It sucks, IMO, that President Jackson was a Freemason. And we can have our opinions about Santa Anna, or Henry Ford, who published the Protocols in America. And yet here we are. Perhaps it was a political statement, perhaps not, and I can see how ANY politician having this honor may cause an uproar in the current political climate, which is sad in itself.
I think MW Bailey is taking the necessary, and quite objective, stance on this.
A hypothetical comes to mind, that I'm quite certain was done in the real world:
November 1941 a young man is Initiated as an Entered Apprentice in his hometown Lodge. December 7 of that year Japan attacks Pearl Harbor. He runs down to the recruiting office and enlists, will be shipping out for boot camp in ten days. The Grand Master gathers him, and a number of others in a similar position and makes them all Master Masons, At Sight, prior to their shipping out.
I don't doubt but that happened quite a lot in those days.
But it is also a power that can be used for ill:
A man of questionable character, who probably shouldn't have had his Petition accepted by a Lodge anyway, finds it too difficult to pass Proficiency from Degree to Degree. So he begins harassing his Lodge to somehow convince the GM to Make him a Mason At Sight.
Ultimately, in my view, it is a power that should only be exercised with great discretion, in extraordinary circumstances.
I appreciate your opinion and have no doubt that you may have some personal circumstances which warrant such a strong opinion. I have the opposite opinion.
I don't want to get into an argument about it, I just think there is an assumption that when one expresses a position so strongly it implies that the unrestrained comment was made because the person felt they were in an environment of unanimous support. I often feel compelled in these circumstances to express my opposite opinion so that others who share my views aren't put off or intimidated that the Masonic family is not a place for them.
I felt a lot of pride when I heard the news about Biden. I hope there is room for both of us.
Thank you for this VW. Freemasonry is indeed a place for all men of goodwill to join together in Brotherhood no matter what artificial divisions might divide them. Nationality, politics, religion, culture, traditions, all should fade away when in Lodge.
And in my experience that is very largely true. I don't forget that when I moved across the State I was employed by the Republican Caucus, and the man who most warmly welcomed me into my new Lodge and became my first friend there was on the complete opposite end of the political spectrum. That didn't stop us from enjoying meals and time together, nor stop us from sharing a beer in each other's homes.
Each Masonic Grand Lodge has a Grand Master who can exercise his rights to "Make a man a Mason", or "Expell a Mason" from that Grand Lodge.
I am aware of circumstances that led to the following in WV:
****
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
"West Virginia Past Grand Master Expelled"
Effective Monday, November 19th, 2007, Charles L. Montgomery, Grand Master of Masons in West Virginia, has expelled Most Worshipful Brother Frank Haas, Past Grand Master 2005-6, from Freemasonry, by edict, at a meeting of Wellsburg Lodge No. 2. Wellsburg Lodge’s charter was placed on probation for failing to hold a trial of MWBro. Haas for his "activities" of the last 14 months.
Wbro. Richard Bosely, Deputy Grand Lecturer, was also expelled. Two weeks ago in a stated meeting, Wbro. Bosley brought up questions about votes taken in Grand Lodge's session in October, and was subsequently stripped of his grand officer status in the parking lot by Grand Master Montgomery after the meeting.
******
Each Masonic Grand Lodge can choose to "Recognize" each other Masonic Grand Lodge, or "Not grant recognition" to another Masonic Grand Lodge.
With "powers nigh absolute," Grand Masters must wield it with Prudence, Temperance, Fortitude and most of all Justice. When power is used to promote politics, it creates disharmony within the lodge. Prudence dictates that it should be avoided at all costs.
The power to Make a man a Mason At Sight is one of the most controversial powers claimed and held by Grand Masters. That makes it even more important in my view that it be exercised in only the most carefully considered of circumstances.
I understand the point you are making. And I do not disagree.
But in this case, only the PHGLSC can make that determination.
Broadening your point though, I do think that our Craft as a whole should consider dotage a lot more than we seem to do. We are really clear about nonage with our minimum age to Petition for the Degrees, but we have no clear line when it comes to dotage. And it seems like those in obvious dotage do slip through from time to time.
Myself and another Brother of one of my Lodges have discussed that quite a bit over the past year or so. If a man has lost the mental or physical capacity to be a good Mason due to age, we shouldn't be accepting a petition from him.
Yes I struggle with a decision I made several years ago. There was a man that petitioned and seemed as though 'everyone' wanted him to join, I didn't agree. Rather than cause disharmony, I didn't attend the next meeting when his petition was balloted. I also did not attend his first degree. He never advanced and stopped attending relatively soon and then passed a short few years later. I've toiled with that decision for years, should I have dropped a black cube? I don't think our Lodge would have been 'better' in any way if I did.
It is interesting to me how such decisions stay so firmly in our minds.
There are a few things that I've done in my Masonic career that I regret. One that I frequently remember is when I allowed an unsuitable man to join my Lodge by not taking positive action to prevent it. I've always regretted that, and it has never been far from my mind.
One of our Filipino brothers did a history of Masonry in the Philippines and his conclusion was that the Founding Fathers who are revered as Masons were actually clandestine due to the complex interactions in those days between the Grand Lodge of Spain, The Grand Lodge of England and I think it was the Grand Lodge of California which sponsored the Grand Lodge of the Philippines. They are still revered as Masons.
The Rainbow Girls have a part in their ritual where they revere a list of Masonic Presidents of the United States. Sounds like they need to update the list whether we recognize the MWPHGL of South Carolina or not. Rainbow in the Philippines includes their founding fathers on their list.
I know just enough of the Filipino Masonic history that you mention to realize that I don't know nearly enough. I hope to be able to learn more about it someday.
Thanks for letting me know about the Rainbow ritual, I've not seen that but imagine I will soon as my oldest granddaughter is rapidly approaching the age at which she can join.
It will suck if he was a Freemason. He sucked as a president. He should have known better. 🤦♂️
It sucks, IMO, that President Jackson was a Freemason. And we can have our opinions about Santa Anna, or Henry Ford, who published the Protocols in America. And yet here we are. Perhaps it was a political statement, perhaps not, and I can see how ANY politician having this honor may cause an uproar in the current political climate, which is sad in itself.
I think MW Bailey is taking the necessary, and quite objective, stance on this.
Thank you Brother.
It is a power that can be used for great good.
A hypothetical comes to mind, that I'm quite certain was done in the real world:
November 1941 a young man is Initiated as an Entered Apprentice in his hometown Lodge. December 7 of that year Japan attacks Pearl Harbor. He runs down to the recruiting office and enlists, will be shipping out for boot camp in ten days. The Grand Master gathers him, and a number of others in a similar position and makes them all Master Masons, At Sight, prior to their shipping out.
I don't doubt but that happened quite a lot in those days.
But it is also a power that can be used for ill:
A man of questionable character, who probably shouldn't have had his Petition accepted by a Lodge anyway, finds it too difficult to pass Proficiency from Degree to Degree. So he begins harassing his Lodge to somehow convince the GM to Make him a Mason At Sight.
Ultimately, in my view, it is a power that should only be exercised with great discretion, in extraordinary circumstances.
I appreciate your opinion and have no doubt that you may have some personal circumstances which warrant such a strong opinion. I have the opposite opinion.
I don't want to get into an argument about it, I just think there is an assumption that when one expresses a position so strongly it implies that the unrestrained comment was made because the person felt they were in an environment of unanimous support. I often feel compelled in these circumstances to express my opposite opinion so that others who share my views aren't put off or intimidated that the Masonic family is not a place for them.
I felt a lot of pride when I heard the news about Biden. I hope there is room for both of us.
Thank you for this VW. Freemasonry is indeed a place for all men of goodwill to join together in Brotherhood no matter what artificial divisions might divide them. Nationality, politics, religion, culture, traditions, all should fade away when in Lodge.
And in my experience that is very largely true. I don't forget that when I moved across the State I was employed by the Republican Caucus, and the man who most warmly welcomed me into my new Lodge and became my first friend there was on the complete opposite end of the political spectrum. That didn't stop us from enjoying meals and time together, nor stop us from sharing a beer in each other's homes.
Good summary of the important bits, thanks.
I'm glad that you found value in it!
Each Masonic Grand Lodge has a Grand Master who can exercise his rights to "Make a man a Mason", or "Expell a Mason" from that Grand Lodge.
I am aware of circumstances that led to the following in WV:
****
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
"West Virginia Past Grand Master Expelled"
Effective Monday, November 19th, 2007, Charles L. Montgomery, Grand Master of Masons in West Virginia, has expelled Most Worshipful Brother Frank Haas, Past Grand Master 2005-6, from Freemasonry, by edict, at a meeting of Wellsburg Lodge No. 2. Wellsburg Lodge’s charter was placed on probation for failing to hold a trial of MWBro. Haas for his "activities" of the last 14 months.
Wbro. Richard Bosely, Deputy Grand Lecturer, was also expelled. Two weeks ago in a stated meeting, Wbro. Bosley brought up questions about votes taken in Grand Lodge's session in October, and was subsequently stripped of his grand officer status in the parking lot by Grand Master Montgomery after the meeting.
******
Each Masonic Grand Lodge can choose to "Recognize" each other Masonic Grand Lodge, or "Not grant recognition" to another Masonic Grand Lodge.
I too remember the situation you reference.
Interestingly, here in Washington the Grand Master does not have the power to expel a Mason from the Craft, on his sole authority.
The Grand Master can suspend on his sole authority, but only expel under the recommendation of the Trial Committee, following a trial.
In my view, that is wise, and has likely helped my Grand Lodge avoid some misuses of authority through the years.
With "powers nigh absolute," Grand Masters must wield it with Prudence, Temperance, Fortitude and most of all Justice. When power is used to promote politics, it creates disharmony within the lodge. Prudence dictates that it should be avoided at all costs.
The power to Make a man a Mason At Sight is one of the most controversial powers claimed and held by Grand Masters. That makes it even more important in my view that it be exercised in only the most carefully considered of circumstances.
I agree with Cameron, in whole.
I'm not asking about politics in any way.
My question is the 'dotage' aspect.
I understand the point you are making. And I do not disagree.
But in this case, only the PHGLSC can make that determination.
Broadening your point though, I do think that our Craft as a whole should consider dotage a lot more than we seem to do. We are really clear about nonage with our minimum age to Petition for the Degrees, but we have no clear line when it comes to dotage. And it seems like those in obvious dotage do slip through from time to time.
Myself and another Brother of one of my Lodges have discussed that quite a bit over the past year or so. If a man has lost the mental or physical capacity to be a good Mason due to age, we shouldn't be accepting a petition from him.
Yes I struggle with a decision I made several years ago. There was a man that petitioned and seemed as though 'everyone' wanted him to join, I didn't agree. Rather than cause disharmony, I didn't attend the next meeting when his petition was balloted. I also did not attend his first degree. He never advanced and stopped attending relatively soon and then passed a short few years later. I've toiled with that decision for years, should I have dropped a black cube? I don't think our Lodge would have been 'better' in any way if I did.
It is interesting to me how such decisions stay so firmly in our minds.
There are a few things that I've done in my Masonic career that I regret. One that I frequently remember is when I allowed an unsuitable man to join my Lodge by not taking positive action to prevent it. I've always regretted that, and it has never been far from my mind.
One of our Filipino brothers did a history of Masonry in the Philippines and his conclusion was that the Founding Fathers who are revered as Masons were actually clandestine due to the complex interactions in those days between the Grand Lodge of Spain, The Grand Lodge of England and I think it was the Grand Lodge of California which sponsored the Grand Lodge of the Philippines. They are still revered as Masons.
The Rainbow Girls have a part in their ritual where they revere a list of Masonic Presidents of the United States. Sounds like they need to update the list whether we recognize the MWPHGL of South Carolina or not. Rainbow in the Philippines includes their founding fathers on their list.
I know just enough of the Filipino Masonic history that you mention to realize that I don't know nearly enough. I hope to be able to learn more about it someday.
Thanks for letting me know about the Rainbow ritual, I've not seen that but imagine I will soon as my oldest granddaughter is rapidly approaching the age at which she can join.