Benjamin Franklin Lodge #83, Madison, WI

Brethren of the Benjamin Franklin Lodge #83 in full regalia.

Madison Masons, Madison Freemasons, Wisconsin Freemasonry

Masons and non Masons invited. Presentation given.

Stated meeting with FC degree

The Brethren of Benjamin Franklin Lodge #83 recently celebrated the Holidays at an elegant party in the Madison Club. The event was well attended by Lodge members, several guest Masons, and BF#83’s founding Worshipful Master, Felix Geissler. A string quartet playing classical music provided listening enjoyment and background for terrific Madison Club heavy hors d’oeuvre buffet. A continuous rotation slide show depicted glimpses of pubic Lodge activities.

I am writing to thank all of you for this very special present.

In early November, I finalized the process of becoming an American citizen. After 11 years of living and working here, I can now vote and call myself American. The ceremony was the week before the election in Milwaukee. My wife Joy and I attended it together. There were about 80 people there from 35 different countries. The ceremony was about an hour long. We watched a video montage of American immigrants throughout history and a greeting from the president. The woman who led the ceremony called out each name and had us stand up. People seemed happy and excited to be there. We had a little party to celebrate later that night. I voted the next week in the election.

By WM Paul Gordon:

Brother Jalal Hussein was passed to the degree of Fellow Craft on November 12, 2008 making the third member of Benjamin Franklin Lodge #83 to become a Craftsman in as many months. Brother Jalal had previously provided a very interesting program on Freemasonry in the Middle East, leading to an engaging, Brotherly discussion. Brother Jalal’s FC degree was well attended. More chairs had to be brought into the Lodge room to accommodate all the Brethren. In addition to Members of BF#83, attending was Brother Josef Pronnet of Aurora Lodge #30, and Twin Cities area Brothers John Curlott, Frank Harris, Ted Martz, Paul Kraska and Jason Berger from Sir Winston Churchill Lodge of Research #1003, an Emulation Ritual Lodge in formation. Brothers James Anderson and Ross Lehman filled in on short notice to successfully perform parts of the work. Besides the degree work, BF#83 members also voted to amend the Lodge by-laws, elected officers and elected Trustees. Other officers were appointed by the acting Worshipful Master. After the Lodge meeting and photographs a Festive Board was held in Brother Jalal’s honor on the occasion of his being passed to the second degree. Traditional Masonic toasts and toasts of personal preference in the spirit of Brotherhood kept the firing cannons busy. Some of the cannons in use were gifts from Sir Winston Churchill Lodge of Research #1003 given during a visit by some BF#83 members earlier in the year to one of their functions. Among the topics of discussion were aspects of the Emulation Ritual, Lodge formation with dispensation and chartering, Packer-Viking rivalry, radio advertizing, and the upcoming Holiday Party at the Madison Club. The Twin Cities Brothers explained their planned trip to Cuba in February, and what items of health and personal care they might be able to gather with the help of the Lodges to give to the Cuban people. The evening concluded with refreshments at a local cigar bar. Congratulations to Brother Jalal on attaining more light in Masonry!

Earlier this month, I enjoyed a five day trip to San Francisco with my wife. While Tara was busy at the American College of Surgeons’ conference, I was able to meet up with PM Felix and to visit the California Masonic Memorial Temple among other local attractions. I also stumbled upon a curious form of “Masonry” in San Francisco’s Chinatown.

The California Masonic Memorial Temple is a massive white stone building, taking up the better part of a city block on Nob Hill and some of San Francisco’s most expensive real estate. Its cornerstone was set in 1956. The building is starkly modern in style. Dedicated to America’s Masonic soldiers and sailors, it has an interesting mural on its northwest corner depicting the struggle between “good and evil,” massive pillars with terrestrial and celestial globes flanking its entrance, and a two-story stained glass window dominating the entry way. Home to the Grand Lodge of California, which has an office on the third floor, the building houses a large, state of the art auditorium, exhibition halls, and parking garage. The building has never been home to any individual Masonic lodge; nor do any regular lodges meet in downtown San Francisco today. Grand Lodge only uses the auditorium once a year for its installation ceremony. About six years ago, when I last visited, the Memorial Temple had a marvelous museum. That has been discontinued. There is now only a small Masonic library, some related photographs, and displays cases on the second floor. The Memorial Temple is principally used as an exhibition and performance hall now, its Masonic connections a colorful and curious backdrop.

By WM Paul Gordon

Brother Gregory Ellis was passed to the degree of Fellow Craft on October 8, 2008 in Benjamin Franklin Lodge #83. Brother Greg had previously provided an informative program about Masons who have made significant contributions to science and other liberal arts, using the pillars of strength, wisdom and beauty to organize his remarks. In attendance at his second degree, besides members of Benjamin Franklin Lodge #83, were Brothers Adam Scott and David Stuart from Milton Lodge #161. The degree work again utilized actual antique working tools. A celebratory Festive Board followed in Brother Greg’s honor on the occasion of his being passed to the Second Degree. Many toasts were given with resplendent delivery of fire! Further informal discussion followed, which included topics such as the use of foreign languages, pool and billiards, making a holding box for working tools, potential recipients of Lodge charitable donations, members seeking The Ashler Award in Masonry, and applauding the Grand Lodge of North Carolina for recently recognizing Prince Hall Lodges as regular. Congratulations to Brother Ellis for attaining Further Light in Masonry!

By WM Paul Gordon

Benjamin Franklin 83 recent Fellowcraft Degree

Brother Ross Lehmann was Passed to the Degree of Fellow Craft in Benjamin Franklin Lodge #83 on September 10, 2008. In attendance besides BF#83 members, was Brother Dave Bromkamp who is District Deputy for Area #7 representing the Grand Lodge of Wisconsin, and Brother Paul Kraska, of Sir Winston Churchill Lodge of Research in Minneapolis, MN, which is an Emulation Ritual Lodge in formation. The Degree work utilized actual antique tools. A Festive Board followed in celebration of Brother Ross having achieved further light in Masonry. An enjoyable, informal discussion of Masonry and topics of interest concluded the evening.

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN LODGE NO. 83 MEMBERS ATTEND AURORA LODGE NO. 30 MM DEGREE

By WM Paul Gordon

On July 28th several Members of Benjamin Franklin Lodge #83 attended a special MM degree performed by Aurora Lodge # 30. The degree was performed in the auditorium at the Madison Masonic Center in Madison. Aurora Lodge #30 is a German speaking Lodge which works in a modified, ancient French ritual. Congratulations to our new Brother on the occasion of his being raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason!