Dedication
Through Education
More Light in Masonry (VIII): Dedication
Through Education
by Allen E. Roberts
It is evident that THERE CAN BE NO DEDICATION
WITHOUT EDUCATION. We certainly can't be
enthused about something that we know little
or nothing about.
On a recent camping trip I discovered more
evidence of the lack of dedication in
Masonry. I was typing a manuscript and had a
couple of Masonic books spread out on the
table. An elderly camper was curious. He
asked me what I was doing, and I told him. "I
don't understand how you can do that," he
said. He was visibly puzzled.
"What don't you understand?" I asked, just as
puzzled.
"How you can write about such a secret
organization? For many years I've thought I
would like to be a Mason, but every time 1
ask someone about the organization, 1 get no
answers. 1n fact, everybody I talk to makes
me feel like I'm intruding into something
sacred. I really don't sec how you can have
any members at all, if it's that secret."
That disturbed me. Unfortunately, I've heard
similar statements over and over main. And
they disturb all those who arc dedicated to
the progress and prosperity of Freemasonry.
They trouble us because we arc making members
but are not teaching them to become Master
Masons.
I explained to my camping acquaintance that
Freemasonry is definitely not a secret
organization. It does have a few secret words
which help to identify those who arc
Freemasons from those who arc nut. It does
have a ritual that helps teach a man to be a
better man. We discussed Freemasonry at
length. Than 1 gave him a copy of Key to
Freemasonry's Growth and suggested he read
Chapter I, "Freemasonry in Perspective".
Too often we forget that every member of an
organization is important. One uninformed man
can destroy years of work by the leadership.
In the degree work, the man with a
non-speaking part is just as important as the
Worshipful Master. There just is no such
thing as an unimportant member or worker.
For some time my wife wanted a new living
room suite. I wasn't a good member of the
"team." I ignored her. Then my conscience got
the better of me - and there were other
reasons. We decided to get the suite for her
birthday. Off we went to a host of furniture
stores. The receptions we received were
amazing. In a couple we were greeted
graciously, but in most, the sales personnel
appeared to be annoyed because we were there.
We finally found what we wanted, in a store
where we were told which floor the furniture
was on, but were then left to shift for
ourselves. I was about to find a salesman to
write up the order when my wife discovered
something sharp at the base of the sofa. It
was an improperly driven staple. So we
examined that furniture carefully and found
several other slight imperfections. We left
the store and looked elsewhere until we found
what we wanted.
Undoubtedly the fellow whose responsibility
it was to staple the fabric to the frames of
sofas didn't realize how important his job
was. But his workmanship lost a sale. He
wasn't alone in his carelessness, though. The
foreman, the superintendent, the head man, as
well as the inspector must share the blame.
So must the furniture store in which the sofa
finally was received. It should have checked
for defects and corrected them.
My camping friend proved, if any proof was
needed, that there are careless workers in
the quarries of Freemasonry. "Material" is
being turned out that is defective. All who
profess to be Masonic leaders must share the
blame.
What we can do about correcting the shoddy
workmanship Masonry has been practicing is
what this series of Short Talk Bulletins has
been all about. But it won't help to discuss
goals, planning, communication, teamwork, and
the other principles of leadership, if we
don't put them to work. So, let's put them to
work.
Practically every Grand Lodge has an
Education Committee (called by varying
names). These Committees are created to work
with lodges and groups of Masons to further
the cause of Freemasonry in their
Jurisdictions. Call on them.
The Masonic Service Association, the servant
of Freemasonry, has always been ready to
assist Grand Lodges, Lodges, and interested
individual Master Masons. It has an abundance
of Short Talk Bulletins, Digests, and other
material to instruct members how to become
Master Masons. It has been in the "business"
of Masonic education since it was formed in
1919.
Macoy Publishing and Masonic Supply Company,
Richmond, Virginia, has been serving
Freemasonry for well over 100 years. It has
numerous books on every phase of Masonry. It
now has a series of films designed to train
Masonic leaders, similar to those available
for industry. These films, along with the
Leader's Guide for each, can help grow the
leaders Freemasonry must have to survive.
Many Grand Lodges maintain Masonic libraries
where useful books about the Craft may be
consulted. Some of the larger ones, as in
Iowa, Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania,
and Texas make books available on loan by
mail. No responsible Mason needs to remain
"in darkness."
There arc numerous Research Lodges throughout
the country and the world. These Lodges arc
doing a tremendous job in spreading factual
Masonic information, as well as speculative
interpretations of Masonic symbols and
philosophy. Many of then, publish their
proceedings regularly and nuke them available
to interested Brethren.
In fact, there is an inexhaustible supply of
Masonic literature and information available
for the asking. Ask, and ye shall receive.
Once you've got the information, what should
you do with it?
There are some folks who enjoy studying
alone. Most of us, though, would much rather
work with others. We find that a sharing of
ideas and thoughts aids the learning and
retainin2 process. So, for the majority of
us, MASONIC STUDY GROUPS is one answer.
Actually, Masonic study is not a chore - it's
an adventure! Freemasonry takes us into
fields and realms formerly undreamed of; its
romance is unparalled in the history of the
world; it is an important part of the world's
history. Once really begun, such study will
never stop. The pleasure of it will be too
great.
The formation of a Study Group can be the
most important step that your Lodge will ever
take. It can develop a continuing corps of
Masonic leaders. It can develop "Mentors" or
"Big Brothers", - Master Masons dedicated to
Freemasonry more than willing to work with
and teach the newly initiated Mason. It can
do away with "shoddy workmanship", thereby
sending Freemasons out into the world who are
truly "worthy of their hire." Money can't
motivate these workmen. Only dedication can.
Here's what the formation of a MASONIC STUDY
GROUP can accomplish:
- More interest in the teachings of
Freemasonry
- More participation in the activities of the
Lodge and Grand Lodge
- More enthusiasm for Freemasonry
- More dedicated Master Masons
- A knowledge of the history, philosophy, and
symbolism of the Craft
- The development of speakers for Lodge
programs
- The growth of Masonic leaders
- The development of Masonic teachers,
writers, and researchers
It's impossible not to become interested in
the teachings of the Order when groups get
together and intelligently discuss the
principles that have made it great for
centuries. Participation in study groups will
bring members closer together. They will
become supporters. They will attend Lode
functions regularly. They will have more of a
stake in the accomplishments of the Lodge.
The enthusiasm will become contagious and
extend to other Lodes in the area. Even the
community will be a beneficiary. And the more
that is learned, the greater will become the
dedication of the members to Freemasonry.
Such dedication will uncover Masonic
interpreters and teachers, men who might
remain hidden for years, or not be discovered
at all, if it weren't for the active study
group.
How do we form a Study Group? Easily. All we
have to do is get a few interested Master
Masons together and talk about Freemasonry.
We can't get more informal than that. But if
we want to be a little more formal, here are
a couple of points to consider:
- Select a leader, preferably one who has a
knowledge of Freemasonry other than the
ritual
- Let the officers and members of the Lodge
know that a Study Group is going to be formed
- Invite all who are interested to attend the
organizational meeting
The first meeting (or any meeting) may be
held anywhere, someone's home, a Lodge hall,
a hotel room. Study Groups seldom discuss the
few "secrets" that Freemasonry has, so there
is nothing to hide. The important thing is to
have the meeting. Get the Group off the
ground and into action.
There are no hard and fast rules that can, or
should, be followed for the organization of a
Study Group. But much of its success will
depend upon how well it is organized. This
holds true for everything that is started.
The points to cover in the organizational
meeting are suggestions only. Every Lodge is
different; every locality has its
peculiarities; every Jurisdiction has its own
rules and regulations that must be followed.
- Elect a president (or chairman); then let
him conduct the rest of the meeting
- Determine the number of members to he
admitted to the Group
- Decide how often and where the Group will
meet
- Determine the scope of the Group's
activities
- Select the method of study
- Appoint a Team to draw up simple bylaws
- Determine whether or not the members should
pay dues
- Decide who will be responsible for planning
courses of study or programs
Individuals participating in small groups
will learn more than they can in larger ones.
By limiting the number, however, you may
deprive some really interested members from
learning what they ought to know about the
Fraternity. You should take this into
consideration when a maximum membership is
determined. One Study Group set its
membership limit at 25. So many Masons
clamored to participate, the by-laws were
amended and the limit removed. Within a year,
200 were meeting regularly, and the
participation in the discussions was
excellent.
Circumstances will determine how often your
Group should meet. Where it will meet must
also he determined by local circumstances.
But, the more comfortable the surroundings,
the more participation can be expected. The
scope of the Group's activities should be
unlimited, as long as it acts within the laws
of its Grand Lodge. It would be best to
exclude the ritual, though. That's a field in
itself. Don't hesitate to teach and learn
about the meaning behind the words of the
ritual. This is definitely within the scope
of Masonic education.
There are many, many methods that can be used
for study. A combination of several will
usually be in order. A panel is always
interesting and informative. Three or four
men answer questions from the floor on a
given subject, or several related subjects.
Using a certain Masonic book as a text works
well. Here every participant purchases a copy
(or is given one) to study. At each meeting
the leader covers a chapter, using the
question and answer method. Speakers from the
Group or outsiders discuss a particular phase
of Masonry, then answer questions from the
floor. Color motion pictures (as mentioned
earlier) are now available, along with
pertinent suggestions for Workshops (another
name for Study Groups). Your creativity and
the ideas of your members can extend this
list indefinitely.
The matter of dues will be an independent
interpretation. The Lodge may determine to
underwrite the small cost when it learns of
the many benefits it will derive from such a
Study Group. It should be taken into
consideration, though, that most of us who
get something for nothing seldom appreciate
it.
Without an organization that has leaders and
a flexible policy to follow, the chances for
long range success are limited. Simple
by-laws should be formulated and adopted for
the Group's guidance, so that it will have a
name, a purpose, a set of officers whose
duties and terms of service are defined, a
simple dues structure, qualifications for
membership, etc.
The Study Group will take on more meaning if
it has a special name. It might honor some
Master Mason, now deceased, who worked in the
quarries of Freemasonry. If he was well-known
in the community, so much the better. The
Group's purpose might be stated in this
manner: TO LEARN ABOUT and SPREAD MASONIC
LIGHT and KNOWLEDGE THROUGH the STUDY of the
VARIOUS PHASES and PRINCIPLES of FREEMASONRY.
You must have a purpose for existence that
the members can "buy" if the Group is to be
successful.
And here are some more proven points to
follow on the road to success:
- Start on time; never wait for the
latecomers.
- Have a subject to discuss and stick to this
subject - DON'T RAMBLE.
- Keep the papers or speech short; leave
plenty of time for discussion.
- Adjourn at the pre-determined time-not a
minute later!
Here's another program that you may or may
not want to follow. Hold a couple of meetings
every year that your ladies can attend.
Whether we realize it or not, our ladies play
an important part in the success of our
fraternal activities. The more they learn
about Freemasonry, the more they will
encourage their men to participate.
Many years ago the Senior Deacon of my Lodge
came to my home with tears in his eyes. He
said that his wife refused to let him
continue in line. This was a great
disappointment to the whole Lodge. He was an
excellent ritualist and interested in all
phases of Masonry. No amount of persuasion
could change his wife's mind. He not only
dropped out of line, but out of attendance,
although he remained a member. Not long ago 1
met him at another function. He told me that
his wife was now sorry she had made him drop
out of active participation in the Lodge. She
had seen several instances of Freemasonry at
work and had learned that the Fraternity is
good-that men are better for belonging. But
the damage had been done. And this is by no
means an isolated case.
During the past several months we have been
discussing the principles of leadership. You
will be putting these principles to work in
the formation of a Study Group. You will be
determining a PURPOSE for the existence of
the Group. This Purpose will tic into the
Purpose for the existence of Freemasonry--to
Make Good Men Better.
You will be setting a GOAL or GENERAL
OBJECTIVE-the formation of the Study Group to
teach members how to become Master Masons.
You will be inculcating the principles of
Freemasonry. You will be PLANNING
continuously for improvements, after your
original plan has been put into effect.
You will be ORGANIZING, STAFFING,
COMMUNICATING, and the leaders of the Group
will be CONTROLLING the action.
So by doing only one thing - organizing a
Study Group - you will be proving that you
are a Constructive Masonic Leader. Do it. You
will be amazed at the results as the years go
by.
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