Freemasons and education The Masonic fraternity is known for its charity work. In fact, all the Masonic organizations in the country taken together contribute over a million dollars every single day. The Masonic fraternity has long supported public schools as well. In the early days of Texas, most lodges were two-story buildings. The Lodge would meet on the second floor and encouraged the local churches and schools to meet on the ground floor. A vast majority of the public schools in the younger years of our state were started in Lodge buildings with Freemasons paying the teachers’ salaries. This holds true in San Saba County as the San Saba Masonic College was one of the first schools founded in San Saba. We continue to support the publicschool systems in our county today in many ways. We supply pencils, pens, and bookmarkers to the three county schools throughout the year as well as three scholarships to financially help young individuals who are continuing their education after high school.
Mirabeau B. Lamar, born August 16th, 1798, was a descendent of French Huguenots who fled Europe to escape religious persecution. It was in his youth that he developed a keen craving for individual freedom and a growing distrust of expanding federal power. While in Georgia, he learned of the fall of the Alamo and Goliad and rushed to Texas where he enlisted in the army and was assigned a calvary to command during the Battle of San Jacinto.
Shortly after San Jacinto, brother Lamar was appointed secretary of war for the interim government of Texas. In 1836, Lamar became the first elected Vice President of Texas, and on December 19,1838, was inaugurated as the second President of the Republic of Texas. In his first address to congress, President Lamar called for appropriation of land to support public schools. At his urging, congress passed the act on January 26,1839, and set aside land for public schools and two universities. Although many years passed before the public school system was established, Lamar’s vision earned him the title of “Father of Texas Education.”
It is with this spirit that The San Saba Masonic Lodge proudly presents three scholarships to three outstanding students who overcome personal difficulties or hardships and excelled in the classroom as well as in our communities. Each student will receive $1,000 towards their college education and a Mirabeau Lamar medallion to be worn at their graduation ceremony. From all the members of San Saba Masonic Lodge #612, we congratulate and wish the best to Ms. Avery Tharp, Maycie Shanklin and Lili Appleton.