Airdrie Wildrose 2001 Masonic Lodge
1102 Osler Avenue Crossfield, AB, Canada

This is awesome

Today in Masonic History Rufus Ingalls is born in 1818. Rufus Ingalls was an American soldier. Ingalls was born on August 23rd, 1818 in Denmark, Maine (at the time, Denmark was still part of Massachusetts). His father was a local business owner and politically well connected. Through his father's political connections, Ingalls secured himself an appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point. He graduated in 1843 with his good friend and future President of t...he United States, Ulysses S. Grant. After graduation, Ingalls was posted to a garrison on the western frontier. In 1845 he joined the First U.S. Dragoons. He served in the Mexican-American War in the New Mexico Territory. He distinguished himself in the skirmish at Eabudo and conflict at Pueblo de Taos. In 1848, Ingalls was stationed in California where he became a quartermaster. He served the remainder of his military service in the quartermaster corps. In 1849 he was transferred to Oregon Territory and then to Fort Vancouver in 1852. At Fort Vancouver he was reunited with his friend Grant. In 1854, while in Washington, D.C., he revived order to accompany the Steptoe Expedition from Fort Leavenworth in Kansas across the continent through the Utah Territory to the Pacific Coast. During the American Civil War, Ingalls distinguished himself as a quartermaster. He established multiple supply depots for the Army of Potomac. He skillfully was able to evacuate one of those supply depots, White House Landing, during the Seven Day's Battle. He was able to evacuate all personnel as well as all of the supplies from the depot. In 1864, he was appointed by Grant to be in charge of in charge of supply with responsibility for all Federal armies operating against Petersburg and Richmond. His logistics base, City Point, Virginia became the largest port operation in the Western Hemisphere. By the end of the war he had been brevetted to the rank of Major General in both the regular and volunteer services.

Just a "hey did you know"

Brethren of Airdrie Wildrose Lodge Please find attached the invite for the Annual Airdrie/Irricana summer picnic to be held on Sunday July 22 at the Jones Ranch east of Balzac. It is always a great time with western music, good food and great fellowship. It is a family event with a 10 acre field for the kids to run and play and a large barn with a social room in case the weather turns. I hope to see a good turnout from the Airdrie brethren. Please bring along a salad or a... desert and a couple of lawn chairs to enjoy the afternoon. 1.Take the Balzac Kathyrn road (Hwy 566, Township road 282) east from Balzac 7 miles (11.3 km). 2.Turn left (north) on 132 St. (Rge. Rd. 283) 3.Travel north 1-1/2 miles (2.4 km). 4.The Jones’ yard is on the left (west) side of the road.

Well done brothers of Airdrie wild rose on the fantastic float for the parade. Hope all that was there enjoyed the parade.

September 10th I will be participating in the Multiple Myeloma March in Airdrie!! In January my dad was diagnosed with this disease, it is not something I even heard of before this year. Research, treatments and finding a cure has suddenly become a cause that is close to my heart. If you can I would love for you to join us on the 10th, donate or volunteer. Every little bit matters

Looking forward to seeing everyone out to our installation of our master and his officers. 730 tile see you all there

If you are heading to the Airdrie Canada day parade watch out for our float and make sure you say hi and have a great dayIf you are heading to the Airdrie Canada day parade watch out for our float and make sure you say hi and have a great day

Brothers this is a great time I am going and I have actually won this call me if you want to go Brethren; the Al Azhar Shrine Patrol annual fundraiser is fast approaching. Come out and enjoy some great fun and great food. Included in the ticket price of $125.00 are a complete prime rib dinner, prize draws, wine with dinner, all of your alcoholic beverages and a free ride home within the city limits. You cannot find a better deal than this anywhere. This event is open to non Masons so bring a friend if he is not yet a brother. For tickets contact myself at 403-254-8169 or any Shrine Patrol member. Thanks in advance for your support.

Who would have thought

Let's take a moment to remember

Something to read brothers

Something to look at

Today in Masonic History Joseph Smith Sr. is born in 1771. Joseph Smith Sr. was an American and father of the founder of the Mormon religion. Smith was born on July 12, 1771 in Topsfield, Massachusetts. At the age of 25 he married Lucy Mack in Tunbridge, Vermont where the couple lived and had 11 children. Smith was never a spiritual man and left the religious education of the children to his wife. While still in Vermont Smith claimed to start having a series of dreams which c...ontinued after the family moved. The dreams totaled seven in all and his wife Lucy documented 5 of the dreams that she remembered. Smith tried his hand at a variety of careers and none of them were successful. In 1816 he moved his family to Palmyra, New York. There he purchased a farm and began building a house. In 1823, his eldest son Alvin passed away and Smith, whether it was related or not is unclear, stopped paying on the farm. The property was eventually purchased by a friend of the family who rented the farm to the family. It was also during this time that Smith and his sons were actively involved in treasure digging excavations. It was in the late 1820's that Joseph Smith Jr. began telling the family about seven golden plates which he said contained a record of the ancient inhabitants of the Americas. Smith Jr. eventually said that he obtained the plates and was able to translate them. In 1829, Smith Sr. and seven other men signed a joint testimony that they all had seen and handled the plates. This would become known as the "Testimony of the Eight Witnesses." A copy of this was included in the first Book of Mormon and in nearly all subsequent versions of the book. In 1830, Smith Sr. was baptized into the Church of Christ. It is said that Smith Jr. proclaimed "Oh! My God I have lived to see my own father baptized into the true church of Jesus Christ!" when he saw his father come up out of the water. In 1831, Smith Sr. moved his Smith Jr. to Ohio to the new church headquarters. In 1833, Smith Sr. was declared the Presiding Patriarch. Smith Jr. likened his father to Adam stating "So shall it be with my father; he shall be called a prince over his posterity, holding the keys of the patriarchal priesthood over the kingdom of God on earth, even the Church of the Latter Day Saints." Smith Sr. moved with the family through Missouri and then to Nauvoo, Illinois. By then it was 1839, old age and poor health was catching up to Smith Sr. He called his family together in the summer of 1840 to deliver a final patriarchal blessing and appoint his son Hyrum as his successor as Presiding Patriarch. On September 14th, 1840, Smith passed away. Smith was raised in Ontario Lodge No. 23 in Canandaigua, New York on May 7th, 1818.

This is powerful

Thurgood Marshall is Born Today in Masonic History Thurgood Marshall is born in 1908. Thurgood Marshall was an American jurist.... Marshall was born on July 2nd, 1908 in Baltimore, Maryland. His parents instilled him with an appreciation for the United States Constituion and the rule of law. He graduated from Frederick Doughlass High School in Baltimore a year early in 1925, in the top third of his class. He went on to Lincoln Univeristy, a historically African-American school. There in his freshman year he opposed the integration of African-American professors at the school. He would be later described by at least one of his classmates as "rough and ready, loud and wrong." It has been widely mis-reported that Marshall intended to go to school to be a dentist. His application to Lincoln University clearly states that he intended to study law. Despite in his early years at Lincoln being a less than model student, he later began focusing on his studies and graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Humanities, with a major in American literature and philosophy. Marshall wanted to go on to study law at the Univeristy of Maryland School of Law. He did not apply though due to the schools segragation policy. He instead when to Howard University School of Law in Washington, D.C. a historically African-American law school and the oldest in the country. He graduated in 1933. After graudation Marshall opened a law practice in Baltimore. In 1934 he began his 25 year relationship with the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). His first major case that he handled in1936 was to argue that the Univerisity of Maryland Law School, the very school he had wanted to attend, violated the "seperate but equal" doctrine of Plessy v. Ferguson. He successfully showed the the state did not provide a seperate but equal school for his client to attend and therefore must be addmitted to the school. Marshall won his case when he argued it before the United States Supreme Court. In 1940, Marshall was a founder of NAACP Legal Defence and Education Fund. As the head of the fund he argued many civil rights cases before the Supreme Court. Most notably was the 1950 case of McLaurin v. Oklahoma State Regents. In the case McLaurin was a student who had already received his Masters degree in education. He wanted to go to a Doctorate in Edcuation at the University of Oaklahoma. Marshall argued that the state did not provide proper segregated facilities as was requried by Oaklahoma law at the time. McLaurin v. Oklahoma State Regents became part of the Brown v. Board of Edcuation case which Marshall was the attorney for as well. In Brown v. Board of Edcuation he argued that public education could not be seperate but equal because it could never be equal. During the 1950's Marshall established a friendly relationship with the director of the FBI, J. Edgar Hoover. In 1961, Marshall was appointed to the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit by President John F. Kennedy. In 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson appointed him to be the United States Solicitor General, up to that point, the highest position held by an African-American in Government. In 1967, Marshall was again appointed by Lyndon B. Johnson to the United States Supreme Court. Of the appointment President Johnson said it was "the right thing to do, the right time to do it, the right man and the right place." Marshall was the 96th person appointed to the position and the first African-American. Marshall summed up his legal philosophy as saying "You do what you think is right and let the law catch up." This gave fuel to Marhall's critics who said he was a judicial activist. Marshall sat on the Supreme Court until 1991when poor health caused him to step down. Marshall was reportedly unhappy that President George H. W. Bush got to appoint his replacement. Marshall's replacement was Clarence Thomas. In 1987, Marshall notably started a speech about the bicenntenial of the consitituation by saying: The government they devised was defective from the start, requiring several amendments, a civil war, and major social transformations to attain the system of constitutional government and its respect for the freedoms and individual rights, we hold as fundamental today. He concluded the same speech by saying: Some may more quietly commemorate the suffering, struggle, and sacrifice that has triumphed over much of what was wrong with the original document, and observe the anniversary with hopes not realized and promises not fulfilled. I plan to celebrate the bicentennial of the Constitution as a living document, including the Bill of Rights and the other amendments protecting individual freedoms and human rights. Marshall passed away on January 24th, 1993. Marshall was a member of Coal Creek Lodge No. 88 of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Oaklahoma.

Brothers from Airdrie Wildrose Masonic 2001 at the Airdrie Canada day parade. Looking good and having a great day with the community. Happy Canada day.

Today in Masonic History Joseph-Michel Montgolfier passes away in 1810. Joseph-Michel Montgolfier was a French inventor. Montgolfier was born on August 26th, 1740 in Annonay, France. He was the 12th child in a family of paper manufacturers, an art form at the time. Unlike his younger brother who he would gain fame with, Joseph had no real head for business and was described as having the temperament of an inventor and maverick.... In 1782, it was Joseph who first had the idea of making a balloon. His first thoughts on the balloon came when he was watching clothing dry over a fire. As a portion of the clothing filled with warm air it would begin to rise. It was while watching the fire that he would later claim that he contemplated one of the great military issues of the day, an assault on the fortress at Gibraltar. Gibraltar had proved impenetrable from land or sea, Joseph imagined that a group of soldiers could be lifted up and brought down into the fortress. As Joseph mused about this problem he further believed that the smoke contained a special gas, which he called Montgolfier gas, and which contained the special property which he called levity. Joseph set out building a small model of a balloon with a thin wood as a box underneath a piece of taffeta. When he was successful he contacted his brother immediately asking him to assist in the project. In his message to his brother Étienne he said "Get in a supply of taffeta and of cordage, quickly, and you will see one of the most astonishing sights in the world." The built a device 27 times greater in volume than Joseph's original model. They successfully launched the balloon and immediately lost control of it. It flew approximately 1.2 miles before it crash landed and was destroyed by a passerby. In 1783, the brothers built another balloon and launched in their home town of Annonay. This time the balloon stayed aloft for 10 minutes, flying 1.2 miles and reaching a believed altitude of between 5,200ft and 6,600ft. After their flight in Annonay, news reached Paris and Étienne headed to Paris. Joseph being a shy, reserved and unkempt in appearance remained behind with the family. Despite a claim that a Portuguese priest that he was the one who first invented the hot air balloon some 74 years earlier, most aviation historians credit the Montgolfier brothers with the invention of the balloon. Joseph-Michel Montgolfier passed away on June 26th, 1810. Joseph-Michel Montgolfier was a member of Loge des Neuf Soeurs. He first appears on the membership roster of the lodge in 1806.

Today in Masonic History Henry Howard Molyneux Herbert, 4th Earl of Carnarvon is born in 1831. Henry Howard Molyneux Herbert, 4th Earl of Carnarvon was a British politician. Carnarvon was born on June 24th, 1831 in London, England. He was educated at Eton College and Christ Church, Oxford. He was given the nickname "Twitters" because he had a nervous tic and twitchy behavior.... In 1858, Carnarvon became the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies. In 1863 he worked on penal reform. He campaigned to make prison confinement more harsh with more severe regimes of labor and diet. In 1864 he brought a bill before the House of Lords which was defeated. In 1866, the Prisons Act was passed which contained many of Carnarvon's ideas with more detailed amendments. That same year Carnarvon became part of the Privy Council and was appointed Secretary of State for the Colonies. As Secretary of State for the Colonies Carnarvon introduced the British North America Act which brought confederation to Canada. Later in 1866 he resigned in protest over Benjamin Disraeli's Reform Bill. In 1874, Carnarvon returned to the office of Secretary of State for the Colonies. In his second time in the office he wanted to bring the same confederation plan to southern Africa. This was a plan that, to say the least was not popular in southern Africa. Many leaders warned that it would lead to wars and open conflicts. Many southern Africans spoke out about the plan. One newspaper reporter put the plan this way: It was as if your tailor should say "Here is a coat; I did not make it, but I stole it ready-made out of a railway cloak-room, I don't know whether you want a coat or not; but you will be kind enough to put this on, and fit yourself to it. If it should happen to be too long in the sleeves, or ridiculously short in the back, I may be able to shift a button a few inches, and I am at least unalterably determined that my name shall be stamped on the loop you hang it up by." Still Carnarvon pushed forward with his plan to, as he put it, to prevent the continued existence of independent African states which posed a threat to white civilization. As had been predicted it did lead to several smaller wars. It would in 1880, after Carnarvon had left office to the first Anglo-Boer War. In 1878, Carnarvon again resigned due to a conflict with Benjamin Disraeli. Carnarvon passed away on June 29th, 1890. Carnarvon was a member of Westminster and Keystone Lodge. He served as Pro Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of England from 1874 to 1890.

Today in Masonic History William Dickson "W. D." Boyce is born in 1858. William Dickson "W. D." Boyce was an American publisher, adventurer and founder of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA). Boyce was born on June 16th 1858 in Allegheny, Pennsylvania. He grew up on a farm and his rural upbringing would influence much of what he did in his later life. By the age of 16 he was teaching at a local school. In 1880 and 1881 he attended Wooster Academy. It is unclear whether he graduat...Continue reading

This I did not know, how cool is that

Today in Masonic History David Brearley is born in 1745. David Brearley was a signer of the American Constitution. Brearley was born on June 11, 1745.... When the American Revolution broke out, Brearley was already a member of Monmouth County Militia. He eventually rose to the rank of colonel in the militia. From 1776 to 1779 he served in the New Jersey Line, a string of numbered regiments which served in New Jersey by order of the Continental Congress. He saw combat in the battles of Brandywine, Germantown and Monmouth all under General George Washington. In 1779, Brearley resigned from Army to serve as New Jersey Supreme Court Chief Justice. Famously he decided on the famous Holmes v. Walton case which ruled that the judiciary had the authority to rule whether laws were constitutional or not. In 1787, at the Constitution Convention, Brearley chaired the committee on Postponed Parts which played a significant role in determining the final draft of the United States Constitution. Among the things considered by the committee were taxes, war making, patents and copyrights, relations with Indian tribes, and Franklin's compromise to require money bills to originate in the house. Most significantly they addressed the matter of electing a President, adopting an earlier plan that elected the President by electoral college. They also settled on a method in the case that no one received the majority of electoral votes, which was a situation that was thought by many, including James Madison, would happen "19 out of 20" times. The committee also added a vice president, transferred powers from the Senate to the President, like appointing ambassadors and making treaties. Later in 1787, Brearley returned to New Jersey after signing the United States Constitution. In 1789 he was a Presidential elector when George Washington was unanimously elected as President. In September of 1789, George Washington nominated Brearley to be the first federal district judge for the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, a newly created seat. He passed away on August 16th, 1790, just a few months after taking the office. Brearley was the first Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of New Jersey. He was elected in 1786. Brearley's lodge affiliation is not known. It is believed that he was initiated into Military Lodge No. 19 in Pennsylvania. Interestingly there is no record of him ever affiliating with a lodge in New Jersey.

Today in Masonic History Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh is born in 1921. Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh is husband and consort of Queen Elizabeth II. Prince Philip was born Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark on June 10th, 1921in Mon Repos on the Greek Island of Corfu. He was the only son and the fifth and final child of Prince Andrew of Greece and Denmark and Princess Alice of Battenberg. Phillip's maternal grandfather had adopted the name Mountbatten during World War I ...Continue reading

This says it all

A busy night was had by all at the Crossfield lodge. Airdrie Wildrose 2001 also was honored to present Worshipful Brother Norm Brain with his honorary life membership. Bro. Norm Brain has been appart of the lodge since 2001, and is one of the founders of Airdrie Wildrose 2001. He brings great insperation and knowledge to the lodge at all times. Please the next time you see Worshipful Bro. Norm Brain congradulate him on is achievments.

Airdrie Wildrose 2001 would like to congradulate our new Woshipful Master Warren Cookson and his officers for 2016-2017. The lodge would like to also send a heart warming thank all who attended and that participated to make a sucsseful and wonderful evening. Airdrie Wildrose 2001 would also like to send a jubilant thank you to Worshipful Brother Ray Charbonnea for a sucsessful year that he had as Worshipful master.

Today in Masonic History Noah Haynes Swayne passes away in 1884. Noah Haynes Swayne was an American jurist. Swayne was born on December 7th, 1804 in Frederick County, Virgina. His father passed away when Swayne was only 5. Shortly after his father's passing, Swayne was enrolled in Jacob Mendendhall's Academy, a respected Quaker school in Virginia. After graduating he began studying medicine until his teacher passed away in 1819. Despite the family having no money, Swayne turn...Continue reading

Today in Masonic History Josiah Williams Begole passes away in 1896. Josiah Williams Begole was an American politician. Begole was born on January 20th, 1815 in Groveland, New York. Begole's maternal grandfather was an American Revolution veteran.... Begole moved to Flint, Michigan, along with his siblings in 1836. There he became a school teacher. Later he would become involved in town politics and would become the inspector of schools, justice of the peace and township treasurer. Begole was an abolitionist and became one of the early members of the Republican party because of his stance on slavery. From 1856 to 1864, Begole was county treasurer. He started in the lumber business during his term as county treasurer. Tragically also during this time his eldest son was killed in action during the American Civil War. His son was killed outside of Atlanta, Georgia. It was the greatest sorrow of Begole's life. Begole was elected to the Michigan Senate serving in 1870 and 1871. He also spent three years on the Flint City Council. He was also a delegate to the Republican National Convention where President Ulysses S. Grant was re-nominated for President. In 1872, Begole was elected to the Untied States House of Representatives. He served only one term in Congress. After returning home he resumed his lumber business. He also got into the wagon building business, as well as banking. By 1882, Begole had left the Republican party and became the Greenback party candidate, a party based in part on currency reform and anti-monopolism, and the Democratic party candidate for Governor. He successfully defeated the Republican candidate, which as a former Republican created problems for him with the Republican controlled legislature. As a result the one of the few things he was able to accomplish during his term was the establishment of the state bureau of labor statistics. Begole was also an early supporter of Woman's Suffrage. In 1884 he became the first vice president of the first statewide suffrage organization, the Michigan Equal Suffrage Association. Begole passed away on June 5th, 1896. Begole was a member of Flint Lodge No. 23 in Flint, Michigan.

Today in Masonic History Theodorick Bland, Jr. passes away in 1790. Theodorick Bland, Jr. was an American politician. Bland was born on March 21st, 1741 Prince George County, colonial Virginia. Through his father he was the second cousin, once removed of Thomas Jefferson. At the age of 12, Bland was sent to England to study in Yorkshire. Later he would go Scotland and graduate with a medical degree from the University of Edinburgh in 1763. Later that year Bland returned to Vi...rgina and began practicing medicine. In the late 1760's Bland inherited his grandparents plantation. He retired from medicine, in part because of health issues, and became a planter. He also began serving as the Clerk of Prince George County. Bland was a Whig and aligned himself with the rebels as the American Revolution approached. In June of 1776 he became a member of Virginia calvary. Before long he was a colonel and in command of the 1st Continental Light Dragoon. In 1777 at the Battle of Brandywine, Bland made observations regarding the movements of Lord Cornwallis and Howe's troops. His observations were reported directly to General George Washington. Washington leaned a valuable lesson from the intelligence that Bland provided. So much so that it is believed that Washington sent Bland and his unit on other scouting missions. Some historians have written this off as something of a demotion, others see it as a more tactical use of Bland's skills. In 1779, Bland retired from military service. Before he completely left, General George Washington asked Bland to become the Warden for captured British soldiers. Bland agreed and for several months acted in that capacity before returning to civilian life and the position of Clerk of Prince George County. Bland also utilized his large stable, he was one of the early leaders in American horse racing, to help supply Washington and his troops with horses. Bland also had access to the stables of friends and family. In 1780, the Virginia House of Delegates named Bland as a delegate to the Continental Congress. He would serve there until 1783 helping to form the early American Government. It was around this time that his father passed away leaving Bland another plantation. In 1786, Bland was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates where he served two years. In 1788 he was appointed a delegate to the Virgina Convention to ratify the new United States Constitution. Bland was opposed to the Constitution since he believed that it gave too much power to the central (federal) government. After the Constitution was adopted, Bland was elected to the First United States Congress, serving in the House of Representatives. He served in the House of Representatives until he passed away on June 1st, 1790. He was the first member of the United States House of Representatives to pass away while in office. Bland was a member of Williamsburg Lodge No. 6 in Williamsburg, Virgina.

Today in Masonic History Ben Bernie is born in 1891. Ben Bernie was an American entertainer. Ben Bernie was born Bernard or Benjamin Anzelevitz, depending on the source, on May 30th, 1891 in Bayonne, New Jersey. He attended Columbia University and the New York College of Music. By the age of 15 he was teaching violin.... In 1912, Bernie began working vaudeville with "The Fiddle Up Boys" and later with a partner as billing as Baker and Bernie. He had little success though until 1922 when he joined an orchestra. By 1924, Bernie had his own orchestra called "The Lads". They performed in the Phonofilm short called Ben Bernie and All of the Lads. Through the 1920's and 1930's Bernie and his orchestra worked with a variety of labels. In 1925 Bernie and his orchestra recorded for the first time the song Sweet Georgia Brown. Bernie was a co-composer of the song which would later become the theme song of the Harlem Globetrotters. In 1926, Bernie and his orchestra appeared on the first broadcast of NBC. After that, Bernie would go back and forth between NBC and CBS having a variety of shows. Some were quiz shows others were variety shows. His theme song was always "It's a Lonesome Old Town." He also had a trademark catch phrase of "yowsa, yowsa, yowsa." This caught on across the country and the phrase was used in the movie They Shoot Horses, Don't They? and Richie Cunningham, played by Ron Howard, used the phrase in the Happy Days episode They Shoot Fonzies, Don't They? At one point to help boost ratings, Bernie and Walter Winchell who were long time friends started a fake feud. The feud was a running gag and was even spoofed in to two films, in which Bernie and Winchell played themselves and in two Warner Brothers cartoons. Bernie passed away on October 23rd, 1943. Bernie was a member of Keystone Lodge No. 235 in New York City, New York.

Today in Masonic History we present The Forget-Me-Not and Anti-Freemasonry in Nazi Germany. Most Freemasons, and Freemasonry as a whole, are particularly mindful of our heritage. Both the most experienced Master Mason and the newest Entered Apprentice can appreciate the lessons and knowledge available to us through careful study. Our reverence for the wisdom of the liberal arts and sciences provides us with a unique perspective on the architectural foundations and columns of ...Continue reading

Today in Masonic History James Charles "Jimmie" Rodgers passes away in 1933. James Charles "Jimmie" Rodgers was an American entertainer. Rodgers was born on September 8th, 1897. The place of his birth is in question, initially it was listed as Meridian, Mississippi. Later in life Rodgers wrote that it was Geiger, Alabama. Researchers who have looked in to Rodgers say it is Pine Springs, Mississippi, which is near Meridian, as his birthplace. Rodgers claim of being born in Gei...Continue reading

that is awesome

Today in Masonic History Adeyemo Alakija was born in 1884. Adeyemo Alakija was a Nigerian lawyer, politician and businessman. Alakija was born on May 25th, 1884 as Placido Adeyemo Assumpçao in Lagos, Nigeria. He was descended from freed Brazilian slaves who had returned to Nigeria, which was common at the time. He would keep the name Assumpçao until 1913 when he and his family were swept up in the tidal wave of nationalism in Nigeria at the time. This led the family to adopt ...the traditional African name of Alakija instead of the Portuguese name of Assumpçao. He attended St. Gregory's Catholic school before transferring to CMS Grammar School, Lagos. From 1900 to 1910, Alakija worked for the British Colonial Government. In 1910 he traveled to England to study law. In 1913 he was admitted to the bar. After that he returned to Nigeria and established his legal practice. There he became a close colleague of Herbert Macaulay, a Nigerian Nationalist. The two would have a falling out though when their political views began to diverge. Specifically it was over the Oba of Lagos, the traditional and ceremonial leader of Lagos. Alakija felt that Eleko, the Oba, was a weak leader and was unsuited to deal with the complexities of running Lagos. He also felt that Eleko was being led astray by his counselors, including Macaulay. In 1923 and then in 1926, Alakija stood for election to Parliament. He was unsuccessful both times. It was also in 1926 that Alakija helped to found the Daily Times which for many decades was Nigeria's leading news paper. Alakija embraced some traditional elements of Yoruba socio-political and religious history when he co-founded the reformed Ogboni society and became the Olori Oluwo, or Lord of the Lords, of the brotherhood. As a member of the Ogboni confraternity, he introduced the use of masonic symbols inside the organization, including the all seeing eye. Alakija passed away on May 10th, 1952. Alakija was the first Grand Master of the District Grand Lodge of Nigeria, which falls under the Grand Lodge of Scotland. Alakija also a member of Star of Nigeria Chapter No. 255, Royal Arch Masons. He was appointed superintendent over Royal Arch in the district over both English and Scottish constitutions.

This is going to be a great time

Today in Masonic History Rafael Palma passes away in 1939. Rafael Palma was a Filipino journalist and politician. Palma was born on October 24th, 1874 in Tondo a district of Manila, Philippines.... When he reached adulthood Palma joined the revolutionary newspaper La Independencia. He worked at the paper for it's founder General Antonio Luna. He would later succeed Luna as the director of the newspaper when Luna was killed. During this time he contributed to other newspapers as well. After the Revolution, Palma began studying the law. In 1901 he passed the bar examination. Shortly after he entered public life as a politician. In 1907, Palma served in the newly formed Philippine Assembly. He was also appointed to the Philippine Commission, an organization created by President William McKinley to govern the Philippines. He served on the commission until 1913. In 1917, Palma was appointed as Secretary of the Interior, serving there until 1922. In 1923, Palma moved into the academic world and was named President of the University of the Philippines. He served there until 1933. During his tenure as the President that the university saw rapid growth and received worldwide prestige. Palma would appointed by President Manuel L. Quezon to be Chairman of the National Board of Education. Palma passed away on May 24th, 1939. Palma was a member of Bagong Buhay Lodge No. 291 Cavite, Philippines.

W.M. Roy Charbonneau came by today to present a cash donation to Lori McRitchie on behalf of the Airdrie Wildrose Masonic Lodge. We so appreciate the support!

Today in Masonic History Elias Ashmole is born in 1617. Elias Ashmole was an English antiquarian and alchemist. Ashmole was born on May 23rd, 1617 in Lichfield, Staffordshire, England. He attended Lichfield Grammar School and became a member of the choir at Lichfield Cathedral. In 1633, he went to London to act as a mentor to James Paget's sons. Paget was a Baron of the Exchequer, a court of equity. Paget assisted Ashmole in becoming a solicitor. Ashmole then established hims...Continue reading