MasonicMinute.com
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Posted at: 5:17 pm “Finally!” This was the cry of relief in my jurisdiction when the Grand Lodge decided to return (partly) to the requirement that a man cannot be Master unless he has memorized at least one degree lecture. The requirement had been three lectures, but that requirement went by the way-side. Then, about two years ago, the Grand Lodge brought back the requirement that made one lecture mandatory. Well, good! For in the ensuing years it was harder and harder to find men who knew the lectures. Some lodges got to the point where, without the requirement, and after the death of one or two key lecturers, they could not put on their own degrees! In fact, my Lodge was one of those. We did not have any men who were available to deliver the lectures…and we were glad to have the requirement installed. Many may say that this only proves men will rise to expectations, no matter who they are or how low the expectations may be. I believe this to be true. No matter how dedicated I happen to be as a Mason, it was this requirement that pushed me to learn a lecture. Now, sadly, there is rumor afoot that a proposition will be made to remove the requirement completely. The main reasoning behind this is that some Lodges will have to close because “it’s too hard to find men who know the Lectures.” Well, too bad. I learned a lecture because I had to…and because I wanted to. But I would have taken my sweet time to do it if being installed as Master did not depend on the requirement. It is goal setting and achieving…within time limits…that motivates men to do their best. I am no saint, and I am not (by any definition) the perfect Mason. But to remove this requirement is to remove the motivation - at least at some level. I cannot imagine why such short-sightedness still permeates our Craft. I cannot see why we still have one-day classes, as if raising a bunch of men at a time is some kind of achievement! Balderdash! Let us go back to the real old days; When men advanced only after spending a year as an apprentice, When Masters knew ALL the work before ascending to sit in the East, When Masons gave their time and effort (dare we call it the ‘work’ of a Mason) in order to improve themselves in Freemasonry. RAISE the expectations, and men will achieve those standards. Lower them, and men will meet those as well. Either way…the choice is ours. |
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January 30, 2008
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Posted at: 4:53 pm I don’t know if anyone has ever written extensively on this fine point (actually, now that I read that line…it’s quite funny) Seriously though, which is it? Is it more proper that the apex point up or down? Hollywood’s ”DaVinci Code” gives a good explanation of the male and female differences of the up vs. the down. One could say that by pointing up, we are showing the symbol to aspire to heaven, but by pointing down with the open end up, are we not gathering all of the blessings and lessons that heaven would bestow? How about the geometry of it…no…never mind. Up and down in Geometry must be relative to something else. But wait, that having been said, the up square could be the form used to illustrate some kind of protection…you know…from the elements and grizzly bears and junk like that, while the down-pointing square could symbolize…well, you get the picture. So I ask the question…mostly out of curiosity, and partly because in my Lodge room there are squares which point up and squares which point down…and I have never had this explained to me. Anyway, I include the following poll for our mutual amusement. n n
Well...which is it?
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Posted at: 10:21 pm …or so argues a brother in a recent Research Lodge publication. According to this brother, a Grand Master’s Edict that prevents Masons from meeting in a certain place violates the ‘freedom of assembly’ guarantee in the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America. The brother making this argument goes so far as to quote the entire first amendment…and then qualifies his criticizm of that Grand Master by couching his “opinion” as his own. (neither of these men are in any office today, other than in their own local Lodge) First of all, there are other things at work here. To insinuate that an Edict from the Grand Oriental Chair somehow violates the Constitution is a pretty serious claim. Even if it is just one person’s opinion…if that person is a high-ranking individual, well-respected in the Craft…there are some serious implications. That kind of accusation will carry weight with many men in the jurisdiction, and if widely distributed, the opinion could sully the reputation of the accused. In fact, now that I think about it…that could be VERY serious business…but I digress… Second, it would be even more serious if the person making the accusation had any idea how the Constitution worked…then we’d be in real trouble. Thankfully, the man making the accusation never really read the first amendment that he quoted…otherwise he would have seen the first five words, “Congress shall make no law…” See, the Constitution is a limit on government power…not the power we have voluntarily surrendered to (like the Grand Master). Paying your dues puts you at the whim of your jurisdiction’s Masonic laws, rules and regulations. If you don’t like how you or somebody else is treated, and you don’t have the courage to go talk to the person you think is responsible…quit. But don’t go making false accusations about some decision being unconstitutional. That’s an uninformed and hurtful way to approach the Craft…and it’s a bit silly. Freemasonry is about knowledge and courage. We must know of what we speak before we present our opinions…especially to a research society. We must also have the courage to go up to a man, even if he is the Grand Master, and tell him what we think. I have told brothers that I thought they were wrong, unprepared, unattentive and lacking in follow-through. I have done-so in a manner that is appropriate for the situation. In this situation, since the accusations (which were, as we remember, silly and wrong-headed) were made in a public forum against a man I respect as a friend and brother, I believe they deserve public airing (but I’m not mentioning any names…that would go too far). So there you have it. We exercise our “right of the people to peaceably assemble” every time we pay our dues. And if the Master tells you to shut-up in Lodge, he is not “abridging the freedom of speech” because he is not Congress passing laws that will abridge something. He’s the Master, and he can do whatever he wants…you’re the one who paid dues to sit in that room…don’t go crying to mamma if you got your feelings hurt. Lastly, I know it sounds like I came down real hard on the guy who wrote that stuff about the Grand Master. He is also a good friend and a well respected member of our Craft. I also know him well-enough to know that I can give him this kind of grief without hurting his feelings. (so don’t any of you locals go tattle-tailing on me and get me in trouble…that guy will kick my butt.) If only we could find a place where men could learn about the US Constitution… Hmmm. Sounds like a good topic for some Masonic Education… |
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Posted at: 11:34 am It is not too late to prevent the divide from getting larger. There are factions growing in American Freemasonry, and we need to address the situation before it becomes a situation. One faction is made of those who subscribe to the learn, think and “grow the Craft’s quality” brothers. We (I admit that I disagree with the ‘other’ side only as a part of honest discourse…not that I am right or wrong, but taking sides and standing for what you believe in is the Truth part of Masonry that I like to practice) like to think of ourselves as carriers of that flickering torch of the Grand Design that Freemasonry’s philosopher kings created centuries ago. We look to the western mysteries, to hermetics, gematria, philosophy…and we know what those words mean. The other side is not interested in opening the books on the shelves…but they will, to their credit, admit that the books look nice. Our side like tuxedos and dinners where papers and lectures are presented…whether or not we get to go to these things is a different story…but we would if we could. We stay-up late reading blogs and books. We write. Sometimes we even write things that we submit for others to see. We think, we meditate, we pray. We know the difference between the three. Sophistication is not a bad word for us. We are Freemasons. Our beloved brothers, on the other hand, are not interested in all that ’stuff’. They take the ritual at face value. Those moral lessons are quite enough for them, ‘thank you very much.’ They are no less Masonic than we are. They are no less civilized than we are. They are not less, as men, than we are. But some of them are pointing fingers and raising a little ‘class warfare’ at the expense of men with whom they disagree. We must be careful to do two things. One, listen. Two, think. Without these two tools, we will be led down the path of conflict and division. We are not at a point where we can afford to fight each other over petty differences. We can agree to disagree, as mature adults. We can work together on all of the things that unite us, which, by the way, far outnumber those things that would divide us. It is not for me to say, and there are no clear lines being drawn at this time. It is too alarmist to say that I fear division…let us simply say that I can see where the current road may lead us. We must look to each other for leadership and guideance. Talk to your brothers…especially the ‘others’ that you already know and love. Make certain that you listen to their concerns, their fears, and their goals. Find common ground. United, we can return to the days when Masonry was a force for good in our communities. But if we make the wrong decisions now, while things are heating-up, we will certainly fail. |
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Posted at: 4:08 am The rough and perfect ashlars are important elements in the Masonic philosophy and are sometimes neglected further thought and investigation concerning their purpose. I have so far come across three different views on the purpose and symbolism of the ashlars, two of which are not mentioned in the first degree lecture and one comes from a completely outside discipline. We all know (or at least should know) that many of our symbols, ornaments, furniture and other facets of the fraternity have many meanings, not just the ones revealed to us in the lectures. The constant study of the lectures provides the foundation of further investigation into the many meanings of the inner workings of the craft and it is prudent to continue the search for further light in the fraternity, not just stopping at the explanation given in our lectures. The ashlars were one of the first elemets of the Masonic lodge that I found alternative meanings for and upon learning of these other meanings it did nothing more than strengthen my ability to comprehend these simple stones. The first take on the ashlars is of course the explanation given to EA’s in the 1st degree lecture. Simply put, we are the rough ashlar; crude and imperfect striving to become the perfect ashlar through those qualities that make us honorable men. This is a great teaching tool because it provides both visual and mental illustrations of progress of thought and action with a goal to be obtained. Although beautiful in its explanation it is also horribly simplistic and as we all know nothing in Masonry is ever so blatantly simple. It must be looked into further. The second take on the ashlars comes from chapter one of Morals and Dogma by Albert Pike. In his explanation he uses the ashlars (in relation to the common gavel) as the State of the people. Not the mental state, but in a political/governmental state. The first part of chapter one talks about how tyranny and depotisms arise and how the people are within their own power to prevent it, if they keep their eyes and ears open. Contained in the eloquent yet sometimes cumbersome writing of Albert Pike in chapter one he describes the rough ashlar as the people in a state of a crude mass with no direction or even worse, direction without question or concern. The perfect ashlar is the people in an efficient, constitutional government with checks and balances and power given to those with the consent of the governed. He describes the gavel as the force of the people to shape the state (the ashlar) into a legitimate government. Simply put, in Pike’s mind the ashlars represent two types of government, and with the use of the gavel (the force of the people) prosperous societies can be built as long as the people utilize their capabilities. The third take on the ashlars I actually came across accidentally. While studying the writings of the early Taoists I came across a very important part of Taoist philosophy. This part of Taoist philosophy deals with “the two stones” and (you guessed it) one is rough and one is perfectly hewn. As I was reading about this I began to smirk as I anticipated the same old rough/perfect ashlar speech, but was taken by surprise when their explanation was completely opposite of the Masonic one. The Taoist philosophy regarding the ashlars is as follows: the two stones represent a dichotimy of the state of man. Part of the goal or work of the Toaist is to “become the unhewn stone”. In their eyes, the perfect ashlar is not a product of a good life but rather the product of outside, unnecessary, materialistic, evil, unhealthy and damaging elements that have corrupted the goodness of man’s natural state. We (Masons) say that the rough ashlar is man in its rude and natural state. To the Taoist the unhewn stone is perfect because God shaped it the way he shaped it and put it where he put it and because God is perfect, it is perfect just the way it is, as God created it. The Taoist believe that it is the manipulation by the hands of the imperfect man who cuts and shapes the stone into something unnatural, therefore, not perfect at all. They say that the vices and superfluities of life shape us into unnatural beings, and we have to “become the unhewn stone” and go back to a state of natural being free from materialism, envy, vice and all the other things that corrupt our existence. The message is the same regarding the Taoist/Masonic take on the ashlars, it just depends on which one you start from. Hopefully there are more interpretations of the ashlars to be found and I encourage you all to look carefully at our ritual and you will find many interesting things there that are not what they seem or at least were presented to you during your degree. I enjoy disecting the rituals and lectures of the Scottish Rite and York Rite degrees and they too have much to offer in personal enlightenment, but you may be surprised how much is contained within the writings of the first three degrees. Like the Toaist interpretation of the ashlars, sometimes being on the other side of the looking glass shows you a completely different perspective of the same picture, but is no less true. |
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Posted at: 5:45 pm We bitch and moan alot around here about the loss of knowledge known as “Masonic” that past generations have left us with. This dearth of traditional learning is a pain, and we are slowly getting back to it… I want to focus right now on the “other” knowledge that is very important to Lodges…the administrative and jurisdictional knowledge…that usually gets ignored. Here’s the question…when was the last time that you read through the Masonic Code, or Constitution, or By-Laws (whatever you call it in your jurisdiciton) that run the Grand Lodge and her subordinates? Are you even familiar with this document? Have you a copy readily available for reference? The least sexy thing about Masonry is our laws. But this is among the most important, for without our Laws, we are nothing. Laws are what defines a society…and the people who are familiar with the laws are usually in control of society. Just look at the United States…how many non-lawyers do you know in Congress…on the Supreme Court…running departments for the Executive. Now, this is not to say that lawyers are superior in any way…on the contrary. This statement goes to those who know the laws and are familiar with them. These Masons, the ones who know their code, are far better equipped than most to deal with tough situations. They tend to have a clearer idea of the do’s and don’ts of Masonry in their jurisdictions. They tend to go on the authority, instead of some fading memory of another’s tradition… So why is this important? Because to be a leader you must know how to get to your goal. The rules can be a great aid in the promotion of peace and harmony as well. Familiarity with your Code is an invaluable resource, and can bring a quick end to many conflicts. Especially if your Code is a thick as the one in my jurisdiction. Learning is not just about magic squares and the 47th problem of Euclid…it’s about the every-day stuff also. Happy reading! |
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Posted at: 3:05 pm I got my eyes on a Lodge plan (not for my Lodge) which included a discussion about finances. What caught my eye was something that the writer indicated about the plan…I’ll paraphrase: “Are we planning for survival or are we planning for success?” Success, as defined by this brother, is running the Lodge ‘like if we were Freemasons’. He spoke about banquets and gifts to brothers who help the Lodge in a significant way…you know…like Freemasons SHOULD do. Anyway, I got to thinking…what ARE we planning for when we make our Lodge financial decisions? If simple survival comes into the conversation at all, then we are failing in all other areas. One in particular, is dues. Leadership books, lectures, conferences…all of them tell us that a well-governed Lodge should be able to make-it on Dues alone. Can you say that for your Lodge? Or are you struggling with an Impossibly Tight Trust that cannot be touched with your building falling-apart around you because you can’t touch the principal? Is it that you have no money at all, and your Lodge is not willing to pay more Dues? How about the Lodge that is plenty healthy financially but can’t gather the men necessary to raise enough brothers to actually do anything? Spend some of your money my friends. Ask your brothers for more. Do something before it is too late. Planning for survival vs. planning for success is a matter of perspective. That means there is a philosophical lesson to be learned here… I am certain that there is at least one Masonic symbol/lesson that will help us look at this situation more clearly, but I can’t think of one right now. But that’s what the comment section below is for. |
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Posted at: 11:23 pm Enough! Easy is never better. McMasonry must end. There are a few good (some exceptional) Masons that I know who went through a one day class to become Masons. Every single one regrets it and would go through the three degrees again…if they had known better. I know it has been talked about since it was created, but it is now time. Masters, Wardens and whomever it is out there in your own jurisdiction that has a say…kill it! Make a personal pledge to prevent any more of this farce from taking place! To be fair (not really, but it’s always nice to have that illusion), there are some arguments in favor of one day classes…to wit: 1) more members faster, 2) not enough ritualists, 3) it’s easier, 4) we are so lazy and arrogant that we can’t get off our asses enought to actually make real Masons by taking the time necessary to select a few good men and teach them well. Now, the first three arguments are just silly. First: More members is not good on its face. It is simply more members. Isn’t one wife enough? How about taxes…you want more of them? Corrupt politicians? Osmonds? C’mon! More of anything is not necessarily better…it’s just more! Second: Not enough ritualists…hmmmm. How about picking-up a book and memorizing something brother? Third: It’s easier. Right. So is pretending that I am thin and attractive to women. But the reality is that easy is not always good…but wait, there’s still the last reason… Fourth: Well, I can’t argue with that one, so I will concede. That one is the only real good solid logical reason why we should keep the one day class. I guess they’re right. But I still think that we ought to kill it. Like the zit on your nose the day before Prom…POP that little bastard before it keeps you from making your dreams come true! Besides, one day classes were invented by a bunch of guys who apply “business world” analysis to a fraternal setting. They miss the point before the conversation even gets started. |
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Posted at: 11:53 am One of the greatest laments of our Masonic time (the last generation) is that we no longer have any mentors. I know that I am not alone in this feeling. Grand Lodges around the Nation are making great efforts to try to educate members to become mentors to the newer brothers. Unfortunately, this takes lots and lots of time, energy and dedication. Without the mentors, you don’t get too many men who have the love of Craft that will produce more mentors, and thereby, more educated brothers. We find ourselves in a time where we must do it ourselves. In blog after blog, and conversation after conversation I continue to hear the drumbeat. There are programs, to be sure, but there are not enough men willing to take younger brothers under their wing and actually SIT DOWN AND TEACH THEM HOW TO BE MASONS!!! From the feedback we get here at MasonicMinute.com, we know that there are a narrow few of you who care…as compared to the rest of the Craft. Those of us who are part of this virtual Lodge can talk to each other forever, but if we do not get with the program and actually practice what we preach, we are spreading nothing but bits and bytes all-over the internet. My commitment manifests itself in what we call a “Book Club” out at our Lodge. We meet once every-other month on a night not dedicated to any Lodge work. A pot of coffee and some open minds is all we need. For the past two years, we have had discussions ranging from the simple to the profound (usually the more simple, the more profound). We are lucky. I have a friend and a mentor who is a famous Masonic author. He gives me ideas, and I run with…some of them. I also have a Lodge where the “younger” (it’s the attitude, remember?) guys are willing to get together and ask all those questions that we think are taboo. The most important thing about what we do is listen. We don’t judge any opinion, but offer alternatives if there is disagreement. We don’t have any real restrictions or rules about the discussion because that stuff gets in the way. We also make certain that there is as little pressure to participate as can be. It is a service that we provide, if they are willing to attend, they do. We are teaching ourselves by reading, listening, thinking and, well, teaching others. Masonry in America is at a turning-point. We are already seeing a slight statistical rise in new members (in spite of overall losses due to age and natural attrition). We must capture the hearts and minds of our brothers and bring them to the light. So many generations before us did not make the effort. We must now teach ourselves. I can’t think of a better time in history to be a Mason. |
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Posted at: 10:25 am I got a suprising number of positive responses to Cigars (see below)…but one stood out. A 27 year-old brother talked about others calling him an Old Man for smoking cigars. Let’s leave cigars out of this one…and focus on the subject…Old Masons v Young Masons. I think the title is a misnomer for the situation that envelopes the entire craft. Let me posit that it is not age that defines the Old v Young debate that bubbles up in almost every conversation. The focus is more about who sees Masonry in what light. Again, it will take a bit of time to clarify…I’ll try this way. I got an email from a young Mason (young to the craft…he’s no spring chicken). He writes: “When and if the day comes when I am honored by receiving my 50 year pin and I no longer bother to listen (attentive ear), discuss and learn something new about Freemasonry (instructive tongue), nor care about my obligations and Lodge (faithful breast), then that’s the day there wouldn’t be any point in getting my 51st year pin…” I can honestly say that I don’t feel exactly the way he does, but he captures the point in a poetic and clear way. Who cares about the Craft? No, really…WHO? Is it you? Is it the guy who never reads, never listens, and probably should not have been made a Mason in the first place? That’s the point I’m trying to make here. You see, many years ago, when the world was a simpler place, people wanted to belong to something…anythin. They joined the Elks, Eagles, Beavers, VFW, FOP, E.I.E.I.O. and etc…ad nauseum. We were a nation that wanted to join. We no longer have that problem in America. With all the stuff happening in men’s lives’ today, there are plenty of alternatives to sitting-around and chatting about the weather, drinking coffee and smoking cigarettes (or, if you prefer, cigars). So, who is it that knocks on the door today? Are these guys more interested in the Craft that even WE are? I would say, in many cases, yes. In the end, Young vs. Old is not about age. It is about attitude. I am a young Mason. I love the Craft. It gives me great joy to help teach and lead in this finest of institutions (and, by the way…I look forward to the day when all I have to do is read and teach and learn…leadership is fun but SHEESH! it can be a bitch!). The Craft allows me a place where I can elevate the discussion, disagree without arguing and exist among real friends. Old vs. Young. It is not a struggle between a winner and a loser. It is a struggle for the very heart of Masonry. All will win when the discussion is out in the open and clear and bright. Attitude can change things. Where is your attitude taking this Craft for the future of the Craft? |
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