A Brother Asks: Orders of Architecture

A Brother Asks: Coach, Would you tell me how the columns figure into our Masonic journey?

Coach: I sure can.

Brother: Great!  Please do!

Coach: The first thing you must realize is what each column actually denotes allegorically.

Brother: Allegorically?  You mean the columns are standing in symbolically for a quality that a Brother must embrace Masonicly?

Coach: Exactly!

Brother: Wow!  I had never considered that approach before.

Coach: Many don’t.  Yet, they first are presented in a symbolic lodge and you’d think that most members would. I mean, it is a symbolic lodge.

Brother: True enough. Let’s start with the Tuscan.

Coach: No.  Let’s start with the Doric.

Brother: Why the Doric?                                                                 

Coach: Great question. What do you know about the symbolism of the Doric as it relates to the officers of the lodge?

Brother: I know that the three principle officers are denoted by the Ionic, Doric and Corinthian columns.

Coach: Meaning?

Brother: The Worshipful Master, Senior and Junior Wardens respectively.

Coach: Great! So which officer is the Doric?

Brother: The Senior Warden.

Coach: Correct.  And what quality does the Senior Warden represent?

Brother: Strength.

Coach: Agreed. Using this understanding, what do the Ionic and Corinthian columns represent?

Brother: The remaining officers respectively, and by default, the qualities of Wisdom and Beauty too.

Coach: Yes.  So, you’re telling me that the Ionic, Doric and Corinthian columns represent Wisdom, Strength and Beauty?

Brother: No. Ritual is telling us this through our ritual lectures.

Coach: Indeed! 

Brother: How does this play into our Masonic journey?

Coach: Let’s overlay these qualities.

Brother: Okay.

Coach: The Doric column represents any Brother who demonstrates that he has worked sufficiently upon his Strength.

Brother: You mean sufficiently doing the Work pointed toward by the apprentice ritual to bring Order to the Chaos of his heart?

Coach: Precisely!

Brother: That makes perfect sense.  What about the Ionic column?

Coach: The Ionic column represents any Brother who demonstrates that he has Worked sufficiently upon his Wisdom.

Brother: You mean sufficiently doing the Work pointed toward by the fellow craft ritual to bring Order to the Chaos of his mind?

Coach: Yes. 

Brother: I like that! What about the Corinthian column?

Coach:  The Corinthian column represents any Brother who demonstrates that he has Worked sufficiently upon his Beauty?

Brother: Beauty?  How is that possible?  How do we work upon our appearance?

Coach: It’s symbolic my Brother.  And it means that a Brother has applied what he has learned within the first two degrees to create a recognizable masterpiece of Beauty.

Brother: You mean sufficiently doing the Work pointed toward by the master ritual to bring Order to the Chaos of his spirit?

Coach: Indeed!  You’re getting the hang of this symbolic stuff.

Brother: Thanks… your coaching helps a lot.

Coach: So does your ability to grasp the allegorical elements and apply them.

Brother:  Thanks... so, what about the Tuscan?  What does it represent?

Coach: The Tuscan is the plainest and simplest of all the columns presented to them within the staircase lecture. 

Brother: Okay…

Coach: When this is to symbolize any quality assigned to a member, it is to denote any Brother who demonstrates that he has yet to Work upon any aspect of his Wisdom, Strength or Beauty.

Brother: So, they have yet to do any of the Work pointed toward by the first three degrees?

Coach: Exactly!  They may have done the memorization work, but they have not applied anything that they have memorized toward their lives.

Brother: So, they are rough ashlars?

Coach: Yes, they have yet to even take up their Working Tools and applied them toward their Ashlars.

Brother: So, they are members, but they have yet to truly do anything other than fit in.

Coach: Sadly, I have to say "yes."

Brother: What about the Composite column?  How does that apply to our Masonic journey?

Coach: The Composite column is any Masterful Mason.

Brother: As in?

Coach: As in any Brother who demonstrates that he has Worked sufficiently upon his Wisdom, Strength and Beauty to create a masterpiece, most especially of himself.

Brother: You mean the Work that is pointed toward by the three symbolic degrees?

Coach:  Yes! Furthermore, he has integrated this Work fully and suitably into his being and everyday manner such that they all are present and they all agree.

Brother: Wow!  That’s a lot to take in?

Coach: Yes, and the sad aspect of this whole thing is that its hidden within plain sight and most members do not see it.

The Craft Perfected! A Third Review!

From the beginning of his “Building” series, Brother John S. Nagy has set out to explain the Craft of Masonry. He has explained the use of symbols, catechisms, and even the organization and progressive science itself. This has continued throughout his “Building” series, as well as within a couple of other books that are only indirectly associated with the series. 

“The Craft Perfected,” or as I like to think of it as “Building Perfect,” finally tackles the subject of perfection within the hearts and minds of all Craft Masons. Misconceptions within the proper use of grammar within our Masonic Ritual are all over the place. 

Brother Nagy not only explains their proper use, but also why specific words are chosen to help direct all Masons in the right direction. To that of a state of “Perfect.” 

But “perfect” may not mean exactly what you think it means. 

Because I had assumed I understood all of these concepts from the beginning, I found myself quite intrigued by the way the progression unfolded throughout the book. 
 
Every subject and concept that was discussed ended up leading into the next, ultimately creating symbolic “perfect ashlars” for my house, each step of the way. I have always found myself more interested in the esoteric and philosophical side of Masonry. In my opinion, the focal point of all Masons is to make “good men better,” to coin the phrase. 

This book not only assists in that venture, but illustrates a pathway that can easily be followed. Any Mason can pick up this book and benefit from the instructions and explanations within. Brother Nagy not only includes a map, and a compass through this territory, but provides a checklist to assist with understanding how you found your way. If you are ever looking to “Complete Your Foundation,” then look no further.

-- Brother Nick Adair

(You can order it here: The Craft Perfected! )

The Craft Perfected! Actualizing Our Craft - Press Release

Oct. 15, 2019 - Tampa Bay Area Florida

The Perfect Ashlar is used symbolically to denote perfection within The Society of Free & Accepted Masons – better known as The Freemasons. This symbol is a recent innovation to the Freemasonic Craft. It is interwoven within the Craft’s degrees, lore, and literature with opinions and descriptions unsupported by Stonecraft. The Perfect Ashlar replaced a stone more appropriate for building sound structures. As a result of this innovation, the teachings surrounding it have wreaked havoc upon generations of Freemasons who were inappropriately taught that they would never live up to its ideal.

Research tells us that it was never meant to be this way!

Coach Nagy investigates over three hundred years of Craft documents to reveal hidden treasures of Light associated with the Masonic quest for Perfection.  His findings reveal: When the Perfect Ashlar was inserted into Ritual and which Ashlar it replaced, What the Operative Craft tells us about it, and The Liberties that Freemasonic authors took when they insert it into Ritual. 

Through his work, The Craft PERFECTED! - Actualizing Our Craft, John takes you through a series of deep Masonic rabbit holes, tracking down the history of The Perfect Ashlar, its true meaning, and the impact its meaning will have on future generations of Masons. Brace yourself for a page-turning inquiry suitable to what the Builders of the Organization intended for its members from its beginning.

An early review of the book shows promise!

(Now Available! Order here: The Craft PERFECTED!) 

The Summons Silenced

 

Don't expect to bring back to the lodge

those who have fled for good reasons...

 

A member of a certain Lodge, who previously attended meetings regularly, had stopped going. After a few months, the Worshipful Master decided to visit him. It was a chilly evening, and the Worshipful Master found his brother at home alone, sitting before a blazing fire.

Guessing the reason for the Worshipful Master’s visit, the brother welcomed him, led him to a comfortable chair near the fireplace and waited. The Worshipful Master made himself comfortable, but said nothing.

In the grave silence, he contemplated the dance of the flames around the burning logs. After several minutes, the Worshipful Master took the fire tongs, carefully picked up a brightly burning ember and placed it to one side of the hearth, all alone. Then he sat back in his chair, still silent.

His host watched all of this in quiet contemplation. As the one, lone ember’s flame flickered and diminished, there was a momentary glow, and its fire was all but gone. The host Brother soon reached out and put the ember back into the flue’s draft.  He then scooped up the other embers with the ash shovel and put them in an ash bucket, closed its heavy lid down upon it, and sealed them off from the natural draft.  He sat back and enjoyed the warm glow of the remaining ember, now flared up in brilliant glow brought about by the swift flow of the flue draft.

The Worshipful Master raised his eyebrows but remained silent.  After a while he glanced at his watch and chose this time to leave. He slowly stood up, removed the lid to expose the cold dead embers that were sealed away, and placed them back in the flue draft with the one remaining glowing ember. As they were exposed to its warm heat, they sprung to life and began to glow once more and with all the light and warmth of the one burning ember that had remained in the flue’s draft.

The Worshipful Master turned to leave, and as he reached the door, he turned back toward  the host Brother and said with a tear running down his cheek, “Thank you so much for your fiery response, my brother. I’ll make sure we make the necessary changes before I visit with you again.”

-- Brother John S. Nagy
(with sincere appreciation to both the original and the unknown authors*)

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


* The Silent Summons (Based upon "The Lonely Ember**")

   A member of a certain Lodge, who previously attended meetings regularly, had stopped going. After a few months, the Worshipful Master decided to visit him. It was a chilly evening, and the Worshipful Master found his brother at home alone, sitting before a blazing fire.
   Guessing the reason for the Worshipful Master’s visit, the brother welcomed him, led him to a comfortable chair near the fireplace and waited. The Worshipful Master made himself comfortable, but said nothing.
  In the grave silence, he contemplated the dance of the flames around the burning logs. After several minutes, the Worshipful Master took the fire tongs, carefully picked up a brightly burning ember and placed it to one side of the hearth, all alone. Then he sat back in his chair, still silent.
   His host watched all of this in quiet contemplation. As the one, lone ember’s flame flickered and diminished, there was a momentary glow, and its fire was no more. Soon, it was cold and dead.
   Not a word had been spoken since the initial greeting. The Worshipful Master glanced at his watch and chose this time to leave. He slowly stood up, picked up the cold, dead ember, and placed it back in the middle of the fire. Immediately, it began to glow once more, with all the light and warmth of the burning coals around it.
   As the Worshipful Master reached the door to leave, his host said, with a tear running down his cheek, “Thank you so much for your fiery summons, my brother. I’ll be back in our Lodge next meeting.”

-- Author Unknown

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

The Lonely Ember by Dr. John MacArthur

  A member of a certain church, who previously had been attending services regularly, stopped going.
  After a few weeks, the pastor decided to visit him. It was a chilly evening. The pastor found the man at home alone, sitting before a blazing fire.
  Guessing the reason for his pastor's visit, the man welcomed him, led him to a big chair near the fireplace and waited. The pastor made himself comfortable but said nothing. In the grave silence, he contemplated the play of the flames around the burning logs.
  After some minutes, the pastor took the fire tongs, carefully picked up a brightly burning ember and placed it to one side of the hearth all alone. Then he sat back in his chair, still silent. The host watched all this in quiet fascination.
  As the one lone ember's flame diminished, there was a momentary glow and then its fire was no more. Soon it was cold and "dead as a doornail."
  Not a word had been spoken since the initial greeting.
  Just before the pastor was ready to leave, he picked up the cold, dead ember and placed it back in the middle of the fire. Immediately it began to glow once more with the light and warmth of the burning coals around it.
  As the pastor reached the door to leave, his host said, "Thank you so much for your visit and especially for the fiery sermon. I shall be back in church next Sunday."
 

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... 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.

A Brother Ask... Society Inconsistencies!

A Brother Asks:  If a Master Mason stands firm against bigotry, tyranny, corruption and political correctness and therefore, is disparaged, ostracized and shunned by his fellow Brothers for being steadfast in that conviction; why would he remain a Master Mason?

My Response: The bluntest answer is, "Because it's not about them."  But let me say further that the Character of Hiram Abiff was put forth to you with sincere and calculated purpose to help emphasize that you will continually find yourself alone in life and surrounded by Ruffians at times.  Try as you might, you shall not escape these rogues, ever.  All you can do is deal with them to your best abilities and do what you can to evade them until you can no longer delay the obvious.  Furthermore, the closer you come to completing your Temple, the more aggressive they shall become.

Part of your challenge is to keep your head about you, being a role model for those who can follow your lead.  Be the best role model you can and enjoy the benefits of the role and the challenges such a role demands.

He Continues: If we are a fraternity of Brothers, Men of Reason, what exactly do we stand for?

 

My Response: The Fraternity shall always espouse principles that the membership can't possible live up to, especially when the organization itself doesn't support what it espouses.   Once again, it's not about them; it's about you and what you can do to better yourself. 

I highly recommend that you turn the question around so you don't drive yourself to despair!  What exactly do YOU stand for?! and once you answer this fully, live it and without reservation from yourself or any expectations of others! 

He Continues: If it is Hope, is not hope reflected in our Faith that reason will prevail through our Charity of preserving Liberty, which would then provide Hope to others?

 

My Response:< chuckle> I hope that you do realize that what you are involved in here is a Theatrical-Based Role-playing society filled with amateur actors, many of which have no clue as to what the scripts actually mean to convey.  Truly my Brother, step out of it, look back at it with fresh eyes, and ask yourself if you want to get upset about something that was intended to entertain and provoke thought toward betterment. What the society espouses is Grand. What it provides is opportunity alone. Make the most of it, but don't expect the society to be more than what it actually is.

He Continues: Is not becoming a better man not our end goal as Master Masons?

My Response: Not if you look at what the society supports. Once again, what the scripts espouse is not what the society supports.  This does not negate what it offers.  It's truly important to separate out what is espoused and what is supported so that you can focus not on what is lacking in the organization, but what is lacking in you!

 

He Continues: Why is it that 'better men' are those that blindly comply to the complacent and bad Masons are those willing to shed light into the shadows that has infested our lodges?

 

My Response: Because labels are not reality. Once again, these Freemasonic Organizations have a vested interest in continuing to provide what they provide.  What you see them labeling as "better men" are merely "better members" who support these organizations toward their intended ends. 

Keep in mind that the end goal of what is espouses is to birth men.  If you are such a birthed man, you need not shed light back into the womb.  Males within the womb are neither mature enough to see the Light within their darkness nor able to use the offered Light to climb out of it.

It is most important to keep in mind that these Lodges have one purpose:  To continue the process of bringing males into them and submerging them in a culture of morality plays all designed to shed Light upon what they can do to improve themselves. 

It is not designed to help them do this improving.  That is left to the individuals to do on their own. 

I challenge you to shed your Light where it will do the most good. And do so brilliantly!

 

He Continues: I have met few men of reason within our beloved fraternity.

My Response: Me too, AND I have met a lot more of these quality men than I would have had I not been a member. Doesn't that tell you something?

He Continues: Those I have met have suffered greatly by the hand of their Brothers.

My Response: Me too and I’m included in this! These are the Ruffian experiences I mentioned before.  The bad news is that you're NOT going to avoid this outside the Society.  The good news is that you've gotten to the point where you now have the awareness of such creatures and their ways and the language and skills to communicate what you're going to face for a lifetime.  You are a lot better off for being exposed to all this than had you never had the opportunity to perpend this in your life.

He Continues: Many no longer attend Lodge; many no longer tolerate the ruffians within our walls. How is it that reason has been chained and political correctness been unleashed?

My Response: The simple blunt response is because Ruffians Rule the Roost, Cowans occupy Support Positions and the Society isn’t what it Pretends to be (a Speculative version of Stonecraft). 

But this response doesn't do service to the real intent of your statement my Brother.  The truth is that you are expecting far more from the organization that it could possibly deliver.  It simply is not designed to do what you expect it to.

If you wish to remain sane in your participation though, go back to the metaphor I shared before: The Lodge is a Womb!  Nothing more.  You cannot expect males within it to be mature; that's the very reason they came through the door; they wanted to mature, even if they didn't know this when they walked through it. 

Sadly, far too many are not mature even after they have walked through the door and stuck around for any length of time, despite their appearance of age.  

 

On the other hand, too few are mature and you can tell them by what these few say and do and how they focus their time.  They stick around and help guide those who have shallow intent and those who have deep intent, according to the desire of each, helping bettering those who wish to invest in themselves as they can.

 

If you wish to stick around also, regardless of the Organizations limitations, there are things you can do to further improve yourself by engaging in what could be a maddening endeavor.  If you try to change anything other than yourself, you're going to become frustrated, bitter and disgruntled. 

However, if you use the roughness of what these experiences offer, you can polish yourself in ways you could not begin to imagine.

Most of all!  If you choose to participate, do so in loving folly and don't let anyone get your goat.

 

F&S,

 

Brother John S. Nagy

 

PS - Keep the friendships of those who don't participate, especially if they are men of quality whom which would enrich your life, as you would enrich theirs.  THE LODGE IS  NOT A BUILDING YOU GO TO; IT IS A GATHERING OF MEN WITH GOOD PURPOSE!

 

PSS - Should you want further support that you can't get inside the Society, I am available, but not for free.