Focus on the Value of the Lesson, Not the Source

How can we achieve balance and maintain our equilibrium if we do not continually strive to learn from all sources, not just those that we are partial too?  One of the things that often prevents us from learning some of the most valuable and enlightening lessons is that we are so focused on the source that we miss the lesson.  There are many sources that we can learn moral and spiritual lessons from but we often overlook these because of preconceived beliefs that we have about the source.  In many cases, these preconceived and often ill conceived beliefs have no basis and are, in fact, not our own but the opinions that we have borrowed from others.  It is only when we start to value the lesson and focus less on the source that we can realize the full meaning of life and be truly enlightened.

The Scottish Rite degrees give us a real glimpse of the lessons that we can learn when we open our minds, lower our defenses and have a willingness to consider other sources.  For example, in the 23^rd, 24^th, and 25^th degrees, we are taught that regardless of our personal religious beliefs, there are lessons that we can learn from the sacred text and teachings of the Jewish, Islamic, and Christian faiths.  This equal treatment is a striking lesson that should also apply to other parts of our life.   Applying this to my own life, I am a Christian, and I have some very close friends from both the Jewish and Islamic faiths.  As we have talked and interacted over the years we have discovered that many of the same lessons transcend each of our religions and although the players and story will vary, the fundamental truths are constant. 

The great thing is that anyone can take away learning’s from each of these degrees regardless of their religious background and beliefs.  These teachings are then summarized in the 26^th degree into a common set of truths that every Mason, regardless of religion should be able to believe in and agree on.  Focusing on these common themes and beliefs reinforces the universality of Masonry.   These universal beliefs, a belief in God and the immortality of the soul, are what allow the Israelite, the Christian, and the Mohammedan to live in harmony. 

We should be open minded enough to see that almost any Holy Book(s) can be used to enlighten one’s mind, regardless of their faith when it is made clear up front that the purpose of studying diverse sources is not to endorse or teach a religion but rather to learn the moral and philosophical lessons tends to remove the protective defenses.  At the end of the day it seems much better to synthesize among a group of beliefs which unifies, rather than to focus on the differences which will ultimately divide us. 

There are also many other sources that we should study and give consideration to in our quest to become enlightened.  These include but are not limited to the teachings of Confucius, Zoroaster, Seneca, Plato, Aristotle and other great Philosophers as well as the Poets, Astrologers, and Theologians.  We should not just study others interpretations of their works but should also seek to read and study the original works. 

I want to leave you with one final thought and sincerely hope that you will give it serious consideration.  If we are to believe what we are taught in the First Degree lecture that “Masonry unites men of every country, sect, and opinion and conciliates true friendship among those who otherwise might have remained at a perpetual distance” then we must be willing to consider multiple sources during our Masonic journey.  How can we have an understanding and respect of others if we don’t take the time to consider the sources that have shaped them into the Men and Brothers that we know them to be?

Why the Catechism?

Since joining the Fraternity I have often heard brethren discussing the catechism and its relevance.  I have heard both pros and cons of requiring the candidate to return a catechism prior to advancing to the degrees of Fellow Craft and Master Mason and would like to share my thoughts on the subject and the reasons why I am huge proponent of its value and continue to believe it is an essential element to the new Mason’s assimilation into our Craft.

In the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of North Carolina, where I reside, we have a requirement for both Entered Apprentice and Fellow Craft to learn a catechism and be examined in open lodge prior to advancing to the next degree.  In addition, a Master Mason must return their catechism in order to become a Line Officer.  These catechisms are taught and learned via mouth to ear and the new Mason is not allowed to possess or use the Official Standard of Work (OSW) until they have been raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason.  

The catechism, first and foremost, puts Masonry front and center in the candidates mind.  A large portion of the catechism focuses on the ritual that the candidate has recently went through.  In many cases we know that the candidate is so nervous during the degree and the lecture that they scarcely remember what they have gone through.  Learning the catechism forces them to think about what they have been through and understand its meaning and relevance.  In addition, they are likely to have many questions and the coach can share additional insight that the candidate might find interesting and valuable.

The catechism allows the new Mason an opportunity to form a lifelong bond with an experienced Brother.  Since the catechism is taught mouth to ear, it requires the new Mason to spend a substantial amount of time with a well-informed brother.  As naturally occurs, there is a lot more that is accomplished during the coaching sessions than strictly the study of the catechism.  One of the outcomes is that the new Mason will learn about his coach and how Masonry has had an impact on his life.  In addition, the coach will learn about the new Mason and be able to provide not only encouragement, but also help form a tie that will hopefully inspire the new Mason to work hard and continue to come back to the lodge through the remaining degrees and ultimately become an active and faithful member for many years to come. 

The catechism teaches lessons that will be used throughout one’s Masonic career.  Since the catechism teaches portions of the degree work and the opening and closing ceremonies, learning it once and learning it well will make it easier whenever one progresses through the chairs and takes part in degree work.  It will also be invaluable in the future when coaching candidates.

The catechism forces one to learn the obligation in its entirety and reflect upon its meaning to oneself.  Learning this portion of the catechism results in the new Mason giving serious thought to what is expected of an Entered Apprentice, a Fellow Craft, and the Master Mason as well as the symbolic penalties.  Since the obligations are taken upon the Volume of Sacred Law each of us should give serious thought to their meaning and what we have solemnly swore to keep and perform before God and our brethren.  The catechism provides us this opportunity. 

The catechism offers one final thing that I think is missing in a lot of organizations and that is commitment, or as I like to call it, skin in the game.  Since the degrees are progressive, you must return the catechism of the Entered Apprentice degree to advance to the Fellow Craft Degree and then return the catechism of the Fellow Craft Degree to be raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason, it requires the candidate to invest time and effort in order to advance.  This means that the candidate must work for their advancement; nothing is given to him for free.  This results in some ownership and it also weeds out those who are not willing to labor in the quarries.  In my opinion, if a candidate is not going to invest the time and effort required to properly learn and return the catechism, they most likely will not invest the time and effort to be an active member of the Lodge.

It is important to note that not all jurisdictions have catechisms and in some jurisdictions other forms of proficiency are used and many of the reasons outlined above are applicable to these other forms as well.  I hope that you have found this information useful and I sincerely hope that the Grand Lodge of North Carolina will continue to have this requirement for our new members due to the advantages outlined above. 

Leadership in the Lodge

In our Masonic lodges we have a progressive line.  This means that if you do your duty once you enter the line there is a high likelihood that you will progress through the line and in due time ultimately be elected the Master of the Lodge.   There are appointed and elected officers.  The appointed officers in the progressive line are the Junior Steward, Senior Steward, Junior Deacon, and Senior Deacon.  The elected officers in the progressive line are the Junior Warden, Senior Warden, and the Master of the Lodge.  The other appointed officers who do not progress through the line are the Tyler and Chaplain.  The other elected officers who do not progress through the line are the Treasurer and Secretary. In fact, the Treasurer and Secretary offices are often filled b the same person for many consecutive years.  In addition to those listed here, some jurisdictions may have additional officers that are not listed above. 

The beauty of the progressive line is that it ensures that everyone with a desire is afforded the opportunity to rule and govern his lodge in due time.  This opportunity is afforded to every brother regardless of his social status, occupation, or education.  This serves to eliminate or at least minimize the politics in play in the lodge as well as reemphasize what we learn upon entering the fraternity, that “it is the internal and not the external qualifications of a man that should recommend him to be made a Mason”.

Serving the lodge as the Master can be a real challenge for the brother who has progressed through the line without fully learning the lessons of the proceeding stations and places due to a lack of interest or even worse, a complete lack of effort on his part.  When this happens, it most likely will not only will be a rough year for the elected Master, but it also has the potential to negatively affect the morale and well being of the lodge.  This situation can be avoided if leadership is learned and practiced by each brother during their Masonic career in his journey to the East and by effectively seeking the good counsel of the lodges’ most valuable resource, the Past Masters. 

I would venture to say that leadership starts the day that we enter the lodge and will continue until the day that we are called away to meet the Supreme Architect of the Universe.  As newly made Masons we start to learn our catechisms, signs, due guards, tokens, and words, completely unaware that we are taking the first steps that will allow us to someday sit in the East as the Master of the lodge.  How our coaches and mentors work with us is the first lessons that we are taught in leadership and will hopefully be a good lesson of how we will learn to lead and teach others.  Thus, it is incumbent on the lodge leadership, coaches, and mentors to lead by example and ensure that a new brother is learning not only those things that they must learn, such as the catechisms, but also the ins and outs of how the lodge operates.

In general, people have high expectations of leaders and it is proven that people will go out of their way for leaders with a proven track record and for those that are not afraid of rolling up their sleeves and getting things done.  I believe the same to be true of us as Masons.  We want our Master to show us that he really wants to be our Master not only during his time in the East but during those years leading up to the East.  There are several ways to demonstrate this desire to lead while progressing through the line.  A few that quickly come to mind is to be active in lodge fund raisers, planning dinners, performing degree work, visitation of other lodges, funerals for departed brethren, and other activities of the lodge. 

It is the duty of all officers, both appointed and elected, to have a firm grasp of their duties.  This includes their parts in opening and closing the lodge as well as knowing their parts in any degree work.  Whether it is fair or not, a visitor often make quick judgment on quality of the leadership in the lodge based on how crisp the opening and closing of the lodge is and whether or not the officers are professional in the performance of their duties for any degree work.  That is why it is imperative that every officer know their part and know it well. 

   At a minimum each officer should know not only his parts in any ritual, including opening and closing the lodge, but also those of the officer above and below their current position.  Staying current on the parts of the officers that are coming through the line behind them will allow them to assist them as they need coaching and mentoring.  Knowing the parts of the officers in line ahead of you will allow you to move up if there should be a void to fill which often happens due to unforeseen circumstances.

Another element that should not be overlooked is the valuable resource that Past Masters are to the lodge, the elected and appointed officers, and more importantly to the Master of the Lodge.  These experienced brethren have a wealth of experience that they can share and they can help the Master effectively navigate challenges and obstacles.  In addition, the Past Masters can offer different perspectives on issues that those who are new to Masonry may not have at this point in their Masonic careers.  Overlooking or not utilizing these extremely valuable resources will only make a year in the East more difficult than it has to be. 

Religion and the Lodge

I recently received a newsletter from a lodge and much to my disappointment, it read like a religious pamphlet from one of the local churches rather than a newsletter with information about what is going on in the lodge.  In my opinion this should never occur as it sends the wrong message about our fraternity and some may misconstrue the message to mean that Masonry is a religion.  It is not, nor should it ever be regarded as a religion.   

As Masons we must have a belief in Deity as no Atheist can be made a Mason.  This belief, in a Supreme Being, should be the extent of what a brother should discuss while in the lodge as anything further has the potential to cause disharmony in the lodge.  In a world filled with wars and turmoil in large part due to religious differences, Masonry stands as beacon of hope and an example of tolerance.  In Masonic lodges with members of different faiths, the Holy Bible, Torah, and Koran can reside on the same altar and men of various faiths can meet as part of the universal “Brotherhood of Man”. 

As Albert Pike stated in Morals and Dogma, “The Bible is an indispensable part of the furniture of a Christian Lodge, only because it is the sacred book of the Christian religion. The Hebrew Pentateuch in a Hebrew Lodge, and the Koran in a Mohammedan one, belong on the Altar; and one of these, and the Square and Compass, properly understood, are the Great Lights by which a Mason must walk and work. The obligation of the candidate is always to be taken on the sacred book or books of his religion, that he may deem it more solemn and binding; and therefore it was that you were asked of what religion you were. We have no other concern with your religious creed”.  In my opinion it is very important that we abide by the guiding principles of not discussing religion in the lodge because the result is almost invariably disagreement, hurt feelings, and in the worst of cases, the loss of a good Brother because he feels that his religious freedom is being encroached upon.

Charity: An Obligation of the Master Mason

“The immutable law of God requires, that besides respecting the absolute rights of others, and being merely just, we should do good, be charitable, and obey the dictates of the generous and noble sentiments of the soul. Charity is a law, because our conscience is not satisfied nor at ease if we have not relieved the suffering, the distressed, and the destitute. It is to give that which he to whom you give has no right to take or demand. To be charitable is obligatory on us.”  This quote from Morals and Dogma by Brother Albert Pike is one of the great truths of Masonry and should be a daily part of the Master Mason’s life.

Today I had the honor and privilege to put charity into action at the First Baptist Church in Micro to aid and assist those who are in distress from the Tornado’s that swept through our state on the 16^th of April.  There is so much devastation and pain in the aftermath that every Mason in the affected areas should find no challenge in finding ways to practice charity.  There are so many ways to give back to our fellow man and it can range from giving blood, volunteering time with the Red Cross at shelters or at Food Banks, donating items such as food and clothing, helping victims clean up debris from the storms, or just offering a kind word to those who need it.  This is a great opportunity to put into practice some of the moral lessons that we as Masons have learned and to show that Masonry has indeed taken a good man and made him better.  Please keep the victims of these storms in your prayers and take the opportunity to practice charity to help our fellow man as much and as often as you can.

Why Do I Wear My Masonic Ring?

                I was recently at the grocery store checking out when the cashier pointed to my Masonic ring and said “there is a lot of light on that finger”.  I immediately took him to be a Mason and went home with my groceries thinking little more about it.  A few days later I was out for a jog and started thinking about why I wear my Masonic ring.  Most would think that I wear it for others to know that I am a Mason.  It is true that it does allow those that I have just met to know that I am a Mason; however, for those who have known me for any amount of time, they should not need to see a ring to know that I am a Mason as they should know this by the way I choose to live my life.    

The primary reason I wear my ring is to be a constant reminder to me that I am a Mason and that I have taken an obligation in the presence of God and my brethren that I will live my life with according to the moral lessons that we are taught in our rituals.   The symbols on my ring, like everything else in Freemasonry, have multiple meanings.  These meanings may be foreign to the uninitiated but have a profound meaning for those who have received “Light in Masonry”.  The square and compasses are constant reminders to me of how I have received light through the degrees and how the importance of the spiritual life has superseded the importance of my worldly life as I have advanced in Masonry.   The letter G is symbolic of the sacred name of deity, in my case God, who is the creator and ruler of my life.

Another reason I wear my ring is to honor the memory of my Grandpa, George Lee Browning who was a member of Mountain Lodge #156 in Coal City, WV.  I was given his ring last year by my brother who found it with some coins that he had been given in 1985.  I had the ring fixed and now wear it as a proud reminder to myself of the way my Grandpa exemplified the values of our Fraternity and my privilege to be a small part of the same.

The Importance of Good Masonic Ritual

“Freemasonry, a beautiful system of morality, veiled in allegory, and illustrated by symbols…” is one of the most well-known and used quotes of our Fraternity.  It is through our ritual that this beautiful system of morality is imparted to our candidates and allegories and symbols play an important role in how these moral lessons are conveyed.   Ensuring that these fundamental moral lessons are conveyed consistently and that each candidate has the opportunity to learn these moral lessons is the goal of our ritual.  It should also be the lofty goal of every brother to ensure that we only practice good Masonic ritual.

There has been a lot written about Masonic ritual during the history of our Fraternity and yet it is still one of most intriguing subjects to the uninitiated.  Our ritual is meant to be symbolic in every aspect with the overall goal “to imprint upon the mind wise and serious truths”.  It is during the conferring of the three symbolic degrees that we learn moral lessons about how we should endeavor to live our lives.   In many cases these lessons are nothing new, as an immoral man would find it difficult, if not impossible, to make it into our Fraternity.  In my humble opinion, it is not the content of these lessons, but rather the manner that they are conveyed to the candidate in such a short period of time, that makes them so powerful and potentially life changing to all who enter our Fraternity.  This is one of the reasons why it is so imperative that our rituals be carried out with dignity and respect and performed as correctly as humanly possible.

We have all seen good degree work, and unfortunately, in many cases, we have also seen degree work which is not so good.  There is no such thing as a perfect degree.  With that said, I feel that every lodge and brother of our Fraternity has a personal responsibility to ensure that every degree that they participate in is the best that it can be.  When observing a degree you can always tell those lodges and brethren who have studied and rehearsed their part(s) as opposed to those who go through the motions and put on, at best, a mediocre degree.  We should all do our diligence to ensure that we are never part of a degree that is not the best that we are capable of putting on.

In addition to the actual degree, there is a lecture which accompanies each degree.  This lecture, when given as it has been passed down through the ages, serves to reinforce and teach new lessons that are essential for the candidate to learn as he advances his knowledge in Masonry.  The catechism is also a reinforcement of the candidates understanding of what he has been through and his opportunity to show that he is willing to labor in quarry to advance in his Masonic career.  The coach and the brother being coached each have a responsibility to ensure that this is learned as correctly as possible before returning it in open lodge.

The Entered Apprentice degree is a candidate’s first impression of our Fraternity and we should strive to make that impression the best that it can be.  We only get one chance to make a good first impression.   That impression, if positive, should serve to encourage the new brother to learn his catechism and seek more light in Masonry.  That impression, if negative, may cost us a candidate who otherwise may have made us a good Mason.  With the ever increasing challenges that we face in attracting new members and maintaining our membership levels we cannot afford is for a new candidate to be so unimpressed with the experience of being initiated that he goes home after Initiation and never darkens the door of the lodge again.   I know that this is the worst case scenario; however, it is something that we can all play a part in preventing by ensuring that the degree work that we put on is done to the best of our ability.

Passing a brother to the degree of Fellow Craft presents another opportunity for us to show the new brother that he is important to us by working hard and ensuring that this degree is also a good one.  During this degree the brother is more likely to absorb more of what is occurring during the ritual than he did during his Initiation as he will hopefully be less nervous than he was during the preceding degree and has now realized that these rituals are not meant to embarrass or offend, but rather, to teach and impart the moral lessons and knowledge that will allow him to serve our Fraternity with honor throughout the rest of his life.  Once again, we hope that the brother will go home following his Advancement with the same eagerness that he had on the night of Initiation and will learn and return his catechism to seek further light in Masonry.

Raising a brother to the Sublime degree of Master Mason is our final opportunity to ensure that we are putting on a good degree and ensure that the brother learns those final lessons of morality that our symbolic degrees are designed to impart.  Unfortunately, there are often many parts of this degree which go unrehearsed until the night of the degree.  We can only hope that this does not present major problems during the degree.  Our hope should be that the newly raised Master Mason continues his Masonic learning and will also have a strong desire to assist with future degree work hopefully become a line officer and one day rule and govern over the lodge for a period of time.

All of our degrees, more especially the Master Mason degree, are meant to be solemn occasions and thus should be performed with the dignity and respect that are due to both the candidate and the honor of our Fraternity.  We all should do our part to ensure that our degree work can never be compared to a hazing which is often the case of some fraternal organizations.

One last ritual which is often overlooked in discussions of our ritual is the conferring of Masonic Rites.  The funeral service and the conferring of Masonic Rites is our last opportunity to pay respect to a fallen brother.  In many cases it is also one of the first impressions that many who are unfamiliar with our Fraternity will have.  We owe it to the fallen brother, his family, friends, and loved ones to ensure that we perform this ceremony with the dignity and respect that is earned through a life of devoted service to the Fraternity.  In addition, this ceremony is often the catalyst that causes an uninitiated to seek the light of our Fraternity.

I hope that you have found this information valuable and that it helps to underscore the importance of ensuring that we only perform good Masonic ritual.  I would hate for any of us to ever become aware that a candidate has decided not to return because we did not take our ritual seriously.  The rituals of our Fraternity have so much to offer and I sincerely hope that you will join me in ensuring that we give our Masonic ritual the proper level of importance so that we give our candidates and our brethren the best possible experience and impression of our beloved Fraternity.