One Day + Three Degrees = Some Great Masons

by Midnight Freemason Contributor

WB Robert E. Jackson

*Editors Note*

The following article comes out of the Trowel, the publication of the Grand Lodge of the State of Massachusetts and was written by WB. Robert E. Jackson. It was published in the Summer 2018 Issue and a link to the entire issue is HERE.

Every man has their own journey, not just in Masonry, but in life. Our individuality is what makes us unique, by definition. We see that in the music we enjoy, the foods we find appetizing, what we find attractive or funny, and how we learn. Just last night, I had a conversation with some Brothers, and we were talking about how we learn ritual. Each of us had our own solution, but none of us were 'wrong.' Thinking back to when I took my degrees, I'm amazed at how much I didn't learn during those months. A spark was ignited for sure, but the fire was far from burning. It wasn't until years later that the spark was fanned by a dear Brother, and the passion grew into a bonfire.

Where were you first prepared to be made for Mason? What does the answer to that question really mean? Think about your spouse, or your family. There is an inherent Love in your heart. I don't have to think about if I Love my kids…I just do. Even if they do something I’m not happy with, I still, and will always, Love them. It's the same for my spouse. Regardless of our disagreements, we would rather work and find a way to preserve our relationship, because a life together, regardless of how difficult, is better than a life apart. How much time it takes to kindle that Love, is another point of individuality within ourselves. For some, it takes years to foster that Love, but for others, that Love is instantaneous.

WB Robert E. Jackson (right) presents "pin #1" to the Grand Master  of MA.

In your own journey, how long did it really take you to grow that Love for Masonry? Today, I'm amazed at how easy it is for some men to walk away from the Craft. They allow their status to go into suspension, or they demit. When I think back, however, I was almost one of them. If it wasn't for my family connections, and a very dear Brother, I probably would have found myself an inactive Mason. It took years for that fire to build for me, how long did it take for you? It doesn't matter whether you received the degrees in a single day, or over the course of years, what matters is how that Love and passion for the Craft sparked and grew into a shining beacon across a sea of darkness.

Today's modern man is vastly different from that of my father's younger life. Today's man is working at least one full time job, helping cook dinner and cleanup, volunteering with their kid's activities, and assisting with general household tasks. A good man's life, is a busy one. Yes there are some that work the bare minimum, and spend more time in front of a screen than they do in front of their family. However, is that the man that will step forward and volunteer to help? Is that the man that will constantly work towards a better version of themselves? The one-day class enables today's busy man to ignite that flame of Freemasonry. You could argue that if they are that busy, how will they find time for the Craft? However, that argument stands regardless of the method in which they were raised.

My Brothers, look for that spark within your fellow Man. Does he truly wish to improve himself through hard work and study? Does he truly want to be of service to his fellow man? Does he truly wish to continue searching for more Light? Don't let that spark die. There are many ways that spark can be initiated…from flint and steel to a butane torch. Our job is to fan those flames, and never let that flame die out.

~REJ

Robert Edward Jackson is a Past and presiding Master of Montgomery Lodge located in Milford, MA. His Masonic lineage includes his Father (Robert Maitland), Grandfather (Maitland Garrecht), and Great Grandfather (Edward Henry Jackson), a founding member of Scarsdale Lodge #1094 in Scarsdale, NY. When not studying ritual, he's busy being a father to his three kids, a husband, Boy Scout Leader, and a network engineer to pay for it all. He can be reached at info@montgomerylodge.org

A Master’s Work.

by Midnight Freemason Guest Contributor

WB Robert Jackson

I’ve heard before that our job as Masons is to make more Masons. What does that mean? How do we successfully do that job? In one light, we can think that it's just the degree work. Open the doors, get them through, either through one day classes or in the traditional method. But does simply taking a degree make a man a Mason? If you are reading this, I’m betting your answer is “no.”

So how do we do our job? Much like fatherhood, there is no real instruction manual. What is the best way to make a Mason? I would argue that making a Mason has little to do with kneeling at the altar and taking an obligation. Funneling people through the machine doesn't make Masons. Churning the machine, however, does have an impact on the Fraternity. The importance on the ritual can be diluted, and worse yet, the Masons supportive of the machine, can burn out through a serial repetition of degree work. So, if our job is to make Masons, how else can we achieve this goal?

Throughout our lives, we rarely have a comprehensive view of the full impact of our actions, either good, or bad. Everything we do has an impact on others. Whether it is holding a door open for somebody, hanging with a friend while he’s getting his first tattoo, or cutting somebody off in traffic. Your action ripples, and at least partly determines what kind of day somebody is going to have. Beyond that, their actions from that day could impact their life for years to come (cue Butterfly Effect). Note that none of these scenarios required the recipient to be a Brother.

By being men of strong moral character, applying those working tools each day, we spread a positive opinion of the Fraternity and the Craft. A courteous and helpful hand, who just happens to be wearing a Masonic ring, could do more for our Fraternity than all of the advertising campaigns combined. More importantly, however, we are able to distribute the compassion and care that our world seems to so desperately need. I would humbly submit that the best way to create Masons, is simply by living the lessons of our Craft, spreading the cement of Brotherly Love and Affection.

~REJ

Robert Edward Jackson is a Past and presiding Master of Montgomery Lodge located in Milford, MA. His Masonic lineage includes his Father (Robert Maitland), Grandfather (Maitland Garrecht), and Great Grandfather (Edward Henry Jackson), a founding member of Scarsdale Lodge #1094 in Scarsdale, NY. When not studying ritual, he's busy being a father to his three kids, a husband, Boy Scout Leader, and a network engineer to pay for it all. He can be reached at info@montgomerylodge.org .