40 Years

Do I have any reflections on my Masonic birthday?

40 years ago tonight, I received my First Degree in my Mother Lodge. It was an Official Visit of the District Deputy so there was a fair-sized crowd. It was in this ugly cement block which has been torn down for a more attractive building (with lodge rooms that are too small).

There aren’t too many things I remember about the degree. One is being asked during the break in the ceremony by a visiting Past Master if I was nervous. I wasn’t. The ceremony was the same in format to the Initiatory Degree in DeMolay which I went through when I was 14. My application into the lodge was sponsored by two Senior DeMolays who were Provincial Chapter officers when I was Junior and Senior Councillor.

The second involves another Senior DeMolay I had known for years. He gave the lecture in the Northeast and went blank on the last line. It was the only time I ever saw him need a prompt.

The third was our Director of Ceremonies hauling me into the bathroom during the break and rather insistently going over the signs with me. I don’t believe I got them wrong, but I understand this was the procedure he did with every newly-obligated Entered Apprentice. It’s always been done that way, you know.

Over 40 years, I’ve done all kinds of things in Freemasonry. I never expected, or desired, to be Master of the lodge but ended up going through the chairs (work got in the way for a while) and finished my year by handing in the warrant. A list of more positive accomplishments over four decades in various Masonic bodies will bore you.

Looking back, my main thought is about those many, many brethren whom I met that have gone to wherever we go after we’re finished this life. They were all friendly and helpful. Some were quiet. Others were forceful in their opinions. Some were amazing and inspiring ritualists. Others couldn’t remember the work if you paid them. A few I strongly disagreed with and quit a lodge because of one situation that arose. Despite that I cannot think of any that I regret knowing. I’m sorry they aren’t around today to help the new members coming into the fraternity.

There is disappointment, too. There are members of my lodges that I have never met, even after all this time. They have their reasons for not attending meetings or social functions, I imagine, but they continue to maintain their memberships and contribute financially. I have spoken with some on the phone and all of them have told me they try to follow the principles of Freemasonry and are proud of their memberships. Then there are others who demit from the fraternity who are fine people and it’s a shame to lose them. I can name far too many. In a few cases I’ve been told the reasons but others remain a mystery, whether they’ve just lost interest or have a dispute with another Mason.

One must reflect forward as well. While it’s impossible to predict the future—other than the certainty of death—I hope to be able to help the young members of the Craft as they begin their journey, and hope they’ll be understanding with me even though I’m not patient at times with certain situations.

I highly doubt there will be a “next 40 years” but I want to continue to enjoy my membership and the fellowship it brings for as long as I can.