Ambition

 A private in the Army was being initiated. He was asked what he most desired. His reply was prompt: “The rank of sergeant.”

For your Electronic Trestle Board contact RW Randy Burleigh at
randall.burleigh@navy.mil  Give him your email address

Brethren,

First I would like to congratulate our officers on an outstanding master mason degree on Jan 11. It was a prime example of hard work and dedication. I was very proud. We have three candidates waiting in the wings so it looks like it will be a busy winter. January is flying by and the sun is getting higher spring is just around the corner. Some things in the works for up coming meetings. First a Masonic Jeopardy night at Arundel Lodge. This sounds like fun. So practice up and get ready. Second Saturday breakfast with stuffed french toast yum yum. And also a short talk given by Wor. Brother Adam Hunnewell. The talk is about some of the first masters of York Lodge. It should prove to be very interesting. Our 200th anniversary will be here before you know it. We all should be thinking of ideas on how to make this a great success. I will be traveling to some other lodges in the 19th Masonic district and I have room for three other people in my vehicle. If anyone would like to join me they are more than welcome. Any brother needing a ride to lodge please call me at 985-7527 I will pick you up or arrangements will be made to have you picked up. Brothers who would like to receive their trestle board electronically please contact brother secretary.

Fraternally

Wor. Ray Brown

   Captain H  , a veteran of the civil war, who related this story to Bro Stewart M.L.Pollard.
 The Captain was captured, in Virginia, a year before the close of the war, and was placed in prison, where he was forced to remain until the surrender.
 Soon after being placed in prison, there was a mutual discovery made by himself and the other officer in charge, and while one wore the blue and the other the gray, and while one was, captor and the other the prisoner, yet they learned they were brother Masons. The Captain says he did not mention Masonry to the officer, nor did he mention it to him, still he could not fail to note, and other prisoners noted it also, that he was given more liberties and treated with greater respect than the others.
 He had been confined several months as a prisoner, and during the entire time had been treated by the officer as an equal, when one day he received a message from home that one of his family, was very sick and would probably not live a short time. The Captain said when he received this information, his heart sank within him, and he felt tempted to give the sign of distress to his captor, and plead to be permitted to escape; but remembering how kindly he had been treated, he felt that it would be really dishonorable to do such a thing, and he determined to bear his burden like a soldier. The officer at once saw that some great sorrow had come to his prisoner, and brother-like, he inquired to know what the trouble was.
 His interest was so brotherly and sympathetic, that he at once overcame the Captains quiet dignity, and he told him the news he had just received from home. Without a moment’s hesitancy the officer asked him if he would like to go home. “I certainly would,” was his reply.
 “If I allow you to home,” said the officer, “Will you give me your word of honor as a Mason that you will return?”
 “I certainly will,” said Captain H  , “and I will return, if I live, you won’t want me if I am dead.”
 “Then go,” said the officer, “and I will supply your needs.”
  The Captain went home and no doubt his presence, and the kindly act of his captor in permitting him to see his loved one, had much to do with a speedy recovery.
 A few weeks later, one evening, the other prisoners were surprised to see Captain H  apply for admission into the prison enclosure, but the officer of the day exhibited no surprise, but greeted him kindly.
 There have probably been many similar cases to this, but no matter how many there might be, each one adds luster to the beauty of the others…