As I am a Veteran of the U.S. Army, many years ago I joined
by my local American Legion. To join I physically went to the American Legion
building -some of you may remember those days before everything in life was
done electronically. As I approached the door of the legion
building, I noticed a sign on the door that said, “Members Only”. As I stopped
at the door, suddenly the door buzzed, I pulled on the door which opened, and I
was inside. For three o’clock in the afternoon I observed that the bar and restaurant
were pretty busy.
I approached the bar and the bartender asked me “what’ll
you have”? I replied that I was interested in joining the legion. He
replied, “You a Vet”? I nodded and he handed me a membership application. As I
stood at the bar completing the form, I asked him what day the legion has their
meetings and what activities do they do. He replied, “Well we have a lot of
great drink specials, and the restaurant has great food that’s pretty cheap”. I
asked when meetings were held? He replied that he did not know, but I could
come back in the evenings, and maybe I could catch one. I handed him my now
completed application and his reply was “great that’s $29.95 and you get to
drink free today”. “Thanks for your Service.”
Soon after I received a membership card in the mail, and I
began receiving a monthly magazine. For several decades I would periodically
stop in to see if I could catch a meeting and determine what night they met. I
never did stop by on the evening of a meeting; however, I did learn I could get
a double scotch and great steak dinner for ten bucks.
My past visits to the Eagles, Elks, and Moose were very
similar. Great drink specials, good food, no meetings required.
Freemasonry it totally different than the organizations I have
just described. Freemasonry isn’t just about being a casual or passive
onlooker. Being a good Mason is being an active Mason. I believe
that many Masons have forgotten our principles and believe that being a good
Mason is paying their yearly dues. After all, they receive that
membership card and newsletter upon payment, like other organizations.
I argue that the intent of Freemasonry is to be more than
just another membership card in your wallet or just another newsletter or
magazine to put on your coffee table to impress your friends.
I think we can all agree that other fraternal, service, and
social organizations participate in good works.
Using the words of our dear Brother Andrew Hammer of the
Masonic Restoration Society:
“It is the intent of Freemasonry that the fraternity is,
above all else, an initiatic order whose main purpose is to teach good men to
subdue their passions, become masters over themselves, and grow in life to be
better men.
It is the intent of Freemasonry that members of Masonic
Lodges should be actively engaged in Freemasonry. Historically, attendance at
Masonic meetings and functions was mandatory, with fines paid for absences not
excused by the lodge. Active participation in the business and purposes of
Masonry by a large majority of those who belong is essential to the growth and
vitality of a lodge, and in carrying out its role in improving society.
It is the intent of Freemasonry that Masons come together
to seek fellowship and fraternity in a common pursuit of virtue and moral
improvement. This has historically best been accomplished in small and intimate
gatherings of fraternal association. Lodges should be large enough to be
efficient, but small enough for all the brethren of the lodge to closely know
each other. Fraternal ties must always be stronger than social ties. Masonic
relationships are expected to be forged between members in the same way a
brother grows close to a sibling.
It is the intent of Freemasonry that, through the exercise
of genuine brotherly love, men become better enabled to regard humankind as one
family. Charity, being the chief of all social virtues, encumbers Masons to
aid, support and protect each other, relieve the distress and misfortune of
family members, and consciously contribute to the betterment of society at
large.
It is the intent of Freemasonry that Lodges should make
regular time for feasting, communal dining, and embracing the social enjoyment
of their members. Holding a formal dining event after meetings has long been a
traditional element of Masonic evenings. Table Lodges and Feasts of St. John
offer opportunities to observe this important Masonic tradition with the larger
Masonic community. The fellowship of men is best embraced in the convivial
environs of sociability.
It is the intent of Freemasonry that its formal and tyled
assemblies should be dedicated to the attainment of a deeper knowledge and
understanding of Freemasonry by all members. To this end, the presentation of
lectures, poetry, music; discussions of the arts, philosophy, and history; and
the interpretation of symbols, allegories and myths of Masonic ritual all play
an important role in furthering the aims and growth of a Masonic lodge and its
members. Each tyled meeting should be devoted, at least in part, to the
realization of this profound purpose.
Above all, the most important intention of a Freemason is
self-improvement. The improvement of the individual is the most fundamental
aspect of improving society.”
My Question to you today is: How can any of us follow
these if we don’t show up?
Our Ancient Brothers understood the importance of
attendance in Lodge. They understood that fellowship meant meeting in
person. Of course, before telephones, computers and all the current
technology, they had fewer options, but the still the sacred connection of
meeting and practicing the craft bonded them together. At times in
human history, attending a meeting may have been a life-threatening event, yet
they still understood the necessity of coming together.
Every Master Mason fully understands that a summons is a notice
that a Masonic event is going to occur like a stated meeting, funeral, Corner
Stone laying and that they have a significate interest in attending. It is the
Masons responsibility to answer it.
This may seem a bold statement, but I know this as it is part of our Fellow Craft and Master Mason Obligation. As Masons, we promise to answer and obey dues summonses from a lodge.’
Remember this obligation? Remember this promise that was
made?
In ancient times, the Worshipful Master would notify the
Secretary of the date and time of the Communication. The Secretary would then
notify the Tyler. The Tyler would go to each Masons work or home, and inform them
mouth to ear, or hand each a paper Summons.
I have a copy of a Summons signed by Worshipful Master Paul
Revere that you can look at.
I have witnessed the effectiveness of a Masonic Summons in
other parts of the world. I attended Lodge in London at Maritima
Lodge #6444. The Lodge members there are very active, and many are retired or
active Merchant Marines. These Brothers work on commercial trade ships that are
moving and working throughout the world.
There were close to thirty members in attendance at the
meeting. The Worshipful Master asked the Secretary if there was any
correspondence. The Secretary rose and he held in his hand a stack of paper an
inch thick of letters and printed e mails from members who could not attend the
meeting. Some of the members being on the high seas, and others were in ports
in Greece, South Korea, Cape Town South Africa, Singapore to name a few.
As the Secretary read each correspondence, the Brothers in
attendance listened with great interest. It was evident there was strong sense
of belonging, and that all members, no matter how far and scattered across the
world they may be, they mattered to each other. One member was at home in
England receiving cancer treatments, another was recovering and attending
physical therapy for he had fallen twenty feet from a ladder on board ship that
was experiencing rough seas, and yet another was home welcoming the birth of
child.
After reading all the correspondence the Secretary stated
that all the members were either present or accounted for.
Today, with current technology, we can receive our
Masonic Summons via e mail. It is very convenient and a much easier system. All
we need to do is click a box and hit send. But what have we lost in
terms of engagement with technology? I would argue quite a lot.
The masons shared the tie that binds us all. It just seems
to me that the binding has frayed a bit…..
So, that Summons I receive is important. It is
not another pesky email, but a gentle reminder that I belong to the world’s
oldest fraternity, if not the oldest men’s support group. That I belong to a
Lodge where we pay careful attention to and practice what we consider the
essential tenets of Freemasonry. We do everything as correctly as possible, and
to the best of our ability, for us to be better men.
The summons means that my participation is wanted and most
importantly is needed. That I am part of a fraternity that has
withstood the test or wars, dictators, and strife, but has survived and
thrived, because ultimately, we are Masons that care about one
another.
I made a promise many years ago, to answer all due signs and summons. A promise I still consider important and would ask that we all reflect on that promise.
It should be noted
It did take me over 30 years to get to a place in life where I had the time to reach out to the State Headquarters to find out the contact person and what night my American Legion Met.
I did eventually become the Commander of my Local Post for two firm terms. I firmly support the American Legion and their activities.
