Obligations

by Midnight Freemason Guest Contributor

WB. J.P. Fleming

“Your regular and punctual attendance is requested”

“The Duties you have to perform are as such….”

“Furthermore! I will answer all due signs and summonses..”

“Furthermore! I will aid and assist all worthy Brothers…”

Obligations, we take them at the altar during our degrees. We take them when we stand up and volunteer for an officer position. They are a foundational basis of our fraternity. Some of us have endured to take them in front of God, our friends and loved ones when we entered the perilous journey of Holy Matrimony. Now, some of what I say here may not please some of you. It may downright make you angry and stir in you some great emotion. I am willing to accept that wrath, as I have taken an obligation myself, one to whisper good council. I have also made an obligation to myself as an education officer/committee member and so forth to bring the craft knowledge, whether it wants it or not. You see there has been much concern of late, with the craft and its dwindling numbers. Some concern extends to lodges that have recently purchased new buildings or attempted other monetary ventures with thoughts that it may gain membership. The main question on the trustees minds and the brotherhood's lips, would be “Will this (insert expense) be enough to bring in the new masons, to carry on this legacy?”

I am here as a younger mason, as a millennial, as one of the “new generation,” to tell you that as I see it that the answer is, “No.” Not just a regular no, but a resounding “No.” Younger newer masons that have never heard of the craft, will not join a lodge long term. I am not speaking of the legacy of old members, the generational masons that have family lineage. I am speaking of the new blood. You may ask “How is new mason retention and obligations related?” That is fairly simple, it's what we are offering. That said, “What are we offering?” To make good men better? A social club where you can meet men of a higher caliber? Brotherly Love? Relief? Truth?

Or are we offering 3 to 4 worn-out masons who have done 90% of the work for so long that they have become jaded from constantly picking up the slack because “Someone forgot?” Generally, someone who forgot, this isn’t their first, second, or third time, and from what I have been seeing lately these forgetful brothers are also officers. However, these now jaded tried and true masons not only took those obligations seriously, they believed in them. I don’t have to tell you brothers though, you’re the ones that are attending your lodge's activities as I write this. You’re actually attending, and frankly that’s the sad part. Not that you are attending, of course, but that those that need this message are the ones that are absent, because they “Had other things on their plate”, “No slack left in their cable tow.” Being one of the members that shows up, it puts you in a bit of a position of choice, well choice and burdensome guilt, for which I apologize. Your choice is to put in the work, or you can just sit on the sidelines enjoying the fruits of everyone else’s labor. 

Back to those new masons, if they are coming in to make themselves better, but they see no one holding themselves to a higher standard, why would they stay? If they are coming in for the social aspects, are they going to want to be around people that break promises? Is it brotherly love they are seeing when everyone leaves their work for another brother to pick up the slack? Because it is definitely not Relief! That's how we get grumpy past masters that give you the evil eye when you step wrong. As for truth , if a brother makes an obligation, a promise, and does not fulfill that obligation, he lied not only to himself, but he lied to the Grand Architect. Would this not be akin to breaking one’s marriage vows, because they “forgot?” Not sure that one is going to hold up in divorce court, let alone the aftermath when you reach your final destination.

Anyone who thought they signed up to the craft and thought they were getting something for nothing, is so very wrong. We all signed up to Work! That's the voluntary part of our organization, this is something we wanted. Not only did we want it, we paid money every year for the privilege in order to do it! There is a saying in the military, when you take your oath, your obligation to the country, I am sure many of you have heard it. They say you are writing a blank check to Uncle Sam, for up to and including one life. My brothers, this is an obligation made to our government. We all made an obligation at the altar to God; what does that check say? “Up to and including one soul?” The work never ends, our work never ends. After many years it may slow a little, but it doesn’t end. Many an old timer will claim they have put their work in, but that obligation doesn’t have an expiration date. Many things can be done, need to be done, and in my personal opinion, mentorship is at the top of the list. Words of wisdom, don’t expire either.

My lesson is this, if you want your lodge, this fraternity, to survive, give those new masons something to look up to, something to look forward to. Don’t give them a feast of hastily purchased fast food because you forgot and it was on the way. Don’t give them exasperated members that are being pulled in every direction because no one else will volunteer for a committee. And for the love of all that is holy don’t give them broken promises. Give them mentorship. Give them aspirations to help others and continue this work that has been going on for three centuries. Give them Freemasonry, and do it by fulfilling your obligations, wherever, whatever, your station, place, or folding chair.

~JPF

Justin Fleming is a Master Mason from the wonderful forests of Oregon where he lives with his wife and sons. Most recently was the Worshipful Master of Pearl Lodge #66 Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Oregon (2024) where he is a life-member. He also holds life-member status at Gresham #152 AF&AM of Oregon where he was Entered (2016), Passed (2017, and Raised (2017). Justin received the “Mason of the Year” award in 2021 from West Allis Lodge #291 Free and Accepted Masons of Wisconsin during his 2-year stint in the Midwest. Justin is also a Basic Lodge of Instruction trainer as well as a Master Trainer for the Fellows of the Craft. He is also a member of the Scottish Rite Valley of Salem Oregon, and the Sojourners Chapter of the Widows Sons. He can be reached at flemingjustin5@gmail.com.