A Brother Asks: Making Master Masons

 

A Brother Asks: Isn't the basic function of a Masonic Lodge is to make Master Masons? 

Coach: Unfortunately, for most every Lodge, the entire purpose of a Freemasonic Lodge is thought to be to make members. This is so that the money coming in from those members will help to cover the overhead of the white elephants they maintain. Those white elephants are their lodge building and associated properties commonly owned by the Fraternal organization itself. 

As far as making Master Masons, this is very far from the actual reality of Lodge operations. Lodges can call the members who go through three degrees "Master Masons" till the end of time or till they turn blue in the face, whichever comes first. However, with rare exception, these assembly line members are merely dues paying members. They're anything but masterful in what espoused Ritual asks of them. Most members have no clue what their Masonic purpose is.

Brother: Then what should the Lodge's focus upon to correct this?

Coach: The Lodge's Basic Function SHOULD be first and foremost making Masterful Masons. This focus would shift their activity insanity FROM new membership driven activities that try to keep the doors open by making more members TO a sane betterment drive that attracts new members because these pre-masons see evidence of mastery in the current membership.

With rare exception, pre-masons will NEVER see Masonic Mastery exhibited by the majority of the Lodge members they inspect because Masonic Mastery has NOT been cultivated in them; just the ability to memorize and regurgitate stuff that they have little to no understanding of.

 

 

 

SOMEONE ASKS: Being Found Worthy

 

Someone Asks: So members have to be found worthy to be accepted?

Coach: Petitioners MUST meet at least 10 requirements to begin the process of being considered for Lodge membership.

When they don't meet these ten requirements, we know as a Lodge that this person would negatively impact the Work that the Lodge requires to be done.  So, they MUST be found worthy -- there is no "have to" here!

He Continues: Which is polar opposite to Jesus who accepts all, even the most unworthy.

Coach: LOL!  That's a warped logical fallacy you put forth there and your claim is definitely NOT TRUE.  And you say all this as if it actually applies to being considered for membership into any organization -- which it truly doesn't.

Every one knows that most every organization has some level of entrance requirement.  Schools require a track record of academic achievement.  Businesses require some sort of combination of schooling and experience.  Even faith based organizations require some hoops to be jumped through to become members, this despite their allowing non-members to attend services and non-member events.

Freemasonic Lodges have requirements as well.

Even though Freemasonry is not a Christian, Jewish, Islamic, Hindu, or any other religiously oriented organization, Lodges still require a belief in God.

However, unlike religion-centric organizations, Freemasonry doesn't try to reform anyone.  It doesn't try to save souls.  It doesn't even try to salvage individuals.  All these are simply out of our scope and purpose.

So, you would be wise to stop with any unwarranted religious shame-mongering.  It doesn't apply here, and it might very well be one of the very reasons why many men seek Lodges out, rather than groups of people such as yourself who make effort to shame and proselytize inappropriately.

Lodges accept people for who they are. They also reserve the right to accept as members those individuals who can do the work necessary to eventually become Master Masons - that is a Lodge's purpose.  

Those who are incapable of achieving that end-in-mind, due to being immoral, uncivil, disrespectful, undisciplined, biased, inconsiderate, non-believers, and generally intemperate in their overall behavior toward others and themselves, would simply not fit onto what Freemasonry offers as an organization to those who join.

BTW - Your comments are based on a sophist oriented slight-of-hand logical fallacy that is unworthy of further consideration.  As you might have gathered, Masons study that off-putting stuff too so they can collectively identify when a not-so-studious sophist is yanking their chain, much like you have tried to do here.

As far as your claim that Jesus accepts all is concerned, I offer this to you in hope that you are open enough to realize that your shame-mongering is out of line and not biblically supported:

Did Jesus exclude people?

In Matthew 21:12-17 and John 2:13-22, Jesus drove the money-changers out of the temple for making God's house a "den of robbers." In John's account, he used a handmade whip and also turned over their tables.

In Luke 10, Jesus condemned three entire cities to hell. He pronounced "Woe" upon the cities of Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum, and explained that the day of judgment will be more tolerable for the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah (famously destroyed by fire from heaven for their immorality and their blatant rejection of God's ways) than it will be for them.

In Matthew 7:22-23, Jesus explains that anyone who does not do the will of His Father will be excluded with these words: "I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness."

​When considering the exclusive nature of Jesus, we can't ignore the book of Revelation. In His letter to the church at Thyatira in chapter 2, He actually criticized the church for the sin of tolerance. They were "tolerating" the false prophetess Jezebel, and He went on to pronounce judgment on her.

It's pretty clear that Jesus had some requirements for acceptance.

I file your shaming effort under: "Failed Attempt" and move on.

He Continues: Yes, it’s correct

Coach: Great! I am glad that you agree. KUDOS!

He Continues: And also ‘making good men better’ is unbiblical.

Coach: <sigh> I see that you're still reaching, but it doesn't matter. The term that you're using in a desperate attempt to prove a point is not and has never been an official Freemasonic statement. I know it's not based upon anything other than a buzz phrase to gain the interest of individuals interested in possibly joining.

That being said, the premise of the statement does apply to membership requirements. The Freemasonic process does not take bad men and make them good. Its offered Work can only take men who are already good and help them improve upon that.

He Continues: Because there’s none good but God not even one person can say he is good.

Coach: Great! I so appreciate your offered self-assessment. Since you personally believe that you're not a good man, and therefore unworthy, there's no reason to talk with you about the Fraternity. This forum is for Members and those interested in the Fraternity. By your claim, you would not qualify.

BTW - Your claim that "there's none good but God" is absolutely wrong biblically.  Let me share one example here for you:

Joseph, the betrothed of Mary, was a just—or good—man, and he showed it in the way he treated Mary after he found out she was pregnant (Matt. 1:18–19). 

  And, another:

A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; (Luke 6:45)

Here are a few more things to consider before you spout off things you know little of:

The phrase “good man” is found in both the New and Old Testaments. Studying the Hebrew and Greek use of this phrase yields definitions such as “literally or morally valuable; virtuous” and “better man; honest man; worthy man; well-favored man.” The Word of God also gives some particular attributes of a “good man.”

A good man follows God’s leading. Psalm 37:23 says, “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and He delighteth in his way.” A good man does not allow himself to be led by circumstances, other people, or even his own feelings. He allows God to be in control of his life.

A good man helps others. He is a giver. Psalm 112:5 says, “A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth: he will guide his affairs with discretion.” He is not focused on his own needs; rather, he is focused on the needs of others.

A good man leaves an inheritance. We’re told in Proverbs 13:22 that “A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children’s children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just.” The inheritance referred to here is not just money. An inheritance can be both natural and spiritual. The good man plans for the future—he saves and invests—so that those under his responsibility are taken care of, even if he’s gone.

A good man stays full of the Holy Ghost. He is a “Word” man. He is full of faith. He spends time praying in the Holy Ghost. In Acts 11:22–24, we see the example of Barnabas. Verse 24 says that many people were added to the church as a direct result of his being “full of the Holy Ghost and of faith” When you stay full of the Holy Ghost, you have a positive impact on everyone around you!

A good man has the Word deeply implanted in his heart. You’re going to have times of pressure in life. And whatever is in your heart in abundance is going to come out of your mouth during a time of pressure. In Matthew 12:34 and 35, Jesus told the Pharisees that it was impossible for them to speak good things without having good things in their hearts. A good man knows that the most important thing he can do is get the Word of God deep in his heart. Psalm 119:11 says, “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”

A good man fears the Lord. What does that mean? Proverbs 8:13 says, “The fear of the Lord is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.” A good man hates what God hates; he thinks like God thinks. (See Psalm 112 for more characteristics and blessings of a good man as he fears the Lord.)

You would do well to see how your stated claim that "there’s none good but God" evolved in meaning from Psalm (14:1)(53:1), to Mark (10:18) to Matthew (19:17), and finally to Romans (3:10), and understand the context by which each of these are put forth.  Without context, quoting the bible only reveals foolishness.

I know good men who are members of the Freemasonic Fraternity. I am grateful that your judgment is not the measure here.

Time to say "Bye Bye!"

 

 

A Brother Asks: Civility War

 

A Brother Asks*:  Coach!  Sometimes a question enters my head that I can't clear.  

Coach: I can so relate.  What's up?

Brother: I wonder about the formation of our nation and the dynamic that must have existed between our ancestors who wanted to leave England, and those who considered us traitors.

Coach: You're not alone. The simple response that I have toward this is that they were responding to traitors within the government that they were under. This government did not honor them as citizens.  The governing body of men were traitors to the relationship with their citizens first.

Hence the citizen's response was to get a divorce. The citizens rebelled by leaving the relationship and did so justly by declaring themselves independent from that established disrespectful government.

Brother: I'm going to focus on Freemasonry.  We know there had to be Brothers in both camps.  Do you think they just agreed to disagree, or did they actively work against each other?

Coach: If you have ever read the Federalist Papers and read through the accounts of the interaction played out by members who put together the Declaration of Independence and our Constitution, they were verbally at each other's throats. But they did work together to do what was necessary to establish a new government.

Brother: Let's bring that situation to present day.  There is a very good reason why we don't discuss politics in lodge. 

Coach: Yes, there is.  It's because having such discussions is not the purpose of the Lodge experience. It never was the purpose and should never be the purpose!

We as members are charged to install roadmaps into our members that, when followed, can mature and bring about mastery for the soul that follows them.

As a fraternity, we do help new members install those maps. However, we do not as a unified body of men encourage following them.

This is all that we can do currently and, as a result, getting immature and unmasterful souls to engage in anything like talking politics-religion would be out of both the purpose and the scope of our general member's true abilities. Talking politics (or religion) in lodge is simply beyond the general membership's abilities. And this is all the more reason not to engage in it, even though it is not our purpose.

Brother: If we each knew where the other stood, it would have a dividing effect.  

Coach: This is only when one or more parties are hostile, uncivil, disrespectful, and/or inconsiderate toward the others. I have many masonic relationships with those who do not hold my views as dearly as I do. We have absolutely no problems or troubles because we are cordial, civil, respectful, and considerate of each other.

However, I have blocked Brothers who were purposefully hostile, uncivil, disrespectful, and/or inconsiderate toward me and others online. We still are friendly in Lodge, but they are no longer part of my online life. And this is as it should be!

Brother: However, it's pretty easy to discern the likelihood of opinion, based on statements, actions, and simple associations. If it ever came to a form of Civil War, in the USA - how do you think that might manifest itself in our ranks?

Coach: If you have members who are hostile, uncivil, disrespectful, and/or inconsiderate of others, they will be treated accordingly. If you have members who are cordial, civil, respectful, and considerate of each other, you know, being mature and well-informed about the things that cause challenges, problems, and troubles in discourse and lodge activities, it'll be business as usual, at least, as it relates to the Lodge experience.

Brother: This is rhetorical, just something to think about.  

Coach: And well-worthwhile discussing since it is always a possibility on every scale!

Brother: We don't need to out each other, nor do we need specifics. 

Coach: But of course!

Brother: I'm speaking in generalities.  

Coach: As you should!

Brother: This might be something worth exploring in our own minds, and hearts - because I see all the signs of it heading in that direction. 

Coach: I agree.

Brother: Whether it gets there, or not, will be largely dependent upon how we, as a society, react - and more importantly, whether or not we, as an organization take a leadership role. 

Coach: All the more reason we should be both installing these maps in every member and encouraging and supporting the maturing of our membership so that they can Work toward mastery, rather than just making more members.

* shared  in this way with permission of the Brother!

Bro. John S. Nagy visits Mandarin Masonic Lodge … Eureka!

 

JACKSONVILLE, FL. - Eureka, was the word of the day spoken several times out load among the brothers attending from the tri-district area of Jacksonville, Florida on Saturday March 5, 2016.  Where, Mandarin Masonic Lodge hosted his presence and workshops.  Bro. John, an eight time author of “Building the Builder” series presented to brothers all, some 24 to be exact who took upon themselves a Saturday to be enlightened in esoteric and the many discoveries of Bro. John’s research in Free masonry.

A Light Breakfast was served followed by a lunch and fellowship. Bro. John, covered topics ranging from the entry of our west gate through the three degree’s. with a large screen and presentation, the day was not a loss as “Eureka” shouted among the brothers when another mind blowing discovery  after another, was revealed. 

Bro. John, arrived and stayed at the residence of Worshipful Master where an evening dinner was shared with several of our lodge brothers. Dinner, refreshments and a retirement to the back woods and bonfire where heavy discussions of Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness were shared by all. At one point of the evening, Bro. Todd Connors presented Bro. John, with honorary colors of a dress shirt sporting the Brothers of the White Ash Logo.

During his visit, Bro John, attended Mandarin’s DDGM visit and enlightened us further with  masonic education topic on “Cowens and Eavesdroppers”,  delivered in his usual high spirit generating another eureka moment. Thank you Bro. John, Look forward to your return and enlightenment.

----------------------
Reprinted from the:

MANDARIN MASONIC RESEARCH COUNCIL NEWSLETTER

 

 

Excerpt from: The Master’s New Works*

Excerpt from: The Master’s New Works*

…
The noble supporters who were to carry his works stooped low and reached for the floor as if they were picking up his efforts. Then they pretended ever so gallantly to lift and hold them high for all to see. They didn't dare admit they had nothing to hold. That would show them and their efforts for what they were.

So off went the Master in procession under his splendid canopy. Everyone in the lodge and the anti-rooms said, "Oh, how fine are the Master’s new works! Don't they complement him to perfection? And see his completed undertakings!"

Nobody would dare confess that he couldn't see anything, for that would prove him either unfit for his position, or a fool.

So they shouted in unison, "No work the Master had done before was ever such a complete success as these".
 
"But he hasn't done anything", a young Brother said.
 
"Did you ever hear such innocent prattle?" said his mentor. And one Brother whispered to another what the young Brother had said, "He hasn't anything done. A young Brother says the Master hasn't anything done."
 
"But he hasn't anything done!" the whole Lodge cried out at last.
 
The Master shivered, for he knew they were right. But he thought, "This procession has got to go on." So he walked more proudly than ever, as his noble supporters held high the works that weren’t there at all.
...

F&S,

Brother John S Nagy 

 * With MAJOR and SINCERE Apologies to Hans Christian Andersen