Thoughts from a Brother
Mehr Licht!
More Light!
Number 149 – December 10, 2007
From St. George’s Banner, September 1992, Brother Kevan Van Herd, editor
Thoughts from a Brother
(Editorial from Bro. Jim Robertson's Desk)
If you ask a Brother why he became a Mason, you often receive a variety of answers. Some joined because a friend whom they respected was a Mason, and encouraged them. Some joined out of filial respect; it was a family tradition, some because they were intrigued by the mystery of Fraternity. Whatever the reason for joining the reasons for remaining a Mason are quite as varied. For some, the theatricality of the ritual is an alluring element. For some the fellowship is an essential part of attending Lodge. For some it is an obligation which they accepted freely, and continue to feel obligated to the Fraternity.
For many it is difficult to define what continues to connect them to Masonry. "Once a Mason, always a Mason", may be true on one level - once in receipt of the secrets they cannot be expunged by either suspension or expulsion. But once having all the Light that can be conferred up you in a Master Mason's Lodge, one has only begun to learn what it is to be a Mason.
There are some practitioners of the Craft whom we are proud to stand beside in Lodge. They have taken their obligations outside of the Temple and practice those tenets of our Fraternity in their everyday lives. It is these examples to young Masons that determine whether we become Freemasons in the true sense of the word or merely card carrying members of a social club.
[If] it is not to develop, through interaction with the Brethren, a greater inner strength and equilibrium in our lives, then we are neglecting one of the most important elements Masonry has to offer. Education and moral development are our stated aims and though the Brotherhood we must strive to attain them. It is believed that through the group we can make good men better. But this can only succeed if all participate.
Please remember: if you would like to participate in the latest Masonic Monday Question, please go to http://www.lodgebuilder.org and click on the Lodge Education forum. Past Masonic Monday Questions and the current one may also be read on the Web Site for the G.L. of MN at www.mn-masons.org under Masonic Monday Q&A When you have an answer send it to masonicmonday@gmail.com The question for the week of 12-10-07 is: “Why are, 'Worshipful Masters” called Worshipful?”
More Light – Mehr Licht ©, Masonic Matters © and T.F.S. ©, are sent out by E-mail at no charge to anyone who would like to receive them. If you enjoy these publications please share them with others. To subscribe to any one or all of these publications just send an E-mail to ed@halpaus.net with Subscribe and the Title, or ‘all 3,’ in the subject line and you will be added to the list to receive the publication you want.
With “Brotherly Love”,
Ed Halpaus
More Light!
Number 149 – December 10, 2007
From St. George’s Banner, September 1992, Brother Kevan Van Herd, editor
Thoughts from a Brother
(Editorial from Bro. Jim Robertson's Desk)
If you ask a Brother why he became a Mason, you often receive a variety of answers. Some joined because a friend whom they respected was a Mason, and encouraged them. Some joined out of filial respect; it was a family tradition, some because they were intrigued by the mystery of Fraternity. Whatever the reason for joining the reasons for remaining a Mason are quite as varied. For some, the theatricality of the ritual is an alluring element. For some the fellowship is an essential part of attending Lodge. For some it is an obligation which they accepted freely, and continue to feel obligated to the Fraternity.
For many it is difficult to define what continues to connect them to Masonry. "Once a Mason, always a Mason", may be true on one level - once in receipt of the secrets they cannot be expunged by either suspension or expulsion. But once having all the Light that can be conferred up you in a Master Mason's Lodge, one has only begun to learn what it is to be a Mason.
There are some practitioners of the Craft whom we are proud to stand beside in Lodge. They have taken their obligations outside of the Temple and practice those tenets of our Fraternity in their everyday lives. It is these examples to young Masons that determine whether we become Freemasons in the true sense of the word or merely card carrying members of a social club.
[If] it is not to develop, through interaction with the Brethren, a greater inner strength and equilibrium in our lives, then we are neglecting one of the most important elements Masonry has to offer. Education and moral development are our stated aims and though the Brotherhood we must strive to attain them. It is believed that through the group we can make good men better. But this can only succeed if all participate.
Please remember: if you would like to participate in the latest Masonic Monday Question, please go to http://www.lodgebuilder.org and click on the Lodge Education forum. Past Masonic Monday Questions and the current one may also be read on the Web Site for the G.L. of MN at www.mn-masons.org under Masonic Monday Q&A When you have an answer send it to masonicmonday@gmail.com The question for the week of 12-10-07 is: “Why are, 'Worshipful Masters” called Worshipful?”
More Light – Mehr Licht ©, Masonic Matters © and T.F.S. ©, are sent out by E-mail at no charge to anyone who would like to receive them. If you enjoy these publications please share them with others. To subscribe to any one or all of these publications just send an E-mail to ed@halpaus.net with Subscribe and the Title, or ‘all 3,’ in the subject line and you will be added to the list to receive the publication you want.
With “Brotherly Love”,
Ed Halpaus
Labels: Philosophy