Big John: Freemason or Not?

by Senior Midnight Freemason Contributor
Gregory J. Knott 33° 

Fellow Midnight Freemason Darin Lahners and I were returning from a road trip when we decided to pull off the interstate to visit Metropolis in deep southern Illinois.   If you are a fan of DC Comics, you might recognize Metropolis as the home to Superman.  Superman dutifully watches over downtown Metropolis in front of the Massac County Courthouse and will on a moment's notice leap into action to save the day. 

As Darin and I were traversing our way to Superman, lo and behold we see another super life-sized statue of “Big John”.   Big John stands on east Fifth street in Metropolis in front of the Big John Grocery Store. Big John was the creation of the store owner back in the 1960s and is also very popular with tourists.

As Big John stands watch, he is carrying a bag of groceries, waving to everyone who passes by, and he always has a big smile on his face.  He is dressed in a red polo shirt with brown khaki pants and has on a ….wait for it…... AN APRON!  Now, being a Freemason, I immediately wondered if Big John was a Freemason or not.

How can we determine if Big John is a Freemason?  My first indicator is the huge smile that Big John has on his face.   He appears to be a pleasant individual who enjoys working and helping others.    As a Freemason, our disposition towards others is important as others form an impression of who we are and what we do 

Big John also is waving to passersby which creates an inviting and welcoming atmosphere.   Does your lodge, chapter, etc, create a warm and welcoming atmosphere that brothers want to return to?   Are you actively engaging new brothers in helping them get acclimated to the lodge, helping them understand what happens within the lodge, and encouraging them to come back?  Are you a mentor to others and assisting them to grow?

Carrying a bag of groceries shows me that Big John is proud of his work.   He appears to have his 24-inch gauge well situated with 8 hours for his usual vocation and probably utilizes the other 16 hours in helping others, learning and resting, and refreshing himself.   How do you utilize your 24-inch gauge?   Are you effectively managing your time and putting forth your best efforts in your career, to your family, and community?  Are you taking time for yourself and caring for your health and mental well-being?

Finally, I notice that the apron Big John is wearing is in perfect condition and unspotted to the world.   As Freemasons, it is our duty and obligation to keep our aprons pristine and unspotted for the world.   Not only our physical apron but keep our daily lives unspotted as we seek to do our best for others, contribute positively to our communities, and further our own personal growth through continued learning and engagement with others.

Big John, Freemason or Not?   My conclusion is yes, Big John is a Freemason.  

~GJK

Gregory J. Knott, 33° is a founding member and Senior Contributor of the Midnight Freemasons blog. He is a Past Master of St. Joseph Lodge No. 970 in St. Joseph (IL) and a plural member of Ogden Lodge No. 754 (IL), Homer Lodge No. 199 (IL) and Naval Lodge No. 4 in Washington, DC. He’s a member of the Scottish Rite, the York Rite, Eastern Star and is the Charter Secretary of the Illini High Twelve Club No. 768 in Champaign-Urbana. He is also a member of ANSAR Shrine (IL) and the Eastern Illinois Council No. 356 Allied Masonic Degrees. Greg serves on the Board of Directors of The Masonic Society and is a member of the Scottish Rite Research Society and The Philathes Society. He is a charter member of a new Illinois Royal Arch Chapter, Admiration Chapter U.D. and serves as its Secretary. Greg is very involved in Boy Scouts—an Eagle Scout himself, he is a member of the National Association of Masonic Scouters. You can contact him at gknott63@gmail.com

Respect

by Midnight Freemason Contributor

Steven L. Harrison, 33°, FMLR

Recently Brother Greg Knott wrote an article for this blog about a Medal of Honor. He described the respect he had for the man who earned it and, in fact, for the medal itself. It brought to mind something I saw years ago which has stayed with me and been a reminder that such items should be handled with the care and respect they demand:

I was working on installing a system in a large metropolitan bank's safekeeping department. The executive offices there were glass-walled and I saw a group inside one standing around something a customer had brought in for storage. I went over for a closer look and saw they were inspecting a violin — a Stradivarius violin. To date myself, this was back when employees could smoke in offices; and there stood one of the execs leaning over the priceless instrument with a lit cigarette hanging out of his mouth. Not only that, the butt had a long trail of ashes on the front which, predictably, dropped onto the violin. He brushed the ashes off and the gang continued gawking. I was stunned they could treat such an incredible piece so carelessly.
Over the years I've had occasion to see some pretty significant Masonic memorabilia. Many times when I've had "hands-on" access I think of that little scenario in the bank and remind myself to take the utmost care with the item.

I've seen many such items at the Truman Library in Independence, Missouri. The staff there "bends over backwards" to dig out documents and artifacts for researchers. White gloves are the order of the day as researchers go through the precious treasure trove of Brother Truman's life.

On one occasion I was there researching the well-documented account of the President's visit to Beech Grove Lodge in Indiana. While on his Whistle-Stop tour in 1948, Truman evaded the press and much of his traveling party to attend a meeting at that Lodge and raise a Brother who worked for him. At the close of the meeting he asked if he could keep the apron he had worn as a souvenir.

As the staff at the Truman Library gathered items relating to that visit, one of the artifacts turned out to be that apron. I was mesmerized as I looked at it. I felt as if I was in the presence of the President himself. Unable to resist, I broke one of the Library's rules. I slipped off my glove and…

I touched it.

I probably shouldn't have done it, but something inside me just wanted that connection with the historic apron. I don't think I hurt it at all. It didn't seem the same as dumping a pile of cremated tobacco onto a Stradivarius. What's more, I'm not sorry. I would do it again — guilty as charged. I didn't do it maliciously.

I did it out of respect

~SLH

Bro. Steve Harrison, 33° , is Past Master of Liberty Lodge #31, Liberty, Missouri. He is also a Fellow and Past Master of the Missouri Lodge of Research. Among his other Masonic memberships are the St. Joseph Missouri Valley of the Scottish Rite, Liberty York Rite bodies, and Moila Shrine. He is also a member and Past Dean of the DeMolay Legion of Honor. Brother Harrison is a regular contributor to the Midnight Freemasons blog as well as several other Masonic publications. Brother Steve was Editor of the Missouri Freemason magazine for a decade and is a regular contributor to the Whence Came You podcast. Born in Indiana, he has a Master's Degree from Indiana University and is retired from a 35 year career in information technology. Steve and his wife Carolyn reside in northwest Missouri. He is the author of dozens of magazine articles and three books: Freemasonry Crosses the Mississippi, Freemasons — Tales From the Craft and Freemasons at Oak Island.

Misinformation - The Presentation Apron

by Midnight Freemason Contributor

RW Robert H. Johnson

"It's for when you die, Brother. They put it in or over your coffin, so make sure your family knows where it is." This is one of the biggest misconceptions affecting our blue lodge members nation wide. Every time I am attending a Master Mason Degree, (and occasionally an EA degree) when the candidate is given or presented his apron, he is told after the meeting that he should keep it safe and not wear it because its for his death.

This just isn't true! In Illinois anyway, if the entire lecture is given when presented, we tell that candidate, that it is " ...yours to wear throughout an honorable life." That means, you should wear it! I've mentioned this on more than one occasion and sometimes I get this retort, "But RJ, We're told to keep it unspotted from the world." Well, I'm sorry, that's not what that means. What that means, is to make sure to keep your life morally correct in the eyes of those who know you're a Freemason, less you tarnish the brand.

Bottom line Brothers, is that the apron you are given in lodge is definitely okay for you to wear, to any meeting you want, anytime. Of course if you consciously want to keep that apron saved, that's your decision, but let's start to correct this misconception now. Take pride and wear that awesome white leather apron at your next meeting.

I'm sure this may stir up some contention, not unlike the undying "Points In or Points Out", but unlike that debate, this one is not up for debate, it's right there in ritual (Illinois Preston Webb).

See you all in lodge, Brothers!

~RHJ

RWB, Robert Johnson is the Managing Editor of the Midnight Freemasons blog. He is a Freemason out of the 1st N.E. District of Illinois. He currently serves as the Secretary of Waukegan Lodge No. 78 where he is a Past Master. He also serves as the District Deputy for the 1st N.E. District of Illinois. Brother Johnson currently produces and hosts weekly Podcasts (internet radio programs) Whence Came You? & Masonic Radio Theatre which focus on topics relating to Freemasonry. He is also a co-host of The Masonic Roundtable, a Masonic talk show. He is a husband and father of four, works full time in the executive medical industry and is also an avid home brewer. He is currently working on a book of Masonic essays and one on Occult Anatomy to be released soon.

The Caretaker: The Apron

by Midnight Freemason Contributor

Robert H. Johnson, PM

In my short time as a Freemason, I have amassed quite a few items of a fraternal kind and they litter my study like dusty museum pieces. Strewn about in various corners and all vying for space on the crowded shelves, ledges and walls are items that all have a unique story. While contemplating on what to write next, I frequently look around the room for inspiration and while the items frequently play the role of muse, it’s time I gave those muses some respect and attempt to tell their story as best I can. 

One such item, tucked away on a hanging basket shelf in my office closet is a rolled up apron. It sits among a few throwing knives and some all weather matches, probably not the best place for it. Ever since I have had it, I have wanted to put it in a shadow box frame and display it. I just haven’t yet. It’s been years. 

Shortly after I became a Master Mason, my father-in-law gave me the apron. It turns out it belonged to his father. My father-in-law, Steve, never joined. He did however, hold on to all the family Masonic items. Some belonging to his great grandfather, his grandfather and of course his father. Having no sons of his own who had joined the fraternity, he passed it to me. 

The apron itself is in a material sense, nothing spectacular, just what you’d expect of a 60 year old apron. The lambskin was still soft, the canvas worked and malleable, the ropes or ties were still soft, white and well braided. There were a few cracks in the lambskin but I think that's the only thing that assigns it "real" age. Under the flap it reads : 

Presented by 

Arcana Lodge No. 187

AF&AM

To Brother Robert Ross Salmon Jones Jr.

Initiated March 28th, 1956   Passed April 11th, 1956   Raised May 12th, 1956

*It was also signed by the Secretary and Worshipful Master, but alas, I can not read the writing.*

Arcana Lodge 187 is still in operation and doing well. They operate out of Minneapolis Minnesota. They celebrated their 125th year on Saturday, September 27, 2014. While the website doesn't seem to be current, their Facebook page is current and looks great. Seeing as they had a Facebook page, I went ahead and contacted them. I was delighted when the Worshipful Master, M. Justin Thompson  got back to me within two hours. 

His first word back to me was "Wow!" When I saw that responded so quickly, that was also my first response. He expressed that he had read a few of the articles posted on the Midnight Freemasons blog before. He gave me a brief history, which was amazing. It seems the lodge burned down on November 22nd, 1957. That's just one year and a couple months after My father-in-law's dad had been raised. The lodge had been rebuilt in 1959. Arcana had a volunteer core. The Minutemen paid of a 20 year mortgage in just 8 years by running a pancake breakfast that served over 5,000 people. 

Their lodge room contains an Italian marble checkered floor, a mural of King Solomon's Temple, which was painted by a fellow brother of the lodge in 1973. They even have one of those awesome 3rd degree features...You know what I'm talking about. I have to say, this apron sparked some research and that research led right to the virtual doors of Arcana #187. 

I can’t imagine what stories the apron could tell but I am sure they'd be amazing. Of course I have one secret regarding the apron. My father-in-law had two sons and neither joined the fraternity…as of yet. I had hoped that one day, one of them would join and at that time, I would be able to pass the apron on to a just and upright brother who truly has every right to receive it. I am merely the caretaker as of now. Should he never join, I will pass it along to which ever of my three sons joins first. 

In the meantime, I suppose I should go ahead and take a better measure to preserve and protect this piece. It is of course, the distinguished badge of a Mason and perhaps more importantly, a piece of my family history. 

While reflecting on this apron at the time of my writing this very article, I thought of how many brothers out there are in a similar situation. Caretakers of these aprons, some of which are tied to us, some not. How many Brothers were buried or cremated without their aprons? Until the next time my Brothers,  I’ll have another remarkable item and story for you. 

~RHJ

Bro. Robert Johnson, PM is the Managing Editor of the Midnight Freemasons blog. He is a Freemason out of the First North-East District of Illinois. He is the Secretary of Waukegan Lodge No. 78 and Education officer for the 1st N.E. District of Illinois as well as a member on the Grand Lodge Education Committee. He is also a member of the York Rite bodies, AMD, The Illinois Lodge of Research and a member of the Scottish Rite Valley of Chicago as well as a charter member of the Society of King Solomon, a charity organization run by the Grand Lodge of Illinois. Brother Johnson currently produces and hosts weekly Podcasts (internet radio programs) Whence Came You? & Masonic Radio Theatrewhich focus on topics relating to Freemasonry. In addition, he produces video shorts focusing on driving interest in the Fraternity and writes original Masonic papers from time to time. He is also a co-host of The Masonic Roundtable, a Masonic talk show. He is a husband and father of four. He works full time in the executive medical industry and is also a photographer on the side as well as an avid home brewer. He is currently working on a book of Masonic essays.