|
Thoughts from the East
Definition of A Lodge
We are told that a lodge is a certain number of Masons duly assembled with the Holy Bible, square and compasses. These three properties should indeed always be present, but to the existence of a lodge in its highest sense it is more necessary that there should be present what they symbolize, namely: Truth, virtue and Self Restraint. Without these there may be the semblance but no real lodge. The Bible, square and compasses should be displayed in every opened lodge, not chiefly for their own sake but for what they represent.
Jerry Browning, Master.
Wisdom from the West
 Fellowman,
How good it is to have the fellowship with our brothers through Masonry.
We visit and discuss our lives during coffee some mornings.
We visit a little before and after a meeting or practice.
We visit our fellowman when he is ill. We assist when they call.
We write to our fellowman when he is away.
We pray for our fellowman when could be in harms way.
We work with our coaches and visit as we progress to our next goal.
We travel to and from another lodge and visit while we travel.
We attend another lodge and visit with new found friends and brothers.
We visit a family of a worthy distressed fellowman.
To this entire let it be said, as we visit, we continue to understand, familiarize ourselves with and show compassion for our inner fellowman. We will forever strive to treat others as we would like to be treated. How good it is to continue to know our fellowman.
We are Masons and our fellowman is our interest in building toward the celestial mansion the Great Architect of the Universe has designed for us.
Ward Kenyon, Senior Warden.
Beauty from the South
 Change: A Dangerous and Inevitable Thing- Epilogue
For the last several months we have been talking about changes in Masonry, I hope in some small way the evolution of our institution. My interpretation of all we have been talking about is that Freemasonry has been part of nothing less that the evolution of man and civilization. It's just hard to tell if that contribution was incidental or if we were more of a driving force in these changes, after all things used to be a lot more secret than we are today, but I tend to lean more to the driving force side. It is known that early Freemasons made up and were influential in the Royal Society of England. The likes of Robert Moray, Elias Ashmole, Dr. Jean T. Desaguliers and Sir Christopher Wren were part of one of mankind's greatest evolving discoveries, the Scientific Method. Yes, they were all Freemasons. We talked about our Brothers who were instrumental in the change from royal sovereignty to personal sovereignty and the concepts of freedom, liberty and equality. I don't have to remind you of the names of our Brothers involved in the struggles and sacrifices in bringing these concepts to the living reality of our lives. As late as the 1940's and 1950's, I believe Masonry was instrumental in the development of the vast middle class. The Lodge was a huge part of our Brother's daily lives. Their sons were involved in DeMolays, daughter's with Rainbow, Wives and Moms participated in Eastern Star, Amaranth, or White Shrine. Masonry was a significant part of weekly family and social life. There were over four million Freemasons in America back then. In 2006, the most recent numbers I have, there were less than one and a half million of us, I'm sure even less today. So what happened, what's happening? There are a lot of theories that we may visit about sometime. Television and the electronic age, government being the answer to everything and the welfare state, Vietnam and the anti-establishment mentality, the re-engineering of our educational systems and the decline of morality and civility in the corporate and business community. Lots of ideas but overall, underlying all those factors maybe mankind and civilization have reached their pinnacle; we no longer need to represent and advocate truth, honor and fortitude. We no longer need to care for and keep bright the lamp of knowledge. The condition and welfare of mankind is not our concern. Somebody else can be responsible for the inspiration and advocacy of citizenship, brotherly love, respect and tolerance of others, individual responsibility and the nurturing and care of our internal moral compasses. After all, our job is to take care of ourselves we're not responsible for the whole country or the rest of the world. We're doing good to just take care of our Lodge. Well, Brothers, that's not what I signed on for and frankly, if that was our only goal, we're not doing a very good job of even that. My way of thinking is that we, while having our own imperfections, do indeed have responsibility to mankind to represent and advocate the highest ideals and virtues. Where are we on that? I don't believe we have had a single application for new membership this entire year, at least not that I remember- and honestly, can you remember when there was a discussion in our Lodge about anything that might come close to strategic considerations to our greater mission, if we do have one. When is the last time you felt challenged or inspired in Lodge much less really very interested. Nobody is coming knocking at our door to see or learn the social and moral virtues we represent! and if we do have a responsibility in this regards we will have to go to them and show them. Probably the most famous quotation of Nelson Mandela is "Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us." Seems to fit pretty well, huh?
This is our Lodge, you and I are the only ones responsible for what happens here.
Like most of history this has all been done before. Next time let's visit about the rise and fall of the Ancient Order of the Free Gardeners. We'll see what we can learn from them.
See you in Lodge!!
Joe Glass, Junior Warden.
From The Secretary's Desk
 Brethren,
Its nice to be important! I believe that you will all agree with that statement. It just feels to good to be recognized wherever you go and to be welcomed as though you were a long lost Brother or Sister! Your opinion is solicited on most everything and surprise, surprise! Your opinions are actually welcomed and used to become a part of what ever project that your group is working on. Everyone wants you to be a part of their group and to sit next to them, so that they can feel important too! If an activity is planned, they first want to be sure that you are going to attend, and then you never have to drive yourself, someone will always ask you to ride with them! You are always welcomed and asked to be the first in line for Dinners or other activities that require you to be in a line. And boy! Does that feel good! When it comes to paying for the meal or the other activity, they are always to glad to give you tickets as a gratuity. And, No one minds! Everyone thinks that that is the way it should be done! If you attend, then all the other people will attend just to be at the same place as you !
But, you know what? A far more important statement is "Its Important to be nice! "We can all understand that, I'm quite sure. The Worshipful Master waits until everyone else has passed through the dinner line, and then makes sure that someone else that might want seconds, gets his plate refilled before the Worshipful Master receives his first plate! If someone needs assistance, the Master doesn't tell someone else to do it, but places himself at the persons side and doesn't leave until that persons needs are satisfied. I could go on and on, but "The Worshipful Master" is just a synonym for the person with the title, and this could be anyone, from the Junior Grand Deacon to the Most Worshipful Grand Master or the Sovereign Grand Inspector General of the State! It really doesn't matter! Just remember this play on words:" Its nice to be important, but its much more important to be nice!"
Thanks for reading,
See you at the Lodge meeting !
Your Secretary, Delmar A. Sanders.
|
