West Virginia Update

[Torence]

On May 30th, PGM Haas filed a civil suit against GM Montgomery in
Charleston, Kanawha County, West Virginia. Having had to do the same
myself in 2003 to gain reinstatement, my thoughts and prayers are with
PGM Haas as he fights his good fight,
The old charges contain direction for these cases that should be
read by every Master Mason from time to time. Dr. Anderson's
intructions state, "And if any of them do you injury, you must apply
to your own or his lodge; and from thence you may appeal to the Grand
Lodge at quarterly communication, and from thence to the annual Grand
Lodge, as has been the ancient laudable conduct of our forefathers in
every nation ; never taking a legal course but listening to the honest
and friendly advice of Master and Fellows, when they would prevent you
going to law with strangers, or would excite you to put a speedy
period to all lawsuits, that you may find the affair of Masonry with
the more alacrity and success; but with respect to brothers or Fellows
at law, the Master and Brethren should kindly offer their mediation,
which ought to be thankfully submitted to by the contending brethren;
and if that submission is impracticle, they must however carry on
their process, or law-suit, without wrath and rancor (not in the
common way) saying or doing nothing which may hinder brotherly love,
and good offices to be renewed and continued; that all may see the
benign influence of Masonry, as all true Masons have done from the
beginning of the world, and will do to the end of time.

Fraternally,
Torence Evans Ake
Senior Deacon - Auburn Park Lodge No. 789 - Crete, Illinois
PM - Arcadia Lodge No. 1138, Lansing, Illinois