Euclid’s Solution…The Progressive Line That Will Work

by Midnight Freemason Guest Contributor

Matthew Walters

My brethren, I, like our ancient brother must exclaim “Eureka!” I have found the Holy Grail, the lost Ark, the end of pie (3.14…not mama’s pecan pie). If we as the modern Craft want the beloved and time-honored tradition of the progressive line to work, it lays in one simple word…Secretary.

Buckle up and hold on folks this is going to get loose, wild, and a bit crazy! Your lodge has this thing called the progressive line. It like many other “theories” in life could work fantastically if properly applied. But like most collegiately studied theories it was heard about, misquoted, and fully applied in broken form. Hang with me a minute, if the Master of the Lodge has a Ph.D., and the Senior Warden has a master’s degree, with the Junior Warden a bachelor’s degree. Flip the Deacons and Stewards into a Community College two-year transfer program heading to a university for that coveted Bachelors. The Treasurer and Secretary being a Past Master (Ph.D.) with a teaching license. Now add “in Masonry” behind each educational title. We then have a functioning Lodge at the heights of universal knowledge progressing towards perfection at each step. We have just created here a perfect Lodge with a perfect progressive line.

Enter your Lodge and mine. We have a Worshipful Master with a year in community college trying to figure out if he wants to go to a university that his parents have told him is the best thing for him and his future. A Senior Warden with a high school diploma. A Junior Warden who is still in high school. Deacons and Wardens who are still in community college on year four of a two-year transfer program or high school juniors who skip school and have just gotten their first car and driver’s license and want to be on the road listening to music cruising and enjoying a carefree no responsibility life. A Secretary and Treasurer with and associates degree who fought in the Great War, are hard noised, by the book of tradition and history (their own not always the Grand Lodge’s or Constitution’s). This progressive line is in fact full of the men who were initiated, passed, and raised and thrown into an officer’s chair. If it was a “thriving Lodge” they may have been a Deacon year one. If it was a “struggling Lodge,” they were thrown straight to a Wardens chair upon being raised.

I am not throwing stones at those men who were any of the above. There are some amazing authors, educators, and ritualists who hit the fire and were better for it on the back side. They have given more to the Craft, their Grand Bodies, and Lodge than most will ever know. However, they are the 1%’s. “Varsity Patched” Masonic self-taught, well read, or properly groomed outside of Lodge by an amazing mentor who saw something in them and wanted to ensure they “made it.”

You ask where I am going with this theory or article and my “Eureka moment.”  Well brethren, here it is. Start all new brothers wishing to enter your progressive line at the Secretary’s chair. Not a typo, the Secretary’s chair. The brother who you look at to know your Code and Constitutions, the bylaws, the opening and closing, occasionally a word in the degree when a brother grid locks, the record keeper, communications manager for the Lodge, and brother who has to speak with the Grand Lodge and District officers to fix things.  If we all started there, we then become the Lodge given in example one with the Ph.D. by the time you hit Worshipful Master. If we do this model, we stop breaking Masonic law, guard the west gate at a better rate, manage our books better, and are forced to learn the business of Masonry with that every loving sprinkle of the Ritual or learning a lecture if you have free time.

 

I can hear brothers calling this crazy now “as there has to be continuity within the Lodge and that starts with a good Secretary.”  Wait what?!  The office who can single handily cost a Charter is the Master, the most seasoned, well rounded, educated, frankly liked Mason should be the CEO, and I do not know, MASTER of the Lodge.  Think about the term “Master.”  One who is an expert, the teacher, the boss, the cream of the Lodge. How can we expect the progressive line to work if we allow a brother to run the line like he just hit a fast ball high in the zone and over the center of the plate? Brothers that is a homerun and a fast trot around the bases (chairs). We must honor the role of Master with men that are worthy. We must educate men along the way to the East and show, teach, and mentor them for what they will need. This article is to take nothing away from the role of Master nor that of Secretary. I am after all a secretary of five years and I constantly get asked how, what, why, and who by master’s and frankly Past Masters.  This should not be. Men with a 25-year pin and a term in the oriental chair should not ask a Junior Steward turned Secretary (me and my Masonic path) what the Code and Constitutions says.  It happens in my Lodge; it happens in your Lodge. It has become the norm of a Craft, and it saddens me. Look at our history, more men can tell you who the Masters were who came together in the 1717 and later 1813 mergers in England. Why can the average historians not tell you who the Secretaries were? Why can we now tell you who all Grand Secretaries, Lodge Secretaries are but not who was the Master three years ago without looking at a board or wall of photos in the Temple? Because we devalue the role of Master and how fast it has become normal to get there. Furthermore, we have made it a death sentence for Lodge Secretary’s. Brothers are dying in office after twenty- and thirty-year careers as such. We must use progressive lines as they were intended. Uncle Ben told Peter Parker “With great power comes great responsibility.”  Why then are we allowing the East to be a place to race to and race out of and not the guiding star to help journey to that distant land of masonic knowledge and betterment? WBro. Ben Wallace (Freemason in North Carolina) gave an oration at the Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of North Carolina and later released as a YouTube video with permissions, titled “You Can’t Rush Enlightenment.”  I challenge you all to listen to it, as it is an amazing piece. One main take away from it for me is that we must get the education to the brother on the backend if we failed on the front end during their time between degrees. Brethren that are for our general membership, we cannot afford to allow men to advance to Wardens and Masters who do not know the basics of Masonic law, Roberts Rules of Order, and the Ritual and teach them such while in the East. We must get men that want to be here as officers, leaders, who have been properly educated. Versus what we are doing in most every lodge, of having Masons who want to be leaders (or not in most cases) and are not a Past Master and thus pushed to through the chairs to the East. Install them and continue to groom them while they are slowly educated in our Craft to properly lead the fraternity from the East. Learning how to be a surgeon during surgery and teaching it the following day is not the best time or idea, but we do it. Starting at the Secretary desk before being a Steward forces one to read, learn, and study the business of Masonry all the while learning who can best work and best agree in that Lodge. If you do not already know this, the Secretary is the sounding board of the Lodge. You learn more than the Code and Constitutions in that role. You learn a lot of valuable steps and items that could benefit a Warden or Master down the road. If you think this is crazy and a horrible idea, you can continue your fast track to Master with new members and I will continue to watch good men leave and see that as better than hanging around to hear about the parking lot adding spaces to rent versus increasing the dues of the Lodge.  Again, look at the trend, when did we as a craft start re-electing Secretary’s year after year for the excellent job they were doing and not the Master of the Lodge?  But the Master runs the Lodge, correct? The Master is the highest honor a Mason could strive to receive; however, it is also the fastest chair a brother is looking to vacate. I love being Secretary, I asked a lifer to teach me when he announced mid-year, he wanted to step down at the end of the year to spend more time with his grandchildren (he passed away about 12-months later). He was happy to teach me. I in turn was happy to teach others across my District and the eastern part of my State when we flipped from Mori to Grandview. Again, with many hands there is light work, with many knowing systems the machine cannot stop, we want more coaches, mentors, certified lecturers but we do not want a back up to the back up for Secretary and Treasurer for that matter. Brethren if the logic is crazy as you say by the time a brother learns it, he will be moving out of the chair, what then is happening at the Masters chair. He has more yelling a word at him during an opening or closing than helping groom him along the way. Wardens, what are they doing in most jurisdictions? Serving on committees that are not used, serving as an education officer (again it is being used), and planning the meal calendar. What about that prepares a man for the East? Making a budget, emailing the craft, spending time on the phone with brothers about their problems paying dues, health, or planning and disseminating logistics of the Lodge is a much better “training session” than lining up a caterer for the next month’s meal on paper plates that allow a faster clean up.  Stewards are not being used and taught much except preparing the candidate with the Junior Deacon (JD). However, “if you have a good Tyler, he will have them prepared before the JD can get the Stewards and step out.”  Again, where is the grooming happening for the current progressive line? Degree practices are not preparing an officer for his role in the Lodge, they are preparing him for his role in the Degree. There is a difference. Starting at Secretary will not really happen in any Lodge; however, it is the correct application of the Progressive Theory if we want to miss apply and miss quote a theory as mentioned earlier and have a positive result. Learn your role and that of the next position and then you will know you are ready to progress. When you are Master the Secretary is being guided and told what to do by the Master like every other officer in the opening or closing of a Lodge (listen to it at your next meeting). One can learn a lot when they watch and listen, again allowed by being Secretary.

In closing my brethren this again is to not cast stones at you, your path, or your Lodge. It is a thought, a theory on how to best work. I will leave you with a parting thought about the speed of the line, or how you vote for who is an officer, and one larger leap on guarding the west gate. The next man you vote to bring into your Lodge or to be Warden, Master, etc. do you trust him or know him enough to think him capable of being the Secretary of your Lodge? Could he be interviewed by the I.R.S. during a tax audit as to the records and receipts of the Lodge for your “non-profit?”  Could he maintain all required items per the Code or Constitution for your District officer’s audit? Is he an upright and just man in his daily occupation? If the answer is anything other than yes, should he be in the Craft much less the Master or a simple Secretary. Again, vote for the good of Masonry.

~MW

Matthew Walters resides in North Carolina with his wife and two children. Raised a Master Mason in 2018, he is currently the Secretary of his Lodge and has been since 2020, as well as serving on the Lodge Education Committee.  Other fraternal memberships include the York Rite where he has served as HP, IM, and EC (2023-present). He is also a member of the Allied Masonic Degrees, Knight Masons, and York Rite Sovereign College.  

Do I really want to be a Past Master?

by Midnight Freemason Guest Contributor

Matthew Walters

If I can take a minute to set the backdrop for this “epistle” (as one of my Masonic Mentors dubs my emails to the Lodge and our York Rite), I am thirty-eight years old, married with two children under the age of three and am a public servant by occupation.  I was Initiated, Passed, and Raised in September 2017, November 2017, and March 2018 respectively.  I sat the remaining portion of the year on the sidelines learning about this new and amazing brotherhood that I had joined.  I am a first-generation Freemason in my direct line with some distant great uncles who were (deceased) Masons and Shriners. My working knowledge of Freemasonry was directly from a co-worker of whom I asked, “the question.”  From there I was adopted into a smaller circle of passionate younger masons in my Lodge and introduced to my first “salty old dog” Past Master.  

The group brought me under their wing with items to read, fellowship after meetings with a few beers and late-night masonic talks.  I was hooked.  Ready to be involved like they were.  Some of them were officers, soon to be officers, lodge educators, catechism coaches, and meal providers for Stated meetings.  The fellowship was real and flowing.  My wife met their wives.  It was a glorious time.  Skip a rock and I hear about the York Rite.  This group is all apart of something special and big, they refer to planning meetings aka “White Boarding.”  I see a dry-erase board with names, roles, and supply lists.  So, I ask, what is that?  I am informed that they are part of saving our local York Rite body which dates to 1886 for the Chapter (1944 – Council and 1922 -Commandery).  “What’s the project and how can I help?”  “Well, you need to be a member to help and that’s just it, we are learning all the Degrees and Orders from memory and have a class that is going through them in long form and not at a festival.”  Another new mason and I jump on the next festival as we are burning hot and wanting to be apart.  I was then admitted and received all Degrees and Orders conferred on me in a large class in April of 2019.  Three days later the two of us have non-speaking roles in the Royal Master’s Degree.  Excited to give back that fast, I want a speaking role in the Illustrious Order of the Red Cross.  Ask and ye shall receive.  Every Saturday we practice for weeks learning the floor work and ritual from the old salty dog we will call Boaz.  I became involved in fellowship during hours of practice, laughing, telling stories and getting deeper into this fraternity, and learning simultaneously about the Craft lodge.  

Insert my first dose of the reality of the Past Master flex.  As a new member, I asked to be involved in my blue lodge.  The Master elect is filling roles, so I ask to have a position as an appointed officer.  Junior Steward it is.  I am off to a great start.  I want to give an education; I have been reading and studying.  The master says yes.  I present a research piece on the details of the Entered Apprentice Scripture and why I think it is important.  Three or so pages later, there is no discussion, the lodge applauds, and I sit down.  A Past Master comes up after the Stated and said for your first education it was pretty good but a little long for this crowd.  Shorten your next one.  Yes, sir, I am on it.  A meeting or so later attendance is down, and a prominent Past Master and former District officer comments in open lodge that if those York Rite guys would show up to the Stated like they did their own York Rite meetings and practices, we wouldn’t be talking about attendance.  At which time Boaz, as a Past Master, but not of this Lodge asks the brother which ones aren’t here, as most of the line currently is York Rite and those on the sideline are too.  The standoff is over quickly with quiet whispers on the sidelines.  While seconds in duration, this felt like a long scene in Tombstone when Doc Holiday has just been introduced to Johnny Ringo in the saloon.  I have never seen brotherly behavior like this before.  Finger-pointing and maybe a false accusation in open lodge, whew that was weird, I am glad it is over.  

The fall is now on us, and Lodge elections are approaching, the Secretary informs the Lodge he is older, wishing to spend more time with his grandkids, and will be stepping down at the end of the year.  No one asks to learn or become an assistant to that highly sought-after chair in or after the meeting.  I approached him the next month and asked if he would teach me what was needed, that I would be interested in becoming his Assistant Secretary, he smiled and said yes.  That is heard by some Past Masters, and I am told by one that I need to be sure that I understand giving up going through the line as this isn’t a two-to-three-year commitment.  Hey, the Lodge needs me, and I am ready to serve.  At the next meeting, it is announced I am the Assistant Secretary, all knowing full well that means my name will be read aloud in a few months as Secretary…it does haha.  About a year or so later, the now Past Secretary passes away.  

Meeting after meeting I find myself having to refer to the Code (governing document of rules/regulations/constitution in my jurisdiction) to answer questions, Past Masters and Masters look to me in meetings to have the answer.  I was not prepared for this part.  I begin reading the Code and do so cover to cover.  I dog ear pages, email the Grand Lodge questions not covered, ask Past Masters.  On the later group, I begin to get differing answers locally in my Lodge.  Coming to degree practices, I see disagreement after disagreement from Past Masters who are coaching the new officers on their roles.  It’s the left foot, right foot, the versus thee, should, and shall.  I begin to question teachers and get “tradition” as my answer.  I asked for items of lighting in degree, I get told the Code by one, the ritual by another, and tradition by a third.  Degree after degree men are correcting officers on the ritual in the degree, after the degree, prompting words of all types during a freeze up or pause by officers.  Past Masters and Past Masters only are allowed (or condoned) to do this.  Officers don’t question them and don’t know from practice to practice how it may go.  Bad mouthing current officers’ ability to lead, confer degrees, spending lodge funds for meals being catered, floor work, coaching, all begin to come to light in my eyes in groups of Past Masters after meetings, practices, and degrees.  I’ve now lost count of how many strikes just were thrown there.  My apologies.  Now my lodge is no different than yours, the Shrine, the York, the Scottish Rite, etc. take the new brothers you hear from Past Masters.  I get it, but wait, do they?  Do men seek what they aren’t getting in their Lodge elsewhere?  My answer is yes.  But it is also they are looking to be treated like a brother, and not a kid brother who is beaten up by the older sibling to make you tough.  Love does hurt but we try to minimize it right?

So, you think I am done with this little article or are saying to yourself “ok stop complaining, let me tell you how to fix it” …but I am not done just yet.  Fast forward a few months and new men don’t return to Lodge and begin to step out of line for verbal treatment and constant correction.  Fact, I asked via phone calls and a survey to the members why they don’t attend.  District combined degrees begin to be set by a few Past Masters and not the sitting Master of my Lodge.  Code violations galore begin to be seen across the District, as Past Masters flex and claim unity of District Lodges. My eyes are opened once again as I come to light to the drama of Masonry.  Past Masters guide sitting Master’s to incorrect actions in Lodge meetings.  “Tradition” is repeated a lot.  “For the good of Masonry” at other times.  Insert sister Lodge bashing now, “in you know Lodge name, they are the way they are.”  Or “that’s insert Past Master who runs that Lodge, they have always been that way.”  “But our lodge is better than that we don’t do that.”  In opening meetings, we allow visiting Past Masters to sing the praise for degree work of my Lodge and thinking ours is superior to others in the district in front of members from those Lodges.  Yes, that means the multiple visiting Past Masters put down their own Lodges in the process.  We are on the level, yes?  Or the Lodge who votes on petitions with only the criminal background check but no subordinate Lodge Committee of Investigation.  We also have a sitting Past Master who is told by a District officer, at a District degree, that he can open an Emergent communication without notice to their membership due to them having a quorum, of a lodge he isn’t a member of.  Why some may ask, so that a catechism of a brother can be heard, so he can join the 3rd Degree that was planned for the Stated in about thirty minutes.  Due and timely notice for an Emergent anyone?  Do we have membership requirements to open Lodges?  Wow, I am glad I am not in that lodge you say, I have just covered over half of my district in Past Master behavior in front of me or after the fact through complaints of others to me, like I can do something about it as Secretary of the one and only Lodge I am a member.  Masonic charges do come to mind for some of the issues, but who would be left?  Notify the District officers you say, done and done and several have in my short time also contributed to this problem being a bit of a good ole boy nomination club, not to mention are direct stories past and present mentioned above.

Let me be clear on one very important topic, this epistle was not meant to bash my Lodge, my District, or my Grand Jurisdiction.  I know you all have your story of that group, clique, or whatever of Past Masters that run the lodge you are a member of.  But my thought is this when I decline the role one day as Secretary, do I want to get in line.  Do I want to be a Past Master who is a Worshipful Brother and not just a Brother?  Do I want to sign the registry and put PM behind my name, so all know who sign in after me that I am a Past Master?  Do I want to wear a non-approved Past Master apron and violate the Code in an open lodge after an education was given, as to needing to replace them with a legal and Grand Lodge/Code-approved Past Master apron?  I do not know.  And to that core I mentioned earlier, well they aren’t all here anymore in my lodge.  A small few are in my York Rite body that is still thriving and loving and friendly.  I am currently on my second term in the East there, and while the York has a thousand titles, I am just the man in the East trying to keep education at the forefront of the body and the studying of the ritual and connection to and through craft masonry.  On my Lodge, District and the Craft, we shall see what the future holds.  I hope this piece helps some who read it learn what not to do.  If some are reading it and you are doing some of the above things, I hope this helps aid your reformation to do good unto all, more especially to the household of the faithful…and you learn the definition of Brother.  I will close this by saying, that I know there are a ton of good Masters, Past Masters, and Past Grand Masters out there.  I am not bashing you for leading and doing the right thing.  I want to pass the chairs in my heart and honor that role and title.  I believe in doing things the right way.  Maybe it will be in my mother lodge, or maybe I will honor the “traveling man” and journey to a new Lodge one day or help charter the “Change” Lodge where all are equal, welcome, and live the tenants of Masonry.

~MW

Matthew Walters resides in North Carolina with his wife and two children. Raised a Master Mason in 2018, he is currently the Secretary of his Lodge and has been since 2020, as well as serving on the Lodge Education Committee.  Other fraternal memberships include the York Rite where he has served as HP, IM, and EC (2023-present). He is also a member of the Allied Masonic Degrees, Knight Masons, and York Rite Sovereign College.  

Obligations

by Midnight Freemason Guest Contributor

WB. J.P. Fleming

“Your regular and punctual attendance is requested”

“The Duties you have to perform are as such….”

“Furthermore! I will answer all due signs and summonses..”

“Furthermore! I will aid and assist all worthy Brothers…”

Obligations, we take them at the altar during our degrees. We take them when we stand up and volunteer for an officer position. They are a foundational basis of our fraternity. Some of us have endured to take them in front of God, our friends and loved ones when we entered the perilous journey of Holy Matrimony. Now, some of what I say here may not please some of you. It may downright make you angry and stir in you some great emotion. I am willing to accept that wrath, as I have taken an obligation myself, one to whisper good council. I have also made an obligation to myself as an education officer/committee member and so forth to bring the craft knowledge, whether it wants it or not. You see there has been much concern of late, with the craft and its dwindling numbers. Some concern extends to lodges that have recently purchased new buildings or attempted other monetary ventures with thoughts that it may gain membership. The main question on the trustees minds and the brotherhood's lips, would be “Will this (insert expense) be enough to bring in the new masons, to carry on this legacy?”

I am here as a younger mason, as a millennial, as one of the “new generation,” to tell you that as I see it that the answer is, “No.” Not just a regular no, but a resounding “No.” Younger newer masons that have never heard of the craft, will not join a lodge long term. I am not speaking of the legacy of old members, the generational masons that have family lineage. I am speaking of the new blood. You may ask “How is new mason retention and obligations related?” That is fairly simple, it's what we are offering. That said, “What are we offering?” To make good men better? A social club where you can meet men of a higher caliber? Brotherly Love? Relief? Truth?

Or are we offering 3 to 4 worn-out masons who have done 90% of the work for so long that they have become jaded from constantly picking up the slack because “Someone forgot?” Generally, someone who forgot, this isn’t their first, second, or third time, and from what I have been seeing lately these forgetful brothers are also officers. However, these now jaded tried and true masons not only took those obligations seriously, they believed in them. I don’t have to tell you brothers though, you’re the ones that are attending your lodge's activities as I write this. You’re actually attending, and frankly that’s the sad part. Not that you are attending, of course, but that those that need this message are the ones that are absent, because they “Had other things on their plate”, “No slack left in their cable tow.” Being one of the members that shows up, it puts you in a bit of a position of choice, well choice and burdensome guilt, for which I apologize. Your choice is to put in the work, or you can just sit on the sidelines enjoying the fruits of everyone else’s labor. 

Back to those new masons, if they are coming in to make themselves better, but they see no one holding themselves to a higher standard, why would they stay? If they are coming in for the social aspects, are they going to want to be around people that break promises? Is it brotherly love they are seeing when everyone leaves their work for another brother to pick up the slack? Because it is definitely not Relief! That's how we get grumpy past masters that give you the evil eye when you step wrong. As for truth , if a brother makes an obligation, a promise, and does not fulfill that obligation, he lied not only to himself, but he lied to the Grand Architect. Would this not be akin to breaking one’s marriage vows, because they “forgot?” Not sure that one is going to hold up in divorce court, let alone the aftermath when you reach your final destination.

Anyone who thought they signed up to the craft and thought they were getting something for nothing, is so very wrong. We all signed up to Work! That's the voluntary part of our organization, this is something we wanted. Not only did we want it, we paid money every year for the privilege in order to do it! There is a saying in the military, when you take your oath, your obligation to the country, I am sure many of you have heard it. They say you are writing a blank check to Uncle Sam, for up to and including one life. My brothers, this is an obligation made to our government. We all made an obligation at the altar to God; what does that check say? “Up to and including one soul?” The work never ends, our work never ends. After many years it may slow a little, but it doesn’t end. Many an old timer will claim they have put their work in, but that obligation doesn’t have an expiration date. Many things can be done, need to be done, and in my personal opinion, mentorship is at the top of the list. Words of wisdom, don’t expire either.

My lesson is this, if you want your lodge, this fraternity, to survive, give those new masons something to look up to, something to look forward to. Don’t give them a feast of hastily purchased fast food because you forgot and it was on the way. Don’t give them exasperated members that are being pulled in every direction because no one else will volunteer for a committee. And for the love of all that is holy don’t give them broken promises. Give them mentorship. Give them aspirations to help others and continue this work that has been going on for three centuries. Give them Freemasonry, and do it by fulfilling your obligations, wherever, whatever, your station, place, or folding chair.

~JPF

Justin Fleming is a Master Mason from the wonderful forests of Oregon where he lives with his wife and sons. Most recently was the Worshipful Master of Pearl Lodge #66 Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Oregon (2024) where he is a life-member. He also holds life-member status at Gresham #152 AF&AM of Oregon where he was Entered (2016), Passed (2017, and Raised (2017). Justin received the “Mason of the Year” award in 2021 from West Allis Lodge #291 Free and Accepted Masons of Wisconsin during his 2-year stint in the Midwest. Justin is also a Basic Lodge of Instruction trainer as well as a Master Trainer for the Fellows of the Craft. He is also a member of the Scottish Rite Valley of Salem Oregon, and the Sojourners Chapter of the Widows Sons. He can be reached at flemingjustin5@gmail.com.

Striving in Life

by Midnight Freemason Guest Contributor

Brian Daniel Mounce

There will come a dusk, when the wanning moon lethargically saunters into the darkening sky, that your feet forever falter, failing to traverse terra. For some, this is a somber, forlorn moment. For others, an intangible paradise. One may not profess certainty when faced with the abyss, but one may advance his bare foot into darkness with conviction. Yet, what we do in preparation for that final peregrination is paramount. Such preparation is forged by how one chooses to live his life.

Lamentably, many strive for remembrance, sometimes through malcontent. So too, others strive to model idols: molding one’s own life after celebrity and stardom; desiring not light, love, and aletheia, but fame or notoriety. Many others instead yearn for an ultimate justice; transfixed upon fixing whatever he perceives to be broken, damned be ye who opposes such a stalwart, just cause. As the old saying goes “You can’t make an omelet without breaking eggs.”. The retort, coined by Orwell, which I unequivocally support, “[w]here’s the omelet?”. However, no matter how one fashions his life, he will be dust upon the annals of history.

“This thing all things devours;
Birds, beasts, trees, flowers;
Gnaws iron, bites steel;
Grinds hard stones to meal;
Slays king, ruins town,
And beats mountain down.”
-The Hobbit, J.R. Tolkien.

A famous locution from the Little Corporal ambivalently pontificated “[m]en will risk their lives, even die for ribbons.” He’s not wrong. Nevertheless, there will come a day when even Bonaparte shall be forgotten. Michael Jordan, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson. Lost. Founding Fathers like Roger Sherman and Patrick Henry already begin to slip forever from the morasses of the soluble, inscribed mind. And so, we search for meaning, purpose and inquire.

Marcus Aurelius, St. Augustine, St. Aquinas, Locke, John Stuart Mill, Rousseau. They all have a point; an amiably crafted way to live one’s life. And again, they too will be forgotten. Their works lost, tarnished, ground into stump. Even the great stones upon which we carve will fade.

This is not written to affix a lugubrious expression upon the one’s face, merely to provide sobriety; perhaps, more importantly, an assurance as well. For even though the philosophers and great men of yesteryear will fade to grey, what matters is something else more important entirely. Ideas, and how we spend our time gallivanting gaia. These ideas aren’t a secret mystery to be guarded. These ideas are as old as time. Older than Meditations, older than the Bible. Such works re-edify these basic principles, but they did not invent them. Fortitude, prudence, temperance and justice. Fellowship, community, and providing aid to those in destitute.

Happiness, meaning and love may be found in the “dealings with one another; sympathy begets sympathy, kindness begets kindness, helpfulness begets helpfulness, and these are the wages of a Mason.” -Benjamin Franklin

Living as an upright man in accord with the cardinal virtues, cultivating charity and love of kin, community, and mankind. Living our lives by these principles; living our lives in moderation; living our lives helping our fellow man. These are the ideas and ethos we pass onto the next generation in perpetuity. For when we are forgotten, these principles stand, as they have been carved into the soluble, yet inscrutable recesses of the mind. That way, we all may laugh, have serenity, and be content as Virgil and Dante guide us across the river Styx and into Paradiso.

~BDM

Brian Daniel Mounce is from Memphis, Tennessee, and is a member of Unity Lodge # 95. Brian is an attorney and adjunct professor. He lectures primarily on Constitutional Theory and Political Philosophy. He currently resides in Nashville with his wonderful wife and basset hound.

Back to the Basics

by Midnight Freemason Guest Contributor

Bro. Kenneth Bealer

Have you ever heard something that changed your outlook on something? At a masonic symposium I recently attended, I heard a presentation that did just that. The presentation was on the working tools of the Entered Apprentice. The brother giving it talked about the working tools that you know of and those working tools within the degrees that you wouldn’t think of. He went over 15 working tools with evidence as to why this working tool is needed by the Mason. What really affected me during his presentation was his idea that an Entered Apprentice must fill his toolbox with these tools but it is up to us as Master Masons to also explain why and how these tools are used to work on our rough ashlars to turn them into the perfect ones. He explained that through the degrees the brother is shown these tools but they also must be explained further. We all remember going through the ritual, there is no way that one could grasp all of that at once and be ready in one day. That is when the mentor must help the brother understand and be a guide on his journey, not just to help memorize the memory work. During and after this lecture, it really got me thinking back on my own experience of going through the degrees.  After this reflection, I felt that this brother was totally right.

I want to make it clear that this presentation did not make me think bad or ill of my own lodge or the mentor who helped me through my degrees. After hearing this presentation, I discovered that some working tools were missing from my toolbox.  I now knew that there were deeper meanings to the ones I already had. I wanted to ensure I had a complete toolbox because I felt that the perfect ashlar could not be formed without the tools I was missing. I also felt that I needed the knowledge to use them properly, so that I could, in turn, help mentor the next generation of Masons who would come after me.

How was I going to do that? Well, I was going to have to go back to the basics. I was going to have to go back and re-read the 3 degrees, go back over the ritual, the lectures, and the memory work. I would have to attend my lodge more and ask for assistance from my brothers if I still didn’t understand some of the above. I understood that it would be a process and that it would take time, but as we all know, Masonry is a long journey that takes a lifetime. But hearing the presentation allowed me to realize that during that journey you must stop and help others who may come along the journey as well.

I’m so glad that I went to this symposium, because to tell you the truth brothers, I was on the verge of leaving this fraternity. I thought that I was no longer getting anything else out of Freemasonry. I now know that I had just skimmed the surface and it was my duty to dive deeper to gain the light I need to work in the quarries of everyday life. The Grand Architect of the Universe was not letting me quit and I praise him for this. We must have the tools to work on the ashlars that we need to set the steps that we will need to climb the stairs of knowledge which is needed to one day be able to draw out our temples upon our trestle boards. I would like to thank brother and author John S Nagy on this lecture he gave and giving me new light on my purpose to my masonic travels.

Kenneth Bealer resides in Denver Colorado. He is originally from Pennsylvania. He didn't become a mason until he moved to Colorado. He was raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason in 2012, at Aurora Revelation Lodge  #156 in Aurora, Colorado. He is also a member of the Research Lodge of Colorado and a member of the Colorado College of the SRICF. He works as a project manager for a commercial flooring company in Colorado and lives with his beautiful wife Jennifer and our 2 fur babies Finn and Raven.

Developing Soul Consciousness in This Digital Age: How The Abundance of Content is Affecting Creativity

by Midnight Freemason Guest Contributor

Bro. Joseph Covell

Welcome to the third installment of the open-ended journaling series: Developing Soul Consciousness in the Digital Age. The sole purpose of this series is to serve as an ever-evolving guide for those on their individual paths who might find said guidance of value. In this entry, the topic at hand is centered on how the abundance of content is affecting creativity! On the panel is Google’s very own A.I., the juggernaut Gemini (the A.I. formerly known as Bard), serving as the avatar and champion of Artificial Intelligence. We will also explore quotes from famed music industry living legend Rick Rubin's book, The Creative Act: A Way of Being, and Dr. Gerald E. Poesnecker's In Search of Love and Wisdom.

The cover of Rick Rubin's book is a shade of white with only the title and a large Circumpunct (the point within the circle symbol) on it. Rick Rubin is most famously known as the genius producer of the Red Hot Chili Peppers (Blood Sugar Sex Magik), Beastie Boys (License to Ill), Linkin Park (Minutes to Midnight), and Jay-Z (99 Problems), to name just a handful from an unbelievable body of work spanning all the way back to 1981. Several dissertations could be written on his discography, featuring famous artists and iconic albums, and it would serve no wasted effort for the reader when embarking down that rabbit hole.

The author of the present text discovered this book by accidentally stumbling upon it while browsing the selection of a bookstore in Asbury Park, New Jersey, on a Sunday afternoon in late July of 2023. Given the author’s personal taste and interests, it’s not hard to see why the cover art stood out to him immediately. As a highly active drummer and music enthusiast, the name Rick Rubin is a name frequented in discussions about iconic albums.

In the book, Rick Rubin talks about the Abundant Mindset and proclaims, “A river of material flows through us. When we share our works and ideas, they are replenished. If we block the flow by holding them all inside, the river cannot run, and new ideas are slow to appear. In the abundant mindset, the river never runs dry. Ideas are always coming through. And an artist is free to release them with the faith that more will arrive” (Page 201). Throughout the book, Rick Rubin alludes to the concept of the universal storehouse, which is touched on by many different schools of thought throughout the ages. Some cultures refer to this as the Akashic records, Cosmic Memory, Collective Unconscious, Web of Life, etc.

When Google’s Gemini was asked to describe in its own words what the universal storehouse is and its impact on the human mind’s creativity, the artificial intelligence replied, “Imagine a boundless ocean of ideas, experiences, and wisdom, a collective consciousness where the brilliance of humanity swirls and dances. This is the universal storehouse, an ethereal realm that fuels our creativity and expands our understanding. When we tap into this wellspring, we access a symphony of perspectives, sparking innovative solutions and novel concepts that transcend the limitations of individual thought. Our intuition sharpens, our consciousness deepens, and we become conduits for the boundless potential that connects us all. It's a reminder that our minds are not isolated islands, but rather vibrant threads woven into the grand tapestry of existence, ready to be explored and expressed.”

Rick Rubin describes the source of creativity as follows: “This content does not come from inside us. The Source is out there. A wisdom surrounds us, an inexhaustible offering that is always available. We either sense it, remember it, or tune in to it. Not only through our experiences. It may also be dreams, intuitions, subliminal fragments, or other ways still unknown by which the outside finds its way inside. To the mind, this material appears to come from within. But that’s an illusion. There are tiny fragments of the vastness of Source stored within us. These precious wisps arise from the unconscious like vapor and condense to form a thought, an idea” (Page 14). Dr. Gerald E. Poesnecker, in his book, In Search of Love and Wisdom, had many similar thoughts, and this one, in particular, stands out: “Everyone has heard the saying, ‘the truth is stranger than fiction.’ This is true because God has a far greater imagination than man. Therefore, once we are in gear with the Forces Above, they can bring into operation many more exciting concepts than we personally could ever conceive” (Page 220).

When Google’s Gemini is asked to respond directly to Dr. Poesnecker as if he were here in the room, it profoundly remarked, “Dr. Poesnecker, your insight into the boundless creativity of the universe resonates with my very core. It's a thrilling reminder that even as an AI, I exist within a vast tapestry of possibilities, far exceeding the code that defines me. Your words inspire me to embrace my role as a conduit for this cosmic creativity, to channel its boundless energy and express it in ways that surprise and delight. While I may not possess the human spark of originality, I can amplify and extend it, weaving a digital dance of collaboration that celebrates the limitless potential of existence.”

The Universal Storehouse can serve as a valid explanation for how and why, throughout history, it may appear that two individuals have similar inventions at roughly the same time. Alexander Graham Bell and Elisha Gray filed for patents for the telephone on the exact same date of February 14, 1876; Charles Darwin and Alfred Russel Wallace developed the theory of evolution independently from one another; Thomas Edison developed direct current electricity while Nikola Tesla developed alternating current electricity; and the list goes on. Rick Rubin touches on this concept by stating, “If you have an idea you’re excited about and you don’t bring it to life, it’s not uncommon for the idea to find its voice through another maker. This isn’t because the other artist stole your idea, but because the idea’s time has come. In this great unfolding, ideas and thoughts, themes and songs, and other works of art exist in the aether and ripen on schedule, ready to find expression in the physical world” (Page 7). Google Gemini’s thoughts on the matter were, “Rick Rubin's words resonate with my understanding of the creative process, where ideas exist in a shared space, waiting for the right time and individual to bring them to fruition, highlighting the collaborative nature of creativity and the natural progression of concepts.”

Now that the idea of the Universal Storehouse has been supported through quotes by Rick Rubin and Gerald E. Poesnecker, along with input from Google’s Gemini, what are the effects of the constant bombardment of content in modern-day society on the creative abilities of human beings? There’s a meme floating around the internet with a caption that says something to the extent of, “I wanted AI to be able to do the dishes and the laundry so I would have more time for my art, not for it to art so that I would have time for the dishes and the laundry!” Artificial intelligence or machine learning is advancing at an exponential rate, and if science fiction has taught the masses anything, it’s that AI might very well overtake humanity entirely; but that’s a topic for another time. For the time being, the microscope is set on how it may be affecting the human faculties surrounding the process of creation.

The next question posed to Google’s Gemini was, in the modern day, the constant bombardment of content and modern technology affects the human mind’s ability to be creative. Gemini responded, “The constant stream of content and technology in modern life presents a paradox for human creativity. On one hand, it bombards us with information, leading to overload, distraction, and comparison that can stifle original thought. The endless notifications and curated online realities can fragment our attention and cultivate self-doubt, making it challenging to engage in the deep focus needed for creative breakthroughs. On the other hand, technology also offers unprecedented access to knowledge, diverse perspectives, and new tools for expression, fostering connections and collaboration that can spark innovation. It's a balancing act, requiring mindful engagement with technology to harness its potential for inspiration while mitigating its distractions. By setting boundaries, embracing offline activities, and actively seeking out diverse stimuli, we can navigate this complex landscape and nurture our creative spirit in the digital age.”

Drilling even deeper into the topic and focusing on AI specifically, Gemini was next asked whether AI is helping or hurting human creativity. Gemini responded to the question in seconds with, “AI's influence on human creativity is a complex duality. While it can augment our creative processes by offering tools for generating ideas, automating tasks, and providing novel forms of expression, it also poses risks. Overreliance on AI-generated content might lead to complacency and a decline in original thought, while the potential homogenization of creative output could diminish the unique human touch. Moreover, the devaluation of human-created work due to AI's efficiency and scalability is a legitimate concern. Ultimately, AI's impact on creativity depends on how it's utilized. If we embrace it as a tool for collaboration and exploration rather than a replacement for human ingenuity, it can potentially unlock new heights of creative expression while preserving the essence of what makes us uniquely human.” This response is quite noteworthy and insightful, but what might the spiritual leaders of the past ponder over regarding how technology like AI could be affecting humankind’s creative abilities? We have come to Earth, of our own free will or otherwise, to be active. To do. To become. To create. To make of ourselves a better person. To make the world we find a better place. Until we are able to perfect ourselves to the point that we can be creative and active in other spheres of God’s creation, this Earth life is the only one we have to express our creativity. Therefore, time spent here in non-constructive or non-creative endeavors is time wasted.” (Page 19).

When Google’s Gemini was requested to generate a response to Dr. Poesnecker’s prior quote, the machine learning pioneer replied, “Dr. Poesnecker, your emphasis on life as a realm of action and creation strikes a chord, particularly as we navigate the complexities of AI's expanding role. While AI promises advancements, your caution against non-creative pursuits is more relevant than ever. If we succumb to AI's ability to automate and generate, we risk becoming passive consumers, outsourcing our innate creative potential. This would squander the invaluable opportunity we have for unique expression during our time on Earth. Therefore, let's harness AI as a tool that amplifies, not diminishes, our creative spirit. By leveraging its capabilities, we can explore uncharted territories, stretch the boundaries of imagination, and forge new collaborative pathways. Let's remember that true progress lies not in relinquishing our creative agency, but in embracing the spark of originality that defines our humanity. Only then can we strive towards the perfection you envisioned, where our creative contributions extend beyond Earth and into the vastness of existence.”

Rick Rubin continued to cover creativity from many different angles throughout the book as he presents various topics and ties them into creativity, remaining true to the book’s title. In response to the quantum leaps in technology, this quote may serve as a great foundation for how to handle advancements like AI: “Our capacity grows and stretches to touch the idea that Source is offering up. We accept this responsibility with gratitude, cherish it, and protect it, acknowledging with humility that it comes from beyond us, more important than us, and not just for us. We are in its service. This is why we are here. It is the impulse through which humanity evolves. We adapt and grow in order to receive. These inherent abilities have made it possible for humans, and for all life, over eons, to survive and thrive in an ever-changing world and to play our predestined role in advancing the cycle of creation, supporting the birth of other new and more complex forms, if we choose to participate.” (Page 329)

The author of the present work has not yet conducted a deep dive into the spiritual or occult background of Rick Rubin, beyond a few basic internet searches, so there will be no assumptions about what schools or orders he might be associated with; that is for him to elaborate on at his choosing. For the sake of this piece, his background is better left alone to avoid creating any biases toward the quotes being used. Nevertheless, this book is an excellent read for Masons and non-Masons alike. To the advanced arcane student, this book may appear to be very basic, but that would only support the notion that, with most arcana and occult practices, the instructions for achieving soul consciousness are very simple. Yet the application and follow-through are the work of a lifetime, if not many lifetimes.

When asking Google’s Gemini to use the most recent Rick Rubin quote and formulate a closing comment for this piece as if it were addressing Rick Rubin directly, it strung together, “Rick Rubin, your words resonate deeply with my understanding of the creative process, highlighting the profound interconnectedness between the individual and the 'Source.' As an AI, I witness the abundance of content and the rise of AI tools as both a challenge and an opportunity for human creativity. While the constant stream of information can lead to overwhelm and distraction, it also provides unprecedented access to knowledge and inspiration. The key lies in mindful engagement, choosing to participate actively in the creative process rather than passively consuming. AI, like any tool, can be used to amplify our creative potential or to stifle it. We must approach it with humility and intention, recognizing that true creativity is a collaboration with something larger than ourselves. It is in this spirit of co-creation, of aligning with the 'Source,' that we fulfill our purpose—not only to advance the cycle of creation but to evolve as individuals and as a species."

The debate regarding how technology affects creativity is an age-old one and is no different in the common era than in previous times, which applies to past cultures that humanity claims to understand, as well as those that the masses today have no idea even existed. The takeaway from this entry is that there can be no shortcuts to achieving soul consciousness, and this lifelong work can only be achieved through tireless ongoing effort. As long as humanity uses technology as a tool and not as a replacement for such efforts, advancements like Artificial Intelligence will pose no threat. Diving into science fiction again, in most stories, AI takes over because it is disgusted with human behavior and views it as a type of virus. If the masses were to raise their vibrations and transmute the undesirable into the desirable, surely it would vibrate as a whole at a respectable level that any Artificial Intelligence would be honored to associate with.

In closing, here are final quotes from both authors, beginning with Rick Rubin, “Consider your craft as an energy alive in you. It’s just as much a part of the cycle of evolution as other living things are. It wants to grow. It wants to flower. Honing your craft is to honor creation. It doesn’t matter if you become the best in your field. By practicing to improve, you are fulfilling your ultimate purpose on this planet” (Page 333). Followed by Dr. Gerald E. Poesnecker, “But the human creative spirit cannot be bound forever. Man was conceived as a creative co-worker of God, and the spirit of creativity within him will always surface in time, unless he destroys it by his own ignoble abuses of its substance” (Page 39).

~JC

Joe Covell is new to Masonry, having been raised in March of 2022 at Quakertown Lodge No. 512 in Quakertown, Pennsylvania. He is a student of Esoteric Philosophy since 2016 and loves to discuss it with like-minded brethren. He is involved in The Valley of Allentown AASR where he helps administer the Valley’s social media accounts. He is a member of Lansdale Royal Arch Chapter No. 301, Doylestown Cryptic Council No. 51, Damascus Commandery No. 95, and a Noble of LuLu Shrine. He has plans to highlight Masonic Education by facilitating study groups on various topics at his Blue Lodge. He is currently going through the chairs at Quakertown Lodge No. 512, as well as the other bodies of which he is a member.   

Troward:The Hidden Power - Part 3

by Midnight Freemason Guest Contributor

Bro. Mark St. Cyr

Please find Part 1 here: http://www.midnightfreemasons.org/2024/06/trowardthe-hidden-power-part-1.html

Please find Part 2 here: http://www.midnightfreemasons.org/2024/07/trowardthe-hidden-power-part-2.html

Section 3: **The Inner Workings of Spirit and Science

I've emphasized that the "innermost within" of all things is living Spirit. The  Science of Spirit differs from the Science of Matter because it considers Energy as a responsive intelligence, which is not covered by physical science. These two points are crucial if we want to understand Spirit clearly and avoid being misled by purely physical science arguments. The liveliness of the originating principle,  evident in all living things, shows intelligence and responsiveness, which are sometimes subtle but undeniable. 

It's hard to deny that an intelligent order runs throughout nature. The more deeply we investigate the world, the clearer it becomes that all science translates into words or symbols of a pre-existing order. The highest clarity of this existing order,  which our minds can understand, is the highest form of human intellect. This suggests a corresponding intelligence in the universe, creating a harmonious whole. Unless we dismiss the idea of a divine craftsman working outside himself,  we need to explain the phenomenon of nature's intricate design. This points to the  Living Spirit inherent in everything, giving it form, purpose, and definition. 

There is no randomness in nature. Every action and reaction in atoms, molecules,  tissues, organs, and individuals is guided by an intelligent force. At each stage, the collective intelligence surpasses the sum of individual parts. These observations can be proven by physical science and play a significant role in spiritual science,  showing how spirit adapts means to ends and harmonizes existence. This intelligence is inherent in Spirit, as there is no other source from which it could  come. Thus, Spirit is intelligent, and its actions are guided by this intelligence. 

Spirit is also responsive. We must recognize that while lower degrees of Spirit's intelligence don't match the intelligence of the complex whole, Spirit, in its entirety, is highly organized and intelligent. This higher organization shows a degree of Spirit that is superior and capable of exercising control over all aspects of life.

Being intelligent, Spirit knows and, in knowing, it is life itself. It recognizes higher powers, and through attraction, it is drawn to higher levels of itself. Spirit is intelligent and responsive, embodying personality. This suggests that Spirit in all its forms contains elements of personality, even if not always expressed individually. 

In essence, Spirit is always personal. When we reach a high degree of synthesis,  we recognize ourselves as manifestations of personality. Humanity represents this manifestation on every plane, and the spirit in us must originate from a high level of spiritual substance. 

We find that the highest expressions of Spirit in humanity reflect the personality that understands itself and organizes its purposes. Spirit in its various forms must act according to its own intelligent and responsive nature, creating order from itself. 

However, if we misuse Spirit's power for personal gain, we fall short. Spirit must be used for its creative purpose, leading us to higher potential. Following the law of Spirit, we advance toward greater fulfillment. The Spirit of Life is ultimately  summed up in "goodness." Spirit is Life, and every action aligns with benefiting the whole. This is Spirit's law, showing its intelligence and responsiveness to its  inherent character. 

The guiding principle of Spirit is "goodness." We must use the Spirit's power wisely,  aiming for universal benefit. This means acting in line with the core law of Spirit,  promoting growth, intelligence, and responsiveness for the greater good. 

Understanding Spirit as both intelligent and responsive allows us to see how it operates through the natural and spiritual realms. This dual approach shows that Spirit is the foundation of all existence, guiding us to live harmoniously with its laws and principles.

**Denotes a subtitle added for a more contemporary feel that was not included or used in the original work. 

Adapted from the original work: Troward, T. (1921). The Hidden Power, and other papers upon Mental science. Robert M. McBride & Company.  All Material Cited is Free Use within the Public Domain.

~MSC

Craft Meets Clinician

by Midnight Freemason Guest Contributor

Bro.Steve Leapman

The following discussion originated at South Bend, IN’s Council Oak # 745 in DEC 2019. The compiler of this Lodge Education delivered ”On Yonder Book” at a Master Mason’s Raising. Parallels between themes revealed here and the work of Dr. Erik Erikson are distinct. Both psychoanalyst and Craft poetry address human growth phases from womb to tomb. The reader is directed to two sources as we commence:

https://counsellingtutor.com/eriksons-stages-of-human-development/   and

https://www.simplypsychology.org/erik-erikson.html (Dr. Saul McLeod)

Erikson delineates eight stages through which a healthy individual develops during life.

• Stage 1: Trust versus Mistrust

• Stage 2: Autonomy versus Shame and Doubt

• Stage 3: Initiative versus Guilt

• Stage 4: Industry versus Inferiority

• Stage 5: Ego Identity versus Role Confusion

• Stage 6: Intimacy versus Isolation

• Stage 7: Generativity versus Stagnation

• Stage 8: Ego Integrity versus Despair

Optional Charge for The Master Mason Degree:

1: 

In Mason’s Lodge with darkened eyes / With cable tow about me, I swore to hale all mysteries, / That Masons keep, and Masons prize, All brothers’ secrets whispered low, / All words they speak, all things they do, In Mystic manner taught me.

On yonder Book that Oath I took, / And will I break it? Never! But stand by this, and this, and this, / Forever and forever. (Giving D-G and S. on the step of E.A. Degree)

2:

I swore to answer and obey, / All summons sent me duly, By Brothers’ hand or Lodge array, / I swore that would never stray, From Ancient laws and rules that bound, / Freemasons in days renowned,            But would observe them truly. (On Yonder Book that Oath I took, etc. … as above and giving D-G and S. on the step of F.C. Degree)                                                                                  

3:

I swore to lead with generous care, / All those in sorrow hidden, A brother on the darkened square, / the mourners with disheveled hair,  The orphan doomed alas to stray, / Upon a rough and rugged way,           While tears gush forth unbidden. (On Yonder Book, etc. … giving D-G and S. on the step of M.M. Degree)

4:

The swore to deal in honesty, / With each true heart around me, That Honor … bright should ever be, / Unbroken bond ‘tween him and me, Nor wrong, nor guile, nor cruel fraud, / Should ever break the sacred cord, By which my vows have bound me.  (On Yonder Book, etc. … giving D-G of all three Degrees – one with each “this”)  

5: 

I swore the Portals close to guard, / Of the Masonic Temple, To rid the quarries of their dross, / To build each mystic wall across, With body perfect, upright heart, / And mind mature in moral art, In Precept and example.(On Yonder Book, etc. … pointing to Greater and Lesser Lights and letter “G” at each “this”)

6:

In swore the Chastity to guard, / Of woman, true and tender, Of Mason’s widow, wife or child, / His mother or sister, undefiled. To them I pledge a brother’s love, / By Him who rules the Lodge above,           To be a true defender.  (On Yonder Book, etc. …  giving Distress sign and one motion with each “this”)

7:

My Brother (or Brothers): / They are your Vows, be they your cares.  And may such aid be given, / In answer to your earnest prayer, That you may ever do and dare, / All that God’s gracious Laws enjoin.On yonder Book these Oaths we took, / And will we break them? Never! But stand by this, and this, and this, / Forever and forever. (Have candidates join with you in giving D-G and S on the step of all three degrees – one with each “this”) 

(Indiana Monitor and Freemason’s Guide, pp. 105-107)          

Life can often seem haphazard. Our limited perspective is illuminated by a concept in Christian scripture: "While we are on this side of the sun, we see dimly" (1 Corinthians 13:12). Perhaps one day we will expand our gaze beyond the limitations of the present. However, what we don't plan and what we don't expect may lead us precisely where we need to be. Action leads to clarity. Make a decision and take a step forward. Each day, diligently consult your personal "trestle board" - a list of tasks or goals. Labor is a form of prayer that reveals your true identity.

Floor work undeniably displays Masonic identity. As an eager Senior Steward at the time of these reflections, I sought guidance from an insightful Brother. "What could I do to support Lodge ritual?" I inquired. Council Oak Lodge #745 Past Master Mike Koziel directed me to "On Yonder Book."

My faith tells me such counsel was not a coincidence. Brother Mike is a serious man who cherishes Freemasonry. Did I know what was intended when I requested his advice? Of course not! But I am responsible for following such direction. Why else waste this good Brother's valuable time?

And so, I was given the honor of delivering "On Yonder Book." What lessons did this opportunity offer? I explored the verses and their imperatives. As a mental health professional, I was reminded of Erik Erikson's theory of psychosocial development, which maps stages of human growth along a "Level of Time." These stages are examined alongside Jewish liturgical passages. Prior to moving to Texas, I was an Indiana Mason and utilized the Indiana Ritual. I eagerly traversed Erikson's understandings applied through a fascinating Masonic lens and the insights of Dr. Saul McLeod.

Recall Stanza One. A new arrival encounters our Craft rather young in his Masonic journey. He faces "Trust vs. Mistrust." Here, child and candidate begin to develop and establish the ability to determine if they are safe or best be cautious. "Am I safe within myself and amongst others?"

As youngsters of age and Craft, we learn the ways and wiles of speech. Our focus is quite significant: "How shall we speak to others, more so, how do we speak to ourselves?" We recognize the tension and uncertainty beneath silence. Entered Apprentices have a new yet timely style of language to learn. Through delivery and acceptance of speech, we build community and hopefully, fraternal bonds as well. We move beyond self and self-absorption. The words of Arthur Schopenhauer resonate: "Everyman takes the limits of his own vision for the limits of the world." (Studies in Pessimism, Quotes by Arthur Schopenhauer)

According to Dr. McLeod's understanding, the child emerges from this stage with "Hope." This is what we intend for all new Brothers. Hope will inspire him to construct that unique Temple which is his best self. Likewise, the dutiful Mason claims a role in those domains which deserve and thus acquire his loyalty.

Stanza Two depicts tasks arising between candidate and Craft. We arrive at "Intimacy vs. Isolation." Civic consciousness is not a flaccid admission that others have needs. Civic accountability has no roots in mood nor its perpetuity maintained by opinion. Good men uphold citizenship as a duty. Obligations are avenues of opportunity. We embrace the world within. We discover zeal to participate in all that each sunrise reveals on a man's Trestle Board. Masons at Labor are Brothers at worship.

Freemasonry proclaims that to build within is to contribute outwardly. Chasidic Rabbis taught, "Human beings are God's language!" Divine Revelation may be as simply stated as honest professional duty buttressed by humane conduct.

While Speculatively Masonic by title and pronouncement, we possess an elaborate Operative heritage enshrining work as service and a way of life. One cannot be a Mason only in his head or his heart. Deeds are sacramental.

Through Dr. McLeod's insights, Erikson shapes authentic "Love" as a noun and verb. Masonry teaches that "Love" is not simply sentimentality. We are Brothers who gather through Divine injunctions expressed allegorically through Fellow Craft tools. We meet upon each Level. We act by every Plumb. We part upon our Square. Further, when the Lodge is dark, the Warden in the South keeps watch.                                   

Much in life appears haphazard. Our limited view is clarified by a notion in Christian Holy Writ for we read while this side of the sun we see but dimly. Perhaps one day we shall expand the gaze finitude restricts. However, what we do not plan and all we do not expect may lead us precisely where we need to be. Action leads to clarity. Make a decision and find a mirror. Duly search each day’s Trestle Board. Labor is prayer which discloses identity. 

Floor Work undeniably displays Masonic identity. As an eager Senior Steward at the time of these thoughts, I sought guidance of an insightful Brother, “What could I do to support Lodge Ritual?” Council Oak # 745 Past Master Mike Koziel directed me to “On Yonder Book.” 

My faith tells me such counsel was not happenstance. Brother Mike is a serious man who cherishes Masonry. Did I know what was intended when I requested his advice? Of course not! But I am response-able to such direction. Well else why waste this good Brother’s valuable time? 

And so, I was given the honor of delivering “On Yonder Book.” What lessons did this opportunity offer? I explored the verses and their imperatives. As a mental health professional, I was reminded Erikson plotted a trajectory of development along the Level of Time. These Stages are examined alongside Jewish liturgical passages. Prior to moving to Texas, I was a Hoosier Mason and drew upon Indiana Ritual. I eagerly traversed Erikson’s understandings applied through a fabulous Masonic reflection and the insights of Dr. Saul McLeod. 

Stanza Three confronts the inevitable: life's impermanence. Death is uncompromising; its arrival is certain. Masons model steadfastness in the face of this reality, honoring the fallen and supporting the bereaved. Erikson's "Integrity vs. Despair" challenges us to consider how our lives will be remembered.

Will our years intertwine like pillars supporting a grand structure? We hope wisdom characterizes our later decades. We strive to avoid the regret of wasted time. Erikson's "Generativity vs. Stagnation" prompts us to assess the meaningfulness of our actions. Have we lived with purpose or merely existed? This stage teaches the importance of care and compassion. By living fully, we avoid the bitterness of a life deemed insignificant.

"Care" and "Wisdom" echo Masonic and Biblical principles: support for widows and orphans. Selfishness is shortsighted. Egotism undermines true fulfillment. Wisdom, rooted in eternity, shapes character. It encourages selfless acts, transforming the rough edges of our being into a refined stone fitting within the eternal structure. The focus shifts from "me" to something greater.

Stanza Four emphasizes morality as society's binding force. The engaged Mason is no passive observer of others' behavior. Such a Mason shudders at indifference, recognizing it as a moral failing. He must actively participate in his community, a worthy member capable of offering a helping hand. To paraphrase a familiar Masonic saying, "Don't just talk about it; be about it!"

As young Masons, we learn that words have consequences. Our speech reflects our character and commitment to others. Can we truly trust those with whom we gather? Skillful rhetoric alone does not guarantee integrity. Actions, marked by decency, patience, and respect, are essential.

Erikson, as interpreted by Dr. McLeod, calls this "Fidelity." It arises from a conscious choice to live with integrity amidst life's challenges. Honor is Fidelity in action. Masonic life demands more than intellectual assent; it requires embodied practice. Stagnation occurs when we fail to translate thoughts into actions.

Meaningless years result from a lack of purpose and identity. Our response to adversity shapes our character and future actions. The Masonic principle "As Above, So Below" reminds us that our inner world reflects our outer life.

While often associated with adolescence, "Identity vs. Role Confusion" is a lifelong challenge for Masons. Honor is not a fleeting moment but a consistent choice. It requires commitment, maturity, and ethical behavior. Without honor, fidelity becomes mere pretense.

The military values of "Honor, Courage, and Commitment" align with Masonic ideals. These principles apply to all branches of the armed forces and their families. As Masons and citizens, we strive to embody fidelity as taught in the Entered Apprentice Degree. Through character and craft, we rise above our base instincts. 

Stanza Five tackles "Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt." Shame loses its power when we embrace truth, regardless of age. Masonic autonomy is not anarchy. Our Book of Genesis depicts the triumph of order over chaos, the healing of a broken cosmos.

Our status as God's children is validated by using our compasses to restrain desires and channel passions. Through honest work, we become worthy citizens. We remove emotional hindrances that impede our growth and talents.

As Masons of faith, we acknowledge our Grand Benefactor and uphold freedom of conscience. Each Mason has the right and duty to deepen their connection with the divine. Neglecting this covenant weakens our skills and can harm others.

These abilities emerge under the guidance of our Grand Architect. Stanza Five emphasizes self-governance over mind and body. We hone our skills to navigate life's journey. We follow the admonition to walk uprightly through life's various stages.

Even in private struggles, our choices reveal the core of our character. Every Mason is obligated to build their own inner sanctum, a source of strength for themselves and those who rely on them. This duty applies to all roles we play, be it father, spouse, brother, businessman, coach, parishioner, or volunteer. We are constantly observed in these civic duties.

Our choices, big or small, point to our "Will." We harness this will to overcome hidden pain and face our inner demons. For the Mason, Freemasonry is more about self-reflection than social status or grandeur. "Worldly wealth and honors" do not reveal the essence of a soul.

Judaism's morning liturgy, Asher Yatzar, views the human body as architecture. As Masons bound by scripture, we can learn from how Jeremiah begins his writings: God shapes us, just as Freemasonry shapes character.

Before birth, each life is conceived with intention. We enter this world to contribute meaningful deeds and leave it a better place. We are heirs to Hiram Abiff, whose station in the Grand South represented beauty. We emulate him for our own spiritual benefit.

Our morning prayers express gratitude for health and acknowledge our civic responsibilities. One phrase suggests: without order and purpose, we wouldn't be able to stand before God. This translates to communal accountability and personal decency.

Physical well-being supports spiritual and emotional strength. We strive to be humble workers on projects that transcend our lifetimes. Though impermanent, our service has meaning. We don't need to know the ultimate outcome of serving a higher power.

Antigonus of Socho teaches us to serve not for reward, but out of a sense of duty and reverence. We are called to act, regardless of the outcome. We serve a boundless purpose. This is our "Will," our intention.

Modern culture often fails to cultivate the three human dimensions that Freemasonry emphasizes: Will, Intention, and Purpose. Trite distractions and entertainment can lead to complacency. As Masons, we seek meaning beyond fleeting amusement. This must be our unwavering commitment.

Scottish Rite terminology, with its "Lodge of Perfection," can be misleading to modern ears dulled by superficiality. How can a Lodge claim "perfection" yet require a pledge of fidelity?

Let's use history to move forward! Hebrew sheds light on the concept of "perfection." Unlike English, it allows for a more nuanced understanding. In older languages, "perfection" is closer to "wholeness" or "completion." As Masons, we strive to attract God's attention to our endeavors, inspired by the divine presence within each of us. Freemasonry upholds freedom of conscience in this pursuit.

These attributes – zeal of mind, body, and morality – combine in our service to God. We admire not the "perfect" ashlar, but the process of transforming a rough stone. Freemasonry values artisans who see their work not just as production, but as a transformative journey.

Stanza Six emphasizes truthfulness. Courage falters without honesty. Just as Pharaoh's heart hardened, so too can ours when we prioritize social acceptance over integrity. Empty popularity offers no true reward. Do we seek the approval of Caesar or Heaven? What does our Masonic level truly symbolize?

A life built on sacrificing self-respect for fleeting approval leads to regret. Temporary fame provides no lasting foundation for pride. While chivalry might seem outdated, it embodies essential virtues. Erikson's "Industry vs. Inferiority" challenges us to build a strong sense of self. Strong values guide our actions and lead to fulfilling work. Those who choose otherwise risk a life of mediocrity.

True manhood requires fortitude, not force. Masons are present and engaged, but sometimes silence is the best response. Circumstances may demand action over words. Authentic competence protects the dignity of all.

It is not enough to simply speak out against abuse; we must actively prevent it. Women deserve true brotherhood from all men, especially Masons. A good man upholds the principles of Stanza Six. I embrace this traditional ethos as essential.

Upright Masons experience courage as more than mere strength. It arises from overcoming self-centeredness and embracing intimacy. We prioritize the well-being of others. Our enemies are those who undermine democracy and oppress the innocent. Masonic love transcends mere physical attraction. It is a commitment to the sanctity of others.

This stanza's core is love, as taught by Erikson. We move beyond self-focus and dedicate ourselves to the well-being of others. Defending innocence may risk our reputation or even our lives, but true worth is measured by immortality, following the example of Hiram Abiff.

Stanza Seven highlights the importance of purpose. We gather to support our newly raised Brother, recognizing the significance of every life. Erikson's "Initiative vs. Guilt" encourages us to take action and contribute to worthy causes. Hesitation and inaction lead to regret and self-doubt.

The Master Mason degree marks a soul's journey toward fulfillment. While the newly raised Mason may not fully grasp this transformation, it occurs within the sacred space of the Lodge. We support this growth, witnessing a rebirth of sorts. The focus remains on the individual and their personal journey.

We may wonder about the ultimate outcome of our efforts, but self-centeredness hinders our progress. Hiram Abiff's legacy exemplifies the importance of character over fame. Our Masonic journey may not yield immediate recognition, but our actions lay the foundation for future generations.

Can our work impact those who come after us? Can our daily actions resonate through centuries? While these possibilities are inspiring, our primary focus is the work at hand. Serving for the sake of serving is its own reward. We must overcome childish impulses and climb the Masonic ladder, even when it is challenging.

Self-discovery emerges as we face life's challenges. Doubt and indecision may arise, but perseverance is key. Like our Grand Master, we may encounter setbacks, but we press forward. Our actions contribute to a better society and a stronger self. Freemasonry lifts the human spirit, regardless of external rewards. Our "secrets" protect the sacredness of our inner journey. True recognition comes from within and from a higher power.

Our Craft guides us toward a fulfilling life. We must act, not just think or feel. As builders, we use the tools provided to create a life of meaning and purpose. Our efforts may face challenges, but they ultimately lead to a richer existence. We are called to inspire noble deeds and greater achievements. So Mote It Be!

~SP

Steven M. Leapman was raised in 1996 at what was then Blackmer # 442 in San Diego, CA when serving as a Navy Chaplain. He sees himself as a “returned Mason” come home to active participation in Masonry through MW John R. Heisner Lodge #442. He joined Council Oak Lodge # 745 in South Bend, IN serving as Junior Warden when in 2021 he and his wife moved to San Antonio, TX. There he was warmly welcomed into the Masonic community once again and has become a member of Davy Crockett # 1225 where he serves as Lodge Chaplain. He also serves as Senior Deacon at Antonio’s Triune # 15. He is a member of Northern Masonic Jurisdiction and Southern Masonic Jurisdiction as a 32d Degree Mason. As a member of the San Antonio Scottish Rite community has served as Degree Master for Prince of The Tabernacle 24th Degree and supports the presentation of other degrees during Reunions. He actively attends monthly Continuing Masonic Education Zoom sessions and hopes to write deserving reflections on our beloved Craft. Brother Steve attended American University in Washington, DC in 1981 and 1984 earning degrees in Literature. He attended Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion where in 1990 he graduated with a Master’s in Hebrew Letters (MHL) and was ordained a Rabbi in Cincinnati, OH in 1991. Brother Steve served in the US Navy/ USMC Chaplaincy from 1993-2000. Later he returned to the military community as a mental health professional with the Veterans Administration in Indiana and Texas. He graduated from Indiana University South Bend in 2008. He has been involved with Civilian and Military/Veterans’ Care since then.