Monday, December 29, 2014






Masonic Lodge Dedication at San Bernardino.

From the Guardian, October 7th  A.D.1871

   On Tuesday morning, at 11 o'clock, the cornerstone of the Masonic Hall, now being erected in this city, on Utah street, was laid with most impressive and solemn ceremonies by the Masonic fraternity. H. C. Rolfe, acting Grand Master of Phoenix Lodge, No. 178, officiating. 

   At half-past nine o'clock, the Turn Vereln Society, in command of L. Caro, left their Hall headed by the Wilmington Brass Band, marched down Third and Fourth streets to the City Academy, where they joined the members of the San Bernardino Literary Institute and proceeded to Third street, opposite the Masonic Hall, where the column was halted. At ten o'clock the resident and visiting Masons, in command of Grand Marshal S. P. Waite and Assistant Grand Marshal N. Noble, emerged from their Lodge room  escorted by the Odd Fellow fraternity, in full dress, and formed a line on Third street. There were about fifty members of the Masonic fraternity and in their regalia they presented an Imposing spectacle. After forming in line the column moved off up third street, headed by the brass band, to Lake street, thence to Fourth and down that to the building site of the new Hall, where the column halted and the ranks opened in the usual manner, and members of the Masonic Lodge passed through to the platform erected at the northeast corner of the building. Soon after the procession had formed in order, and the vast assemblage became seated, the order of exorcises was opened by acting Grand Master, H. C. Rolfe, in a few remarks appropriate to the occasion.

An ode was then sung by a choir of gentlemen.

   Prayer was then offered by acting Grand Chaplain S. Bergel, after which the Grand Master ordered the stone to be raised. The stone is a very fine piece of granite, three feet long by two and one-half feet in width and one foot thick, on which is inscribed the following;

L. E. P.    

A.L. 5781

   Tho Grand Treasurer, Louis Jacobs, then deposited the box containing various coins, By-laws of Phoenix Lodge No. 178, Wilmington Lodge No. 198, San Diego Lodge No. 30, Anaheim Lodge No. 202, Lexington Lodge No. 104, Los Angeles Lodge No. 42, McClellan, Texas, Lodge No. 159, Selby, Va., Lodge No. 162, and San Bernardino Lodge No. 146, I. O. O. F.; Grand Lodge proceedings 187 report. Also the names of members of the following Lodges: San Diego, Pantalphia, Wilmington, Phoenix, Lexington and San Bernardino Lodge I. O. O. F. Copy of the San Bernardino Guardian of September 30th, 1871. Copies of the San Francisco Alta and Masonic Mirror. History of tho Lodge. List of officers, and members of the Young Men's Literary Institute of San Bernardino ; and the stone was lowered to its place in the usual Masonic form as laid down in the Masonic Chart, after which the Architect reported to the Grand Master that the stone awaited his inspection. Then followed the presentation of the gold and silver vessels containing corn, wine and oil, which were poured upon the stone.

Saturday, December 27, 2014













San Bernardino California Masonic Temple A.D.1959
 San Bernardino California Masonic Temple A.D.1883  _ 4th & D, street

Sunday, December 21, 2014











San Bernardino California Masonic history A.L. 5874 / A.D. 1874 - A.D.1886



San Bernardino California _ Laying of cornerstone at San Bernardino Courthouse A.L.5874 / A.D.1874 ...San Bernardino Masonic Lodge Laying a Masonic cornerstone...

Phoenix Lodge number 178 free and accepted Masons _ San Bernardino California _ ladies night Monday November 23 A.L.5914 / A.D.1914

San Bernardino Masonic Lodge, D St. between fourth and third Street A.D.1870 (San Bernardino California)

Saturday, December 20, 2014


 - San Bernardino Masonic Lodge number 178 -Under Jurisdiction of The Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of the State of California.


San Bernardino California Masonic parade laying the cornerstone at Sturges junior high school... A.L.5874 / A.D.1874

Friday, December 19, 2014


Fellow Craft Degree - San Bernardino Masonic Lodge number 178 -Under Jurisdiction of The Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of the State of California. (December 18th 2014)

Sunday, December 14, 2014

Ever since the day I became a Master Mason it was explained to me that my ring should always face me until the day comes, that I've become a past master. The points of the compass always facing to the heart as that is the way the square and compass lie on the holy book facing you when taking obligation. This is a representation of the light of masonry shining upon you. So that said, when your ring points out that is a representation of you being the master of the Lodge or a past master as then you sit on the other side of the alter giving the knowledge/light. So to solve the dilemma of the ring when your hand is placed upon that square, compass and holy book when taking obligation, is the direction that ring should point until you make past master. May the light of masonry continue to shine upon you.
Master Mason

THE PROPER WAY TO WEAR A MASONIC RING
The following from Temple Topics (Illinois) is now being quoted with approval by other Masonic papers.
“What is the proper way to wear a Masonic ring? Should the points of the compass be toward or away from the body?
“If you were hanging the American flag, would you put the stars down? The same holds true of the ring. Usually it is a gift, and has sentimental value for the wearer. It should look right side up to him. Rings are therefore worn with the points of the compass toward the wearer.”
This subject is one on which Grand Lodges have made no regulation and popular opinion is divided. We must therefore reason from analogy. When the emblem of the square and compasses is displayed on a building, pennant, button, watch charm etc., universal custom requires the points of the compass point downward. When displayed on the Altar they point away from the Master. As the Master from his station views the compass from the Altar of his lodge, the points are from, not towards him. As the wearer of a compass watch charm views it, the points are down and away from his eyes. In a similar way as he views the emblem on his ring the points should be down or away from his eyes.
The square is the symbol of earthly, the compass of heavenly perfection. As a combined emblem the ends of the square point up as a symbol of man’s aspirations toward God; the points of the compass are down to represent heavenly qualities coming down from God to earth. Therefore it would seem that the proper way to wear a ring would be that is which its symbolism is best expressed; namely, that in which, when the hand is held in its usual position the points of the compass are towards the earth and away from the wearer’s eyes.
Thus it will be seen that our conclusion does not agree with the writer in Temple Topics. He truly says that in hanging an American flag we would not put the stars down, but in hanging a compass or a square and compass, he surly would put the points of the compass down. The same rule holds when worn as a ring or button or a watch charm; namely, they would be worn the same way with the points down. When so worn they all serve the same purposes, and by no means the least of these purposes is to announce to the world the proud wearer is a Mason. -- Iowa 

Major Donation from Masons Makes 

Scholarships, Reading Program Possible

Presenting the donation San Diego City Council Member Marti Emerald, left, joins San Diego Unified Board President Dr. John Lee Evans, Superintendent Bill Kowba, and John Heisner, Grand Orator, Masons of California.The Masons of California have donated $178,000 to support reading and scholarship programs around the county, including schools in the San Diego Unified School District.
Through the Raising A Reader Literacy Partnership, California Masons are bringing the award-winning Raising A Reader literacy program to kindergarten classrooms in the lowest-performing public schools throughout the state, turning the page for literacy and increasing life opportunities for thousands of children at risk for learning failure. Masons’ donations are enabling this acclaimed program to reach hundreds of California public school students for the first time.
The fraternity’s Investment in Success Scholarship Program, which launched last spring, provides college scholarships for deserving high school seniors who demonstrate an active pursuit of education in spite of significant obstacles. Students who receive these scholarships demonstrate exemplary character, drive, and scholastic potential, despite challenges in their homes or communities.
Board of Education President Dr. John Lee Evans and Superintendent Bill Kowba were joined by San Diego City Council Member Marti Emerald to accept the check from John Heisner, Grand Orator, Masons of California during a March 26 ceremony at Central Elementary School in City Heights.
The Masons of California have helped make public education a focal issue in California since their 1920 introduction of Public Schools Week, now celebrated statewide as Public Schools Month each April. The donation to support teachers and students in San Diego County schools is presented as part of the fraternity’s annual Public Schools Month kickoff celebration. Events will be held throughout California this March and April, with statewide donations amounting to more than $750,000.
To learn more about the Masons of California/Raising A Reader partnership, please visit: http://www.freemason.org/RaisingAReader or contact the California Masonic Foundation at foundation@freemason.org



















































































The annual installation of officers 2014-2015 
San Bernardino Masonic Lodge #178