Lead Stories

I confess that I am a Born Again, Fundamentalist, and Freemason.

It’s Happening At Waller Lodge
By "Corky"

Nearly Finished

Brothers, If you weren’t at the March stated meeting you should make it a point to be at the next one, so you can see the improvements. The old front foyer, hallway, the closets (the original restrooms), and trophy room (the original kitchen) are now one big open reception room with showcases, plaques, awards photos and even places to sit and talk. Besides being 3 times as big, it has new paint, a new ceiling, a new floor, new light fixtures and even crown molding. And, even better, now people can pass each other between the front door and the dining room without having to turn sideways.

A big thank you to “Wes” and “Liz” Mersiovsky, Calvin Trapp and Regan Rape. With their free labor, everything including the big dining room storage closet only cost $704, probably about 25% of what it would have cost to hire a contractor.

In order to make it the warm hospitable area we can all enjoy, the Worshipful Master has ask if anyone has any of the following items they would like to donate or furnish for the Lodge. a hat/coat rack (brass or wood), some small end tables, a couple of wing-back chairs (blue or gray preferred), artificial tree (tall and narrow). And, any donations to the building expenses would be appreciated. If you have a donation, please call “Wes” at (936) 372-9172 or at (281) 330-7008

D.D.G.M. Robert Byrd was welcomed at the March stated for his official visit to Waller Lodge. He checked on the Lodge’s record keeping and participation in the different programs set up by Grand Lodge. “Bob” Scarborough and “Corky” Daut were given high marks for the Lodge’s records.

He also had high praise for the newly remodeled reception room with it’s warm and inviting look.

The main message he brought from the Grand Master was that the Lodges should give more support to our new E.A. and Fellowcraft members and to let them know that they are Masons and Brothers.

Brothers “Bob” Scarborough as the oldest and Brack Whitehead as the youngest Masons present received the 2007 Grand Master’s pin. W.M. “Wes” Mersiovsky received one just for being the W.M..

Betty Locklear, Ed’s wife, had dinner with us at the Lodge at the March stated meeting night, She seemed pretty perky for someone recovering from surgery to remove a brain tumor.

The Monday study nights have been pretty active lately. Future candidates to fill next years chairs are working hard to polish up their parts and our degree team is working hard to get ready for a Fellowcraft degree that’s coming up soon.

Brothers “Wes” Mersiovsky, Jim Brown, John Reese and I visited Hempstead Masonic Lodge for the March stated meeting to hear D.D.G.M. Robert Byrd’s visit.

I really enjoyed visiting with some of the regulars including Brothers John R. Hammack Roy Shields, Kenneth Harvey and Junior Bridges.

We also got to visit with old timers “Doug” Holloman and Robert and Kevin McWilliams who I hadn’t seen in Lodge for a few years. And, of course there were our four Waller Lodge Brothers who are dual members and officers at Hempstead Lodge, Worshipful Master “Bubba” Schiel, Treasurer Roy Shields, Junior Deacon “Bob Podvin and Chaplin “Ed” Locklear.

Deeply missed was Secretary, P.M. Kelly Cox.

Was General Santa Anna’s Life Saved Because He Was A Mason?

That question often comes up in April. San Jacinto Day on April 21, celebrates the day in 1836 when Texas won it’s freedom from Mexico. The question was why the Mexican General Santa Anna was not executed after his defeat at San Jacinto. After the atrocities at Goliad and the Alamo, most Texans felt he deserved to die.

Santa Anna attempted to sneak away during the turmoil of the battle, but his horse bogged down in Vince's Bayou. He found some clothing and hid out during the night. The next day, some of the Texans who were looking for stragglers, picked him up but did not realize that he was a prize catch. When he was grouped with other prisoners, some of them saluted and addressed him as "El Presidente," and his captors took him directly to General Sam Houston.

William R. Denslow, author of 10,000 Famous Freemasons, writes: "It is said that Santa Anna owed his life to the giving of the Masonic sign of distress, first to James A. Sylvester; secondly to Sam Houston; and thirdly, to a group of Texas soldiers, among whom were John A. Wharton, George W. Hockley, Richard Bache, Dr. J. E. Phelps and others.

In his book, Masons In Texas, History and Influence to 1846, Dr. James D. Carter holds another view: "It may be that Masons saved the life of Santa Anna but if so, they did not act because he made claim to their mercy as a Masons All of the Masons to whom he appealed knew that Santa Anna had previously disowned Masonry; that further, his many offenses against Texas and Mexican Masons had placed him outside the protection of any Masonic obligation. Santa Anna’s life was saved because the Texas leaders considered him worth more to Texas alive than dead."

That is probably the closest we have to the truth. Sam Houston and others, who could have ordered a military trial and convicted their foe of an infinite number of war crimes, however they knew their victory was tenuous at best, and executing Santa Anna would probably give him the martyrdom he did not deserve. And, they did not know who would replace him in the vacuum that would exist if he was executed.

Cooler heads prevailed and Santa Anna was spared, not because of any Masonic connection, but because it was the politically expedient thing to do.  

A Thought For The Day

"The American Indians found out what happens when you don't control immigration."

Masters, Wardens And Secretaries Association News

At the March meeting the new President Chris Ryland started a discussion about what the Lodges of District #108 expected and wanted from the association. A couple of items wanted was a District degree team and a District Masonic funeral team that all Lodges can call on when needed. It was decided to have degree team practice nights on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of each month. The 3rd Wednesday practice would be after the regular meeting.

Another item would be to have some type of educational program at the regular meetings.

Meetings are held on the third Wednesdays of January, March, May, July, September and November. All Master Masons are welcomed and encouraged to attend. Wives are also welcomed.

Early Chinese Philosophy

In China the implements of architecture were used in a system of moral philosophy at a very early date. Mencius, who wrote about 300 B.C., said: "A master Mason, in teaching his apprentices, makes use of the compasses and the square. Ye who are engaged in the pursuit of Wisdom, must also make use of the compasses and the square." In a book called Great Learning, 500 B.C., we find that "A man should abstain from doing unto others what he would not they should do unto him; and this is called the principle of acting on the square."

Sources Of Liberty

"Two-thirds of the Masons of the world are to be found in North America, and have built upon the sure foundation of a belief in God. Since France removed the Holy Writings from its altars and struck from its ritual all reference to the Bible and a belief in and dependence upon the Supreme Being it has practically stood still, Masonically. With one-third the population of the United States, its three rival Grand Lodges have less members under their obedience than a single American grand jurisdiction. We refuse to acknowledge anyone as a brother Mason who does not put his trust in God. We cannot substitute for this, vague platitudes concerning 'Liberty, Equality and Fraternity.' They have not comprehended the source from which true liberty springs."

Celebrations For April

Audie Leon Murphy

June 20, 1924 - May 28, 1971

Audie Murphy was the most decorated U.S. combat soldier of World War II. After the war he moved to Hollywood; his first starring role came in a 1949 released film called Bad Boy. He went on to star in 44 feature films over the next 25 years. His 1949 autobiography To Hell And Back was a best seller. Murphy starred as himself in the 1955 film version which held the record as Universal's highest grossing picture until 1975 when it was finally surpassed by Jaws.

He was also a successful thoroughbred and quarterhorse racehorse owner and breeder, having interests in such great horses as "Depth Charge." Audie Murphy wrote some poetry and was quite successful as a songwriter.

In a effort to draw attention to the problems of returning Korean and Vietnam War veterans, Audie Murphy spoke out candidly about his personal problems with PTS, then known as "Battle Fatigue".

Raised: 1950
Hollywood Lodge No. 542, North Hollywood, Calif.