BY MELANIE BUCK –
There are many things, people, and objects that can promote a sense of brotherhood and friendship among society, and in the case of the Masons, it happens to be a traveling gavel. For twenty-one years, the gavel has been ceremoniously passed from one Lodge to the next creating bonds between those that otherwise might’ve never met.
On May 19, 1994, the Masonic Lodge in Selkirk, Kimberley, British Columbia, Canada, began the tradition of the ‘Selkirk Gavel.’ Sending the gavel to the next Lodge, along with a book for each Lodge to sign and record what the gavel was used for, Selkirk #55 was expecting to receive it back within 3 years. However, in 1997, the gavel was in New Mexico and it’s up to the Lodge in possession where it will travel next. Little did they know, it would still be traveling twenty-one years later still serving its purpose – “to promote brotherhood and enlarge the circle of fraternal friends between the Lodges visited.”
It has traveled across Canada and the United States to one hundred seventy-six Lodges, Eastern Star Chapters, and Auxiliary Units, and on April 2, 2015, Mountain Meadow #218 – Hatfield Worshipful Master Jerry Smith, delivered the infamous gavel to Dallas Masonic Lodge #128 – Mena Worshipful Master Lou Brooks, making it’s one hundred seventy-seventh stop.
“The Master of the Lodge makes a note of what he did with the gavel, whether he opened and closed ceremonies with it, who was present, and if there were any dignitaries there,” said District Deputy Grand Master Rusty Gonzales. “One of the highlights was that it was put on an airplane, a C-9 which is a hospital airplane for the military. It was flown from El Paso to California,” said Brooks. It is also dedicated to visit the Sea of Tranquility, if ever there is a way to get there. The Sea of Tranquility is on the moon, which has a piece of land chartered by the Grand Lodge of Texas in Waco. In the book it states, “Bro. Gower will present the treasured gavel to Tranquility Lodge No. 2000, whose location is at the Sea of Tranquility (territorial jurisdiction of Texas) located on the moon whose address is Grand Lodge of Texas, Waco, TX, until such time the charter can be moved to the moon and stated meetings commence.”
“Most traveling gavels require five or more members to deliver it to the next Lodge to promote brotherhood and the visiting of other charters,” explained Brooks. As to where it will travel next, Dallas Lodge #128 plans to carry the gavel to Lockesburg, Arkansas.
Wanting to pass the actions of brotherhood along to the next generation, the local chapters of Masons are beginning to support local Cub Scout Troops and are also big supporters of education. “The Masonic Lodge built and supported the school at Old Dallas in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s,” said Gonzales. Brooks added, “That was one of the reasons for the existence of the Masonic Lodge, to build and support schools.”
In recognition of educational support, the Mason’s also give a scholarship to a graduating high school senior. They will hold an Old Fashion Breakfast Scholarship Fundraiser, this Saturday, April 18, at the Dallas Lodge, 701 Port Arthur Street, Mena, from 7 a.m. – 10 a.m. Cost of the breakfast is donation only and proceeds will benefit the scholarship fund.
About Author
Jeri Pearson
Jeri is the News Director for Pulse Multi-Media and Editor of The Polk County Pulse. She has 10 years of experience in community focused journalism and has won multiple press association awards.
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