Occasionally a Master or Secretary receives a letter, note, or a comment from a brother indicating he should drop out, because he has not been to lodge in years, lives too far away, or is too old to ever return to lodge. Having been confronted with similar comments this year prompts me to refer our Brethren to a Pamphlet published by the 1973 Committee For The Advancement of Freemasonry & Masonic Education by the Grand Lodge of Tennessee, which is quoted in full as follows:
IS MASONRY WORTHWHILE?
Masonry is like a lot of other attractive organizations: Men go to the trouble and expense of becoming members, then neglect to take an active interest.
This is understandable, because so many things compete for our interest, and we can't be active in every worthwhile project ... WITH ONE EXCEPTION, AND THAT ONE IS MASONRY. This is a big statement and deserves an explanation.
First, let us make this observation: The most active and honored men in Masonry invariably, claim that the returns have far out-weighed their contributions to the Fraternity. This is a significant sfatement, for it drives home the fact that Freemasonry does things for its members if given a chance.
Should Attend And Take Part
If a man attends Lodge and takes part in its activities, he will be impressed over and over again with the great lessons of morality and philosophy; and he will be a piirt of a fellowship not available anywhere else. In the Lodge he finds brethren. ..they may be rich or poor. .. they may be rulers or subjects. ..they may be professional men or laborers. ..they may be Gentile or Jew, or some other religious faith ...and they are all there for the same purpose. ..to make fhemselve,l' wiser, better, and happier. ..to make themselves better family men: better church men, and better neighbors.
A study of Masonry reveals that many great men of today and yesterday have traveled the same path that you did, seeking enlightenment and brotherhood; and this knowledge must give you a thrill ... to know that you share the same truth and responsibility once shared by George Washington, Douglas McArthur, and J. Edgar Hoover, and now shared by thousands of others in many lands.
A reminder: Don't be afraid to attend Lodge and join in this fellowship. If you have forgotten the "secrets," your Lodge Secretary can vouch for you and see that you are admitted without an examination. BUT ... suppose that for various reasons you can't attend Lodge very often or take part in its activities ... under these circumstances, is Masonry worthwhile? Let us see ...
First, if a Mason never went to Lodge, but wore a Masonic emblem and lived as a Mason should, he is contributing something by his example to the world. In just paying his dues he helps support destitute Masons, their wives, their widows, and their orphans. And he helps our youth by supporting the Order of Rainbow for Girls and the Order of DeMolay for Boys, both of which develop good citizens.
"Masonic Payday" Every Day
Having considered what you have gained by merely being a contributor, let us pretend that you still feel somewhat selfish and don't think that you are getting anything out of Masonry. All of us know that it is un-Masonic to wear an emblem merely for financial reasons or other matters pertaining to self-advancement. However, if a Mason were of this mind or thought about monetary gain, he would find that his investment in Masonry is one of the best that he ever made ... Why? BECAUSE one Mason will usually try to help another in some way if he can ... just because they are both Masons, and not because there is any obligation to do so. This is important in today's fast-moving world of many human contacts.
Brethren help one another through the joy and satisfaction that it gives them. Also, more often than not the man who receives such assistance never knows that some good brother was responsible. Therefore, if you happen to believe that Masonry is doing nothing for you, the answer is that you don't know how many times you had help, unsolicited and unknown. Of course, no good Mason evaluates his membership on dollars and cents, but he would be cheating himself if he dropped out because of the dues he hates to pay. To repeat, the Masonic member who drops out of Lodge because he hates to pay dues is cheating himself. There is nothing else that costs so little and gives such great satisfaction, enjoyment, and reward as Masonry.
Is Masonry worthwhile? Consider, then answer for yourself. When you do, you will probably decide to try and do more for the Fraternity because it has done a lot for you ... and the more you do, the greater will be your reward - spiritual, better appreciation of human values, financial, or all three.
Brethren, don't you agree that MASONRY IS WORTHWHILE. So don't ever drop out for NON-PAYMENT OF DUES, because that is the same as purchasing merchandise at a store and refusing to pay for it. If in the event you should ever want to leave the lodge, pay up all current and delinquent dues, request a Demit and a statement of good standing. Otherwise, as far as the lodge is concerned you have left a debt unpaid and it will be so recorded throughout the history of the lodge. If you do NOT have a current Dues Card (1979) wouldn't this be a good time, while it is fresh on your mind to write the lodge a check for current and delinquent dues that you owe and mail it to our Secretary. I know he, the Brethren of the lodge and I will be most grateful to all who will comply with this request.
Please save this Trestleboatd, because none will be published in August. May you and all those dear to you have a wonderful summer.
HOPE TO SEE YOU AT THE PICNIC ON JULY 8th.
Sincerely and fraternally,
Jason W. Snyder
Worshipful Master
| Day | Time | Activity |
|---|---|---|
| Sun 07/08/1979 | 10:00 am - 5:00 pm | PICNIC - Fort Hunt Park, Area "A" - Each family please bring a covered dish - Vegetable - Salad - or Dessert |
| Mon 07/09/1979 | 7:00 pm | LODGE SCHOOL for Brethren who are NOT Officers |
| Thu 07/12/1979 | 7:30 pm | STATED MEETING - Patriotic Night |
| Mon 07/23/1979 | 7:00 pm | CALLED MEETING - E.A. Degree |
| Wed 07/25/1979 | 7:00 pm | LODGE SCHOOL - Officers ONLY |
| Thu 07/26/1979 | 7:30 pm | STATED MEETING - Business - Birthdays - Grand Master's Official Visit |
| Mon 07/30/1979 | 7:00 pm | CALLED MEETING - F.C. Degree |
| Thu 08/09/1979 | 7:30 pm | STATED MEETING - Business - Shrine Night |
| Thu 08/23/1979 | 7:30 pm | STATED MEETING - Business - Birthdays |
| Mon 08/27/1979 | 7:00 pm | LODGE SCHOOL for Brethren who are NOT Officers |
| Day | Time | Activity |
|---|---|---|
| Tue 08/07/1979 | 11:00 am | Skidmore Daylight Lodge No. 237 - DEO's Official Visit |
| Day | Time | Activity |
|---|---|---|
| Sat 08/18/1979 | 2:00 pm | Columbia Lodge No. 91 , F.&A.M., Philadelphia, Pa, F.C. Degree |
The Shriner's Unwritten Law, hereby quoted, is taken from the March issue of Kena Temple's KENAGRAM.
"A Shriner is expected to display the emblem of the order always, and always recognize it when worn by other men. Formal introductions should be unnecessary between Shriners.
The Fez is his hallmark. He wears it for all Shrine functions. He does not remove his Fez indoors nor in salute to the flag (execute a right hand salute). He does remove his Fez at prayer when the Fez should be held in the right hand over the heart. He must be certain never to wear the Fez anywhere he would not take his wife, mother or daughter.
A Shriner never forgets that while the Shrine is not a branch of the great Masonic profession, he himself is a part of it. However humble that part, it is within his power by misconduct to discredit Masonry. He must remember that in the eyes of the public, the Shrine is Masonry. Differences well known to him are unknown to others.
To a Shriner the emblem of the Shrine worn by a woman places her under his care and protection. He may not avoid the responsibility. The emblem does not license him to speak, but it does compel a constant watchfulness over the wearer's safety and comfort."
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