Brethren, Tidings from the East.

The month of June promises to be a busy one for Garner 701. We have a lot going on and I hope you will be able to participate in at least some of it.  On June the 11^th we held an “Open House” and enjoyed the company of some men who are not members of our fraternity. After a delicious dinner, they viewed two Masonic videotapes and then joined us in the Lodge room (after we dispensed with labor) for a question and answer session. Several of our members did a beautiful job of articulating what Masonry means to them. I believe everyone had a great time, and hope that perhaps we can host one more Open House this year.

I was very sorry to learn that Brother Frank Golden is experiencing some health problems right now. Brother Frank, please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. I would also encourage members of the Craft to give Brother Frank a telephone call.

Congratulations are in order for Brother Lonnie Boling, who was recently married. Brother Lonnie is moving to Raleigh, but assures me that he will be back in the Lodge very soon.

Brethren, as I mentioned earlier in this letter, I was quite impressed with the zeal and enthusiasm several of our brothers demonstrated at our last communication, as they spoke about the importance of Masonry in their lives. Being a history enthusiast, I was reminded somewhat of the Battle of Gettysburg, during the Civil War. On the second day of that battle, an Alabama Regiment attacked a Regiment from the state of Maine, which was entrenched on a rocky hill known as “Little Roundtop.” Masonic Brother Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain commanded that 20^th Maine Regiment, whose position on Little Roundtop was the absolute far-left end of the Union Army’s line of battle.

Just before the fight began, Brother Chamberlain explained to his troops that if they failed to hold off the advancing Confederates, the entire Union line would collapse. They were on the end of the line. Of course the 20^th Maine did not fail and the day, the battle, and perhaps the war was saved for Union because of what those men did.

Sometimes I think we modern-day Masons are in a similar position. Our fraternity is under attack internally and externally. We are on the end of the line, and what we do as Masons today may well determine whether the Craft, as we know it, survives. We must each ask ourselves, “What am I doing for the fraternity? Am I really living Freemasonry, or just carrying a dues card? Always remember Brethren, for someone out there, or perhaps several people, YOU ARE MASONRY! You may be all someone knows about the Masonic Order. There are going to several opportunities in Garner 701 this year to improve ourselves in Masonry, come on and be a part of it all. It’s just not the same if you’re not there.

Jimmy Stevens

Master