Time for a Little Kindness

by Senior Midnight Freemason Contributor
WB Gregory J. Knott

Those who are kind benefit themselves, 

but the cruel bring ruin on themselves.

Proverbs 11:17 NIV

One of the fundamental tenets of our fraternity is that of brotherly love.  Within this concept, we are taught to treat all others equally with respect and tolerance.  Digging down further, we learn that we should use kindness towards others.  Kindness is the pathway to getting to know someone else, in a much deeper and meaningful way.

Any quick review of social media will reveal a lack of kindness towards one another.  I have long thought that if people were meeting in person, they would never say things or act so rudely towards one another. Hiding behind the computer screen provides an easy opportunity for people to be anything but kind. They are often downright cruel.

As Freemasons, we have the amazing opportunity to set an example for others.   Here are some easy ideas you might use:

• Call your neighbor to check on them and see how they are doing

• Volunteer at a local charity

• Give blood

• Tell a coworker how much you appreciate them and the work they do

• Become a mentor

• Hold the door for someone

• Smile and say hello

• Say thank you

The last couple of years have been tough on all of us, but with a little more kindness in the world, we can weather this current storm and soon arrive at a wonderful sun-filled day with the hope of a bright future for all of humanity.

Thank you.

~GJK

WB Gregory J. Knott is a founding member and Senior Contributor of the Midnight Freemasons blog. He is a Past Master of St. Joseph Lodge No. 970 in St. Joseph (IL) and a plural member of Ogden Lodge No. 754 (IL), Homer Lodge No. 199 (IL) and Naval Lodge No. 4 in Washington, DC. He’s a member of the Scottish Rite, the York Rite, Eastern Star and is the Charter Secretary of the Illini High Twelve Club No. 768 in Champaign-Urbana. He is also a member of ANSAR Shrine (IL) and the Eastern Illinois Council No. 356 Allied Masonic Degrees. Greg serves on the Board of Directors of The Masonic Society and is a member of the Scottish Rite Research Society and The Philathes Society. He is a charter member of a new Illinois Royal Arch Chapter, Admiration Chapter U.D. and serves as its Secretary. Greg is very involved in Boy Scouts—an Eagle Scout himself, he is a member of the National Association of Masonic Scouters. You can contact him at gknott63@gmail.com

The Effects of Masonry

by Midnight Freemason Contributor

Brian L. Pettice, 33˚

I don’t know if it is the depressing weather and darkness of a long winter or what, but lately it seems I have experienced a lot of negativity regarding the fraternity, society, and people in general coming from some of my brethren. This time of year people are hard on others in person and, especially, on-line in social media. I confess I have had a hard time staying positive about people and the fraternity myself for the last few weeks.

This has gotten me to thinking about a piece of the ritual I’ve heard scores of times in the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite where a statement similar to this is made, “In the world men know Masonry only through the lives of individual Masons.”

What does this statement mean? Do I feel a sense of responsibility from it? What does the world know of Masonry through my life?

Does the world know a man who controls his passions or one who is controlled by them?

Does the world know a man who is hopeful or one who is down on Society and his fellow man?

Does the world know a humble man or a braggart?

Does the world know one who conciliates or one who divides?

Does the world know a peacemaker or a troublemaker?

Does the world know one who builds up his brother or one who tears him down?

Does the world know one who forgives or one who holds a grudge?

Does the world know one who loves or one who hates?

The answers to these questions show the effects of Masonry, the evidence of the place it holds in my life.

If Freemasonry is the journey towards becoming a better man-- if it is the seeking after that state of Perfection at which I will never fully arrive in this life-- what do the answer to these questions say about the progress I am making?

I can know all of the ritual. I can study all of the esoteric secrets. I can have years of experience. I can be a leader. I can be confident I am one of the “good” Masons. If my life, though, doesn’t display this evidence or show these effects, to what end do I do this?

To what end do you do it?

As I look in the proverbial mirror, I realize I have, as always, work to do. What about you? How are you doing? What do you see in the mirror?

As another piece of ritual I’ve heard scores of times says, “The honor of Freemasonry is in your keeping.”

~BLP

Brian L. Pettice, 33° is a Past Master of Anchor Lodge No. 980 and plural member of Olive Branch Lodge No. 38 in Danville, IL and an Honorary Member of a couple of others. He is also an active member of both the York and Scottish Rites. He cherishes the Brothers that have become Friends over the years and is thankful for the opportunities Freemasonry gives and has given him to examine and improve himself, to meet people he might not otherwise have had chance to meet, and to do things he might not otherwise have had chance to do. He is employed as an electrician at the University of Illinois and lives near Alvin, IL with his wife Janet and their son Aidan. He looks forward to sharing the joy the fraternity brings him with others. His email address is aasrmason@gmail.com.

The Gift Of Kindness

by Midnight Freemasons Founder

Todd E. Creason, 33°

I went to the post office yesterday.  I always go to the same post office, because they aren't usually very busy, and I mail a lot of stuff--books mostly.  I hadn't been there in several months, but when I walked in there yesterday, the clerk at the counter said, "oh, I've been waiting for you to come in!"  And she disappears.  When she comes back she has this little ceramic fez she found in a garage sale or an auction somewhere.

She gave it to me.  It made my day!  I showed it to my wife when I picked her up for lunch.  I showed my co-workers when I got back to the office.  I even posted a picture of it on social media.  It's now sitting on the top shelf in my office where everyone will see it when they walk in. 

I barely know her, but through our interactions at the window over the last several years, she knew I was a Mason.  She knew I was a writer and I mailed a lot of books.  She knows I'm a collector of Masonic curiosities.  I know the same basics about her as she knows about me.  She's an avid antique collector, which means she knows my dad who is also an avid antique collector.  And she works at the post office.  That's it.

She probably paid a buck or two for it.   I think the thing that most impressed me is her attitude in life.  She's a giver.  When she saw that item, she didn't look at it to decide if she wanted it or not as most people would.  She looked at it and realized somebody she hardly knows might enjoy having that trinket and she picked it up--it could have been sitting in her locker at work for weeks before I finally showed up.  And I couldn't be more sure than I am in saying I bet I'm not the only person that has gone into that post office and gotten a similar surprise from her.

I guess my take-away from that lesson is that it doesn't take very much to make somebody's day.  We spend so much time worrying about our own problems, and our own concerns, and absorbed in our own little world we sometimes fail to see those around us.  We fail to appreciate the things other people do for us.  It doesn't cost very much (even nothing) to do a nice thing.  It doesn't take much time or effort to call somebody out of the blue--even if you don't need something from them.  Thank them for something they've done for you.  Or drop a card in the mail to let somebody know you appreciate them, or that you've been thinking about them.  

As you're reading this, I'd be willing to bet there's somebody that's come to your mind.  I'll bet it is somebody you just realized that you really need to do something nice for.

Why don't you just do it?  If you're reading this, you've got time right now, right?

~TEC

Todd E. Creason, 33° is the Founder of the Midnight Freemasons blog, and an award winning author of several books and novels, including the Famous American Freemasons series. Todd started the Midnight Freemason blog in 2006, and in 2012 he opened it up as a contributor blog The Midnight Freemasons (plural). Todd has written more than 1,000 pieces for the blog since it began. He is a Past Master of Homer Lodge No. 199 and Ogden Lodge No. 754 (IL) where he currently serves as Secretary. He is a Past Sovereign Master of the Eastern Illinois Council No. 356 Allied Masonic Degrees. He is a Fellow at the Missouri Lodge of Research (FMLR). He is a charter member of the a new Illinois Royal Arch Chapter, Admiration Chapter No. 282 and currently serves as EHP. You can contact him at: webmaster@toddcreason.org