Author Archives: Bro. Shean McDill

A Message From The East

Brethren,
 
Spring is just around the corner. In a few weeks the world will waken anew, the flowers will bloom, and life will spring forth. As the season turns and we exit our winter burrows, it’s the perfect time of year to awaken our Masonic selves. If the mortar of your Masonic self has become worn, or the stones are loose, or have rough edges, this is the perfect time to pick up your gavel, square, and trowel, and reshape and reset those stones, and, if you want your work to be Square, don’t cut corners.
 
If you are a regular attendee of Lodge we look forward to seeing you during the coming months. If you haven’t been to Lodge for a while, why not come out and see what’s happening at Mariners? You might see a friend you haven’t seen for a while. If you would like to attend Lodge and and cannot get there yourself, please call me directly. I will arrange to have you driven both ways.
 
For those looking for new ways to help the Lodge and the brethren, RW Brother John Kaiser is assembling a list of skills and talents (even hobbies) each of us might be willing to use to help a brother in need. this is intended to be a directory of things we can do to help each other, not a for-profit business listing. If you have a skill you are willing to list, please contact RW Brother Kaiser directly at: jcaek@aol.com.
 
“Man has always sought the Fountain of Youth, and has never found it. Those who work with young people, however, know that to stay young is nothing more than thinking young, being part of what is going on now, and staying close to the aspirations and enthusiasms of the young.”
– Brother Henry Clausen
 
Fraternally and Sincerely,
Doug HarperWM 2017

From The East

Brethren,
 
As men we are hewn from the same quarry and begin our lives in a rough-hewn state. Our initial step in perfecting our personal ashlar begins when we give three knocks on the outer door of the Lodge with our own hand.
 
This month we celebrate the birthdays of two of the great leaders of our country – Brother George Washington, to whom we are indebted for the creation of our great country and Abraham Lincoln, to whom we owe the continued unity of the country and the equality of all its citizens. Each of these men spent their lives shaping their own ashlar and the ashlars of those around them.
 
As we progress through our degrees and participate in the craft we should strive to emulate these men, and as Masons, continually strive to remove our rough and imperfect edges and become a more perfect ashlar in our profane lives and as brothers of the craft.
 
“Freemasoonry has endured not because of its antiquity, its influence, or its social standing, but because there have been so many who have lived it. The effectiveness of Masonic teachings will always be the measure by which the outside world judges Freemasonry; the proof of Freemasonry is in our deeds and it is in our deeds that Freemasonry is made known to non-Masons. The only way the Craft can be judged is by its product. The prestige of Freemasonry lies squarely on the shoulders of each of us.”
– Brother G. Wilbur Best
 
Fraternally and Sincerely,
Doug Harper,WM 2017

A Message From The East

From the east
Brethren,
 
I would like to thank you for trusting me with the care of the Lodge for the coming year. I would also like to thank the officers and committees who are serving for the year. As we once again begin the cycle of life the days become longer and each day more light shines upon us. Let us use this light wisely and productively. We have much work planned for the year. The designs upon the trestleboard include degrees as needed, most likely monthly. When we are not making masons I plan to have programs that are educational and, I hope, interesting. The intended program will be published in the trestleboard each month and I hope to see you all frequently. Last summer I had the opportunity to meet with the Mayor of Barnegat, and Mariners Lodge is recognized as the largest charitable institution in the town. Over the last several years Mariners Lodge has been actively contributing to help those in need in the area. We have an active donation program to the Barnegat Food Bank and we run a Christmas gift program that has increased each year since its inception. We have also established a discretionary fund for the Master to donate to a needy family. I hope we can all continue to support these worthy programs.
 
“I ask of each Mason, of each member, of each brother, that he shall remember ever that there is upon him a peculiar obligation to show himself in every respect a good citizen;for after all, the way he can best do his duty by the ancient order to which he belongs is by reflecting credit upon that order by the way in which he performs his duty as a citizen of the United States.”
– Brother Theodore Roosevelt
 
Fraternally and Sincerely,
Doug Harper, WM 2017

A Message From The East

From the east

Brethren,

I would like to thank you all for helping make this a great Masonic year. We had many accomplishments, and made some outstanding new Masons. I would especially like to thank my officers line for their hard work and dedication, and I know that it will continue into the future to keep this Lodge great. It has been an honor and a pleasure to serve as Worshipful Master in 2016. I encourage everyone to continue to support Freemasonry. And finally, have a safe and enjoyable holiday season.

Fraternally,

Gregory J. Stevens, WM 2016

A Message From The East

From the east
Brethren,
 
In our 20th District, we recently had 4 Master Mason degrees in as any weeks. With all those newly raised brethren, I found this poem very fitting:
 
LAST NIGHT I KNELT WHERE HIRAM KNELT
 
Last night I knelt where Hiram knelt and took
 
an obligation. Today I am closer to God and I
 
am a Master Mason. Tho’ heretofore my fellow
 
men seemed each one like the other, today I
 
search each one apart; I am looking for my
 
Brother. And as I feel his friendly grip it fills
 
my heart with pride, I know that while I am on
 
the square that he is on my side, his footsteps
 
on my errand go if I should require, his prayers
 
will plead on my behalf if I should desire. My
 
words are safe within his breast as though my
 
own, his hand forever at my back to help me
 
safely home. Good council whispers in my ear
 
and warns me of any danger, by square and
 
compass Brother now who calls me stranger.
 
I might have have lived a moral life and risen
 
to distinctions without my brothers helping
 
hands and fellow Masons, but God who knows
 
how hard it is to resist life’s temptations knows
 
why I knelt where Hiram knelt and took the
 
Obligation.
 
Brethren, with the holidays approaching, I would ask everyone to consider helping those less fortunate than ourselves. Mariners Lodge is continuing our food drive to support the Barnegat Food Pantry, as well as our yearly toy drive.
 
Fraternally,
Gregory J. Stevens, WM 2016

Halloween Party 2016

halloween-party2016

It’s time again for our annual FANGTASTIC HALLOWEEN PARTY. There will be drinks, and of course lots of fun. This year’s party is FREE, but we ask that you bring a dish, snack, or dessert. Some say that our lodge is haunted. Come and see.

Everything kicks off at 7pm on October 29, 2016.

This is an ADULTS ONLY party! No one under 21.

https://www.facebook.com/events/602012396648361/