March Trestleboard 2026

Worshipful Sirs and Brethren, greetings from the East! I am pleased to announce that we will be having quarterly trestleboard articles thanks to Worshipful Lippincott. This year is off to a great start, we have had alot of fellowship and we have also had an initiation for Brother Lusher. Please join us this month for a 3rd Degree for Brother Bedoe. It is no secret that if you haven't been to lodge in a while, you are truly missed by your Brothers, I encourage you to come back and see what we are doing these days. Secondly, you are truly missing out on all of the fun and meaningful activities we have been having this year. So don't be shy, dust off your apron and come back out to lodge, it's not too late to join in on all the fun! Sincerely and Fraternally, Worshipful Jeremy

The Four Pillars of the Mason’s Character In our journey through the degrees, we are introduced to the Four Cardinal Virtues. As we navigate a world that feels increasingly chaotic in 2026, these four pillars offer more than just ritualistic beauty; they offer a practical blueprint for a life well-lived. Temperance Temperance isn't merely about restraint; it’s about balance. In an age of digital distraction and "always-on" work culture, Temperance calls us to govern our passions and our time. Are we giving as much to our families and our Craft as we are to our screens? Fortitude We often think of Fortitude as physical courage, but for the modern Mason, it is moral stamina. It is the "noble and steady purpose of the mind" that allows us to stand up for what is right when it is unpopular to do so. It is the strength to remain a Mason even when we are outside the Lodge walls. Prudence Prudence is the inner governor of the mind. It teaches us to regulate our lives and actions according to the dictates of reason. It is the habit of thinking before speaking and weighing the consequences of our choices. In a world of "instant reactions," the Prudent man is a rare and valued leader. Justice Justice is the boundary of right. It reminds us that every human being has a claim to our kindness and fair dealing. To "act on the square" is to ensure that our personal biases never outweigh our commitment to what is inherently true and fair for all. > The Takeaway: These virtues aren't just words to be recited; they are tools to be used. I challenge every Brother to pick just one of these four and consciously apply it to a difficult situation at work or home. You’ll find that the "Internal Qualifications" of a man are what truly make him a Mason. Sincerely and Fraternally Brother Kimaili Davis

Brethren, family, prospects, and friends. When I was told we would be writing these articles, many possibilities came to mind. Many of you will know me as a competent ritualist, and that naturally means I’ve been able to commit many of our lessons to memory, with less time and more ease than most. This means I’ve had a lot of opportunities to contemplate those lessons and their meaning. And means a lot of people have come up to me to ask questions. And while it is hard at times to think of myself as qualified to give guidance to anyone when my own life can feel like a mess I’m just stumbling through, at some point, we come to the realization that any wisdom gained gives us both the ability and the responsibility to pass it on. So, in deciding on what to write about, I decided I would start with the advice I’ve found myself giving the most lately. What exactly is Masonry? Entire libraries could be filled with the words written on this subject, trying to dive deeply into the mysteries of what Masonry is. But for all of you reading this, whether you are a long-time brother, a curious family member, or a prospect wondering what you’re about to embark on, I propose that the mystery is actually quite simple. There isn’t one. All the mystique and ceremony, in the humble opinion of someone who has a deep love for that ceremony, boils down this. Masonry is a metaphor for right living. No more, no less. We use stonemason’s tools as a symbolic means to understand how to make ourselves better men, and as better men, improve the world around us. These tools communicate to our members wise and serious truths. But brethren, we didn’t invent these truths. We don’t own them. And we aren’t the only place they can be found. We simply found a beautiful and poetic way to teach and internalize those truths. It’s a time-honored method for teaching, found everywhere from scripture to children’s fables. And it’s enduring because it works, and I am proud to be part of a fraternity that is carrying on this tradition in such a meaningful way. These symbols, if contemplated throughout our lives, never fail to provide more meaning. But as we look for that meaning, brothers, we must never let ourselves get so lost in the “mystery” of it all that we forget that these symbols are meant to teach us practical lessons, and these lessons aren’t to be hoarded. Our signs and words are secret, to protect brothers who aren’t able to openly declare their craft. But our lessons? They are to be proudly lived out visibly, in the hopes that everyone – not just Masons and future Masons, but everyone – will imitate our example, and the whole human species will act as one family, aiding, supporting, and protecting each other with brotherly love. Fraternally, Peter A. Parsons