by Midnight Freemasons contributor
Michael H. Shirley
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ98alZrv4uhynEKcuDr6vpo4Uqam3N1ueH5viqKWjGfisuQQ6qJFYROTHFNB1fNmyxZfknqulE17Jw8U7VKnhGiUEz-Q6GDQpkI1C_qTmV_lw9z4O6MUZn8OG5j7XTpiJD2GWsKHlVKIO/s320-rw/HardwickMandolinBaileyStrap.jpeg)
I’d been watching the Master Mason Mandolin being built for
months now, seeing and hearing about everything that Joe learned as he slowly
brought it into being. I’d been imagining how it might play once it was done
and he had it set up to his satisfaction. And I’d been worried that it might
not live up to my hopes. So I was excited and nervous when I got out a pick and
began to play. It was more than I’d hoped for. It was beautiful to look at,
certainly, but the tone, the action, the sound were better than anything I’d
ever heard in person. I could only hope that my playing would someday match it.
And as I sat there trying to remember how to play “Fisher’s Hornpipe,” I thought
back to how this had begun. One man, my Brother, decided to achieve something
he’d long dreamed of, and through determination, mistakes, and talent he’d done
it. What mattered was not the mandolin I held, but the journey it represented. Operative
Freemasonry began in lodges where men were concerned with achieving mastery
over their craft. Speculative Freemasonry is concerned with teaching men how to
achieve mastery over themselves. But every now and then, a Brother like Joe
Hardwick will reach back to tap into the spirit of our ancient Brethren and
show what craft mastery is. And like the ancient Masters, Joe understands that
he has learned enough to start learning. So mote it be for all of us.
http://www.clipsyndicate.com/video/play/4956756
http://www.clipsyndicate.com/video/play/4956756
This is the fifteenth and FINAL installment of Michael H. Shirley's Mandolin Series.
~MHS
R.W.B. Michael H. Shirley
is the Assistant Area Deputy Grand Master for the Eastern Area for the
Grand Lodge of Illinois A.F. & A.M. He is the Past Master of
Tuscola Lodge No. 332 and Leadership Development Chairman for the Grand
Lodge of Illinois. He's also a member of the Illinois Lodge of Research,
the Scottish Rite, the York Rite, Eastern Star, and the Tall Cedars of
Lebanon. He's also a member of the newly-chartered, Illini High Twelve
No. 768 in Urbana-Champaign. The author of several articles on British
history, he teaches at Eastern Illinois University.
Well spoken and congratulations on the new mandolin! I've been following this saga faithfully from the beginning, and it has been a great read. I love how you finished the piece. Light be with you, keep travelling and keep playing.
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