NATIONAL SOJOURNERS "BORN IN WAR, NURTURED IN PEACE
We have had numerous requests for information about The National
Sojourners; therefore, we have made this organization the text of this month's
Short Talk. We would like to acknowledge the work of The Sojourners Bridge of
Light committee, particularly John Henderson, for preparing the text for this
Short Talk.
We are all familiar with the term "Sojourning Mason", but did you know that a
formal, recognized Masonic organization named "National Sojourners" actually
exists?
The group had its beginning over 90 years ago in August 1898 in the
Philippines, upon the arrival there of a North Dakota Regiment of Volunteer
Infantry. The Grand Lodge of North Dakota had granted this Regiment a
dispensation for a field lodge and it conducted its first meeting upon its
arrival.
Meetings were held regularly thereafter--once even while under hostile fire
at the Culi Culi Church with the officers of the lodge wearing sidearms while
bullets splattered through the roof!
Early in 1900, the North Dakota Regiment of Volunteer Infantry left the
Philippines, taking with it the Field Dispensation. The American Masons who were
left behind quickly filled this Masonic void by forming the first informal
"Sojourners Club." In 1901, these "Sojourners" provided the impetus, funds and
paraphernalia to charter Manila Lodge under the Grand Lodge of California, and
the "Sojourners Club," was temporarily disbanded. One of the original members of
the informal "Sojourners Club", Surgeon Captain Harry Eugene Stafford, was
Charter Master of Manila Lodge No. 342, Grand Lodge of California (later Manila
Lodge No. I) and, in 1913, became the first Grand Master of the newly created
Grand Lodge of the Philippines.
The Philippine "Sojourner Club" resurfaced in 1907, open to Masons who were
not members of local lodges, and soon had nearly 200 members from every State
and Territory of the United States and eight foreign countries. As time went by,
most of the Philippine Sojourners scattered throughout the United States. A
group of these Masonic military officers, meeting in Chicago, Illinois in 1917,
recognized the highly transient life of Master Mason military Officers and
formally organized the "Chicago Sojourners Club." Additional Clubs quickly
formed at army posts and naval bases around the nation and overseas. In 1927,
the word "Club" was dropped and the National Sojourners were incorporated in
1931 as a formal part of the Masonic Fraternity.
Since its inception, the purpose of the National Sojourners has steadfastly
been to affirm the unique responsibilities military officers have to their
brothers-in-arms, the Masonic Fraternity, and to our Nation. Thus, National
Sojourners to this day organize commissioned officers and warrant officers of
the uniformed services of the United States (past and present), who are
recognized Master Masons, into chapters to actively provide good fellowship
among its members, to assist those who may be overtaken by adversity or
affliction, to cultivate Masonic ideals, to support patriotic activities in
Masonry and to develop true patriotism and Americanism throughout the nation.
National Sojourners, Inc., formally brings together Masonic leaders of the
uniformed services of the United States into a united effort to further the
National Defense, and work to oppose any influence calculated to weaken our
National Security.
Members of National Sojourners are reminded of their primary obligations to
the symbolic lodges and the Grand Lodges under which they work. The
organization's "Bridge of Light" program provides the bridge for Sojourners to
cross more easily into active participation in local symbolic lodges and
appendant body activities. By this "bridge," many military Master Masons have
become affiliated with local lodges, and many have become leaders of the
fraternity.
National Sojourners willingly and proudly assist local Masonic authorities
through presentations which reinforce and promote patriotism and Americanism,
both with the fraternity and the community. Its Heros of '76 members, (an
invitational organization within the National Sojourners Inc.), attired in
colorful Revolutionary War uniforms, provide "Toast To The Flag", "Building The
Flag", "Historic Flags, "Service Flags", flag donations, flag raisings and
numerous other patriotic programs for the benefit of Masonic and community
gatherings.
Heroes of '76, are composed of selected, worthy members of National
Sojourners who have been recognized for outstanding service to the fraternity.
Heroes of '76 Camps (named after prominent American heroes and battles) have
been organized in nearly all of the Chapters. These Heroes of '76 Camps form an
enjoyable part of the Chapter activities and provide colorful patriotic groups
for Masonic and community programs.
In 1976, The Declaration of Independence Bicentennial Year, National
Sojourners acquired that part of Brother George Washington's "River Farm" known
as "Collingwood". A new headquarters was established on this historic property,
and a renowned Library and Museum of Americanism has since been created that
daily serves the Masonic fraternity and a public constituency.
This Headquarters, Library and Museum on Americanism now forms part of a
Masonically important triangle in our Nation's Capital area; The George
Washington Monument to the east in the city of Washington, D.C.; the George
Washington Masonic National Memorial on "Shooters Hill" to the west of
Alexandria, Virginia and the National Sojourners Headquarters, Collingwood
Library and Museum on Americanism to the south on the Potomac River near Mount
Vernon.
National Sojourners, Inc., now organized in some 150 chapters in 44 states,
Germany and Panama, is an important, highly visible and integral part of the
fraternity of Freemasons that cements the ties that bind military Master Masons
closer together for the good of all. It has ever championed the Masonic
principles that political, economic and social problems are subsidiary to and
separate from a steadfast belief in God as the Supreme Architect of the
Universe. National Sojourners maintain that God must motivate man if present day
problems are to be solved and urges active participation of all patriotic
Americans in maintaining that government for which our forefathers fought.
National Sojourners remember that George Washington once said: ''When we
assumed the soldier we did not lay aside the citizen!''
TOAST TO THE, FLAG by John J. Daly
Here's to the red of it-There's not a thread of it, No, nor a shred of it In
all the spread of it From foot to head. But heroes bled for it, Faced steel and
lead for it, Precious blood shed for it, Bathing it Red!
Here's to the white of it-Thrilled by the sight of it, Who knows the right of
it, But feels the might of it Through day and night? Womanhood's care for it
Made manhood dare for it, Purity's prayer for it Keeps it so white!
Here's to the blue of it-Beauteous view of it, Heavenly hue of it,
Star-spangled dew of it Constant and true; Diadems gleam for it, States stand
supreme for it, Liberty's beam for it Brightens the blue!
Here's to the whole of it-Stars, stripes and pole of it, Body and soul of it,
and the roll of it, Sun shining through; Hearts in accord for it, Swear by the
sword for it, Thanking the Lord for it, Red White and Blue!
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