Benjamin Franklin Lodge #83, Madison, WI

WM Felix Geissler gave the following speech at the installation of officers on Wednesday night:

Otto von Bismarck, one of the most prominent European aristocrats, a brother, and a famous statesman of the nineteenth century once said: “A speech is either short or insulting”, so I try to make it really short. First let me thank our brother the Most Worshipful Grand Secretary Michael DeWolf and Brother Norman Christensen for the wonderful installation of officers for the brand new Benjamin Franklin Lodge #83. In addition I would like to thank the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Mason in Wisconsin for all the help and support we received. The last couple of months was a very hectic phase and without the help of the Grand Lodge we would not be here today. We really appreciate your effort and support.

I would also like to extend my sincere thanks to all the signers of our petition. This was truly a jump into cold water, a brave step into the nirvana. In December of 2005 we started to meet once a month, the goal was to educate particular younger members of the craft. We started with 10 people and we grew constantly. Today is the result of that growth.

I would like to tell you a short story from my Lodge in Germany , which I think has some symbolic meaning. The lodge was founded in March of 1741 in Leipzig , Germany . 190 years later the Lodge had 465 members, a Masonic library with over 10.000 books, a museum, and of course a gigantic lodge building. Around the same time, in 1935 Freemasonry was prohibited by the German government, as many of you know. All the possessions of all the lodges in Germany were confiscated, including buildings, bank accounts, and libraries. Because of the separation of West and East Germany it was dark for 55 years in the eastern part of Germany . It became like many socialistic countries a Masonic desert. On November 18th 1990 the first lodge meeting took place in Leipzig . The meeting took place in an old run-down apartment. There was no heating, only candle lights. It was so cold you could see the breath of the brethren. Today the lodge is reflourished, has 70 members, a Lodge building and a very active social schedule. Freemasonry was almost destroyed after 50 years of complete darkness, but the Masonic spirit is a very unique and fascinating thing. 50 years of propaganda and tyranny could not prevent the resurrection of Freemasonry in the spiritual desert.

In a way we have a similar situation here. Well, we have heating and electricity here but our start is very similar. My lodge in Germany was resurrected by members from different lodges. The officers came from a lodge which was 120 miles away, one way. Some of you know that lodge meetings in Germany are every week, which means those brethren did quite some driving for 4 years!

That is how long it took to get the first line of officers from Leipzig into the chairs. We were a little quicker here in Madison by petitioning for a new lodge! But honestly we would not be here if we did not have the help from other lodges. Commonwealth Lodge #325 and Ionic Lodge of Middleton are just two I would like to mention. In this exciting time the chain of the Brotherhood is very active. The spirit is very alive. I would like to thank everybody today for their attendance to celebrate with us this important and historical moment. Thank you all.

Last but not least I think all of our members are much obliged to our significant others. Without their support we would not be able to do what we do. We do have a tradition in German Lodges which I would like to start in our new lodge. New candidates are given 2 pairs of white gloves after their initiation. They are white to signify pure thoughts and action. There are 2 pairs, one pair is for him, the other pair is for the person closest to his heart. This can be his wife, mother girlfriend, whoever. The members will only get them once, so he has to be wise who he will give them. Brother Senior Deacon, would you please approach the East and be so kind to give our newly elected officers one pair of gloves so they can distribute them to whoever they think is the closest to their heart.

We the Benjamin Franklin Lodge #83 would like to express our sincere appreciation to all of you for your attendance at this important and historical event today. Thank you all.