MIDNIGHT REVELATION
This article was originally published as an Editor's
Comment, under the heading, "A Typical Meet-
ing," in the Masonie Tribune, a privately owned
publication in Sealtle, Washington. Wor. Bro.
Lehrbach is the Editor of the Masonia Tribune. We
thank him for the privilege or reprintinting the article
as a Short Talk Bullelin.
Last night I attended my Lodge for the last
time until we meet again in September. We
conferred the Entered Apprentice degree on
three candidates. It was to the delight of the
senior members present, because most of the
chairs were filled with young, energetic
Masons, most of whom have been Master
Masons for a year or less. I was chosen to give
the lecture, which I did in reasonably good
fashion, although I got my "twingue tosted" a
couple of times.
There was a fair attendance, and several
visitors, including one from California. At the
refreshment table he noted that there was
considerable difference in our work and that
of his home Lodge, but still consistent enough
that he had no difficulty in following the work.
There was a visiting Master present, who
brought along an Entered Apprentice of his
own Lodge. There was a Past Master present,
the father-in-law of one of the candidates.
Good fellowship abounded, and everyone got a
few moments to tell a story or to say a few
words to the candidates, who in turn got to give
their impressions. In short, it was a typical
meeting that has been enacted in my presence
hundreds of times.
For some unknown reason, however, it
seemed different. As I sat there visiting with my
Brethren, something bothered me-the faint yet
clarion tone of a tinkling bell was sounding in
the back of my head, as if to remind me of
something-what was it? Was it because the
work, which is always good, was perhaps a little
better? Was it because I was happy to see so
many young Brothers actively participating?
Was it because I kept my big mouth shut, which
is unusual, because I was in a semi metaphysical state? What is it, anyhow, that
keeps me
going back to my Lodge week after week, year
after year, to watch and assist in performing the
same ritual over and over again?
I like to perform good ritual and see my
Brothers do it, but that's not the reason. I like
the fellowship and camaraderie, but that's not
it either. We have a new, nicely furnished
Temple, warm in winter and cool in summer,
but that's not more than a small portion of my
ardor. Still seeking an answer, I went home and
wearily climbed into bed.
I switched on the eleven o'clock news to see if
any new catastrophes had developed, and
watched the same, drossy, distasteful repetion
of "news" I had seen earlier in the evening.
Boring repetition, I thought, and switched out
the light to get some much needed rest. The
news is getting as repetitious as degree
meetings, but at least I don't have to watch it.
Suddenly I bolted upright in bed. Is that The
answer? Is it because I don't have to go to
Lodge meetings that attracts me to them?
Is it because I don't have to spend hours and
hours learning ritual that I do it? Is it because I
don't have to be a Mason at all that piques my
desire to be the best one I possibly can? No
doubt these are cogent reasons born of my
natural love of freedom, but they still pose the
perplexing problem of why?
Suddenly the faces of the three candidates
flashed before my mind. Eager, interesting and
totally perplexed, they were ready to learn the
first lessons in Masonry as I began the lecture.
As many times as I have delivered it, I always
try to do so as if I was a teacher giving a lesson
to an individual student, using the best possible
diction and clarity of speech. But I stumbled a
couple of times-l must give more study to that
passage, so as not to interrupt their train of
thought. They must receive this knowledge
properly, and it was up to me to do it. And I
thoroughly enjoyed doing it. Reason number
one.
After Lodge closed, each candidate came up
and shook my hand with the usual remark,
"Boy, 1 don't know how you call remember all
that work." They arc sincere they are visibly
moved-they have started on their journey to
Master Mason. Reason number two.
In my reverie the thought occurred to me,
what if Masonry didn't exist? What if there
never had been any society such as Free-
masonry? What would those of us who espouse
the Craft teach and follow? The question may
be moot, because without Masonry, there
probably would never have been an America.
But just supposing there never had been any
Masonry, and that somehow our country got
established and our lives were pretty much as
now? How much would you and I miss it? If, of
course, we had never heard of it, we would not
miss it all. But our lives would be inexorably
different.
We would not be able to communicate our
love for our fellowman without Masonry. No
church, no neighborhood, no community, no
nation, can be even a small measure of cohesive
action without its influence. If you are going to
insist that there are other Fraternities, other
clubs, churches and social societies that you can
turn to, forget it.
For Freemasonry is the foundation stone of
both ancient and modern civil society. Its
influence actually led to the formation of every
other fraternal society in existence today, and
in large measure most of the denominations of
churches, not only in this country but
world-wide. It is popular to think, for instance,
that the British Empire brought Masonry to
world-wide existence, yet the secret societies of
the Hindus and Chinese which bore striking
resemblance to Freemasonry, existed long
before Rudyard Kipling's time. The recitations
can be repeated endlessly.
This is why Masonry will never die, nor is it
within the power of any man or nation to kill it.
It exercises too great an underlying influence on
civilization to be thwarted. And when the time
comes that its influence is sorely needed, the
world will once again turn to it, to embrace its
principles and practice its precepts. For after
all, Masonry simplified is the Golden Rule 3 and
the Ten Commandments.
This is why I'm proud to be a very small cog
in the vast machinery of Masonry, to assist
wherever I can to bring a better life to my
Brethren, where-so-ever dispersed. Reason
number three.
I figuratively winked at the three candidates,
rolled over and got the best night's sleep in a
long time.
NOTES:
1. See Short Talk Bulletin 8-63, "Some
Lodges ARE Different"; and 1-34, "Ritual
Differences. "
2. See Short Talk Bulletin 3-59, " What
Should a Mason Know about Masonry?"
3. See Short Talk Bulletin 12-48, "Golden
Rule and Freemasonry. "
POSTSCRIPT by Nixon Waterman
It's the kindly hearts of earth that make
This good old world worthwhile.
It's the lips with tender words that make
The care-erasing smile.
And I ask my soul this question when
My goodly gifts I see-
Am I a friend to as many men
As have been good friends to me?
When my brothers speak a word of praise
My wavering will to aid,
I ask if ever their long, long ways
My words have brighter made.
And to my heart I bring again
This eager, earnest plea-
Make me a friend to as many men
As are good, staunch friends to me.
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