Benjamin Franklin Lodge #83, Madison, WI

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

Madison Masons, Madison Freemasons, Wisconsin Freemasonry

by WM Paul Gordon

BFL#38 co-hosted a fund-raising meeting for the “Caring to Grow” capital campaign on August 19th at the Madison Club. The “Caring to Grow” campaign is to raise funds for the new rehabilitation and wellness center at Three Pillars. Details of the center can be seen in the current issue of the Wisconsin Masonic Journal. This was an informational meeting and dinner to promote donations for the new center.

As many of you know from earlier posts, I enjoy walking in cemeteries and have started to collect photos of some of the curious things I've found. There is a particularly strange, modern cemetery near Plymouth, Michigan called United Memorial Gardens. As its name implies, its is divided by religion (general Christian, Fundamentalist Christian, Muslim, by various themes "The Great Lakes" and various prayer concepts, and even "Singles" (I guess in case you want to hook up in the after life), children (bordered by stone Raggedy Anns and teddy bears), etc. I also notice that they had constructed a Masonic Garden, creating an over-sized lodge room in stone:

BFL#83 hosted a Loved Ones at the Table dinner on June 23rd at the Café Continental. This event was held in honor of the Loved Ones of BFL#83 members, to recognize them and thank them for their support of our Lodge activities. This is BFL#83’s adaptation of the more formal Masonic public Table Lodge.

The dinner was an opportunity to meet new Lodge members and their Loved Ones, to ask questions and get answers about the Lodge. It recognizes our Loved Ones’ efforts in the improvement and needs of others. The Brethren toasted to the honor of Our Loved Ones. It is interesting to note that our “patron” Benjamin Franklin used to attend similar dinners while he was diplomat in France.

The Brethren of Benjamin Franklin Lodge #83, Madison presented their Quarry Award to Brother James Anderson and spouse Rebecca Price on June 23, 2010 at a Loved Ones at the Table event at the Café Continental. This was the first time the Quarry Award has been given by the Lodge and is in recognition of outstanding work in the quarries of life.

As Freemasons we are taught first to build the Temple of the soul. We are also taught to work in the quarries of life. In doing that work we are often and best motivated by charity, which may properly be denominated the distinguishing characteristic of a Freemason’s heart. In this spirit the Quarry Award was developed by Benjamin Franklin Lodge #83 and presented to James and Rebecca for their charitable fundraising efforts.

On June 9, 2010 Richard Drerup became a Freemason at Benjamin Franklin Lodge #83 in Madison. Brother Richard is in technical services at Flextronics, which is associated with Verizon. Richard was referred to BFL#83 by his colleague, Brother Darin Hulbert, Ben Hur Lodge, Wheeling, Illinois, who attended Richard’s initiation. Richard enjoys history and has been a competitive marksman. At the business portion of the stated communication the Brothers heard reports of the recent Grand Lodge Annual Communication, read a new petition, discussed the upcoming Loved Ones at the Table event, and other things. After photographs, the Brothers held a Festive Board in Brother Richard’s honor on the occasion of his becoming a Freemason. Between Masonic and extemporaneous toasts, the Brothers considered the degree work to be performed this fall, and the possibility of an out-of-doors Lodge meeting to confer a degree. A joint “Boaz and Bullets” shooting event with Commonwealth Lodge #325 was proffered and well received. A Brother shared a harrowing driving experience of having a jet aircraft fly very, very low over Interstate 94 and do a barrel role over the traffic. The Brothers all congratulated Brother Richard on seeking and obtaining Light in Masonry!

At the recent Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge there was a breakout session on Masonic symbolism put on by the Brothers of Silas Shepherd Lodge of Research. BFL#83 Member Brother Pat Storrs is the Worshipful Master of Silas Shepherd Lodge, and participated in the session.

Central to the session was the symbolism of the working tools that are used in the various Masonic Degrees. In the Wisconsin Ritual there are two working tools in the degrees. The Silas Shepherd Brethren discussed the operative and speculative, or moral uses and meaning of these tools. The session pointed out that there are many different symbols used in Freemasonry, and that there are many different Masonic rituals that use different or additional working tools in their degree work. The symbolic meaning of the chisel, pencil and skirret were then explained as examples of other Masonic working tools.

The Brethren of Benjamin Franklin Lodge #83 have earned the Lodge of Excellence Award for the second year in a row. The Lodges that are recipients of the Award were announced at the recent Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of Wisconsin. This Award is for the time period covering the Lodge’s second full year in existence.

The Lodge of Excellence Award tracks Lodge activities such as degree work performed, Masonic education activities, publications, social and outreach activities, charitable donations to individuals and organizations, and other functions.

Two members of Benjamin Franklin Lodge #83 had significant experiences at the recent Grand Lodge of Wisconsin Annual Communication. Brother Dan Slavik was elected to the position of Junior Grand Warden. He was then installed into that chair during the installation of officers. Brother Dan has been working very hard and traveling a lot as a Grand Lodge Officer, and will continue to advance his Masonic career while supporting the state’s Lodges and their work.

The Philadelphia Masonic Temple is an elegant building erected in 1873 in the geographic center of “The City of Brotherly Love”. On May 26th I had the pleasant opportunity to attend a Lodge meeting there as a guest of Melita Lodge No. 295, Philadelphia. Melita is one of 30 different Blue Lodges that meet in the Temple, along with the Pennsylvania Grand Lodge and other Masonic attendant bodies. It has a wonderful Masonic museum with George Washington’s Masonic Apron, Masonic books printed by Benjamin Franklin, Franklin’s Grand Master’s sash, and other Masonic artifacts. There is a nice collection of firing cannons. There is also a Masonic library and a large banquet hall. Full larger than life size paintings of George Washington, Benjamin Franklin and other prominent Masons grace the hallways and common areas.