Proposal of Joining Sullivan's Six Lodges and Warwarsing into one District Studied at Redistricting Conference by Newkerk

Among the important matters which will confront Grand Lodge when it convenes in May will be those pertaining to the re-districting of up-state Lodges.

Under consideration for redistricting are the lodges situated in the Delaware-Sullivan District. The lodges in this district number seventeen, of which eleven are in Delaware and six in Sullivan. The district membership totals nearly 3,000 of whom about 1,200 are in Sullivan County.

R.W. J.O. Newkerk, 'who was appointed a member of the Grand Lodge committee to study the matter of redistricting, disclosed recently the propOsition of including the lodges of this district into two districts, one to include Sullivan County's six lodges and Ellenville's Warwarsing Lodge. The possibility of including the Port Jervis Lodge in the new Sullivan district is also under consideration.

Under the proposed plan the lodges of Delaware County would be contained in another district.

R.W. Bro. Newkerk is desirous to obtain views of the brethren on resdistricting and it is expected he will ask all lodges to go on record as to views expressed by the brethren.

In the Grand Lodge Proceedings, compiled from the last session, the following comment was made on redistricting by M.W. Fred W. Strang:

"My experience of two years in office has brought me to the conclusion that some of our up-state Districts are too large -- in area. The war-time restrictions upon travel have brought into sharp relief the problem many up-state Deputies encounter in reaching some of their lodges, and the difficulty which faces the Brethren in traveling to District meetings. Also, I believe that there area few instances up-state where county lines might well be disregarded and give way to a consideration of convenience of access, and that certain Lodges might well. be transferred to another District in which customary meeting places for District functions are more accessable than those in their present District.

"I think a general study of this situation might well engage our attention, and I feel sure that there could result therefrom certain re-adjustments which would facilitate and improve the administration of the affairs of the Craft in the state."

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Convention Here April 18

R.W. Henry Meacham, Grand Lecturer of Masons, State of New York; has advised Monticello Lodge that he will be here on Wednesday, Aprit 18th, during the afternoon and evening for a convention which has been called for Masons in the County of Sullivan as well as for those Masons in the adjoining counties who wish to attend.

Although no word has as yet been received from the Assistant Grand Lecturer, Wor. Bro. Howard Bullis, of Delaware Lodge in Callicoon, it is expected that he will arrange to have degrees worked by the officers of Lodges in Sullivan County.

The District Deputy, Charles N. Crane, has expressed pleasure over the event and has given our Secretary, Bro. Clarence Maine, assurance that he will be in attendance.

Present plans provide for dinner accommodations at a local restaurant. Dinner tickets will be obtainable well in advance of the, convention.

This will be the second convention held in this district during the fiscal Grand Lodge year, the first having been held last, autumn at Hancock. The difficulty experienced in traveling, as well as the traveling distance involved, resulted in a small attendance from Sullivan County. Experiences such as these have also resulted in a movement for the reestablishment of more compact districts.

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Three Candidates Receiving Degrees

The First and Second Degrees were conferred upon a class of three during the February 23rd and March 9th meetings, and as we go to print all is in readiness for the final ceremonies which will graduate these young men to the rank and title of Master Masons.

The March 9th meeting when the Degree of Fellowcraft was conferred was perhaps unique in that an additional initiate was included with the three newly made Brothers in Monticello Lodge. He was the Rev. George S. MacCallum, a Methodist Minister, of Kauneonga Lake, who received his first degree at Warwarsing Lodge in Ellenville. He made his application to Warwarsing Lodge while pastor in that vicinity and will receive the Sublime Degree of Master Mason there.

Particularly gratifying to the Brethren of Monticello Lodge was the witnessing of these degrees with two brothers and a father participating in the ceremonies. One of the Brothers, Lefferts P. Hembdt, was the initiate. His brother; George N. Hembdt Jr., was the Senior Deacon, and his father acted as conductor. Lefferts is now serving with the U.S. Navy and is stationed in New York City.

The other two Brothers are Alva Unkenholz, a well known resident of Monticello, and Lee R. Meddaugh, of Hurleyville.

The Third Degree on Friday night is expected to attract a large gathering of Masons who look forward to the usual fine performance by our degree team.

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WOR. BRO. JOHN BROWN FIFTY YEARS A MASON

Wor. Bro. John Brown will be honored this year with a 50-Year MEDAL. Wor. Bro. Brown rightfully may be considered an operative as well as a speculative Mason. His knowledge of the Masonic art was applied to our Temple which was erected in 1910.

[LODGE HISTORY]