From the South

May

Brethren,
In past trestleboards, I talked about the founding of our predecessor lodge, Collingswood Lodge, No. 210, in 1917 and its first two Worshipful
Masters. In this message, I continue the story into 1920 During our first three years, our lodge room was located on the second
floor of the Collingswood National Bank building across the street from our present lodge building. In 1920, William Turnbull, one of our members, bought our present
building, which prior thereto had been the home of the Palms Theatre, a silent movie house. After acquiring title to the building, Mr. Turnbull and his wife conveyed
title to a local bank, West Jersey Trust Company, to hold in trust for us. West Jersey Trust Company disappeared during the depression and legal title was
transferred to Camden Trust Company. It held the title in trust for us until the early 1980’s, when it told us that it would no longer continue to do so. Since then,
the trust has continued with lodge officers being the trustees. Currently, the Master and Wardens are the trustees.

Fraternally yours,
James Perrin, Junior Warden

April

Brethren, In last month’s trestleboard, I told you about the founding of our predecessor lodge, Collingswood Lodge, No. 210, in 1917 and of its first Worshipful Master. I am following that up this month by continuing the story into 1918.
Our Master that year, our second Worshipful Master, was William Mackey. He was a young man, in his early 30’s, when he became Master.

He was our first member to become a district deputy and is our only member – either with our predecessor Collingswood Lodge or our current Collingswood-Cloud Lodge – to ascend the ranks of Grand Lodge and become Grand Master. He served in various offices in both the York and Scottish Rites and he was one of the founders of the Collingswood chapter of the
Order of the Eastern Star. He was the chapter’s first Worthy Patron. He died in 1952.

Fraternally yours,
James Perrin, Junior Warden

February

Brethren,
I want to thank the brethren for again selecting me to serve our Lodge as
junior warden. I enjoyed my year in that station three years ago and I am
grateful to you for allowing me to again serve.
When I agreed to serve three years ago, I had never previously served in the line.
I wanted to help in the incoming Master and the position of junior warden was
where he needed help at the time. I expected to serve only that single year and not
go forward. Masonry draws you forward however. What we tell young Masons is
true; the more you do for Masonry, the more you get from it. I enjoyed working
and being with the friends I made by participating. Nevertheless, I chose not to go
forward. I am elderly. I have health issues. I did not feel that it was fair to ask
the Lodge to elect me to another position when my health might not permit me to
continue. Now, having returned to the south, I have received a lot of encouragement
from brethren to go on after this year. I will have to wait to determine that.
Unfortunately, age and health are against me. Whatever I can do however, I am
grateful to have the opportunity to serve you this year. I would wish for each of
you reading this message the same experience I have had. Coming out to Lodge
and participating in its work is an enriching experience. I ask brethren who have
not attended Lodge recently to come again. You were enthusiastic about Masonry
when you first joined. You would not have spent the time and effort to come to
meetings and memorize the ritual if you had not been. Your enthusiasm may
reemerge as mine has. I look forward to seeing you.
Fraternally yours,
James Perrin, Junior Warden

December

Brethren,
Well, the time for elections is over. I know Brother Elfreth, Brother Perrin, and I have been working very hard to attain the perfect lodge. This is a great work in progress, that will happen only with the help of every member of Collingswood Cloud. I feel that with the core of members who attend every meeting, and with the Past Masters who continually stay involved, this destination can and will be reached in the future. After all, strength and support are the key to all institutions. With that being said, please come out and support the Lodge and our new Worshipful Master.

Fraternally yours,
James Boulger III Junior Warden

November

Brethren,
Well the time has come again to elect your brothers to the their
offices. As you all know the following:
SW Don Elfreth is going to run for the East,
JW Jim Boulger is going to run for the West,
and Brother Jim Perrin is going to run for the South
all in hope of going forward with their MASONIC dream.
I know that each one of us have a personal reason for going forward.
I feel that in my case, there are two PAST MASTERS who encouraged
me to return, I owe it to them to continue their great workings.
With that being said, please come out and elect the new line for
2012 and see the great forward steps we are going to make.
Fraternally yours,
James Boulger III Junior Warden

Hard to believe summer is almost over and lodge is to start up again. Lets make this year the best and all come out to the meetings, remember that Mozart Lodge is now renting from us, lets get to meet them, if you do not know them. If anyone has an idea for fundraising or rentals, let the lodge know. This way we can discuss it and get it started. Also, make the meetings to keep informed on the projects, fundraisers and the daily workings of the lodge. Remember we have some new members and they will be needing some help. With all the expertise the lodge has, they would greatly benefit.

Now on a personal note, advance chairs, wow, I am going to the west and will need help. With all the PAST MASTERS and the incoming MASTER, how can I go wrong. I know they will be there to help, guide and push me to higher levels, I only have to ask. So to all who need help please ask me and the great lodge members we have, remember
this is our lodge.

Fraternally Yours,
James J. Boulger III J.W.

April Message

Charity is a subject inherent in Freemasonry. It is not, and was never meant to be, our primary reason for existing as a Lodge or as individual Masons. If there seems to be a bit of a conflict between these first two sentences, it is not a coincidence. There isn’t enough space in this column to fully illuminate the matter. It is very much recommended, however, that we all read and consider MW Brother Dwight Smith’s thoughts on Masonic charity in his well known commentaries, Whither are We Traveling? and Why this Confusion in the Temple? Both are easily sought out on-line, and can also be found through our Lodge website.

Charity ought to come to us as naturally as breathing. It is NOT meant to be turned into an event, a production, or the means by which we justify ourselves to the public; it may be very tempting to do so, but, in a Masonic sense, it is wrong. Finally, while our charitable efforts ought to come from the heart, there is no rule that says it can only be in monetary form. Often, our donated time and labor are more beneficial. Brother Doe, Brother Perloff, and Brother Joyce first shed light on that concept for me a few years ago. If any Brother has a local charitable event in which he is involved, and for which help is needed, bring it up during our Communications, or get the word out informally. That is how Masonic charity should work.

Fraternally,

Donald Elfreth

February Message

Brethren, Lots to report, not much space to write about it.  The Collingswood food drive ended in December.  Many thanks to all who helped.  A detailed report will shortly be available on our website, with some (hopefully) constructive observations regarding our future support.  A list of the items we donated last year is posted in the lobby of the Lodge. Next, I will be traveling to Brearley Lodge #2 in February; date and details will be posted on our website in a week.  Lastly, I want to extend my thanks to Brother Dave Herman, Secretary of the AASR Southern Valley here in town.  When our Brother Bill Steckley and others received the MSA and other awards last year, Brother Dave coordinated the event and did most of the behind-the-scenes work.  I originally planned to write him a note, but it seems that this public format is a better place to express my appreciation for all his help.  I’m sure that a copy of this Trestleboard will find its way into his hands.

Janauary Message

To the Worshipful Master, thank you for allowing me the opportunity to write to the Brethren. First, I wish everyone and their families and friends a fulfilling and safe holiday season. Second, to the 2009 class of Bros Kimble, Cook and Bogardus, you have my sincerest congratulations. Those were some awfully long weeks of study, and your progress is self-evident. For all that you accrued from your hard work, believe me, Brother Perrin and I probably benefited even more from our association with you. Finally, I will be traveling to Florence Lodge 87 in Woodbury during the month of January, and the Worshipful Master asked me to announce this to the Brethren, in case anyone would like to come along. Times and dates for my planned visitations to other Lodges will be posted on our website very shortly, and they will be coordinated with any traveling that Worshipful Brother Csapo will conduct. More to follow…..
Donald Elfreth, J.W.

Thought of the Day

“I thinke, that none can justly account themselves Architects, of the suddeyne.  But they only, who from their childes yeares, ascendying by these degrees of knowledges, beyng fostered up with the atteyning of many languages and Artes, have wonne to the high Tabernacle of Architecture…..”

John Dee, 1570
(Quoted from The Temple and the Lodge, Michael Baigent & Richard Leigh)