Page 17 - MFM July 2019 W

I was now the only Mason in the family. I attended
his funeral in my regalia with my family. When the
time came for the Masons to enter and pay their last
respects, I stood up, and I stood out. I stood alone
amongst the seated congregation.

I stood there as forty minutes passed by along
with what was estimated to be over 200 Masons and
Shriners all paying their last respects one at a time
in that age-old Masonic tradition. I was awed. is
was for my father, our brother. As I stood there, my
thoughts turned to my grandfather when I visited
him as his health was failing. I recalled the last thing
he said to me, both of us knowing we would never see Oct 5, 2019
each other again before he passed.
At the Hall of Deer Lodge No. 14
“Trust in God James…Put your faith in God.” he Banquet Celebrating their
said as he let go of my hand when we nally parted. At 150th Anniversary and
the time, I was not yet a Mason, and I simply thought
he was just saying goodbye in his own way, so the 100th Anniversary of the
meaning of his words had no depth or true relevance Lodge Building
for me. Come forward to today. Now I am Junior
Warden of my Lodge. Deer No. 14, Deer Lodge, Montana was Chartered
on October 6, 1869. e rst Lodge building was
a two-story brick veneered building built in 1870
I’ve noticed doing work in the Lodge now feels which was located on one of the lots where the
di erent than before. second Lodge building was built. Fifty years later,
after adding more land to the location, a three-
ere is a new depth of understanding to the words story brick building was built with the cornerstone
and their meaning, and I have found an inner passion laid on September 17, 1919. e First Lodge meeting
to make it all come to life that wasn’t there when I in the new building was held on March 16, 1920.
was younger. Some would say it is simply just age
and experience. at may be true, but I think I have a e Current building was designed using
di erent answer. While studying the Junior Wardens Renaissance and Classical Revival style, with a
lecture, I had an epiphany. stone or cement arched door surrounded with an
arched light, pilasters marking the lodge entry,
I came to understand on a completely di erent level three-story corner pilaster capped with animate
what my grandfather was truly trying to tell me. I objects, and ornate dropped stone cornice made of
also realized that this lecture was likely performed crosses, and recessed arched brickwork over each
by my father, both my grandfathers and my uncle and window. e Lodge meets on the third oor the
that by performing this work myself I am connected rst and second oors are rented or leased out.
to them through it. Now when I stand in Lodge, I have
the con dence of ve men, because I know they stand
with me. When I move within the Lodge, I walk in
their footsteps, and when I give the Junior Wardens
lecture, I speak with the passion of all their voices.

It is the Junior Wardens lecture that brought me
to this realization. is is why I hold the entered
apprentice degree close to my heart. It’s also where
those departed brothers I hold so dear continue to
live.

Reprinted from the Ontario Mason Magazine, Spring
2019.

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