BRYCE ON FREEMASONRY
Who is the Better Mason? The individual or a Lodge officer?
I have been wrestling with a conundrum lately regarding Freemasonry: Who is the better Mason, the person who is properly initiated, passed and raised a Master Mason and disappears shortly thereafter, or the Mason who becomes an officer of the Lodge? Let me give you my spin on it.
There may be many reasons why a Mason drops out of sight; first, his occupation may require him to work difficult hours or to cause him to move to another locale. As Americans, it is not uncommon for workers to move throughout the country. In my case, I have lived in eight different locations throughout the United States. I suspect I am not alone. The “Traveling Mason,” as I call him, still respects the tenets of Freemasonry, but is not actively involved with the workings of the Lodge, either his Mother Lodge or as guest of another Lodge. Yet, he dutifully pays his dues as is required of him.
Another reason for not attending Lodge is perhaps he devotes more time to family activities or another Masonic body, such as the Shrine, Grotto, Scottish Rite, or York Rite. The culture of the Craft Lodge may be such, the Master Mason prefers attending these other bodies instead. In other words, he finds it more rewarding to attend these other bodies than a Craft Lodge. And if the Craft Lodge is mired in politics or incompetence, the Master Mason will likely look elsewhere to invest his time.
There is also the possibility a member may have joined, become disenchanted with all of Freemasonry and dropped out of sight. This is likely the cause for the members dropped from the rolls each year under the category of “Suspended; Non-Payment of Dues.” Even under this scenario, it is unlikely the person will totally dismiss the obligations he took and the Masonic lessons he learned.
Regardless of the reason for dropping out, if the Master Mason learns the lessons of Freemasonry, takes them to heart, and uses them in his walk through life, be it at home or in business, than he is a True Mason, regardless if he has paid his dues or not.
Read: Freemasonry is Dying
As to the Masons who are officers, let us first consider the purpose of the Craft Lodge, which is to initiate new members, and to provide a venue to discuss Masonic related topics for the betterment of the Craft (aka, “Masonic Education”). There is also the matter of managing Lodge finances and assets, such as the Lodge building. This means, Lodge officers have three primary responsibilities:
- Proficient in Masonic ritual (the three degrees), as well as addressing the topic of membership. Of course, people join of their own free will and accord, but the officers should consider alternatives for communicating the virtues of Freemasonry to the public; e.g., an open house, recognizing a person or organization for their work, assisting a school or charity, etc. If the officers are not proficient in ritual, or in addressing membership, they are not doing their job competently.
- Providing Masonic Education, including such things as history, morality, charity, or contemporary subjects, such as how to use the Internet, computers, financial planning, etc. If the officers are not doing this, they are not doing their jobs competently.
- Managing finances and assets. Maintaining the Lodge building and furniture is one thing, managing the finances is another, and something commonly overlooked in many Lodges. There is no excuse for not preparing an annual audit of finances, and a budget for the new year, not unless they do not know how to perform such tasks. Lodge officers have a fiduciary responsibility to do such things as financial planning and preparing feasibility studies. If a Lodge appears to be in financial decline, it is up to the officers (and hopefully a finance committee), to determine how to raise income (such as an increase in membership dues) or lower expenses. If the officers are not doing this, they are certainly not doing their jobs competently.
Then again, I have seen far too many Lodges where a person becomes an officer for the wrong reason, such as to simply earn a Past Master’s apron and to be called “Worshipful.” Such people are in it to win accolades as opposed to truly serving the operations of the Lodge (something they are not qualified to do). Progression through the line is not a right, it has to be earned. If the person is not qualified to assume the office, he could cause considerable problems and, as such, he needs to be properly trained to assume the position, just like any other job.
In theory, the Craft Lodge is supported by the Grand Lodge who provides assistance in teaching the three primary responsibilities. However, if the Grand Lodge becomes overbearing, then the Craft Lodge will likely be encumbered by bureaucracy which is essentially no different than big government becoming intrusive in the lives of business and the individual. The Grand Lodge should serve the Blue Lodge, not the other way around.
So, who is the better Mason; the individual or the Lodge officer? Although I have known a handful of good Lodge officers over the years, professional people who know what they are doing, I have seen far too many not take their responsibilities seriously, are unqualified, thereby becoming detrimental to their Lodge and Freemasonry overall. In my mind, the True Mason is the person who has learned his Masonic obligations, implemented them in his walk through life, and respects the precepts of the fraternity. It is certainly not the person who dresses up in a tux, marches around the Lodge room, and practices politics for personal glory.
Freemasonry is a fraternity, not a club. It is a beautiful logical concept that is often physically implemented poorly.
Keep the Faith!
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Tim Bryce is a writer and the Managing Director of M&JB Investment Company (M&JB) of Palm Harbor, Florida and has over 30 years of experience in the management consulting field.
He can be reached at timb001@phmainstreet.com
For Tim’s columns, see: timbryce.com
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Copyright © 2014 by Tim Bryce. All rights reserved.
I doubt of many Lodge and Grand Loge too.
I agree with what you say Tim. If I may let me add a little more. I’m an expelled mason. Yet I have nothen to say bad about true masonry. I have nothen to say good about the men in jasper lodge no. 21. Of jasper ark. That falsely expelled me..but that is not masonrys fault…greed, lies,theft,politics, ect, is in every organization somewhere.the money ,hard work I was out the money I feel was unjustly took from me and still is to this day. All the people I think was basicly trash and done me wrong……means nothen…my 20years of masonry was a great thing in my eyes…all the brothers that really was a brother to me and I to them . Was worth it all !! I just pray that other grand lodges in other states see what arkansas has done to masonry and don,t follow there path of destruction.
Tim, your conclusion is spot on: a “good Mason” is—must be, by definition—one who takes his Masonic obligations seriously. Of course, in spite of your observation regarding so many Lodge officers, one classification (officer) certainly does not preclude the other (taking obligations seriously). To that extent, your distinction is a bit of a false dichotomy, and the many Lodges that have and continue to thrive (and to inspire their members) are, thankfully, evidence of that.
That said, there is something about being appointed to the officers’ line that can, in masonic terms anyway, bring out if not the worst then at least the darker side of some men’s personalities and characters. I would venture the opinion (one that is encompassed within a growing movement within the Craft) that the problem, in so many cases, is the idea of the progressive officers’ line. The appointment of a man to the line and the expectation that he fill each position in turn, eventually becoming Master, tends to make the priorities of the Lodge synonymous with the more superficial ones of that structure of governance: oft repeated social activities, meetings focused upon the Lodge’s business and finances, and ritual in the pro forma rather than the instructional sense.
As one who has come to believe that there is (or ought to be) more to Freemasonry than what one could find in a good men’s club or fraternal group (though there are many fine ones), my thinking has evolved to the point at which I see much merit in the ‘traditional observance’ movement, on the one hand, and the ‘virtual Lodge’ movement, on the other. These movements are toward formality (in the case of TO Lodges) or away from bland business meetings that have little interest to any but the officers (in the case of the virtual Lodges). Those who really see the seeking of more light as their raison d’être in Masonry find much that is rewarding in either approach, and both go far toward avoiding the politics and the power trips of the more usual Lodge organizations.
Bill – I couldn’t agree more about rotation through the chairs. This also suggests our form of elections is flawed. Men today tend to believe they are “entitled” to move up, not earn their way. This is why I like California’s concept of District Inspector who certifies the person is ready to move up.
Yes we all had to crawl before we can walk learning still possible and growing, Moving Forward.
In Pennsylvania, one cannot advance with out the okay from the District Deputy Grand Master and the Principal of the School of Instruction. Generally, to sit in an elected chairs (Wardens / Master) one must know at least two of the degrees, along with the funeral service, and busienss of the Lodge.
I do agree with your observation. My prob is the lack of interaction amongst Masons. The lack of social events that will bind brothers and causes better friendships amongst them..The lack of interaction as far as business is concerned. I would rather support a Mason than any other. At least you would then deal with a brother of integrity. But as it is it is a Monthly get together of 3 hours and only a few staying after Lodge closing.So HOW do you get to know each other??
You have to invent new venues. In my case, I setup a cigar smoker, trapshoot contest, a day at the horse races, a camp trip with our sons, etc. When I was Junior Deacon, the meals were far from routine. The most interesting was when I started up a “Spam Fest” competition which everyone loved. In other words, you have to use your imagination, and make it fun.
Here’s another one: A knife and fork degree (try looking it up on-line).