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GRAND LODGEBrother Sam Houston: Fraternal PranksterBy John Warren Smith - Forrest Lodge No. 19With contribution by Dean BryantWhen the eighth oldest Lodge inTexas – Forrest Lodge No. 19 –opened an early morning sessionon January 11th of 2019, it began,with hallowed ritual, its 175thcontinuous year in the very old townof Huntsville. It was only 1½ blockswest of the looming WALLS of thestate prison, which is younger thanthe Lodge by some years. Only 2½ blocks north of thatwall lies the grave of Brother Mason Sam Houston, whohad presided back in 1837 at theformation of the Grand Lodge of the Republic of Texas.Forrest Lodge has distinguished itself through the yearswith notable members: William Martin Taylor, who in1851 was called upon to create the manual of Masonicritual used by the whole state; George Tyler Wood,2nd governor of Texas, (Woodville named for him);and Henderson Yoakum, historian, who produced thefirst complete history of the state (Yoakum Countynamed for him).1For celebration, the brothers moved to the campus ofSam Houston State University in sight of two ofGeneral Houston’s homes – the Woodland and theSteamboat House. As special guest for a luncheon,Grand Master Tommy Chapman entertained with anaddress in his inimitable style.With polish and grace Worshipful Master George Steedand Secretary J.D. Dickenson hosted and presided overa memorable Lodge anniversary.Other honored guests - descendants of the nine chartermembers of 1844 – sat at large circular tables near thatof the Grand Master. One of these, Dr. James G. Smith,professor at San Jacinto College in south Houston, wasasked about his poem on Santa Anna and the “high yeller”rose of Texas re-published in Texas in Poetry, a bookalso containing a poem by Sam Houston.26The Grand Lodge of TexasFrom that little-known fact of Sam’s poetic streak, theconversation thus strayed into some oddities about the6-foot-2 hero of the battle of San Jacinto – his love ofwhittling (whittling before the great battle); his nonconformity in dress (appearing at Lamar’s inauguraladdress in uniform of George Washington with hair tiedin a queue and as a young lieutenant receiving a fiercetongue-lashing by John C. Calhoun for appearing beforePresident Monroe in a Cherokee outfit).3As descendant of one of the Forrest Lodge foundingfathers - George Hunter - Dr. Smith was asked whethergreat-great-great grandfather George had sat withHouston in this Lodge when Houston was a local member.The answer was yes, but a lot more: Sam had playedwhat turned out to be a rather expensive prank onlodge-brother George.When Sam would go from his home in Huntsville to aformer home in Nacogdoches, he would headquarterwith his godfather, the first Scottish Rite Mason inTexas – Adolphus Sterne, the town’s alcalde. Judge Sterne,a financial hero of the Texas revolution, had once beendelivered from Mexican execution in the FredonianRebellion by a Masonic connection (shades of what somesay happened to Santa Anna after the San Jacinto battle).On the route between the two towns, Sam would crossthe ferry at Cincinnati, a new town on the Trinity River12 miles north of Huntsville. (Now a ghost town from ayellow fever epidemic, its founding battle veterans,Masons all, had named the town for the two cannons inthe big battle.) George established Hunter’s Tavern there,and incidentally helped charter the first Masonic Lodgein the new STATE of Texas – Olive Branch, (where helater became the WM).George’s inn and livery stable served that enterprisingtown, docking point for cotton going south by steamboatto Galveston and point of entry for goods and slaves goingnorth into the hinterland. Judge Sterne records in his diarythat Uncle George Hunter was “a prince of Landlords formen, but god help the Horses.”4

GRAND LODGEOn this fateful occasion Sam, on horseback, was nippinga bit from his bottle. He had, since living years ago withthe Indians in Tennessee, a well-known thirst for“firewater.” Not until his cultured wife, Miss Margaret,had somewhat tamed the wildness in the General and had,with the help of a Baptist preacher, maneuvered him intothe Rocky Creek “Baptizing Hole,” he continued addingto his spiritual reputation.As he rode along, he was telling everyone he met thatGeorge was having a big, free barbecue on the comingSaturday at Hunter’s Inn in Cincinnati. “Everybody’sinvited. Bring your friends.” The trouble was thatGeorge Hunter knew nothing about it.1J. D. Dickenson, Forrest Masonic Lodge (Huntsville:Dickenson Research, 1994, pp. 18-20.2B.B. Hill (ed.), Texas in Poetry 2 (Ft. Worth: TCU Press,2002), pp. 280, 284, 477.3James L. Haley, Sam Houston (Norman: OK:University of Oklahoma Press, 2002), p. 74, 207, 333,458n.60.4Adolphus Sterne, Hurrah for Texas, The Diary ofAdolphus Sterne, ed. Archie P. McDonald (Waco:Texian Press, 1969), p. 225; also see p. 16.Come Saturday, folks began to arrive on horseback,some entire families in wagons, and the genial Georgewas hard put to show the proper hospitality of aninnkeeper. His daughter Arabella helped him out ofthe tight spot. She had married the cotton planter,John Stephen Smith (later W.M. of Olive Branch Lodge),and their plantation lay nearby with servants enough toserve and save poor George.Thus members of George Hunter’s family and brothersin Forrest Lodge every now and then recall the story ofSam’s old prank on George with the amusement that goeswith far away happenings – far away and long, long ago –much softened by time.Forrest LodgeNo. 19About the AuthorBrother John Warren Smith is the only member of Forrest Lodge who descends from one of the nine charter members of 1844. He wasa professor of English for over 40 years at Texas Christian University and then West Texas State University and has published four booksincluding “No Holier Spot of Ground - a Texas Story,” published in 2009. Smith, age 91, has been a member for 70 Years.Texas Freemason Summer 20197

SOLDIER CHRISTMAS 2018By Matt Hite - Kendall Lodge No. 897With Contribution by Jim HoffpaiurIn 2018 the brethren of Kendall Lodge looking to increasetheir visibility in the community delivered over 2,000 carepackages to the U.S. Army’s 3rd Cavalry Regiment based atFort Hood, Texas as the regiment was returning from Iraq.With Boerne being near San Antonio, “Military City USA”,it is no surprise that Kendall Lodge membership includesmany Veterans and Military Retirees. Veterans know, morethan anyone, how much even a small package from backhome can mean when deployed far from home during theholidays. This was the nexus for the Soldier Christmas2018 project.Beginning in August 2018 the Lodge developed a plan toprovide care packages to military members deployedoverseas. Lodge officers, members, and their familyreached out to local organizations, businesses, andresidents to promote the drive within the community.The Lodge adopted the 3rd Cavalry Regiment.Flyers were distributed with a brief overview of theproject with lists of items to be included in the carepackages. Items requested included personal hygieneitems like body wash, shaving cream, razors, foot powder,dental care items, and baby wipes and creature comfortssuch as chips, candy, nuts, cookies, gum, books,magazines, and DVDs. Most importantly, the Lodgewanted to include in the care packages personal cardsfrom member of the community letting our servicemenand women know that they were in the thoughts andprayers of people back home, and that their serviceand sacrifice were acknowledged and appreciated.Donations were solicited from the community andcollections were first accepted at two area Wal-Marts.Lodge members were at the major entrances explainingthe project and handing out the pre-made shopping lists.The level of support was for the project exceeded thelodge’s most optimistic estimates. Every 10 to 15 minutesthe two shopping carts at each entrance, used to receivedonations, were emptied to make room for additional items. Every 30 minutes trips were made back to theLodge. Cars and trucks were filled to capacity withdonated items.Boerne Order of the Eastern Star Chapter No. 200 sorted8The Grand Lodge of Texasdonated items by type and developed an assembly lineprocess to fill the care boxes. The members of PVT BrunoPhillips VFW Post 688 in Boerne assisted with donationdrives, transported donated goods, and assisted withassembling the care packages. Boerne’s Angels All AroundYou Military Ministries, an organization which supportslocal military members and their families, raisedawareness for the project, assisted with assembling carepackages and mailed 85 care packages to militarymembers with ties to the Boerne area. Local businessesproved instrumental to the project’s success by puttingdrop off bins for donations in their establishments andoffering products to be included in the care packages.Soon the Lodge building was overwhelmed with theamount of donated goods and held “packaging” partieson Saturday mornings. Individual care packages wereassembled using a checklist to provide a wide range“good to have” items. The boxes were decorated byhand, and many were gift wrapped.On December 20, 2018, the Lodge rented two U-Haultrucks, loaded the packages, and made the three-hourjourney north to Fort Hood, Tx, delivering over 2,220individual care packages to soldiers of the 3rd CavalryRegiment. The packages were distributed to unit membersstill back at home station, and to those returning fromcombat operations in Iraq. The packages were a hugehit with all the Soldiers but most especially with thoseredeploying from Iraq. The joy on the faces of theSoldiers receiving their packages made the projectrichly rewarding. Troops leaders continually expressedhow much the Soldiers enjoyed the cards and packages

GRAND LODGEfrom our small Hill Country townAfter the event, the Lodge was invited back to Fort Hoodto be recognized. The 3rd Cavalry Regiment presented theLodge with a cased US flag flown in the face of the enemyover the unit’s Forward Operation Base (FOB) in Iraq,a framed certificate to accompany the flag, and a photoalbum of the Soldiers receiving their care packages.Through the efforts of Kendall Lodge 897, the entireBoerne community came together and did somethingmeaningful for those who stand ready to defend ournation. The visibility of the lodge in the communityexpanded exponentially. Residents saw men that theyknew as friends, neighbors, and church congregationmembers in a new light. They saw them as Masons,working together to serve those who serve us all. Thissparked an interest in the community as to just who theseMasons were and demonstrated some of what Masons do.Based on the success of the project, the high level ofcommunity engagement, and direct impact on providingtangible proof that the people back home support ourmilitary members, Kendall Lodge will continue thisproject going forward.Texas Freemason Summer 20199

TEXAS MASONIC CHARITIES FOUNDATIONBy Don ComedyExecutive DirectorTexas Masonic Charities FoundationWith high hopes of creating a foundation that would support the charitablepurposes of Masonry in general, the Grand Lodge of Texas, and itssubordinate lodges, the Grand Lodge trustees set about organizing theTexas Masonic Charities Foundation in the early years of a new millennium.In full agreement with those goals, the Grand West supported a resolutionand in 2005, the Texas Masonic Charities Foundation came into being. Sincethat time, the TMCF has grown to be recognized as the primary charitableorganization of Texas Masonry.One of the major purposes of TMCF is to help lodges secure publicity andrecognition in their local communities. This occurs as members are seenduring fundraising projects as well as when funds are presented in publicor media events. As a result, TMCF doesn’t match donations to othermasonic groups.As TMCF programs have gained recognition, demand has increaseddramatically. At the same time, funds have remained relatively constantforcing the maximum amount matched to decrease. A major concern forTMCF board members is the growing awareness of the number of lodgesthat have a significant amount of scholarship or charity funds that requestmatching grants and simply decrease the amount of lodge funds expended.That’s clearly not the intent of the matching grant program but it’s difficultto convey that to lodges. In a perfect world, the lodges that have adequatefunding for their programs would not request matching funds therebyfreeing those funds for lodges that operate within the intended purposesof the program. “Our matching grant program was created as an incentivefor lodges to get out and raise money for scholarships and charities.Some lodges have been very successful and don’t really need assistance.We’d prefer that they keep doing a great job and let the matching fundsbe available for the lodges that need assistance,” said Steve Pepper,TMCF Board President.As board members have become aware of other challenges, TMCF programshave expanded. Programs are now in place to assist brethren and theirfamilies during disasters such as wildfire, hurricane or tornado. Boardmembers continue to consider ways to expand the options for supportingthe Masons of Texas, their families and local lodges.Funding for TMCF comes from 3.75 of the per capita and 25 of the MasterMason degree fees. That produces approximately 280,000 per year.Additional funding comes from Square and Compasses Holding in theamount of approximately 400,000 per year and other funding comesfrom general donations and from earnings on a small endowment. Thisyear, Grand Master Terry Stogner named TMCF as the recipient of his BlueEnvelope Appeal and during the first 45 days, the appeal has generatedapproximately 80,000.00.An anonymous donor has issued a challenge to TMCF and the Masonsof Texas and will donate 2 for every 1 we can raise up to a total of10The Grand Lodge of Texas 400,000.00. This means that if we (TMCF and the Masons of Texas)can secure 200,000.00 we will receive an additional 400,000.00from the donor.TMCF programs include matching funds for scholarships and ‘other’charities. At present scholarship matches are available up to 1,000 perlodge and ‘other’ grants up to 500. The ‘other’ charities include thingssuch as grants to food banks, women’s shelters, food or clothing forneedy families and children.Fundraising efforts have increased recently in an effort to be able toincrease the maximum amounts of the matching funds.Beginning in 2018, TMCF has served as the charity vehicle of the GrandLodge Trustees in coordinating relief on a National level. TMCF accepteddonations for hurricanes in North and South Carolina, Florida and wildfiresin California and transmitted those funds to the proper jurisdictions.As lodge charities become better known, there is a growing number ofindividuals who want to assist by contributing to specific projects. Withinthe parameters of IRS regulations TMCF can act as a vehicle to receivethese funds and assist lodges thereby providing possible tax deductionsto the donor. These contributions and rules governing their use are variedand should be discussed on a case by case basis.TMCF also accepts restricted donations for specific purposes. These canbe gifts that are restricted to the charities of a specific lodge or a specificcharity type, such as scholarship. Again, there are limits and restrictionson these and interested persons should contact TMCF for details.More and more individuals are considering TMCF as part of their plannedgiving in estate planning and we are happy to visit about those wishes.During organization, TMCF board members were the current members ofthe GLoT Trustees with the intention of having each year’s trustees serveas the board. Later, in an effort to separate GLoT trustees from other duties,the trustees serving at that time each appointed a single representativeto the board with the plan for the board to elect and fill vacancies asappropriate. This system allows for a board that is able to set and worktoward long range goals with little turnover in membership.Looking to the future, it is the plan of TMCF to continue providingscholarship support and also be innovative and progressive in determiningnew ways to motivate Texas Lodges to become more visible as we honorour obligations to each other and those around us. We take seriouslyGrand Master Stogner’s challenge to take our lodges public and to leadby example. It is our sincere hope that you will join us.

FEATUREWilliam Martin TaylorFATHER OF THE TEXAS MASONIC RITUALBy Jim RumseyPast Master and Full MemberTexas Lodge of ResearchModern society, popular culture, and historic lore are fullof Fathers. George Washington is the Father of our Country;Stephen F. Austin is the Father of Texas; Masonic Lodgesin Texas celebrate Mirabeau B. Lamar as the Father ofEducation in Texas; and Jimmie Rodgers is known as theFather of Country Music. All these men or Fathers wereFreemasons. There is, however another, perhaps lesserknown Father that we, as Texas Freemasons, celebrate:The Father of the Texas Masonic Ritual.William Martin Taylor was born in Lancaster, FairfieldCounty, Ohio, on April 17, 1817. He left Lancaster at ageseventeen and enrolled at Miami University in Oxford,Ohio in 1835. He graduated from Miami University in1839 and headed south. He spent time in both Mississippiand Louisiana before arriving in the Republic of Texas in1843. First settling in Brazoria County, he was admitted tothe Bar in Galveston in 1844 and moved to Houston thatsame year. He stayed in Houston until his law practicetook him to Huntsville in 1848 and then to Crockett in1850. He traveled extensively as a circuit attorney for theNinth Judicial District of Texas until 1854. In 1855, he waselected State Senator representing Anderson and Houstoncounties. He was re-elected in 1857 to the same post.In 1858, he was appointed school examiner in Houstonand was responsible for the issuance of teachercertificates. In 1862, he was elected District Judge, a posthe held through the end of the Civil War until he wasremoved by the Reconstruction government. During theCivil War, he received a commission as a Brigadier General,and served as a recruiter for the Confederate Army. Afterthe war, he served as a delegate to the ReconstructionConvention in Austin at the direction of Jack Hamilton,Military Governor of Texas. It was while living in Houston,however (soon after emigrating to the Republic) that hepetitioned for the Degrees in Freemasonry.Taylor was initiated at Holland Lodge No. 1 on March 15,1845. He was passed to the second degree on histwenty-eighth birthday – April 17, and was raised to thesublime degree of a Master Mason five weeks later onMay 22, 1845. It is worth noting that Taylor received hisdegrees from two of the most celebrated ritualists of the era– Archibald Sinclair Ruthven conferred the EnteredApprentice and Fellowcraft degrees, and John Waltonconferred the Master Mason degree.Taylor took the ritual almost immediately. Upon his deathin 1871, a Resolution of Memoriam was published whichread in part, “When examined in Passing and Raising,he went through the entire degrees without missi

2 ffie Grand Lodge of Texas CONTENTS SUMMER 2019 GRAND LODGE 3 GoodSearch and GoodShop 4 not necessarily reflect official positions of the Grand Lodge of Officer Leadership Training 6 Brother Sam Houston: The Trustees of The Grand Lodge of TexasFraternal Prankster 8 Soldier Christmas 2018 10 Texas Masonic Charities 15 You Can Help Preserve Freemasonry in Texas 17 Family Day 2019