and eight thousand dol- 
lars. 


Nevada Commandery, No. 0, K. T., in- 
stalled officers at Nevada City, Cal., May 
21st, for the ensuing Templar year. 


Golden Gate Commandery. 

The annual installation of Golden Gate 
Commandery, No. 16, K. T., was held at 
Golden Gate Hall May 9th, the regularly 
elected officers, whose names are given else- 
where in this issue and the following ap- 
pointed officers, were duly inducted into 
office: 

W. H. White, Standard Bearer; Henry C. 
Schaerter, Sword Bearer; J. Fessenden 
Clark, Warder; F. W. Buttelmann, M. J. 
Fairfield and C. W. Tozier, Guards; W. H. 
Smith, Sentinel; Samuel D. Mayer, Organist. 
The installing ceremonies were performed 
by W. Frank Pierce, Right Eminent Grand 
Commander of California, assisted by Past 
Grand Commander Frank W. Sumner. Rob- 
ert W. Campbell, the retiring Commander, 
was presented with a commandery cross, 
studded with diamonds, and a colonial clock 
costing $1,000. The presentation speech was 
made on behalf of the organization by 
George W. Clark. 

At the banquet hall an elaborate menu 
was served. P. D. Code acted as toastmas- 
ter. Responses were made as follows: “Our 
Allegiance to the Grand Commandery,” W. 
Frank Pierce; “Our Commandery,” J. C. 
Campbell; “Our Fraters,” S. M. Shortridge; 
“The Order,” General C. A. Woodruff; 
“What Our Captain General Expects of Us 
This Year,” Charles L. Field. 


Oxnard Chapter Dedication. 

Oxnard Chapter, No. 86, R. A. M., was 
dedicated with great pomp and imposing 
ceremonial, May 11th. The ceremonies were 
conducted by John Francis Hughes, Deputy 
Grand High Priest and the Grand Chapter 
of California. 

The following officers were installed: 

High Priest, P. S. Carr; King, M. J. Ely; 
Scribe, T. A. Rice; Treasurer, Jay Spence; 
Secretary, B. S. Braddock; Chaplain, Frank 
Petit; Captain of Host, Earl Carr; Prin. So- 
journer, B. S. Virden; Royal Arch Captain, 
J. A. Driffill; Master Third Vail, H. W. Wit- 
man; Master Second Vail, J. H. Sebastian; 
Master First Vail, R. L. Beardsley; Guard, 
E. B. Short. 


Father and Sons. 

A happening unusual in Masonry and as 
interesting occurred in Yreka, Cal., earlv in 
May, when H. Mattern and his two sons of 
Hornbrook, were given their last degree in the 
Commandery. All of the degrees of Masonry, 
from first to last, have been conferred upon the 
three together on the same dates, which is an 
unusual occurrence. Also Mr. and Mrs. Mat- 
tern, their daughter and two sons, were re- 
ceived in the Eastern Star Chapter, the degree 
being conferred on them at the same time. 


THE TRESTLE BOARD. 


457 


Remarkable Masonic Incident. 


The first Masonic funeral that ever oc- 
curred in California took pace in the year 
1849. and was performed over the body of 
a brother found in the bay of San Fran- 
cisco, according to a Colorado paper. An 
account of the ceremonies states that on 
the body of the deceased was found a silver 
mark of a Mason, upon which were en- 
graved the initials of his name. A little 
further investigation revealed to the be- 
holder the most singular exhibition of 
Masonic emblems that was ever drawn by 
the ingenuity of man upon the human 
skin. There is nothing in the history or 
traditions of Freemasonry equal to it. 
Beautifully dotted on his left arm, in red 
and blue ink, which time could not efface, 
appeared all the emblems of the entered 
apprenticeship. There were the Holy 
Bible, the square and the compasses, twen- 
ty-four-inch gauge and the common gavel. 
There was also the mosaic pavement rep- 
resenting the ground floor of King Solo- 
mon’s Temple, the indented tessel which 
surrounds it, and the blazing star in the 
center. On the right arm. and artistical- 
ly executed in the same indelible liquid, 
were the emblems pertaining to the Fel- 
lowc-raft degree, viz. : the square, the level 
and the plumb. There were also the five 
orders of architecture — the Tuscan, Dor- 
ic. Ionic, Corinthian and Composite. In 
removing the garments from his body the 
trowel presented itself, with all the other 
tools of operative Masonry. Over his 
heart was a pot of incense. On the other 
parts of his body were the beehive, the 
Book of Constitutions guarded by the 
tylers sword, the sword pointing to a 
naked heart, the all-seeing eye. the anchor 
and the ark, the hour-glass, the scythe, the 
forty-seventh problem of Euclid, the sun. 
moon, stars and comets, the three steps 
emblematical of youth, manhood and age. 
Admiraby executed was the weeping vir- 
gin, reclining upon a broken column, upon 


which lay the Book of Constitution- In 
her left hand she held the pot of incense, 
the Masonic emblem of the soul. Imme- 
diately beneath her stood winged Time, 
with his scythe by his side, which cuts the 
brittle thread of life, and the hour-glass 
at his feet, which is ever reminding us 
that our lives are fast withering away. The 
withered and attenuated fingers of the De- 
stroyer were placed amid the long and 
gracefully flowing ringlets of the disconso- 
late mourner. Thus were the striking em- 
blems of mortality beautifully blended in 
one pictorial representation. It was a 
spectacle such as Masons never before saw, 
and, in all probability, such as the Frater- 
nity will never witness again. Hi.- name 
was never known. 


Shriners as Actors. 

The members of Islam Temple, Mystic 
Shrine, their families and friends had a very 
enjoyable time at the Alhambra Theater on 
Saturday evening, May 2Sth. The occasion 
was the burlesque representation of an old- 
time circus. The originator of the piece was 
\V. L. Haskell ; most of the actors were mem- 
bers of Islam Temple, and to them is due the 
credit for the success of the odd show. The 
several members of Islam who took part dis- 
played skill in burlesque that would do credit 
to professionals. That the farcical perform- 
ance was enjoyed and appreciated by the large 
and fashionable audience, was fully manifested 
by the hilarity that pervaded the theater. The 
fun was “fast and furious.*’ Bennett’s band 
rendered some exquisite music, and, represent- 
ing the “village orchestra,” they discoursed 
some excruciating discords that brought down 
the house in bursts of applause, compelling 
encores. 

The scene in the theater was one of beauty, 
to which great effect was given by the num- 
erous toy balloons emblazoned with the emblem 
of the Shrine, and presented to the ladie« a* 
they entered. The variegated colors of the*e 
souvenirs as they floated above the heads of 
the audience gave a picturesque variety to the 
scene, and added to the pleasure of the occa- 
sion. 

The Shriners anticipated a night of hilarity 
and fun, and they had it in full measure 
Dignity was for the time put aside, and yet the 
whole performance was unobjectionable. Such 
occasions of relaxation afford- pleasure and 
profit, rest and refreshment. 


458 


THE TRESTLE BOARD . 


The Death Roll. 

Sir Joseph Alvah Locke, of Portland, 
Ore., Senior Grand Warden of the Grand 
Encampment, K. T., of the United States, 
died late in April, after a brief illness. 
Brother Locke served in both houses of the 
Maine State Legislature, presiding over the 
State Senate in 1881 and 1882, and was also 
a member of the Governor’s Council for 
four years. He was elected Grand Master of 
the State of Maine in 1896, and served two 
terms. He was also for two terms Grand 
High Priest of the Grand Chapter, 1881-3. 
He was Grand Commander of the Grand 
Commandery in 1888-9. He was also promi- 
nent in the Scottish Rite, having received 
the thirty-third degree at Detroit in 1884, 
and having served as Commander-in-Chief 
of Maine Consistory. 


New Lodge of StocKton. 

Stockton Lodge of Perfection, No. 12, A. 
and A. S. R., was instituted in Stockton May 
19th by Inspector-General W. Frank Pierce. 
The lodge starts with twelve charter members 
and plenty of hope of harmony and prosperity. 
The Venerable Master is Bro. E. C. Stewart, 
who is also High Priest of the Royal Arch 
Chapter in that city. The following were 
elected officers : E. C Stewart, Master ; J. W. 
Rupert, Senior Warden; P. C. Krog, Junior 
Warden ; F. W. Goodrum, Secretary ; F. M. 
West, Treasurer; Dr. S. F. Calhoun, Orator; 
J. N. Woods, Almoner; W. B. Thomas, Master 
of Ceremonies : P. E. Platt and M. S. Arndt, 
Experts; E. W. S. Woods, Captain of the 
Guard ; Frank Dickinson, T. 


Nevada Commandery. 

Nevada Commandery, No, 6, K. T., has 
elected and installed the following officers : 
Thomas Ingram, E. C. ; Fred. L. Arbogast, 
Gen.; William Griffin, C. G. ; P. W. Mitchell, 
S. W. ; Benjamin Hall, J. W. ; John T. Mor- 
gan, Treas. ; Frank Aver, Prelate; A. A. 
Attkisson, Standard Bearer; W. J. Peters, 
Sword Bearer; W. E. Meservey, Warder; An- 
tone Tam, Sentinel ; Gustave Fischer, First 
Guard ; George W. West, Second Guard ; 
Atherton S. Lord, Third Guard ; W. D. Harris, 
Organist. 

Bro. W. H. Edwards, Grand Lecturer of 
California, visited lodges in Pacific Grove and 
Watsonville, May 13th and 14th. 


The installation of officers of Bakersfield 
Commandery, K. T., was conducted April 14th 
by Grand Commander W. Frank Pierce. 


The installation of officers of Sacramento 
Commandery, No. 2. K. T., has been set for 
June 3d. iust as the Trestle Board is going to 
press. We are therefore unable to give full 
account of same in this number. 


California Commandery will inwall officers 
early in June. 


$50,000 Temple. 

The Masons of Palo Alto are formulating 
plans for an elegant new Masonic Temple to be 
erected at that place soon, information of which 
was published in a former issue of the Trestle 
Board. 

A fine site was secured about two years ago, 
on University Avenue, the value of which has 
doubled during that time. In a short time 
architects will be asked to prepare plans and 
specifications for the temple, which will be one 
of the handsomest in the valley. It will be 
large and will contain a theatre, two or three 
stores, several lodge rooms and a large banquet 
room. It is to be modern and complete in every 
detail, and will be an ornament to the town. 

It is estimated that the building will cost 
$50,000. The site is in a fine location and a 
building such as will be erected will show from 
all directions and will add greatly to the value 
of surrounding property. 


Fiftieth* Anniversary. 

Martinez Lodge No. 41, F. & A. M., cele- 
brated its semi-centennial Tuesday, May 17th, 
at Masonic Hall at that place, with an enter- 
tainment and banquet. Masons and their 
families to the number of two hundred were 
present. An interesting musical and literary 
program was given. 

Past Grand Master Wm. S. Wells delivered 
an address embracing an historical resume of 
the founding and growth of the Lodge from 
the 17th of May, 1854, to the 17th of May, 1904. 

A banquet followed at which speeches were 
the order. 


Eastern Star. 

In Violet Chapter, No. 102, San Miguel, 
Cal., five candidates were initiated May 13th. 
The ceremonies were followed by a sumptuous 
banquet. 


At a meeting of the Eastern Star Chapter 
at Santa Ana, held early in May, Mr. and Mrs. 
O. M. Robbins were presented with an elegant 
Haviland china salad set, in honor of the 
twentieth anniversary of their marriage. Bro. 
Robbins is Inspector of the Masonic District. 


Ocean Spray Chapter, No. 68, O. E. S., 
Monterey, Cal., held a notable meeting may 
4th. The occasion was the annual inspec- 
tion by the District Deputy Grand Matron, 
Mrs. Matilda Victoria Fifield, of Pacific 
Grove. There was a very large attendance 
of members and the hall was prettily decor- 
ated. The degree work was exemplified in a 
manner that called forth the hearty ap- 
proval of the District Deputy and the As- 
sociate Grand Matron Sister Conant, of San 
Jose, who was present. 

Mrs. Fifield was presented with a beautiful 
souvenir spoon, the address accompanying 
it being made by Past Matron Sylvia G. 
Hamilton. The recipient responding in a 
happily worded speech. 


THE TRESTLE BOARD. 


459 



Upper— H. S. Davis, J. D.; E. R. Sawyer, S. D. ; Vernon Goodwin, M. ; W. L. Whittaker, Steward; C. B. Kobes, Tyler, 
Lower— J. W. Warboys, Treas.. A. V. McNab, S. W.; W. P. Shearer, W. M.; Carl A. Lane, J. W.; W. H. Pool, Sec. 


Officers of Santa Rosa Lodge, No. 57. 


Santa Eosa Lodge, Xo. 57, F. & A. M., 
was formally instituted in Santa Eosa 
June 24, 1854, after having been working 
under a dispensation for some time. From 
a handful of Masons the lodge has grown 
to be a large and powerful organization in 
the last half century. 

There are now over two hundred and 
fifty members on the roll, and the number 
is growing steadily. During the past few 
years the lodge has raised a number of the 
sons of some of its most prominent mem- 
bers. 

The lodge recently purchased a lot 8 Ox 
140 feet at the corner of Fourth and D 
streets and is planning to erect a modern 
three-story structure thereon, which will be 
done as soon as the present Masonic hall 
property is disposed of. The lower section 
will be used for stores, and the upper floors 


for hall, banquet room and ante-rooms. 
The first Masonic hall in Santa Eosa is 
said to have been located in the third 
building erected in the town. 

C. W. Matthews, of Alexander Valley, is 
the only surviving charter member of Xo. 
57, and is still quite a hale and hearty 
brother. He is expected to be the guest of 
honor at the celebration of the Golden 
Jubilee, the fiftieth anniversary of the 
lodge, which is being planned for June 
24th/ 

The present officer- of Santa Eosa Lodge 
are: William P. Shearer. W. M. : A. V. 
McXab. S. W. ; Carl A. Lane. J. W. ; J. W. 
Warboys. treasurer : W. H. Pool, secretary ; 
E. E., Sawyer. S. D. : H. S. Davis. J. D. ; 
W. L. Whittaker and Danville Decker, 
Stewards: C. B. Kobes. Tyler; A. L. 
Burleson. Chaplain, and W. H. Ahrens, 
Organist. 


460 


THE TRESTLE BOARD. 


The Exclusiveness of Masonry. 

DR. JAMES B. MCFATRICH, 33 ° IN MASONIC CHRONICLER. 


Masonry is exclusive. It is well that it 
is. A picture that is intended to fascinate 
the ages cannot be hung on the outer wall. 
It must he carefully guarded and pre- 
served. A pearl must not be made so 
common that its beauty may be soiled by 
ruthless hands. A force that makes for 
universal good ought not to be weakened 
by over-work or needless exposure. There 
ought to be a welcome at every Masonic 
altar for all who can strengthen this 
splendid instrumentality for the uplifting 
of mankind. There must be a rigid re- 
jection of every element that will impair 
its strength and beauty. Solicitation is 
unmasonic though not uncommon in some 
lodges. There ought to> be no need for 
solicitation. The square and compass 
should mean so much to noble manhood 
as to make every lodge room too small, 
and the work of every lodge exhaustively 
laborious. Men face death to dig into 
the frozen earth for gold ; they court the 
heat of Africa in search of diamonds; 
they climb mountains to find health ; they 
are tireless in feasting the eye and soul 
upon the beautiful. Why ? There is fasci- 
nation and real worth in what they seek. 
The Masonic altar has been built in al- 
most every town and village and is numer- 
ous in every city. Temples of Masonry 
lift their domes where every eye can see 
them, and the emblems of Masonry are 
worn by a vast army of men. In them- 
selves none of these things mean any- 
thing. An altar is senseless wood and gilt ; 
temples, imaginary or real, are simple 
architecture; the square and compass are 
cold, unfeeling metal. The symbols of 
Masonry are only guide-boards to the most 
beautiful system of truth, charity, sym- 
pathy, manhood and brotherhood that man 
has ever devised — a system so beautiful 
that it must be an irresistible charm to 
every manly heart and intellect. The 
guide-boards, like the guide-board at the 
cross roads, say: “Yonder is what you 
want.” But the traveler on the highway 


would be disappointed and indignant if 
the finger of the board at the crossroads 
pointed toward a waste or a trackless 
forest. Does the square and compass point 
to what it claims to be pointing at? It 
says: This way to the finest development 
of heart and soul, to ravishing beauty, to 
delightful peace, to a family reunion at 
the Father’s fireside, to a refuge for child- 
hood and the home of age. If this is what 
we make Masonry the millions will stand 
at its doors eager to enter. 

Masons should never forget that it is 
the inside and not the outside that needs 
the most careful watching. The lodge 
can attract only those who can see beauty 
and benefit — moral and intellectual — in 
its ritual, work and influence, if its stan- 
dards are high. It is a mistake to think 
that a system in itself, however beautiful 
in conception, can win admiration and 
loyalty. The loveliest picture that was 
ever painted would never thrill if it were 
not hung by human hands upon the wall. 
The statue that glows with the touch of 
genius and seems to breathe and speak, or 
smile or weep, would be as cold and ir- 
responsive to our longings for what it 
represents as the rough marble from which 
it was chipped, if it were not set on a 
pedestal for our study and admiration. 
The church spire and the church altar 
and the sacred desk mean nothing but a 
suggestion that there is a system of reli- 
gion which involves ideals of man’s rela- 
tions to God and his fellow-man. It is 
the people in the pews and the preacher 
in the pulpit that must give vitality and 
beauty to religion, if it has any. The high 
character of Masonry, its gentleness that 
will win, its love and sympathy that will 
crowd our anterooms with men who are 
knocking for admission, and the eloquence 
of its forms must find brilliant expression 
in our individual lives, if we ever expect 
that all who ought to be Masons ever will 
be. 

If we are Masons only in the lodge room 


THE TRESTLE BOARD. 


*461 


we lack the spirit of Masonry which in 
its perfection is a charm that the noble- 
minded cannot resist. The people who 
ought not to be Masons would never seek 
admission if they knew that to be one was 
to live in an atmosphere of purity, love 
and devoted brotherhood to man. The Or- 
der's exclusiveness ought to be its exclu- 
sive openness in advancing the best inter- 
ests of the human race in leveling man- 
kind with a moral force, the spirit of love 
and a hunger for the dawn of universal 
brotherhood. The influence of Masonry 
in this direction is evident and unques- 
tionable, but not what it might be if every 
Mason had a full conception of the 
breadth and depth of Masonic significance 
and was always a practical exponent of 
Masonic truth and splendor. The civili- 
zation of which we are so pardonably 
proud, and which means the betterment 
of human conditions, is the aggregate of 
individual effort and sacrifice. Even col- 
lective forces are simply the sum of indi- 
vidualisms. It has been the Washingtons 
that sat liberty on her throne ; it has been 
the Lincolns that regilded the throne and 
re-robed the queen who sits there; it was 
the Franklins who tamed the lightnings : 
the Morses who sent them tripping along 
the wires, and the Edisons who taught 
them language. It is the lone man who 
has dug into the mountain and found the 
golden treasure, dived beneath the waves 
and discovered the beautifully tinted 
coral, and rode the seas and scaled the 
mountains to find new continents or new 
worth and splendor : and it must be the 
individual man who is to make the world 
a brotherhood. Whoever will carry Ma- 
sonry out into the world will train it to 
measure up to the highest ideals that man 
has ever formed. In the jungles it will 
cause the flowers to bloom; in the night 
it will paint the beauty of the morning 
on the gloom : in the midst of contentions 
it will be the dove of peace ; to every heart 
that aches it. will be a balm and over every 
grave it will arch a rainbow of consoling 
promise. But the lodge name, nor the 
ritual, nor the emblems, nor the brilliant 


history of Masonic triumphs can accom- 
plish this. The individual Mason whose 
heart has flowered in brotherhood must 
do it. He must be the living ideal of 
Masonry, so pure and brilliant in \u< great 
office of brother to mankind that his foot- 
steps will glow like a star of the, night 
and his voice will be like melody to the 
hopeless. What makes this man a light 
to the world, a hope to the hopeless, a 
guide to the lost, an inspiration to the de- 
spairing, a character that seems like a 
fadeless flower in the desert? will be the 
inquiry, and the answer will come from 
admiring men: Masonry — exclusive in its 
grandeur of purpose and exclusive in its 
holy ministrations; exclusive in that it 
wants exalted manhood as its expositor 
and love for man as the brilliant light that 
fills every heart that is covered by the 
square and compass. 

In the lodge room it is a dull intellect, 
an unresponsive conscience and a heart 
that beats in discord with the finer feel- 
ings of our nature, that do not respond to 
the eloquent call to higher, holier living 
and the invitation to aid in the broaden- 
ing of brotherhood. But the trouble is 
that we are apt to forget it all at the portal 
of the lodge room. It may not have oc- 
curred to all of us that Jekyll and Hyde 
are an extravagant portrayal of most men, 
perhaps all. Double mindedness, double 
characters, sometimes as unlike as the an- 
tipodes, are a human frailty. Lnder this 
influence the mind is as pure as the snow- 
flake that rides the wind : under that in- 
fluence it is a seething caldron of thought 
that is an offense to purity. In this posi- 
tion we are the soul of benevolence, in an- 
other we may be the blight of selfishness. 
There is no place in Masonry for double 
characters — no place for Jekylls and 
Hydes, no place for a Mason at the altar 
and only a meaningless badge of Masonry 
out in the world. When the man is en- 
dowed with the inspiration of Masonic 
teachings it means that he has acknowl- 
edged God and is a friend, an active, ever- 
lasting, loving friend of man. Are you a 
Mason ? 


462 



THE TRESTLE BOARD. 




* 


THE TRESTLE BOARD. 


403 


Eastern Star in California. 

BY GEO. F. MCXOBLE, WORTHY GRAND PATRON. 


The Order of the Eastern Star is now 
about thirty-two years old in California 
and has had a very auspicious career. At 
the close of the Grand Chapter last au- 
tumn there were in this State 181 active 
Chapters, containing 16,504 members. At 
present, it is safe to say, there are up- 
ward of 17,000 members enrolled. 

From very humble beginnings the order 
has grown to great strength and useful- 
ness under the patronage and protection of 
the Masonic Order. It had the raison 
d'etre in a desire upon the part of the fe- 
male members of the Masonic families to 
unite and more closely assist in carrying 
out the spirit of mutual help ; or to put it 
more concretely "The Order of the East- 
ern Star exists for the purpose of giving 
practical effect to one of the beneficient 
purposes of Freemasonry, which is to pro- 
vide for the welfare of the wives, daugh- 
ters. mothers and widows of Master Ma- 
sons.” 

Wherever a good, healthy lodge of Ma- 
sons has been planted and grown, it has 
been our experience to find that a Chap- 
ter of the Eastern Star will thrive and 
nestle thereby. Although not connected 
by any actual legal tie, or by any cognate 
origin, yet the Order of the Eastern Star 
has grown under the nourishing rays of 
Masonic Light, and must stand as a co- 
ordinate society of Masonic sympathizers 
and workers having a unity of aims with 
the craft. 

So intimately are the careers of the two 
orders blended that no injury may befall 
Masonry without casting its shadow upon 
the Eastern Star. And the converse is 
also as true. 

Chapters are being instituted at the rate 
of about ten or twelve per year throughout 
the State to meet the needs of the incom- 
ing tide of immigration. 


The Good Samaritan idea linked to the 
doctrine of ethics laid down in the Golden 
Rule seem to be the two guiding and con- 
trolling principles of this Order — and 
these principles are put in practice by 
obeying the injunction, “Love one an- 
other.” 

The Grand Chapter of California is a 
constituent member of the General Grand 
Chapter, and this State has been honored 
more than once by having one of its 
Grand officers chosen to preside over the 
deliberations of the Xational Grand Body. 
The organization is centralized, and the 
law and ritual work come, for the most 
part, from the highest tribunal. 

The government is dual, i. e. the execu- 
tive officers are from both sexes, and have 
their respective fields of activity. But the 
division of labors is so happily arranged 
that there should be no conflict of juris- 
diction in the exercise of official functions. 

In this gala year of Masonic progress, 
the members of the Order of the Eastern 
Star will be found always lending a help- 
ful hand toward making memorable and 
enjoyable the pilgrimage of the Sir 
Knights and their ladies to the Golden 
West. The fact is that the really onerous 
task of taking care of the Sir Knights this 
autumn is to devolve upon the Order of 
the Eastern Star in a large measure. But 
we all know that the Sir Knights are gal- 
lant and will bestow the palm where it 
properly belongs and that their apprecia- 
tion and gratitude run ahead of their 
coming. Thus the Eastern Star makes 
headwav step by step with all branches of 
Masonry, and it is little wonder that the 
vigorous growth of Masonry during these 
past few years in this State is reflected so 
vividly in enthusiastic and phenomenal 
advancement of the ranks of those who 
have seen His star in the East, and who 
have come to worship Him. 


464 


THE TRESTLE BOARD. 



Encouragements of Freemasonry. 


Upon this subject Rev. Brother Joseph 
J. Woolley addressed the Grand Lodge of 
Rhode Island at its last annual communi- 
cation : 

It is with feelings of deep interest that 
I speak of the outlook and encourage- 
ments of Masonry. In my own life I 
have felt the touch of the influence and 
the grip of the iron hand of an all-pre- 
vailing and permanent brotherhood, which 
took on form and order in ancient times, 
and contains in itself the elements and 
essence of its own perpetuity. 

The antiquity of our Order is a pledge 
and proof of its continuance. 

Some years ago an old gentleman said 
to me, “I fear I shall be cast off at last.” 
1 said, “How long, Mr. Yale, have you 
trusted God?” “All my life,” he an- 
swered. “Do you think, then, that He 
will desert you now, that you have come 
to infirmity and old age? Is not fhe past 


an evidence of God's faithfulness and en- 
couragement, and proof that He will con- 
tinue to keep you to the end?” It is one 
of the grand and glorious features of 
our Order that it comes down to us from 
a rich and ennobling past. It is not, like 
Jonah's gourd, the creature of a day; it 
is hoary with age, and the annals of an- 
tiquity mark its footsteps and are a part 
of its record. It began when God directed 
the actions of men in special operations, 
and men felt the need of a mutual alli- 
ance and support. It is the more re- 
markable that in its course, while other 
things have changed, kingdoms and em- 
pires have risen and gone into decay, it 
has continued steadily onward — pre- 
serving intact both its integrity and its 
principle, and presents itself to us to-day 
in all its sterling character and beauty, 
unblemished and pure. Like the two pil- 
lars in Solomon's temple, Jachin and 


THE TRESTLE BOARD. 


Boaz, they were not only beautiful — they 
were strong, sustaining and useful. The 
crowning glory of Masonry is its use. Like 
the mighty impulse of Niagara Falls, it 
fills the mind with wonder; at the same 
time it moves the machinery that lights 
the regions round about. We must not 
lose sight of the fact, my brethren, that 
the teachings and principles of Masonry 
have affected the welfare of men in all the 
ages and in all the conditions through 
which it has passed. 

The next ground of encouragement in 
Masonry is in its essential character. 

Some things can never die. An oak 
falling to the ground, will sprout again, 
and another tree will rise from its roots. 
Even a forest, if it is laid low by the wood- 
man’s axe, will perpetuate itself and an- 
other forest will take its place. The 
things that are essential to life and the 
welfare of men have in themselves the 
elements of their own continuance. It 
was so ordered at the first — at the begin- 
ning. When God created the earth and 
the things therein, He said “Let the earth 
bring forth grass, the nerb yielding seed, 
and the fruit tree yielding fruit, whose 
seed was in itself; and God saw that it 
was good.” Thus this tree, whose seed is 
in itself, carries with it the pledge and 
promise of its future. A thing may die 
after it has served its purpose. Have the 
service and purpose of Masonry been ac- 
complished? Are there no more young 
men to imbibe its principles and be gov- 
erned by its teachings ? Do men no long- 
er need its fostering care? Has the-lion’s 
paw lost its grip ? Has fraternity become 
effete, and its fellowship no longer charm- 
ing, ministering and sweet? Do we not 
see, my brethren, that nothing, however 
high or holy, no great truth or principle, 
becomes effective until it takes on form, 
which form it retains until its purpose ha> 
been accomplished? What is the heart 
of Masonry — what its essential life — if it 
be not in its beneficence? When I be- 
came a Mason, forty-eight years ago. the 
first sign that engaged my eye was the 


ir»5 

letter “G.” I have never lost the impres- 
sion of it from that hour to this. Its 
great character and teachings are based 
on that truth, God is; and because of linn 
Masonry exists among men. Xo infidel, 
no agnostic, no man of evil mind, or of 
bad repute, can enter this body, or be- 
come a member. It is idle talk to draw 
a distinction between the Lodge and the 
Church. They differ in form and cere- 
mony; but good is good everywhere the 
wide world over, and God is good. If the 
real truth were not ours, if our life were 
based on theory and human philosophy — 
if no high purpose, no great underlying 
principle, lay at the foundation of our 
Order — it would have ceased long ago. It 
would indeed have been like Jonah’s 
gourd — it would have begun in a day and 
perished in a day. We should have never 
heard of it. It. is here; it has been be- 
queathed to us. We need it; and whether 
we, in our day, foster it or not, it will ex- 
ist, and coming generations — wiser, per- 
haps, than we — shall know the right. I 
was told when I became a Mason that in 
it there was nothing that conflicted with 
the duty I owed to God, to my country, or 
to myself. In nearly a half century of 
experience and observation I have found 
that to be true. In addition, I have found 
it to be the conservator, adjuster and up- 
holder of all that which is important and 
essential to all these. The only thing un- 
true and unnecessary in Masonry is a 
false and untrue brother. When a man 
becomes an unworthy Mason he is an un- 
worthy man. 

The next feature of encouragement in 
Masonry is in the character and intelli- 
gence of its members. 

I am so old-fashioned as to believe that 
there is nothing in the ritual or principles 
of Masonry to forbid Solomon and other 
great men of his day from beginning and 
establishing this plant in the world; or 
that the Saints John were Masons. Be 
that as it may, we do not doubt, or ques- 
tion. that the Father of Our Country, the 
martyred President McKinley, the King 
of Great Britain and the best and greatest 


466 


THE TRESTLE BOARD . 


of men in all lands, were, and are Masons. 
Such is the genius and attractiveness of 
our Order that men of the best minds and 
of the most upright life desire and seek 
membership in it. Of no other society 
can it be said in the same way that neither 
wealth nor station, learning nor distinc- 
tion, qualify or disqualify a man for 
membership in it. We meet on the level. 
But we may not pass by a mam’s reputa- 
tion and character. He must be worthy 
and well qualified. It is a matter of en- 
couragement to us to know that such men 
fill our ranks and are seeking admission 
to membership with us. It should be 
known, difficult as it is to find admission 
here, that it is not alone a black ball that 
bars the way, the man himself bars it, and 
the committees find out what he has failed 
to see. An old proverb is, “Know thy- 
self." In this respect Masonry is a mir- 
ror which reveals the spots in a man’s life 
he himself has not discovered. It is a 
mirror to ourselves also, my brethren, to 
which we do well to take heed. We are 
among men who before they took the sol- 
emn oath to keep inviolate the words and 
secrets of the Order, were governed by 
these wide principles in their own per- 
sonal lives. It has often been to me a 
proud and happy reflection that I was 


made a Mason, and to-day, while I look 
around me, I am proud that I am a Ma- 
son. I find the sands in the hour glass of 
my life are running low; the days of the 
years of my life will not be as many as 
they have been. The sun goes down be- 
hind the hills in the west, but I am not 
afraid; His setting beams gild the clouds 
that hang in the firmament; the tall 
buildings and the spires of the churches 
catch the radiance He leaves behind Him 
and His setting glory may outrival the 
glory of His rising. Such for you and 
for me, may life’s earthly ending be. 

But it is not of the life to come I speak. 
It is of this life, its activities and its 
uses. I may not be able, indeed I am not 
able, to perceive the things that shall im- 
pair or destroy Masonry. I do not see any 
elements of discouragement. I am opti- 
mistic, and feel the courage of the future 
flowing in the arteries of my body. My 
mind stands on the old foundations, and 
my heart glows with the feeling that this 
brotherhood has not outlived its useful- 
ness. There is but one thing necessary 
among us — that we actively and earnestly 
maintain and abide by our Order in its 
place and purpose in the world. Above 
all things, as we meet on the level, let us 
part on the square. 



OLD MISSION DOLORES, SAN FRANCISCO. 



THE TRESTLE BOARD. 


40 / 


Is Freemasonry a Luxury? 


That Freemasonry is a luxury is assert- 
ed by many even of those high in the coun- 
cils. of the Fraternity, states the Key- 
stone. 

If to have been brought from ignorance 
to a knowledge of Masonic mysteries is a 
luxury ; if to he permitted association with 
worthy men, united in a common cause for 
good, is a luxury ; if to be taught all those 
lessons which, if heeded, make noble men, 
is a luxury; if to have an opportunity to 
work in the quarries, hew in the forests 
or hammer at the forge in preparing work 
for our spiritual temple, is a luxury — then 
is Freemasonry a luxury ? 

But in the sense of that which may be 
done without; that which should be de- 
nied one’s self, on account of the cost; 
voluptuousness; epicurism; then Freema- 
sonry is no luxury; Freemasonry is not 
for the rich, the luxurious; neither is it 
for the poor, the incapable. To be hale 
and strong and capable of earning an 
honest living, are among the requirements 
of those voluntarily seeking admission 
to its ranks. The genius of the institu- 
tion is labor. The symbols are tools of 
labor. There are masters and craftsmen, 
and the apprentice must learn to work 
before he can be advanced. 

The luxurious do not toil. Those who 
live in luxury are not part of the world’s 
energies. The luxurious are spenders of 
that which has been accumuulated. Rare- 
ly indeed have those who live in luxury 
contributed to the fund which they so lav- 
ishly enjoy. 

Freemasonry is a virile force. Its la- 
bors can never cease. For there is no day, 
however distant, when the working tools 
can be laid aside. The individual Mason 
may complete his spiritual temple, but his 
labor ceases only with life. New genera- 
tions throng the quarries of Zeredatha, 
and hew in the forests of Lebanon, but 


they are all toilers, and toil is the anti- 
thesis of luxury. 

Our beautiful temples are reared, not 
as Aladdin palaces by the fiat of the slave 
of the lamp. They are builded, stone by 
stone, with infinite toil and patience. 
Their walls are tried by the plumb, proved 
by the level, and must conform to the 
square. The trowel and the setting maul 
are wielded by strong right arms, and 
these arms belong to freemen — not slaves. 

But Freemasons do not always labor? 
No! They have their times for refresh- 
ment. But these are not Lucullus ban- 
quets set to tickle the palates of gourmets, 
but necessary pauses for replenishing the 
vital energies that toil may be renewed. 

No ! there is nothing of luxury in Free- 
masonry, but the luxury of doing good. 


An Imposter Caught. 

Masonic tramps and swindlers of lodges 
will probably give a wide berth to Missis- 
sippi, if they meet with the same dose 
which was administered to one Charles 
Dawson, alias Allen, one of the most noted 
of the tribe. Dawson, or whatever his 
real name may be, according to an East- 
ern Masonic journal, has a national repu- 
tation, having traveled from the Atlantic 
to the Pacific and from the Lakes to the 
Gulf, and appears to have made a very 
comfortable living in swindling lodges and 
brethren. He was wise in his methods, 
having chosen as a lodge from which to 
hail a purely imaginary one, which he 
called Maple and located at Grundy, Va., 
where there is no telegraph. The fellow 
had a seal on a receipt for dues from his 
imaginary lodge, and being well posted, 
was enabled to pass himself off with lit- 
tle difficulty. Having swindled Waynes- 
boro Lodge in Mississippi, Grand Secre- 
tary Speed issued a “scamp circular” and 
sent it to all the Mississippi lodges, which 
was the means of having him arrested at 


468 


THE TRESTLE BOARD . 


Gloster, Miss., where the kind-hearted 
and generous Master, Bro. Jas. F. Hill of 
Gloster Lodge, was done np by Dawson to 
the tune of $15. But the Grand Secretary 
was on his trail and canght him at Harris- 
ton that night. Last week, he pleaded 
guilty, finding that there was no possible 
escape for him, and was sentenced to one 
year in the penitentiary by the circuit 
court of Amite county. 

There is another Masonic tramp and 
swindler at large in Mississippi, calling 
himself H. A. Curry and claiming to be- 
long to Preston Lodge Ho. 57 and Jeffer- 
son Chapter Ho. 9, Louisville, Ky. Grand 
Secretary Grant of Kentucky says that 
there is no H. A. Curry in the Louisville 
City Directory, and no such name in the 
list of Preston Lodge Ho. 281 of Louis- 
ville, and that there is no Jefferson Chap- 
ter in Kentucky. The Kentucky Lodge 
Ho. 27 is Bloomfield, at Bloomfield, Glea- 
son county. Grand Secretary Speed is 
after the scamp, and if the thing is a pos- 
sibility, will run him down before he gets 
out of Mississippi and send him to keep 
company with Dawson. 

Masonic Manhood. 

Masonic manhood was a favorite theme 
for the late Brother and Sir Theodore T. 
Gurney, and in his Masonic addresses and 
reports on correspondence he continually 
recurred to it. His “In Memoriam” has 
been written and recorded, but his lessons 
of Masonic manhood live in those who re- 
ceived them. Hot external display, but 
internal qualities of manhood met his ap- 
proval. 

One who followed him in office in Grand 
Chapter and Grand Commandery said: 
“H ever you write my obituary, declare 
that I had no pride in the lace, or the re- 
galia, or the sword that I wore, nor in the 
Liles I received, but that I did glory in 
being a man — such a man as Freemasonry 
requires and approves. Say that with me 
it. was never display, but true Masonic 
manhood that was loved and honored. 
Say that I was ever ready to stand on the 


level with my brethren, Companions and 
Sir Knights, and participate in all prop- 
er social enjoyments and festivities, but 
was never willing to lose sight of my Ma- 
sonic manhood, nor did I ever sacrifice it.” 

There is glory in being a man, in all 
the true senses of manliness; glory in well 
exemplifying Masonic and Knightly man- 
hood, and glory in so living that the epi- 
taph must be “He was a Man — Great and 
Good. Loving God, he greatly loved his 
Fellow-men.” 

Wealth may flow in streams to such a 
man, yet he will not swell with pride nor* 
scorn the humblest of his fellows. Hon- 
ors may come unsought, and titles un- 
wished may be conferred by loving friends 
and brethren, but they will beget no van-, 
ity, and, when the insignia of office have 
been laid aside, there will not be mani- 
fest any of the spirit of eminent or most 
eminent superiority over him who has 
done his Masonic duty, but has not receiv- 
ed Masonic titles or jewels. The Man, in 
the true and noble sense, is what Free- 
masonry regards, and “Great- and Good 
Man” is the highest honor and title that 
Freemasonry can bestow. — Bro. John W. 
Brown. 


Develop Your Forces. 

Ho man is perfected by miraculous oc- 
currence. Ho one is made a Mason by 
forms and ceremonies, or by wearing of 
insignia. If you would become proficient, 
become reading Masons — study Masonic 
literature, not forgetting the Great Light 
which will “guide you in all truth.” Be 
aggressive. If you have an idea develop 
it. Your responsibility does not end by 
receiving, but turn about and give your 
best talents to those who come after you. 
Practical Masonry is measured not by fig- 
ures on a dial, but by the exercise of God's 
best gifts, charity, virtue and examplary 
deeds. — W. Scott Nay. 


It is said that Palestine Lodge of De- 
troit made a net gain of 131 members 
during the year 1903. What* a record ! 


THE TRESTLE BOARD. 


4<;'J 


Freemasonry and the Home. 

BY BRO. J. E. THORNBURGH, ARKANSAS. 


If there is an institution which, above 
all others, should be known as the guardian 
of the home, it is Freemasonry. If there 
is a class of men, who, as individuals, 
should be known as home-builders and 
home-lovers, that class is composed of 
Masons. The good man who has taken 
the first three degrees in symbolic Masonry 
and has not been made a better husband 
and a better father thereby, has not fully 
understood the spirit of Masonry’s teach- 
ings, and, at the first intimation of this 
fact, he should go over the ground care- 
fully and with prayerful meditation * seek 
the point at which he missed the road. 

Masonry and Home ! In' more than 
one sense synonymous terms. The “stran- 
ger in a strange land” finds a home in the 
Masonic lodge, where he sits with the 
family universal. Its home-like charac- 
teristics are exemplified in the care of the 
widow and the orphan, and its strongest 
obligations base their hope of fulfillment 
upon the traits of affection and brotherly 
love. 

Home and Masonry ! The Mason m 
truth and spirit, coming from a lodge of 
earnest, honest men, looks into the love- 
lit eyes of wife and child with a deeper 
sense of responsibility, a more tender, 
holier regard for those who minster to his 
daily comfort, and assist him in the dis- 
charge of the duties of life. To him, 
home is heaven — a refuge — a resting 
place, whence he gains strength and in- 
spiration. To him, all homes, from the 
lowly cot to the palatial mansion, are sa- 
cred places, and he is a living exemplifi- 
cation of the fact that Masonry teaches 
the fatherhood of God and the brotherhood 
of man. 

Freemasonry — with the sacred Book 
opened upon her altar, at which the earn- 
est Mason kneels, and by the light that 


falls thereon from the Trinity, stands and 
will forever stand as the safeguard to 
the home and good citizenship. The ruth- 
less hand of ignorance, the devastation of 
war, the lapse of time — all have failed to 
raze her walls, and the fiery darts of mal- 
ice, hurled by misguided, perjured men 
have been and will ever be extinguished 
by the stream of living water that flows 
from the fountain of Masonry’s truth. 
Every attack from without but strengthens 
her towers, increases her vigor and trans- 
figures her beauty, and she moves stead- 
ily forward, a mighty factor in the educa- 
tion, civilization and salvation of man, 
and the preservation of the Home — the 
counterpart of which will stand through- 
out the ages of eternity. 


Wanted Handsaws. 

A verdant youth dropped into a jewel- 
er’s and, after gazing at some fraternity 
pins in the show case, said to the pro- 
prietor : 

“Them's mighty nice breast pins you 
got thar. mister.” 

“What kind of a pin would vou like 
to look at?” 

“How much is this one with a pair o’ 
compasses and a square?" pointing to a 
Masonic pin. 

“Five dollars.” 

“Five dollars, eh? You haven't got 
one with any handsaws on it. have you? 
I'm just outer mv time, and as I'm goin’ 
to set up as carpenter and jiner, I thought 
I'd like to have somethin' to wear so folks 
would know what I was doin’. Well, I’ll 
take it, though I'd like one with a hand- 
saw, but I guess mebbe that’s plain enough. 
The compass is to mark out yer work, and 
the square is to measure it when marked 
out, and any dura fool knows that G 
stands for gimlet." — Ex. 


470 


THE TRESTLE BOARD. 



Perfect Ashlars of 

Masonic Thought. 



Upon yonder vast ocean is a mere speck 
— the ocean is that of human surround- 
ings, the speck is that of a human life. 
The ocean is calm; the wavelets are danc- 
ing in the sunlight, the breeze is prosper- 
ous and the bark glides smoothly on to- 
ward its harbor, because at the helm stand 
intelligence and truth as the master spir- 
its. But now the dark clouds gather in 
the horizon, the ocean moans, the wind 
rises, the red lightnings flash, the tempest 
breaks in its furjr, the billows roll moun- 
tain high, and the sturdy ship is sub- 
merged and swallowed up. But responsive 
to the masterful genius of truth at her 
helm she struggles on amid the surging 
billows, the rolling of thunders and the 
awful darkness pierced only by the light- 
ning^ red glare. In yonder watch tower 
of eternity stand guardian angels anxious- 
ly watching and waiting, shuddering and 
wondering what will be the issue of the 
storm and the fate of the life ship. My 
brother, that ship is yours, it is mine. Let 
intelligence and the inspiration of truth 
abide with us, and with a piercing eye, a 
clear head, a strong heart and steady hand, 
we will calmly face the tempest's terrors 
and bravely outride the storm . — William 
T . Hammock , Arkansas . 


We often hear that some one has done 
much for Masonry. Did it ever occur to 
you that no one ever did as much for Ma- 
sonry as Masonry does for him? The 
ledger ever shows a large balance to the 
credit of Masonry. May we not some- 
times wonder whether our novitiates are 
indeed uninfluenced by mercenary mo- 
tives? As man is a creature of his envi- 
ronment, may he not be expected to par- 
take of the spirit of rapacious greed that 
masks under the name of commercial ac- 


tivity? Will he, who is a Mason in truth 
and spirit and who practices the pure 
principles of the art, be one who will find 
a Masonic offense in an indebtedness of 
business or a violation of contract, to ad- 
judicate which civil courts are provided? 
When a defeated candidate at the polls 
arraigns the members of his lodge because 
they did not support him, is he properly 
wielding the working tools of the craft? 
When the tongue of scandalous report 
sets the pack upon a man, does the true 
Mason join, or does he seek to drive the 
hounds back into their kennels? Are the 
teachings of the institution such that one 
can for a moment doubt the line of his 
duty? Should we mercilessly pursue the 
unfortunate man whose appetite leads him 
to debase his profession and destroy his 
faculties ? Should we hasten to our lodge 
with formally prepared charges against 
such an one ? Or should we go to his side 
and lift him up, set his feet right and 
hold up his hands ? — Grand Master B. G. 
Brown , Kansas. 

The eyes of the profane are upon us all 
as Masons, and they are particularly fo- 
cused upon those who are in authority. 
It becometh us, therefore, to walk worthy 
of the vocation wherewith we are called, 
for “By their fruits ye shall know them." 
It is not all of Masonry to wear a. Masonic 
pin, nor to know certain lectures better 
than the Ten Commandments. Our pro- 
fession is to be exemplified by our works 
and not by our much speaking. The world 
needs Masonry now more than ever before. 
Never, perhaps in its history, were such 
rapid advances made in all that pertains 
to the welfare of the human race; educa- 
tion is becoming universal, ignorance is. 
the exception; labor receives honorable 


THE TRESTLE BOARD . 


471 


recognition, while idleness is condemned; 
moral worth and rectitude of character 
are at a premium, vice and its £in are 
relegated to obscurity. Masonry has done 
much to bring these conditions about, for 
while it remembers the traditions of the 
fathers, it plans as well for the children, 
and our progress must continue to be in 
keeping with modern civilization. — F. A. 
Tennis , P. G . AT., Pennsylvania . 


Masonry has ever shared in the good 
and evil of the changing generations. It 
has felt and responded to the impulses of 
every age. As in the human brain each 
impinging thought leaves a stored cell 
which memory may evoke for future use. 
so in the general consciousness of the craft 
there is retained all that the great thought- 
waves of the centuries have brought. It 
has received all that the fathers had of 
noble optimism and high endeavor; all 
that they wrought for faith and freedom; 
all that has been gained in the world’s 
senates, wrested from the despots of na- 
tions, or bought with blood on stricken 
fields. These are our treasures, to be jeal- 
ously guarded and preserved, that happily 
nothing may be lost by careless keeping or 
suffer injury by neglect. For even our 
most secret truths, and all the lore of our 
symbols teach to him who reads the words 
aright, is but a trust which sometime the 
world shall sorely need and shall demand 
as the price of our being. — Jos. E. Mor- 
comb, Iowa. 


May we not be proud of our record? 
May we not be proud of the Institution 
of Freemasonry, of its universality, its 
freedom and its progress? Sixty-three 
thousand men, free born and under the 
tongue of good Masonic report in Penn- 
sylvania ; one million in America, — an 
army larger than that which our own 
county, forty years ago, mustered to the 
defense of the grandest flag that floats be- 
neath the stars, and an army before which 
falsehood and untruth must ever stand 
aside to let it pass. 


Xot only in our own country do the 
fires burn ceaselessly upon increased al- 
tars. but in every continent on the face of 
the globe, there are not only Masons, but 
regularly constituted and recognized Ma- 
sonic lodges. From the snow-clad, pic- 
turesque mountains of Norway to the 
vine-covered hills of Italy, in Spain and 
Portugal, resting as they do under die 
shadow of religious superstition ; in Turkey, 
center of Mohammedan faith and prac- 
tice; in darkest Russia, where liberty ard 
freedom are banished; through Asia, do- 
main of antiquity, birthplace of the hu- 
man race; in Africa, land of tragedy and 
bloodshed; in Egypt, dead for centuries, 
reawakening now under the touch of mod- 
ern civilization; in Alaska; at Nome, and 
elsewhere, almost within touch of the Arc- 
tic circle; is there constantly re-enacted, 
the same as here, the impressive scene 
from the career of the Tyrian widow’s son 
who was sent to King Solomon. 

In meditation sometimes we speculate 
as to the wisdom of our devotion to Free- 
masonry; whether the time, thought and 
money expended are justified. The an- 
swer is not always immediate or satisfac- 
tory, because our efforts and our struggles 
are not for the moment, nor for the hour, 
and our deeds are not simply for the day; 
but all contribute to make up the sum 
total of existence, and the value of our 
effort is not known until the book is 
closed, and it becomes an influence to 
raise, to support or to inspire others. — 
The Grand Master of Pennsylvania. 


Some sage has said: Though we may 
have worked hard to achieve any great 
movement, we may not always be fortu- 
nate enough to reap the benefits arising 
therefrom. 


“He who bears the shocks of fortune 
valiantly, and demeans himself uprightly, 
is truly good, and of a square posture, 
without reproof.” — Aristotle. 


472 


THE TRESTLE BOARD . 



EDITORS* CORNER. 

fa 


JAMES WRIGHT ANDERSON, \ 

EDMUND MANSFIELD ATKINSON, / ' ' . Mltors 


to) 

(st 


Lodge Environment. 

Much is said about interest in the work, 
and about attendance at our Lodges; but 
seldom, if ever, is any thought given to the 
causes generating lack of interest, or pro- 
ducing paucity of attendance. Perhaps no 
one thing is more potent cause of these 
evils than is the condition of our Lodge 
rooms, particularly in so far as the venti- 
lation thereof is concerned. It is not pos- 
sible for any one to interest himself in 
any kind of work in proper manner un- 
less his physical as well as his mental con- 
ditions are favorable — at least reasonably 
so. Every human being requires ten cubic 
feet of air every minute in order to sup- 
ply a quantity of oxygen sufficient for the 
wants of his system. This air enters the 
lungs full of oxygen, and leaves them with- 
out an atom ; hence, if not renewed, the air, 
even in a large room very speedily becomes 
unfit to be breathed. Stupor and lassitude 
is the result; attention and interest flag, 
and the natural inclination upon the part 
of the member is to seek relief. 

The emanations from the bodies of per- 
sons present, especially in a poorly venti- 
lated room, are a source of much discom- 
fort, and exercise a great influence in pre- 
venting the attendance of many that would 
otherwise not only be present, but inter- 
ested while in attendance. 

The experience of every reader verifies 
the truth of the adage that “the blood is 
the life.” If the blood is properly purified 
the action of every faculty, physical and 
mental, is quickened; attention, interest, 
pleasure and profit result. If the blood is 
not properly purified, drowsiness, lassi- 
tude, discomfort, inattention, lack of in- 
terest, and a desire to get away from the 
Lodge is noticeable. 

It is not an exaggeration to say that the 


condition of the moral propensities de- 
pends greatly upon the condition of the 
air. Napoleon made the remark that all 
men lose on close view. Certainly this 
will be the case if the environment is not 
favorable. To make the environment of 
the Lodge room cheerful, pleasant, health-* 
ful and in all respects inviting is a mat- 
ter worthy of careful attention. To make 
ourselves so is a duty we owe to ourselves 
as well as to those with whom we are called 
to associate. 

“Cleanliness is next to godliness.” 
Every Mason is pleased when he finds his 
lodge room kept neat, clean and inviting. 
The Tyler is a more important function- 
ary than many of his species consider 
themselves to be. This officer, especially 
in Lodges outside of our larger cities, usu- 
ally has the duty of caring for the condi- 
tion of the Lodge room and the parapher- 
nalia of the officers and members; hence, 
the proper and intelligent discharge of his 
duties will materially aid in creating and 
continuing interest among the members. 
We have visited lodges betimes where the 
first impression was exceedingly uninvit- 
ing, and have generally found that the 
conditions were attributable to the neglect 
or carelessness of the Tyler. The Tyler 
should be properly remunerated for his 
services, and should see to it that all 
things in and around the Lodge are kept 
decent and in order. 

We have indulged for many a long year 
in the delectations of “the weed”; but we 
have not charity enough in our composition 
to condone the offense of smoking in the 
Lodge room. “If eating meat causes my 
brother to offend” I should, at least, fore- 
go the pleasure of eating meat at such 
times as will occasion offense. Masonry is 
a disciplinary institution, and a Masonic 



THE TRESTLE BOARD. 


473 


Lodge room is a place where the strictest 
and most gentlemanly discipline should 
be observed. When the writer was made a 
Mason, he was taught and caused to prac- 
tice many courtesies that now seem to be 
practically ignored. May it not be well to 
suggest that the departure from these cus- 
toms of the olden time is wrong, and that 
Masters of Lodges should enforce those 
regulations that tend to comfort, order and 
propriety. 


Decorum. 

There are two doors in every lodge room, 
whatever other doors there may be. These 
are the doors of entrance, and the prepara- 
tion room door. Through the first mem- 
bers are to gain admission by permission 
of the Master of the lodge. It is made the 
duty of the Junior Deacon to see that none 
enter or retire without permission of the 
Master. There seems to have grown a 
laxity in the enforcement of this very ex- 
cellent custom, and nowadays brethren 
seem to think that they can enter or retire 
at either door, and at any time. The time 
was when, if a member desired to retire 
from the lodge, or to approach the East, 
or the Secretary’s desk, or even to cross 
the room, he rose in his place, respectfully 
saluted the Master, and requested permis- 
sion to do so. The enforcement of the 
little amenities is a very desirable thing 
in our lodges. Beverting to some of these 
customs would do the members of our 
lodges great good, and would do the 
lodges good. At every opening of a lodge, 
brethren are required to act with due or- 
der and propriety while the lodge is open, 
and yet very often the proprieties are ig- 
nored. A lodge room is, and should be 
regarded, a sacred place, and every ele- 
ment in the character of a gentleman 
should be closely observed. A Mason is 
supposed to be, and ought to be, a gentle- 
man, possessed of all the attributes and in- 
stincts of a gentleman; and he ought to 
exemplify these attributes and instincts in 
his action in the lodge so far as his conduct 


toward the lodge and his brethren are con- 
cerned. In doing so he will benefit him- 
self, and induce others to go and do like- 
wise. Let our lodges and ourselves get 
back to the observance of the good old 
customs of the past. 

Preparation of Candidates. 

If we were required to extract the gold 
filling from our teeth, or to cut of! 
our ring finger, or cut off even the ring 
that might be on it, if we were unable to 
get it off in any other manner; we simply 
would not do it. Xo one ought to be 
asked to do impossibilities in order to 
comply with some simple part of any cere- 
mony. Xor do we think that any such 
requirement would be either reasonable or 
right. Masonry does not require impos- 
sibilities. Many of its stated requirements 
are not to be taken in the sense in which 
the language expressly states them. Were 
this the case, we would make few Masons. 
We do not believe that the old regulation 
requiring one to be a perfect man, was 
ever intended to be construed literally. 
“There is none perfect save One.*’ Had 
this rule been enforced against us, we 
would not be occupying the Trestle 
Board tripod. Had it been enforced 
against a numerous class of our fellow- 
ciitzens, a great many “good men and 
true” would never have crossed our thres- 
holds. 

Common sense is good everywhere: and 
the exercise of this element in our lodges 
will be productive of good. There is no 
law, or method of procedure, that has not 
its exception, and the equities apprehend- 
ed by the principle of common sense should 
be observed. Masons, being human beings, 
are not found perfect either in being or 
action. Were they, we would have no need 
for the sublime teaching of Masonry. 
Whilst conforming as closely as possible 
to our requirements, let us not, while en- 
deavoring to avoid Scvlla, split upon 
Charybdis. 


474 


THE TRESTLE BOARD . 


Striving for Consistency* 

la the effort to make the work of Ma- 
sonry consistent in all its parte, many 
things have been introduced that are 
called innovations, according to the Stand- 
ard. Where consistency can be obtained 
without destroying the ancient forms and 
ceremonies, it is right and proper to bring 
it about. 'There are essentials that must 
be retained whether consistent or not. The 
great object of all Masonic degrees is to 
teach truth, to impress the mind with the 
importance of a proper regard of our duty 
to God, our neighbor and ourselves, to in- 
culcate lessons of right living and en- 
lighten and ennoble the spirit of man. 
These are taught by the most vivid illus- 
trations of form and ceremony. The great 
desire to make the work consistent has led 
to a weakening of the instruction. 

The myths of Masonry, and there are 
myths in its inculcations, cannot be made 
real, but they convey the lessons as forc- 
ibly as anything real could. Indeed, some 
of the most important doctrines are taught 
and impressed by allegory, and the al- 
legories are often mythological. A myth 
can be made to teach as impressive a 
lesson, inconsistent with the truth as it 
may be, as anything real. An allegory is 
the illustration of one thing by reference 
to another, a simile with the forms and 
words left out. The story of the master 
builder is purely mythological, but a more 
important lesson can not be found in any 
school in the world, although the allegory 
is inconsistent in many respects. 

Let no attempt at consistency be made 
at the expense of the great lessons of the 
fraternity. 

The Prophet of Almas. 

“The Prophet” of Almas Temple, Wash- 
ington, D. C., makes these observations in 
the latest bulletin issued by that body : 

“A shriner may think he is duplicated 
when he is beside himself, but he shouldn't 
think he is the only pebble when there is a 
Little Lock in Arkansas, because he may 
be like Joan of Arc— get killed by too 
much hot steak. 


“The fruit we all eat but hate, is the 
fruit of our follies. Eruit reminds the 
Prophet that Eve was made for Adam's 
Express Company, and that Adam was a 
great sprinter; for he was always first in 
the race, but Moses did something greater 
— he slept five in a bed, with himself only, 
when he slept with his forefathers. 

“One would never imagine that a chair 
has dislikes, but it has — when it can't 
bear us. 

“Speaking of a chair reminds the 
Prophet that the most wonderful insect is 
the Spelling Bee ; still that does not make 
it true that the tallest people are the lazi- 
est just because they are the longest in 
bed, yet they do say that a doctor is the 
most annoyed when he is out of patients — 
still weeds are not weeds when they become 
a widow. 

"If a woman were like an umbrella, one 
might shut her up.'' 

Masons Should Read. 

A Chicago craft journal has this to say: 

“It is our observation that there is no 
better way to increase a brother's inter- 
est in his lodge and its affairs than by in- 
ducing him to read some good Masonic 
periodical, preferably, of course, — from 
our own personally interested standpoint 
— his local Masonic newspaper.. But by 
all means induce him to read Masonic 
literature of some description. Something 
that will keep ’ him posted as to what is 
going on in the fraternity. It can be 
done at a very small cost, and the money 
expended will more than be repaid in the 
knowledge and information which he se- 
cures. Reading Masons are good Masons 
and are most active in their attendance 
on lodge functions. A lodge of reading 
Masons is in no sense a sluggish lodge, 
and our suggestion to every Worshipful 
Master is to see that his brethren sub- 
scribe for some Masonic publication.'' 

The Trestle Board heartily endorses 
the sentiments. Read, and profit there- 
by. 


THE TRESTLE BOARD. 


4 7 



MORNING VIEW OF LAKE TAHOE, CALIFORNIA. 


THe Presentation. 

REV. CORNELIUS L. TWIXG IN BROOKLYN TIMES. 


“I now present yon with this lambskin , 
or white leathern apron. It is an em- 
blem of innocence and the badge of a 
Mason, more ancient than the Golden 
Fleece, or Eoman Eagle; more -honorable 
than the Star and Garter or any other or- 
der that can be conferred upon yon at this 
or any fntnre period by king, prince, po- 
tentate or any other person, except he 
be a Mason, and in the body of the lodge, 
and which, I trnst, yon will wear with 
pleasure to yourself and honor to the 
fraternity.” 

In 1430 Philip the Good, Duke of Bur- 
gundy, instituted at Gurges the chivalric 
order of the Golden Fleece, a compliment 
to the town, no small portion of whose 
prosperity arose from its woolen trade. 

The Eagle was to the Romans the en- 
sign of imperial power and was placed on 


the staff of their flags and banners and 
was held in the highest veneration. I 
have not been able to ascertain whether 
or not it was ever used as a badge of rank 
or nobility or the insignia of any order 
in the days when Rome was the great 
power of the world. 

I have no intention to give the reader 
any of the arguments or disputations, for 
they are numerous, about the origin of the 
Order of the Garter. It is generally ac- 
cepted that the most noble Order of the 
Garter was instituted in the middle of the 
fourteenth century, when, to use Hallam's 
words, “the court of England was the sun. 
as it were, of that system which embraced 
the valour and nobility of the Christian 
world; when chivalry was at its zenith, 
and in all the virtues which adorned the 
knightly character none were so conspicu- 


476 


THE TRESTLE BOARD . 


ous as Edward the Third,, and the Black 
Prince.” 

The story goes that at some great ball., 
garden fete or royal festivity, the king 
picked np a garter and while probably 
some were inclined to speak in a lewd 
manner of th;s stocking bracelet, the king 
made use of the memorable w T ords, “Horn 
soit qui mal y pense.” 

Another legend says that Richard I, 
while his forces were employed against 
Cyprus and Acne, had been inspired 
through the instrumentality of St. George 
with renewed courage and the means of 
animating his fatigued soldiers hj the de- 
vice of tying about the legs of a chosen 
number of knights a leathern thong or 
garter, to the end that being thereby re- 
minded of the honor of their enterprise 
they might be encouraged to redoubled ef- 
forts for victory. 

In order to fully carry out the symbolic 
idea of Masonry, at the very outset, the 
working tools of the Operative Mason are 
made prominent factors in the ritual, more 
so than in other degrees, therefore at the 
beginning, before the craftsman is pre- 
sented with the working tools, he is cloth- 
ed with an apron. 

Perhaps some of our- brethren who love 
to carry the origin of Masonry back to 
the far away past, might say that the 
apron is worn in commemoration of the 
fact that Adam was the first man on rec- 
ord who was required to wear such an 
adornment. 

I care not from whence came the use 
of the apron, whether it has the authority 
of ancient usage, or is of modern origin, 
the symbolism of the lambskin stands, 
above all other symbols in the significance 
of its teaching and this is characterized 
in those most expressive words, “an em- 
blem of innocence and the badge of a 
Mason.” 

There is abundant evidence that the use 
of the apron, or some equivalent mode of 
investiture, as a symbol of initiation, or 
badge of that event, has been the custom 


among nations from an early period. 
Among the Israelites the girdle formed a 
part of the investiture of the priesthood. 
In the ancient mysteries of Mithras in 
Persia, the candidate was invested in a 
white apron. In the initiations practiced 
in Hindoostan, the ceremony of investi- 
ture was preserved, but a sash, called the 
sacred zennar, was substituted for the 
apron. The Jewish sect of the E'ssenes 
clothed their novices with white, a white 
robe. The Japanese in certain rites of 
initiation, invest their candidates with a 
white apron, bound round the loins with 
a zone or girdle. In the Scandinavian 
•rites, the military genius of the people 
caused them to substitute a white shield, 
but its presentation was accompanied by 
an emblematic instruction not unlike that 
which is connected with the Mason’s 
apron. The royal standard of Persia was 
originally an apron in form and dimen- 
sion. 

In the early ages of the Christian 
church a white garment was always placed 
upon the catechumen who had been newly 
baptised, to denote that he had been 
cleansed from his former sins and was 
thenceforth to lead a life of purity and to 
him it was presented with this solemn 
charge: “Receive the white and undefiled 
garment and produce it unspotted before 
the tribunal of our Lord Jesus Christ, 
that you may obtain eternal life.” 

Erom all these we learn that white ap- 
parel was anciently used as an emblem of 
purity and for this reason the color of the 
Mason’s apron is white. 

The duly obligated Mason receives as 
his first gift the lambskin, or white leather 
apron, and with it his first symbolic in- 
struction. Then he has no prophetic eye 
to look into the future ; and no aspirations 
or ambitions. He may not realize the 
value of what has been given to him. 
When he is clothed with his badge of a 
Mason, he has received as honorable an 
investiture as man can confer upon him. 
The badge of a Mason it will always be. 


TEE TRESTLE BOARD 


177 


He may advance step by step from the 
office of junior master of ceremonies to 
that of worshipful master in his lodge; 
he may occupy one day the chair in the 
grand East; he may be crowned with the 
double eagle in the thirty-third degree; 
but no rank or title can ever excel that of 
a Mason. Form decorations and honors 
will change as he advances through the 
various grades of Masonry. He may be 
styled Worshipful, Right Worshipful, 
Most Worshipful; but no one can give 
him a name that will be more honorable 
than that of a Mason. In after years he 
may be decorated with jewels, emblazoned 
with precious stones, set in pure gold ; but 
none can compare in their significance 
with the lambskin or white leather apron. 

“White, only white, the badge of truth, 
Type of unspotted innocence, 

The virgin color, lily white, 

The hue that marks the sheeted dead, 

The lodge celestial, round the throne 
The raptured choir, all enrobed in white, 
Sing high salvation unto God! 

Cleansed of all gross impurity, 

The toilers in the moral fane, 

So, humbly wear our garments, white/’ 

When life’s struggles are over, when 
life’s labors have come to an end, when 
the workman has laid aside the working 
tools of the craft, when he is divested of 
the garments of the living and robed with 
those of the dead, when prepared for 
sepulture “in the narrow house.” then, 
as a decoration for repose in the bosom of 
mother earth, the lambskin or white leath- 
er apron will be placed upon’ the lifeless 
form, in companionship with the sprig of 
acacia. The emblem of innocence, and 
the emblem of immortality will be buried 
from mortal vision; but in the Celestial 


Lodge above thev that gain admission will 
be 

“Clad in robes of purest whiteness, 

Robes whose luster ne’er shall fade, 

Ne’er be touched by time’s rude hand.” 

Such are the thoughts that arise when 
the Mason calls to mind the first gift made 
to him by his lodge. In many a home, 
carefully wrapped up, a small package is 
laid away. It is the lambskin or white 
leather apron. It is not taken out often : 
it has never been worn but once, and when 
it is used again, the owner will not be con- 
scious of it. It was given to him amid 
scenes of life and health, and when hearty 
congratulations were extended to him. 
It was a supreme moment of joy. Sooner 
or later the emblem of innocence and the 
badge of a Mason will be unfolded, and 
laid on the casket which will hold the last 
earth, and brethren who extended the right 
hand of fellowship will extend both hands 
downward, then across the breast, and 
then raise them upward and repeat in 
unison: “To the grave we consign the 
body; his memory we cherish here, and his 
soul we commend to God.” If the de- 
parted has proved his worth and work by 
a faithful adherence to the principles of 
Masonry, if he has worn his apron with 
credit to himself and to the fraternity, 
then while the grave may hold and hide 
the dust of the workman, his work will 
abide and continue, and the influence for 
good will remain for years to come. It is 
not needful that the Mason should in- 
form the world by badge of gold or apron 
of leather that he belongs to the craft. 
His conduct among men will reveal the 
fact in a more satisfactory way. The 
light of his life will so shine that all will 
see his good works, and both the order and 
himself will receive the benefits. 


“Love, indeed, is light from heaven ; 
A spark of that immortal fire 
With angels shared, by Allah given, 
To lift from earth our low desire. v 


478 


THE TRESTLE BOARD . 


Man’s Mission. 

Every man has a mission in life. Crea- 
tion would be purposeless if its highest 
and crowning consummation — man — was 
left to wander aimless and objectless. 

What matters it, if he is endowed with 
God-like qualities of intellect, a superb 
brain, a creative, active mind, an intelli- 
gence that can grapple and overcome the 
potential and hidden forces of nature, if 
all these magnificent inheritances are only 
wasted and unutilized ? 

If the grave is the goal to which all hu- 
manity tends, if life is to be swallowed up 
in that all-embracing vortex, then it mat- 
ters little whether our brief existence ter- 
minates without the sensation of a strife 
or passion or amidst the splendors of ac- 
complishments and a name synonymous 
with great deeds and mighty achievements. 

But the grave is not the goal of the hu- 
man race. Existence is not the efferves- 
cent dream that flits athwart the mind in 
the silent watches of the night. It is a 
most wretched delusion that leads a man 
to believe that after a misspent life, where 
no promise met with fair fulfillment, and 
every flower of beauty and fragrance, ere 
it blossomed in the sunlight, was choked 
with the noxious weeds of passion and of 
vice, he could lay the garments of his soul 
into an earthly casket and say : “Here at 
last is oblivion. In this grave are rest and 
peace.” Impotent delusion ! Vain hope! 
Boundless space, boundless time, never 
ceasing and eternal energy are some of 
nature's conditions, and through its ever 
changing forms it is still and for aye never 
changing . — Frank H. Merick , Colorado. 


Vll Pay You For It. 

This little parable by an unknown au- 
thor teaches its own lesson : 

A hen trod on a duck's foot. She did 
not mean to do it, and it did not hurt the 
duck much; but the duck said: “I'll pay 
you for that !'' So the duck flew at the old 
hen, but as she did so her wing struck an 
old goose that stood close by. 


“I'll pay you for that 1" cried the goose, 
and she flew at the duck; but as she did 
so her foot tore the fur of a cat that was 
just then in the yard. 

“I'll pay you for that!'' cried the cat 
and she started for the goose; but as she 
did so her claw caught in the wool of a 
sheep. 

“I'll pay you for that !'' cried the sheep 
and she ran at the cat; but as she did so 
her foot hit the foot of a dog that lay in 
the sun. 

“I'll pay you for that!'' cried he, and 
jumped at the sheep ; but as he did so his 
leg struck an old cow that stood by the 
gate. 

“I'll pay you for that!'' cried she, and 
she ran at the dog; but as she did so her 
horn grazed the skin of a horse that stood 
by a tree. 

“I'll pay you for that!'' cried he, and 
he rushed at the cow. 

What a noise there was ! The horse 
flew at the cow, and the cow at the dog, 
and the dog at the sheep, and the sheep 
at the cat, and the cat at the goose, and the 
goose at the duck, and the duck at the 
hen. What a fuss there was ! and all 
because the hen accidentally stepped on 
the duck's toes. 

“Hi ! Hi ! What's all this ?'' cried the 
man who had the care of them. “You 
may stay here,'' he said to the hen; but he 
drove the duck to the pond, the goose to 
the field, the cat to the barn, the sheep to 
the fold, the dog to his house, the cow to 
her yard, and the horse to his stall. And 
so all their good times were over be- 
cause the duck would not overlook a little 
hurt which was not intended. 

“A little explained, 

A little endured, 

A little forgiven, 

The quarrel is cured.” 


Masons are but human beings after all 
— not angels. Every man is not perfect; 
therefore, do not expect to find perfection 
in every Mason. 


THE TRESTLE BOARD. 


47'J 


Powers of a Lodge. 

BRO. MARTIN H. RICE, 33 °, P. G. M. OF INDIANA. 


The laws of Masonry differ in many re- 
spects from those of any other organiza- 
tion or society. The cosmopolitain char- 
acter of the institution necessitates a dif- 
ferent form of government from that 
adopted by those who are circumscribed 
by boundary lines, and gives to its rulers 
prerogatives none others possess. There 
are certain laws which have existed from 
time immemorial* by which all Masons 
everywhere must be governed; and which 
they have not the power to change. These 
are called the “Landmarks” of Masonry. 
They have proved a sure foundation in 
all time past; and upon them rests the 
hope of the order for the future. Beside 
these there have been adopted certain 
other regulations, in harmony with them, 
such as have been found necessary from 
time to time to meet the wants of the craft 
as they became more numerous and widely 
extended. 

In place of the simple autocratic gov- 
ernment of the early days of Masonry, 
we now have numerous G-rand Lodges in 
which the government of the craft is vest- 
ed, and under them thousands of subordi- 
nate lodges have been organized, until 
every village of a few hundred inhabi- 
tants throughout the land now boasts of 
its Masonic lodge. To all of these lodges 
are delegated certain powers and privi- 
leges, and they are required to perform 
certain duties in return. What those 
powers, privileges and duties are, seems 
to be but imperfectly understood in very 
many of the lodges. The rank and file of 
the membership often act as though they 
regarded it as a matter of no importance, 
or at least were willing to leave such mat- 
ters to their officers, who are often no bet- 
ter qualified than themselves. We often 
find Worshipful Masters and Wardens who 
have none of the standard works on Ma- 
sonic jurisprudence and general regula- 


tions; have not even a copy of the rules 
and regulations of their own Grand Lodge, 
and who do not read any Masonic journal. 
The administrations of such must neces- 
sarily be attended with irregularities and 
confusion. From their rulings come the 
great number of appeals that annually 
flood our Grand Lodge and bring Masonry 
into disrepute before the world. From a 
lack of knowledge of the designs and pur- 
poses of Masonry, matters are sometimes 
brought into the lodge improper to be con- 
sidered, and over which the lodge in an 
official capacity has no supervision or con- 
trol. 

It is not sufficient that the measure is 
one that every member in his individual 
capacity as a citizen is affected by, or one 
that every good Mason would desire to see 
accomplished. If it is not legitimate Ma- 
sonic business it should be ruled out at 
once. The lodge room is designed and 
should be kept as a safe retreat from the 
vexed questions that so often agitate 
society, church, state and country. It 
should be a place where good men of every 
nationality and condition in life; of every 
religious belief and political opinion ; of 
every sect and society can meet together in 
harmony upon a common platform, leav- 
ing all differences that separate them in 
the world outside the Tiler’s door, and 
there uniting in the glorious work of 
spreading the cement of brotherly love 
and charity, which shall endure as an in- 
separable bond until time shall be no more. 

The legitimate business for which everv 
lodge is organized is fully set forth in the 
charter under which it has authority to 
work. This should be studied carefully by 
both officers and members in connection 
with the rules and regulations of the 
Grand Lodge by whose authority it is is- 
sued. These, together with the lesson 
taught and instruction given in the several 


480 


TEE TRESTLE BOARD . 


degrees, will point out the powers, privi- 
leges and duties of the lodge, as well as 
those of the individual'members. 

Some years since an effort was made in 
some localities to identify Masonic lodges 
with the great temperance movement then 
sweeping over the country. So far as an 
honest effort is ever made to suppress in- 
temperance in any of its forms, or any 
other of the many evils that pervade the 
land, Masonry bids it Godspeed, for temper- 
ance is one of her cardinal virtues, and good 
morals are essential to the good Mason. 
A Masonic lodge, however, is not organ- 
ized as a reformatory. None are knowing- 
ly admitted into it but such as are “moral 
and upright before God and of good re- 
pute before the world.” Should any after- 
ward fall from this high estate it is the 
duty of the lodge to aid in their reforma- 
tion, and only so far does a lodge become 
a reformatory institution. But the lodge 


takes not away from its members any of 
the rights, privileges, duties and responsi- 
bilities of citizenship, and they are at lib- 
erty to join in any lawful movement to 
suppress intemperance or evil in any 
form. Indeed, all the lessons of the lodge 
room are calculated to make a man more 
zealous in good works, and increase his 
efforts in behalf of his fellow men. 

Masonry in her works avoids publicity. 
Her charities, the most diffusive in the 
world, are dispensed while “the left hand 
knoweth not what the right hand doeth.” 
Upon this principle her work is accom- 
plished. Delegates in an official capacity 
from a Masonic lodge to a “temperance 
alliance,” or buncombe resolutions from 
the same source in a newspaper, are both 
out of place, and no lodge can lawfully 
appoint the one or publish the other. We 
say to all lodges, stick to your legitimate 
business. 



SUMMIT OF MT. TAMALPAIS, CALIEORNIA. 


THE TRESTLE BOARD. 


481 


THe Afterglow. 


In the western sky, when the bright orb 
of dav is set. there remains behind, ^ildinor 
the heavens almost to zenith with glory, a 
refulgent light, a calm and beautiful re- 
minder of the passing day. It gradually 
and silently disappears in the gathering 
twilight and is eventually lost in the dark- 
ening shades of night. It is the afterglow. 
It is seen in its greatest beauty in the far- 
famed evenings of sunny Italy. One is lost 
in admiration, and looks entranced upon 
the changing colors with which the fleecy 
clouds are painted. As the evening ad- 
vances, and the majestic, glorious sun re- 
cedes farther and farther from the western 
horizon, the brilliancy of the shifting light, 
orange and scarlet and purple, fades away 
in its silent grandeur. 

What serious meditations force them- 
selves upon us in the afterglow ! We re- 
call the bright sun in all his glory; and all 
the doings of the day, which, when it is 
done, is gone forever. The afterglow is 
the deathbed of the day. Like a dying 
king, in calm, majestic prescience of decay, 
the deathbed scene is made glorious and 
grand. The afterglow is the clinging of 
the day to life. The sun is loath to shut 
out his glorious light. There is a sadness 
in the twilight hour that is akin to the 
grief we feel when we stand beside the 
deathbed of a friend. We are parting wich 
a friend — the sun is a dear companion. 
We seem to weep at the dying day^s decay. 
“Ah ! surely nothing dies but something 
mourns.” 

To everything in life there comes an 
end, and life itself, as far as this world 
goes, will cease for each of us. In all our 
actions, if there is an afterglow, we will be 
blessed and will not live in vain. The end 
of life is the winter of our earthly exist- 
ence. The heart fails, and at last ceases 
altogether its pulsations. The red blood 
refuses to course through our veins, as 
the streams, frozen and chilled, refuse to 


flow in their beds. As “day s lustrous eyes 
grow heavy in sweet death,” so our eyes 
grow dim and do not look out of their 
windows, precisely as the flowers do not 
brighten the landscape. This is what we 
call death. 

^ hat is the afterglow of our lives? Is 
there an afterglow, a refulgent light of 
purity and goodness? We make, or do 
not make, our own afterglow. Each one 
must give an account of the deeds done in 
the body. Each one must do it for him- 
self. As the afterglow in nature is the 
product of the sun, so the afterglow of our 
lives is the product of our own actions. 
How have we lived? How do. we live? 
Ho we shed sunshine upon our fellow 
traveler to the eternal world? Are all 
our acts deeds of kindness ? Does any one 
feel glad that we are in the world? Is 
any one made better by our living? Do 
we consider the welfare and the rights of 
others? When the twilight of our lives 
is lost in the darkness of the night of 
death, will any one mourn our loss, or rise 
up and call us blessed? If so. then the 
afterglow of our lives will be like that of 
sunny Italy, gorgeous and brilliant. In it 
will be reflected the beautiful hues of good 
deeds, of righteous living, of “purity of 
heart and rectitude of conduct." These 
things make an afterglow that will be 
viewed with admiration and delight. 

What of our afterglow while we are still 
in the flesh? The afterglow here D seen 
in the good that we do. the little acts of 
kindness, deeds of benevolence, our gentle 
words, our charity and our love for our 
fellow being. A cheerful, sunny disposi- 
tion. a smiling countenance, gilds our af- 
terglow with the most gorgeous tints. The 
influence of our acts, the power of our 
deeds, the very gentleness of our nature, 
follow us, though unseen, and bless our 
lives with a most beautiful afterglow. Re- 
membrance is the afterglow of our lives, 


482 


THE TRESTLE BOARD. 


remembrance of a pure and holy life filled 
with gentleness, forbearance and love. 

None of ns can tell what eyes are watch- 
ing ns, what ears are listening to onr 
words, or what hearts are influenced by 
onr lives. If onr acts are seen by others, 
of whom we know not, onr words fall upon 
unknown listening ears, and are influenc- 
ing them, how important that they should 
be proper deeds and right words. The 
subtle power of influence, silent and effec- 
tive, is beyond our ken. As we may not 
follow the ripple on the surface of the lake 
till it is lost upon the far distant shore, so 
we may not follow the power of a single 
act or a single word to its finality. 

There are influences at work about us 
that we should cherish, examples that we 
should follow. Pure thoughts are produc- 


tive of pure words, and impure thoughts 
are sure to be followed by impure words. 
“Out of the heart are the issues of life — 
out of the heart the mouth speaketh.” The 
mind of man is a roadway either smooth 
or full of ruts. We can keep it smooth 
and pleasant by permitting only pure 
thoughts to pass over it, or make it full 
of holes and ruts and well-nigh impassable 
by harboring evil and impure thoughts. 
“Evil communications corrupt good man- 
ners.” 

Let us so live in purity and uprightness, 
shedding glorious sunshine all about us, 
that we will be continually followed by a 
resplendent afterglow in this life, and 
when we depart hence leave behind us a 
blessed memory. — Standard . 


The Reward of Merit. 


Many men apply for admission, states 
a writer in Voice, into the institution of 
Freemasonry without an adequate concep- 
tion of the duties which they will be re- 
quired to perform if they become members 
of the fraternity. Some think it nice to 
belong to an organization of such acknowl- 
edged high standing; others look beyond 
the blue lodge and the chapter, and, at- 
tracted by the uniform and pageantry of 
Knight Templarism, or the pride of wear- 
ing a double eagle as a watch charm, do 
not rest till they have reached the Mecca 
of their expectations, and become nobles 
of the Mystic Shrine. Some there are 
who knock at our doors with the expecta- 
tion of being benefited in their business, 
others in the hope of deriving social 
benefit from it, and perhaps honors in the 
lodge room; while only a few are thor- 
oughly imbued with the principles of uni- 
versal benevolence and brotherly love 
which are - the time-honored characteris- 
tics of our ancient institution. 

The last named class generally find in 


the lodge and the fraternity what they 
sought, and become true Masons, active in 
works of charity, ready to assist their 
worthy distressed brethren with word and 
deed, and feeling a deep concern in the 
welfare of an erring brother. Many of 
these always remain in the ranks, enjoy- 
ing the respect of brother and profane; 
while their zeal is occasionally rewarded 
by positions of honor and trust in the mys- 
tic circle. They are found at the lodge 
meetings ; they take an interest in the pro- 
ceedings of the Grand Lodge ; they attend 
funerals and are first and last at the bed- 
side of sickness; they can be relied on 
wherever want stretches forth its helpless 
hand; they stand ready with the support 
of their own strong arms where fortitude 
gives way, and despondency and despair 
take the place of cheerfulness and courage. 
Such members are an ornament of civil- 
ized society and reflect honor on whatever 
institution they are members of, while the 
world at large becomes better because they 
have lived and acted their part in it. 


THE TRESTLE BOARD. 


-183 


The “ Only Woman Mason.” 


The old story of the “only woman 
Mason," the Hon. Mrs. Aldworth, has 
been again going the rounds of the gen- 
eral press, one paper even printing a re- 
production of what purports to be an 
authentic photograph of the room in 
which she received the degree, writes a 
brother in Tennessee Freemason . The old 
story may stand retelling. Though 
it was long regarded as traditional, it is 
now, we believe, quite generally accepted 
as true. At least we do not know that it 
has been successfully denied. The tale 
may have been exaggerated in details, but 
as to the main fact, that Mrs. Aldworth 
was made a Eellowcraft, it may he correct, 
so far as we know to the contrary. 

Mrs. Aldworth was the wife of Richard 
Aldworth, and entitled to the designation 
of “Hon. Mrs. Aldworth." The lodge 
which gave her membership was Lodge 
]STo. 44, under the jurisdiction of the 
Grand Lodge of Ireland, and the warrant 
was issued in 1735. It was a highly 
respectable lodge and its meetings were 
held often under the presidency of Lord 
Doneraile, at his residence. 

On one of the occasions, when the lodge 
was meeting at her father's residence, the 
room in which the gathering was had was 
separated from another by stud and brick 
work. Mrs. Aldworth, then Elizabeth St. 
Leger, being probably giddy and thought- 
less, determined to gratify her curiosity. 
With a pair of scissors she removed a por- 
tion of brick from the wall and placed her- 
self so as to command a full view of every- 
thing which occurred in the next room. 
In this position she witnessed the first 
two degrees of Masonry, which was the 
extent of the proceedings of the lodge that 
night. From what she heard when the 
members of the lodge were about to sep- 
arate, for the first time, she felt trem- 
blingly alive to the awkwardness and 
danger of her situation and began to con- 
sider how she could retire without obser- 
vation. She became nervous and agitated 


and stumbled against and overthrew a 
chair. The crash was loud and the Tyler 
of the lodge, who was in the lobby, gave 
the alarm, burst open the door, and with 
a light in one hand and a drawn sword in 
the other, appeared now to the terrified 
woman. He was immediately joined b) 
the members of the lodge present. They, 
for the most part, were furious at the 
transaction. She was placed under guard 
of the Tyler and a member in the room in 
which she had been found. The members 
reassembled and deliberated for two hours 
as to what was to be done. At length it 
was resolved to give the young woman the 
option of submitting to the Masonic 
ordeal to the extent she had witnessed, or, 
if she refused, the members were again 
to consult. Miss St. Leger, exhausted and 
terrified, yielded, and was accordingly 
passed to the degree. It does not appear 
that she ever became a Master Mason. 


The Three Pillars. 

The supports of the lodge, represented 
by three pillars and designated wisdom, 
strength and beauty, have their counter- 
part in all the ancient systems. The inner 
circle of the Druid temples was circum- 
scribed by three pillars, triangularly ar- 
ranged, a passage about which by the as- 
pirant was supposed to signify purifica- 
tion and regeneration. The equilateral 
triangle thus formed, with each angle rep- 
resented by a personification, or abstract 
principle of deity, is common to all. The 
Persians, deeming their secret and sacred 
place of initiation as representing the uni- 
verse. styled these supports eternity, fe- 
cundity. and authority. The Egyptian 
forms were wisdom, power, and goodness. 
The Hindoos placed their columns, as rep- 
resenting deity in similar positions. 
Brahma, the creator, in the east; Vishnu, 
the preserver, in the south, and Siva, the 
destroyer in the west . — Home Journal. 


484 


THE TRESTLE BOARD. 



A CORNER IN CHINATOWN. 


Welcome for Visiting Fraters. 


San Francisco Will be One Blaze of Light During 
Conclave WeeK. 


San Francisco is taking an early start 
in preparing for the approaching Twenty- 
ninth Triennial Templar Conclave. And 
well it may, for the plans of entertaining 
the visitors are on so extensive a scale 
that it will require many months in prep- 
aration. San Francisco will be decked in 
holiday attire as it has never been on any 
former occasion. The California fraters 
are eager to show to those of the visitors 
who were here twenty-one years ago, that 
San Francisco has grown in that time from 
the Western frontier town into a great city 
and impress those who are on their first 


visit with the grandeur, magnificence and 
progressive spirit of the great Western 
metropolis. If the plans now under way 
are carried out, and there is no reason 
why they should not, the desired end will 
be attained, and the visiting Sir Knights 
will leave the Golden Gate impressed with 
the hospitality of their Western fraters; 
bearing away with them the impression 
that there is not a more hospitable people 
than the Californians anywhere ; that Cali- 
fornia is the paradise of the American 
continent, if not of the whole earth, and 
that San Francisco, though one of the 



THE TRESTLE BOARD. 


youngest cities of the United Stages, is 
the best decorated and illuminated city 
in the world. 

A CAXOPY OF LIGHT WILL COYER THE CITY. 

The plans for illuminating the city are 
on so stupendous a scale as to make it 
difficult to gTasp the entire extent. The 
entire business portion of the city, rather 
the thoroughfares most frequented at 
night, will be bathed in one blaze of light, 
making night brighter than a midsummer 
day. Market Street, from the ferries to 
Xinth Street, and, perhaps, as far west as 
Van Xess Avenue, will be brilliantly 
illuminated. Mires bearing thousands of 
vari-colored incandescent bulbs will be 
stretched from poles about thirty feet 
above the curb, across the street, and par- 
allel with the curb, the entire distance, 
and held in graceful loops supported by 
a wire running at a higher altitude along 
the center of the street from the ferries 
to the western terminus of the illumina- 
tion. 

DAZZLIXG COURTS OF HOXOR. 

At the intersection of Market • with 
Kearny, Geary and Third streets, around 
Lotta's Fountain, a special display will be 
made, and many thousands of lamps, 
artistically grouped, will form one grand 
court of honor, connecting, by a network 
of lighted streamers, with smaller courts 
of honor, and the whole centering over 
Union Square, where the grandest display 
ever seen is to be made. The square was 
selected because it affords an opportunity 
for artistic display without impeding 
traffic. San Francisco, on two recent 
occasions has demonstrated that it had the 
grandest illumination of any city in the 
world, and the committee in charge of that 
part of the celebration is anxious to eclipse 
all former efforts, and show the visitors 
that San Francisco is ahead in that re- 
spect at least of the older and larger cities. 
The plan for the illumination is on a most 
magnificent scale, and will be a sight 


1 85 

making it worth traveling a great distance 
to behold. 

STREETS WILL BE ABLAZE WITH LIGHT. 

Permission has been obtained from the 
Board of Supervisors to wire, illuminate 
and decorate Market Street from the 
ferries to Xinth Street: Union Square. 
Powell, Post, Stockton and Geary streets; 
Powell Street from its intersection with 
Market and Eddy, to Sutter Street : Mont- 
gomery Street, from its intersection with 
Market and Post, to California Street; 
California Street, from Montgomery to 
Kearny : Kearny Street, from its intersec- 
tion with Market and Geary, north to 
California. The improvement clubs, prop- 
erty-owners and merchants will attend to 
the illumination along Geary Street, from 
Market and Kearny to Powell : on Post 
Street, from the intersection of Post, 
Market and Montgomery, to Powell, and 
on Sutter Street, from Montgomery west 
to Powell. 

PREMIUMS FOR ILLUMIXATIOX AXD DECO- 
< RATIOX. 

In order to create and stimulate a laud- 
able rivalry between merchants and prop- 
erty-owners on the principal thorough- 
fares. the committee will offer premiums 
of from $250 to $1,000 for the best deco- 
rated and the most brilliantly illuminated 
structures in San Francisco during Con- 
clave Week. The leading business houses 
and the most conspicuous structures in the 
city will be dressed in holiday garb, and at 
night will rival the Firry Building and 
the City Hall in brilliancy. 

WELCOME AT THE VERY PORTAL. 

A grand arch will be erected at the foot 
of Market Street, to bid visiting Sir 
Knights welcome at the very portal of the 
city. That triumphal arch will form the 
key to a system of decoration patterned 
after one in Paris. France, and which was 
inaugurated in San Francisco one year 
ago. The plant has reverted to the city, 
which will extend its scope with every 
great convention and gathering in San 


486 


THE TRESTLE BOARD . 



EXTERIOR OF CHINESE JOSS HOUSE. 


Francisco. Tall masts with flagstaffs ex- 
tending from the top, attaining a joint 
height of forty-five feet, will be set in 
sockets along the curbs on both sides of 
Market Street, from the ferries west to 
Ninth Street and the Mechanics* Pavilion, 
and may possibly be extended as far west 
as Yan Ness Avenue. These masts and 
flagstaffs serve a dual purpose. They re- 
pose firmly in iron sockets at equal dis- 
tances of fifty feet, on each side of the 
street. From the top of the flagstaff 
flutters a fifteen-foot flag or standard 
with emblem, or both. At the point at 
which the flagstaff rests on the mast, a 
cluster of flags flutter in the breeze, and 
the two make the most attractive decora- 
tion imaginable. The poles and masts 
also serve for the purpose of holding the 


wires for illumination, and are the shafts 
upon which the decorators fasten the bunt- 
ing, garlands, trees and flowers, so abun- 
dant in California at all seasons of the 
year. 

FRIENDS AND FRATERS WILL MEET AGAIN.' 

The illumination and decorations will 
again, as on former occasions, lure the 
multitude from homes, shops and meeting 
places to Market Street, the vicinity of 
the great hotels. Union Square, newspaper 
corner, and other familiar and favorite 
spots, where the people of San Francisco, 
as well as visitors, love to linger and while 
away an hour, because the climate and 
temperature are tempting almost any 
night in the year. Market Street, the 
wide, level avenue with smooth pavement, 





THE TRESTLE BOARD. 


4S7 


will again be the rendezvous for residents 
and visitors, who will fill that thorough- 
fare from curb to curb, and from the 
ferries to the Mechanics’ Pavilion each 
night, admiring the illumination, the deco- 
rations, and, perhaps, casually meet some 
old friend or frater they have not seen for 
years. Market Street will again be the 
scene of a thousand informal receptions 
every night, meetings and mutual recogni- 
tion. Such scenes are possible only under 
the favorable climatic conditions that bless 
San Francisco and the greater part of 
California, and are appreciated more by 
visitors than by the natives. 

CALIFORNIA COVMAXDERY WILL BE HOST. 

For generous hospitality California 
Commandery, Xo. 1, the crack Com- 
mandery of California, is justly famous. 
With commendable zeal and a desire to 
reciprocate the many attentions showered 
upon Californians at every Triennial 
Templar Conclave, California Command- 
ery has made active and ample prepara- 
tions to show that California is not behind 
others in hospitality. The Commander}’ 
has appointed a committee to take charge 
of the entertaining of visitors during 
Conclave Week. That committee has been 
at work for months perfecting plans for 
the reception and entertainment of the 
guests who will throng this city in Septem- 
ber. From an appeal issued by the com- 
mittee to the frater s the following is an 
excerpt : “Aside from the general plans 
of the Grand Commandery in the recep- 
tion of our visitors, in which we shall 
earnestly assist, California Commandery 
has its own duties and obligations to per- 
form. The reputation of our past must be 
lived up to. We must extend that fra- 
ternal welcome and dispense that knightly 
hospitality which has ever made the name 
of our Commandery one of the most 
famous throughout the length and breadth 
of our land. Arrangements have been 
made which will place California Com- 
mandery well to the front in all notable 
events scheduled for Conclave Week.” 


Upon the entrance of the Grand Master 
and the officers of the Grand Encampment 
to San Francisco, a special escort from 
California Commandery will attend upon 
them and escort them to their headquar- 
ters. California Commandery will aUo 
provide special escorts for eight or ten of 
the leading Commanderies from the East, 
and conduct them to their headquarters 
and hotels. 

Large and ample headquarters for Cali- 
fornia Commandery have been secured in 



Mechanics’ Pavilion, and contracts en- 
tered into for the decorating, which will 
make it the most beautiful and attractive 
headquarters in the city. Receptions will 
be held there every afternoon and evening; 
an orchestra of forty pieces will b»* in 
attendance: refreshments will be served, 
souvenirs distributed and other entertain- 
ment provided for our guests. 

For the great street parade on Tuesday, 
September 6th. in addition to our mili- 
tary band of forty pieces, there has also 
been secured a drum corps of thirty pieces. 

Wednesday. September 7th. has been =et 
apart by our Executive Committee for 
“California Commanderv Dav,” and it is 



488 


THE TRESTLE BOARD . 


proposed on the evening of that day to 
give a dress parade and review in the 
pavilion by the entire Commandery, in 
which it is expected that more than 500 
Sir Ivnights will be in line; an exhibition 
drill by onr drill corps, music and other 
interesting features, to conclude with a 
reception to our guests and a grand ball. 
Every possible effort is being made to 
make this event not only the most brilliant 
in the history of our Commandery, but 
the most unique and splendid of the affairs 
of Conclave Week. 

GOLDEN GATE COMMANDERY TO THE EORE. 

There could not be a successful gather- 
ing of Sir Knights without the aid of 
Gfolden Gate Commandery, No. 16, one of 
the brightest and most active stars in the 
brilliant constellation of California Tern- 
plarism. Golden Gate has completed all 
arrangements for the entertainment of the 
distinguished guests who will honor San 
Francisco with their presence during Con- 
clave Week. Officers and details have been 
selected and will be assigned for escort 
duty, some mounted and others un- 
mounted. Thus the escorts representing 
Golden Gate Commandery will meet the 
incoming Commanderies on arrival and 
render the visitors the first service. Golden 
Gate, with characteristic generosity, has 


yielded its magnificent building with 
Golden Gate Hall to the Grand Encamp- 
ment during Conclave Week, and has 
secured for its own use Native Sons’ Hall, 
which will be transformed into a beauty 
bower by the deft hands of the ladies who 
have assisted in perfecting the plans 
for entertaining the visitors, and will aid 
in the functions during the Conclave. 
The Commandery will receive and enter- 
tain informally all week, morning, after- 
noon and evening; while details, under 
proper officers, will pay official visits to 
other headquarters, representing the Com- 
mandery. 

Golden Gate Commandery will give a 
reception on Wednesday afternoon and 
evening, September 7th, from 2 to 
11 p. m., to the Grand Master, Grand 
Encampment, visiting Commanderies, 'Sir 
Knights and their ladies, at the Mark 
Hopkins Institute of Art, at the corner of 
California and Mason streets. The beauty 
of that handsome building will be en- 
hanced by suitable ornamentation for the 
occasion, and the ladies of the Command- 
ery will assist materially in receiving and 
entertaining. 

The entire Commandery, 500 strong, is 
expected to attend divine service on Sun- 
day of Conclave Week, and march in the 
great parade on September 6th. 



AS SEEN BY THE BIRD’S EYE. 




THE TRESTLE BOARD. 


4 SO 



CHIPS FROM THE 

M 


STONE QUARRIES. 

$ 

- 

News of the Craft Gleaned From All Sources. 



Twenty-Fifth Anniversary. 

Naomi Chapter, No. 36, O. E. S., celebrated, 
early in April, the twenty-fifth anniversary of 
its institution. 

The great halls of the Masonic Temple were 
crowded with members. 

The entire upper floor was utilized. The four 
large halls were beautifully and artistically 
decorated, flowers, palms, ribbons and drapery 
blending in harmonious profusion. 

In the center of the blue room there were 
placed for the first time five pure white new 
pedestals, representing the classic orders of 
architecture. They were grouped about the 
altar, and constituted a very handsome decora- 
tion. 

There were provided 350 guests’ plates at 
the banquet tables. The souvenir each guest 
received was a small coffee spoon of sterling 
silver, gold lined, and bearing the words : 
“Naomi 36. 1879-1904.” The other gifts com- 
memorative of the occasion were from Mrs. 
C. J. Noack, the Worthy Matron, to the Chap- 
ter, a beautiful silver “Pointer” ; from the three 
remaining charter members, Mrs. Hettie A. 
Dunn, Mrs. William McLaughlin and Mrs. R. 
O. Cravens, to the Chapter three copies of the 
New Testament in flexible Russia covers, gold 
edges and silver corners, and on the cover in 
solid silver letters the words, “Naomi 36”; 
from the Chapter to the Grand Patron, a solid 
silver loving cup in a morocco case and ap- 
propriately inscribed; to the Grand Matron 
from the Chapter, a silver bonbon dish suitably 
inscribed. 

Columbus Chapter presented to Naomi a 
silver mounted gavel, and Sacramento Chapter 
presented bouquets. 

Grand Patron G. H. McNoble of Stockton, 
Grand Matron Mrs. Rountzhan of Los An- 
geles, Grand Secretary Mrs. Kate Willets of 
San Francisco and other Grand Officers were 
present. 


One Year Old. 

Hollywood Lodge, No. 355, F. and A. M., 
of Hollywood, Los Angeles, one of the 
youngest lodges in the State, celebrated its 
first anniversary May 4th. 

On May 1, 1903, the lodge held its first meet- 
ing, with twelve charter members, in Druit’s 
Hall, but owing to its rapid increase in mem- 
bership, which is now nearly fifty, decided to 
erect a temple. The building was completed 
and dedicated December 1, 1903. The officers 
and members have worked with much enthusi- 
asm since the institution of the lodge, and its 
social as well as the business meetings ^re 
always well attended. 


Farewell to Commander. 

A number of Sir Knights of Golden Gate 
Commandery, No. 16, K. T., tendered their 
retiring Commander, Sir R. W. Campbell, a 
banquet in the Maple Room of the Palace 
Hotel, which was largely in the nature of a 
farewell, Sir Knight Campbell having been 
called to take up his residence in the East 

The Maple Room was transformed into a 
veritable conservatory with ferns, palms and 
potted plants, while the horseshoe-shaped table 
was decorated with a profusion of red and 
white roses and maidenhair ferns. 

The toastmaster, Sir Robert McMillan, called 
upon the following Sir Knights, who responded 
to toasts: William H. Jordan, “Wall Paper”; 
Duncan E. McKinlay, “The East and the 
West”; Harvey D. Loveland, “Friendship”; 
Tirey L. Ford, “San Francisco’s Message to 
Chicago, or the Campbells Are Coming” ; 
Frank McGowan, “Fraternity,” and Philip D. 
Code, “Our Young Friend.” 

Grand Commander W. Frank Pierce, and 
Past Right Eminent Commander B. H. Lang- 
ley, of Minnesota, were guests. 

Some sixty Sir Knights were in attendance. 


The Ladies’ Auxiliary, K. T. 

The annual meeting of the Ladies’ Auxiliary 
of California Commandery No. 1, Knights 
Templar, was held in Utopia Hall, early in 
May. Mrs. William Roderick Jones was unani- 
mously re-elected for the third term as Presi- 
dent. The other officers chosen are : Mrs. O. 
Val Schmidt, First Vice-President; Mrs. 
Timothy Jay Crowley, Second Vice-President; 
Mrs. H. D. Nichols, Secretary; Mrs. R. L. 
Radke, Assistant Secretary; Mrs. S .A. Mc- 
Donnell, Treasurer. After the election Mrs. 
Martin Jones, the mother of the auxiliary, 
on behalf of that body, presented to the Presi- 
dent a handsome highly decorated punch bowl 
in token of appreciation of her services as the 
head of the organization. Mrs. William Mar- 
tenstein, the retiring Secretary, was presented 
a beautiful silver candelabra. 


Pacific Commandery. 

A large gathering of Knights Templar was 
held in San Andreas early in May. when 
Templar degrees were conferred upon sixteen 
candidates. Pacific Commandery, No. 3, of 
Sonora, went in a body to the Calaveras town, 
the excursion being accompanied by the ladies 
of the Sir Knights. 


The Masonic brethren of Petaluma. Cal., 
will lay the cornerstone of the new Carnegie 
Library at that place early in June. 


490 


THE TRESTLE BOARD. 


The Craft in General. 

The Grand Commandery, K. T., of Michi- 
gan will convene in annual conclave at 
Lansing, June 14th, 1904, at 2:30 p. m. 


A new Masonic lodge was instituted in 
Monterey, Mexico, May 6th, known as Fenix 
Lodge, No. 3, under the Grand Lodge Valle 
de Mexico, working in the Scottish Rite., 


At Calvary Episcopal Church, Brooklyn, 
of which the Rev. C. L. Twing, Grand Prel- 
ate of the New York Grand Commandery, is 
rector, a beautiful ceremony was held last 
month when DeWitt Clinton Commandery 
unveiled a handsome memorial window in. 
memory of their departed fraters. 


Five brothers were raised to the sublime 
degree in Tuscan Lodge, No. 360, St. Louis, 
Mo., April 28th, their father witnessing the 
ceremony. The unique event occurred in 
connection with the celebration of the thir- 
ty-fourth anniversary of Tuscan Lodge, 
Grand Master William F. Kuhn presiding in 
the East, and Grand Secretary John D. Vin- 
cil acting as Senior Deacon. 


The Masons of Port Hadlock, Wash., will 
build a new temple. A splendid site has 
been donated by Samuel Hadlock, a vener- 
able citizen for whom the town was named, 
and other donations of building material and 
lumber have also been made. The building 
association have also a considerable sum in 
the treasury. Plans and specifications are 
to be adopted immediately, and the work of 
construction will be pushed. 


California in Particular. 

The Masons of Monrovia, Cal., gave an in- 
vitation masquerade ball May 17th. 


The new Masonic Temple at San Bernardino 
will be formally dedicated by the Grand Lodge 
of California on St. John’s Day, June 24th. 


The Masonic Lodge at Point Richmond, Cal., 
one of the newest in the jurisdiction, has 
nearly seventy-five members. 


Signet Chapter, No. 57, R. A. M., Los An- 
geles, conferred the degree of Most Excel- 
lent Master upon twelve candidates May 
23rd. 


The Grand Commandery of California vis- 
ited Long Beach, Cal., May 31st, and consti- 
tuted the Knights Templar Commandery at 
that place, the baby commandery of Cali- 
fornia. 


The officers of Excelsior Lodge of San 
Francisco officiated at the conferring of the 
third degree in Alamo Lodge, No. 1~22, F. & 
A. M., at Walnut Creek, Contra Costa Coun- 
ty, May 14th. 


H. W. Wilson, said to be the oldest Free 
Mason in the State, died at the home of his 
son in Ventura early in May. The funeral took 
place in Santa Ana, where Mr. Wilson lived 
for over twenty years. He was ninety years 
of age. 


Past Master Dr. Joseph McChesney was, 
early in May, presented with a beautiful and 
appropriately inscribed Masonic jewel in testi- 
mony of his ten years of service as Master of 
Plumas Lodge, No. 60, F. and A. M., at 
Quincy, Cal. 


Santa Rosa Commandery, K. T., attended 
divine service on Sunday, May 15th, Ascen- 
sion Day. The service was conducted by 
Rev. A. L. Burleson, rector of the Church of 
Incarnation, and Prelate of the Comman- 
dery. 


Brother Charles E. Mitchell was the re- 
cipient of a handsome silver trowel, the 
gift of the Masonic Lodge at Redondo, Cal., 
upon which is engraved the following: “Pre- 
sented to Brother Charles E. Mitchell, Past 
Junior Grand Warden, by Redondo Lodge, 
No. 328, F. & A. M., at the laying of the 
cornerstone, May 10, 1904. 


What are known as the “California Bod- 
ies” of Scottish Rite Masons in San Fran- 
cisco, including California Lodge of Perfec- 
tion No. 10, California Chapter of Rose 
Croix, No. 7, California Council of Kadosh 
No. 1, and California Consistory No. 5, have 
purchased a lot on Geary street, between 
Fillmore and Steiner, and will erect there a 
building to be used by these bodies alone. 
The structure will cost about $80,000. The 
building association which has charge of the 
structure is incorporated under the name of 
the Albert Pike Memorial Temple Associa- 
tion. 


Eastern Star. 

The Worthy Grand Matron, Mrs. Chlo 
Routzahn, visited Rose Valley Chapter, 
Santa Rosa, May 9th, being accompanied by 
District Deputy Grand Matron Mrs. L. C. 
Byce, and Past Grand Patron L. C. Byce. 

The greeting tendered the grand officers 
was most cordial. The degree work was 
very prettily exemplified upon two candi- 
dates. 

Miss Nellie Emery is worthy matron, and 
D. J. Paddock the worthy patron of Rose 
Valley Chapter. 


THE TRESTLE BOARD 


49 1 


New Commandery Officers. 

Elections have been held among the Knights 
Templar Commanderies of California this 
month, so far as reported to the Trestle 
Board, with the following result: 

California Commandery, No. 1 — Chas. M. 
Plum, E. C. ; O. F. Westphal, Gen.; R. P. 
Hurlbut, C. G. ; Ralph L. Hathorne, S. W. ; J. 
G. Liebold, J. W. ; Thomas Morton, Treas. ; T. 
L. Henderson, Recorder. 

Sacramento Commandery, No. 2 — Edward 
Adolph Weil, E. C.; William Wallace Doug- 
las, Gen.; Robert Alexander, C. G.; William 
Williams Cuthbert, S. W. ; Edwin Henry 
Harvey, J. W.; John William Rock. Prel- 
ate; Albert Alexander Van Voorhies, Treas.; 
Alfred Augustus Redington, Rec. 

El Dorado Commandery, No. 4 — C. A. 
Swisler, E. C. : S. H. Rantz, Gen.; S. B. Wil- 
son, C. G. ; W. B. Bray, S. W. ; Geo. McKee, 
J. W. ; F. F. Barss, Treas.; C. H. Weatherwax, 
Rec. 

Los Angeles Commandery, No. 9 — John 
Kingsley, E. C. ; Frank M. Parker, Gen.; Perrv 
W. Weidner, C. G.; John F. Hughes, S. W. ; 
William P. Jeffries, J. W. ; Walter C. Durgin, 
Treas.; William B. Scarborough, Recorder. 

Santa Rosa Commandery, No. 14 — C. C. 
Belden, E. C.; Sir Ernest Downs, Gen.; Sir 
D. J. Paddock, C. G. ; Sir A. T. Crane, S. W. ; 
Sir Henry Cline, J. W. ; Sir Allen B. Lemmon, 
Treas.; Sir James Clark Mailer, Rec. 

Golden Gate Commandery, No. 16 — Philip 

D. Code, E. G; Dr. Albert W. McKenzie, 

Gen. ; John Bennett, C. G. ; Willard L. Growall, 
S. W. ; August J. De Lamare, J. W. ; Courtland 
S. Benedict, Treas.; Theodore Frolich, 

Recorder. 

Naval Commandery, No. 19 — Alrik Hammer, 

E. C. ; E. G. Rossow, Gen. ; G. A. Bergwall, 

C. G.; C. L. Stevens, S. W. ; W. L. Irven, 

J. W. : John Brownlie, Treas.: C. F. Mug- 

ridge, Recorder. 

Mt. Olivet Commander}’. No. 20 — Col. 

Fairbanks, E. C. ; Dr. Geo. P. Love joy. Gen. ; 


Dr. Maclay, C. G. ; T. '1' Park, S. W. F. T. 

Phelps, J. W.; W. B. Haskell, Treas. ; E. S. 

Lippitt, Recorder. 

Watsonville Commandery, No. 22 — W. A. 
Trofton, E. C. ; I. H. Tuttle, C. G. ; A. T. 

Dresser, S. W. ; J. R. Uren, J. W.; W. R. 

Porter, Treas.; Frank Mauk, Rec. 

Visalia Commander}', No. 26 — J. H. McKie, 
E. C. ; C. H. Kinkier, Gen.; Fred. W. Ward, 
C. G.; J. L. Rhodes, S. W. ; A. H. Murray, 
Jr., J. W. : J. E. Denny, Treas.; John F Jor- 
dan, Rec. 

Vacaville Commandery, No. 3S — Robert L. 
Reid, E. C.; John R. Frazier, Gen.; William 
H. Price, C. G.; William H. Noel, S. W.; 
James M. Spence, J. W.; James J Hagerty, 
Treas.; S. F. Ellison, Rec. 

Bakersfield Commandery, No. 39 — John 
Lovall Carson, E. C. ; Edward Reed Graham, 
Gen. ; Charles W. Beatty, C. G. ; R. E. Mor- 
row, S. W. ; J. E. Evans, J. W. ; C. M. Stoll, 
Treas.; George W. Lupton, Rec. 

San Luis Obispo Commandery, No. 127— 
S. D. Ballau, E. C. ; L. J. Beckett, Gen. . R. P. 
Sutliff, C.~G. ; Albert Nelson, S. W. ; Paul M. 
Gre|g, J. W. 

BooK SKelf. 

The Trestle Board acknowledges the receipt, 
since the last issue of this magazine, of the fol- 
lowing Masonic publications : 

From Bro. Lou B. Winsor, Grand Secre- 
tary, transactions of the Grand Lodge, F. & 
A. M., of Michigan, for 1904. 

From Bro. Seth L. Pope, Grand Recorder, 
proceedings of the Grand Council, R. and S. 
M. of Oregon. 

From Bro. Christopher Diehl, Grand Sec- 
retary. proceedings of the Grand Lodge, F. 
and A. M. of Utah, for 1904. 

From Bro. Frank E. Nichols, Grand Secre- 
tary, proceedings of the Grand Chapter, R. A. 
M. of West Virginia, for 1903. 



TQb J J. Gray GonipaDy 

Manufacturers of 


Presses. Dies and Special Machinery 

Power Punching and 
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OF EVERY DESCRIPTION 

213=215 Mission St. San Francisco 


Telephone Main 5745 


TWO HOURS RIDE PROM SAN FRANCISCO, SHOWING THE SUMMIT AND THE CROOKEDEST RAILROAD IN THE WORLD. 



THE TRESTLE BOARD. 


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meals a la carte. Electric-lighted throughout. 

Daily Tourist Car Service at 6 p. m. and 
Personally Conducted Excursions every 
Wednesday and Friday at 8 a. m. from San 
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R. R. RITCHIE 

617 MARKET ST. Gen. Agent Pacific Coast 

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ORGANIZED 1847 


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Manager 

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San Francisco 


A Wonderful Invention. 

It is interesting to note that fortunes are 
frequently made by the invention of articles 
of minor importance. Many of the more pop- 
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the most interesting of these that has ever 
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selling these combs. They positively sell on 
sight. Send for sample. Men’s size 35c., 
ladies’ 50c. — (half price while we are introduc- 


ing them.) The Dr. White Electric Comb Co., 
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WANTED — Agents, Hustlers, Salesmen, 
Clerks and everybody who wants to enjoy a 
good hearty laugh to send 50c for “Tips to 
Agents.’’ Worth $50 to any person who selL 
goods for a living. If not satisfactory your 
money back. Circular for stamp. The Dr. 
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IA/ A M T P n Ten 111611 111 e8rh to travel, tack 

if Mil I CU signs and distribute circulars and sam- 
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expenses. KUHLMAN CO . Dept. M. Atlas Block, Chicago 


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Fitting (.Masses for ns. Wr profit*. 
, Our 24- pa re FRKK EYK HOOK 
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JACKSONIAN OPTICAL COLLEGE, Dept. 2001, 
Jackson, Mich. 


BYRON MAUZY PIANOS 


308 - 310-312 

POST STREET 


SOHMER PIINO AGENCY 




THE TRESTLE BOARD. 



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Service a la Carte 
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For rates , free illustrated books of travel , etc . , inquire of or write to 


J. D. MANSFIELD, Gen. Agt. Pass. Dept. 

625 Market St., San Francisco, Cal. 

L. B. JOHNSON, Frt. and Pass. Agt. 

11 East Santa Clara St., San Jose, Cal. 


J. T. SKELTON, Frt. and Pass. Agt. 

1017 Second St., Sacramento, Cal. 
TIMOTHY MEF, Frt. and Pass. Agt. 

230 South spring St., Los Angeles, Cal. 


North Shore Railway 

TIME TABLE 


MAY 17, 1903. 

Leave Sausslito, A. M. — tsLSO, 6:^0 7:o5, 

9:05, 9:5o, 10:35, 11:35. 

Leave Sausalito, P. M. — *12:15, 12:55, *1:35, 
2:20, 3:05, 3:50, 4:35, 5:10, 5:48, 6:25, 7:28, 
*8:20, 9:35, 10:55. 

Leave San Francisco, A. M. — 16:30, 7:10, 
7:45, 8:30, 9:15, 10:00, 11:00, 11:40, *11:40. 

Leave San Francisco, P. M. — 12:20, *1:00, 
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7:15, *8:15, 9:00, 10:20, 11:35. 

Trains marked with * runs Sundays and Legal Holidays 
only, f Daily except Sunday. Other trains daily. 


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per month, $3.00 per day for expenses. 

KUHLMAN CO., 

Dept. E, Atlas Block, Chicago. 


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TEE TRESTLE BOARD. 



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ARTHUR BA UR, Cashier 
A. A. MICHELETTI, A^t CashUr 
BOARD Of DIRECTORS 
Cfaas. Maggini G. Lepori S. Gra»44 
P. Tognazrini G. Granucci 
C. Gehret O. Boai© 


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THE TRESTLE BOARD. 




MASONIC EMBLEMS 

Sample, 25 cents Per Dozen, $1.50 

Gold plated, mounted on a Pearl Back. 

We can furnish not only these, but a 
better grade as well, also for other lodges 
and societies. If interested, send for 
further particulars. BASTIAN BROS. 

7 1 Mt. Hope Ave., Rochester, N. Y. 


Learn to write well 
..f or 25 Cents.. 


A small mechanical device just in- 
vented by a Professor in Heidelberg, 
Germany, makes the poorest penman a 
splendid writer in a few days. 

Endorsed by Prominent College Presi- 
dents and Educators, generally in Europe 
and America. Sent postpaid on re^ot 
of 25 cents in coin or stamps. State 
whether for man, woman or child. Agents 
wanted on salary and commission. 


Educational Mfg. Co. 

119 S. 4th St., Philadelphia, Pa. 


Telephone South 163 

Hoisted fS, Co. 


\Jndertakjers and Embalmers 


946 Minion Street 

San Francisco 




THE TRESTLE BOARD. 


Knight Templar 
Cards, Badges 
(Ei Lapel Buttorvs 

for the TSrienntal Conclave 

to be held at San Francisco in _/ eptember, 1904- 

SEND FOR SAMPLES 

AGENTS WANTED 

Badges from lc to $5.00 each 

WALTER. N. BRUNT 

...TTUMTE'R... 

— and Manufacturer of— 

MASONIC REGALIA 
EMBLEMATIC CARDS 
and BADGES v w w 

...Is note located at... 

102-104 Second Street 

Corner of Mission, San Francisco, Cal. 

Diek.gondk.lly opposite Wells Fekj’go (EL Co. Express 

W 

The Largest and Most Modern Offices on the Pacific Coast 



15be 

Summer Cottage 
Idea 
V 

S HIS year will show a marked increase in the cottage and 
camp colonies in the redwoods along the Kussian Biver. 
Of all ways to spend a summer vacation there is none so 
pleasant as owning one*# own home. The success of 
Camp Meeker, Monte Rio Park, and Mesa Grande has 
encouraged the new owners of Cazadero to offer cottage sites at 
that delightful place on Austin Creek, and now the Moore Land 
Company has put Camp Tyrone (between Camp Meeker and 
Monte Rio) on the market with lots from $20.00 upward. Monte 
Rio and Mesa Grande are rapidly building up. Some seventy or 
more cottages were erected last season and a like number will be 
built this year. Camp Meeker now numbers 300 summer homes 
and is still growing. It has added an addition this season, as 
well as a new free camping ground. Some day, it is predicted, 
the cottage colony will extend from Camp Meeker all the way to 
Cazadero, a distance of nearly twenty miles along the Russian 
River and Austin Creek. The district is most ’accessible, being 
but three or four hours from San Francisco and within reach of 
Postoffice, telegraph, and telephone; country supply stores, 
cheerful hotels, and boarding houses. , Booklets describing the 
cottage idea can be had by applying at 626 Market Street, or by 
inclosing 2-cent postage to G. W. Heintz, General Passenger 
Agent, San Francisco. . 





DON’T FORGET 


THAT YOU HAVE YOUR CHOICE OF 


3 


Fine Limited Trains 
FINE ROUTES EAST 

OVER THE LINES OF THE 


3 


Southern Pacific 



Golden State Limited 
Overland Limited 
Sunset Limited 

Will take you by way of Portland, Oregon, 
Ogden, Utah, or New Orleans, Louisiana. 

THE QUICKEST TIME 
THE BEST SERVICE 

EACH WAY EVERY DAY 

INFORMATION BUREAU, 613 MARKET ST. 
SAN FRANCISCO 


THE TRESTLE BOARD. 




— 25,000 
SIR KNIfiHTS 

will read your advertisement if 
you insert it in the “TRESTLE 
BOARD’S” Special Illustrated 

Knights Templar Conclave 

SOUVENIR NUMBER, 

to be issued September, 1904. This edition will consist 
of several hundred pages, elaborately illustrated and 
enclosed in an illuminated cover, specially designed and 
emblematic of Templarism and of California, which will 
ensure its preservation as a memento of the TRIENNIAL 
CONCLAVE of 1904. The advertising space is limited, 
and copy must be in early. No time to lose. Rates on 
application. 

Address, 

The Trestle Board Co., 

102-104 Second St., San Francisco 

The “Trestle Board” is a Monthly Masonic Magazine. It has . 
been established sixteen years, and is the recognized Masonic 
publication of the Great West. Its prestige is unquestioned.