Grand Lodge Givin' the Bird... NOT!

Gobbler Gulch – In a long awaited, albeit “belated” for Thanksgiving, announcement made for the Grand Lodge by the Organization's Supreme Commander of Festivities, it was made quite clear that the society, known for its generosity, good will and charity, was continuing its long standing policy of not giving away any of its turkeys this Thanksgiving season. 

“We had to take a strong stand and not allow our much loved Craft turkeys to be subjected to any more basting than we ourselves would do to them,” said Grand Line officer Brother Chick N. Hider.  “After all, they're like family.”

The news was received badly and much to the chagrin of many of its outstanding and much involved members. “We can’t just sit still and allow so many of our turkeys to remain in safe harbor”, complained long time member Bro. Chop M. Wellman.  “We coddle them far too much and for far too long”. He shook his head and added, “And we do so in ways that prevent them from suffering what nature truly intended for them.”

Brother Char N. Smokem agreed and added, “These birds are definitely not part of our society, no matter how we want to label and treat them."  He continued, "They deserve a roasting befit them.  What's more, there are plenty of Brothers who would gladly volunteer to dress them down if given half the chance.”

“We could definitely afford to let go of a lot more turkeys than we do”, sneered one past master, who asked not to be identified. “The Craft suffers far too much for allowing so many of these Craft turkeys to go uncut for far too long.”

When asked if any changes to the Craft turkey policy should include additional considerations, Brother Burn Oinkment had this to say, “We considered swapping some of the Craft turkeys out with our lesser talented Craft hams in our holiday give away plans, but we honestly got overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude of possibilities.”

It was expressed by many of those present at the announcement that the Grand Lodge itself needs to step in and make a significant change to the society’s well-established turkey policies. 

Unfortunately, most of the Brothers who have already made earnest effort to do so where themselves summarily divested and in ways that not even turkeys should suffer. 

For more about this egregious turkey situation, please contact the appropriate parties and ask about “Turkeygate”.

Fraternally and Sincerely,

Brother John S. Nagy

 

A Brother Asks... More Occupied Seats?

A Brother Asks: How can I help to get more brothers in the seats?

My Response: To do this, your lodge must do what far too many American lodges across the country refuse to do...  require attendance or lose membership.  

Along with this, you must also divest your lodge of many of the American trappings that plague them and adopt the disciplines that many early lodges had.

What are American trappings?

1. burdening operating budgets centered around unnecessary property ownership that brings no positive return on investment
2. large membership roles that deflate dues and reduce relationship value
3. non-attendance/non-participation rules that maintains membership
4. more than quarterly meetings with a high proportion of them organization centric
5. meetings that have no true relevance to life outside the lodge or member enrichment
6. no true educational programs outside of those with an organizational focus
7. reduced waiting times and minimal criteria to join which do not enhance the value of the lodge
8. degree dates and schedules that coddle prospects and candidates
9. mind-numbingly quick progressions with no truly challenging or relevant proficiencies that reflect degree themes
10. casual attitudes toward the lodge and its true mission and purpose

... shall I go on?

F&S,

Brother John S Nagy

Building Hiram Book Review By Bro. Frederic L. Milliken

Brother Frederic,

 

Thank you for sharing your kind thoughts with the world my good Brother!

F&S,

 

-- Bro. John

 

-----------------------------------------------

 

"This is by far the best book I have run into for Masonic education of Master Masons both individually and in a group at the Lodge. Its crowning glory is the ability Nagy has to combine many individual teachings and concepts into one big one, to make the whole of Masonry, what constitutes its nobleness, righteousness and virtues into a philosophy. What Nagy does is explain Masonic philosophy by explaining and connecting all its component parts. This philosophy we call Masonry is a way of life. A Freemason cannot live this way of life unless he can understand it. And that’s the job that Nagy does. He articulates the philosophy of Masonry so that Masons are able to practice it because they understand it. For that reason alone this book must be part of your library and the library of your Lodge."

 

-- Brother Frederic L. Milliken

 

(Source: http://freemasoninformation.com/2016/07/building-hiram-2/

 

 

Hidden in Plain Sight

This is an old American folk tale.  Enjoy!

John S. Nagy

-----------------------

 A traveler came upon an old farmer hoeing in his field beside the road. Eager to rest his feet, the wanderer hailed the countryman, who seemed happy enough to straighten his back and talk for a moment.

"What sort of people live in the next town?" asked the stranger.

"What were the people like where you've come from?" replied the farmer, answering the question with another question.

"They were a bad lot. Troublemakers all, and lazy too. The most selfish people in the world, and not a one of them to be trusted. I'm happy to be leaving the scoundrels."

"Is that so?" replied the old farmer. "Well, I'm afraid that you'll find the same sort in the next town.

Disappointed, the traveler trudged on his way, and the farmer returned to his work.

Some time later another stranger, coming from the same direction, hailed the farmer, and they stopped to talk. "What sort of people live in the next town?" he asked.

"What were the people like where you've come from?" replied the farmer once again.

"They were the best people in the world. Hard working, honest, and friendly. I'm sorry to be leaving them."

"Fear not," said the farmer. "You'll find the same sort in the next town."

Morals of the Story:

1. Your worst enemy is self-ignorance.  Know Thyself!
2. Your baggage owns you.  Divest!
3. You create your own lessons.  Learn Daily!
4. You get what you expect.  See Differently!
5. No matter where you go, there you are.  Escape is Futile!
6. When you want different, be different!  Transform!

 

A Brother Asks... Why Allegory?

 

A Brother Asks: Why is Allegory used within Ritual?

My Response: It is used because it is the Primary Method used throughout history to convey Theological and Philosophical Principles and Concepts.  Such training is invaluable in laying a foundation for future studies of Ancient and Modern Theological and Philosophical Literature.
 

He Continues:  Why Train to Understand it?

My Response: It is the primary challenge and obstacle presented to and faced by anyone making effort to decode what has been encoded in languages long forgotten and things conveyed today that are masked, veiled, concealed and hidden.  Its use has side benefits and annoying side effects.

He Continues:  What are its side benefits?

My Response: It is an extremely effective method of cleverly masking, secretly veiling, carefully concealing and blatantly hiding valuable information in plain sight.

He Continues:  What is its annoying side effect?

My Response: Unskilled and ignorant individuals usually make more of it than it is ever meant to convey and use it as an excuse to:

1. Create huge organizations of people who expend inordinate amounts of time, energy and other resources chasing mythical creatures for sacrifice,
2. Build expensive imaginary cages that are believed to hold them temporarily once caught, and
3. Create accurate historically veiled accounts of their imaginary exploits for posterity.

He Continues:  What makes Allegory fun?

 

My Response: Did you not read my last Response?

He Continues:  What makes Allegory interesting?

 

My Response: It invites curious minds to embrace contrasting information and to dig deeper to cultivate insights into things, issues and situations that require them to transcend what might appear contradictory at first.

F&S,

Brother John S. Nagy


 

A Brother Asks... Why no Improvement Support Systems?

A Brother Asks:  If Freemasonry is supposed to make good men better, why doesn't it provide systems to do this?

My Response: The entire structure of Freemasonry is designed only to point the way toward betterment.  It is not designed to directly support the way toward betterment.

It will continue to work this way until the Craft realizes that pointing the way is not enough for those who want more and for those who want to attract and keep members involved.

Blue Lodge Freemasonry offers to candidates three maps that can help every one of them become a Better Man. However, it is ENTIRELY up to each candidate to learn how to read and follow these maps; the Craft as a whole cannot do this for them and for good reasons too.

Brother: Why is this?

Coach: The first reason is simple... The Craft were not taught that they were given these maps and they were not shown how to read them or follow them.  The system is sadly remise in supporting this end. As it is now, you have an entire organization of males who were never taught more than skills that preserve and act out Freemasonic scripts and choreography, but never engaging in what Freemasonry directs them to do.

Brother: And the second reason?

Coach: Freemasonry rightfully assumes that each Candidate is Mature enough to Do "The Work" on his own.  When they are not mature enough, they shall find the organization fundamentally unfulfilling, foundationally flawed and ultimately boring. As they should since that is the reality that they have embraced and are engaged in.

This is the nature of males too immature to Grasp Responsibility for improving themselves and their own lives. 

Freemasonic Organizations are the ultimate "Self-Help" groups, as in, each Candidate must HELP THEMSELVES. 

Brother: Why is this?

Coach:  Because, when things are working correctly, no one within the organization is going do it for them! They already know that they can't.  

They already know through experience that Mastery cannot be handed over; it must be cultivated from within by the directed Work of the person wanting it.

Brother: What does this mean?

Coach: This doesn't mean that the system doesn't have programs designed to assist in running its operations.  It simply means that these programs are intended to support the system and only indirectly improve the men so that the system can be better supported.

 

F&S,

 

Brother John S Nagy

 

 

 

A Brother Asks... The Speculative Illusion?

A Brother Asks: Is Freemasonry truly a continuation of operative masonry?

My Response: No, it is not. 

Brother: Wow! That's not the answer I expected.  Would you please expand on this?

Coach: Sure! Although the Freemasonic lore espoused in lodges tells us that Freemasonry is a continuation of Stonecraft, the reality is something entirely different. 

Brother: What is the reality?

Coach: Freemasonry is a continuation of Mystery Play Productions.

Brother: Mystery Plays?

Coach: Yes!  These were plays put on by most all Guilds, and not just Stonecraft organizations. 

Brother: Other guilds put on these plays?

Coach: Yes.  These were occupation "produced and sponsored" public plays put on under the premise of educating and entertaining the masses. 

Brother: Interesting!

Coach: Indeed!  They also served the purpose of product and service placement for marketing purposes.

Brother: Marketing? Wow!

Coach: Yes.  In the case of Freemasonic societies, they have collectively privatized their plays.  

Brother: Privatized?

Coach: Yes. That is the original meaning behind the word "peculiar" in the phrase, "peculiar system of morality," used to describe Freemasonry.

Brother: Yikes!  That makes so much sense!

Coach: Yes, and it's hidden in plain sight too!

Brother: Indeed! 

 They put these morality plays on for paying patrons who wish to join the society.  The joining is called "Being Made" and also "Being Accepted" and occurs through morality plays called "The Entered Apprentice Degree".  These plays are provided to joining members as an initiation ritual.  Once "Accepted", modern members are also "Admitted" into the lodge that produced the play.

Brother: How do you explain The Lodge of Edinburgh #1 (Mary's Chapel) which has its minutes unbroken since 1599? They were then entirely operative. They are now entirely speculative. The minutes document the transition. 

Coach: Yes, they were originally entirely operative according to their unbroken documents. Yes, it is clear that at some point they changed their business model and hence their operation.  They transitioned:

1) from working on stone and selling their stonecraft skills and products
2) to selling memberships to men to experience total-immersion live-action alternative-reality role-playing social-theater that was scripted using the lexicon, symbols and fabricated lore of stoneworkers with the intent to put on morality plays for private patrons​ with this basis and for moral purposes.

It is not likely that this transition was instantaneous, deliberate and purposeful.  It is more likely that it was a series of decisions and choices based upon money, personal interests, short term goals, and opportunities presented to the membership over many years.

When you examine what these Stonecraft Lodge members did then and what Freemasons do now, it should be clear that the two operations are as different from each other as living the dream and acting out a fantasy. It should also be clear too that their business model was originally premised upon bringing members in to teach them stonecraft and to make them productive stonecraft workers for the business.

The moment they chose to include members who were not going to support that business model is the moment they chose to sell membership into something else to create a revenue stream not dependent upon sales of stonecraft product and services but upon an offered theatrical modality that was not stonecraft.

Keep in mind, the common thread between the stonecraft lodge activities and what is now referred to as the early "speculative" period was the dinner parties both offered that included drinking, eating, singing, discourse, social intercourse and, ...wait for it... entertainment.

It should also be clear that the wives of these included non-stonecraft working men had to be appeased of their concerns.  After about 100 years or so of doing these dinner party activities, the society enacted a rule to assure that no man could be excluded due to the concerns of his wife, who might fear that her husband was part of a dinner party society that had women as members.

Sadly, there is very little dinner party activity going on in our modern Grand Lodge era. All that we typically have offered to us now, beyond the usual Degree activities, are boring business meetings, installations and Grand Lodge Entourage visits.

I emphasize one point though.  Freemasonry as it is typically practiced today is not now speculative.

Brother: It's not?

Coach: It's not! Being "Speculative" denotes being a "speculative equivalent" of an "operative version". Freemasonry is not an equivalent representation.  If any Freemasonic organization was to authentically claim to be a Speculative version of Operative Masonry, they would have to practice the Speculative aspects of Operative Masonry and not just give it lip-service that claims the title without ever doing the Work that justified the title.

In the case that you provide, it should be clear.  Just because a business doing Stonecraft kept minutes over a long time and these minutes showed that they transitioned their business model, doesn't mean that they are continuing what they did before the transitioned; they are not. No matter what illusion members who interpret their minutes want to have you buy into, calling a sausage an orange doesn't make what you have an orange; it's still a sausage.  The same applies to the labels they put forth.  Calling what Freemasons currently do "Speculative" doesn't make it so. It's quaint, and it's romantic, but it's inaccurate and mislabeling.

From a wider view, the evidence is clear. Freemasonry is not a continuation of what Stonecraft Masons did prior to about 1717 (or what they did after then for that matter!) Freemasonry is not even close to being a speculative version of operative masonry. What they (stonecraft lodges) did (stonework for fee) and what we (Freemasons) do (total-immersion live-action alternative-reality role-playing social-theater with a moral purpose for fee) are two entirely different activities and practices and are not even analogously equivalent.   

Brother: They're not?  Please explain!

Coach: Sure.  Let's get into this a bit.

If you do not believe my claim, ask yourself the following four questions:

1. Did you actually serve any apprenticeship whatsoever that established and cultivated a strong foundation for doing Speculative Work. 
2. Did you actually receive any Training whatsoever to do Speculative Work? 
3. Did you actually put forth a Masterpiece of Speculative Work to earn that Master Mason title?
4. Can you clearly and concisely explain to another human being what Speculative Work actually is, without describing theatrical training? 

Speculation is not just learning scripts and acting them out.  Claiming a Speculative connection to Operative Stonecraft is like saying that, because we put on plays using archeological references, tools and stories, that makes us a speculative version of archeology or because we put on plays spouting and espousing the ancient Greek Philosophy of Plato that we are modern Platonists.  We would not be a speculative version of either.  We would still be a theatrical society putting on plays and role playing what the script and choreography called for.

The practices Stonecraft Masons had and the practices we modern day Freemasons have are not different versions (Op. v Spec.) of each other. The two are not even close.

The fantasy is fun and quite enjoyable and participation does bring rewards, but the reality of our practices is far from the romantic dogma provided through most channels who have an invested interest in keeping the fantasy alive.  Keeping all this in mind as we participate within its theater allows us to stay well-grounded in our expectations of what it truly offers to all those who engage in its offerings.  

It also helps us focus upon the true intent and purpose:  To immerse our patrons in artificial realities which allow them to play out roles of men going through initiations that focuses them upon what they can and need to commit themselves toward to become better men as a result of doing so.

All Freemasonic activities are to do just this.  When we fail as an organization to support them in becoming those better men, our results fall short of our intend goal.

For Further Light:

Why no records?

F&S,

Brother John S. Nagy

PS - For more information on this topic, please consider reading "The Craft Unmasked!  The Uncommon Origin of Freemasonry and its Practice"

A Brother Asks... Why no Innovations?

A Brother Asks: Why is there a section in the Worshipful Master's installation oath that proscribes innovations?

My Response: It comes directly from one of Brother Anderson's Landmarks.  The Landmark in question is as follows:

25.  That the landmarks of Masonry can never be changed.  These constitute the landmarks, or as they have sometimes been called, "the body of Masonry," in which it is not in the power of man or a body of men to make the least innovation.

And it is put in there to assure that the man taking office does not take any liberty in his office.  It is believed that any innovating action would change the Grand Lodge's franchise authorized processes, scripts and choreography that assures consistency in what is offered to all who experience a specific Jurisdiction's Rituals.

That being said, it should be clear from all the changes that have been made over the centuries and the wide diversity in rules, regulations, landmarks (that are recognized), rituals and lectures, that Freemasonry is full of innovations. It must have them since it is primarily a social Order that must keep up with the times and the norms of each society it is within.

Masonry though, being different from Freemasonry, has no innovations at its most basic core levels.

1. Apprentice: What Masonry requires from men to mature is exactly the same now as it has been from the beginning of mankind.  
2. Fellow: What Masonry requires of men to learn is exactly the same now as it has been from the moment such things were taught in schools as far back in time as Ancient Athens.

The core has not changed since its beginnings and, when Freemasonry came into the Grand Lodge Era (circa 1717ish), its Ritual made every effort to capture this in its Privatized Morality plays; plays that, to this day, continue to change based upon the needs of any one particular jurisdiction.  Its focus though has remained consistent:  Mature men and Make them Learned, but only when they desire to do the Work to accomplish both!

Masonry does however have technological advancements at its Master level. This occurs each time the men who Practice and Master Masonry discover new understandings or uncover old understandings that should be implemented at that level from then on.

That is why Masonry is referred to as "a Progressive Science", while Freemasonry is a static art, well, at least until societal changes force it to innovate once again, as it should.

As you perpend all this, keep in mind that the landmarks are not universally embraced and those that are, vary widely from one jurisdiction to another.  Some actually have in writing that innovations are permissible with "the consent of the Grand Lodge having first been obtained." 

F&S,

Brother John S. Nagy

A Brother Asks... Why no Females?

 

 

A Brother Asks: Why aren't females permitted in mainstream's open lodge activities?

 

My Response: Because the members of the male-craft version of Freemasonry, by way of a written proscription, decided about 300 years ago to create and support a "no female" environment. It can't get any plainer or simpler than this.

 

He Continues: Do you believe that it's because the Craft is keeping a stonemason tradition that didn't permit women masons?

 

My Response: No. That is not a stonecraft tradition and it never was one. Like so many other stories in Freemasonry, this lore was made up to support and justify what we have today.

 
The fact is, we are not a continuation of those guilds. We never were. That is fabricated lore that supports a fabricated fantasy; it is not fact.

Moreover, if we are to be considered a continuation of anything it would be the theatrical societies of medieval times when most all guilds put on "mystery plays" (The word "mystery" at that time meant "occupation" when applied to this term). Such theatrical groups did not permit women not because they didn't want them to participate but due to society norms and more especially the laws of the time proscribing woman from participating as actors in theatrical productions.

In other words, it was illegal to have them involved.

If you think about it, if the Craft are to continue doing the theater that we do, focusing our patrons upon their morality, and remain true to the theater norms of that time, no woman would be allowed in what we do, ever.

That being said, the tradition is outdated. Times and attitudes have changed.
 
But men's mentalities and needs to be in all men groups are not governed by the laws of man. They are governed by a strong psychological need to be away from female influences when communing with other men, even if all that they are participating in is mind-numbing business meetings.

I believe if you examine the evidence, the organization more than fills that need for some.

He Continues: Modern freemasonry has enacted many amendments to its rules, but none related to gender. Why?

My Response: We have a men's society and we like it that way for a multitude of reasons; all personal to the men folk who engage in it. 

He Continues:  Is this rule related something deeper, perhaps related to cabala, alchemy, etc.?

My Response: Nah. You can tunnel down a thousand rabbit holes of fantasy and rationalized woowoo but the central fact is simple: The membership wants a place to hang out with only their male homies. 

 

Here's a question thrown back at you: Why must this basic desire be explained and justified further?

 

He Continues:  Maybe esoteric masons can explain?

 

My Response: They could, but it would not help to clarify and bring into focus the male only picture by throwing rubbish upon it. 

 

Men want a place they can get away from specific influences that take them away from what they want to be focusing upon.  Religion, Politics, Unnecessary Friction (and Drama!), and Women are but a few.  The men of the male-craft versions of Freemasonry have created these places and they call them their own. 

 

The less mature members of the organization feel that they need to explain this to those who want such influences in their own gatherings and they construct elaborate reasons and excuses when they make effort to convey this. 

 

The mature members of the organization do not need to explain or justify it. Their attitude is simple:  If you want something different, create it for yourself somewhere else, and don't try to force it upon us when you do.

 

I err toward this latter attitude, but take the time to expand upon it a bit for the benefit of our newbies.

 

F&S,

 

Brother John S. Nagy

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Brother Asks... How are Ashlars and Jacob's Ladder Connected?

A Brother Asks: What relationship do Ashlars and Jacob's Ladder have?

My Response: Let's lay a foundation before we get to an answer.


Ashlars

Ashlars are symbolic for living stones and more specifically they represent within Ritual:

Men who are free, believe in God, are foundationally good and known as such, who have both the capacity and desire to improve themselves and have shown that they have done some Work already.

Please recall: An ashlar is free, claimed, shows no flaws that would prevent it from being used appropriately by the Builder and it is hewn to some degree (pun intended).

Most stones are bound as aggregate within the earth. Some of it is or gets free. Some of that free stone winds up being hewn into shape through specific and directed Work to become Useful to The Builder.

Masons do this shaping Work for The Builder's Use. I truly hope you know to what I am alluding.

Let's review all this on purpose:

The use of Ashlars within Ritual is to point out through metaphor and through allegory that men who desire more must qualify (be suitable) to become members.  Additionally, they must aspire through their actions to become both better and a part of something bigger, grander and important to God.

Jacob's Ladder

This theological ladder both represents and is a connection between Heaven and Earth.  It was created by God and it was provided by Him to mankind.  It is means by which angels (God's Messengers) descend and ascend between the two.

Should a man desire to Strengthen this connection between Heaven and Earth and to have better communication between himself and God, Ritual tells and shows him that there is specific Work to which it directs him to do by way of its use.

Once again, let's review all this on purpose:

The ladder's purpose within Ritual is to point out metaphorically and allegorically the there is a connection and there is Work that men must do to strengthen that connection.

Caveat: The Work Strengthens this connection only and does not guarantee anything more. 


Relationship

You are the Ashlar and the Ladder is a Connection.  Both allude to the Work that improved your connection between

1. Heaven and Earth
2. With the Almighty. 

If you desire a better connection between yourself and God, Work Your Ashlar!


Afterthoughts

For more information on the Ashlar, here is an early article I wrote that is worth reading:  http://buildinghiram.blogspot.com/2009/04/ashlar-unfolded-is-published-again.html.

Admittedly, I would rewrite some of it due to what I have learned since it was first written, but I have far too many other things directing my attention these days.  It should provide a nice overview however.

F&S,

Brother John S. Nagy

A Brother Asks... Are the Twelve Fellow Crafts Reformed Ruffians?

A Brother Asks: Were the remaining Twelve Fellow Crafts Reformed Ruffians[1]?

My Response: Before I respond directly to your question, let me take some liberty here and lay a foundation for it. 

Freemasonry does not make good men better. That is a fabricated slogan that serves the purpose of gaining the interest of a target market.  It has worked unbelievably well over the years and is well suited to that purpose.

If you inspect the results of Craft influence in an unbiased way, it should become obvious from the evidence that it is only by Seeking and Practicing Masonry, not Freemasonry, that a Good Man becomes a Better Man.

That being said, Mainstream Freemasonry is an organization of men who collectively claim that they seek to make Good Men Better.  They also lay claim to supporting this end without wavering.  They do this by directing members' attention toward focusing upon those things that each can do to improve themselves.  They do this in the hope that Members may eventually come to know and embrace Masonry; not just Freemasonry.

However, these claims must be backed by action on the part of each member for that Betterment to be realized.  The first step toward that end is Realizing and Understanding that there actually is a difference between the organization and what it espouses. The second step is Realizing and Understanding that Participation in organizational activities is not the same as doing the Work that it espouses; these are two entirely different activities and they serve different ends. 

Should you get upset or offended by this information? Only if you insist upon not earnestly examining what Betterment of yourself actually entails.

Back to your Question

From a very deep and personal perspective, I find the Three Fellow Crafts who went back to Work more heroic than any other characters within the Temple's Allegorical Tale. I see taking up the Work with unwavering intent to Complete it, as in "to complete their respective temples," to be one of the most heroic and noblest of journeys any Man can undertake.

To Recognize this need and Dedicate oneself to its fulfillment and completion to be a rare and noble quality.

But that's just me. I know from experience what it actually takes. A man must cultivate something very special and utterly unique within himself to take such Work on and then move it toward completion.

It Transforms the man, his life and his world.

The Work is not for wimps, wusses, or Ruffians. 

 The other Nine Ruffians?  The story doesn't say what happened to them.  That being said, it was clear that all twelve were threatened with the same punishment that the three who committed the crime eventually suffered, if the three were not brought to justice.  The Nine Ruffians who were never heard from again did not bring the three to justice and therefore we are left to understand that they left for parts unknown, never to return, much like many who depart who never apprehend the Work necessary to bring their Work to justice.

And there in lies the answer to your question. 

The Twelve Fellow Craft were part of the original conspiracy to ruff[2] on the required Work.  They had every intention to ruff.  They were going to follow through with ruffing and ultimately changed their minds.  Of the twelve, we are left with the distinct impression that only three returned and planned to opt out of ruffing and followed suit on pursuing the Work.  By all Blue Lodge accounts, we are left with a distinct understanding that only three had plans to reform their ways and get back to business - doing the Work.

So, "Yes", only these three were reformed Ruffians, or, at least, Working toward that end.

F&S,

Brother John S. Nagy
-------------------------------

[1] Ruffian: One who ruffs; one who does not follow suit; one who skips over what is usually necessary to accomplish a desired end.
[2] Ruff: an archaic term meaning to "trump"; to not follow suit; to skip over what is usually necessary to accomplish a desired end.