MY LODGE NEEDS ME!
Bro. Hyland is a Past Master of Phoenix Lodge in Hancock, Massachusetts.
This STB is to help the new Mason, or one who has not attended Lodge often, to
have a clearer understanding of the function of the Lodge and the individual
Masons responsibilities to his Lodge and his Brethren. Editor
New Candidates
A man must ask to be made a Mason. Sometimes a little prompting may be
considered appropriate, but he must ask! When he does, you should contact the
master immediately. The master will arrange for a "preapplication committee" to
meet with you and the prospective candidate. Either you or the master should
prepare the candidate for the meeting by informing him of the requirements for
an initiation fee, as well as for references with addresses and telephone
numbers. The applicant will be asked several questions. One of them must be
answered in the affirmative; namely, Do you believe in a Supreme Being? Other
questions may be-Will your wife or other members of your family object to your
becoming a Mason? Do you have sufficient financial stability to support your
family and pay dues to the lodge? Will your church object? If there is doubt on
this matter, the applicant should be advised that we suggest he consult with a
leader of his church.
Sponsors
If you have signed an application recommending that a candidate receive the
degrees, you are a sponsor of that candidate. There are no official duties of a
sponsor, and you are not obliged to do anything as such. However, if you are
able to do so, you are expected to personally guide the candidate through all
three blue lodge degrees. This means going with him on his visits to the Lodge
of Instruction. You should also attend the meetings at which he receives his
degrees. Also if he has questions during this period, you should make clear to
him that you can help him obtain the answers. Make sure that any answers you
give him are appropriate for the degree he has attained.
Investigating Committees
You may at some time be asked to serve on a committee to investigate a
candidate to see if he is eligible to take the degrees in your lodge. This is
done before he is voted on in the lodge. A past master is usually the chairman
of a three-member investigating committee. He will instruct you as to how the
investigation will proceed. It is important that this job be done seriously and
in sufficient detail to insure that the candidate has the qualifications to
become a credit to the craft.
Public Relations
In the past, many Masons have taken the position that the less said by Masons
about Masonry in public forums or to friends and acquaintances, the better we
would be served. This opinion has fallen into disfavor in modern times. Many of
our problems such as our inability to attract enough good men to our
organization, stem from the fact that our most valuable tenets are not well
enough known in our communities. This fact has been proven recently by the
success of presentations given at dinners and breakfasts for prospective
candidates. The talks have centered on what we do, and what we believe in, as
well as our historic background. The talks have been given to people who we
think ought to be Masons, but are not. About thirty percent of the people
addressed have become Masons! It seems obvious that our objective should be to
get the same messages across to the whole world.
Wallflowers
No Mason should ever be allowed to remain by himself during a social period
or break for more than a short minute, nor should he be ignored during a meal.
More good men have been discouraged from attending lodge functions by being left
to themselves, than by any other factor. We are supposed to be brothers! We must
always be on the alert for the "Wallflowers". If you see a member, especially a
new one, who is by himself, draw him into the group you are in, or go to him by
yourself and talk to him. If you don't know or have forgotten his name,
introduce yourself. He will reciprocate. If you have no propensity for small
talk, the weather is always a suitable subject. Everyone has some interests.
Find out what his are. He will be glad to talk with you about them. He is one of
the valuable members of our fraternity and he must be encouraged to become an
active member.
The Tyler
Some of the Tyler's duties are clear to everyone. He must always be ready to
tile the door, and he must perform a bit of ritual in the third degree. But, he
is required to possess a strange combination of character traits. He must always
be dignified, cheerful, and friendly. This is necessary so that he can properly
greet visitors, and verify their credentials as brothers. He must arrange for
the examination of those who require it. He must also be ready to address
visiting dignitaries with the proper form. He should greet those that he knows,
and introduce himself to those that he doesn't. He should maintain a file of
members who have been examined for entry, a visitor's log, and the booklet which
lists the recognized lodges. He should be a calming influence on the candidates
while they are outside the Lodge room, and he must prepare late arriving
brethren by apprising them of the degree in progress. As the first officer seen
by visiting brothers, his demeanor will set the tone of their entire stay . It
should be dignified, cheerful and friendly.
Politics and Religion
All Masons are in some way religious. Historically, Masons are patriots. One
of our legends (possibly true) is of a lodge meeting being closed so that the
members could all attend the Boston Tea Party. Paul Revere was a Mason. We know
that many of the signers of h Declaration of Independence Were sons as was
George Washington and several other Presidents. Most of us have some interest in
politics. Nevertheless, it is a tradition of ours that we do not discuss
politics or religion during our lodge meetings or other functions. The reason
for this is the fact that these two subjects are viewed with very strong
feelings by many if not most of us. Although we all believe in a Supreme Being,
and we tend to be patriotic we do not always agree on the details of our
beliefs. Therefore the harmony of our relationships may be easily disrupted by
discussions of these two subjects, and we do not talk about them when we gather
together as Masons.
Illness
When a brother Mason becomes ill we go out of our way to visit him and send
cards to let him know we are thinking of him. This can only happen if we know
about the illness. It is therefore our duty to inform our brothers when we
become ill. Our brothers want to help us when we have problems, so we must keep
them informed about our own welfare. Because of a natural tendency to ignore
this fact at the time when it is most important, each of should tell our family
that our brothers was to know when we are sick. Our family members should feel
obliged to inform the Master or the Service Committee Chairman. Tell your family
about the times you have felt upset because you did not know about a brother's
distress, and were therefore unable to comfort him.
Other Subjects
If you should have questions on other subjects, there are several ways that
you can easily find the answers. There are always plenty of Past Masters who
stand ready to respond or to find the answers to questions
Indeed, many Past Masters will be flattered to have you ask them. Also, the
current officers will be pleased to share their knowledge with you. There are
also many knowledgeable Masons who were never officers. In any case do not idly
wonder about any facet of Masonry. The answers are there if you simply ask
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