When you are done, let’s return here to discuss it, it’ll be a great way to share perspectives and learn from each other!
A few quick thoughts come to mind: None of us fall into the ‘do not read’ category, the fact that we are here proves that. But unfortunately too many Masons do.
How do we convince our Brothers to seek Masonic knowledge?
How do we tamp down on voices within Masonry that tell Masons that there is no value in reading about the Craft? Masons who tell new initiates to avoid reading widely, or avoid difficult texts?
What was a problem of the Craft in 1875 has sadly only become more evident in our current times. Like the stones that were hewed, squared and numbered offsite in the quarries where they were raised and the trees that were felled and prepared offsite in the forests of Lebanon in the building of King Solomon's Temple, READING is the preparation that should be undertaken offsite in Speculative Masonry.
I think that as you point out the current list in Washington focuses only on what the Grand Lodge produces.
One of our Brothers here in Washington is however working on a reading list and curriculum for new Master Masons. He presented his ideas to the Grand Lodge Officers some time ago, and has been working on the project since then. I believe that he will have something for the consideration of the Craft soon.
I wonder though, if that isn't something we here on Emeth should just go ahead and create? These past weeks have shown that there is a great deal of wisdom in the active group here. What do you think of us creating a suggested, structured reading list for new Master Masons?
Let me know, I can set it up if that is something folks want to do.
I am guilty in my failure to read and educate myself to the level Of being an educated Mason. Education, regardless what it is in, expands a man’s knowledge and thus his responses to different situations. Much of my training and experiences in my career taught me patience and wisdom which has certainly transferred into my Masonic walk. I believe very strongly that if a person isn’t moving forward then they are falling behind. There is no stasis in life. Manito Lodge in Spokane started a book club, which is something we are discussing at Kennewick. There’s no need to re-invent the wheel, the lodge can provide a structured interaction and start with books that are easier to read and understand and then move toward other readings. Again, this would be an excellent use of a “Zoom” platform where bookclubs could be formed and be attended throughout the jurisdiction.
I really like the idea of Zoom based Masonic book clubs as you mention. One of the Masonic bodies I belong to has a book club, and I'd like to be able to participate, but it is over an hour drive one way for me. It's just too far for me to be able to attend.
A zoom based club would however make that easy, and of course a lot of Masons are much more rurally located than I am.
I think this article discusses two issues. Yes, one is lack of education, either formally through lodge discussions and lectures, or through self study. But another issue he raises is titles and rank. It's one that I find just as troublesome as the first. I've had an older brother chastise me for not addressing them by their title (this was outside of lodge, at dinner). Is that title so important to you that you'll berate a brother over it? I gladly call anyone brother, after all, we're all on the level. And when I am discussing things formally, I will address them as decorum suggests.
I find this attitude most prevalent amongst veterans, especially ones that define their life through their service. There is nothing wrong with that, to each his own. But within the confines of our brotherhood, I find it rather off-putting to have attitudes of that nature. There is of course, the famous example of President Truman going into his home lodge, and his attitude towards titles and rank. It just seems that there are some brothers too hung up on the titles they have achieved and not the friendships they have formed.
And circling back towards education - the "library" in most lodges is the least visited space in the entire building. I put an extra copy of Observing the Craft in the cabinet, and two brothers in three years even bothered to read it. It sat at one brothers house for over a year untouched. Our lodge ordered the set of short talk bulletins, huge volumes of masonic literature all gathering dust. I've used them as inspirational topics for educational discussions in lodge, and another brother I know who championed their ordering has perused them. That's it. There is a virtual treasure trove sitting in our library wasted.
Finally, there is the old adage of having 10 years experience, or one years experience ten times. If you're not actively trying to grow in knowledge, then you're missing the point and not helping the craft grow overall. Just reading isn't enough. From one of my favorite movies:
Otto West: Apes don't read philosophy.
Wanda: Yes they do, Otto. They just don't understand it.
You touch upon something that I too find very odd in our Fraternity. Guys introducing themselves by title. IE: "Hi, I'm Very Worshipful Smilin' Bob." That's always struck me a bit sideways. But it seems to be how things are done within Freemasonry.
I hope that I don't introduce myself as "I'm Right Worshipful Cameron." I'd much prefer to introduce myself as "Hi, I'm Cameron." I don't know though, for we are all influenced by that which is around us, and I may well have picked this up without realizing it. I think that's how most habits start anyway.
Now decorum says that the response may well be different, and perhaps should be.
For example, in my previous employment I just happened to work in an office that received a call from our Governor from time to time, looking to track down the boss man. As I recall, those conversations always started out with: "Hi, this is Jay." Now it was incumbent upon me to realize who 'Jay' was, and address him as his office deserved, but it would have struck me as quite strange had the call started with "Hi, this is Governor Inslee."
Plus, isn't self depreciation always a nice attribute? I think so.
I also don't like it when Lodge introductions come and some guys stand up for everything they might be a part of. A single introduction, for the highest office held seems to me how it should be done.
In any event, just my opinion for what it is worth, I know that it's not shared by too many.
Related to that though, now that you have me up on my soapbox! See what you do to me?
What's up with our Aprons?
We tell a man that we are giving him a white lambskin apron as the badge of a Mason, and then the first thing we do as a Fraternity is go out and figure out how to add as much stuff, that isn't white to it as humanly possible.
I don't understand that either.
The next apron I will be given will have purple velvet, gold bullion threads, tassels, fringe, and what not else. One will have to look awfully close to actually see the the white lambskin that is supposed to be the badge of a Mason.
Well, maybe not. You're hearing it here first, but I did buy my own apron for my next office. White lambskin with extremely minimal decoration of any kind.
All my crazy thoughts out of the way, back to the point:
In my Lodge as well, the books go unused and grow dusty. It's sad. Also sad is that MSA doesn't ever seem to update their mailing list, so I think I get about 5 copies of each STB. The one I pay for, plus one for each of the various offices I have held. What I do is keep one for myself, then take the others to hand out at Lodges. Generally I set them next to the Tyler's register before the meeting. Far too often when I leave they are still all sitting there. I've taken similar materials with me to District meetings with similar results.
In any event, I'm with you. While not all of the STB's appeal to me, that is OK because many of them do, and finding one that does and sharing a discussion about it is a super easy, super effective way of providing a hint of good Masonic Education.
The short talk bulletins are simply small couple pages articles compiled and printed monthly on various masonic topics. Brent Morris (Freemasonry for Dummies) has gathered bundles of articles and published them in a series of books chronologically, starting in 1923. Currently there are six volumes, covering up to 2017. I am not sure if you can still get copies, they all say they are out of stock. Unfortunately, as with everything else, they probably will just sit unused. What was funny, my lodge approved the purchase of the books by unanimous vote and yet...
This goes along with the standards set forth to advance in degrees. If the standards are low, men will rise in degrees without the full experience. I propose that each degree have a reading list of several full books that a candidate must present a report on at least three. Give a summary of what the books talked about, how it relates to the degree ritual, and what they personally found most compelling about what they learned. These reports to be given as an educational program to the brethren at large in a formal environment.
I think that the old belief that men only value that which they must work for is true.
If we want men to value Freemasonry, then the cost to become and remain a Freemason needs to be significant. In terms of dollars, time, and effort. When we charge $30 to $60 per year for dues, when we expect little for candidates to prove proficiency, well then we are selling Masonry way too cheaply.
What was a problem of the Craft in 1875 has sadly only become more evident in our current times. Like the stones that were hewed, squared and numbered offsite in the quarries where they were raised and the trees that were felled and prepared offsite in the forests of Lebanon in the building of King Solomon's Temple, READING is the preparation that should be undertaken offsite in Speculative Masonry.
Agreed Brother! If we are to excel in our Masonic profession, we will have to be willing to learn about that profession.
Grandview has a list of resources for the new MM to read, but these focus on the WMC, the Lodge Officers Handbook, PiLM, etc.
Is there a structured or suggested reading list to help the new MM with the meat and potatoes of the Craft?
I think that as you point out the current list in Washington focuses only on what the Grand Lodge produces.
One of our Brothers here in Washington is however working on a reading list and curriculum for new Master Masons. He presented his ideas to the Grand Lodge Officers some time ago, and has been working on the project since then. I believe that he will have something for the consideration of the Craft soon.
I wonder though, if that isn't something we here on Emeth should just go ahead and create? These past weeks have shown that there is a great deal of wisdom in the active group here. What do you think of us creating a suggested, structured reading list for new Master Masons?
Let me know, I can set it up if that is something folks want to do.
Please do, that would be greatly appreciated!
OK, Thank you Brother. And I take Jack's post below as another vote in favor. Look for it later in the week.
I would recommend "A Pilgrim's Path" for a Brother of any Degree
I agree. It is superb!
I am guilty in my failure to read and educate myself to the level Of being an educated Mason. Education, regardless what it is in, expands a man’s knowledge and thus his responses to different situations. Much of my training and experiences in my career taught me patience and wisdom which has certainly transferred into my Masonic walk. I believe very strongly that if a person isn’t moving forward then they are falling behind. There is no stasis in life. Manito Lodge in Spokane started a book club, which is something we are discussing at Kennewick. There’s no need to re-invent the wheel, the lodge can provide a structured interaction and start with books that are easier to read and understand and then move toward other readings. Again, this would be an excellent use of a “Zoom” platform where bookclubs could be formed and be attended throughout the jurisdiction.
I really like the idea of Zoom based Masonic book clubs as you mention. One of the Masonic bodies I belong to has a book club, and I'd like to be able to participate, but it is over an hour drive one way for me. It's just too far for me to be able to attend.
A zoom based club would however make that easy, and of course a lot of Masons are much more rurally located than I am.
I think this article discusses two issues. Yes, one is lack of education, either formally through lodge discussions and lectures, or through self study. But another issue he raises is titles and rank. It's one that I find just as troublesome as the first. I've had an older brother chastise me for not addressing them by their title (this was outside of lodge, at dinner). Is that title so important to you that you'll berate a brother over it? I gladly call anyone brother, after all, we're all on the level. And when I am discussing things formally, I will address them as decorum suggests.
I find this attitude most prevalent amongst veterans, especially ones that define their life through their service. There is nothing wrong with that, to each his own. But within the confines of our brotherhood, I find it rather off-putting to have attitudes of that nature. There is of course, the famous example of President Truman going into his home lodge, and his attitude towards titles and rank. It just seems that there are some brothers too hung up on the titles they have achieved and not the friendships they have formed.
And circling back towards education - the "library" in most lodges is the least visited space in the entire building. I put an extra copy of Observing the Craft in the cabinet, and two brothers in three years even bothered to read it. It sat at one brothers house for over a year untouched. Our lodge ordered the set of short talk bulletins, huge volumes of masonic literature all gathering dust. I've used them as inspirational topics for educational discussions in lodge, and another brother I know who championed their ordering has perused them. That's it. There is a virtual treasure trove sitting in our library wasted.
Finally, there is the old adage of having 10 years experience, or one years experience ten times. If you're not actively trying to grow in knowledge, then you're missing the point and not helping the craft grow overall. Just reading isn't enough. From one of my favorite movies:
Otto West: Apes don't read philosophy.
Wanda: Yes they do, Otto. They just don't understand it.
You touch upon something that I too find very odd in our Fraternity. Guys introducing themselves by title. IE: "Hi, I'm Very Worshipful Smilin' Bob." That's always struck me a bit sideways. But it seems to be how things are done within Freemasonry.
I hope that I don't introduce myself as "I'm Right Worshipful Cameron." I'd much prefer to introduce myself as "Hi, I'm Cameron." I don't know though, for we are all influenced by that which is around us, and I may well have picked this up without realizing it. I think that's how most habits start anyway.
Now decorum says that the response may well be different, and perhaps should be.
For example, in my previous employment I just happened to work in an office that received a call from our Governor from time to time, looking to track down the boss man. As I recall, those conversations always started out with: "Hi, this is Jay." Now it was incumbent upon me to realize who 'Jay' was, and address him as his office deserved, but it would have struck me as quite strange had the call started with "Hi, this is Governor Inslee."
Plus, isn't self depreciation always a nice attribute? I think so.
I also don't like it when Lodge introductions come and some guys stand up for everything they might be a part of. A single introduction, for the highest office held seems to me how it should be done.
In any event, just my opinion for what it is worth, I know that it's not shared by too many.
Related to that though, now that you have me up on my soapbox! See what you do to me?
What's up with our Aprons?
We tell a man that we are giving him a white lambskin apron as the badge of a Mason, and then the first thing we do as a Fraternity is go out and figure out how to add as much stuff, that isn't white to it as humanly possible.
I don't understand that either.
The next apron I will be given will have purple velvet, gold bullion threads, tassels, fringe, and what not else. One will have to look awfully close to actually see the the white lambskin that is supposed to be the badge of a Mason.
Well, maybe not. You're hearing it here first, but I did buy my own apron for my next office. White lambskin with extremely minimal decoration of any kind.
All my crazy thoughts out of the way, back to the point:
In my Lodge as well, the books go unused and grow dusty. It's sad. Also sad is that MSA doesn't ever seem to update their mailing list, so I think I get about 5 copies of each STB. The one I pay for, plus one for each of the various offices I have held. What I do is keep one for myself, then take the others to hand out at Lodges. Generally I set them next to the Tyler's register before the meeting. Far too often when I leave they are still all sitting there. I've taken similar materials with me to District meetings with similar results.
In any event, I'm with you. While not all of the STB's appeal to me, that is OK because many of them do, and finding one that does and sharing a discussion about it is a super easy, super effective way of providing a hint of good Masonic Education.
I want to expand a little bit on the Short Talk Bulletins I mentioned in my previous post. The website is here: https://msana.com/short-talk-bulletins/
The short talk bulletins are simply small couple pages articles compiled and printed monthly on various masonic topics. Brent Morris (Freemasonry for Dummies) has gathered bundles of articles and published them in a series of books chronologically, starting in 1923. Currently there are six volumes, covering up to 2017. I am not sure if you can still get copies, they all say they are out of stock. Unfortunately, as with everything else, they probably will just sit unused. What was funny, my lodge approved the purchase of the books by unanimous vote and yet...
This goes along with the standards set forth to advance in degrees. If the standards are low, men will rise in degrees without the full experience. I propose that each degree have a reading list of several full books that a candidate must present a report on at least three. Give a summary of what the books talked about, how it relates to the degree ritual, and what they personally found most compelling about what they learned. These reports to be given as an educational program to the brethren at large in a formal environment.
I think that the old belief that men only value that which they must work for is true.
If we want men to value Freemasonry, then the cost to become and remain a Freemason needs to be significant. In terms of dollars, time, and effort. When we charge $30 to $60 per year for dues, when we expect little for candidates to prove proficiency, well then we are selling Masonry way too cheaply.
Men will not value it if it is sold cheaply.
I agree
Might I start the reading list by suggesting all newly initiated entered apprentices consider "the Timaeus" a Socrates dialogue penned by Plato.