While the book is fictional, it portrays Freemasonry and Freemasons in an extremely positive light. We can’t know if this will carry over when it is adapted to television, but it seems likely if the producers are seeking to attract Dan Brown’s fans.
What we do know is that when this television show begins airing, it will bring new men to our doorways, seeking admittance. It happened following the movie National Treasure, and it happened when The Lost Symbol was published.
Knowing this, the question is:
How do we properly Guard The West Gate?
How do we ensure that the men we admit are interested in Freemasonry as it exists, and not in a fictional Freemasonry as depicted on a television show?
That we must do so is undeniable, for an unsuitable man in our Lodge will drive ten good men away.
There will be men who come to us because of this television show. Men who we decide are suitable for our Ancient Craft. We will initiate them.
What happens after that should also be considered:
How will we properly educate them so that they can learn about Masonic philosophies, and discern fact from fiction?
As always, a huge Thank You to everyone who is here on Emeth with me. I’ve greatly enjoyed our discussions this week, and I’ve learned. That makes everything worthwhile.
Finally, I’ll close with a request. If you enjoy Emeth, will you consider sharing it? Including a post on your Facebook or Twitter will let more Masons know about what it is that we are building here.
The doors of Freemasonry are open to all men who seek harmony with their fellow man; however, I feel it’s important to not hand a potential candidate a petition for the degrees of Masonry until they’ve showed enough interest in being a part of our beloved Fraternity.
In Silverdale Lodge No. 311 we don’t give out a petition until the member has showed up repeatedly to our weekly meetings or practices to eat and fellowship before we get down to business. We encourage the member to sit down and talk with the Past Masters over a hot meal, we share our experiences and make sure the member has a clear understanding of what will be expected of them their first year.
It is also important to ask what it is they wish to achieve, explain the importance of family support, and if they’re military, find out when they expect to transfer and if joining the Lodge would interfere with their military duty’s or advancement.
Most importantly, Freemasonry isn’t for everyone, so before we hand the potential candidate a petition, we make sure he’s a good fit for 311 and our Craft, and we also make sure the member feels at home and comfortable in the Lodge.
When it comes time to ballot, we want all our members to have gotten a chance to know the potential candidate and to you feel good about their decision before they cast and their vote!
Happy Friday! Hope to see everyone on Sunday for our Zoom fellowship!
I think that the tremendous success of your Lodge shows that what you are doing works.
You used the words:
"...make sure the member has a clear understanding of what will be expected of them their first year."
I think that is vital. Too often I think the conversation with candidates is too one sided. We tend to tell them about the Lodge, and what the Lodge can do for them, but in order to meet a candidate's expectations, we need to also let them know what we expect of them. If we want our new members to do certain things, well then it is important that we tell them what those things are.
You also mention that Freemasonry isn't for everyone, and a specific Lodge isn't for everyone. I think that is vital for us to remember as well.
All of our Lodges have their own unique personalities and focus. We should be identifying what those are so that we can communicate them to potential candidates. Once that is done, then we can tell them if we think another Lodge in the area might suit them better.
The Grand Lodge of Washington is offering an online class about this specific topic. It'll be taught by W. Bro. Ken Lane, and will be held on April 17. I encourage everyone to attend. Information about it can be found in Grandview, under the Seminars link.
I'm looking forward to seeing you on Sunday too! It's been far to long!
As with any potential candidate, the lodge needs to get to know the person. Serious, probing, conversations need to had. Not closed ended yes and no answer questions but, what brought you to our door questions. Tell us about your life questions, your life goals questions. It’s only through these types of conversations that a person reveals their true selves, and the ones asking the questions need to be open as well. I think we need to learn how to ask hard questions and not worry about upsetting the potential candidate. The reputation of our fraternity hangs in the balance with the initiation of each new brother.
We do naturally try to moderate our questions, so as to not hurt feelings, or cause a potential candidate to feel uncomfortable. It's just the polite thing to do, and most Masons I think strive for politeness.
But as you point out, avoiding difficult questions limits our ability to truly get to know a man. And not properly knowing a man before initiating him puts our Fraternity at risk.
The TV show doesn't appear to have anything to do with freemasons, or the lost symbol. It's supposedly set as a prequel to the books/movies, with Robert Langdon much younger.
But we as an organization have faced media exposure before, with movies like National Treasure.
Two hundred years ago cities were much smaller, with rare exceptions of places like NY and Philly. Most towns had lodges, and everyone knew about the freemasons, and usually who were members. It typically was the business men and public servants, the ones who usually ran things.
Nowadays it's the middle class folks who make up the majority of members, and towns usually don't know or care about the fraternity. When I tell someone I'm a member, just about universally they have no idea who the freemasons are and didn't even know where the lodge was in town.
It used to be that roads leading into towns would have a welcome sign, with a number of plaques below it showcasing the civic organizations in the city, like the Kiwanis, the various animal lodges, and the freemasons. We had one here in Port Orchard, but when they put in one of many stupid traffic circles, they ripped down the old sign, put up a new (stupid) one, and did away with the plaques that used to hang below it.
And if they do know where the lodge is, the building itself is probably falling apart, with leaking roofs, peeling paint and badly lit. The interiors probably look like something from the 70s, dingy and musty. I have seen some really beautiful lodges, where it was obvious that the members had the resources to update and maintain their buildings, but not all lodges are in such good financial shape.
All of this, I think, has as much of an impact of attracting new members as the media. Maybe more. It probably doesn't affect lodges around military towns, as military members are used to working in dingy and musty old buildings.
So, a man sees a movie or TV show that mentions the freemasons, and on a whim starts trying to find one to make that first contact. They don't know about grand lodges or how things are structured. They do a google search and once they get past all the illuminati and devil worship discussions, they may stumble on a website for the lodge in their area, which hasn't been updated since 2007 and the email accounts listed haven't been checked in years. Or worse (as in our lodge's case years ago) the website address expired from neglect, and was taken over by some Japanese vegetable gardening page.
And after all of that, they finally get to meet someone at the lodge, and they see dingy and musty.
After watching a lot of TV shows on the history channel, or netflix about freemasons, you're presented with beautiful buildings, with ornate tapestries, polished woodwork, tasteful artwork and refined elegance. The best I can describe reality is...neglected utilitarian.
Sorry, once again, I tend to ramble on and on. And I don't think I answered a single question you raised, although I am sure others will.
I'd like to follow-up on just a couple of your points.
This past fall my family and I visited Port Townsend for the day, as we often do. Two things about Port Townsend are important to this story. The first is that it does have entrance signs as you mention including the Lodge. Also, if one heads to Sequim, as I'm sure that most who live in Port Townsend must do from time to time, it is awfully hard to miss the Sequim Masonic Temple with it's massive Square & Compass right by the highway.
Back to the story though.
We were shopping, and I bought a few things. I was, as always, wearing a Masonic shirt. At the counter, the man running the place remarked on my shirt, and asked if there were any Freemasons around because he'd always had an interest.
I've got to say that his question was quite surprising, given what I've related above about local signage, but also because his business couldn't be more than six or seven blocks away from the Masonic Temple. It's a good sized brick building and well signed.
When I've thought about it, I think that just shows that people in general only actually see what they are looking to see. That is why it is so important that we get out into the communities once in awhile, so that people can see us and realize that we are still here, active in the community.
Your second point that I'd like to address is the state of many of our buildings. I agree with you, many of them are awful, and getting worse every year. If a Lodge can not afford to properly maintain its building, then the building needs to be sold.
Selling a building doesn't mean that the Lodge must die, in fact the Lodge will probably be much stronger without the fiscal drain.
If a Lodge can afford it, and if a Lodge chooses to keep its building, then it should be properly maintained, and be an asset to the community, not an eyesore. A great building can be a selling point for the Lodge, a poor building will have the exact opposite impact as you correctly point out.
We do have some truly wonderful buildings in Washington, but they are far and few between.
We can however make tremendous improvements to the buildings that need it. Kennewick Lodge is a perfect example of that going on in our Jurisdiction right now.
As an aside, one of my favorite tv shows is penn and teller fool us. The first magician on the last episode was wearing a masonic square and compasses pendant.
I've never had the chance to see the tv show, but I did attend one of their shows once in Vegas. It was awesome. Plus, while binge watching West Wing just a couple of days ago, they made a guest appearance, performing at the 'President's daughter's' birthday party.
This topic speaks to why I almost gave up on Washington Freemasonry.
I joined Freemasonry in 2013 based on my preconcieved notion as an outsider as to what the group was all about and what it was that my childhood hero found in the group that I could emulate to become a better man.
The latter is the only reason I didn't leave.
There is a connection that causes me to try and repair or rebuild the fraternity from within, to make it more like what it should or could be. Most candidates don't have that. Most are asking to join solely based on what the see from the outside and maybe because they respect a friend who they later find to be a Brother and ask the question.
The Lodge I joined wasn't really involved in the community. They didn't support the youth groups dependent on them. They didn't have Masonic Education to speak of. There was a handfull of ritual proficient Brethren who performed the Work throughout the district. They grew increasingly frustrated at the lack of effort and those who chose not to make it of the same importance and that the esoteric work suffered because of it. This Lodge expected you to become proficient in ritual only to the end that it qualified you to occupy a chair and progress through the line qualified or not and I believe attendance, visitation and the Lodge as a whole suffered because of it. New members left and never came back.
I got to the south and then I left. I found another Lodge that fit my expectations and fed my Masonic mind. A Lodge that had a plan and expectations for the Brethren looking to progress. I found a Lodge of Brethren that believe in the Six Steps to Initiation or a version thereof to ensure we retain the new members and provide something of quality to them.
We receive men from all walks of life looking for all different kinds of things. Whether they are looking to emulate a hero of theirs, carry on a family tradition or find what they believe are lost secrets of the universe, it is our obligation to communicate with them openly and honestly. There may not be validity to the Dan Brown stories, however the secrets of Masonry and the esoteric work may speak to those who thought thats what they were looking for.
I stood up in my Lodge when I was at my breaking point and asked what we were doing there. What we were learning other than memorizing ritual. What was the meaning and what was the purpose? I was arrogant and knew very little. I was ambitious and wide eyed but no one had told me before what a Past Master stood up to tell me that night.
"This is your journey. My journey is not the same as yours. We are different men from different lives. I can't tell you what to read, what truths you need to know, those are for you to find for yourself."
It changed my Masonic journey completely. What I learned from that was that as I asked to be a member, I also needed to continue to ask for Light. I have kept that in mind from then on. I know no one will tell me their truth. They will help me understand if I ask, but only if they are safe from ridicule and judgment. There is no one explanation, no one correct interpretation. All of it speaks to the individual and the Light is unique to his path.
If we can establish an environment of sharing, learning and asking questions with no judgment or ridicule then we may have a place for all who seek to find their Masonic Light.
Not everyone should be let through those gates in the West. If I am balloting I feel it is my duty to my Lodge and to my Masonic journey to know the man waiting downstairs to hear the news. I expect the same from the entire Lodge. If we don't all know the man how can we let him into this sacred band of Brothers? They should attend many gatherings and many discussions should be had to get to the core of the man not only to understand who he is but why he is here and how to ensure that he never forgets to ask for more in search of Light.
The paths are as many as there are Brethren. We find them the right fit whether its our Lodge or another and we communicate consistently and frequently not just to have them hear our words but for us to hear his and provide feedback to sustain his search.
I appreciate having the opportunity to read the story of your journey. I think it is extremely valuable.
I'd just like to make a couple of comments having read it with care.
What you did, in my opinion, is exactly correct. If we don't like our Lodge, for whatever reason(s) we should look around to see if another Lodge would suit us better. If we can't find any Lodge that suits us, well then we should find a couple dozen men who agree with us and start a new Lodge. Back in the old days, new Lodges were started all the time, there is no reason that can't be done now.
What the Old Past Master said to you is also I think correct, but also incomplete.
We each have our own Masonic Path. No one else can travel it for us. He was certainly right about that.
That said, it is a Lodge's responsibility, in my opinion, to help the new Mason discover the starting point of his own personal path. That is where your first Lodge badly failed in my opinion.
For example, in my case, Andre DeWald is one of the men who had a tremendous impact on my Masonic career. We are both kind of, I guess you'd say, pretty heavily interested in the intellectual side of Freemasonry. We both love reading all kinds of Masonic stuff.
When I was first made a Mason, Andre was the old Past Master who took me under his wing, and he set me on my course.
The thing is though, while we both love reading about Masonry, and thinking about Masonry, our interests sharply divide from there. He's into all this math stuff, geometry stuff, stuff that I can never understand. Me, I'm into the romantic school of Masonic literature, Pike, Mackey, guys like that.
Andre was perceptive enough to recognize what I was into, so guided me towards those authors, instead of trying to push me to somehow join him on his path. And of course, that worked, and any attempt to drag me kicking and screaming down the Path Of Math would have failed me miserably.
I am enjoying Emeth, it is a wonderful place to discuss and read the thoughts of brother MM and interact with them in a safe place digitally. As far as the West Gate...
I feel every Master Mason in good standing that is active in his lodge has a duty to guard the West gate of his lodge. I say this because the brothers before me in my lodge did a great job of guarding the West Gate. In my lodge when Guarding the West Gate the brothers ensures that the candidate should pass through some steps. We make sure the candidate is:
-Sound of mind and character and want to improve himself. We openly ask the candidate what attracted him to Masonry, and then clear up any misunderstanding he might have read on the internet or see on TV that is false about our craft.
-We tell him who we are, and what we do for our community. We also let him know Masonry isn't for every man... We invite the candidate to some of our functions inside and outside of the lodge. Those functions include street clean up, volunteering to set up and take down at music in the park, fellowship over a beer, fellowship at game night, stated dinners, and getting breakfast and lunch with us casually. We want to make sure the candidate is a good fit and an asset to the lodge, and the skills he bring to the lodge will benefit the lodge.
-If he is willing to partake in the functions and show regular attendance, we give him a paragraph of masonic writings to memorize in a timely manner. Once the candidate submit to our request and recite what we ask him to memorize, only then the candidate is given a petition.
Giving a petition to a candidate is something sacred, as if giving him the golden ticket to Charlie's Chocolate Factory. In my experience, receiving the degrees of Masonry is like the right of passage for a man. Like you said," For an unsuitable man in our Lodge will drive ten good men away...Men who we decide are suitable for our Ancient Craft. We will initiate them."
Thank you for your very kind words. I am glad that you are enjoying Emeth, and that you see my vision of what it should be! I appreciate you taking your time to read my words, and your participation here.
I think that the process you outline for how your Lodge gets to know a potential candidate, and importantly lets that potential candidate get to know the Lodge is great.
I could be wrong, but I think that most Masons know in their hearts that all Lodges should take the extensive steps that your Lodge does, and demand something from the potential candidate before just handing out a petition without much, or even any thought.
What happens though, in far too many Lodges, is I imagine a low grade sense of fear. Fear about who will sit in an officer chair next year. Fear about who will eventually replace the Secretary, fear about dwindling finances, and of course fear that the man will walk away if the Lodge asks anything of him.
Those fears are I believe drive some Lodges to drop their guard. To hand out petitions before knowing a man, to shorten the investigation process, and even sometimes to drop a white ball when a black cube would have been the better choice.
Mistakes will happen in any human endeavor. We will, despite our very best efforts, occasionally allow an unsuitable man to enter our Lodges.
The trouble comes when it isn't just a mistake. When we cut corners to satisfy our own fears, and some desire to boost membership numbers.
Good question, RW Cameron.
The doors of Freemasonry are open to all men who seek harmony with their fellow man; however, I feel it’s important to not hand a potential candidate a petition for the degrees of Masonry until they’ve showed enough interest in being a part of our beloved Fraternity.
In Silverdale Lodge No. 311 we don’t give out a petition until the member has showed up repeatedly to our weekly meetings or practices to eat and fellowship before we get down to business. We encourage the member to sit down and talk with the Past Masters over a hot meal, we share our experiences and make sure the member has a clear understanding of what will be expected of them their first year.
It is also important to ask what it is they wish to achieve, explain the importance of family support, and if they’re military, find out when they expect to transfer and if joining the Lodge would interfere with their military duty’s or advancement.
Most importantly, Freemasonry isn’t for everyone, so before we hand the potential candidate a petition, we make sure he’s a good fit for 311 and our Craft, and we also make sure the member feels at home and comfortable in the Lodge.
When it comes time to ballot, we want all our members to have gotten a chance to know the potential candidate and to you feel good about their decision before they cast and their vote!
Happy Friday! Hope to see everyone on Sunday for our Zoom fellowship!
I think that the tremendous success of your Lodge shows that what you are doing works.
You used the words:
"...make sure the member has a clear understanding of what will be expected of them their first year."
I think that is vital. Too often I think the conversation with candidates is too one sided. We tend to tell them about the Lodge, and what the Lodge can do for them, but in order to meet a candidate's expectations, we need to also let them know what we expect of them. If we want our new members to do certain things, well then it is important that we tell them what those things are.
You also mention that Freemasonry isn't for everyone, and a specific Lodge isn't for everyone. I think that is vital for us to remember as well.
All of our Lodges have their own unique personalities and focus. We should be identifying what those are so that we can communicate them to potential candidates. Once that is done, then we can tell them if we think another Lodge in the area might suit them better.
The Grand Lodge of Washington is offering an online class about this specific topic. It'll be taught by W. Bro. Ken Lane, and will be held on April 17. I encourage everyone to attend. Information about it can be found in Grandview, under the Seminars link.
I'm looking forward to seeing you on Sunday too! It's been far to long!
As with any potential candidate, the lodge needs to get to know the person. Serious, probing, conversations need to had. Not closed ended yes and no answer questions but, what brought you to our door questions. Tell us about your life questions, your life goals questions. It’s only through these types of conversations that a person reveals their true selves, and the ones asking the questions need to be open as well. I think we need to learn how to ask hard questions and not worry about upsetting the potential candidate. The reputation of our fraternity hangs in the balance with the initiation of each new brother.
I think you make an excellent point.
We do naturally try to moderate our questions, so as to not hurt feelings, or cause a potential candidate to feel uncomfortable. It's just the polite thing to do, and most Masons I think strive for politeness.
But as you point out, avoiding difficult questions limits our ability to truly get to know a man. And not properly knowing a man before initiating him puts our Fraternity at risk.
The TV show doesn't appear to have anything to do with freemasons, or the lost symbol. It's supposedly set as a prequel to the books/movies, with Robert Langdon much younger.
But we as an organization have faced media exposure before, with movies like National Treasure.
Two hundred years ago cities were much smaller, with rare exceptions of places like NY and Philly. Most towns had lodges, and everyone knew about the freemasons, and usually who were members. It typically was the business men and public servants, the ones who usually ran things.
Nowadays it's the middle class folks who make up the majority of members, and towns usually don't know or care about the fraternity. When I tell someone I'm a member, just about universally they have no idea who the freemasons are and didn't even know where the lodge was in town.
It used to be that roads leading into towns would have a welcome sign, with a number of plaques below it showcasing the civic organizations in the city, like the Kiwanis, the various animal lodges, and the freemasons. We had one here in Port Orchard, but when they put in one of many stupid traffic circles, they ripped down the old sign, put up a new (stupid) one, and did away with the plaques that used to hang below it.
And if they do know where the lodge is, the building itself is probably falling apart, with leaking roofs, peeling paint and badly lit. The interiors probably look like something from the 70s, dingy and musty. I have seen some really beautiful lodges, where it was obvious that the members had the resources to update and maintain their buildings, but not all lodges are in such good financial shape.
All of this, I think, has as much of an impact of attracting new members as the media. Maybe more. It probably doesn't affect lodges around military towns, as military members are used to working in dingy and musty old buildings.
So, a man sees a movie or TV show that mentions the freemasons, and on a whim starts trying to find one to make that first contact. They don't know about grand lodges or how things are structured. They do a google search and once they get past all the illuminati and devil worship discussions, they may stumble on a website for the lodge in their area, which hasn't been updated since 2007 and the email accounts listed haven't been checked in years. Or worse (as in our lodge's case years ago) the website address expired from neglect, and was taken over by some Japanese vegetable gardening page.
And after all of that, they finally get to meet someone at the lodge, and they see dingy and musty.
After watching a lot of TV shows on the history channel, or netflix about freemasons, you're presented with beautiful buildings, with ornate tapestries, polished woodwork, tasteful artwork and refined elegance. The best I can describe reality is...neglected utilitarian.
Sorry, once again, I tend to ramble on and on. And I don't think I answered a single question you raised, although I am sure others will.
I for one enjoy your ramblings! Keep them coming!
I'd like to follow-up on just a couple of your points.
This past fall my family and I visited Port Townsend for the day, as we often do. Two things about Port Townsend are important to this story. The first is that it does have entrance signs as you mention including the Lodge. Also, if one heads to Sequim, as I'm sure that most who live in Port Townsend must do from time to time, it is awfully hard to miss the Sequim Masonic Temple with it's massive Square & Compass right by the highway.
Back to the story though.
We were shopping, and I bought a few things. I was, as always, wearing a Masonic shirt. At the counter, the man running the place remarked on my shirt, and asked if there were any Freemasons around because he'd always had an interest.
I've got to say that his question was quite surprising, given what I've related above about local signage, but also because his business couldn't be more than six or seven blocks away from the Masonic Temple. It's a good sized brick building and well signed.
When I've thought about it, I think that just shows that people in general only actually see what they are looking to see. That is why it is so important that we get out into the communities once in awhile, so that people can see us and realize that we are still here, active in the community.
Your second point that I'd like to address is the state of many of our buildings. I agree with you, many of them are awful, and getting worse every year. If a Lodge can not afford to properly maintain its building, then the building needs to be sold.
Selling a building doesn't mean that the Lodge must die, in fact the Lodge will probably be much stronger without the fiscal drain.
If a Lodge can afford it, and if a Lodge chooses to keep its building, then it should be properly maintained, and be an asset to the community, not an eyesore. A great building can be a selling point for the Lodge, a poor building will have the exact opposite impact as you correctly point out.
We do have some truly wonderful buildings in Washington, but they are far and few between.
We can however make tremendous improvements to the buildings that need it. Kennewick Lodge is a perfect example of that going on in our Jurisdiction right now.
As an aside, one of my favorite tv shows is penn and teller fool us. The first magician on the last episode was wearing a masonic square and compasses pendant.
I've never had the chance to see the tv show, but I did attend one of their shows once in Vegas. It was awesome. Plus, while binge watching West Wing just a couple of days ago, they made a guest appearance, performing at the 'President's daughter's' birthday party.
This topic speaks to why I almost gave up on Washington Freemasonry.
I joined Freemasonry in 2013 based on my preconcieved notion as an outsider as to what the group was all about and what it was that my childhood hero found in the group that I could emulate to become a better man.
The latter is the only reason I didn't leave.
There is a connection that causes me to try and repair or rebuild the fraternity from within, to make it more like what it should or could be. Most candidates don't have that. Most are asking to join solely based on what the see from the outside and maybe because they respect a friend who they later find to be a Brother and ask the question.
The Lodge I joined wasn't really involved in the community. They didn't support the youth groups dependent on them. They didn't have Masonic Education to speak of. There was a handfull of ritual proficient Brethren who performed the Work throughout the district. They grew increasingly frustrated at the lack of effort and those who chose not to make it of the same importance and that the esoteric work suffered because of it. This Lodge expected you to become proficient in ritual only to the end that it qualified you to occupy a chair and progress through the line qualified or not and I believe attendance, visitation and the Lodge as a whole suffered because of it. New members left and never came back.
I got to the south and then I left. I found another Lodge that fit my expectations and fed my Masonic mind. A Lodge that had a plan and expectations for the Brethren looking to progress. I found a Lodge of Brethren that believe in the Six Steps to Initiation or a version thereof to ensure we retain the new members and provide something of quality to them.
We receive men from all walks of life looking for all different kinds of things. Whether they are looking to emulate a hero of theirs, carry on a family tradition or find what they believe are lost secrets of the universe, it is our obligation to communicate with them openly and honestly. There may not be validity to the Dan Brown stories, however the secrets of Masonry and the esoteric work may speak to those who thought thats what they were looking for.
I stood up in my Lodge when I was at my breaking point and asked what we were doing there. What we were learning other than memorizing ritual. What was the meaning and what was the purpose? I was arrogant and knew very little. I was ambitious and wide eyed but no one had told me before what a Past Master stood up to tell me that night.
"This is your journey. My journey is not the same as yours. We are different men from different lives. I can't tell you what to read, what truths you need to know, those are for you to find for yourself."
It changed my Masonic journey completely. What I learned from that was that as I asked to be a member, I also needed to continue to ask for Light. I have kept that in mind from then on. I know no one will tell me their truth. They will help me understand if I ask, but only if they are safe from ridicule and judgment. There is no one explanation, no one correct interpretation. All of it speaks to the individual and the Light is unique to his path.
If we can establish an environment of sharing, learning and asking questions with no judgment or ridicule then we may have a place for all who seek to find their Masonic Light.
Not everyone should be let through those gates in the West. If I am balloting I feel it is my duty to my Lodge and to my Masonic journey to know the man waiting downstairs to hear the news. I expect the same from the entire Lodge. If we don't all know the man how can we let him into this sacred band of Brothers? They should attend many gatherings and many discussions should be had to get to the core of the man not only to understand who he is but why he is here and how to ensure that he never forgets to ask for more in search of Light.
The paths are as many as there are Brethren. We find them the right fit whether its our Lodge or another and we communicate consistently and frequently not just to have them hear our words but for us to hear his and provide feedback to sustain his search.
I appreciate having the opportunity to read the story of your journey. I think it is extremely valuable.
I'd just like to make a couple of comments having read it with care.
What you did, in my opinion, is exactly correct. If we don't like our Lodge, for whatever reason(s) we should look around to see if another Lodge would suit us better. If we can't find any Lodge that suits us, well then we should find a couple dozen men who agree with us and start a new Lodge. Back in the old days, new Lodges were started all the time, there is no reason that can't be done now.
What the Old Past Master said to you is also I think correct, but also incomplete.
We each have our own Masonic Path. No one else can travel it for us. He was certainly right about that.
That said, it is a Lodge's responsibility, in my opinion, to help the new Mason discover the starting point of his own personal path. That is where your first Lodge badly failed in my opinion.
For example, in my case, Andre DeWald is one of the men who had a tremendous impact on my Masonic career. We are both kind of, I guess you'd say, pretty heavily interested in the intellectual side of Freemasonry. We both love reading all kinds of Masonic stuff.
When I was first made a Mason, Andre was the old Past Master who took me under his wing, and he set me on my course.
The thing is though, while we both love reading about Masonry, and thinking about Masonry, our interests sharply divide from there. He's into all this math stuff, geometry stuff, stuff that I can never understand. Me, I'm into the romantic school of Masonic literature, Pike, Mackey, guys like that.
Andre was perceptive enough to recognize what I was into, so guided me towards those authors, instead of trying to push me to somehow join him on his path. And of course, that worked, and any attempt to drag me kicking and screaming down the Path Of Math would have failed me miserably.
RW Cameron,
I am enjoying Emeth, it is a wonderful place to discuss and read the thoughts of brother MM and interact with them in a safe place digitally. As far as the West Gate...
I feel every Master Mason in good standing that is active in his lodge has a duty to guard the West gate of his lodge. I say this because the brothers before me in my lodge did a great job of guarding the West Gate. In my lodge when Guarding the West Gate the brothers ensures that the candidate should pass through some steps. We make sure the candidate is:
-Sound of mind and character and want to improve himself. We openly ask the candidate what attracted him to Masonry, and then clear up any misunderstanding he might have read on the internet or see on TV that is false about our craft.
-We tell him who we are, and what we do for our community. We also let him know Masonry isn't for every man... We invite the candidate to some of our functions inside and outside of the lodge. Those functions include street clean up, volunteering to set up and take down at music in the park, fellowship over a beer, fellowship at game night, stated dinners, and getting breakfast and lunch with us casually. We want to make sure the candidate is a good fit and an asset to the lodge, and the skills he bring to the lodge will benefit the lodge.
-If he is willing to partake in the functions and show regular attendance, we give him a paragraph of masonic writings to memorize in a timely manner. Once the candidate submit to our request and recite what we ask him to memorize, only then the candidate is given a petition.
Giving a petition to a candidate is something sacred, as if giving him the golden ticket to Charlie's Chocolate Factory. In my experience, receiving the degrees of Masonry is like the right of passage for a man. Like you said," For an unsuitable man in our Lodge will drive ten good men away...Men who we decide are suitable for our Ancient Craft. We will initiate them."
Brother,
Thank you for your very kind words. I am glad that you are enjoying Emeth, and that you see my vision of what it should be! I appreciate you taking your time to read my words, and your participation here.
I think that the process you outline for how your Lodge gets to know a potential candidate, and importantly lets that potential candidate get to know the Lodge is great.
I could be wrong, but I think that most Masons know in their hearts that all Lodges should take the extensive steps that your Lodge does, and demand something from the potential candidate before just handing out a petition without much, or even any thought.
What happens though, in far too many Lodges, is I imagine a low grade sense of fear. Fear about who will sit in an officer chair next year. Fear about who will eventually replace the Secretary, fear about dwindling finances, and of course fear that the man will walk away if the Lodge asks anything of him.
Those fears are I believe drive some Lodges to drop their guard. To hand out petitions before knowing a man, to shorten the investigation process, and even sometimes to drop a white ball when a black cube would have been the better choice.
Mistakes will happen in any human endeavor. We will, despite our very best efforts, occasionally allow an unsuitable man to enter our Lodges.
The trouble comes when it isn't just a mistake. When we cut corners to satisfy our own fears, and some desire to boost membership numbers.