Brethren, as I have watched the devastation that Ike has wrought on Texas, it occurred to me that there is an lesson in Ike for us to see. We have seen the damage wrought by unrestrained power and even the loss of life (in the Masonic sense). During all this there is a quiet time that we are in now and I would liken it to the eye of the hurricane. It is a time of quiet, stillness and yet the foreboding of things yet to come. It almost seems normal in an eerie sense.
Yet we all know that there is a reckoning to come, one that only the Great Architect knows the outcome of for certain. We are on a path that cannot be stopped. We will all be forever changed regardless of the outcome. Like those waiting the hurricane out, we pray for deliverance. Yet there is a single difference in all this. This tribulation can (and should be) stopped. Charlie Montgomery has the power to admit he made a mistake and reverse the expulsions. Barring that we all will be at the mercy of blind Justice.
Again like the eye passing, it shall soon be storming again. It will be out of everyone’s power to stop it. The courts will rule and it is my belief in favor of MW Brother Haas. In nature the storm culls many old trees and makes way for new growth. It is a time of death and rebirth. New friends have been found and ties are being forged that will benefit us all. When the storm passes it will be a time to rebuild a new Grand Lodge and I am excited with that prospect.
Yet there still remains work to be done. Grand Lodge is fast approaching. Those of us laboring here cannot advise you how, but hope ALL PAST MASTERS will attend and speak their mind. You have labored in the East for that privilege, do not let it pass.
A Mason
14/09/2008, 21:16
You are right brother A Mason.
It is now time to vote. The talk is over, the lines are drawn and the long awaited hour approaches. It is my hope that the Past Masters and Masters are putting their pen to paper and preparing for October and they bring their gonads with them. I hope many members voice their opinions and feelings so this chapter of threats and expulsions in Freemasonry can be closed, and the healing process may begin. I hope and pray I will get to sit in lodge with Frank, Dick, and Justin soon. It is my gut feeling and hope that the brethren of WV have had enough. It is time to rewind the clock and let the pendulum swing toward the way of mutual respect for each other and working things out together. I hope we all now understand how important that position in the South is and we always think before we vote.
Dear Greg and Randy,
Please do all you can to right the wrongs, help heal this Grand Lodge, create an atmosphere where a website like this is unnecessary, return the 133rd Psalm to this Grand Jurisdiction, and restore the respect due to the office of Grandmaster of Masons in West Virginia…….
14/09/2008, 22:07
None of this would have happened if Charlie had FOLLOWED THE RULES. If PGM Haas really did something wrong, let his lodge try him, and let Masonic justice prevail. But, no.
The GM has engaged in subterfuge with his parking lot suspensions, coded letters, and covert attempts to discover owners and posters on this website. Because he would rather suspend more brethren than whisper good counsel, or listen to it. In the face of real, public, legal challenges that will clearly show he violated the rules he swore to uphold, he still tries to use the system to discover who dares to criticize him.
Worse, the GM's intransigence will be dragged through the newspapers, exposing the GL of WV to more derision. Isn't the reputation of Freemasonry in West Virginia worth more than one man's ego? Isn't the rule of Masonic law more important than one man who dispenses suspensions instead of reprehending with justice?
Where is the outrage from the rank and file in this matter? Who are the Masters who will stand up in Grand Lodge and demand our leaders do what they promise?
Where are the next men who will lead us who will do what is best for WV Freemasons, not what is best for themselves? Where are the men who will restore our pathetic reputation across the country?
Who among us will stand up and demand an end to the kind of unqualified GL officers who have no plan but to lead us down this same rat hole year after year?
Brethren, study the rule book very carefully. Find the proper way to legally stand up and address these issues. Make these men follow those same rules. Or shout them down when they try to break them.
14/09/2008, 22:43
Amen Brother! I will stand with you!
A Mason
15/09/2008, 04:42
Ancient Craft Freemasons have always held dear both the right and the duty of the Local lodge Representatives to review, revise and from time to time check Grand Master's decisions. Emotionally, yes, to survive and flourish, the Craft will put these incidents behind them. But, we also owe it to future generations to maintain "stare decisis." Historically, GM Montgomery will have done some service as the next from us will be able to point to the record and say, "Look at the decsion." "Look at the result."
To put upon the record that no Grand Master can "unMake a Mason" without due process is invaluable. That a GM can decide the order of business at Grand session is all that he is permitted to do. Once the opening ceremonies are complete, the delegates will decide the agenda, and see to it that no issue is left unattended.He cannot close with any point raised from the floor leaving the agggregate delegates dissatisfied.
27/09/2008, 23:29
I think the GL of WV web site is the only one that does not show the picture of the GM. Is he hiding?
27/10/2008, 09:05
To all Masonic brethren in the United States of America,
I am writing a statement that is my own personal opinion. It does not officially represent the position of any Grand Lodge, Subordinate Lodge, or any other Masonic related body. It is my OWN opinion. That being said, I will move on to the purpose of this statement!
Recent events in the Grand Lodge of West Virginia have not only been troubling, but have become of great concern to me on a personal level due to the flagrant violation of the Masonic Code of the Grand Lodge of West Virginia as well as the ancient customary rules of our laudable order. If an elected Grand Master cannot obey his EA obligation by subduing his passions, then expecting him to act in the best interest of the Grand Lodge he has promised to serve to the utmost of his ability will not happen either. I have found no precedent in Masonic law for the expulsion of any Freemason without trial. Yet, this is exactly what has happened. It is not only wrong, it is an outright travesty of the principles and ideals we as Freemasons hold dear!
I find it odd that when the Nazi party was able to take over in Germany so many years ago, it started with a gradual erosion of rights and privileges of the citizens. In Freemasonry, we have all promised to a degree to that which is right, and to overthrow tyrants if needed. It is disgraceful that the tyrant in question would be a Grand Master who wears a hood and sheet along with his Masonic apron. To have outright racist opinions rule and govern a Grand Lodge is scary since that is not a qualification nor precursor to Masonic membership as we all know. Truthfully, I felt progress had been made to get beyond these petty, racist opinions.
I will ask that ALL of you remember what is truly important. Please keep MW Bro. Frank Haas in your prayers. Yes, I addressed him as Most Worshipful! Despite his current status, he had been elected and served his term as Grand Master. So despite the fact his name has been removed from GL-WV website, it doesn’t change the fact of his service, nor the fact that he has continued to stand for that which is right. It would certainly be nice to see others in West Virginia do the same!
RW Bro. Raymond Sean Walters
Valley Hi Lodge #1407 AF&AM San Antonio, Texas
(Sic semper tyrannis)