Wade Hampton Light
Wade Hampton Lodge No.404
VOL. 5 NO. 7
JULY, 2015
Welcome to this edition of the Wade Hampton Light. This newsletter is brought to you by the Brothers
of Wade Hampton Lodge and is meant to give you the latest and greatest news and information from
our lodge and around our great fraternity.
CALENDAR
Square and Compass -------------------------------07/08/2015 at 6:30 at Cooper No.282
2nd Degree ---------------------------------------------07/14/2015 at 7:30
1st Degree----------------------------------------------07/28/2015 at 7:30
Next Stated Communication-----------------------08/04/2015 at 7:30
LODGE HAPPENINGS
Wade Hampton Brothers being honored in the Scottish Rite
Kevin Mertins from Wade Hampton Lodge No.404 AFM is going to receive the Investiture 32Degree - Knights Commander of the Court of Honor.
Greely R. Palmer, Jr from Wade Hampton Lodge No.404 AFM is to be Coronated a 33rd
Degree - Honorary Inspector General.
These are great honors for the two Brothers. It is also worth noting that of the 4 Bodies of the
Scottish Rite, 3 are headed up by Kevin Mertins (KCCH-elect), WB Ed Poole (32-KCCH) and
WB Greely R. Palmer, Jr. (33rd Degree-elect). Congratulations to these Brothers.
Bro. Silas Smith receiving a 75 year rock quarry coin for the archives from WB Tommy Heffington of
Cooper No. 282.
WELFARE OF THE CRAFT
Prayer is asked for The family of WB Chris Knight Family, WB Chris Burkett’s mom, Bro. Frank Owens,
WB Jim Banister and his son Russell, Bro. Jeremy Lewis, WB Joe Coles mother our military and public
servants.
LIGHT FROM THE EAST
Greetings Brethren, 2015 has been a great year at Wade Hampton Lodge. I feel this success
is directly related to the outstanding officers of Wade Hampton Lodge No.404. We all know
that this time of year is considered vacation time and that can cause hardships on how a
lodge functions. I want to say thank you to the officers of Wade Hampton that have really
stepped up in my absence. As Worshipful Master, you always want to be there for your lodge
but it is comforting to know that if your presence is not possible, that your lodge is in excellent
hands. I encourage other Worshipful Master's and brethren alike, to thank the officers of your
lodge. The work that is put in is outstanding and extensive. They do not always receive the
recognition that is deserved so make sure they know how much you appreciate what they do
for your lodge. Due to the efforts of Wade Hampton Lodge officers, Wade Hampton Lodge
continues to be active and grow. I hope to see you at Wade Hampton Lodge or your lodge in
the near future. Until then, God Bless and save travels.
Christopher D. Knight
Worshipful Master 2015
TIDINGS FROM THE WEST
Greetings Brothers,
I would like to start off by thanking all the officers on doing such a great job. It makes it so much easier
on everyone with a little help. These older brothers can't do it forever, it's time for them to be able to sit
on the sideline and enjoy life. I would like to encourage all newly made Master Masons to step up and
take part in some of the work in your lodge. I get so much enjoyment in watching our brothers have fun.
Ask another Brother if they need help, it gives everyone the opportunity to enjoy the work that we love.
Making it easier makes it fun. Promote the happiness in masonry Brothers.
See you at the Lodge,
Silas J. Smith
Senior Warden
MASONIC EDUCATION
It is Independence Day, 2015.
Independence day is celebrated annually in the United States to recognize the signing of the Declaration of
Independence. The document was meant to explain the reasons why the 13 British colonies of the Americas
chose to separate from England. Some scholars believe that the document was not signed until August 2nd,
1776. Although writings from Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson and John Hancock all say they signed
the Declaration on July 4th, 1776.
Independence day, in fact the American Revolution itself holds a special place for American Freemasons.
We tend to hold up the fact that George Washington, Benjamin Franklin and various members of the Sons
of Liberty were leaders in the Revolution.
Although it is true that 9 Freemasons, out of 56, signed the Declaration of Independence, including its most
famous signer, John Hancock. It is not so much the men that made the impact on the Revolution. It is the
principals of Freemasonry that helped to form the United States of America.
Some scholars point to the publication, Anderson's Constitutions as a source for those ideals. Some of the
ideals and codes of conduct which we find in Anderson's Constitutions would later appear in the United
States Constitution. A common example is that Religion is not to be a topic of conversation in a lodge room
where business is to be discussed. This was seen as an action that could cause a division within the lodge.
Similarly, it can be equally said, that Religion in Government could cause that division in our ruling
bodies, not allowing Government to properly govern for its entire people.
For the Declaration of Independence and the events that lead to it, those who know the lessons that our
ritual inculcates it is obvious to see where the men who helped form the early United States believed in
those principals, mason or not. As an example, Freemason's believe that we all meet upon the level, the
Declaration of Independence states "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created
equal".
In the end Washington, Franklin, Hancock and the list of other notable and not so notable members of the
American Revolution who were Freemasons, put themselves in harm’s way for their belief in a better
future. It becomes less about those men and more about the ideals and principals, many of which are put
forth by Freemasonry in the United States and around the World. Those same ideals are stated in our
ritual over and over again, not to make them common place, but to remind us of the importance of those
words that inspired revolutions, in the United States and beyond.
As we celebrate the birth of the United States we should remember it was those Freemasons involved in the
Revolution who had the courage to risk their lives for an ideal. It was in a Freemason lodge where they
heard those ideals put forth and where they were reminded of them to the point that it became a part of
their lives. That gift is now ours to cherish and pass on in our Freemason Lodges and in our communities.
Happy Fourth of July everyone! May it be safe and filled with family and friends!
OFFICERS FOR 2015
Worshipful Master
Chris Knight
(864) 423-2031
Senior Warden
Silas Smith
(864) 371-0661
Junior Warden
Jonathan Hamilton
(864) 304-1450
Treasurer
Christopher Burkett PM
(864) 361-0186
Secretary
Mark A. Bennett PM
(864) 414-0721
Senior Deacon
Matt Brown
(864) 414-2041
Junior Deacon
Bill Garcia
(864) 395-9597
Steward
Dennis Zingarelli PM
(845) 629-8311
Steward
David L. Watkins PDDGM
(404) 518-2487
Tiler
Ellis Mamon Walker
(864) 244-7104
Chaplain
H. David Cunningham PDDGM
(864) 444-9798
MASONIC HISTORY
William Polk was an American soldier in the continental army.
Polk was born in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. From the beginning of the rebellion
against British rule, Mecklenburg County was active in the revolution. Polk's father was the
commander of the local militia. It is also claimed that Polk's father was involved with the
Mecklenburg Resolves which was drafted shortly after Lexington and Concord. It is
sometimes confused with the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence which is claimed to
the first Declaration of Independence drafted in the American Colonies. Polk followed suit with
his father as did his brothers when it came to the fight for independence.
Polk passed away on January 14th, 1834. Polk was a member of Phalanx Lodge No. 31 in
Charlotte, North Carolina. He would become the 5th Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of
North Carolina serving from 1799 to 1801.
ADDITIONAL LIGHT
A special Thank You to all of the Brothers who have contributed to the lodge, this
Newsletter, our website and our great Fraternity. Remember to always spread Light because
you never know who may ask You about being a Mason.
Attention Brothers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Do you know of a business that would like to help sponsor our monthly Newsletter? We will
be looking at starting this for the next few months. Our Newsletter reaches hundreds of
Masons in the upstate and beyond and would be a good resource for a business to get its
message out. Contact WB Mark A. Bennett to find out more details (864) 414-0721. We also
want to challenge business owners that are Masons to participate.
Just a little trivia
Bro. Vance Swift of Pythagoras Masonic Lodge No.355 in New Albany, Indiana, was billed as
“The World’s Smallest Mason”. Brother Swift was but twenty-six inches tall when he was
raised a Master Mason in 1943.
Lodge Officers for 2015
LODGE PICTURES
Visiting Brother Charlie Bumgardner being presented a 50 year coin from Bro. Silas Smith.
Charlie was friends with our first Worshipful Master Wade Hampton Greene.
Wade Hampton No.404 is now in possession of the 18th District Traveling Bible.
The Bible was picked up at Walden No.274 on May 21st at a MM Degree; Wade Hampton had
10 Brothers in attendance. Pictured L-R WM Willie Nalley and RWB Jonathan Sprinkle.
WADE HAMPTON OES NO. 288
Order of the Eastern Star
Meetings Monthly on the 2nd Thursday. Eat at 6:30, meeting at 7:30.
Officers
Worthy Matron
Trish Latta
(864) 494-1127
Worthy Patron
David Cunningham
(864) 444-9798
Associate Matron
Barbara Kight
(864) 288-7200
Associate Patron
Jack Kight
(864) 288-7200
Secretary
Jane Raven
(864) 879-2923
Treasurer
Maxine Howell
(864) 877-3276
Conductress
Myrtle Miller
(864) 288-7319
Associate Conductress
Betty Cunningham
(864) 244-1757
Sentinel
Jeff Raven
(864) 505-5103
For information on the Wade Hampton OES No.288 contact Trish Latta at [email protected]
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forward this to any brother that you think would enjoy it. You can also check the website for updates
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th
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Wade Hampton Lodge 404
12 Airport Road, Greenville, SC 29607