Lucky Number Thirteen

Bro. Jason at the House of the Temple

Not a year ago, I was approached by a couple of Brothers from Virginia about a new venture in Masonic entertainment / education, one of whom was Bro. Jason Richards. Richards is from Acacia Lodge in Clifton Virginia. He and the other Brother (Jon Ruark) wanted to start another podcast/vidcast. Since then, Jason and I have grown close due to our weekly interactions on the YouTube live show "The Masonic Roundtable" which is a weekly show much like the view. You can read more about it in an earlier blog post.

Jason writes for his own blog cleverly titled "The Two Foot Ruler - Masonry in Plain Language" and it is fantastic. Jason recently wrote a guest piece for us right here on The Midnight Freemasons and it received thousands of hits. You can read it here. Last week, I was avidly looking for more contributors that would write regularly for us here and Bro. Jason sent me a message on Facebook.

Without delaying this exciting news any further, I am so happy and excited to announce that Brother Jason Richards is the latest to join the Midnight Freemasons as a regular contributor. I know you will all enjoy his down to earth, yet profound writings on our craft.

Here is his bio;

Bro. Jason Richards is the Senior Deacon of Acacia Lodge No. 16 in Clifton, Virginia, and a member of both The Patriot Lodge No. 1957 and Fauquier Royal Arch Chapter No. 25 in Fairfax, Virginia. He is the sole author of the Masonic weblog The 2-Foot Ruler: Masonry in Plain Language, and is a co-host on the weekly YouTube show and podcast The Masonic Roundtable. He lives in Virginia with his wife, cats, and ever-expanding collection of bow ties.

Welcome aboard Brother Jason Richards!

~RJ et al

What Makes Us Different?

by Midnight Freemason Guest Contributor

WB Ken Baril

We owe our being to those who came before us. We are here because they were here, and of the way, their lives unfolded. Imagine, if you will, the countless chance happenings, the many coincidences and accidents, all of which had to come about in the precise way they did, in order to result in our being here,  and, being what we are! Each of us attends our Lodge meetings because we want to. We attend because we firmly believe beyond a shadow of a doubt, that due to our efforts, we are making this world a better place. But what makes us as Masons, different from members of other fraternal organizations? We are members of what the Masonic community refers to as, “the greatest fraternity in the world.” 

This is quite a powerful statement! I believe we are different as Masons because the instinct to become a Mason was born in us. I don’t believe the subtle hints that may have been directed to us at one time or another by a Mason to a non-Mason has anything to do with our becoming a member. Sooner, or later, we would have joined because inwardly, the calling was already there, and would eventually emerge when the time was right. However strange this reasoning may seem, let’s investigate further. Each man who becomes a member of our grand fraternity is someone very special; someone who has a certain quality of character distinguishing him from others. These qualities do not imply we are better than others but the burning desire within us to help our fellowman burns at a much higher degree of intensity than most.

It is not a superficial desire, as it is a deep one. No man kneels at our Altar of Obligation and arises the same man. The oaths we have taken at the Altar of Obligation are deeply imbedded in our minds and we practice the tenets of our order towards all humankind, well after the Master has closed his lodge, while we are constantly reminded of the, “Point within a Circle.” Each one of us, as Masons, practice our tenets, as the younger generations refer to as, “twenty-four seven.” We are men of strong convictions and we are not, swayed easily. We are extremely patriotic and have within our ranks many true American heroes. We consider all men as our equal and look down upon no one but I have learned that a man has the right to look down on somebody, only when he is helping him up. 

We extend our hand to the fallen and the down trodden as a token of our brotherly love, and, under no circumstance does any sound of distress reach our ears in vain, or any outstretched hand seeks our aid without response. Each of us has a very strong connection to Deity and our cable-tow is that connection.  

I firmly believe that here, within the Temple of Masonry, men differing in language, in modes of thought, in dress and in habits of life, are able to meet around a common altar, share a common hope, and seek a common ideal. These mental images do not seem to appear in other fraternal organizations. We have been taught in our beloved order, the relative importance of self-analysis to the duties of life. 

Each day or night, when we review our actions, behavior and thoughts, and attempt to see how they coincide with our own philosophy, and measure up to the standards outlined by the craft, we improve ourselves as better men and better Masons. I doubt whether other fraternal organizations leave this impression upon their members. Our ancient brotherhood is founded upon the principles of love, hope, and charity, principles that through many centuries have led to the betterment of humanity. In Masonry, we are taught to search not for the transient pleasure, but for the philosophy and the guidance that will aid us in gaining the most from the short time we are accorded here, by contributing the most to our fellow man. 

Our teachings do not pass quickly into and out of existence. Our teachings do not vanish, end, nor die. The advantage we have as members of this fine organization is that it has been in existence for a long, long, time. Unfortunately, other fraternal organizations do not have the same time - frame of experience as we do. After all, we have centuries of experience and many “Masonic celebrities” have contributed so much to our being. So here, we have, “the greatest fraternity in the world.” And why is it so great?  

Because you are a member and our members are the GREATEST men in the world! 

~SKB

WB Ken Baril was born in New Haven, CT. and moved to the Cincinnati area in 1999. He is a three time Master of his lodge, Temple Lodge No. 16. AF & AM, 1982-1983-1995, located in Cheshire, CT. While living in Connecticut and prior to his moving to Cincinnati, Ohio, Ken has been the featured speaker at many public schools and Veterans organizations. Ken is a published author who has written a book focusing on members of the Masonic Fraternity who have been recipients of our nation’s highest award for bravery, the prestigious Medal of Honor called "The Medal of Honor - The Letter G in Valor".  Ken has dedicated his time and effort to researching and developing various programs including, “The Medal of Honor Program,” “The Immortal Four Chaplains,” as well as many others. His programs are dedicated to the preservation of an important portion of American history, contributions, and sacrifices, in the defense of the United States, and to the memory of all those who have given their lives in the pursuit of that objective. He also writes articles for various Masonic publications. He served his country during the Korean War in the United States Air Force. He currently resides in Hudson, FL. with his wife, Marion.

The Battle of White Plains

by Midnight Freemason Contributor

WB Gregory J. Knott

I must admit that I haven’t extensively studied many of the battles of the American Revolution, but while visiting White Plains, NY I ran across a small park called “Battle of White Plains Park” and Chatteron’s Hill.   This peeked my curiosity, so I stopped and took a look around.

The Battle of White Plains was between the American Patriots and British forces along with Hessian troops supporting the British.  The events unfolded on October 28, 1776. You might expect to report a resounding American victory, but the facts are that General George Washington was retreating northward from the Battle of Long Island and New York City (which the British had captured) and the British General William Howe saw an opportunity to cut off Washington’s escape route. 

Washington’s troops were outnumbered with the British have 14,000 troops.  The British had enlisted a large group of Hession troops to reinforce their position.  Chatterton’s Hill was the key position in the battle with America’s defenders holding the lines.

Chatterton's Hill

Howe’s battle plan called for attacking Chatteron Hill with the Hessians moving towards it.  Washington ordered Major General Joseph Spencer and 2,500 American troops to block the Hessians.  A battle ensued forcing the Americans to retreat.  Having only a Two-Gun battery, the Americans followed Washington’s orders of “Do the Best You Can.” Losses were higher on the British side with 313 killed and wounded.  The American figures have been estimated from 100-250 killed, wounded or captured.    

The Battle of White Plains

Washington’s troops withdrew into the nearby woods and eventually over the Hudson River.  Howe didn’t pursue Washington as heavy rains set in and he failed to draw Washington out from the American positions. Later Washington was chased across into New Jersey.  On December 26, Washington crossed the Delaware River and surprised the British with the Battle of Trenton ensuing.

Both General Washington and General Howe were Freemasons.

~GJK

WB Gregory J. Knott is the 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. Greg is very involved in Boy Scouts—an Eagle Scout himself, he is a member of the National Association of Masonic Scouters

What Brings Men To Freemasonry Generation After Generation?

by Midnight Freemasons Contributors

S. K. Robert Johnson

&

Todd E. Creason, 33°

Robert Johnson:  What does my generation (The Millennials) get out of the Fraternity? That is a question posed to me not long ago by Bro. Todd E. Creason. When I thought about it, I really didn't know how to answer the question.

Todd E. Creason:  Well I asked you the question because I see these young men join, and I wonder why?  Does your generation join for the same reasons mine does?  Are we looking for the same answers?  Do we have the same expectations in the beginning?  Is it the same thing my father's, my grandfather's and my great-grandfather's generation was looking for?

Robert Johnson:  I thought "Don't we all get the same thing out of Masonry? Don't we become better men? Don't we simply get out of it what we put into it?" The answer later came to me as I sat at work thinking about the question. No, we do not all get the same thing out of Masonry. For me and my generation, and I cannot speak for all, but I think when a Millennial hears the word Fraternity, we immediately think about the movie "Revenge of The Nerds". We think about Lewis, Booger, Ogre and maybe the Fraternity of Lambda Lambda Lambda.

Todd E. Creason:  I'd have to admit that when I first considered petitioning the Lodge, I didn't think of Freemasonry as a Fraternity in the way I understood the term.  I thought of it as more as a society in possession of ancient knowledge and wisdom, and rich in tradition and ritual.  As a lifelong student of history, I'd studied a lot of men I knew were Freemasons, and I wondered if the success they'd had wasn't something that they'd learned from Freemasonry.  My goals in the beginning were purely selfish.  I wanted to become a better man, and learn what the Freemasons had to teach me so that I could benefit from it personally.  I was all too willing to put what I needed to into to it, so long as I got out of it what I wanted. 

Robert Johnson:  When we think about Freemasons, I don't necessarily think we think about Fraternity. We think about the movie "National Treasure", Magic, Mystery and perhaps some of our more grounded Millennial members think about friendship and charity. It might not be until we were fully joined and made Master Masons that we indeed realized we were part of a real Fraternity. I think I echo your sentiments on joining for a personal gain. I too was looking for knowledge to make me understand the world, it’s people and why we are all here. The nature of these wants, was also a selfish one.

Todd E. Creason:  I wrote a piece some time back with Midnight Freemason Michael Shirley, and in that piece, we both admit that seeing the movie "National Treasure" played a part in both our decisions to petition.  But the reality was very different.  When I was raised a Master Mason, nobody handed me the key to the library, or an ancient scroll with all the answers on it.  I'm not positive of course, but I'm pretty sure nobody I've met in the Fraternity in the years since knows the location of the Templar Treasure, the Holy Grail, or the Ark of the Covenant.  What I found is that I suddenly knew a lot of fine men, dedicated to becoming better men regardless of their age, and filled with the certainty that they possessed the ability, and the responsibility of making themselves better men by living a virtuous life, and working to make the world a better place to live.  And all of those men were suddenly my Brothers, and before too long at all, my friends, too.

Robert Johnson:   Just what a fraternity is, is abundantly clear to those of us who were members of Fraternities in College. So the question remains, what does a Millennial get out of the fraternity? I can only speak for myself and I think I am a good litmus test for the question, but what I get is a feeling of belonging, a pick me up every week, I get something to do that I know, makes a difference.

Todd E. Creason:  I couldn't agree more with that statement.  For the first time in my life, I had an opportunity to contribute to something that really means something.  I found a home in my Lodge--it was somewhere I truly felt like I belonged, and that's pretty unusual for a strange man like me.  I soon forgot about the selfish reasons I'd originally petitioned.  I was finding ways I could use the abilities I had to contribute to the goals of my Lodge.  I was able to finally practice and polish skills I had but never had a chance to use in my job--like writing.  And I quickly learned I had abilities I didn't even know I possessed, and within the comfortable environment of my Lodge I wasn't afraid to practice and develop those new skills with the assistance of my Brothers.  I learned to give ritual in a large Scottish Rite Cathedral and speak about Freemasonry to a group of Masonic researchers.  The idea of public speaking in any form prior to my joining the Lodge would break me out in a cold sweat, but I soon learned the benefits of getting over that fear was well worth the price of nervous butterflies, and a few damp shirts.

Robert Johnson:  It is said that people who have a meeting (non-work related) once a month or more frequent, are happier people. In fact one study that was conducted broke it down as follows; When we get a new thing ( a car, a bike, a game, a gadget) we are happy about it for about a week. When we get a raise at work, we are happy about it for about three to four days, but when compared to the happiness we feel when we have a fellowship meeting or a book club meeting, they all pail in comparison. The happiness we receive from being part of a group lasts months and years. This was based on one meeting a month. This is certainly the case for me as well. I really do become energized from having spent time with truly remarkable men.

Todd E. Creason:  And there is great truth in that.  Some years ago, my Lodge had a member that was going through some very tumultuous times in his personal life.  We were all worried about him, because we all knew he was on an emotional roller coaster at the time.  But every month, without fail, he showed up at our meeting, took his chair, and by the end of the meeting would be a very different man than the downtrodden man that had walked in--back to his old self again.  When he got through his personal crisis, he stood up at one our meetings and thanked the lodge.  He said that no matter how low he felt, he never missed a meeting, because no matter what his state of mind was when he walked in, when he left, he felt better.  And he thanked a few individual members for calling him, or dropping in to see him--he knew what they were doing.  I remember how the members looked around at each other when he said that--that hadn't been something we'd discussed, it was just something the members of the Lodge took upon themselves to do.  That's what Freemasons do--we're Brothers, we're family, and we look out for each other. 

Robert Johnson:  I meet every week. I eat, drink and live this Fraternity. I am rich indeed. Rich in happiness. And what about the other side? There is of course the Millennial who joins and is basically forced to bring his lodge back from the dead? Burn out. So again, What does a Millennial get out of the Fraternity? Well, I think I would rather ask, "What does the Fraternity get out of the Millennials?" We are a generation of men who are really needy. We need it now, we grew up on Nike's slogan, "Just Do It". So that is what we do.

Todd E. Creason:  I don't think there's any wrong answer.  I think if you asked a hundred Freemasons why they joined, and what they get out of it, you'd get a hundred different answers.  A few minutes after I was raised a Master Mason, my safe conductor, Brother Sean McBride, gave me a piece of advice.  I was sitting in the Lodge, trying to take in all I'd experienced and he sat down next to me and told me, "You'll get out of Freemasonry what you put into it."  It was excellent advice, and it's proven to be true, except I've found I can never put back in what I've taken out.  Later I got another piece of advice from a Mason I met when I joined the Scottish Rite.  William J. Hussey's advice was a little different.  His advice was, "Freemasonry will be what you make of it."  He was correct as well.  Every Mason's path is different, and what they contribute is different, and what they get out of it is different.  For some it's the fellowship, for others it's the esoteric knowledge, for others it's the ritual, and for Masons like me it's the history and tradition.  But I believe all Masons can agree on one thing.  There is nothing else quite like it.

Robert Johnson: I think that is just it. There is nothing else like it. The great treasure of Freemasonry everyone always talks about has the potential to be 7.5 billion different things because this Fraternity is different to everyone. For me, my treasure was exactly what I needed in life. And as my needs grew, Freemasonry fulfilled those needs. Freemasonry’s treasure hoards grew and grew within my mind because the things I needed, morally, philosophically and even materially were met by the Fraternity. It is rather strange, but I do consider myself the richest man in the world and I’d expect most Masons feel the same way when they think about all the things this Fraternity has done. Freemasonry is the greatest organization in the world.

RJ/TEC

Photo Credit:  The first photo in this piece is of Brothers Dave Norton and Chris Duggan of Amicable Lodge A. F. & A.M. in Cambridge, Massachusetts. 

Todd E. Creason, 33°   is the founder of the Midnight Freemasons blog and continues to be a regular contributor. He is the author of several books and novels, including the Famous American Freemasons series. He is member of Homer Lodge No. 199, and a Past Master of Ogden Lodge No. 754 (IL). He is a member the Scottish Rite Valley of Danville, the York Rite Bodies of Champaign/Urbana (IL), the Ansar Shrine (IL), Eastern Illinois Council No. 356 Allied Masonic Degrees, and Charter President of the Illini High Twelve in Champaign-Urbana (IL).  You can contact him at: webmaster@toddcreason.org

Bro. Robert Johnson, 32° is the editor of the Midnight Freemasons blog. He is a Freemason out of the First North-East District of Illinois. He belongs to Waukegan Lodge No. 78. He is also a member of the York Rite bodies Royal Arch, Cryptic Council and Knights Templar, The Illinois Lodge of Research and a member of the Scottish Rite Valley of Chicago as well as a charter member of the Society of King Solomon, a charity organization run by the Grand Lodge of Illinois. Brother Johnson currently produces and hosts a weekly Podcast (internet radio program) Whence Came You? which focuses on topics relating to Freemasonry. In addition, he produces video shorts focusing on driving interest in the Fraternity and writes original Masonic papers from time to time. He is a husband and father of three. He works full time in the safety industry and is also a photographer on the side as well as an avid home brewer. He is also working on a book of Masonic essays.  You can contact him at: wcypodcast@gmail.com