Page 13 - 2018 Summer

Deputies of the Grand Master
Masonic Tribune
REPORTS
Volume XCIX No.1 - Summer 2018 Issue - Page 13
(Continued from previous page)
its boilers at Mare Island, the Hopkins was on a ust when I think I’ve considered the Grand
shakedown cruise heading back to its home base. JMaster’s theme from every angle, some
On the afternoon of 14 Feb. 1910, the ship was new way of looking at it appears and it speaks
rocked by the explosion of one of the boilers, filling to me along a dimension that surprises me.
the compartment with superheated steam result- This happened recently when a thought began
ing in the deaths of 2 sailors and trapping others in to crystallize that explains the very different sit-
the compartment. Chief Bonney, with total disre- uations of the lodges that are thriving versus
gard for his own safe- those who aren’t. One of the biggest differenc-
ty, ordered 2 sailors to es is that the lodges that are doing well feature
hold him by his ankles a lot of education in their stated communica-
and lower him into the tions. This education is usually but not always
steam filled space Masonic. In the past year, I’ve attended lodges
while he attempted with programs ranging from the Mithraic Mys-
to activate the blow- teries to the Masonic Music of Sibelius to an
er controls and effect incredibly entertaining recounting of Custer’s
evacuation of the last battle. Some of these talks were rich in
steam. Knowing that Masonic content while others showed little
taking a breath of the identifiable Masonic influence, but all had one
steam would likely be thing in common: the men who attended those
fatal, he felt blindly for meeting left feeling enriched and glad they had
the valves to start the come to Lodge.
blowers. He succeed- Sadly, I have observed similarities among the
ed with his first attempt, which undoubtedly saved struggling lodges as well. Their stated com-
the lives of several of his shipmates. For this self- munications followed the cookie cutter format
less act he was awarded the Medal of Honor. of reading the minutes, the rote introduction of
visitors already well-known to all in the room,
Robert remained in the Navy, eventually retiring and of course the always suspenseful vote on
as a Chief Warrant Officer, settling in Bremerton, whether to pay the bills. Attendance at these
Washington. After his retirement, he petitioned meetings seemed to be a chore for all present.
Steadfast Lodge #216. Moving to Alderwood Few past masters were in attendance, and the
Manor, he demitted from Steadfast and petitioned older members had long ago calculated that
Robert Burns #243, where he remained for sev- their attendance would be neither useful to the
eral years. Eventually moving to Edmonds, he Lodge nor personally edifying. The members
demitted from Robert Burns and joined Edmonds rarely socialized outside of Lodge. Predictably,
#165, where he remained a member until his few if any degrees were scheduled and the
death on 22 November 1967, one day before his presence of prospective members at dinner
84th birthday. He is buried in Acacia Cemetery. was rare.
Planning a good meeting is hard. Changing
Commemorating Bro. Bonney, WM Leslie the month in an old template is easy, but try-
Schwartz, Worshipful Master of Edmonds ing to find a speaker or plan a program takes
#165, at their first stated meeting in March effort and can be exhausting. Setting up social
2018, invited the Master and brethren of both events consumes precious hours from a Mas-
Steadfast #216 and newly formed Mill Creek ter’s day or week and requires an exertion of
#243 to attend the ceremony. The Masters leadership that may surpass his comfort level.
were presented with framed copies of a photo But the rewards make the effort worthwhile
of Bro. Bonney, wearing his medal, a photo of and will send your Lodge along a trajectory of
the U. S. S. Hopkins, copy of the citation to ac- success that will surpass your most optimistic
company the award of the Medal of Honor, and ambitions.
the newspaper article from 1910 telling of the New Worshipful Masters would do well to
event. use their 24 inch gauge for another purpose,
not the one for which it was designed but for
VWB Steve Pennington which it is nonetheless well-suited. Divide your
Military Recognition Committee Lodge’s time into three equal parts: one for
13 Table of Contents