A Story Of Masonry
A discussion of what's important in a Masonic Lodge. Important today, and tomorrow.
I am proud to present the second winning essay in Emeth’s essay contest. It is quite different from what we are used to here on Emeth, in that it is a story instead of an essay. I read it with a great deal of interest, and I believe that the story contains a number of lessons that we would do well to learn from.
Perhaps lessons delivered through story is even more Masonic than through other forms. If you have thoughts about it, please do speak up in the comments.
The story’s author is Brother Michael Clevenger, Past District Education Officer for the Grand Lodge of Ohio’s 14th Masonic District. His full Masonic bio will follow the story.
That’s enough from me, I am please to present Brother Mike’s story to you…
A Young Mason Shares His Thoughts on Masonry Now and In the Future
John Grogan stood at the back of the lodge room and began to think about his lodge's history. More than 200 years ago, his Masonic brothers, wanting a permanent home, constructed the building that has been carefully preserved and is still a sense of pride for the lodge's brothers. The furniture, the altar, the symbols, and everything required for a lodge to operate are original and still used today.
For John, the old lodge room is a place of escape from the busyness of the world. A space for contemplation and renewal of spirit, as well as a refuge for friendship and brotherhood. John always likes to get to the lodge early, allowing some time alone for his thoughts.
Today was one of those days that John found himself feeling discouraged. He began his day in his usual upbeat manner, but he began growing weary of the news' increasing negative topics as the day wore on. There were accusations, extreme partisanship, and seemingly endless situations that made him think that all sense of civility, intelligent discourse, and collaborative effort has been abandoned. Also, it seems to John, a significant number of people, rather than basing their opinions on their study of researched facts and contemplating those facts, spout out and shout whatever may support their views and are unwilling to consider opposing viewpoints.
His thinking led him more and more that the enormity of moral decay, and the unwillingness of people to engage in intelligent, meaningful dialogue, were problems that were too large for even Masonry to overcome. John hated it when these thoughts consumed his mind. It always made him start questioning other things as well. Some days he even finds himself questioning why he even bothered putting the time he does into Masonry.
It is on these days that John is thankful there is a lodge meeting to attend. He finds that knowing he will be in a lodge will snap him out of this negative thinking. He often tells his lodge brothers that he "tiles his mind" before entering the lodge room. Tiling your mind to John is first removing all thoughts from the outside world; forget the burdens of the day, discard the negative things you have heard and how they made you feel because this type of mindset doesn't belong in a Masonic Lodge room. He then remembers the tenet of Brotherly Love and the wonderful Brothers he will be around. He uses the lodge room as a sacred space to renew his faith in the creator and envision a life of hope, not despair. Next, he thinks of his duty of Masonic Charity, which asks him to help ease the burdens and troubled minds of his brothers. He knows he can't do that if he is troubled. Finally, he prepares himself to learn and teach so that he might give and receive wise counsel.
Tonight, as he sat alone on one of the large leather sofas in the anteroom, with his mind refreshed, he began thinking of the purpose of the Masonic Fraternity and how he can use it to solve the problems on his mind today.
His thoughts were interrupted when he heard the door of the lodge open, and a voice exclaims, "See Jack, I told you we would find him here."
He turned and was surprised to see his good friend and Brother, Ted Stephen, and Ted's nephew, Jack.
"What are you guys doing here?" John exclaimed as the two came over to where John was seated.
"This is a Masonic Lodge, isn't it?" Ted said with a big smile on his face, "and rumor has it that Worshipful Brother John Grogan is presenting the educational program this evening. So, Jack and I decided we would come to visit and heckle you!"
John and Ted have known each other for almost forty years. They met each other through Masonry and became more than just Masonic brothers but brothers in the sense they felt like they had grown up in the same family. Jack's father, Ted's Brother, had died suddenly a couple of years ago, so Ted assumed the father figure role for Jack and brought him into Masonry.
John was present the night Jack received his Entered Apprentice degree, and even though Jack belongs to a different lodge, John asked the Worshipful Master if he could be Jack's Masonic mentor. Jack and John became close during the months that followed, and Jack, somewhere along the line, began referring to John as "Uncle John." John many times has said that he considers his time with Jack one of the most valuable experiences of his Masonic career. He also believes that mentoring and educating young men is one of the great purposes of Masonry.
"So, John," Ted asked, "what is it we can expect to learn this evening?"
"Well, you know me,” John began, “I'm always looking for ways to apply the lessons of Masonry every day and help my brothers do the same. Lately, I've been thinking more and more about how discouraged you can become if you let all the "noise" of today's society overwhelm you. If you aren't careful, you can get dragged into a feeling of despair and lose sight of all the positive things you have in life. Using a positive routine to begin your day will provide a mindset that will help you from becoming discouraged. Also, I believe that daily reminding yourself that Masonry is there to provide a solid foundation for moral living and action will help you to remain positive."
"Is this your blue card we discussed during our degree mentoring sessions?" Jack asked.
"It is," John replied, "as you know, I have five things I remind myself of daily and have it written on a blue index card. So tonight, I am going to share why I began doing this, what's on the card, and give each Brother a blank card and encourage each of them to begin their daily positive routine."
"Well, my card has sure helped me," said Jack. "Uncle John, remember when you asked me at our first mentoring session if I had any goals for my life? I recall you smiled when you saw the puzzled look on my face. I was expecting to begin learning the coded ritual, and we spent the entire time talking about me, my dreams, my beliefs, and you shared with me how Masonry had shaped your beliefs and life. I guess I never told you, but that first conversation had a great impact on me. It caused me to realize that I hadn't just joined an ordinary fraternity, but an organization that can do great things, not just for me but for society in general."
Several other Brothers had entered the lodge by this time and listened intently to what Jack was saying. Jack was one of the youngest members of his lodge, and there had been quite a bit of discussion over the last several years about what more youthful men are looking for when they join Masonry.
"So Jack," interrupted Ted, "tell us what you believe is Masonry's purpose now and what should it be for the future."
"I don't know if I can answer for everyone, but for me, it's doing what Uncle John has been doing. He discusses the lessons in the degrees, asks me questions, listens to my thoughts, and helps me solve problems I encounter. Also, he encourages me to set goals and continue to learn not only about Masonry but life in general and the value of building positive relationships with others."
"So, is what you're saying," John asked, "that you believe one of Masonry's purposes now is to provide positive role models who will, in turn, mentor new Masons?"
"Oh, not only now, but in the future," Jack exclaimed. "To know I have not only you and Uncle Ted to help and guide me, but a whole lot of Masonic Brothers willing to share the lessons they have learned in a meaningful manner makes the time I devote to Masonry very valuable. I already have learned the importance of having a framework for moral behavior, constantly learning through observation and inquiry, listening to others, empathy, the value of servant leadership, and so much more. If Masonry continues to focus on teaching its tenets and lessons to men who interact with their neighbors and their communities morally and ethically, the world becomes a better place. I know that sounds a little trite, but I believe it's true and should be the focus of every Masonic lodge."
As the time for opening the lodge got closer, more and more Brothers arrived, and as John looked around, he was struck by how intensely the brothers were listening to Jack. One of the lodge's oldest members, Walter Hagin, had a beaming smile on his face. Walter looked like Jack was his grandson and just scored a winning touchdown to give his team a league championship.
As the Brothers started asking Jack questions about what can the lodge do to improve its attraction to more young men, John realized he had to do something to keep this dialogue going. So he decided after he opened the lodge, they would continue the discussion. After mentoring Jack for the past couple of years, John knew that he was entirely capable of expounding on the subject.
There was a slight pause in the discussion, and John jumped in. "Brethren, it is time to open lodge. I hope you will agree with me when I say this exchange of ideas is worthy of continuing." Worshipful Brother Hagin led the immediate applause.
John continued. "Please clothe, and as we enter our Masonic sanctuary in silence, begin to reflect upon what Brother Jack has said about the value of Masonry. Then, after the lodge is open, we will continue to share our thoughts."
John opened the lodge, and the dialogue, led by Brother Jack, continued for almost another two hours.
On returning home, John sat quietly in his favorite chair and reflected on the lessons learned from a new Mason. He felt a sense of pride that he, as Jack's mentor, was considered by Jack a role model. John recalled a poem he heard recited by the legendary UCLA coach John Wooden.
"No written word, no spoken plea can teach our youth what they should be;
Nor all the books on all the shelves- it's what the teachers are themselves."
Young Brother Jack made Masonry's need clear, thought John. Masonry needs not just members, but those members need to become Masonic mentors and role models. A good friend and Brother Mason once commented to John, "Masonry is not something you just join; it is something you become."
Helping young men "Become Masonry" should be the Fraternity's goal.
Michael D. Clevenger
Mike was raised a Master Mason in New England Lodge No. 4, F&AM, March 10, 1981. He served as their Master in 1991 and continues to serve as Secretary, LEO, and Lodge Musician. In addition, he served as a District Education Officer for the Grand Lodge of Ohio's 14th Masonic District in 2019.
Mike is a member of Horeb-Wright Chapter #3, York Council 115, and Mt Vernon Commandery No. 1. Also, he is 32° Mason of the Valley of Columbus, AASR, and has been a cast member in the 13th Degree. Mike is a member of Worthington Chapter Order of Eastern Star and a Senior DeMolay. Mike served as the Potentate of Aladdin Shriners in 2003 and continues to serve Shriners International as a member of the Leadership Development Team, which he has done for the past 15 years.
Mike's passion for Masonic education led him in 2015 to create for the Grand Lodge of Ohio, Masons Lead Better, a personal and Masonic leadership development program. The program's goal is to help Masons study and apply the tools and lessons of the Masonic degrees to improve their lives, families, communities, and the Fraternity.
Mike and his wife Luanne have been married for 45 years and reside in Worthington, Ohio. They have one son, Wade, who, with his wife Chelsea and their daughter Etta, live in Annapolis, Maryland.
I owe a huge debt of gratitude to everyone who holds a paid subscription to Emeth. Without you, things like this essay contest could not exist. In Emeth we are creating a superb resource that helps our Lodges, and helps our Masons. None of it would be possible without your support.
Thank you to everyone who takes the time to read this newsletter. For years, without a good and regular outlet for my Masonic writings I felt like I was yelling out into the universe, with no one to hear. Now, I know how many Emeth emails are received by people every day, I know how many people read each essay or topic, the fact that those numbers have continually grown since day one gives me a great deal of satisfaction, and confidence that I’m no longer screaming into a void. Thank you for reading, I hope that you always find value for the time you spend.
Finally, Thank you to everyone who participates in our discussions. They are always interesting, sometimes lively, and I have learned a lot from the knowledge and wisdom that is shared. Our Fraternity owes a debt of thanks to everyone who takes the time to share what they know, have learned, and believe.
As with every Sunday evening, we will have a gathering over Zoom for all those with a paid subscription to Emeth tonight. The email containing login information will go out at 3:00 PM Pacific Time, and the gathering will begin at 7:30 PM.
I was unable to join in last week due to the Grand Lodge of Washington and the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Washington and Jurisdiction holding their annual Unity March. That was a great event, but I missed seeing the regulars and the new faces on our Rummer & Grapes Zoom. Tonight I will be able to attend.
Just in case you missed them:
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Freemasonry’s Material Culture
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Very well written. Masonry isn’t just rote memorization of the ritual. Nor is it attendance at meetings. Those are of course part of it. But this article pretty much nails what we should all expect out of each other.
MWB Bailey, sorry for the delay in thanking you for sharing my story. I appreciate what you are doing with Emeth and allowing me to be a small part of it.