Do We Really Love Our Country?

by Midnight Freemason Contributor

Ken JP Stuczynski

When I was a child and told to shut up or not do something, I would often argue, "It's a free country!" It never ended in my favor. Hence was forged a stubborn rebel, and it's no wonder I gravitated toward political philosophies that seemed committed to personal social and economic freedom. Like most people, I grafted my own notions of Liberty onto what we were taught in school about the Founding Fathers and what we were told were uniquely American ideals.

I did the same for Masonry, of course, not just because many of those Fathers were Masons, but the respect for personal conscience and judgment filled the need of my inner child getting to make his own choices. I found a place where I could always act of my own free will and accord. I found a place of personal development with completely individualistic interpretations and self-accountability. Only honest self-reflection and whispered wise counsel save me from such overindulgence, though perhaps not enough often enough

There's always the other side of the coin. When I learned one of our charges for the Second Degree, I was confronted with words that placed strong emphasis on the collective good — socially, economically, and politically. The needs of neighbor and nation could not be ignored, or perhaps had even to take precedence. My iciness toward collectivism felt a bit of challenging heat. My dominant individualism was called out, and it put into question the moral supremacy of personal conscience. There's so much for me to ramble on the couch while you take notes, but let's bring it forward to further Light.

One of the core values of the Scottish Rite is "Devotion to Country". In Eastern Star, a lesson of the office of Color Bearer (one that I've held many years) is that Patriotism is essential to good citizenship. Patriotism is most commonly defined as love of one's country. Simple enough. However, the words and actions of so many people this last year have seen my own conflict between personal freedom and the common good play out on a massive scale.

The question hit me the other day: How can we say we "love" our country if we have so little regard for our fellow citizens? Is Liberty really just the ability to do whatever we want without concern as to consequence or what freedom it takes away from other people? We suffer a million little laws – and I have argued time and again it's a million too many – and yet some people chose to die on a hill of so little consequence and inconvenience while wholesale injustices are ignored or even ridiculed. It's actually easy to see once you figure it out — people define Liberty purely in terms of what THEY can or cannot do. If it doesn't affect them, they don't care, and if it does, even a reasonable request feels like their God-given freedom has been taken away. Others who don't get their way should pipe down and not dare to object in any way that affects us. Law and Order is always for the other guy. We don't need it except to protect us from others and never the other way around. In other words, we use words and symbols of patriotism as a do-what-we-want-card. "It's a free country", after all. And we feel darn patriotic about that.

We "love" our freedom to worship how we want, say what we want, and go and do what we want. Many of us especially love the privilege of doing so without, all other things being equal, being hindered on the count of the color of our skin. But our "love" ends there, with our OWN religion, language, political affiliation. We claim to be "patriotic" but hate so many of our own countrymen, and the only way we can justify it is to consider them in one way or another not "true Americans".

It seems that "love" of country can be nothing more than a feeling, a pride we insist of ourselves and others, while ignoring or avoiding the trappings of social or civic obligations. But what of Devotion? That implies action. That means service. And it's more than service, but selfless service. Wearing one uniform or another, do we protect and serve only to preserve our particular way of life for those we know and love? Or do we fight – sometimes ironically with civil disobedience – to protect or win the rights and privileges of everyone, even those not like ourselves or those whose existence does not benefit our slice of society?

If we were taught Civics, we would know that Liberty without responsibility is license and such a free man is in actuality a libertine, Masonry has taught me that even Love or Devotion to Country cannot be a solitary virtue. It must meet and act with tolerance and justice, which by their very natures, cannot be a pursuit with aims limited to ourselves. Justice is a collective virtue and any injustice done to one of us is done to all of us, even if we do not directly feel the sting of it. Can there truly be any Love or Devotion without exercising Charity, that greatest of graces, that Compassion where we actively care for and about the welfare of all? Do our words and deeds reflect that, or the selfish, narrow yet comfortable groove of Individualism? How can we be willing to die for our Country but not live for the betterment of all its citizens?

I still don't care much for laws and rules and authority. But my Love of my Countrymen – all of them – has not turned me away from the symbols of Patriotism so shallowly or duplicitly used by others. The contradictions and conflicts of this past year have sharpened and tempered my appreciation for the difficult balance of American and Masonic values of individualism and collective good. We don't always deserve it, but God Bless America!

~JP

Bro. Ken JP Stuczynski is a member of West Seneca Lodge No.1111 and recently served as Master of Ken-Ton Lodge No.1186. As webmaster for NYMasons.Org he is on the Communications and Technology Committees for the Grand Lodge of the State of New York. He is also a Royal Arch Mason and 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Mason, serving his second term as Sovereign Prince of Palmoni Council in the Valley of Buffalo, NMJ. He also coordinates a Downtown Square Club monthly lunch in Buffalo, NY. He and his wife served as Patron and Matron of Pond Chapter No.853 Order of the Eastern Star and considered himself a “Masonic Feminist”.

Doing It Wrong

by Midnight Freemason Contributor

WB Darin A. Lahners

Like many other American Freemasons, I was pleased to see that the documentary “Inside the Freemasons” which originally debuted on the Sky1 channel in England in 2017 was on Netflix. The 5 part series runs about 45 minutes per episode, and focuses on several Freemasons in England either beginning their Masonic journey, or continuing their Masonic journey. Now I realize, like all forms of media, that many of the experiences they were showing were most likely scripted or over-produced. Of course, maybe it was the ability to have a pint or two before or after the meeting, or the festive boards, or the pageantry of their form of Masonry, or their dedication to charitable pursuits, but they definitely had something that I felt was lacking in my Masonic experience. I couldn’t help but see the English form of Masonry and tell myself, "...we’re doing it wrong."

I returned from our Grand Lodge communication a few months ago, and I was happy to see that we finally have a Grand Master that broke with Tradition. He did several things differently that stood out to me. The first was that he had a group of young men who were still members of DeMolay but who were also Master Masons open our Grand Lodge session. I was impressed by this display. As Worshipful Master of Homer #199 in Homer, Illinois, I have a hard enough time fighting my nerves when opening lodge alongside brethren who I have known for years. I can’t imagine the nerves that these fine young men had on this day. But of course, this didn’t stop a brother within my earshot from criticizing their performance. You see, quite simply, they were “doing it wrong” and he could do it better.

The second was that on the second day, traditionally (at least at the past 4 sessions that I’ve attended), the Job’s daughters perform the Living Cross. This year, the Rainbow Girls and Job’s daughters performed another ceremony, where they laid flowers of the color of Freemasonry and its appendant bodies on the altar. I personally felt that the change was refreshing. However, this didn’t stop from brethren around me from muttering their disapproval under their breath. Once again, in their minds, it was being done wrong. Why Change something from the formula that has been working in past years? Nevermind that most of these brethren are talking to each other, or on their phones and not really paying attention. Change is bad!

How many of you have experienced this scenario? A newly raised Master Mason attends his first lodge meeting. As per usual, there is barely a quorum and the WM asks the new Master Mason to fill in as JW. There is some quick instruction given to the new MM regarding what to do and how to respond. This usually takes place 5 – 10 minutes before the meeting. The WM tells the MM not to worry about getting everything right. The MM stumbles through the opening and closing of the meeting. The grumpy old Past Master comes up to the MM after closing, and proceeds to tell him everything he did wrong, and puts him through the paces to “Help Him”. The MM leaves the meeting, never to return.

I could continue to fill this article with examples of this. We’ve all seen, experienced, felt, or probably thought something like this at one time or another. Quite Frankly, I don’t think it’s a relatively new thing. I’m sure I could go back through the minutes of any of the lodges that I belong to find instances of someone complaining about something being “wrong” in the past. The problems that we have as fraternity are not new. We’ve all been doing it wrong for a while now.

Fundamentally, I think we have forgotten the important lessons taught to us in our degrees. If we follow the three tenets of Freemasonry, namely Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth, we shouldn’t be criticizing one another. We need to remember: “By the exercise of Brotherly Love, we are taught to regard the whole human race as one family - the high, the low, the rich, the poor - who, as created by one Almighty Parent, and inhabiting the same planet, should aid, support, and protect one another. On this principle, Masonry unites men of every country, sect, and opinion, and promotes true friendship among those who might otherwise have remained at a perpetual distance.”

If we are criticizing someone or something, are we aiding them or it? We are taught: "To relieve the distressed is a duty incumbent on all men, but particularly on Masons, who are linked together by a chain of sincere affection. To sooth the unhappy, to sympathize with them in their misfortunes, to compassionate their miseries, and to restore peace to their troubled minds, are aims we have in view. On this basis we form our friendships and establish our connections." I think we can all agree that by criticizing, by saying or thinking that someone is doing something wrong, that we are not sympathizing with them. We are not being compassionate. We are not helping restore peace to their troubled minds. If anything, we are causing their minds to be more troubled. We are causing strife, not promoting relief.

We are taught: “Truth is a divine attribute, and the foundation of every virtue. To be good and true is the first lesson we are taught in Masonry. On this theme we contemplate, and by its dictates endeavor to regulate our conduct. Hence, while influenced by this principle, hypocrisy, and deceit are unknown among us, and the heart and tongue join in promoting each other’s welfare and rejoicing in each other’s prosperity.” Again, if we are criticizing are we pursuing truth? No. We are being hypocritical. We are not promoting each other’s welfare, nor are we rejoicing in each other’s prosperity. We are not following lessons in almost every volume of sacred law which is most eloquently summed up by Matthew 7:1, “Do not judge, or you will be judged.”

We need to remember that we represent the Fraternity not just when we are in a tyled lodge, but outside of it. Nowhere is this more important than on social media. It’s very easy to forget to subdue our passions, and forget our tenets online. More often than not, I can on a given day, find someone that is a “Friend” on Facebook criticizing someone for something (more often than not their political or religious beliefs). Hell, we’ve all done it. I’m just as guilty as everyone else. It’s very easy to get wrapped up in the ever available reality show that is social media. It provides an instantaneous outlet for our passions. Sometimes I see so many posts from my brethren that I contemplate bringing up a ritual change at our next Grand Lodge. “The twenty-four inch gauge is an instrument made use of by operative masons to measure and lay out their work. But we, as Free and Accepted Masons, are taught to make use of it for the more noble and glorious purpose of dividing our time. It being divided into twenty four equal parts, is emblematical of the twenty four hours of the day, which we are taught to divide into three equal parts, whereby we find eight hours for the service of God, eight for our usual vocations, and eight for Facebook and sleep.”

If you’re on Facebook wearing a square and compass in your profile picture, but you continually post negative or critical things on social media, are you doing a good job of representing the Fraternity? I think we can all agree that answer is "No". If you’re out in public wearing an item of clothing with the square and compass but you’re rude and obnoxious, how are you representing the Fraternity to the public? I think we can answer: “Not in a very good light.” Before you think I’m being hypocritical and criticizing my brethren, I’m not. I am just pointing out that in all forums, not only when we are in public, but also when we are online, we need to remember our tenets and our lessons and act accordingly.

If we want to blame anyone for members not attending our lodge, or the decline in membership, or someone not getting ritual correct, or any other thing; we need to take a hard look in the mirror. We need to ask ourselves “What am I doing wrong?” Once we answer that question, we can help to fix the things that we might see as being done wrong. If your lodge is lacking in attendance, are you doing enough to help make your meetings interesting and/or educational? Or are you content with your lodge just reading minutes, paying bills, arguing over repairs, and discussing plans for the next Pancake Breakfast? If you’re not bringing in members, are you trying to press your lodge towards being more active in the community? With the aforementioned “Inside the Freemasons” program on Netflix, as well as the AMC show ‘Lodge 49’, fraternalism is finally getting some favorable exposure in Mainstream Media. If your only communal activity as a Lodge is a pancake breakfast every 3 months, do you think you’re going to attract potential members? If no one knows you exist, then it’s unrealistic to expect growth. If you are sloppy with ritual, are you practicing? Are you stepping up to defend that new Master Mason just learning the ropes when the overbearing grumpy Past Master tries to “correct” him? Are you aiding him in his learning? Or are you content with allowing him to walk out of the lodge room never to return?

Ultimately, the onus is on each and every one of us to do our part. It’s a group effort. If you’re the only one in your lodge that is trying to improve things, then it might be time to find another lodge. You won’t be able to fix things by yourself, and if no one around you cares enough about your lodge to try to help, is your energy really worth it? Visit other lodges, find like-minded individuals, and work on improving the experience for yourself along with them, or convince them to help you form a new lodge that will provide the experience that you are all seeking. Maybe then, you’ll attract the attention of some other Masons, who *gasp* might even comment that you’re doing it right.

~DAL

WB Darin A. Lahners is the Worshipful Master of St. Joseph Lodge No.970 in St. Joseph and a plural member of Ogden Lodge No. 754 (IL), and Homer Lodge No. 199 (IL). He’s a member of the Scottish Rite Valley of Danville, a charter member of the new Illinois Royal Arch Chapter, Admiration Chapter No. 282, and is the current Secretary of the Illini High Twelve Club No. 768 in Champaign – Urbana (IL). He is also a member of the Eastern Illinois Council No. 356 Allied Masonic Degrees. You can reach him by email at darin.lahners@gmail.com.

The Herald

by Midnight Freemason Contributor

by Steven L. Harrison, 33°, FMLR

About a year ago I joined the Red Cross of Constantine. It's a Royal Arch body with, shall we say, a bit of a complex degree structure compared to other Masonic organizations. At this point I'm still a novice and not well-versed in its organization and practices.

Recently I attended what was only my fourth or fifth meeting owing, in part, to the fact we were dark for three months.  We held the meeting in a local restaurant with a spacious back room well-suited for such purposes.  I went in and stopped at a table to talk to the Secretary – I mean, Recorder. (I still don't have a handle on all the officers' titles).  As I was talking to him, a couple other guys walked up behind me. It was a trap.  

"Steve," they said in unison, "the incoming Sovereign needs a Sentinel for next year. Would you be willing to step in and help him out?"

"Oh, uh," I babbled on about being honored but having commitments and not knowing if I could do justice to the job – and basically anything else I could think of that did not involve the word "yes."

It was three against one. Before I knew what had happened I had agreed to be next year's Sentinel.  "Not a big commitment," I told myself, "and I'm helping the Brothers (actually, Knight Companions) out."

That settled, we sat down to open the Chapter – I mean, Conclave. (I still have a lot to learn). It wasn't a standard opening since we were not in a Lodge room, but we went through the verbal part of the ceremony. At one point, there came a series of knocks followed by an uncomfortable silence.  A friend seated next to me leaned over and whispered, "Return the knocks… you're the Sentinel."

I whispered back, "I thought that was next year."

"No," he said, "I think you're it now."

I knocked, and the remainder of the opening went off without a hitch.  We had our dinner and started the business portion of the meeting.  It came to light that So-and-So, the Thus-and-Such officer had to drop out of line.  Discussion followed and it became obvious all officers below Thus-and-Such would move up. So I became the Herald-designate for next year. "Congratulations," said my buddy sitting next to me.

Business finished, it was time to close.  The formal closing proceeded until the Eminent Viceroy (second in command) declared the Conclave closed and sealed the deal with the same series of knocks from the opening.  Again, there was an uncomfortable period of silence. As before, the companion next to me stepped in, "Steve, you're the Herald. You're supposed to return the raps."

"I thought I was the Sentinel. I'm supposed to be the Herald next term."

"No," he advised, "You're the Herald now."  I followed up with raps that would make any Herald proud.

So, let's recap. I went into the meeting a member with no particular duties or responsibilities. Then I became the Sentinel-designate; then I became the Sentinel; then I became the Herald-designate; then I became the Herald.

That's the way it goes sometimes in our various Masonic bodies.   I'm sure similar things have happened to others. It took me five years to become Worshipful Master of my Lodge, a journey that would ordinarily take ten in my jurisdiction. One Brother I know did it in two. When membership declines, when Brothers fall out of line for one reason or another, others have to step in. We all wish it was different but Freemasonry isn't the only membership organization experiencing this in our activity-saturated lives today. So I'm glad my reluctance subsided and I am able to step in and help out. I am also honored they asked.

~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 Freemasonsblog 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.