SUMMER ISSUEJULY 2017

Volume 1, Issue 1
First Issue Souvenir Edition
SUMMER 2017 Symbolism of the Cornerstone
Shared with us by R.W. Bro. Robert Taylor United Grand Lodge of N.S.W. & A.C.T. (Australia)

JULY 2017 The corner-stone is the stone which lies at the corner of two walls and forms the corner of the foun-
dation of the edifice. In Masonic buildings it is now always placed in the north east; but this rule was
not always formally observed. As the foundation on which the entire structure is supposed to rest, it is
considered by operative masons as the most important stone in the edifice. It is laid with impressive
ceremonies; the assistance of Speculative Freemasons is often, and ought always to be, invited to give
dignity to the occasion; and for this purpose Freemasonry has provided an especial ritual which is to
govern the proper performance of that duty.
Among the ancients the corner-stone of important edifices was laid with impressive ceremonies.
These are well described by Tacitus in the history of the rebuilding of the Capitol. After detailing the
preliminary ceremonies, which consisted of a procession of vestals, who with chaplets of flowers en-
compassed the ground and consecrated it by libations of living water, he adds that, after solemn
prayer, Helvidius Priscus, to whom the rebuilding of the Capitol had been committed, laid his hands
upon the fillets that adorned the foundation stone, and also the cords by which it was to be drawn to
NEWSLETTER OF THE BRETHREN OF SOUTH GATE LODGE NO.674

SCROLL&TROWEL

its place. In that instant the magistrates, the priests, the senators, the Roman knights, and a number of
citizens, all acting with one effort and general demonstration of joy, laid hold of the ropes and dragged
the ponderous load to its destined spot. They then threw in ingots of gold and silver, and other metals
which had never been melted in the furnace, but still retained, untouched by human art, their first for-
mation in the bowels of the earth. (see Histories iv).
The symbolism of the corner-stone when duly laid with Masonic rites is full of significance, which
refers to its form, to its situation, to its permanence, and to its consecration. As to its form, it must be
perfectly square on its surfaces, and in its solid contents, a cube. Continued on page 3.
News NEWS

Saint Martin-in-the-Fields Church, perhaps the best known church in London, was the first in England to have its
foundation stone laid with special Masonic ceremony after the coming into existence of the Grand Lodge there. This
event took place in 1724, in the reign of King George I, whose direct descendant, the Duke of Connaught, was
Grand Master. two hundred years later in 1925.

In This Issue: GRAND LODGE OF A.F. & A.M.

OF CANADA IN THE PROVINCE OF ONTARIO
Symbolism of the Cornerstone 1
A Word from the East 2
South Gate Lodge No. 674 Officers 3
Foto GalleryInstallation Night 4, 5
Notes & PostingsPassing of a Brother ... 6
Notes & PostingsPotluck Summer BBQ 6
End
 SUMMER ISSUEJULY 2017

ENQUIRIES: A Word from the East...

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members of Holy Door that
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Worshipful Bro. Allan Nelson:
is to have it issued on a quarterly basis. As back to Rome in the 1400s,
was a powerful
ASSOCIATE moment
EDITOR in a ceremony that dates
secretarysgl674@gmail.com
DISCIPLES OF THE butare
hadall
never, until communication
this date, taken place
Tel. 905-601-4795 we aware, is a outside
great Europe.
SACRED HEART tool for success. We certainly would like church
Beyond the symbolism of the open door, to leaders hope that pil-
grimages and other celebrations around this years (2014) 350th anniversary
The Worshipful Master: use this newsletter as such. That said, this
of the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Quebec may be a turning point in the prov-
Bro. Aris Avila: could be a great way for you to share your
inces decades-long slide into secularism. W. Bro. Aris Avila
arisda23@gmail.com thoughts so please feel free to suggest topics Worshipful Master
Opening a Holy Door has long been part of jubilee ceremonies. None was
Tel. 416-858-2347 for discussion that we can put in this me-
more moving than Christmas Eve 1999, when an ailing Pope John Paul II,
dium.
bent inIhis
wish for all knelt
memberson theofthreshold
our lodge of to
St. participate. Those
Holyinter-
MISSISSAUGA infirmity, Peters Basilica
ested in writing articles are encouraged to put something together and
Door
MASONIC TEMPLE submit these to our editor.
45 Port Street West I would also like to take the opportunity to express my eternal grati-
Mississauga, ON. L5H 1V4
Tel. (905) 278-3011
tude to those who took part in our installation and investiture of offi-
cers last June 6, 2017, most especially to R.W. Bro Andy Penaflor, Past
District Deputy Grand Master of Toronto West District, in putting to-
gether a superb team for our installation and investiture ceremonies. It
was an amazing and memorable night, one that has left me speechless
at the end.
And finally, I would like to close by expressing my gratitude to the
brethren of South Gate Lodge for entrusting me to sit in the chair of
K.S., to preside over the lodge for the ensuing Masonic year. I am hum-
bled, as we as Masons know that is a great honor. As I am quite aware,
challenges may arise in every step of the way. In this regard, I trust
that with your help, we will be able to overcome them.
EDITORIAL CONTACTS Again, thank you and I wish everyone a great and safe summer.
EDITOR: Bro. Winston Lim
winstonlim123@gmail.com Warm Fraternal Regards,
Tel. 416-804-4608
ASSO. EDITOR: Bro. Richard Go W. Bro. Aris D. Avila
ecoparts_commercial@yahoo.com Worshipful Master, South Gate Lodge No. 674
Tel. 416-897-6128

THE MASONIC TROWEL

TO SPREAD THE CEMENT OF
BROTHERLY LOVE AND AFFECTION,
THAT CEMENT WHICH UNITES US
INTO ONE SACRED BAND OR
SOCIETY OF BROTHERS, AMONG
WHOM NO CONTENTION SHOULD
EVER EXIST, BUT THAT NOBLE
EMULATION OF WHO CAN BEST Symbols of the Craft
WORK OR BEST AGREE SYMBOLS of the CRAFT

VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1 Page 2

 SOUTH GATE LODGE No. 674 SUMMER ISSUEJULY 2017
Officers
for the 2017-2018 Term
Worshipful Master W. Bro. Aris Avila
Immediate Past Master W. Bro. James Chanco
Senior Warden W. Bro. Eloy Cordon
Junior Warden Bro. Sal Fedele
Treasurer Bro. Winston Lim
Secretary W. Bro. Allan Nelson
Tyler Bro. Jose Ma. Ponce Deleon
Senior Deacon Bro. Florante Rodriguez
Junior Deacon Bro. Ryad Ali
Inner Guard Bro. Jim Azucena
Senior Steward Bro. Gil Orolfo
Junior Steward Bro. Melchor Orolfo
Director of Ceremonies W. Bro. Diony Garcia
Chaplain Bro. Richard Go
Assistant Secretary Bro.
Organist Bro. King Solomons Temple"But will God indeed dwell on the earth?
Historian W. Bro. Janusz Olszewski Behold, heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain thee; how
much less this house which I have built!" 1 Kings 8:27-30

Symbolism
continued from page 1
Now the square is a symbol of moral-
ity, and the cube, of truth. In its situa-
tion, it lies between the north, the place
of darkness, and the east, the place of
light; and hence this position symbol-
ises the Masonic progress from dark-
ness to light, and from ignorance to
knowledge. The permanence and dura-
bility of the corner-stone, which lasts
long after the building in whose foun-
dation it was placed has fallen into de-
cay, is intended to remind the Freema-
son that, when this earthly house of his
tabernacle shall have passed away, he
has within him a sure foundation of
eternal life a corner-stone of immor-
tality an emanation from that Divine
Spirit which pervaded all nature, and
which, therefore, must survive the tomb
and rise, triumphant and eternal, above
the decaying dust of death and the grave.
Saint Martin-in-the-Fields Church,
perhaps the best known church in Lon-
don, was the first in England to have its
foundation stone laid with special stone
laid with special Masonic ceremony
the coming into existence of the Grand
Lodge there. This event took place in
1724, in the reign of King George I,
whose direct descendant, the Duke of
Connaught, was Grand Master two hun-
dred years later in 1925.
The stone, when deposited in its appro-
priate place, is carefully examined with
the necessary implements of operative
masonry the square, the level, and the
plumb, themselves all symbolic in mean-
ing and it is then declared to be well
formed, true, and trusty. Thus the Free-
mason is taught that his virtues are to be
tested by temptation and trial, by suffer-
ing and adversity, before they can be pro-
nounced by the Master Builder of souls to
be materials worthy of the spiritual build-
ing of eternal life, fitted, as living stones,
for that house not made with hands, eter-
nal in the heavens. And lastly, in the
ceremony of depositing the corner-stone,
the elements of Masonic consecration are
produced, and the stone is solemnly set
apart by pouring corn, wine and oil upon
its surface, emblematic of the Nourish-
ment and Joy which are to be the rewards
of a faithful performance of duty.
The corner-stone does not seem to have
been adopted by any of the heathen nations,
been adopted by any of the heathen nations,
but to have been as the eben pinah, peculiar
to the Jews, from whom it descended to the
Christians. In the Old Testament, it seems
always to have denoted a prince or high per-
sonage, and hence the Evangelists constantly
use it in reference to Christ, who is called the
Chief Corner-Stone. In Masonic symbolism,
it signifies a true Freemason, and therefore it
is the first character that the Apprentice is
made to represent after his initiation has been
completed.
Allusions to public ceremonies by the Craft
are frequent in the old records. One of Tues-
day, 27th August, 1822, deserves mention,
not because of the distance in elapsed time
from the date to the present, but by reason of
the close identity of the custom in Great Brit-
ain and in other countries during these many
years.
The occasion was the laying of the founda-
tion stone of the National Monument of Scot-
land, at Edinburgh, and after describing the
usual procession, and the placing of coins,
newspapers, plans etc., in the cavities of the
stone, these were covered with inscribed
plates, the first being headed To the Glory
of God In honour of the King For
the Good of the People.
To be continued next issue.

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 SUMMER ISSUEJULY 2017

Foto Gallery Photos courtesy of Bro. Vic Andino

INSTALLATION NIGHT
Installation Night at South Gate Lodge
on June 6, 2017 was a busy night for the
Lodge with its array of guests from
Grand Lodge, the Toronto West District
and other lodges. The incoming set of
officers for the 2017-2018 year led by
incoming Worshipful Master Arisa
Avila were marched into lodge with
bagpipe honours, heralding a new era
for the lodge. See page 3 for the full list
of officers. The wife and family of WM
Avila were recognized and accorded
greetings and congratulatory honours.
The installation was followed by a for-
mal dinner at the basement dining area.
There were the customary greetings and
speeches.

Page 4 S CR O L L & T R O W E L , S P R I N G 20 1 7
 SUMMER ISSUEJULY 2017

Foto Gallery Photos courtesy of Bro. Vic Andino

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 SUMMER ISSUEJULY 2017

Notes & Postings

19282017
PASSING OF A BROTHER TO
THE G.L.A.: JOHN MAGYAR
John was initiated into masonry in
1963, and has been a member of
South Gate Lodge since 1988. He
received his 50 year distinction on
June 18, 2013, at the hand of R.W.
Bill Bath.
The family of John: wife Sally and
Freemasonry is split into two distinct Rites, the left hand side of the pyramid depicts the daughters Shelly and Dana, held a
Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite and the right hand side depicts the York Rite. ceremony of Recognition on Sunday,
July 16, at the Royal Canadian Le-

POTLUCK SUMMER BBQ

gion, 35 Front St. N., Mississauga.
A Masonic Memorial Service was
held at 2pm attended by a delegation
of Masons from South Gate, the Dis-
WM Aris Avila and the Officers of South Gate Lodge invite trict, Grand Lodge and other lodges.
you, your family and friends, to join them for a Pot Luck With GREAT respect for our Brother
Summer BBQ of friendship and good times! and friend, John Magyar, we wish the
Magyar Family strength, support, and
love.
The Pot Luck BBQ is being held this coming Saturday,
July 29th, from 12PM to 5PM (or later) at the Mississauga Masonic Temple at 45
Port St. West (where we normally meet) come sun or rain. Bring anything you like,
drinks, food, con-diments, etc., to share with everyone. A simple rule-of-thumb is
dont bring more than you would normally provide for your own family.

Even if you havent been to lodge in a while, this is a great

opportunity to reconnect and remind yourself how good it
feels to be among like-minded people.

If you want to bring something, please let Sal Fedele,

our J.W., know what you are bringing or to ask what
you can contribute. Prepare to have fun and lots of
fellowship!

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