lodge member essays

College of the Consistory

Provost and Judge

Ronald Greek 32^nd

Valley of Fort Scott

The lesson that is taught in the 7^th degree. Is Justice, in making decisions and judgment, and in our dealings with people in our daily lives. In this country where trail by 12 men or women is the norm, we may be called upon to do our duty to sit upon a jury. And to decide another persons fate. We must if called upon to judge with impartiality, without any prejudices involved with our decision, nor should we be swayed by others in what direction our judgment should take.

In our interactions with others there are two types of injustices that can occur. By force or by fraud. And fraud being the worst of the two. Every injustice done to another whether it be for profit position or happiness is an offense against justice. This degree teaches this momentous truth that once an wrong has been done it cannot be undone, but are eternal. A wrong done to another is also an injury done to ourselves our own nature our sense of right and wrong. Punishment is an consequence that must be done by the wrong doer as the laws of god. Which is the justice of the same.

There can be no interference with, or remittance of, or protection from, the natural effects of our wrongful acts. We may repent what we have done, turn from it, or even refuse to admit we did it. God will not intercede between the act and the just consequence which will follow. there must always be a wide difference between him who only ceases to do evil, and him ho has always done well. Surely we will do less wrong and injustice if we believe that it cannot be undone even by the lord himself. That this wrong shall exist forever beyond forgiveness or repentances. If you have done a wrong, the injured person may forgive you but the damage is done and will forever remain in the annuals of the past.

Even the omnipotence of god cannot uncommit a deed cannot make that undone which has been done, that every act of ours must bear its allotted fruit, according to the everlasting laws, must remain forever ineffaceably inscribed on the tablets of universal nature.

The air in which we breath and depend on for our lives is like a library forever recording our ill will and wrongs for all the universe to see. Vows unredeemed and promises not kept, wrongs done from one person to another are all written for the earth, air, and ocean to forever bear witness to. what if our faculties should be so enhanced in a future life as to enable us to perceive and trace the ineffaceable consequences of our idle words and evil deeds, and render our remorse and grief as eternal as those consequences themselves? No more fearful punishment to a superior intelligence can be conceived, than to see still in action, with the consequences that it must continue in action forever, a cause of wrong put in motion by itself ages before. Masonry, teaches us to avoid and restrain ourselves from doing wrong to others, though it is not an religion its moral teachings are past upon the teaches we are taught within our own religions. And it punishes offences which may not be illegal based upon municipal laws of the country it is practiced in. in the Masonic law, to cheat and over reach in trade, at the bar, in politics, are deemed no more venial than theft, nor a deliberate lie than perjury, nor slander than robbery, nor seduction than murder. Especially it condemns those wrongs of which the doer induces another to partake. He may repent, he may, after agonizing struggles, regain the path of virtue, his spirit may reachieve its purity through much anguish, after many strife’s, but the weaker fellow whom he led a stray, whom he made a partner in his repentance and amendment, whose downward course he cannot check, but is compelled to witness, what forgiveness of sins can avail him there? There is his perpetual, his inevitable punishment, which no repentance can alleviate, and no mercy can remit. Also let us not forget to be just in our judging of others.

There has been times in our own lives where we have stood on the brink of committing a crime in one form or another. We have no way of knowing any one so precisely to be able to say this man is truly good or truly bad. We must temper our judgments on facts that we know to be precise than just an opinion of ours or another’s. saying this man is an liar, a thief, an embezzler. We have no way of knowing whether he fought those demons long and hard to where another may have given in much easier to these temptations. Does this make him a truly bad man? We can say who looks the more moral in the eyes of men, but not which one has the cleanest soul before God. When we condemn or pity the fallen, how do we know that, tempted like him, we should not have fallen like him, as soon , and perhaps with less resistance? How can we know what we should do if we were out of employment, famine crouching, gaunt and hungry, on our fireless hearth, and our children wailing for bread? We fall not because we are not enough tempted! He that hath fallen may be at heart as honest as we. It is not because we are better than him, it is cause we simply have not been put into the situations that he has been. Have we not sinned in one way or another. For only God himself knows the extent of our deeds, good or bad.

So called good men will look down upon the person whom has sinned they are arrogant in they’re goodness, to believe that they are above this, above sin. An moral offense is an sickness, an pain, an loss, and an dishonor for the one whom was tempted to do this. It also brings the lords judgment upon the one.

Speak kindly to your erring brother! God pities him, Christ has dies for him, Providence waits for him, heavens mercy yearns towards him; and heaven spirits are ready to welcome him back with joy. Let your voice be in unison with all those powers that God is using for his recovery!

On all accounts, therefore, let the true Mason never forget the solemn injunction, necessary to be observed at almost every moment of a busy life: “judge not, lest ye yourselves be judged: for whatsoever judgment ye measure unto others, the same shall in turn be measured unto you.” such is the lesson taught the Provost and Judge.

College of the Consistory

Ronald E Greek Jr 32nd

Intendant of the building

Feb 16 2009

I’am going to try to put this degree into my own words and impressions. The intendant of the building in

my mind this degree exemplifies what it truly is to be a mason. A man who does not look down upon others

but is charitable in all his daily undertakings. A man whom labors not for advancement but for wisdom, is a

teacher and a scholar. Capitol and labor must not be adversarial, but complimentary. To be just and true to

all mankind. Not to make false statements or backbiting of your neighbors. True to the words which flow

from our mouths.

Sometimes that seems as an easy to do statement, to be true to ourselves and true to our neighbors to be just

to those we work with as well as those who work for us. In my dealings with masonry I have seen this

statement violated on several occasions. The backbiting of the master of a lodge as well as the wardens and

secretary. This degree not only needs to be taught in the rite, but also could be taught in blue lodge as well.

Many lodges suffer from the same problems as this degree addresses. How can we be superintendents of

mankind when we cannot even be superintendents of ourselves?

“it is especially true that every laboring man is your brother, entitled to your regard and assistance.” here I

will put forth the argument, that if we teach this within the rite then why is this not lived by the members of

freemasonry. How many times have we seen falsehoods and accusations towards our brethren from within

the craft. How many times have we seen brethren attack brethren. Are we not masons do we not believe in

the great architect of the universe! I myself have even been guilty of the same issues, and I ask myself how

can I progress if I cant even get passed the trivial jealousy’s that plague all of us.

“when dealing with those with whom we work, always practice the rules of benevolence and charity.”

benevolence what exactly does that mean? does it mean to feel superior to ones co workers, of course not.

Then what does it mean? a lot of masons whom I know don’t even have the slightest inkling what this word

entails. The dictionary defines it as showing kindness or good will. Do we do that? Is the question put forth

as intendands of the building we are instructed to do so. But how can you teach a man in one degree to do

this? Knowledge and application to put what we have learned into practice and where do we learn this by

continuing to expand our Masonic knowledge. There is the key. To be charitable is to be benevolent and to

learn tom be benevolent we must expand our knowledge and then put it into application.

Within the degree there are a few hints for instance “ you should sympathize with the working man, relieve

his necessities, see to his comfort and that of his family, and smooth for him and those who depend upon

him the rugged pathway of life.” that not only goes for the ones whom we supervise but also those we work

with. In military leadership they teach that to be a good leader you have to have the health and welfare of

your men on the foremost of your mind. I have seen some good leaders and some bad ones, a good leader

who practiced these principles always seemed to get the job done well within the time prescribed when the

bad one was lucky if he succeeded.

Are we good superintendents or bad ones? Only our hearts no for sure. I can honestly say that within this

degree are the building blocks to become a good mason and a good father and friend to all mankind. To

supervise the work in a benevolent and charitable way. Harmony being the strength of all societies, but

more especially ours. We should not turn our backs on the poor or the needy, but should look upon them

with charity within our hearts. Not sympathy no man wants that, they just want an honest days wages for an

honest days work. “if your brother becomes poor, and is compelled to serve you, you shall not rule over

him with rigor but with fairness.” are we abrupt and cold when dealing with others? Or are we fair and

just in dealing with our brethren and fellow human beings? This is the question I put forth to you.” I myself

cannot answer this question, sometimes I catch myself being more of an dictator then an brother.

Fairness seems to eluded me in those moments. And then I catch myself and realize what iam doing.

To correct our own faults, first we must be aware they are faults which is what this degree, teaches us to be

examples to our brethren and to guide them into the just and honest world of freemasonry. Not to point out

others faults and not our own.

To be fair in all our dealings within masonry and the world at large. To be charitable, not just by donating

money but by donating ourselves to the principles herein taught.

To be benevolent, and by doing so we become kind and charitable. We see others as good men. When in a

position of authority to see our workers as human beings in need of the fairness the great architect of the

universe bestows upon us all. They are not our slaves but our brothers. To be benevolent in all our

undertakings is probably the greatest lesson I have learned in this degree.

We are part of something that as we progress in our Masonic education more doors become open and more

light pours through. We are on a path from darkness to light. How far we go is entirely up to us. Do we

wish to sit on a rock and sleep or jump in and help direct the work and labor when needed? I want to jump

in and labor for the betterment of all.

Step by step we venture up the winding staircase towards Masonic perfection. And with this comes

knowledge and with knowledge comes wisdom. Wisdom to see the truths within the fraternity and the

knowledge to know what needs to be done for the brethren.

Application of the knowledge which we gain is probably the hardest step on this ladder. To actually live

what we have learned. A difficult task within itself but a very attainable one. With hard work I believe we

all can be good intend ants of the building and the temple will rise to the glory which it once had. To be the

jewel of the world and the pride of all masons and non-masons alike.

We were appointed to oversee the work in an benevolent and charitable way, to give what is due and to

remember our brother. To be fair in all our undertakings and dealings with our brothers and our fellow man.

And if these principles are not followed then our temple will cease to exist.

When you reap your field, you shall not wholly reap the corners, nor gather the gleanings of your harvest.

They shall be for the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow. As I have suggested in the above paragraphs,

this statement by king Solomon in the degree makes sense if you examine it from the point of looking after

your fellow man to be benevolent. The hungry shall have food as well as the orphan, and the widow who

has no one to take care of her. Is this what is meant in the opening of a masonic lodge when the senior

warden states”and come to the relief of poor destitute brother masons their widows and orphans.” we are

challenged to provide relief. It is our duty. So many times a brother passes and his widow gets no visitation

nor relief from the lodge. I believe that it is every brothers responsibility whether a blue lodge mason or

Scottish rite to try to provide some comfort.

We are men of honor and deep convictions we do not give up without a fight. These are the masons whom

raised me. And these are the masons I know we all are. We must know when to act, when to consider, and

when to empathize. We must must defend uphold the weak, pure and innocent. Wee must exercise our

power in a just, decisive, and responsible manner. We must help our brethren to overcome their

weaknesses.

Are these not the meanings of benevolence and charity? And justice, is not this the rough meaning of

justice to be responsible, decisive and just? Is this not the sign of a good man? I believe so.

I believe we hold these things dear, and in doing so this makes us true patriots and defenders of our country

Intimate Secretary

6^th degree

The sixth degree is a degree of tolerance, hence peacemaker. The jewel is a triple-delta superimposed upon an equilateral triangle of gold. Symbol of dynamic equilibrium, an apt symbol for the Master of the Lodge who illuminates his Brethren with good and wholesome instruction. As explained in the degree summary, the form of the jewel is utterly derived from Pikes favorite source of Masonic symbolizism, the Pythagorean Tetractys. (A Bridge to Light, page 31).

This degree is to remind us of Hiram’s virtues and the sorrow felt by The Craft from his death. It is also to remember that our acts may be remembered by Masons even though we are not. (Be zealous, faithful, disinterested and benevolent. Act the peacemaker. A Bridge to Light, page 32). In my opinion, it is remind us not to become embroiled in petty disputes but to remember the full picture of Masonic Brotherly Love and tolerance. (Zeal and fidelity to duty are always rewarded. A Bridge to Light, page 32). In this degree the candidate plays the part of Zabud, who is a servant of King Solomon and caught by Hiram, King of Tyre, listening to the conservation between the two kings. He is then discovered and put under arrest awaiting a trail where he can be heard in his own defense.

At first king Hiram has his sword drawn, maybe to kill the servant for such a violation of confidence but under King Solomon’s words he is convinced not to do this act. After Zabud is escorted out of the scene, we then hear King Solomon explain the reason for the cities being in such a condition. King Hiram’s actions are then forgiven and forgotten. This is where King Solomon, in my opinion, plays a crucial part in Zabuds defense. “Is there no one we can forgive, as God forgives our faults and errors?”

Zabud is then entered into his trail to explain his actions. It is there, not knowing who King Hiram was and seeing him enter with anger, he went and hid to be able to defend his king if the need arose and he is rewarded for his dedication fidelity and zeal.

He is also appointed the Intimate Secretary to both King Hiram and King Solomon, a position once held by Master Hiram. Both Hiram and Solomon act the peacemakers in this degree from out of rash actions came good and just actions to the benefit of all. Pike explains duty is the moral magnetism which controls and guides the true Masons course over the tumultuous seas of life. To perform that duty, whether the performance be rewarded or unrewarded, is the Masons sole care and it doth not matter, though of this performance there may be no witnesses, and though what he does will forever unknown to all mankind. We are not born for ourselves alone; our country claims her share, and our friends claim their share of us. As all that the earth produces is created for the use of man, so men are created for the sake of men, that they may mutually do good to one another sometimes by receiving, and sometimes by giving, and sometimes to cement human society by arts, by industry, and by our own resources.

Freemasonry is not a selfish quest, but a quest to attain that which was processed by Zabud to be giving of ones self. To be patient and observant, to be a man of honor and to honor yourself by being modest but yet full of zeal for the fraternity as well as people around us, such as our communities and our Brethren, family and friends. As not to be does a great disservice to the fraternity as well as to ourselves. We must be the peacekeepers, but if the need arises to be ready to shed our own blood for what our duty asks from us.

Brother Pike explains in greater detail; the duty of the Mason is to endeavor to make man think better of his neighbors; to quiet, instead of aggravating difficulties; to bring together those who are severed or estranged; to keep friends from becoming foes, and to persuade foes to become friends. To do this, he needs to control his own passions, and be not rash and hasty, nor swift to take offence, nor easy to be angered.

I believe that in today’s world of rush, rush that we have, the aforementioned sin of jumping to conclusions and becoming aggravated with our peers and not to turn the other cheek but to be confrontational and aggressive. I myself have seen this behavior in countless lodge meetings. So by us controlling our tempers and being more at ease within the fraternity as well as the community we can shed great positive light upon our works and actions. As Brother Pike explains; therefore by first controlling your own temper; and governing your own passions, you fit yourself to keep peace and harmony among other men, and especially the Brethren. Above all remember that Masonry is the realm of peace, and that among Masons there must be no dissension, but only that noble emulation, which can best work or agree.

Ronald Greek

Valley of Fort Scott.