I enjoy reading other trestle boards from other lodges around the country to see how they compile their boards.  They are all different but, at their core do the one important thing which is to get the message out.

The trestle board or tracing board was used in ancient times during degrees and has been a central tool for Masonic teachings, but the form of the trestle board has changed throughout time. In ancient times the need for secrecy was larger, misinformation about Freemasonry required its members to pay close attention to what, and how, Masonic "teachings" were given. For this reason, the trestle board, with the several objects and symbols, were drawn in sand from memory. No written copies were available. In former times, it was the duty of the Tyler to literally draw the trestle board in the sand inside the Lodge, or other meeting place, at the beginning of each meeting. In effect, not only was the Tyler responsible for literally tiling the Lodge, but also, by drawing the trestle board, to enable the brethren to commence their work - something most of us would today identify as being the responsibility of the Worshipful Master.

During later periods, meetings often took place in taverns, and chalk and charcoal were used to draw the trestle board on the wooden floor. This way should the need arise, the trestle board could immediately be erased without a trace. Indeed, as taverns were public, it was standard practice to erase the trestle board at the end of all functions, and it was the duty of the youngest member of the degree in which the meeting was held, to see to it that all traces were erased. It is for this reason that mops, and pails were often listed in a Lodge's standard inventory. The tedious job of having to draw the trestle board before every meeting with chalk and charcoal later gave way in the 18th century to permanent wooden, or cloth trestle boards being fixed to the floor through tape and nails. This was probably because the need for secrecy lessened during this period, and many lodges had obtained a more permanent location to meet than the local tavern. It was also better for the tavern operator, or owner, for despite all the cleaning, chalk and charcoal probably still left some nasty stains.

In former times, a lodge usually had only one wooden trestle board, showing the symbols for all three degrees in one board. These permanent boards eventually were replaced by tracing boards, one for each degree, which were generally smaller, more durable, and illustrated the same points when taken together. With three trestle boards, all the important and relevant symbols of each degree could be included in detail - as they are generally done so today.

The newsletter that is sent out to all members of our lodge is also referred to as the Trestle Board and it is used to provide our members with information about events happening in and around our lodge.

Hiram Abif, masons are taught, is the Master Builder and the Architect of the Temple of Solomon. Each day he would draw his Master architect's measurements and symbols on his trestle board to instruct his Master Masons of the work that was to be accomplished.

Hiram Abif's tracing board is believed to have been made of wood, covered with a coating of wax. At the end of the day, he would simply scrape off the wax and pour a new layer of hot wax onto the board to ready it for the next day's work.

We have come a long way from the days of Hiram Abif’s wooden trestle board and being well into the digital age are able to make the trestle board a beautiful functional tool.  They are a great deal of work and as a Worshipful Master as with ritual can be mastered by the end of his tenor.

“No matter what happens… no matter how far you seem to be away from where you want to be, never stop believing that you will somehow make it. Have an unrelenting belief that things will work out. That the long road has a purpose. That the things that you desire may not happen today. But they will happen. Continue to persist and persevere.”

-Brad Gast

S&F
WM Nick Lamson
Trenton Cyrus #5

Brethren,

One of the favorite movies that I watch time and time again is “The Outlaw Josey Wales” starring Clint Eastwood.  I recently saw it again and I was struck by a quote spoken by Chief Dan George to Josey Wales: He says “Endeavor to Persevere!”. The context is that Josey is wronged by a group of Union Soldiers at the end of the Civil War. His vengeance is had through a series of cinematic adventures.  Chief Dan stated that Abraham Lincoln had met with him and the five civilized tribes and that the Secretary of the Interior spoke these words to them.  A Google search reveals the following:

Endeavor:

To do or affect something; make an effort; strive.

We must constantly endeavor if we are to succeed.

Persevere:

To persist in anything undertaken; maintain a purpose in-spite of difficulty, obstacles, or discouragement”

We admire people who look into the eye of adversity, dig in their heels, and persevere, no matter what the odds.

Chief Dan goes on to say that, after much thought, the 5 tribes decided to go to war against the Union and right the wrong of their land being taken away.  Much like many things in life we have all faced a moment where these words ring true.  We all face different obstacles in life to overcome, many self-made or externally caused.  Previously, I would begin to think of all the ways I could correct these issues, quickly becoming overwhelmed with the all the changes I wanted to make; making lists of all the things that could use a makeover in my life such as weight, money, health, mood, improve relationships, friendships, and family.

Masonry has given me a blueprint to negotiate these obstacles thrown into my path.  The words from the movie slowly crept back in my head. “Endeavor to Persevere”. I decide to take it one day at a time. Step by step I will tackle each goal with perseverance until I accomplish each goal. I vow to tackle each obstacle with style, persistence, and perseverance.

Patience is essential because there will be unforeseen difficulties: People who irritate you; situations that frustrate you. If you are patient, you will stay focused on the task. You don’t complain, you solve.

“The day you plant the seed is not the day you eat the fruit.”

The path we choose is not always the easy path to attain the goal desired.  There are in my opinion no failures just moments that teach.  Einstein said it best, “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results”.   So let us not keep doing it the same way and resolve to find another manner to solve our problem.  Yes, we will have a set back here and there; we will become discouraged, but with perseverance we will get there.  I do believe that positive thought helps align goals.

This worked for me with training Police K9’s no two dogs were alike.  Positive reinforcement produced the outcome desired where negative reinforcement produced many problems.  So, guess what the negative was thrown out and the positive prevailed. They all responded to different types of training due to their personality and breed.  Some were high energy like the Belgian Malinois, and some were more even keeled like the German Shepperd.  Both were expected to do a task but, training them to do that specific task was varied greatly through positive reinforcement such as treats, play, and praise.

Stay the course my brothers and Endeavor to Persevere!  Have a safe and enjoyable summer with family and friends and I look forward to seeing you in lodge!
​
S&F
WM Nick Lamson
Trenton Cyrus #5

Greetings and Salutations Brethren from the East.

I am humbled and honored to have been elected and installed as your Worshipful Master of Trenton Cyrus No. 5 for the 2022 Masonic Year. It has been a rewarding and fulfilling journey through the chairs. I am following in the steps of all who have come this way before and will strive to continue the traditions of Fellowship, Brotherly Love, and Charity. I pledge in conjunction with the entire 2022 Officer Line to put in the work and make our lodge stronger with the members and community. The pandemic which we have been living through has made the work we do daunting and at times frustrating with new variants and restrictions. But as Masons, we always find a way to get it done!

The beginning of a New Year brings about new journeys, positions, family situations, birth of a child, death of a loved one. The leaving of a vocation and beginning a new one. Elevation of a title and gaining a new moniker as you leave a position. Change is constantly occurring and with those changes new relationships form and in turn diminish. This is the way of things and when a New Year comes about some are glad to see the past year fade into the sunset. It depends on how you look at change, to retain treasured memories or forget to start anew.

Robert Burns wrote a poem about starting new journeys when he wrote “AULD LANG SYNE”. He was a Mason in the St. David’s Lodge No. 174 in Tarbolton, Scotland circa 1781. Auld Lang Syne is a concrete expression of his love of mankind and his ideal of International Brotherhood. Auld Lang Syne was written in Scots language; the English translation means “Old Long Since”. So, what is the meaning of the poem? We have here a series of rhetorical questions, all amounting to the point that unless you are completely dead inside, you should be able to appreciate the virtues of reconnecting with old friends and thinking about old times. We have heard it on many occasions from New Year’s parties with friends to Dick Clarks’ New Year’s Eve Specials on TV.

AULD LANG SYNE

Should Old Acquaintance be forgot,
and never thought upon;
The flames of Love extinguished,
and fully past and gone:
Is thy sweet Heart now grown so cold,
that loving Breast of thine;
That thou canst never once reflect
On old long syne?

The bible has many quotes and verses that speak of change and new journeys. One that is heard spoken is from the King James Bible Psalms 23:4.

“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me”

I sat and watched a movie with my son “Night at the Museum 3” and in it Robin Williams plays Teddy Roosevelt and he is having a conversation with Ben Stiller whom plays Larry. It’s the end scene and goes as follows.

Teddy: It's time for your next adventure.
Larry: I have no idea what I'm going do tomorrow.
Teddy: How exciting....

So, my brothers what will you do tomorrow or in the New Year? Will you forge new acquaintances, revive old ones? Start a new job, or leave one and go into business for yourself? The analogies are endless and to quote Teddy Roosevelt “How Exciting!........

Sincerely and fraternally,
Nicholas Lamson
WM Trenton Cyrus No. 5

Greetings and salutations, Brethren. It is without doubt that Spring is finally upon us! The Spring season brings with it warmer weather, new life, and new beauty to all that this is around us. It is a time to reflect upon our many blessings, but also to look forward to new beginnings.

Emerging from the pandemic, our Lodge has been more alive than it has been in many previous months. Increased vaccine distribution and relaxing social distancing restrictions has allowed us to gather in greater frequency and in greater numbers. While we still need to be vigilant to remain safe, it is my hope to see more and more of my brothers in lodge in the near future. Above all, however, it is my sincere hope that you and your families continue to be safe and well.

As our Lodge and the country continue to emerge from the pandemic, my thoughts are fixed firmly on our future, and with it, the continued initiation of good men into our fraternity. For countless generations, a primary focus of Freemasonry has been “Making good men better.” Our goal is not to rehabilitate or make a “bad” man “good”. We actually have strict procedures in place to prevent the initiation of or removing dis- reputable men from Masonry. The basic constituent elements composing a “good” human being must already be present before we consider a man for our Craft.

On display in every Masonic Lodge room there is the Rough Ashlar and the Perfect Ashlar. These two stones and the Trestle Board constitute our Movable Jewels. In Freemasonry, the ashlar has been adopted in its two states as a symbol in the first degree. The Rough Ashlar is the stone as cut and taken from the quarry in its unfin- ished state. As such, it reminds the Mason of his rude and imperfect state by nature. Through the development of his intellectual self through education, he strives to move from this imperfect state to a more perfect state. This state is represented by the Perfect Ashlar, which has been smoothed, squared, and fitted for the builders use.

When master artist Michelangelo was asked how he created such beautiful sculp- tures, his response was simple: The sculpture is already complete within the marble block, before I start my work. It is already there, I just have to chisel away the superfluous material.

Much is the same of the role of the Master Mason within a masonic lodge, except the labors to perfect not only himself as a living embodiment of the Perfect Ashlar, but to also aid and assist his brethren in their pursuit of the same. It is a continuous and gentle labor, as the Perfect Ashlar cannot made overnight. Upon initiation, the Mason is exposed to many lessons and symbols to expand his intellect and encourage his personal development. These lessons and symbols represent a wholesome influence to assist him in strengthening his moral and spiritual self. As Masons, we must constantly strive to perfect that which is good and noble in our lives so we become closer to the Perfect Ashlar.

While masonic education focuses on the transformation of the Rough Ashlar into the Perfect Ashlar, little emphasis is focused on the Rough Ashlar itself. The Rough Ashlar was not a stone that was merely picked up somewhere; it was selected. It was a stone that demonstrated all of the necessary qualities within and capable of being made into a Perfect Ashlar. Had it not been a good stone, it would have never been selected out of the quarry. The same is true with a prospective member. He cannot merely be picked up somewhere, but must be carefully select- ed. He must be of good material and show good prospects of being made into a good Mason. Freemasonry can and does improve good material, but it cannot make bad material good. If he had not been a good man, he should have never been proposed for membership.

It is also important to recognize that, much like master sculptor Michelangelo, in changing the Rough Ashlar to the Perfect Ashlar, the Mason takes away but never adds to. As he chips away, he cuts away rough edges and removes visible flaws, but only exposes what was already there. With a hand guided by skill and knowl- edge, he carefully labors to expose the Perfect Ashlar which was always within.

Where are you in your labors in crafting yourself in the image of a more Perfect Ashlar? With the pause in many routine activities granted by the pandemic over the past year, now is a good time to evaluate where you are in your labors and to craft the next few chips to your stone. It is also a good time to evaluate the other stones within the quarry. Do you see any Rough Ashlars made of good material, with good prospects of being made into a good Mason? If so, talk to them about your Lodge and its importance to you. Perhaps invite them to one of our upcoming events and introduce them to the Brethren.

May we as Masons continually strive to live our lives in such a way that we progress towards that state represented by the Perfect Ashlar, that our fellow Masons see the virtues embodied in our lives, and that society sees our works f great good and deem them worthy of emulation. Until next month, may God Bless you and your families and keep everyone safe!!! I sincerely hope to see you in Lodge.
Sincerely and Fraternally,

Brian Moor, Trenton Cyrus #5 WM