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Show Seutft CeaM Utoft Supplement To: Gunnison Valley News - The Salina Sun Garfield County News - The Richfield Reaper NUMBER 8 FEBRUARY 24, 1982 WEDNESDAY, VOLUME 3 Masonic Temple Has More Than Just History By Loren R. Webb ' Associate Editor Masons. Known to some as brick or stone layers, but in another context, as a fraternity happen to have a masonic temple in Richfield. Known as Hiram Lodge No. 12, it is named for Hiram Abif, the widows son who as King of Tyre, built Solomons Temple in biblical days. Masons Members in the Savings Bank in 1935. Meeting on the third floor,' they shared the dining or banquet room with the Odd Fellows who met on the same floor. Because of increased rental rates, Richfield masons began looking elsewhere for lodge headquarters. On March 6, 1935, they purchased their present home on the comer of first west and center streets, for $10,000. During later years, $3,300 was spent on remodeling, furnished by members themselves. are not a religion, but a fraternity and charitable organization known for their nationwide Shriners hospitals, says Wesley Cherry of Salina, who is past master and senior warden. Shriners also maintain three burn centers in the U.S. In addition, masons contribute money for crippled children to be sent to their hospitals, says Bill Pace, lodge secretary. The masonic temple consists of a rectangularly shaped room with an altar at the center. At the front, at the east end of the room is the platform where the worshipful master sits and presides. At the west end, the senior warden is positioned. On the south side, sits the junior warden. The temple also consists of a kitchen, restrooms, banquet room and three different lounge rooms. The history of speculative masons goes back to the 1500s, although some masons believe it goes directly to the operative masons who built Solomons Temple. Murray Stowe, Grand secretary in Salt Lake City says the historical part of speculative masons stems back to when masons were building cathedrals in Europe. The temple was dedicated Sept 21, by Worshipful Gland Master D. D. Stockman. In 1947, A burning of the Mortgage Ceremony, was held at the temple Oct. 5, after all obligations had been paid. One hundred guests attended the occasion. 1935, Although not a religion, masons nevertheless have a belief in God or a Supreme Being, says Neil Madsen, lodge trustee. Their basic symbols, the square, compass and gavel, besides symbolizing practical tools are symbolic of a spiritual nature. We are not a secret organization, we are an organization with secrets, says Madsen. Our symbols are the working tools of a mason. v inch gauge ruler is used to measure a masons work in a practical ' sense, but in a symbolic sense, it is The 24 Home Buyers Increase Market Share in 1981 Despite record high mortage rates home buyers cautiously increased their share of the total home buying market in 1981, reports theh Family Housing Bureau, a public information service of Chicago' Title In- - o surance Co. first-tim- e In its sixth annual nationwide survey of recent home buyers, the Housing Bureau disclosed that first-tim- e buyers represented 39.4 percent of the market in 1981, up from 32.9 percent in 1980. This compares to 1978, the peak year, when almost half of all homes sold were purchased by first-tim- e buyers. o 1 He admits some masons go back to Solomons time, but in masonic rituals, the assumption, speculative masons go back to Solomons time is purely speculative and we cant claim historical precedence. There is nothing prior to the 1500s that we can tie to, as present day masons. Stowe says in 1872, masons organized in Utah. From Salt Lake City, 31 lodges sprung up throughout the state, including the Hiram Lodge in 1903 when it was chartered with nine master masons, five of whom were members of Mt. Pleasant Damascus Lodge no. 10. Lodges consist of brethren assembled with the Bible, square, compasses and charter ordjspensation empowering thep to meet and work. meeting began Peterson Bank building, moving from there to the Richfield Commercial and Chicago Title speculated that relatively lower home prices may have encouraged first-tim- e buyers in 1981. The median price of a home purchased by first-tim- e buyers was $63,180 in 1981, up only 2.8 percent from $61,450 in 1980. The previous year, the median price paid by jumped 20.9 percent, from $50,800 in 1979 to $61,450 in first-time- rs 1980. Even so the average monthly mortgage payment made by first-tim- e buyers in 1981 continued to rise because there was no relief from record high mortgage rates, the study showed. In 1981, the average monthly morChicago speculated that relatively lower home prices may have tgage payment for first-tim- e buyers was $665, up from $558 in 1980, an inencouraged first-tim- e buyers in 1981. The median price of a home purchased crease of 19 percent. And the average 1978, the peak year, when almost half of a monthly mortgage payment as a all homes sold were purchased by firstpercentage of income was also up, to 38.4 percent in 1981 from 35.6 percent in time buyers. (Continued on Page 8) Title The masonic temple in Richfield has been the home of the Hiram Lodge since 1935, when lodge members moved from Richfield Commercial and Savings Bank. Hiram Lodge was organized in are over 80 members. 1903 with nine members. Today, there Other symbols include The Pot of prudence, fortitude and justice. The brethren are also encouraged to serve Incense meaning a pure heart that their brothers with freedom, fervency glows with fervent heat for blessings received from a supreme being and the and zeal. Bee-hivas an emblem of industry. A candidate is then charged with As a protection, The Book of Conthree duties to serve God, his stitutions Guarded by the Tylers neighbor and himself. Working tools of Sword, reminds masons of the virtues, a fellow craft are the plumb, the square silence and circumspection. Others and level. Operative masonry refers to include the which Eye the proper application of the useful pervades the inmost recesses of the rules of architecture where a structure human heart; The Anchor and Ark-ar- e derives figure, strength and beauty. In grounded of a hope and well spent Speculative masonry, members learn life, The Hour Glass, an emblem of to subdue their passions, act upon the human life; and the scythe as an square, keep a tongue of good report, emblem of time and launches man into maintain secrecy and practice charity. eternity. The master mason is then Masons are also taught the five given a solemn charge as the first and human senses which are hearing, second degree masons. seeing, feeling, smelling and tasting. Masons are also taught rites and They also learn the significance of the ceremonies the Essense of which once seven liberal arts and sciences: passed to the third rank are invested Grammar, rhetoric, logic, arithmetic, with the signs, penalties geometry, astronomy and music. and privileges of the Order. They are Symbolism is also drawn from the usually taught by a tutor and are exword plenty, and from corn, wine pected to rehearse these words by and oil and the three jewels. The memory. second degree mason is given a solemn However, women cannot be masons. charge as is the first degree candidate. It is a mans fraternity, says Cherry Master mason tools include and thats the way it is. Women can everything the first and second degree belong to the Eastern Star as can men, mason has and in addition is given a which is an auxiliary of masons. They symbolic trowel, which practically have their own rituals. Occasionally, speaking, unites the several parts of a both groups meet in social gatherings. building into one common mass, but is It seems however, the masonic also symbolic for spreading brotherly in Richfield and Utah is movement love and affection. A funeral dirge and as few of the younger slowly dying in also included this are section. prayer is says Cherry. interested, generation The Monitor also explains the three We never have been dominant in steps symbolic of human life. This Utah. consists of youth, manhood, and old A possible correlation with this age. As entered apprentices, youth is that Mormons also cannot situation, should attain useful knowledge, in be masons, says Stowe. It goes back to manhood as fellow crafts, to discharge the foundation of masonry in Utah in respective duties to God, neighbor, 1872. family and self and as master masons to reflect on a happy life and die in hope At that time, Mormons were on Page 8) virtues consisting of temperance, of a glorious immortality. divided into three equal parts of which Worshipful Master, with Wesley eight hours are for service to God, and Cherry, Salina, senior warden, Gordon for aiding and serving brethren, eight Anderson, Monroe, as junior warden. hours to be used for sleep and From worshipful master, masons can relaxation and eight hours to be used become grand master over the blue for usual vocations. The compass stood . lodges in Utah. for straightness in serving God, while members comprise the Eighty-thre- e the G also in the symbol, stands Richfield Hiram Lodge, but only 0 for God. live in the county and only 10 live in The others live throughout To become a mason, a man must be Richfield. Pace says 60 percent of the world. the 21 years old and because masons do not over 50 years old. Hiram are members solicit members, the candidate must boundaries extend jurisdictional Lodge is petition a lodge. His petition west midpoint to north Provo, midway reviewed by the lodge and a committee, to Price and to east Milford, midpoint insays Pace. The committee then to the Utah border. south if vestigates that persons past to see he would make a good mason. Members are expected to attend on the first Wednesday of Once accepted, he enters as an ap- meetings month. Meetings run 1 to 2 hours. every prentice mason before moving to Fellow Craft, the second degree, and Masons are expected to live up to the then to master mason, the third degree. standards they made as candidates for The Hiram or Blue Lodge in Richfield the different degrees and are expected has authority to give the three degrees. to memorize all initiation rites except in what is known as the From third degree, a mason can go passages Monitor. It gives instructions on through either Scottish or York rites to at funerals, opening and 32nd degrees. Other degrees are prayers at meetings and in prayers closing strictly honorary including the K.C.-C.the candidates to become preparing or Knight Templars of the Court of first drgree masons, lists constitutional Honor and the 33rd degree. These questions to be asked and scripture degrees usually come from doing readings. something outstanding, says Rehnon former member and If the candidate is accepted, he Nelson, lodge receives a lambskin or apron signifying worshipful master. innocence and the badge of a mason. Offices such as worshipful master The working tools of a mason, the 24 come through election by lodge and common gavel are brethren. Wallace Green, of Wayne inch gauge and lectures are given. introduced County, is the current Hiram Lodge The monitor discusses meetings, form, supports, coverings for a lodge and the furniture, ornaments, lights, jewels associated with them, and specifies how lodges are situated and to whom they are dedicated. The three great tenets of a masons profession include brotherly love, relief, and truth with cur cardinal e, 28-3- All-Seei- pass-word- s, Don't Buy Car Before Asking Questions Good used cars are hard to find tnese days, but youre really better off asking some simple questions before you buy, advises Rod Birmingham, an investigator with Aetna Life & Casualtys arson fraud unit. That used car may look great, but a second look and knowing what to look for can mean the difference between having the car you want and having nothing but an empty wallet. The car could have been stolen, Birmingham warns. Even if you dont know its a stolen car, you can lose both the car, and the money you paid for it. Major bridge reconstruction over Sevier River east of is now completed. This, and other Richfield on Utah-11- 9 similar projects east of Joseph, have been underway since last summer under safety funds program of the state. L. A. Young Sons Construction of Richfield was the contractor. Of course you can always sue the seller if you unknowingly purchased a stolen car,' he adds, but thats likely to be a lengthy and expensive process, and it certainly wont save you any money! Auto theft is a big business these days. Whether its chopping up stolen cars for body repair parts or placing a stolen car body on a chassis for which there is legitimate title, professional auto thieves are making money, Birmingham explains. And the unwitting used car buyer, on the other hand, could lose money on what at first appears to be a real bargain. youre in the market for a good used car or expect to be in the future, Birmingham offers these tips: So if Go to a reliable, established dealer when buying a used car. Be especially careful when buying a car from an individual without a specific address. Check to see whether the seller can be located should you need to reach him or her after the sale. Check the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which is usually embossed on a metal plate over the drivers dash section and visible from the outside of the bottom of the wind signs of alteration or replacement. The VIN Must match the VIN shown on the sellers certificate of title. Inquire about past insurance and financing on the car, and the verify this information with the insurance agent, bank or finance company. Look at the body paint on a new model. A fresh paint job may indicate cover-u- p work by thieves. Check the license tag and inspection sticker to be certain that they are current and issued by the same state. Ask for at least one set of the original manufacturers keys rather than a replacement set. Be suspicious if the seller provides you with keys for a late model car. Review and complete all paperwork at the time of sale. Dont forget that certificate of titles frequently can be documents Check counterfeited. carefully for signs of possible alteration. shield, for |