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STATED MEETINGS

January 12, 2015

February 9, 2015

March 9, 2015

Cathedral Chimes Valley of Moline

Winter 2014-15

Brethren,

On behalf of the Consistory officers I bring you Season's Greetings. Hopefully as you read this the weather outside isn't frightful. I also want to offer a special congratulations to Jim Barnes for being nominated for the Moline Cross Award!

Our fall reunion on November 15th went well except for it snowing, but the way the weather has been lately it wasn't surprising. We had five candidates in the William B. Endres, MSA 33 Class plus a visiting candidate from Peoria who received 32nd degrees. They are very enthusiastic about becoming members and I'm sure we will be seeing them often.

We are planning on portraying the 19th degree at our January meeting. We hope you will come out and join us in support of the cast and to see old friends. Lunch will be served.

If you know of a Blue Lodge Master Mason who would like to join the Scottish Rite and begin work toward his 32nd degree, we can arrange a special 4th degree video presentation at any of our stated meetings. Please just inform the office beforehand. The Spring Reunion will be held March 20th and 21st. Watch for more details in the spring edition of the Chimes.

We have a new website www.valleyofmoline.org. Check it out when you have a chance. One of our new 32nd degree brothers, Nadra Yazaji, helped developed the site for us. You can check the Calendar menu for upcoming events or see details and pictures of recent events in the Current Events menu. Also, we are looking for someone to fill the role as Chimes editor. Please let us know if you’re interested.

We will strive to be a fraternity that fulfills our Masonic obligation to care for our members. During this holiday season, why not call a brother who hasn’t attended a Masonic event lately. They may just require a ride to a meeting or even need someone to take them to a doctor appointment or other important necessity.

If you or any brethren you know need assistance in any way, contact our Scottish Rite Valley of Moline office at (309) 762-1117. Please keep us informed of everyone’s needs. We’re here to help.

Lauren Crawford MSA 33°

Commander-in-Chief

(309)781-8098

HELP WANTED: Chimes Editor. Knowledge of or willingness to learn Microsoft

Publisher. Contact the office at 309-762-1117 or srite1@mchsi.com.

In This Issue

Commander-in-Chief

History of Freemasonry

Scottish Rite Clubs

Eternal Rest List

Valley Secretary

Valley Reunion Schedule

Valley of Moline Spring

2015 Events

Rainbow Girls

Cathedral Chairman

Member Thoughts

Learning Center

GR E E T I N G S F ROM O U R COMMA ND E R - IN - CH I E F Lauren Crawford, MSA 33°

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H I S T O R Y O F F R E E M A S O N A R Y By Aimee E. Newell, Ph.D., Director of Collections, Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library

Development Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library

CATHEDRAL CHIMES

OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE

ANCIE NT ACCEPTED

SCOTTISH RITE

VALLEY OF MOLINE

1800 7th Avenue • Moline, IL

61265

Published Quarterly

Joseph P. Laleman, 32o

Secretary/Editor

Phone (309)762-1117

Fax (309)762-3747

E-Mail: Srite1@mchsi.com

Richard Hacker, MSA 33o

Cathedral Chairman

309-236-1249

rich@rhackerfamily.com

Jamie Emery, 32o

Thrice Potent Master

Moline Lodge of Perfection

James Barnes, 32°

Sovereign Prince

Moline Council

Princes of Jerusalem

David Ziegler, 32o

Most Wise Master

Moline Chapter Rose Croix

Lauren Crawford, MSA 33o

Commander-in-Chief

Moline Consistory

Board Meetings: Second Monday at

6:30 PM

Stated Meetings: Second Monday at

7:30 PM

Annual Corporation Meeting: Se-

cond Monday in May

Office Hours:

9:00 AM—Noon • Monday thru Friday

Stitching Together the History of Masonic Aprons

Learning history from inanimate antique objects can seem like a daunting task. We can look at an old Masonic apron and appreciate its beauty or workmanship, but placing it in a historical context or coming up with a date for its manufacture can seem impossible. This is why museum curators spend years learning about the history of the materials and visual design elements – only by comparing aprons to each other can we start to see how their design evolved, what influenced it and when particular aprons might have been made.

When this painted apron was given to the Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library in 1983, the donors did not have any information about who made it, who owned it or where it was from. But, once we added it to the collection, we were able to make connections between its design and the design of two other groups of aprons. With this information, we can date this apron to the late 1810s or 1820s and suggest that it was probably made in Massachusetts or Maine.

This apron seems to have been influenced by an apron pattern designed by Edward Horsman (1775-1819) in 1814. Horsman became a Freemason in 1802 in Boston’s Mount Lebanon Lodge. In 1814, the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts lauded his design as “a judicious selection of the emblems of the Order, arranged with taste and propriety.” Even after his death in 1819, Horsman’s widow continued to sell aprons printed from his engraving of this design. The Museum & Library has five Horsman aprons in its collection alone, and many more survive in the collections of Massachusetts lodges, suggesting the wide popularity of these aprons during the early 1800s, as well as their accessibility as source material.

This apron also shares a similar arrangement of symbols with an example in the Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library collection signed by artist Charles Codman (1800 or 1801-1842). Codman, who apprenticed in Boston, may have been familiar with the Horsman apron. In turn, the maker of this apron may have seen one of Codman’s aprons and produced his or her own version. One major difference – the addition of a flowering vine above the archway – may indicate that the maker was a woman who received training at a local academy. Similar flowering vines appear on many American decorative arts and textiles, such as samplers, quilts, furniture and ceramics. Like the Horsman apron design, Codman’s design appears on several extant aprons in other collections. And, the Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library acquired a second example of the apron with the flowering vine design in 1985. Unfortunately, while the maker, or makers, of these aprons remain a mystery, the links to the Horsman and Codman aprons start to build a context for the popularity of these aprons in New England during the early 1800s. Looking at all of these aprons together helps us to understand the type of apron worn by Freemasons at this time and suggests an arrangement of symbols that resonated with members.

These aprons are among the ones featured in the book, The Badge of a Freema-

son: Masonic Aprons from the Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library, which will be published by the Museum & Library in May 2015. Several aprons are also part of the Museum & Library’s exhibition, “’Every Variety of Painting for Lodges’: Decorated Furniture, Paintings and Ritual Objects from the Collection,” which opens November 22, 2014, in Lexington, Massachusetts.

(Continued on page 3)

520 Members:

Larry Duane Thompson

JB Smith

David Earl Robison

Charles T. Cudworth

3

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Licensed Funeral Director & Embalmer

On Site Crematory

www.esterdahl.com

Petitions for membership are available from the

Cathedral office, or online via email:

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Keep a petition handy at all times

JIM STOLTZ

Agent

3815 16th Street

Moline, IL 61265

Bus: (309) 762-

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Eternal Rest

Dale M. Gradert

Geneseo, IL

September 3rd, 2014

Gary M. Blackledge

Davenport, IA

September 21st, 2014

Donald E. Peterson

Coal Valley, IL

September 27th, 2014

Virgil R. Hofer

Taylor Ridge, IL

October 20th, 2014

Donald E. Wilson

Port Byron, IL

October 25th, 2014

Richard P. Withenbury

Moline, IL

November 28th, 2014

Allen H. Gustafson

Aledo, IL

December 16th, 2014

The Valley of Moline offers three Scottish Rite Clubs for their members to join

and share in good fellowship and food with locations throughout our area.

• Sauk Trail Scottish Rite Club meets the third Monday in April 20th at American Legion in Cambridge, IL. For more information. Contact Arlo

Sloan, 32°, at 309-714-2197. Dinner is at 6 p.m.

• Horseshoe Bend Scottish Rite Club meets on the third Monday February

16th at the Welcome Inn in Milan, IL. Dinner is off menu at 6:30 p.m.

• Tri-County Scottish Rite Club meets the third Monday January 19th at

the Knoxville Family Restaurant in Knoxville, IL. Dinner is at 6 p.m.

(Continued from page 2)

PHOTO CREDITS:

Master Mason Apron, 1815-1830, probably Massachusetts or Maine, gift of the Valley of Lowell in

honor of Brother Starr H. Fiske, 32°, 85.6.1

Master Mason Apron, circa 1814, Edward Horsman (1775-1819), Boston, Special Acquisitions Fund,

89.66, photograph by David Bohl.

Master Mason Apron, 1822-1830, Charles Codman (1800 or 1801-1842), Portland, Maine, Museum

purchase, 94.054, photograph by David Bohl.

4

POND E R I N G S I N T H E O F F I C E O F T H E E X E C U T I V E S E C R E TA RY J O E L A L E M A N , 3 2 0

Brethren, What makes you a Scottish Rite Mason? When a man becomes one, he knows that answer. I recently was asked to mentor a new brother through his three degrees in becoming a Master Mason. He chose the long form catechisms. During that months-long repetitive process of memorizing the questions and helping our brother learn the answers, I came to better understand how Masonry fit into my own life, too. I asked myself whether I truly understood what I swore an oath to and whether those words were just hollow promises. I can now proudly declare that my belief in Masonry is as strong today as it was when I was raised and that the Scottish Rite continues to offer me the next step in my quest for more light. If you feel the same, then Masonry needs your help.

The golden years of Masonry are at risk of becoming little more than a footnote in history books. We are in danger of only living in its fading afterglow. It’s understandable why many who look at our grand Scottish Rite cathedrals or beautiful Masonic lodges might not perceive that our continued existence is hanging by a thread. Many of those Masonic landmarks may now be destined to become nothing more than asphalt covered parking lots. How could the organization that influenced the creation of our nation, one of the greatest nations in human history, become so weak and nearly helpless at sustaining itself? Could George Washington, Benjamin Franklin and the other Masons who signed the Declaration of Independence have dreamed that we would come to this?

We must acknowledge that Masonry is in a rapid decline. Due to population density, the losses may be more evident in our heartlands than within the large cities. Nevertheless, our loss of membership in our Scottish Rite valleys and Blue Lodges are nearing the point of no return and may face mergers to survive. The Valley of Moline now has the lowest membership count of all Illinois Valleys. That in itself is not a statement of an overall loss of faith in Masonry. Rather, it is the result of a combination of the increased daily demands from our work and families coupled with our Brothers passing away faster than new ones are being initiated.

Many of our experienced brothers suffer from challenging health conditions and need to manage their involvement differently. There are fewer and fewer trained men to do the work necessary for our rituals and keep our Masonic centers functioning. We are not effectively communicating the values and benefits of our creed. We have very many capable members who possess all the talent and ability necessary to help, but have not offered because they are unaware of the need. Now is the time to step up, accept the baton and help us to move for-ward.

My hope is that you are alarmed about what I write here, and feel the need for action and the dedication within your heart to find some way to change our current course. Only you can answer to that. For those who live by our Masonic principles and believe that the Grand Architect of the Universe is the source that guides us, we have work to do. No positive effort is too small or insignificant. Everyone has a voice in ensuring our survival.

Below is a strategic plan I compiled for my personal use as the Executive Secretary of the Scottish Rite Valley of Moline. This plan is valid today and should hold true for our future needs. Please review these objectives. If you believe there is good in Freemasonry and that it’s important to preserve it for future generations, please help.

Thank you, Brothers, for your attention and devotion to Scottish Rite Masonry. We live by the 24 inch rule that divides our day into three parts. You have a choice of how to most effectively apply your time, talents and resources. Perhaps simply devoting some time to attend your lodge or valley meetings will enlighten you on how you can make a difference. I’m certain your Brothers will be happy to see you. We must not forget who we are and where we were first prepared to be a Mason. If that foundation holds firm, the rest can be rebuilt and saved.

Fraternally Yours, Joe Laleman, 320 Executive Secretary

PS: An easy first step in helping is to call, mail or email all your current contact information. 80% of our mem-bership listings need to be updated in our database. We want to keep you updated with our progress of renewal.

(Continued on page 5)

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Vision of the Future of 32nd Degree Masonry

Thirty Second Degree Masonry must be an organization that is effectively managed by highly motivated men with vision and leadership skills, is attractive to men of good character, and ultimately makes a positive impact on the quality of life and reinforces high moral values.

Mission Statement of 32nd Degree Masons 32nd Degree Masonry is a Fraternity of Master Masons with a Mission to:

• Serve mankind through the impact of its extensive charitable outreach.

• Improve the individual character, leadership, and spirit through relevant programs.

• Promote Family and Community values.

• Inspire men to support the principles of the organization.

• Strengthen the Masonic way of life through its worldwide brotherhood.

Valley of Moline Strategic Plan

STRATEGY # 1. Be attractive to Masonic Brethren. 1.1 Involve more Scottish Rite members in Valley programs.

1.2 Better support our youth programs such as Rainbow Girls and DeMolay. 1.3 Identify and promote Scottish Rite membership benefits to area Blue Lodges.

1.4 Develop and maintain a more effective, efficient, and dynamic membership program. 1.5 Better support Scottish Rite Clubs bringing to the local level the benefits of membership

STRATEGY # 2. Build a closer relationship with Grand Lodge and other Masonic organizations.

2.1 Build partnership with Grand Lodge in program and membership development and retention. 2.2 Promote programs and activities that highlight the cooperation between A.A.S.R. and Grand

Lodge.

STRATEGY # 3. Be an organization that is managed effectively.

3.1 Continually reassess our needs to generate an evolving strategic plan. 3.2 Develop more effective communications between Scottish Rite and Blue Lodges for activities.

STRATEGY # 4. Be led by men with leadership skills.

4.1 Enlist qualified men to serve in the leadership positions. 4.2 Provide training for officers and potential officers. 4.3 Improve how the degrees communicate our values.

STRATEGY # 5. Be recognized as being committed to philanthropy and community service.

5.1 Increase public awareness of the charitable programs through public relations. 5.2 Increase member participation in contribution programs for Masonic Charities.

STRATEGY # 6. Be active in the community.

6.1 Sponsor activities in the community that provide visibility of our Fraternity. 6.2 Team with Blue Lodges to sponsor activities that enhance the public awareness of Masonry. 6.3 Recognize scholarship recipients in our newsletter and in the local press with success stories.

STRATEGY # 7. Be endorsed by the entire family.

7.1 Have an active and vital Family Life Program. 7.2 Compile attendance results and suggestions to improve events within the Family Life Program.

STRATEGY # 8. Be financially strong to accomplish our long range mission.

8.1 Develop more effective committees to better use our time and resources. 8.2 Closely monitor and expand our rental program to maintain operating cost effectiveness.

(Continued from page 4)

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E V E N T S A T T H E C AT H E D R A L FOR 2 014 A ND 2015

S P R I N G R E U N I O N 2 015

Friday, March 20th and Saturday, March 21st, 2015

The Degree schedule will be announced at our January Stated Meeting.

Meals are served family style. Food reservations are due in our office by

March 10th, 2015. Updated information on arrangements will be sent.

April 2015 Lent Fish Fry

Join us in April for a fish fry dinner here at the Moline Cathedral!

No reservations necessary and open to the public.

Learning Center Fundraiser — Revolutionary Play and Dinner

February 20th, 2015

Non-Masonic Upcoming 2015 Events

Ballet Quad Cities performance of Love Stories February 27th and 28th.

Spring 2015 Reunion

Dates

Valley of Bloomington

March 6 - 7

Valley of Chicago

April 9 & 11

Valley of Danville

March 27 - 28

Valley of Freeport

April 11

Valley of Moline

March 20 - 21

Valley of Peoria

March 13 - 14

Valley of Quincy

March 27 - 28

Valley of Southern

Illinois

April 25

Valley of Springfield

March 21

Join us as we celebrate the history, tradition, and brotherhood of the

Northern Masonic

Jurisdiction of the Scot-

tish Rite in America.

There is no better time

to continue your

Masonic journey. To learn more about the benefits of member-ship, contact a Scottish

Rite Valley near you.

Special Rainbow Girls Event November 20th Cooking Class

By Ellie Hoeper, Grand Religion of Illinois Rainbow Girls

What is a box without hinges, key, or lid, yet golden treasures inside is hid? The answer to this riddle is an egg, something the girls of Moline Assembly #22 of the Illinois rainbow girls got the opportunity to learn all about on November 20th. The girls were taught how to cook a multitude of different eggs from the Scottish Rite's very own Scottish Rite Exec-utive Secretary, Joe Laleman. The girls were taught how to prepare eggs from the right way of crack-ing them to the proper sanitary safety of the kitchen. They became educated on different methods of cooking eggs from hard boiled eggs to omelets, from fried eggs to eggy in a basket. By the end of the night the girls were full of eggs; both in knowledge and satisfied hunger. The Rainbow girls had so much fun learning about these golden treasures and are hoping to learn more about a variety of food from Joe again. These girls had such an egg-

tastic time and they're hungry for more!

7

The following article was published in the Moline Daily Dispatch May 17th 1930 “Masonic Cathedral Section”.

Building will be dedicated next Tuesday.

Moline Masonic Consistory temple is most beautiful structure in Tri-Cities. Open to the public May 25

Highest State and National Scottish Rite leaders to be in city.

Scottish Rite Masons of the Valley of Moline will dedicate their magnificent $450,000 cathedral Tuesday after-noon under the direction of the supreme Council of the order. Hundreds of masons from all parts of the Midwest, many of them holding high offices in the fraternity are expected to be present for the ceremony which brings to realization the 10-year-old dream of the Moline masonic leaders, Leon M. Abbott of Boston, Sovereign Grand Commander of the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction, will preside. The impressive realistic ceremony will be under

the direction of Frederick B. Stevens, also of Boston, grand lieutenant commander of the order.

The five active members of the supreme Council from Illinois will play a leading part in the dedication. These are, Sylvester O. Spring, Deputy for the state, Gov. Louis L Emerson, Leroy a Goddard, Charles H Spellman, and Delmar D. Darrah. The ceremony is for members of the fraternity only, but the beautiful Cathedral will be open to

the public Sunday, May 25th, when a concert of music will be presented.

Arthur J. White, director of the Scottish Rite bodies will be in charge of the concert which is to include both

organ and band music. In connection with the dedication the Moline Consistory and coordinate bodies will hold

their annual spring reunion which begins Monday and ends Wednesday.

Cathedral on site of Wheelock Home

The site now occupied by the Scottish Rite Cathedral at 18th St. and Seventh Avenue was originally owned by S. W. Wheelock a pioneer executive of the Moline Plow Company and mayor of Moline from 1877 to 1882. Mr. Wheelock erected a beautiful mansion on the ground and resided there for many years. In 1901 the home was

purchased by C.R. Stephens, secretary of the Moline Plow Company and a brother of Mrs. Ada Stephens of

Moline and Mrs. F.G. Allen. Mr. Stevens lived in the house until 1917 when he moved to California. He died

several years later. The large tract was then purchased by the Scottish Rite Cathedral association.

FROM TH E CH A I RM AN O F TH E C AT H E D R A L BOA RD R I C H A R D H A C K E R , M S A 3 3°

Thoughts From A New Member

If I could describe my experience as a member of the fall class, it would be with mixed emotions. Gratitude for the opportunity to be a member of such an auspicious assembly, pride in the small role I was able to play in the degree work, anticipation for the journey ahead, and determination to make the most of this opportunity I’ve

been presented.

Being a member of my blue lodge has been one of the most rewarding experiences in my life, and I’m

thankful for the opportunity to continue my education as a member of Scottish Rite. Here, as at lodge, are

members who I deeply respect. Members who have dedicated their lives to giving, to service. Becoming a

member has been a challenge to me, a refocusing of purpose.

Thank you for the opportunity, for the example you’ve all set for us, for the tradition you’ve made us a part of.

I look forward to the opportunity to serve with you.

Josh Sallows, 32° - Orator, Fall Reunion Class of 2014

8

Moline Consistory

Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite

Valley of Moline

CATHEDRAL CHIMES

1800 7th Avenue

Moline, IL 61265

Phone: 309-762-1117

Fax: 309-762-3747

E-Mail: Srite1@mchsi.com

http://www.valleyofmoline.org

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

The Learning Center is half way through the current school year. We have 16 students that are working very hard in their tutoring. A special thank you to all of the staff of the center for making our first year under our new corporation run

smoothly.

We still need your help with our only fund-raising activity - Saturday night bingo at the Rock Island Lions Club. We are asking for volunteers, Masons and non-Masons alike to volunteer one Saturday night every three to four weeks. Shift would last up to three hours and you would be helping on the floor and meeting new friends. All of us have a lot of fun each week interacting with the players and meeting new friends. The support from the players is tremendous knowing that all the funds raised go towards the center and the children. Let Grady Birdsell know if

you would like to volunteer at Bingo.

We are planning a dinner and historic play for February 20th, 2015 as a means to raise additional funds. Stay tuned to the Chimes for more information as it be-

comes available.

Dyslexic Reading Solutions for Children

Have a suggestion

or an idea?

Contact the office

309-762-1117

Srite1@mchsi.com

“If you have

knowledge, let

others light their

candles at it.”

Thomas Fuller