My Brother, You Missed The Whole Point

by Midnight Freemason Contributor

WB Adam Thayer

Recently, I was in the unfortunate position of reading a negative Facebook comment from a formerly active brother of our lodge, and it has been bothering me for nearly two weeks now. The comment, and I’m paraphrasing here, said that he didn’t understand the appeal of Freemasonry; he had joined to find friendship and brotherhood, and instead found dull business meetings and endless ritual practices. In time, he grew more and more disenchanted with what he saw, and so he quit coming.

Now, just a little background: this brother had joined our lodge when I was still basically new, and very excited about everything Masonry had to offer. (As opposed to today, when I am still basically new, and very excited about everything Masonry has to offer.) At the time, my job allowed me quite a bit of freedom to take a few hours during the day to meet with brothers for lunch, or coffee, and to sit and talk and soak in all the wisdom I could. A few times, I met with this specific brother, and I still treasure the things I was able to learn from him.

As I said, his comment has been bothering me since I first read it, and one of the luxuries afforded to me as a Midnight Freemason (aside from the high pay and excellent benefits package) is that I can answer statements like that, and while he may never read it, I’ve at least had the chance to say it, and it’s a weight taken off my chest.

My brother, I’m sorry to say that you missed the whole point. Those thing that you found to be onerous, I find to be a never-ending source of joy and inspiration in my life.

I don’t think that any reader here will be surprised to learn that business meetings are, generally speaking, boring. They are a necessary evil that allows us to continue to function; they are the secular world invading the sacred space, however if we don’t pay our bills, we no longer have an organization.

In a perfect world, our business meetings could be exceptionally short affairs, where we meet simply to pay the bills, perhaps give some money to charity, and then adjourn to the library to discuss loftier ideals and improve our inner selves. In our imperfect reality, certain rules have to be followed so that those with mercenary motives cannot infiltrate our society and tear us apart from the inside. Things such as keeping and reading the minutes, the report of the Treasurer, and committee reports all help protect us. While they are not exciting or fun, they are so vitally important that we should treat them with the proper respect they deserve.

Ritual practice, while not the most enjoyable time for most people, is what allows us to continue to perform our initiation rituals at the peak level that our new candidates deserve. It forces us to focus on the impression we give to our candidates, and find ways to improve that so that they, in turn, can carry us into the future.

I once said that true Masonry doesn’t happen in the lodge room, and I still absolutely believe this to be true, however I also have to acknowledge the fact that Masonry doesn’t happen WITHOUT the lodge room. Without our distinctive rituals, we are no different from any of the animal lodges (the Elks, the Eagles, etc) that are struggling to keep their doors open.

Of course, these “boring” parts of Masonry generally don’t exist in a vacuum. Before our meetings and our practices we eat, and around the dinner tables true friendships are formed, and our bonds of brotherhood are strengthened. Our dining hall rings with laughter, with a free exchange of ideas, with love and caring for each other, and for our families. Those things you believed were lacking were right there, available to you, and all it cost was a little bit of your time.


~AT

WB. Bro. Adam Thayer is the Senior Warden of Lancaster Lodge No. 54 in Lincoln (NE) and a past master of Oliver Lodge No. 38 in Seward (NE). He’s an active member in the Knights of Saint Andrew, and on occasion remembers to visit the Scottish and York Rites as well. He continues to be reappointed to the Grand Lodge of Nebraska Education Committee, and serves with fervency and zeal. He is a sub-host on The Whence Came You podcast, and may be reached at adam@wcypodcast.com. He will not help you get your whites whiter or your brights brighter, but he does enjoy conversing with brothers from around the world!

By Force of Habit

by Midnight Freemason Contributor

RWB Michael H. Shirley

I’m now a Hoosier. We’ve been in the process of moving to Indiana for over a month now, with no clear end in sight, but the kids are registered for school, the animals have adjusted, our jobs proceed, and, despite frequent trips back to Illinois to deal with the giant house we haven’t sold yet, it all feels like home here.

With one exception: in all the relentless business of the move, I haven’t done anything Masonic in over a month.

Masonry took up a good part of my life in Illinois, and it was no mere habit, but the conscious choice to involve myself in things. But habitual attendance at meetings mattered. . Our stated meeting was the foundation of everything I did, and I ran in smooth tracks between my house and my lodge. And now, with my lodge three hours drive away, I just can’t go. And I find myself busy and scattered, with ever more things demanding my time and attention. I know where the local lodge is and I know when the stated meeting is, but I’ve just been too occupied with other necessary things to get there.

And so I’ve discovered that it’s easy to fall out of the habit of going to lodge. It will take effort to go back, as I’m not on any email lists, I don’t know when degrees occur, and my next real opportunity to got to a stated meeting will come in September. And here’s the problem with that: all it takes is a few missed meetings and inertia takes over. As I got into the habit of going to lodge, I could just as easily get into the habit of not going.

So I’ve got the next stated meeting of Franklin Lodge No. 107 marked on my calendar, with reminders set to text me every day for a good week in advance. Just as it took an act of will to petition for my degrees, it will take an act of will to go to a new lodge amidst the chaos of moving, and to keep going until it once again takes on the force of habit.

~MHS

R.W.B. Michael H. Shirley serves the Grand Lodge of Illinois, A.F. & A.M, as Leadership Development Chairman and Assistant Area Deputy Grand Master of the Eastern Area. A Certified Lodge Instructor, he is a Past Master and Life Member of Tuscola Lodge No. 332 and a plural member of Island City Lodge No. 330, F & AM, in Minocqua, Wisconsin. He is Past Most Wise Master of the George E. Burow Chapter of Rose Croix in the Valley of Danville, IL; he is also a member of the Illinois Lodge of Research, the York Rite, Eastern Illinois Council No. 356 Allied Masonic Degrees, Eastern Star, Illini High Twelve, and the Tall Cedars of Lebanon. The author of several article on British and American history, he teaches at Eastern Illinois University.You can contact him at: m.h.shirley@gmail.com

Individuation of the Craft Pt. 7 Finale

by Midnight Freemason Emeritus

WB. James E. Frey

The Individuation of the Craft Series

Editors Note* When WB James sent this piece to me, I knew it was too long for a single post, I had to break it up. I tried to do it the best I could to maintain the idea or focus of each section. It was difficult because this piece is complex and a very necessary read for any Mason. I hope you take the time to go back and read all these in sequence now that they have been published in their entirety over the past 7 weeks. And now, the conclusion...

Our force of nature must be economized by the realization of our own mortality as represented by the 24 inch gauge. The 24 inch gauge is the passive tool by which we measure and shape who we wish to be through the process of individuation. When we realize our time is limited and we are not as special as we would like to believe, we are no longer blinded by the ego and can dedicate ourselves toward achieving existential meaning through our personal growth. Our sense of purpose must too be regulated toward the goal of individualization which leads to psychological harmony. So together these working tools give us practical concepts to balance out actions through the understanding of the mortality of the flesh. This is my understanding for why the Entered Apprentice degree is associated with the concept of beauty in the south. At the meridian height of the sun we realize the fullest potential within our own sense of being.

As an apprentice you will climb from the pit of darkness of the material self towards the beauty of self-understanding. As the Fellowcraft you ascend the staircase toward intellectual enlightenment by mastering the liberal arts and sciences. As a Master mason finally balancing the square and compass you face true death of the ego, and once raised a True Master of yourself. Freemasonry is creedless, its brothers bow only to truth as supreme light, regardless of the light bearer. No greater truth exists beyond that of universal Brotherhood building the Temple to God on the foundation of faith, hope, and charity.

JEF

The New Master Masons Speech

Introduction by Midnight Freemason Managing Editor

Bro. Robert Johnson 

Speech by Guest Contributor

Bro. Benjamin Short

Note from the editor: When I sat at the secretaries desk at a stated meeting a few months ago, I looked out over the attendees. I looked out to see a few new faces, men who had't been to the lodge in years. It was pretty awesome. We sent out Masonic Anniversary cards from the lodge, celebrating the raising dates of our members in a particular month. Some of these Brothers show up, others send a note back and most don't respond. But this night was different. 

A few "new to me" faces were among the craftsman. At a point we started having discussion. The Master of the lodge talked about the importance of Masonic Manners. Dress, decorum, when to stand and when to sit, how to address the lodge etc. It was at this point one of our newest Master Masons stood up, Bro. Ben Short. Ben decided it was time to speak up. Looking out at the bored faces as the master was trying to explain some things, Ben must have decided that it was time to wake some of these guys up. 

Ben essentially delivered a speech which I wish I had recorded. It was heartfelt, unrehearsed, serious, thought provoking and yes, abrasive. I remember the Master looking over at me as if to say "...should I gavel Ben down?" I pretended not to see the look and instead looked on as Ben made me proud to be a Mason. I didn't mentor Ben, I didn't help him get through the degrees. He owes that to his uncle, a Past Master and all around swell guy. Below is "almost" what Ben said that night. You see, after the lodge closed that night, I said "Ben, go home and write it down. Do it before you forget." He did, and this is pretty close. I hope you enjoy and I hope you find it inspirational. 

Brothers I am a new Mason, not even a year has passed since I was raised which gives me a unique perspective but not an unfounded one. I’m still enjoying my honeymoon period in masonry and for the most part it's actually very romantic as I experience things, like a child on his first day of school. I’m eager to learn and excited for my new friends and teachers that I'll meet and get to know. But not unlike that child, the honeymoon is fading and reality and complexity is setting in. I’m slowly starting to realize that not everything I was told about Masonry is true.

Before I even petitioned I took serious considerations to becoming a Mason. My grandfather was one and my uncle is currently a member and I had always been curious about it. In my life I had a lot of serious ambitions for changing the world. I devoted many hours into community service and outreach, preaching about helping thy fellow man and doing everything I could to organize groups with the same ambitions. With many failures with organizing such groups I was asked to look in to a club or organization which already had an establishment and that maybe my frustrations of trying to keep a foundation firm and growing would be resolved. So I naturally looked at Freemasonry and what it was about and what it meant to be a Mason. From the beginning I was enchanted with the thought of being a part of not just a group or a club but a brotherhood of men who had a long and interesting history and deep roots in charity and making good men better. I thought to myself that this is exactly what I wanted. This is where I was always meant to be, and to think it was always under my nose. What more could you ask for in a fateful sign? As the old saying goes “...be careful what you ask for.” I got the last and most prominent motivation into becoming a mason when I received the news that for the first time, I was going to become a father of a boy. I wanted to start leading a life fit for someone worthy enough to teach and lead a child into becoming a man. I wanted my son to see not just me as an example, but also the men I surrounded myself with.

Every step I take in Freemasonry, I take it seriously and consider them all to be a life changing moments. Every degree passed feels like graduation for me and with every degree I participate in, I’m excited for the candidate. I also see a lot of things done that I was told are not the way of Freemasonry. I see a lot of people not taking it as seriously as I do. So I’m left to ask myself, "Am I the fool or are they?" Are my aspirations childish? Am I dreaming too big? Every time I look at my now 18 month old son the answer is "NO!" I don’t care what others think, I don’t care if I’m the minority in my thinking, I don’t care if I’m laughed at or scoffed at, I set out to change this world and that’s what I’m going to do and starting here at home and in my lodge.

I’m going to make the stories true, I’m going to make that square and compass on my ring mean something even more. I want it to mean something to the rest of the world. You can still have your conspiracy theories and rumors about Freemasonry but I want the majority to look at those symbols and recognize it as it should be. A fraternity of men who dared to be different and driven by the determination of their ideals and beliefs, driven by passion and united as brothers. This is why I became a Mason, this is what I want my son to see and become one as well. I want him to see how proud I am to be a Mason and that it will be so evident for him in what that means. At some point in our children's lives they will look at the life we handed them, I don’t just want to build something good for me, but great for the future of all. And we sure as heck don’t get there by focusing on things that don’t matter, like one word missed in a catechism or there better be food when I come to lodge or how long a stated meeting lasts. I will come dressed for business because I mean business. I will still get goosebumps when I hear the Paul Revere Charge. I will make a serious and conscious effort to not just be present at my lodge but to be a staple and an asset to it. 

Honor is not just something that belongs in a slogan or a meme on Facebook, it belongs in our hearts and minds. From the day I submitted my petition this became a way of life for me and I know in my heart that if I or any Mason treats it differently, it will not be a participation in, or the growth of Freemasonry, but the death of it. Is this not what we said Freemasonry is? Is this not what we sought out to do? Why Freemasonry and not a Moose lodge or Rotary club? I once received some good advice from a brother who hit it right on the money when he said “ It’s not so much what you have done that means anything so much as what you’re going to do”.

~BS

(Left to right Robert Johnson, Benjamin Short, Brian Wilber)
The night Ben received his 3rd˚.

Bro. Ben Short is a Master Mason out of Waukegan Lodge No. 78 in Waukegan Illinois, where he is an active member serving on various committees and occasionally filling in for the secretary. He is the proud father of a son and works full time for the community at large.