 |
Masonic Relief
Masonic Relief may be applied for by any Master Mason
- either to his own Lodge, or to an individual Master Mason. In every case,
the individual asked has the right to determine the worthiness of the request
and whether such aid can be granted without material injury to his family.
Relief is a voluntary function of both the Lodge and the individual. If
the Lodge's financial condition will not allow it to help, he can apply
to the Grand Lodge for help. In order to be eligible for Masonic Relief,
the Brother must not have been suspended in the past five years, and there
can be no charges pending against him at the time of application. The widow
and/or orphan of a Master Mason, who was a member of the Lodge at the time
of his death, are entitled to consideration if they apply for assistance.
The same conditions as to worthiness and the ability and willingness of
the Lodge apply in these cases.
Masonic Visitation
Visitation of other Lodges is one of the greatest privileges
of being a Master Mason. Before you can sit in another Lodge, you must
prove yourself to be a Mason in good standing. If you can so prove, and
if no member of the Lodge you are visiting objects to you sitting in the
Lodge, you may do so. In order to attend another Lodge, you should learn
the memory work and modes of recognition in each Degree (if you have not
already done so), and carry your paid-up dues card with you at all times.
You can gain admission to another Lodge in one of two
ways - examination or avouchment by a Brother who has sat in Lodge with
you previously. An examination usually consists of showing your dues card,
followed by examination by a special committee appointed by the Master
of the Lodge. After successfully passing the examination, the committee
will vouch for you and you may be admitted to the Lodge.
The Right of Burial
The Masonic Funeral Service is conducted only at the
request of a Brother or some member of a Mason's immediate family. The
choice belongs to the family, not to the Lodge. This service can be held
in a church, the Lodge room, funeral parlor or grave site. It is a beautiful
and solemn ceremony and, like Masonry herself, does not conflict with a
man's personal religious beliefs.
The Responsibilities
of a Master Mason
The constant responsibility of a Master Mason is "to
preserve the reputation of the Fraternity unsullied." Leading a good life
is the best means of carrying through our individual responsibility to
our Lodge and our Craft. The conduct of each Master Mason is strictly his
own responsibility. He should choose the course which will bring credit
to himself and honor to the Fraternity.
We would all do well to remember that brotherhood is
the cornerstone of our Fraternity. Treat others with the same respect and
consideration with which you would like to be treated. In all your actions,
be an example of brotherly love in action.
Be not hasty to condemn others. How do you know that in
their place, you could have resisted the temptation? And even were it so,
why should you condemn one who is weaker than you? If your brother should
slip, offer your hand to him without judgement or harsh criticism. Judge
him not by your standards but by his own.
Lodge Attendance
We do not have a mandatory attendance requirement as
ancient Lodges did; nor is there a penalty for not attending, as there
once was. However, every Master Mason has an obligation to be loyal to
the Lodge which gave him Masonic Light and all the benefits which come
with his membership. This should be your inducement to attend Lodge as
often as possible and to join in the fellowship that is an important part
of Freemasonry.
Balloting
Only Members in good standing have a right to vote.
No member present can be excused from balloting on any petition before
the Lodge. No member will be permitted to retire from the Lodge to avoid
casting his ballot. The white balls indicate an affirmative, or favorable
ballot, and the black cube indicates a negative, or unfavorable ballot.
If you have no reason to believe otherwise, then you should accept the
word of the Investigating Committee and cast a favorable ballot on a petition
for membership. If you have an objection to an applicant, the time to raise
that objection is before the ballot is taken. You have the right
to speak to the Master privately and express your objection. This is one
of the reasons we wait a full month after a petition has been presented
before voting on it. However, if you know of some legitimate reason why
the petitioner is unworthy, for strictly Masonic - not personal - reasons,
a black cube may be cast to protect the Lodge from an undesirable member.
As you approach the ballot box, examine your motives
and be sure that the ballot you are about to cast will do justice to the
candidate and Freemasonry. The Right to Secrecy of the Ballot is guaranteed
by Masonic law, and custom allows each member to have perfect freedom in
balloting on petitioners. No brother should disclose how he voted and no
brother should inquire into how another brother voted on a particular candidate.
Definitions of Non-age,
Dotage, and Fool
In the jurisdiction of California, non-age refers
in this Degree to one who is not yet twenty-one years of age. Dotage
is a condition associated with old age, and is marked by juvenile desires,
loss of memory, and failure of judgment. Being old does not bar someone
from seeking membership, but we require that he be mentally alert and healthy.
A fool is a mature man without good sense. Legally, he may be of
age, but mentally he is incapable of understanding.
Women and Freemasonry
The question of women's role in Freemasonry has arisen
many times. When we were an operative craft, the buildings were built by
masons who were, by all accounts, men. The Craft became a fraternity for
men. Thus, it was a practice that only men became operative masons. This
practice has continued down through the years. Certain Masonic Lodges do
admit women, but they are not recognized [See Regularity
and Recognition] by the Grand Lodge of California.
Women are certainly included in the Family of Freemasonry
through Concordant Bodies, such as the Order of the Eastern Star, the Order
of Amaranth, and so on.
Examining Visitors
This responsibility belongs to the Lodge itself and
is delegated by the Master to a committee of Brethren who are to satisfy
themselves that the visitor is a Master Mason in good standing in a regular
and recognized Lodge. The Master may call upon any member of the Lodge
to serve on the examining committee.
It should ever be remembered that the purpose of examination
is to prove that a visitor is a Mason, not to prove that he is not
a Mason. Kindness and courtesy should be shown to all visitors at all times.
Vouchers on Petitioners
Before endorsing the petition of anyone for initiation
into our Mysteries, you should take the time to discuss Masonry with the
applicant. You should know why he wishes to become a Mason, what he expects
and what may be expected of him. The Investigating Committee should explain
much of this to him, but you should be satisfied with his understanding
and know that he is of good moral character. The signing of the petition
should be a source of great pleasure for you.
You should also remember that signing the petition of
a man who wishes to become a Freemason is a significant responsibility.
By doing so, you are committing to assist him to learn and grow as a Mason.
Nor does your responsibility end when he has been Raised. From the moment
your sponsor his petition, you are bound to him by a strong tie.
Investigating Petitioners
This responsibility belongs to every member of the Lodge,
and should not be taken lightly. Serving on an Investigating Committee
should be regarded as a mark of special trust by the Master of your Lodge.
It is a solemn responsibility. Only those who can be counted on to make
a complete and impartial inquiry into the petitioner's character and determine
his worthiness to become a Mason, should be selected. The members of the
Investigating Committee are known only to the petitioner and to the Master
who appointed them.
Financial
Responsibilities
Your financial responsibilities are twofold. The first
is in the area of mandatory support - the payment of annual dues. The second
is in the area of voluntary contributions to certain charities, distressed
worthy Brothers, and other Masonic organizations as you desire. By paying
dues, each Brother carries his share of the expenses to run his Lodge.
Regarding voluntary financial support, he must determine the extent of
his participation, measuring the need against his ability.
Any member failing to pay his dues for a period of more
than twelve months is subject to suspension. There is no reason a Brother
should be suspended for non-payment of dues. Not being able to pay dues
can be handled easily and without embarrassment. No Lodge desires to suspend
a Brother who is unable to continue payment of dues. A distressed Brother
should inform the Master or the Secretary of his situation. One of these
Officers will take care of the situation so no record is shown on the books
and no debt is accumulated. This is not Masonic Charity, but rather Brotherly
Love. In most cases, the other Brethren in the Lodge know nothing about
his situation.
Lodge Membership
Although Entered Apprentices are considered Masons in
every sense of the word, one does not become a member of a Lodge until
after being Raised. Termination of membership can occur in one of four
ways - demit, suspension, expulsion or death. One can apply for a demit
(or transfer to another Lodge) if his dues are current and he is otherwise
in good standing. You can also hold plural or dual membership in more than
one Lodge. This sometimes occurs when one Lodge raises a candidate and
he then moves to another area and wants to become active in a new Lodge.
One must be a member of a Lodge in order to become an officer there. Plural
Membership refers to being a member of more than one Lodge in this Jurisdiction
(California), while Dual Membership refers to being simultaneously a member
in this jurisdiction and in a Lodge of another jurisdiction. See your Lodge
secretary for proper handling of the paperwork.
You can be suspended for nonpayment of dues or "unmasonic
conduct." If suspended for nonpayment of dues, you can apply for reinstatement.
At any time, you may pay back dues for the year of nonpayment, plus the
current year. If suspended for "unmasonic conduct," you may petition for
reinstatement through the proper procedures and channels. If convicted
of unmasonic conduct by trial, the trial board may direct expulsion from
the order. The verdict can be appealed to the Grand Lodge. A Mason suspended
or expelled from a Lodge is automatically denied membership in all Masonic
organizations.
Entering or Retiring
From a Lodge
Courtesy dictates that you should always arrive before
a Lodge meeting is scheduled to begin. This also allows you to share in
the fellowship of the Lodge, meet any visitors who may be present, and
so on. If you are unavoidably detained and arrive after a meeting has begun,
you should clothe yourself properly, inform the Tiler, and ask to be admitted.
The Tiler will inform the Junior Deacon, who will then
request permission from the Master that you be admitted. The Junior Deacon
will notify you when it is appropriate to enter and also of the Degree
in which work is taking place. When permitted to enter, proceed West of
the Altar, give the due guard and sign of the Degree, and then quickly
take a seat. Keep in mind that you are likely interrupting the business
of the Lodge, so be as unobtrusive as possible.
Retiring from a Lodge is accomplished in much the same
way. Move West of the Altar, give the appropriate signs, and then leave.
Deportment While
in the Lodge
Your deportment while the Lodge is open should be governed
by good taste and propriety. You should not engage in private conversations,
nor through any other action disrupt the business of the Lodge. Discussions
in the Lodge are always a healthy sign and promote the interest of the
Lodge - if properly conducted. If you wish to speak, rise and, after being
recognized, give the due guard and sign and make your remarks. Always address
your remarks to the Master, even if you are responding to a direct question
from another Brother. When finished, you may then be seated. Religion,
partisan politics and any other subject which might disrupt the peace and
harmony of the Lodge, should not be discussed in Lodge. Voting on routine
matters is usually conducted through a voice ballot.
Officers of
a Lodge
There are five elected officers of a Masonic Lodge:
the Master, Senior Warden, Junior Warden, Treasurer, and Secretary. The
Master appoints the Chaplain, Senior Deacon, Junior Deacon, Marshal, Senior
Steward, Junior Steward, Tiler and Organist. The Master, Wardens, and Senior
Deacon must be proficient in the Work of their respective positions, and
the District Inspector must certify their proficiency. Any qualified member
may be elected by the Lodge to hold office, but most officer lines are
progressive.
Appendant and Concordant
Bodies
Once you have been Raised to the Sublime Degree of Master
Mason, you may choose to join any number of Masonic Appendant Bodies. The
two most common Appendant Orders are known as the Scottish Rite and the
York Rite.
The Ancient & Accepted Scottish Rite is an additional
system of degrees from the early 19th Century which are designed
to add further Light to one's Blue Lodge experience. The Scottish Rite
is divided into four interrelated bodies, each of which deals with the
recovery and meaning of the True Word of a Master Mason. The Scottish Rite
system progresses through the 33°, but it should be remembered that
the
highest degree in Masonry is the Third Degree. Thus, the Scottish Rite
degrees are more properly called additional degrees, rather than higher
degrees. The Scottish Rite is well known for the pageantry and flair with
which it presents its beautiful degree ceremonies.
The York Rite is a confederation of three independent
Masonic bodies: The Royal Arch Chapter, the Cryptic Council, and the Knights
Templar Commandery. The Royal Arch is the foundation of the York Rite,
and it is here that the recovery and meaning of the True Word of a Master
Mason is dealt with. The Chapter confers four degrees. The Degree of Royal
Arch Mason is often described as the most spiritual and mystical of all
the degrees of Freemasonry. The Royal Arch is also known as a "gateway"
degree, and membership entitles one to join certain smaller rites and orders,
such as the Allied Masonic Degrees, Knights Masons USA, Red Cross of Constantine,
and so on.
The Cryptic Council confers three degrees which help explain
how the True Secrets of a Master Mason were safeguarded until the time
when future ages should discover the right.
The Knights Templar is the third body of the York Rite.
It is Christian in character and content, and describes the passage of
pilgrims on their way to Jerusalem during the Crusades.
32° Scottish Rite Masons and Sir Knights of the Knights
Templar Commandery are eligible to join the Ancient Arabic Order, Nobles
of the Mystic Shrine (Shriners), a benevolent and social Masonic organization.
The Shrine is particularly well known for the many hospitals it maintains
for the care of children. This care is offered to all children in need
at no cost to them or their families. It is supported entirely from the
donations of members of that body.
There are other rites, degrees, and organizations one
may join upon becoming a Master Mason, depending on one's interest in searching
for further Light in Masonry. California has four Research Lodges, each
of which is dedicated to promoting scholarly Masonic study and discussion.
The Philalethes Society is an International organization of Masonic Research
and offers members an outstanding quarterly publication, The Philalethes
magazine, which includes excellent Masonic information from around the
world. The Societas Rosicruciana in Civitatibus Foederatis (the Masonic
Rosicrucian Society of the United States) is the most esoteric of all the
rites and degrees of Freemasonry. It is an invitational body open to Master
Masons.
The Order of the Eastern Star, Order of the Amaranth,
and the White Shrine of Jerusalem are popular concordant bodies which admit
both men and women. Often, they provide the chance for a husband and wife
to share in the Masonic experience together.
There are also three Masonic Youth Orders in California,
which include boys and girls (and young men and young women) in the family
of Freemasonry: The International Order of DeMolay for Boys, the International
Order of Job's Daughters, and the International Order of Rainbow for Girls.
Each of the these Appendant and Concordant Bodies is an
important part of the larger Family of Freemasonry in California, and each
must obey the rules and regulations of the Grand Lodge.
|
|
