Freemason Wisdom: Brad Paisley On Relationships

You have to admire a man who keeps his priorities in order--like Bro. Brad Paisley from Hiram Lodge No. 4 in Franklin, Tennessee.  We've all thought it from time to time, but it took a true visionary to actually say it!



Enjoy your weekend!

~TEC

Benjamin Franklin's Virtues Week 1: Temperance

This is the first in a series of article about the 13 Virtues of Benjamin Franklin

TEMPERANCE 

Eat not to dullness;

drink not to elevation.

When Benjamin Franklin determined to pursuit a state of moral perfection and established his 13 virtues, one of the first he decided to focus on was temperance. He focused on this one first, because he knew attaining self-discipline over his tendencies to overdo things would make adherence to the other virtues easier.

Of course, Franklin’s definition speaks of moderation. Eating not to dullness or excess, but rather eating because you’re hungry and stopping when you’re full. And drinking not to elevation, but remaining in control of your actions, accepting personal responsibility and knowing when enough is enough.

Remember this weekend, as your dining out, or enjoying a few beverages, to think about what you’re doing. You are the master of your own universe, and in order master that universe, you must first gain mastery over yourself.

~TEC

This is one of a series of Wednesday posting that examine Benjamin Franklin’ 13 Virtues he believed necessary to achieve moral perfection.  You can find all the related articles by searching the blog under the “Franklin’s Virtues” label.

About The Mark Twain Masonic Awareness Award

"We are all alike, on the inside."

~Mark Twain

Polar Star Lodge No. 79, St. Louis, MO

Bro. Christopher Hodapp posted an excellent piece this week about this years Mark Twain Masonic Awareness Award winners on his blog Freemasons For Dummies this week.  It's an interesting article about the history of the award, and the criteria for winning it.  Be sure to check it out.

I know I mentioned it before HERE, but Illinois had its first winning lodge in 2011--St. Joseph Lodge No. 970.  It's a lodge I'm very familiar with, so I want to congratulate them again, and all the 2011 winners for a job well done:

Alabama - Rising Sun Lodge #29 Decatur, Alabama

Alaska - Matanuska Lodge #7 Palmer, Alaska

Arkansas - Key Lodge #7 Siloam Springs, Arkansas

Arizona - Oasis Lodge #52 Tucson, Arizona

Illinois - St. Joseph Lodge #970 St. Joseph, Illinois (Go Illinois!)

Michigan - Byron Lodge #80 Byron, Michigan

Minnesota - Red Wing Lodge #8 Red Wing, Minnesota

Nevada - St. John Lodge #18 Pioche, Nevada

New Hampshire - Benevolent Lodge #7 Milford, New Hampshire

New Mexico - Chapman Lodge #2 Las Vegas, New Mexico

Ohio - North Bend Lodge #346 Cleves, Ohio

Ohio - Oxford Lodge #67 Oxford, Ohio

Pennsylvania - Manoquesy Lodge #413 Bath, Pennsylvania

South Carolina - Mariner Lodge #2 Charleston, South Carolina

Utah - Damascus Lodge #10 Provo, Utah

Virginia - Herndon Lodge #264 Herndon, Virginia

Virginia - Fredericksburg Lodge #4 Fredericksburg, Virginia

Washington - Daylight Lodge #232 Seattle, Washington

~TEC

 

What Is High Twelve International?

I've written about several Masonic appendant bodies over the last few years, and I thought I'd tell you a little something about a group I recently became involved with, and have enjoyed a great deal--High Twelve International.  I'm paraphrasing most of this information from the group's website. 

High Twelve is a social extension of Freemasonry. You could most easily describe it as a lunch club, which is how it got its name.  Long ago, noon was known as “high twelve” and the time to call workmen from labor to refreshment.  Accordingly, many High Twelve clubs – but not all – meet at noon.  It's very casual, and there is no ritual.  While there is a lot of variety from club to club, High Twelve usually meets at a restaurant, they have lunch, and perhaps listen to a speaker. 

High Twelve was started in 1921, and today boasts a membership of approximately 9,000 members in over 250 clubs nationwide and in foreign countries.

But High Twelve is much more than a lunch club--it's an association dedicated to bringing Master Masons together, and dedicated to service to the fraternity--High Twelve adheres strictly to the Masonic Laws of whatever jurisdiction it's in.  

And as with all Masonic groups, there is a philanthropic aspect as well. The Club's two primary focuses are on youth and education and it strongly supports the Order of DeMolay, Rainbow Girls, Job’s Daughters and the Wolcott Foundation that was established to provide scholarships for students at George Washington University who seek public service careers in government.

Illini High Twelve

Charter members of Illini High Twelve

As I said, I've recently gotten involved with High Twelve. One of High Twelve's newest charters in Illinois is the Illini High Twelve, which serves the Champaign-Urbana area (home of the University of Illinois.)  I'm very proud to have been elected as the Charter President of that group. We started as a small group of Freemasons who all worked at the University of Illinois who got together occasionally for lunch.  We decided to set a regular monthly lunch date and location, and invite more Masons to join us.  It went from three or four meeting for lunch, to about twenty in a very short period of time.  We decided it was time to take it to the next level--to charter a High Twelve club.

Our club is very casual--come as you are. Spouses are invited. All Masons are invited.  We even encourage our members to bring friends they think would make good Master Masons and give them a chance to meet a few Masons.  

It's something we all look foward too each month.  If you're interested in joining a High Twelve group, visit the High Twelve International website, and there you'll find a listing of all the groups in your area.


~TEC