Utah Grand Lodge Proceedings

 http://gwm.lunaimaging.com/luna/servlet/view/all?sort=year&os=100

Utah Grand Lodge Orations

Here, I offer a link to the Utah Grand Lodge Orations. These have always fascinated my because of their uplifting spirit. I hope those reading this will appreciate them. As time permits, I'll search out orations from past years.

NOTE: The formatting of the orations sucks major bilge water! It is formatted as mid-gray and not very readable online and damn-sure not very printable on the page. Aaarrrrgggghhhh!

Link: Utah Grand Lodge Orations

The Lodge Over Simpkins' Store

As WB Bruce Betts and I retired from lodge tonight, we passed down the staircase and paused at the two painting of The Lodge Over Simpkin's Store. I mentioned to him that these were two favorites of mine and that they contained "misdirection" regarding Freemasonry. To my great surprise and delight, WB Bruce knew all about them and taught me a thing or two. Here are the two photos. Can anyone spot the misdirection between the two?

In any case, here is the poem, "The Lodge Room Over Simpkins' Store," by Lawrence N. Greenleaf, 33°, Grand Master of Masons in Colorado, 1880, Deputy of The Supreme Council, for Colorado, Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, Southern Jurisdiction 1878-1917, Written November 19, 1898

The plainest lodge room in the land was over Simpkins' Store,
Where Friendship Lodge had met each month for fifty years or more.
When o'er the earth the moon full-orbed had cast her brightest beams,
The Brethren came from miles around on horseback and in teams,
And O! what hearty grasp of hand, what welcome met them there,
As mingled with the waiting groups they slowly mount the stair,
Exchanging fragmentary news or prophecies of crop,
Until they reach the Tyler's room and current topics drop,
To turn their thoughts to nobler themes they cherish and adore,
And which were heard on meeting night up over Simpkins' Store.

To city eyes, a cheerless room, long usage had defaced,
The tell-tale lines of lath and beam on wall and ceiling traced.
The light from oil-fed lamps was dim and yellow in its hue,
The carpet once could pattern boast, though now ‘twas lost to view.
The altar and the pedestals that marked the stations three,
The gate-post pillars topped with balls, the rude carved Letter G,
Were village joiners clumsy work, with many things beside,
Where beauty's lines were all effaced and ornament denied.
There could be left no lingering doubt, if doubt there was before,
The plainest lodge room in the land was over Simpkins' store.

While musing thus on outward form the meeting time drew near,
And we had a glimpse of inner life through watchful eye and ear.
When Lodge convened at gavel's sound with officers in place,
We looked for strange, conglomerate work, but could no errors trace.
The more we saw, the more we heard, the greater our amaze,
To find those country brethren there so skilled in Mason's ways.

But greater marvels were to come before the night was through,
Where unity was not mere name, but fell on heart like dew.
Where tenets had the mind imbued, and truths rich fruitage bore,
In plainest Lodge room in the land, up over Simpkins' store.

To hear the record of their acts was music to the ear,
We sing of deeds unwritten which on angel's scroll appear.
A widow's case - Four helpless ones - lodge funds were running low.
A dozen brethren sprang to feet and offers were not slow.
Food, raiment, things of needful sort, while one gave load of wood,
Another, shoes for little ones, for each gave what he could.
Then spoke the last: "I haven't things like these to give - but then,
Some ready money may help out: - and he laid down a Ten.
Were brother cast on darkest square upon life's checkered floor,
A beacon light to reach the white - was over Simpkins' store.

Like scoffer who remained to pray, impressed by sight and sound,
The faded carpet 'neath our feet was now like holy ground.
The walls that had such a dingy look were turned celestial blue,
The ceiling changed to canopy where stars were shining through.
Bright tongues of flame from altar leaped, the G was vivid blaze,
All common things seemed glorified by heaven's reflected rays.
O! wondrous transformation wrought through ministry of love -
Behold the Lodge Room Beautiful! - fair type of that above,
The vision fades - the lesson lives! and taught as ne'er before,
In plainest Lodge room in the land - up over Simpkins' store.

First Light

In astronomy, the phrase "first light" refers to the first time a new telescope is opened to see the heavens.

In Freemasonry, "first light" takes on other symbolic meanings.

Here, "first light" refers to the first post of the Official Progress Lodge #22 Unofficial Blog. Welcome, everyone!

Lodges change as new leadership comes along and that is as expected. Times change, people change, and programs change. There are, however, elements of a lodge that do not change. These are the foundational aspects of the lodge. The venerable Past Masters, the history of events, the accomplishments of past years, and so on. It is worth remembering these things as they form part of the lodge heritage. This year is the lodge's 93rd anniversary. We are only seven years away from the centennial 100th anniversary. Will we remember what we are celebrating?

So, with that said, this blog has been created with the idea that it can be a repository for lodge information that would not likely get put on an official lodge website that is oriented toward the new generation of up-and-coming members. As such, the things you will find on this blog might seem a bit mouldy or dusty as they come from ancient times - in today's fast-paced world - times longer than one year or so from the present.

The blog is dedicated, most especially, towards those members of the lodge that are well seasoned. You pay your dues and this blog is dedicated to you and to the expression of my appreciation for your continued membership and, when possible, your participation.

Again, Welcome Aboard!