Back in the days of operative Masonry, it can be assumed that the craft were often itinerant workers looking for labor. Their education freed them from the constraint of local low wages, and their wandering associations with other freemasons is what led to the establishment of trade groups, soon to be known as Lodges, that we speculative Masons enjoy today. The recognitions and secrets we keep as secret may well have been a means to associate together to receive wages for skilled labor.

We can thus assume that travel is a basic and ancient tenet of Masonry. Many of the oldest written records of Masons deal with visiting and the reception of visitors as a matter of right. As speculative Masons, we travel more as a privilege; and Brothers, we have been privileged this year. We are here to report on our travels, and to welcome more of the Craft to join in.

In February, we visited the home lodge of our good friend, Grand Orator Bill Callister, and unwittingly stepped into a 4th school of instruction in Cannon Falls. We came home the next night to our scheduled 4th school here at Corinthian. As you can imagine, we learned a fair amount on both nights.

Last Wednesday we took a moonlight wander to Accacia Lodge No 51 in old Cottage Grove. They are one of the few Minnesota lodges remaining that schedule their meetings to closely coincide with the lunar event. We were greeted with pizza, a warm welcome, and lodge room full of Brothers from all walks of life. After lodge, we were treated to a festive ‘outer lodge’ experience, and a grand old time - in the best of Masonic traditions - was had by all.

So, please consider joining in our monthly travels, and feel free to suggest lodges that you would recommend. Our next trip is set for Braden lodge on April 1st, so contact WM Nick, SW Steve, or SD Rick for further information on visits or to rideshare.

- Steve Bernhardt
Senior Warden, Corinthian