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Brethren, Our first stated meeting of the year was well attended, many thanks to the brethren who attended. For those who were not able to attend, you were missed. The officers are feverishly preparing for the upcoming degrees, please come and support our new members and officers in their work. For those that may not be aware, we had a FC visit from a German lodge. We spoke on the similarities and differences between lodge protocols and practices. Though there were many differences between the two, the message of Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth were constant.
I leave you with an article I found on etiquette : In etiquette a Mason is controlled by rules of manner and behavior at certain times and places in which he has no voice because they are governed by Masonic Law and usage. The principle of decorum stands at the opposite pole, for it includes manner and behavior in the Lodge room and our personal lives, as it is in each of us to decide and control. The essence of it lies in a Mason, when present in Lodge, not attracting undue attention to himself and not creating a disturbance.
Thus, it is etiquette to speak kindly to and about each other; and while that is an act of good manners, it is one required by the rules of the Fraternity. It is decorum not to whisper or in any way, disturb your neighbor during the conduct of business. That is good manners as required by a man's own sense of good taste and dignity. If he talks aloud, disturbing the Lodge, HE does it, and it is therefore for HIM not to. He must decide his own decorum in the same way that the Craft decides his etiquette. There are points at which the two converge, such as when the Master must act to restore order and dignified behavior.
He should reprove all disturbances quietly, promptly, without personal feeling, and attracting as little attention to the matter as possible. A glance of the eye or a soft tap of the gavel's handle is most often sufficient for the purpose.
Finally, please notify me of any Brethren or their families that are ill or in need.
Fraternally, Shan Zhou
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