In Praise of Conductors

by Midnight Freemason Contributor

Bro. Erik Marks

The first things I used to think of with the mention of the word,"conductor" were: music, electricity, and trains. These are still fine examples of the word. The direction and coordination of a large group of musicians, when done well, the conductor is the heart of the music, co-creating it with the people holding and operating instruments. In wiring, electricity travels on the outside of the conductor, something known as the skin effect. It is also what protects you from lightning inside a car or faraday cage. The better the conductor, the easier the flow of electrons to their destination. A superconductor is a material or a material treated in a particular manner. They are cooled to close to absolute zero (less than 1K or around -260 C) wherein all resistance vanishes. Facilitating travel, the train conductor collects tickets, aids in operations, and has the unfortunate task of ejecting the unruly.

Socrates was said to be the midwife of the soul. A conductor of sorts whose philosophic technique still moves me to other places and frames of mind that I find pleasingly challenging. I sometimes feel my soul moving. My mother, using her body, conducted me from concept to creation, my first home in this world. I am grateful to her for using her-self to bring me to life. Parents, relatives, teachers, friends, conducted me through early years to adaptations, ideas and knowledge I appreciate, and some I’m still working to renovate. Literature is filled with all sorts of guides, gurus, and other forms of conductors.

At the start of my Masonic journey, several men brought me to, or to me, conversations about my intentions, qualifications, and expectations. Some of them met with my family to discuss these same questions and offered counsel if there were concerns about my voluntary choice to join. Most of these men were present during my degrees. Three (LaJoie, Gianoukos, and Crooks) endured over breakfast, a lengthy interrogation by me, Corinna, and our sons, as to why women were excluded from what we do (which is when I learned first about GES, Amaranth, & Rainbow Girls).

Now, my experience of the word, "conductor", has significantly changed; my personal experience with the idea, broadened. I was led to the door, the West Gate, to the threshold of my conscious mind and instructed in our way to ask for greater understanding of myself, through our unique process. I was caringly and thoughtfully guided and prompted through the steps, stages, and lessons in darkness and light. Brothers Grenier, Snyder, LaJoie, and Goetz and will always remain presences and voices in my mind of those who tended to my preparation and conducted me through ritual with dignity and grace. Between degrees, Brothers Crooks, Bodley, and Ehrlich helped me perfect the words I needed to perform to progress. Worshipful Marks will always be the face I visualize in the east when I recite the ritual to myself or practice with a new, “younger,” brother.

More recently, as mentors and friends, a host of new and previous Brothers guide and conduct my progress. Worshipful Snyder recently performed from memory a lengthy introduction of me at my first presentation to a Lodge of Instruction (though following the amazing conversation brought by the Brethren who attended at Mt. Hollis Lodge in Holliston, MA, I now think of it as “Lodge of Inspiration”). As I’ve had good fortune to travel, Brothers Jackson, Jarzabek, and Johnson help me through what I write; they help me edit, and encourage me to persist when I feel like giving up.

So, I write in praise of those who have conducted me this far and to those who continue. As a group, you are my superconductors! (Though “cool” people, these superconductors operate at room temperature and also, decidedly, not in a vacuum. Room temperature superconductors are mostly theoretical, where the above-mentioned human conductors are verifiably, real). With gratitude I hold dear those mentioned by name and the many more not named here. We repeat it because it is true: I would never have met these amazing people if it had not been for Freemasonry. The diversity in their thoughts, backgrounds, and ways of living challenge me to rethink what I know, and how I came to know. They present me with their full selves so that I may be present fully as I am, and we figure it out. Through repeated contact, we grow in trust and capacity to be and act harmoniously in the face of criticism, challenge, disagreement (also in fun and faux pas): we help and instruct one another to do this work, together. As in a super-conductive state, our resistance to ourselves and others diminishes, maybe vanishes, in the presence of others who wish only to aid in our growth and learning; to help with the transmission of knowledge, experience, and self-understanding.

I encourage you to consider those still standing among us who have conducted you through life to reading this post. Let them know the ways they have shaped your experience in, and more importantly, outside, lodge. For those whom have been your conductor though no longer with us, consider sharing a story about them with another brother, in writing, maybe…here.

~EAM

Brother Erik Marks is a clinical social worker whose usual vocation has been in the field of human services in a wide range of settings since 1990. He was raised in 2017 by his biologically younger Brother and then Worshipful Master in Alpha Lodge in Framingham, MA. You may contact brother Marks by email: erik@StrongGrip.org

November, A Month of Thanks

by Midnight Freemason Contributor

Bill Hosler, PM 

"No warmth, no cheerfulness, no healthful ease, 

No comfortable feel in any member - 

No shade, no shine, no butterflies, no bees, 

No fruits, no flowers, no leaves, no birds - 

November!" 

- Thomas Hood 

As the cold northern winds blow through the darkened gray skies, we see the leaves on the trees begin to turn color and fall to the ground, and we know winter is just around the corner. While some look forward to the colder weather and the snow that will soon arrive, most of us shudder with what impending doom (Okay, that’s a little dramatic but you get my point.) in these days without the sunshine and warmth of the summer. It's hard not to feel a little depression as you make your way through these days without sunlight, and harder still. trying to be thankful.

Despite November’s depressing gray clothing, I believe this month is the perfect time of year to give thanks to our Creator for all the blessings it bestows upon us, not only every day but throughout our lives.

Now, I am not just talking about a turkey dinner and a football game with relatives you see three times a year. Or the lame game of round robin , “What are you thankful for”, as you pass the mashed potatoes and you say something just to appease Aunt Mildred. I mean real thanks. If you think about it, November is almost like the Grand Architect’s “reset button”.

As the things that began to come to life in the beginning of the year and gain maturity through the summer months will now begin to whither and eventually die in the darkness of the winter time. It could be argued that the seasons are emblematic to the degrees of Freemasonry.

As we advance through the degrees we are told (in some jurisdictions) that the Entered Apprentice degree is like a man’s youth, the Fellowcraft degree is like adulthood and the Master Mason degree is compared to a man’s old age or maturity. As the seasons process through their cycle so does a man until he is called by his Creator. I feel in a way that the darkened days filled with coldness have been given to us in order to give us time to stop and reflect on all the good things we have in our lives and as a reminder to thank our creator for the bountiful life he has provided for us.

Most of us have many reasons to give thanks to the Grand Master of the Universe. Family, friends, your health. A happy, contented life are all good reasons to give thanks to the man upstairs for the blessings it has bestowed upon us.

Sadly, not all of us have been as fortunate as others. Some of you who are standing upon the darkened square may not believe you have anything to give thanks for. I truly understand that. I have been there. My sarcastic nature in the bad times seemed to dwell on all the things I didn’t have, instead of what I possessed. It’s natural to be like that.

The death of a family member, the loss of a job, a divorcee. So many things can lead you down this dark, gray path and it is easier and natural to think abut what you don’t have instead of the blessings you were given, but I like to think that the “reset button” of the coming winter can also be looked at as the start of a new year and the possibility of a better year to come.

So many new things seem to begin this time of year. In many jurisdictions, they begin a new Masonic year and the change of the leadership within many Masonic bodies symbolizes a new beginning and a new leadership, and possibly a better direction for some groups.

While we as a Fraternity continue to struggle, I give thanks that Freemasonry is still alive, long after many of those who tried to write its obituary have passed on. It may not be perfect, and we still have a lot of work left to do in order to sure up its foundation and place the Craft on a strong level footing, but I am thankful it is still here and it continues to inspire new generations of men who walk down that level of time trying to make themselves better men.

I am also thankful for all the Brethren who read and share our work with their friends and Brothers. I especially am thankful to those who write and call me, expressing their gratitude for the essays myself and other members of the Midnight Freemasons have put out. I want you to know all the kind words and support we receive, inspires us to continue what we are doing, especially since the positive feedback is much greater than the negative.

Brethren, I hope you will pause during this busy month and stop and reflect on what life has given to you and give thanks to the Creator for the blessings you have received, and maybe even show your gratitude to him by taking a Brother or his widow who may be less fortunate than you by the hand and help them make their life a little brighter. Who knows, you might be their reason to give thanks. 

~BH

WB Bill Hosler was made a Master Mason in 2002 in Three Rivers Lodge #733 in Indiana. He served as Worshipful Master in 2007 and became a member of the internet committee for Indiana's Grand Lodge. Bill is currently a member of Roff Lodge No. 169 in Roff Oklahoma and Lebanon Lodge No. 837 in Frisco,Texas. Bill is also a member of the Valley of Fort Wayne Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite in Indiana. A typical active Freemason, Bill also served as the High Priest of Fort Wayne's Chapter of the York Rite No. 19 and was commander of of the Fort Wayne Commandery No. 4 of the Knight Templar. During all this he also served as the webmaster and magazine editor for the Mizpah Shrine in Fort Wayne Indiana.