These are words that we have heard or said so many times that their meaning and impact is nearly forgotten. For many of us these words became popular not long after September 11, 2001. As a nation we made the solemn vow that We Will Never Forget. We would never forget the tragedy. Never forget the fear and discouragement we all felt. Never forget the 2,977 civilians, public safety and military that lost their lives that horrible day. But, unfortunately, an idea we don't often include in the motto Never Forget is the promise to always remember and strive for the unity that we had shortly after September 11th.
From around the country people arrived in New York City in an attempt to somehow help in the midst of all the devastation. Fire Departments, EMS Departments, Red Cross, Salvation Army, and many more sent in volunteers to help. Whether it was searching for people who were missing or serving food to the rescue workers, a compassion for their fellow man was already being shown on the night of 9/11.
September 12th saw a new day in the United States. Schools made sure the day was opened with the Pledge of Allegiance. Pictures flooded the media of children and parents walking the streets waving flags. A new sense of patriotism arose as thousands of young men and women felt it was their duty to join the service in defense of our country. And out of it all, nobody cared if you were black or white, Christian or Atheist, Republican or Democrat. We were all Americans. As Mr. David Beamer has said multiple times, we need to remember that unity and work to bring it back.
Since 9/11/01 we've gone from Republican to Democrat, back to Republican then back to Democrat. We saw protests throughout the country and statues torn down. We've seen riots in the streets. And we have seen more division over the previous few years than possibly in all of American history. Families and friends have turned against each other over disagreements on political and moral issues. Where do we draw the line?
Of course there will always be disagreements over religion, politics, moral issues and personal ethics. But, one thing the United States was founded on, and has become known for, is that we as Americans can disagree on every possible issue and still be Americans. The Declaration of Independence tells us that each person has the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. How each of us strives to live out those tenants that our Founding Fathers agreed should be available to each and every human being is up to every one of us.
In a world, and country, where we struggle to understand another's views or opinions, remember we are all individuals, which gives us the right and privilege to have our own ideas. But, it never gives us the right to hate, disregard, mistreat or disrespect any fellow human being because they hold a different philosophy than our own.
Show tolerance to those you disagree with. Show kindness to those around you. Give forgiveness whether or not you think someone deserves it. Strengthen friendships. Build relationships. Reach out to those who are struggling in life. Hold onto your family and friends because you never know what day will be your, or their last. If those who died on September 11, 2001 could speak to us now I believe this is what they would tell us.
In Freemasonry we have what we refer to as the three tenants of our profession - Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth. These are three factors that should help every Mason throughout life as they make decisions in personal relationships and in business. Yet, they are ideas that every individual can, and should, practice in their own lives. Even when we don't understand why someone is the way they are, show love. Show compassion and give assistance as much as you can to those who need it. And in truth, no matter our religious beliefs, we all understand that a human being is unique. Everyone wants, and deserves, to be treated as unique.
As we arrive at the 20th Anniversary of September 11, 2001, let us Never Forget...the rescue workers, the civilians who volunteered their time to serve, the thousands that lost their lives that day and the unity that came out of tragedy.
So, 20 Years later, hopefully we can say We Remember and We Will Never Forget. If we could come together after such a horrific day, then surely we can recognize that we are a country of many different religions, political views and backgrounds. And through all that we are currently facing, may God help us find "unity in diversity".
For so many years Freemasonry has been the center of public and religious controversy, rumors and conspiracy theories. Eventually, Masonry started remaining quite instead of trying to provide a defense against the rumors and theories. The idea being, people's minds won't change not matter what we as Mason's say. Unfortunately, there is some truth to that. But, that is not the topic of this blog.
Personally, before I joined Masonry, I knew nothing about the fraternity. I was raised in a strict Christian home where we were taught that Freemasonry is a secret society and a Satanic cult. They were in opposition to Christianity and part of the Occult. In spite of this teaching, I still had a strong interest in Freemasonry that I couldn't explain.
Being one who is passionate about history, I understood that Freemasons played a major part in the American Revolution and the founding of our country up through the present day. Even though I didn't know much about them, the fact that so many influential men who helped formed such an amazing country were members, made me think that there must be something to this fraternity.
I moved to Salem, Ohio in 2015. I was 25 years old. I couldn't help but notice the Masonic Temple on State Street in the middle of town, which seemed to increase my desire to find out what Freemasonry was all about.
At the beginning of the summer in 2016, I called the Grand Lodge of Ohio to see if I could get contact info for the local lodge and that started my journey in Masonry. I was initiated on September 26, 2016 at Perry Lodge No. 185 in Salem. I am now a 32 degree Scottish Rite Mason and a member of York Rite.
My mind was blown from the very beginning. Not only was it the complete opposite of what many had told me, but it started an exciting new chapter in my life. I've grown so much as an individual since I joined. Not only does Masonry provide me with an amazing brotherhood and trustworthy friends, but the lessons we learn through lodge and from each other has continued to strengthen my personal faith, not detract from it.
Because of books and movies like Dan Brown's Da Vinci Code, the Last Templar and National Treasure, everyone knows the legend of the Knight Templars and King Solomon's treasure. Many have read the stories of the fall of the Templars in 1291 and their later disbanding and execution. Conspiracies that the Freemasons carried on the secrets of the Templars and control the remaining treasure are abundant. In fact, you could probably spend weeks watching the amount of conspiracy videos and movies put out about the Masons.
I like the way Brother Benjamin Franklin summed up the "wealth" of Freemasonry:
For Freemasons, it's not about getting rich, powerful and influencing the government for our benefit. When we read American history we see Masonic brothers like Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, Samuel Adams, Paul Revere, Dr. Joseph Warren, Ethan Allen, Roger Sherman and many more. Many of Washington's spies and generals were also Freemasons.
Contrary to some opinions, the United States was not shaped by Freemasonry. But, many Freemasons did help form this great country. It's easy to believe, that their Masonic experience and values, backed by their faith, is what moved them to step forward and fight for what they believed in. It's easy for us to look back and hold these men, their wives and children up as if they were superheroes. In fact, they were heroes in their own right, but they were also everyday men and women like you and I. They were farmers, business owners, doctors, lawyers and clergymen. The Continental Congress was not made up of experienced politicians, but of hardworking, common men that wanted to make a difference.
The tenants of Freemasonry are Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth. That also extends beyond the fraternity and into our communities. That's why we see so many Masonic lodges that give back to the community whether through food drives, blood drives, donating to charities, etc. Many Masons still serve in government - whether local, state or federal - and in organizations like the Red Cross, American Heart Association, public safety, shelters and food banks because they understand something very important about themselves and Masonry.
The reason why is simple. We realize what the Creator has done for us, and what others do for us and people around them, and bound by our duty as Masons and our faith, we strive to help those in need and support our communities.
So, maybe to the disappointment of some, Freemasonry isn't out to rule the world; it isn't hiding the secret of where King Solomon's gold is hidden. Freemasonry doesn't make you wealthy, powerful or famous. The true gold of Freemasonry is the values, morals and lessons it teaches and the application of them to our personal spiritual lives.
In closing, throughout the years, Freemasonry has impacted generations of leaders, political and religious, and influencers that have changed their local communities, their country and the world. Never underestimate the effect you may have on those around you. Great change always begins with the individual. Focus on making a difference in your local area. If done for the right reasons, before long, it will have a ripple effect.
"The world today requires moral and spiritual regeneration. I have no doubt, after many years as a member of our Order, that Freemasonry can play a part in this vital need."
Let’s imagine I am in a humongous, dark room. It’s a featureless room. It doesn’t even have corners in it. It has round walls. The whole point of that is, I don't even know where I am.
I’m feeling my way around in this room. I’m groping around in the darkness, trying to find where I am. Suddenly, I feel something in front of me. It’s a chair! Yes! Ah! Yes! It has … it has legs and it has braces and it has a back. It’s a chair! Ah! Good! Now I can sit here. At least I know where I am. I’m in the chair. Ah, it’s a good feeling! It’s a home base. I can navigate from this chair. All I have to do I carry this chair with me and I'll always know where I am.
If you found yourself laughing it may be you realize how ridiculous this illustration is because you know that no fixed point of reference is going to do you any good unless it has two factors: 1) it has to be separate from youself, and 2) it cannot move.
As soon as I pick it up and make it a part of my me, make it a part of my consciousness, make it a part of my mobility, it isn't a fixed point of reference anymore! I’ll never know where I am, because the thing moves. As long as it stays right there and doesn't move, now that’s security!
That’s one of the prime factors of navigation, you know. When you’re out on a sailboat, you’re out on the vast, featureless expanse of ocean and you have no idea where you are, unless you have a tool of measurement, in this case, a sexton. A sexton is used to measure from the stars to tell one's location. The reason you can measure from the stars to figure out where you are is, because the stars don’t move. They’re fixed in space. Now, the earth moves and it makes it look like the stars move, but we know all that stuff. The stars themselves don’t move. But, if the stars were just floating around wherever they wanted, you wouldn’t know where you are. That’s a fixed point of reference.
All of us has had points in our life where it seemed like we were at our lowest point. We were miserable, weak and discouraged. What did you have to hold onto?
When a new initiate is brought into the lodge he is told to 'kneel for the benefit of prayer'. Before rising, he is asked, 'In whom do you place your trust?' In truth, the initiate should be able to answer, 'In God.' Then what? 'It is well. Your faith being well founded, arise, follow your guide and fear no danger.'
Without a fixed point of reference in our lives, we will be like the explorer lost in the depths of the cavern without a light; like the sailor out at sea with no understanding of his navigational instruments or how to read the stars.
As we progress through Blue Lodge we learn of the working tools of a Mason. Yet, of most importance, are the three Great Lights upon the altar in every lodge room--the Holy Bible, Square and Compasses.
The Holy Bible - to serve as our volume of Sacred Law and moral guide. The Square - to square our actions by the square of virtue. The Compasses - to circumscribe our desires and keep them within due bounds. As a Freemason, these provide a fixed point of reference for us. They should be our rule and guide for our conduct through life.
Without a fixed point of reference, not only can we not help ourselves, but we will be of no value to those around us or to our Craft.
Sources:
Illustration of the Chair as A Fixed Point of Reference taken from author Frank Peretti.
Probably like most of us, if not all of us, these questions made no sense to me as a new EA. Starting out, they just seemed like random questions that were a part of an ancient tradition. They had no real meaning to me.
Now, they actually make sense to me and, in various ways, have begun to form the way I think about Masonry and what it teaches me. Each of these questions are answered for the candidate, but in reality, these are questions that all of us should think about seriously.
It was the moment I took my obligation that I "became a Mason"; but was it? That's what I thought at least when I became an EA. I repeated some words and was introduced to my brethren. Wasn't that what made me a Mason?
It wasn't until quite a bit later that I realized the second question comes before the first chronologically. Where was I first prepared? This gave the first question a whole new meaning for me. It wasn't about the obligation. And, in actuality, it wasn't even about becoming a part of an international brotherhood. It was about the heart.
As good citizens, we obey the laws of the land. We treat others fair and we try and look out for our fellow man. We do what we do because it is morally right. But, if we had no desire inside to be good men, or in this sense "better men", then would it really matter to us if we had good morals? We would just be doing these things just to the extent of staying out of jail, or not getting caught.
In the same way, Masonry teaches some wonderful things - love your brother, help those in need, control your passions, etc. All of these are great things, but taking an obligation and becoming a Mason is just an action if you don't understand where you were first prepared.
The motto of Freemasonry is well-known, even to those who know very little about the Craft:
Making good men better men.
It is more than just a saying. How do you take a bad man and make him a better man? It can't be done. As the chaplain of our lodge put it so well, Only God can take a bad man and make him good. It is through the teaches of our faith and also the help of the Masonic lessons, that we are able to grow from good men into better men. To those who join Freemasonry for more than just the privilege of being called a Mason, and pay attention to what it teaches, to me, they will begin to discover the true "gold" in Freemasonry.
How were you prepared to be made a Mason? Do you understand why your were prepared the way you were? Confusion was a constant companion throughout my three degrees of Blue Lodge. In my head I knew everything had to connect somehow. Even though I didn't understand why certain things were done the way they were, I believed they were done for a reason. In time, I was able to look back and understand what it meant.
I was prepared in a way that taught me humility. As human beings, it becomes all too easy to think of ourselves to be better then others (because of our career, family name, etc.). Unfortunately, this is the basis of the race issue we've been dealing with for far too long. Pride, in its own right, is a good thing. It encourages us to look nice and work hard. But, if not controlled, it can cause damage. Masonry regards no man for his worldy wealth or honour.
Let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.
~ I Corinthians 10:12
Masonry helps us realize that no matter what your position in life, every one of us meet on the level. No brother is greater than another. You may never be Grand Master, but what about Steward or Lodge Education Officer in your local lodge. If there is no "official" chair that needs filled, remember that the seats on the sidelines are just as important.
In Closing
As you progress through your Masonic journey, whether you are the newest EA in the northeast corner or the eldest Past Master in your lodge, think about what is said in Opening, Closing and Degree Work.
It is understandable that there are many who, because of family or work obligations, cannot be active in their local lodge. But, for those who no longer regularly attend their lodge because they aren't getting anything out of it, take time to think about what is said in lodge. It's easy to think of it as just a bunch of words said in an old ritual that doesn't fit into our daily lives.
If we can began to understand why certain things are said and done, then it's at that point that Masonry impacts us at a deeper level than just memorizing ritual or enjoying fellowship with our brothers.
These three questions are just an example of the many indepth teachings that Masonry has which can help us as good men become better men.
Spring through Fall of 2020. What happened? What in the world was going on in America?
So far this year has brought one thing after another. As we slowly overcome the COVID-19 Crisis and many return to work and everyday, normal life, now we come to another Crisis. Across the country protests erupted into riots, and in many places, still continue. In the midst of it all, statues, monuments, government buildings and masonic lodges and temples have been vandalized and destroyed.
The issue of racism has once again sprang to the forefront of the American public. Everyone believes they have the right solution to the problem. Unfortunately, this is not an issue that will disappear over time. Racism has been a struggle in our great country for over 200 years. So what's the answer?
A few weeks ago a Prince Hall brother posted a video on a topic that I would like to reiterate here. For 236 years, Mainstream Masonry and Prince Hall Freemasonry had stood as two separate members of the same family. I would not suggest that both Grand Lodges give up their history to combine. What I am asking is that as brothers, we put differences aside. We forget about skin color. We forget about nationality and backgrounds.
How can we expect our society to put racism behind us, if we still allow it in our local lodges? It may be a hard truth, brothers, but to make a difference in the world around us, change must first begin in ourselves and our lodges.
So, what happens now? Now, we move forward. We accept our brothers for who they are...our brothers. We help our culture move forward by realizing skin color is just that...just a skin color. 'We all bleed the same.'
I think I speak for a lot of us when I say that it feels as if this quarantine has lasted forever. Many of us have had to use our imaginations in a way that we haven't done since we were children. We have no option but to do our Spring Cleaning. Outside things like gardens, flowerbeds and woodworking projects are getting done like never before.
Many of us are getting use to seeing faces over video chat or hearing familiar voices over the phone instead of seeing each other in person. Some of us are missing "good old conversation". Others might even be enjoying the seclusion and are thankful for not having to mingle with the general public any more than necessary.
However you feel about the quarantine (whether you think it is right or wrong), remember that an individual's actions and attitude, now more than ever, show the true character of each one of us. How you treat the person who accidentally rubs against you at Walmart or Home Depot, or react to the person who rudely coughs and sneezes on you while buying groceries shows those around you what kind of person you really are. When something unexpected happens or someone makes a rude comment is your first reaction kindness, or do you you snap back and think about launching something at them. In the life of a Mason, kindness should a defining trait of who you are.
Unfortunately many of us can say that they personally know Masons who care about no one other than themselves. There are others who, because they have the title of Warden, Master, Past Master, etc., they deserve more respect than the other brethren in the Lodge. If we, as brothers, have trouble treating each other with kindness and respect, then how can we go about our daily lives treating our fellow man with kindness.
Most of us are proud to be a Mason and display symbols on our cars, homes, clothes, etc. And we most certainty should be proud. But, are you proud just to have the title "Freemason" and to tell people you're a member of "secret society", or are you proud of what the fraternity represents and how it has changed you life?
In everything you do and in everywhere you go, remember you represent a fraternity who stands for brotherly love, relief and truth. Your actions may determine how someone views our fraternity.
This past Saturday (August 22nd) some of our Perry Lodge brethren gathered at the lodge for breakfast then afterward to hang the recently redone Square and Compasses on the side of Salem Masonic Temple.
WB Jerry Lyda was instrumental in the process of getting the Square and Compasses painted and the old lights replaced with new LED lights and wiring. Thank you, WB Lyda, for your help. It is very much appreciated.
The Square and Compasses were hung with the help of WB Ed Lydic (current Worshipful Master of Perry #185), WB Rick Sekely, Brent Spangler, Tony Waskiewicz, Garrett Yoder and Michael Caldwell. Thank you, brothers for your help Saturday.
This weekend was a tag-on to all the work that has been getting done at the Lodge/Temple over the past five or so months.
Our Perry Lodge brethren have been working hard on the upkeep of the Temple - painting the restrooms, hallways, etc. upstairs and cleaning up the basement to make use of areas and rooms that haven't been used for far too long.
I know it hasn't been easy, brothers, but we are making some good headway. I am proud of the guys in my Lodge and the dedication they show in maintaining the beautiful Temple in which we are blessed to meet and in strengthening the Brotherly Love and friendships that we have formed.
