From the Office of

Lodge Officers

Greetings Bro. Herbert Stansberry Jr.,

Let me offer you warmest congratulations and welcome you as a Master Mason and member of Smooth Ashlar Lodge # UD.

It is now time to consider your future course of action in Masonic affairs. As you have learned, Masonry is a progressive science, and you will find more and more of its inspirational teachings unfolding through the years as you participate in your Lodge activities. Privileged as I am to serve as Worshipful Master, I find that each new Masonic experience brings a deeper awareness of Freemasonry. It is a continuing, enriching and enlarging philosophy.

First, of course, prepare for your final proficiency examination in the Master Mason Degree. I suggest that you do not delay, as the memory work is much easier while the experience of the degree is still fresh in your mind.

Secondly, look at the various avenues for participation in the activities of Smooth Ashlar Lodge # UD so as to find the areas where you will be the happiest in your new Masonic home. There is such a variety of ways to serve and to benefit: a period of duty on the Stewards’ Committee, waiting on the Brothers who have waited on you; learning to participate as a sideliner in some aspects of the degree work; supporting the Lodge simply by regular attendance at Stated and Special Meetings; calling on a Brother who is ill; bringing wives, families and friends to our social functions; taking up the study of Masonic research; and, of special importance, partaking of all the good fellowship which is available to you through Smooth Ashlar Lodge # UD.

May you chart your Masonic course with wisdom and humility, and may you experience the rewards, which are yours to earn and receive.

Sincerely and fraternally,

DR. Charles Washington, DBA
Secretary,
Smooth Ashlar Lodge # UD

PM Ronald Henderson II
Worshipful Master,
Smooth Ashlar Lodge # UD

From the Office of

Lodge Officers

Greetings Bro. Herbert Stansberry Jr.,

Now that you have been passed to the degree of Fellowcraft, I again take pleasure in congratulating you on your advancement in Masonry. Only one more step remains before you earn full membership in Smooth Ashlar Lodge # UD.

With respect to attendance, you are now invited to be present at the Lodge on all First Degree and Second Degree nights. Not, of course, when Third Degrees are scheduled. You will be welcome to attend Stated Meeting of the Lodge after you have received the Master Mason Degree.

I hope that you will take advantage of all such occasions to become better acquainted with the members of your Lodge. Remember my suggestions about inviting relatives, business associates or other friends whom you understand to be Master Masons, particularly on the evening of your Third Degree. It will mean a great deal to those friends of yours to be present and in later’ years, as you look back, it will mean much to you.

Finally, let me point out that the First and Second Degrees, impressive as they are, simply help to prepare you for the big step -the ceremony when you are raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason. I join you in anticipating that eventful occasion.

Sincerely and fraternally,

DR. Charles Washington, DBA
Secretary,
Smooth Ashlar Lodge # UD

PM Ronald Henderson II
Worshipful Master,
Smooth Ashlar Lodge # UD

From the Office of

Lodge Officers

Greetings Bro. Herbert Stansberry Jr.,

Now that you have been initiated an Entered Apprentice Mason, I congratulate you on taking this first step toward full membership in Smooth Ashlar Lodge # UD. Since this is a totally new experience for you, a few points are listed below which may be of interest and of help.

1. You have participated in a time-honored ceremony, the Masonic ritual of the First Degree. I am sure you understand the complete and binding requirement of total secrecy with regard to our ritual. While we have secret signs, words and tokens, which we use as means of recognition, we are not a secret society. The location of our lodges can be found in the local phone book. Similarly, many of our members openly wear Masonic symbols signifying that they are Masons and belong to a Masonic Lodge. Nor is the philosophy that we stand for secret - Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth; and the brotherhood of man.

2. Before you can be passed to the degree of Fellowcraft, you now must commit to memory a portion of the lecture of the First Degree. Do not delay in getting started with this work. It is not too difficult a task, but the longer you wait, the harder it is to learn. Moreover, the degree schedule of the Lodge assumes that you will proceed promptly to the next step.

3. Remember that Masonic teachings have been passed down through the ages by word of mouth with the help of a cipher. Your Elder Brother is a dedicated Mason who has volunteered to impart these learned phrases to you as you work toward advancement. He is responsible to assist you in becoming proficient in the candidate’s lecture of the Entered Apprentice Degree and to prepare you for examination before proceeding to the next step.

5. Your rights and privileges in the Lodge are limited until you become a Master Mason. As an Entered Apprentice Mason you may not attend the Stated Meetings while business is transacted because Stated Meetings are opened in the Third or Master Mason’s degree. You are most welcome at all social functions of the Lodge not restricted to Master Masons. You may not visit another Masonic Lodge, except to observe an Entered Apprentice Degree. You are expected to be present at each Lodge meeting when a First Degree is scheduled, not when Second or Third Degrees are scheduled. Read the Trestleboard which will be mailed to you, and attend Lodge faithfully at the proper times.

6. As I suggested to you previously, remember to invite friends and relatives whom you understand are Master Masons to attend Smooth Ashlar Lodge # UD, particularly on the nights when you are to receive a degree. We heartily welcome visitors, and any Mason considers it a compliment to be invited when someone he knows is to receive a degree.

7. Finally, understand that all the rules and regulations, such as those I refer to, have been established for a purpose and that all Masons who have preceded you have been governed by the same procedures. Do not hesitate to ask questions as they may arise - of your Elder Brother, of any officer or any member of the Lodge - but, above all, remember that I am as close to you as the nearest telephone and always available for consultation and advice.

8. Very shortly you will be invited to attend an informal review and discussion of the degree you have just taken. Please feel free to raise at that meeting any questions you have about Masonry or about the Entered Apprentice Degree.

Good luck as you go forward in your Masonic work. I look forward to the occasion when I may take your hand as a Master Mason and welcome you into full membership in Smooth Ashlar Lodge # UD

Sincerely and fraternally,

DR. Charles Washington, DBA
Secretary,
Smooth Ashlar Lodge # UD

PM Ronald Henderson II
Worshipful Master,
Smooth Ashlar Lodge # UD