Newsletter from the Grand Secretary
Hollis G. Dixon, Grand Secretary
June 2008
The 189th Annual Session of the Grand Lodge of Maine was well attended this year and it seems to have been enjoyed by all that did attend. The meeting was conducted in a very business like manner and there were no controversial issues brought forward. We had a number of visitors, including some from as far away as Nevada. The Monday evening Banquet was a Down East Lobster Bake which seemed to have been appreciated by everyone. R. W. Ken Richardson and his Arrangements Committee did a great job and should be congratulated for a job well done. The following Grand Lodge Officers were elected and installed: As Grand Master: M. W. Robert R. Landry; as Deputy Grand Master: R. W. W. Louis Greenier, II; as Senior Grand Warden: R. W. A. James Ross; as Junior Grand Warden: R. W. Ralph Knowles. To see a list of the remaining officers that were elected or appointed and the various Grand Lodge Committee Members, go to the Grand Lodge Web Site at: http://www.mainemason.org
Legislation passed at the 189th Annual session:
The Per Capita Tax was increased by ten percent (10%) from $ 9.65 to $ 10.62; the Maine Mason Magazine assessment remains at $ 3.00; and the Insurance Cost has gone down from 78¢ to 72¢ per member. The total amount due to Grand Lodge for each of your members will be $ 14.34. If you have a plural member that affiliated with your lodge but still pays the Per Capita Tax to his home lodge, which is in this jurisdiction, you will not be required to pay a Per Capita Tax for that member. [Sec. 90.1A] Also included in Section 90.1 is an increase in the assessment for each candidate initiated in the lodge from $ 2.00 to $ 5.00 per candidate.
Aurora Lodge No. 50 at Rockland would very much like to acquire a set of Pillars for their Lodge Hall. If any lodge has a set that they are not using or know where a set may be obtained, please contact the Grand Secretary or the Secretary of Aurora Lodge, Floyd A. Montgomery at (207) 596-6200.
E-mail Addresses: Once again I would like to remind you that we have three different email addresses coming into the Grand Lodge office; each for a specific purpose:
grandlodge@mainemason.org goes directly to the girls that will fill your orders for lodge supplies, 50 Year Veterans’ Medals, official forms and forwarding Dispensation requests to the Grand Master for approval.
grandtreasurer@mainemason.org goes directly to the Grand Treasurer and
grandsecretary@mainemason.org goes to the Grand Secretary.
Please try to use the address, which pertains to the particular message you are sending.
Fraternally,
Hollis G. Dixon
Grand Secretary
Included with this Newsletter is a Bulletin from our Grand Lodge Librarian:
FROM THE STACKS
By Wor. James E. Dufresne, Wor. Grand Librarian
“CRACKING THE FREMASONS CODE -- The Truth About Solomon’s Key and the Brotherhood” By Robert L.D. Cooper, Britain’s leading expert on Freemasonry and curator of the Scottish Masonic Museum and Library. Bro. Cooper has utilized his unparallel access to material dictating the history and function of the Masons to write this rare inside look at this “Secret Brotherhood”.
Many of the unenlightened have dated the beginning of Freemasonry as 1717 in England which is the beginning of a unified Grand Lodge. However, Masonry has a much longer history which Bro. Cooper brings to light by delving deep into the archives of Scotland’s Masonry. Bro. Cooper also takes a look at the many and somewhat controversial origins of Freemasonry as well as the role Freemasonry has played throughout history.
Included in this book are never before published images and seldom-seen documents to give readers a privileged view of this elite Brotherhood. The author takes an in-depth look at the “Schaw MS.” and what part it played in early Freemasonry. There is also the “Edinburgh Register House MS“, which is the oldest Masonic Ritual in the world and quoted as written in the original language which you will find interesting.
This book is well written, easy reading and hard to put down once you begin to read it. I suggest that anyone who is interested in the mysteries/history of Freemasonry should purchase a copy. The Grand Lodge of Maine has copies on hand for the low cost of $10.50 the regular cost is $14.00. Order your copy today.
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