THE RECOMMENDER
This Short Talk Bulletin has been adapted from a paper delivered by Most
Worshipful Brother Lowell C Jensen, the Grand Master of Masons in Idaho, at the
Seventy-Seventh Annual Tri-State Conference in 1974.
RECOMMENDED BY BROTHER JOHN DOE, A MEMBER OF THIS LODGE
What is in a name? It is the means, by which, we as individuals are
identified. If it is used with concern and care, it will be respected. If it is
overused and abused, it will be questioned--and often there will be debate as to
its value. For example, who respects a person who has the reputation of passing
bad checks? He develops the reputation of a person who cannot be depended on--so
it is, my Brothers, in Masonry.
The name of a Master Mason can bring pleasure to himself, and profit to the
Fraternity, if wisely used. It is an instrument to loose, as well as to make
fast, the gates of the Fraternity.
When we recommend a person for the degrees of Masonry, do we realize the
importance of this act? Does the prospective member possess the qualities and
character necessary to become a good Mason? This is the first and most important
safeguard of the Fraternity. Like the checks we give out, there must be
sufficient funds to make the transaction good, or it will bounce and the
reputation of the recommender and the petitioner will be jeopardized.
When we sign a petition, are we just practicing our penmanship and leaving
our responsibility behind? In recent years, possibly this has been the situation
with too many of our petitions.
The Persons admitted Members of a Lodge must be good and true Men, free-born,
and of mature and discreet Age, no Bondsman, no Women, no immoral or scandalous
Men, but of good Report. (Anderson's Constitutions of 1723).
The first responsibility, in regard to a petitioner, is to determine if he
possesses the desire to become a Mason, and if so, has he been given some idea
of what Freemasonry is and what it is not? Has he been informed that he will
have to meet certain moral and financial obligations.
In some jurisdictions and in some of the lodges, the recommender is expected
to stand up in open lodge and make a brief statement about the person he is
recommending for membership.
The persons who sign a petition should always be in lodge when the petition
is read, and by all means they should be present when it is balloted on. Failure
to do so leaves a question among the Craft that the recommenders may not be
completely sold on the individual. If they are convinced, they would display
their conviction by being present. If you would--a credit reference for a good
man. Isn't this practicing the teachings of our Fraternity, that of concern for
our fellowman?
If the persons who have given this credit reference are concerned Masons,
they can make a very important impression by being present at lodge every night
when the candidate receives his degrees. Better yet, they should take him to
lodge and introduce him to the membership. By so doing, they will be available
to answer all the questions that he may have. This act will establish the first
tie of Brotherhood; therefore causing the candidate to think, ''Say, these
fellows are serious. They are concerned with Masonry and with me."
We say that when the candidate has completed the necessary requirements of
the three degrees of Masonry, he is a Master Mason and is thereby commended to
the kind care and protection of Master Masons withersoever dispersed. My
Brethren, he is just starting to become a Master Mason at this point. To this
new Brother of the Craft, the recommenders should assume a greater
responsibility than ever before. They are the two Masons who can whisper good
counsel to the new Brother, take him to a neighboring lodge and let him be
examined, assist him with the formalities of balloting in lodge, inform him on
what honors are to be given at the proper time, what books are good for his
further enlightenment, and can offer assistance to those questions that most
members hesitate to ask when they are so new. By so doing, they are thereby
developing a deep and lasting impression of Masonry. Therefore they would be
enabling him to become a better Mason.
By their demonstration of interest and concern in the new Brother, they are
demonstrating that there are sufficient funds to make the transaction good--to
the petitioner they are demonstrating that he is important, and that they are
willing to help him to a better way of life.
''Let George do it'' is somewhat the way of our lives--passing the buck. Too
much responsibility has been placed on the coach, and letting the brothers who
recommended him go somewhat free of responsibility in laying this important
foundation. If the coach does not do a good job, the candidate does not receive
the start to which he is entitled. Whose responsibility is it to see that the
new brother received good coaching, and that he understands the teachings of the
Masonic Degrees? The recommenders, in signing the petition, have in effect,
stated that the candidate is potentially a good Mason, and if they are serious
about it, they will see that he receives the proper start in Masonry.
Possibly we should return to the practice of standing up in lodge and
demonstrate our pride in the use of our names. This would require the
recommender to express a deep belief in the character and reputation of the
person proposed for membership and attest to his good character, as well as the
recommenders willingness to follow through.
If there is a loss of Brother's interest and involvement in Masonry, and the
discharging of his financial obligation begins to decrease to the point where he
must be dropped from the rolls, then the recommenders and the other Brothers
must assume their responsibility once more. Here again there has been too much
of "letting George do it". The Lodge Secretary, should never have to do any of
the soliciting of dues (other than in open lodge). It is the membership's
responsibility, particularly the recommender, to demonstrate their concern in
their fellowman and Brethren.
So, what is in a name? Has it some meaning? Is it as good as the individual
it represents? In the roll of the recommender, we are the most important person
in Masonry. What kind of a reference are we giving when we sign our names, and
in the role we play after that?
Think back to the times you have used your name on petitions in the past. Is
the Brother still a Mason, and how good a Mason is he? What did you do in this
important act--in safeguarding and opening the gates to a better way of life?
There is an instrument, the Trowel, which spreads the cement of Masonry, and
I quote in part--that cement which unites us into one sacred band, or society of
friends and brothers, among whom no contention should ever exist, but that noble
contention, or rather emulation, of who best can work and best agree. My
Brothers, there is another working tool of Freemasonry, the pen. When it is used
to sign a petition, it is writing the future of Freemasonry.
A Lodge is a place where Masons assemble and work; Hence that Assembly, or
duly Qrganiz'd Society of Masons, is call'd a Lodge, and every Brother ought to
belong to one, and to be subject to its By-Laws and general Regulations.
(Anderson's Constitutions of 1723).
All Preferment among Masons IS grounded upon real Worth and personal merit
Only; that, so the Lords may be well served, and the Brethren not be put to
Shame, nor the Royal Craft despis'd, Therefore no Master or Warden is chosen by
Seniority but for his Merit. (Anderson's Constitutions of 1723).
The only punishment ever inflicted by Freemasons upon Freemasons are
reprimand, suspension (definite or indefinite,), and expulsion from the
Fraternity, The initiate who violates his obligation will feel the weight of no
hand upon him. He will suffer no physical penalties whatsoever. The contempt and
detestation of his brethren will be punishment enough.
back to top | 
