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One-day event features Supreme Grand Commander, banquet, Scottish Rite video, and great degree presentation
Degrees to be conferred at the one-day reunion include the 14th degree, ”Grand Elect Mason”: a degree that is the summit of Ancient Craft Masonry. As the crowning degree of Eliadah Lodge of Perfection, “its essence is the holiness of God and reverence for His Holy name. God will not hold him guiltless that taketh His name in Vain.”
Also scheduled for the Millennium Reunion is the 15th degree entitled, “ Knight of The East or Sword”. This degree “teaches the important lessons of loyalty to conviction and devotion to right.”
The Rose Croix degree for the Millennium Reunion will be the beautiful “Knight of the Rose Croix of H. R. D. M.” The lessons taught in this degree is “that man must have a new Temple in his heart where God is worshiped in spirit and in truth and that he must have a new law of love which all men everywhere may understand and practice. This degree affirms the broad principle of universality and tolerance.”
Completing the degree presentations will be the 32nd degree of Scottish Rite Masonry, “Sublime Prince of the Royal Secret”. This degree describes the “victory of the a spiritual over the human in man and the conquest of appetites and passions by moral sense and reason. The exemplar represents every Freemason eager to serve humanity but caught between self-interest and the call of duty. Duty often requires sacrifice, sometimes the supreme sacrifice.”
Completing the program is a Banquet for the new Sublime Princes, brethren of the Valley of Cleveland, and their ladies.There is no charge for the dinner for Millennium class candidates and their ladies. Cost for others who wish to attend the sit-down banquet is $15.00 per person. Tickets may be obtained by mail using the reservation form on page 22 of this issue of the Scottish Rite News, or in person during regular business hours of the Valley Secretary’s office. When using the mail, please include a stamped, self-addressed envelope to assure proper return of your dinner tickets.
Before dinner, at 5 p.m., the Supreme Grand Commander, Ill.·. Robert O. Ralston, 33°, will deliver a live audio message to all valleys. Immediately following the message, a special 32 minute video, produced by The Supreme Council, will be presented.
Brethren, the Millennium Reunion would be an excellent opportunity to ask your busy masonic friend if you can sign his petition for the 2000 Millennium Class. The initiation fee is $100 payable with the presentation of the petition; a special $50 fee is available for petitioners under the age of 35.
If you need a petition, call Ill.·. John Youngblood, 33°, Secretary of the Valley 0f Cleveland, at (216)432-2370, or see the Scottish Rite Ambassador to your Lodge.
Over the years there have been numerous attempts by non-masons to identify Freemasonry as a religion. The accusations have come from various church officials and extremists. Many have done so to further their own selfish interests. Although Freemasons have continually pointed out that the fraternity is neither a religion nor a threat to religion, there have been those who still viciously attack with erroneous statements to serve their own end.
Masons who are clergymen know that there is no conflict. They often become the fraternity’s best spokesmen and provide valuable assistance from the “grass roots” level to help overcome the confusion over the subject of Freemasonry.
To increase this understanding, the Supreme Council has approved a plan to provide the Symbolic Lodge initiation fee for any clergyman seeking admission. The annual dues, of course, would be the responsibility of the individual.
Further, in the event that a clergyman Mason wishes to increase his light in Masonry, the Scottish Rite application fees will also be waived.
If your clergyman is not a Mason or Scottish Rite Mason, and you wish further information regarding this Supreme Council program, call Edwin Strauss, Jr, at (216) 595-0427 or John Youngblood, Valley Secretary, at (216-432-2370.
The luncheon for the Spring, 2000 Reunion will remain at $3 per person, according to John Youngblood, secretary of The Valley of Cleveland.
Brethren desiring meal tickets to the Saturday luncheon, may purchase them by mail before the reunion by using the reservation form on page 22 of this issue of The Scottish Rite News. Tickets may also be obtained from the secretary’s office during regular office business hours, or in the lobby of The Cleveland Masonic Temple the day of the reunion, Saturday, April 29th.
When ordering by mail, please accompany each reservation with your check in the correct amount. Also, in order to assure proper and accurate return of tickets, please include a self-addressed stamped envelope.
Deadline for ordering tickets by mail is April 20th.