mre
Member
Posts: 17
|
Method
Nov 30, 2009 11:17:10 GMT
Post by mre on Nov 30, 2009 11:17:10 GMT
Hi;
I have a question concerning the following statement of Freemasonry:
Freemasonry takes good men and makes them better.
I am curious about this, and whether there is a masonic "method", through lectures, presentions, mentoring etc... to achieve that purpose, or if it is rather a process of self-study and introspection? Or something else?
Best Mr E
|
|
|
Method
Nov 30, 2009 12:12:21 GMT
Post by letterorhalveit3 on Nov 30, 2009 12:12:21 GMT
Actually a very good question. I think that when Masonry talks about making good men better, what she is saying is that the teachings of Freemasonry when given to a man already prepared in his heart to receive them, results all around in a better human being. And yes, I think self-study and introspection are primary parts of the masonic "method" if you will. Of course each Brother determines this for himself. And yes, the lectures, presentation, mentoring, etc are all part of it. Last week I had improved myself in Masonry by teaching a new MM how to vote using our system of balloting. Easy enough you may think, but its a major part of our microcosmic democracy. As it was when I was recently sitting next to a Brother Master Mason whilst visiting another lodge. As he was new (this was his first meeting as a MM) he was not certain what to do when asked to prove himself a MM by benefit of the pass. The JD announced "Confusion Worshipful" and my good friend the new MM looked a little piqued from embarassment. I stood, gave the dg &s and requested to step forward and invest the Brother with the pass. One of the reasons I know that men in that lodge are good men made better is that when the new Brother could not rememer the pass, he was simply invested with it and we moved on. In many social situations, that might have caused the sort of embarrassment that would cause a young man never to return. But it was handled with grace, compassion and the spirit of Masonic education.
If there is a Masonic method, in my opinion it consists of two points: all that we say and all that we do.
|
|
mre
Member
Posts: 17
|
Method
Nov 30, 2009 21:43:25 GMT
Post by mre on Nov 30, 2009 21:43:25 GMT
Thank you very much
|
|
|
Method
Dec 2, 2009 17:07:36 GMT
Post by enki on Dec 2, 2009 17:07:36 GMT
Method: yes we do! This is why we call Freemasonry "The Craft". Just as our mythological brethren worked physically in stone and their creative minds, so we do using symbology and allegory to work our hearts and minds in order to elevate our spirits and define our characters. We learn to appreciate the subtlety of symbology and to appreciate the tradition and customs. These indeed do work and is designed to make us philosophical craftsmen. The Craft is, in fine, a technique. Our tradition of technique defines us and really can affect us internally if the fine points are considered--not rejected because it's hard or we somehow have found a way to disagree with it and make up what we do. Diligence and intelligence is required to reap the benefits of our vast tradition. While one can see that different takes on the Craft have appeared, fights over regularity notwithstanding, they all share certain traditions insofar as they have not diverged into what I said before--making things up in place of actually working with the valid tradition (and before the teeth are bared, I'm not including that most irritatingly boring gender battle some get all ruffled about. I'm talking about Freemasonry as a tradition). We are sometimes too quick in deriding any established paths (religion, etc) because we find our selfish needs paramount and on par with actual contributions to tradition and society. The Craft, as a technique, can assist the individual in extricating themselves from this most unfortunate confusion.
I hear this alot, but one will find that the lodge is not a democracy even though we have elements. Consider the powers of the Master in relation to the rest of the group. Consider the structure of the lodge and the fraternity. It is not a democracy in practice, or in the sense that most have come to understand the term.
|
|
|
Method
Dec 2, 2009 17:12:39 GMT
Post by letterorhalveit3 on Dec 2, 2009 17:12:39 GMT
enki---
could you elaborate on the Lodge not being a democracy? Ive found that my Lodge is more of a democracy than most democratic governments I know of. The Master can override the Brethren, but they can also override him, etc.
|
|
|
Method
Dec 2, 2009 17:18:55 GMT
Post by enki on Dec 2, 2009 17:18:55 GMT
The Master can, if he has due cause, declare out of order a vote taken by the majority. Yes, he has to have a good reason, but he can do it. The Master is in control of the ENTIRE gathering of the lodge--that includes dinner and is in charge of the behaviour of all. He is responsible for all decisions in the lodge--even individual ones made in the name of Freemasonry. If a brother rips off the lodge, the Master is responsible and must answer to others about what happened because it is his duty to have oversight. Lodge isn't a place to exert individual whims because when we become the lodge, we are a group. The lodge isn't a building--it is the group when called by the Master. Some have called it a benevolent dictatorship. That sounds harsh, but the Master is actually King. If he is wise as Solomon, then he will listen to the brethren because he is also a brother. However, the Master should not countenance individual piques. Neither shall he deviate from tradition and should be well-schooled in it. He is also the teacher and the apprentices and fellows are under his especial care. The MMs are his master workmen to continue the work as it has been laid out. Like the sun, he is a regulatory force and those that rise to any office do so out of true merit--not just memorizing something. It is by ability and the exercise of it that they are nominated and elected. There are democratic elements to lodge work (voting, etc), but that does not make it a democracy in toto.
|
|
|
Method
Dec 2, 2009 17:20:57 GMT
Post by lauderdale on Dec 2, 2009 17:20:57 GMT
"Consider the powers of the Master in relation to the rest of the group."
I have found that in many GLs and Constitutions the (R)WM Reigns but does not Rule. The "Powers" of the Master of a Lodge are alas piecrust in too many Lodges and they do not have anything like as much control as the "Rule Books" may lead some to believe. Even in some small superficial and cosmetic matters they can be overruled.
|
|
|
Method
Dec 2, 2009 17:25:11 GMT
Post by enki on Dec 2, 2009 17:25:11 GMT
Reign is actually a much better word, thank you, but in my jurisdiction the WM has a great amount of power. However, he should, nay must, be able to answer for every action, so when that power is exercised it must be honorable and lawful according to Masonic tradition. It cannot be dictatorial.
Just because something isn't totally a democracy (especially the kind that modern Americans have interpreted it), doesn't devalue it. I consider the Craft to have elements of a collective, but it is also structured as a school and work site as well--not a place to expound on our own individuality and needs and what WE may believe.
The Master presides and is chosen by the brethren because he ostensibly has the skill to continue the work of the lodge. In the chair the workmen work at his call and direction. Certain decisions of mutual welfare are charged to the group. Individual situations are left to private counsel with the Master. Many forget this and engage in subterfuge.
|
|
|
Method
Jan 4, 2010 23:26:28 GMT
Post by windtimber on Jan 4, 2010 23:26:28 GMT
An interesting discussion on what the presiding Master's powers really are. I encourage you all to carefully read your jurisdiction's, and your constituent lodge's, Constitutions and Bylaws. Many officers - both local and Grand line - are woefully ignorant of what their jurisdiction's organic documents actually authorize. Usually their assumption is that they have much MORE authority than they really do. Such assumed, but fictional, authority has led to the proliferation of much confusion, misunderstanding, and mythic "rules" that don't really exist! Study is always useful!
|
|