Even the easiest journey needs a little guidance.
General
That’s right. Another York Rite body in Lebanon is celebrating an Anniversary. Hermit Commandery is 150 years old and to celebrate we are having a special dinner on Saturday, June 10th. Come on out and join us for the celebration. 150 years down, another 150 coming up.
The invitation is attached, just click the link below. We hope to see you there.
Hermit Commandery150th Invitation
If you missed the June Assembly of Lebanon Council No. 27 then you missed a very interesting talk on Freemasonry in Russia. Illustrious Companion Doug Rowe, PTIM and Grand Recorder for the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of Pennsylvania gave a presentation on Russia that included Freemasonry in Russia, his own experiences in Russia and how they came about. It was a very enjoyable evening and there were lots of questions from the audience. If you missed this presentation you will have another chance in October at the Hermit Commandery Stated Conclave on October 13th when Doug will return with a slightly different program. IC Rowe is pictured below with IC Mark Mattern, Thrice Illustrious Master of Lebanon Council.
Sir Knights from Hermit Commandery No. 24, Lancaster No. 13 and Centennial No. 55 participated in a church service to honor Veterans on the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend. The article is attached below:
Lebanon Council No. 27 Royal and Select Master Masons was honored by a visit from Most Puissant Companion Kerry J. Cashman, Most Puissant Grand Master of the Grand Council Pennsylvania. Lebanon Council was further honored to have MPC Cashman install one of our own members, IC Walter J. Foltz, as Grand Captain of the Guard. And if that wasn’t enough we also enjoyed a wonderful dinner, an entertaining and informative speaker in our own IC Lawrence R. Rutt speaking on some of his experiences in flying, and cake after the meeting. Yes, cake. What else could you ask for.
We’re hoping for some pictures to add to this post, so please check back.
Just a reminder of two Grand Council events that are approaching. The Region “B” assembly will be on Saturday, June 25th at the Masonic Temple in Sunbury ( http://www.yorkrite.com/gcpa/regionB.pdf ), and the Testimonial Dinner for MPC Cashman will be on Saturday, August 13th at the Holiday Inn, Grantville ( http://www.yorkrite.com/gcpa/081316.pdf ). Click on the links for more information.
If you have not attended an Easter Sunrise Service at the George Washington Memorial in Alexandria, Virginia, you should plan on doing so in the future. It was a cool morning, but the message was worth it. Pennsylvania had one of the larger contingents of Sir Knights marching up the hill.
John Peter Shindel Gobin
Fifteenth Grand Master
1889-1892
Sir Knight Gobin was born in Sunbury, Pennsylvania on January 26, 1837. He was educated in the public schools, and learned the printer’s trade. While still an apprentice he studied law and was admitted to the Bar of Northumberland County in 1859. He continued his practice until 1861.
He entered the United States Army in 1861 with the rank of Lieutenant in the 11th Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers. He subsequently recruited company C, 47th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, in which regiment he was rapidly promoted for conspicuous service and gallantry, and was brevetted Brigadier General on March 13, 1865.
From the close of the war until January, 1866, he remained with his regiment in Charleston where he acted as Provost Judge. He was commissioned Colonel of the 8th Regiment of the Pennsylvania National Guard in 1874, and was Commander of the Third Brigade of the Pennsylvania National Guard from 1885 to 1907, and finally attained the command of the troops of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. During the Spanish American War he served as Brigadier General. He was Commander in Chief of the Grand Army of the Republic and a high ranking officer in the Loyal Legion.
General Gobin was officially connected with many business corporations and was associated with various philanthropic and fraternal organizations. He was prominent in the Odd Fellows and had been head of that Order in Pennsylvania.
He was distinguished in the legislative and executive offices of the State. Early in his career he was County Solicitor of Lebanon. He was elected State Senator in 1884 and served honorably for 15 years, and in 1898 was elected Lieutenant Governor.
Gobin married Miss Annie M. Howe, a daughter of Captain Howe, U.S. Army in 1866. There were no children.
He died at his home in Lebanon, Pennsylvania, on May 1, 1910. The funeral was held in Lebanon on May 5th. The services were conducted by Reverend Dr. William E. Stahler of the Zion Lutheran Church of which Sir Knight Gobin was a member. The funeral was attended by representatives of the Bar, State and Military officials, Civil War Veterans, and prominent Knights Templar. On his grave was placed a large white floral pillow with the triple Cross of the Grand Encampment in purple.
Sir Knight Gobin was made a Mason in Sunbury Lodge No. 22 in 1859. He received the Capitular Degrees in Northumberland Chapter No. 174 at Sunbury in 1865. He was a member of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite and received the 330 in 1906. He was made a Knight Templar in Crusade Commandery No. 12 at Bloomsbury, Pennsylvania, in 1866. He was elected Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery of Pennsylvania in 1879. The next year he attended the Conclave of the Grand Encampment in Chicago in 1880 and was elected Grand Captain General. He was advanced at each Triennial and in 1889 he became Grand Master. During his term in office he served the Order with fidelity and zeal.
Sir Knight Gobin had a most attractive personality. He was skilled in oratory and was an interesting conversationalist. He was a great reader of history and was fond of travel. He was devoted to his family, friends, and had a ready sympathy for the affairs and interests of others.
Reference: From Dr. Francis J. Scully’s…History of the Grand Encampment, Chapter XXIII, Biographies Of The Grand Masters, as published in the Knight Templar Magazine
York Rite Masonic Bodies 