GREETINGS TO ONE AND ALL:
I hope this issue of your Rite News finds you well and your summer going likewise! In our last issue we were enjoying Spring, talking about new growth, and preparing for the new members from the Spring Class. Now I find myself getting ready for our next Biennial Session, new advancements for some, and a new Fall.
New Red and White Caps have been ordered and are being prepared for placement on the heads of deserving Honor Men. I want to congratulate our new Honor Men and thank them for the work they have performed to warrant each cap. Honors are “given” to no one. They must be earned. Honors are earned, not only by the work done in the Scottish Rite, but by the hours of unselfish time spent aiding our Grand Lodge, our Blue Lodges (from which all of our new members come), our collateral bodies, as well as their efforts in our communities for a better neighborhood.
I cannot say congratulations to these men without saying thank you to all those who work so hard to help our Scottish Rite be the “Rite Place to be.” I wish I had a cap for every dedicated man, however our Statutes limit only a few honors for each Orient. A list of these advancements is listed elsewhere in this magazine. I hope to see you at our awards banquet in support of these men and your Scottish Rite.
Before I close, I would like to mention our Fall Class named in honor of Illustrious Brother J. Frederick Hobine, 33°. Brother Fred was one of those men who worked tirelessly for our Scottish Rite.
He was a member of Liberty Pickering Lodge #219. Brother Fred joined our Scottish Rite on March 5, 1986, and became a regular figure about the Rite. He was a part of everything and received his Knight Commander Court of Honor (KCCH) in 1991. He was appointed as the valley almoner and worked very hard with others for our Thursday “Rite Cheer” lunches and many special events. Brother Fred was presented with his “white cap” 33° Inspector General Honorary in the Fall Class of 1997.
The Scottish Rite is the largest of our collateral bodies and presents live stage degree presentations. This fall there will be 13 degrees presented in the Valley of Baltimore, culminating with the 32°. Also, in Baltimore, if you are a first line signer on the petition of a new member in the first year of your Scottish Rite Membership (or top line signer on 5 petitions after that), you will receive a beautiful Lucite pyramid containing a 14th degree ring. Brother Fred would be very honored to have a large class named in his honor, and you and your “new” brother will have an excellent time at reunion day. Remember the words of Brother Albert Pike: “The true mason labors for the benefit of those who are to come after him.”
In closing, may I wish you a very pleasant end to the summer, as well as the Blessings of good health and much happiness to you and your family.
