A Light In The Darkness

by Midnight Freemasons Founder

Todd E. Creason, 33°

I remember many years ago taking a red-eye flight from Los Angeles to Atlanta—it was a six or seven hour flight in the middle of the night. It was the first time I’d flown at night, and I slept through most of the flight. Every once in awhile, I’d wake up and look out the window. I thought it was odd that every time I woke up and looked out the window we were flying over a large city. The city lights were beautiful across the landscape below. The last time I woke up, I glanced out the window and saw that once again we were flying over a large city. I suddenly realized that wasn’t a city beneath me! We were flying over vast rural areas, and those lights below were barnyard lights from all the small farms spaced out over the miles below. We were flying so far up, those small lights looked very close together, but in reality could have been a mile or more apart from each other.

I was thinking about this again back in November, when President George H. W. Bush passed away. He made a remark in his nomination speech in 1988 about a thousand points of light that baffled many people. Nobody seemed to really get what he was talking about. He repeated that concept of a thousand points of light at his inaugural address in 1989. What’s been forgotten is that he was talking about community organizations like ours. Small points of light in a sea of darkness doing our good works—building men, building stronger communities, serving as pillars of the community, helping those who are less fortunate. I knew what the President was talking about, because I remembered that flight and how all those small lights below looked from far above.

It’s very easy for us to become discouraged at times as Freemasons. We aspire to live by a very different set of rules than other men do, and that can make us feel very much alone at times. We can feel as if we’re living our life by standards that seem outdated to many people in our modern society. We look at the problems of the modern world, and we wonder if all our efforts to improve ourselves, and to make this world a better place aren’t a giant waste of time.

I’ve felt that way from time to time, and when I start thinking like that, I just look at my map. I have a map on my wall at home of the Eastern Masonic Area of Illinois. I have all one hundred Lodges in that area marked on my map with a pin—from above my map looks a lot like that view out of the airplane window so many years ago—that map is covered in pins. And if I were to mark the homes of all the Masons that belonged to all those Lodges? Add all the churches, temples, and synagogues and the homes of all their members.  Add the Odd Fellows Lodges and their members.  The Lions Club.  Rotary Club.  American Legion.  Boy and Girl Scouts.  And there are many more such groups and individuals among us, aren't there?  Why feel discouraged?  I doubt if we marked all those groups and those individuals on our map, we'd even be able to see it for all the pins!

We are not alone in this effort of making the world a better place—each of us carries a light, and  as Masons our Lodges help us focus that light. We’re scattered out all over the state of Illinois, the country, and the world.  But we're hardly alone in this effort.  Millions are with us, and we have a tremendous advantage as lights in the world--even a very small light in the darkness can be seen for many, many miles.

President George H. W. Bush made another comment in his 1989 inaugural speech that I think applies to Freemasons in particular. He said, “The old ideas are new again because they are not old, they are timeless . . .”

A version of this article was originally written for and published by The Scottish Rite Valley of Danville (IL) Valley Echos Newsletter

~TEC

Todd E. Creason, 33° is the Founder of the Midnight Freemasons blog and is a regular contributor. He is the award winning author of several books and novels, including the Famous American Freemasons series. He is the author of the From Labor to Refreshment blog. He is a Past Master of Homer Lodge No. 199 and Ogden Lodge No. 754 (IL) where he currently serves as Secretary. He is the Past Sovereign Master of the Eastern Illinois Council No. 356 Allied Masonic Degrees. He is a Fellow at the Missouri Lodge of Research.(FMLR). He is a charter member of a new Illinois Royal Arch Chapter, Admiration Chapter No. 282 where he currently serves as EHP. He is also a member of Tuscola Odd Fellows Lodge No. 316. You can contact him at: webmaster@toddcreason.org

Masters of the Universe and Freemasonry

by Midnight Freemason Contributor

Robert H. Johnson

Just a day ago, Darin Lahners ended a piece he wrote on this blog with the words, "We have to try." It was in relation to attempting to change Freemasonry for the better. A few sentences earlier, he said change happens from the ground up in Freemasonry, and he's absolutely, 100% correct.

Before proceeding, I want to make myself absolutely transparent here. I am not advocating or even suggesting an "Us and Them" relationship when it comes to Freemasonry and her "camps"--The member at Lodge and the Grand Lodge. Quite the contrary--there is only us.

Grand Lodges exist today to assist in the administration of the Fraternity. The Education and experience you provide is up to the lodges. Grass-roots solutions and practices filter their way up and become either the scourge of a Grand Lodge Jurisdiction or common practice based on the determination of those who evaluate the preservation of the work. Chamber of Reflection? Pits in the West? Actual accosting? Requiring more than memorization to advance through degrees or none at all? Background checks on candidates? Credit checks? Whatever the case may be, the lodges are in control of this.

Whether you agree or disagree on elements I've stated above or any others you may find yourself pondering, we can all agree on one thing. We are the unified front that controls the Fraternity. The Grand Lodge is YOU! Want something changed? Submit the resolution. Get the signatures. Want to adopt something? Do the work to make it happen. Follow the protocols set forth to make it happen. I make an emphasis here because nothing good ever comes from coups, slamming GLs online, or anything else abrasive. It's about doing it, and doing it the right way. It CAN be done.

I guess my main point in this short blurb today, is that Freemasonry is NOT passive. You're not just a Freemason 30 minutes before the meeting. You don't cram everything you were supposed to accomplish over the last 30 days in the 30 minutes before the next meeting. Your meeting minutes shouldn't come out the day before the next meeting. (Pet peeve).

We must work--firing on all cylinders all the time. And there are those of us who do this. We try and make up for the 90% who don't. Even if you want to fight against a change, do it. Get active. The Grand Master of your jurisdiction was a regular dues paying member, just like you. He worked hard, had a vision and got involved. Look at the image below.

That's right. All that "I didn't vote." is very representative to the passiveness that the majority of Masons see around them. The inactive, dues paying, complaining with no action kind of paradigm. "I didn't vote." represents all the apathy we have. It's proportionally the same within any organization. The majority are along for the ride. Don't be along for the ride. Drive. Stay thirsty. Fight for it. Believe. If you build it they will come. Be the change. Just do it. Need any more adverts to get you motivated?

Look at North Carolina and their EDU platform. Look at Ohio and theirs. Grand Lodges are beginning to adopt rigorous and intense candidate education programs. Why? Because someone decided it was time. They did the work. They spoke to the right people. They became Atlas, holding it all and being that guy for a while. But they can't be there forever. Someone needs to step up. Be that person. This is you...a Master of the Universe--a He-Man.

Get to work--the future of everything is at stake.

~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 Spes Novum Lodge No. 1183 UD. He is a Past Master of Waukegan Lodge 78 and a Past District Deputy Grand Master for the 1st N.E. District 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. 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. He is the co-author of "It's Business Time - Adapting a Corporate Path for Freemasonry" and is currently working on a book of Masonic essays and one on Occult Anatomy to be released soon.

Musings On Masonic Retirement...Kind Of

by Midnight Freemason Contributor

Robert H. Johnson

A Fond Memory

I did it. I retired as a Secretary...kind of. As a man who found Freemasonry early in life and joined at the age of 27, I was somewhat unsure of the path that this new thing I was a part of, and where exactly it would take me. The lodge had a full line of officers. In fact I remember putting my name on a yellow legal pad which was a waiting list. At my mother lodge, you started at Jr. Steward and made your way through a seven year journey to the East.

I was at the bottom of the list. Then one Monday evening I received some news. It seems as though our Jr. Deacon had to step out of line due to a family situation. I was crushed to see my Brother have to be in this situation. I had formed a bond with this guy. He was the closest to me in age. He and I had joked and become close, at least in my mind. Every meeting we hung out. But now, he wouldn’t be an officer.

At the time I thought it wouldn’t be so bad, I’d still see him, I thought. It’s now been eight years and I haven’t seen him. Looking back, I remember being asked, “Bro. Jr. Deacon had to drop out. We’re moving you up to Jr. Steward, okay?” And that’s when my life of Masonic Service started. I gave it my all. My lodge didn’t go dark. We met every Monday except for five or six times during the year for various things. In seven years I missed three scheduled meetings.

I recall missing my first stated meeting. I got a phone call saying I was put on the Ladies Appreciation Luncheon committee. I was sure I didn’t miss another without informing someone first. My year in the South was marked particularly because I was also made the Lodge Education Officer. A role I would expand upon later. My year in the East was to be glorious. We streamed the installation over the web. I had tons of people watching. We had standing room only. This was my year to push Education. Real education. Not charity initiatives of Grand Lodge, not Short Talk Bulletins. Real Masonic history and discussing philosophy.

It took two months worth of meetings to make me realize it wasn’t going to happen. It wasn't that I had low attendance or that people complained, although I did receive one complaint which I will always remember. As I was walking into the lodge meeting, somewhere within my second month as Master, someone said, “Hey let’s get through tonight quickly. There’s a game on.” That was when I said it, without thinking, and in front of the lodge. (Looking back, it probably made me look like a tyrant). My response was, “If you’re here for the minutes, I can email those to you. The door is that way. We have work to do.”

I never got another complaint--to my face anyway. Ultimately, my attendance averaged 15 members per meeting and I was inundated with degree work. I was able to initiate sixteen men, pass and raise fifteen of them, and they were all singular degrees. That year I was also made the District Education Officer. I oversaw the education of seven lodges within my district. After I was done in the East, I moved in as Secretary. I took over for a Brother who’d been in the role for more than twenty years--the Masonic norm. I knew I wouldn’t do twenty years. I had two reasons; first, I wholeheartedly believe that this is bad for a lodge. It breeds stagnation in the way we move forward. Secondly, I didn’t want to be locked into one area geographically for a long period. At this same time I was a first year Secretary, I was starting my second and final year as District Education Officer. I then went on to be a District Deputy Grand Master, a role I went into for two years.

A Reprieve

“All Good Things”, was the title of the Star Trek The Next Generation episode I only watched once. I watched it live when it aired. I never watched it again. It was kind of painful to watch. I really loved TNG. Just like in real life, everything comes to an end. This last month I handed the Secretarial reigns of Waukegan Lodge 78 to the Immediate Past Master, a man I have much confidence in. And not completely unlike my stance on the last episode of TNG, I won’t go back to my mother lodge for a while. She needs to find the new course, without me getting in the way.

“A New Hope”

“Two years ago, on a rainy drive to Grand Lodge Sessions…” as my best friend and Brother puts it, we began to muse on what our ideal lodge would be. What started as a hypothetical conversation has turned to reality. We did it. Currently under Dispensation, this new lodge feels invigorating. There’s a lot of energy. Education is our main focus and there’s no getting around it--we built it into our bylaws. What’s really amazing is that we’ve managed to come together, a team of twenty men all who’ve longed for something like this--we found each other and are now in the midst of practicing something wonderful, great...magnanimous even.

And where did I land in this new lodge venture, you might ask? Secretary, of course. Being a lodge Secretary is both rewarding and stressful. You get to know the members of your lodge so intimately, even deeper than most other members will ever glean. The stress comes from implementing and communicating the Worshipful Master’s plans. The getting to know you stuff? Well, that just sort of happens. If as Secretaries we’re doing our jobs, we do a lot of listening. We reassure, we make arrangements, we boost and we console.

I get jokes from my closest friends that I must be a glutton for punishment. But the truth is, I love Freemasonry and I love being there to assist the lodge by holding the ropes. This piece has been a personal reflection and while not my usual kind of post, I’ve been asked questions about what I’ll do now that I’m retired as Secretary. Well, now you know. I am still a Secretary, a really busy one. I largely pulled back on my Masonic involvement due to several issues; spreading myself too thin, missing out on family time, a shift in the way I feel about Freemasonry and its role in today’s world, and of course the most trying of issues--dealing with rumors and gossip regarding my personal religious beliefs, or rather lack thereof.

A Look Back While Moving Forward

Having shed the skin of my previous Masonic life, leaving behind a job as Secretary, jobs in my Chapter and Council, having nothing to do with AASR outside of occasional attendance, I am focused on my own personal development, family and the new lodge. It’s really about making the most out of a truly wonderful experience that is a successful integration of these pieces.

As I stated, this piece has been a reflection and admittedly might have no real value to the reader outside of gaining some experiential personal feelings about what one man has been through. It’s neither extreme nor tame, in fact I would assume my story is pretty centered on the litmus test of this fraternity. But because I want to drive value in what I write, I would want to leave you all with something. So I leave you with a concept of building what you want. Work for it and trim the fat. If the time is right, than move your efforts to the thing which will impact you in the most positive of ways. The way in which you will grow the most--typically the most uncomfortable but also perhaps the most exciting.

Ask yourself, “Am I excited to go to the meeting?” Finally, I leave you with a quote that I and my Brother Scott Dueball have used time and time again, which has served us well in life when reflecting upon its meaning. The quote I am about to lay out is attributed to Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, although it is not confirmed.

“If you want to build a ship, don’t drum up the men and women to gather wood, divide the work, and give orders. Instead, teach them to yearn for the vast and endless sea.”

When we research this quote, what we find is that Antoine never really said this. In fact he said something from which this simple version was born. In Citadel The Wisdom of the Sands (1948), Antoine wrote the following, more poetic and lengthy version which I will leave you to ponder.

“Celui-là tissera des toiles, l’autre dans la forêt par l’éclair de sa hache couchera l’arbre. L’autre, encore, forgera des clous, et il en sera quelque part qui observeront les étoiles afin d’apprendre à gouverner. Et tous cependant ne seront qu’un. Créer le navire ce n’est point tisser les toiles, forger les clous, lire les astres, mais bien donner le goût de la mer qui est un, et à la lumière duquel il n’est plus rien qui soit contradictoire mais communauté dans l’amour.”

“One will weave the canvas; another will fell a tree by the light of his ax. Yet another will forge nails, and there will be others who observe the stars to learn how to navigate. And yet all will be as one. Building a boat isn’t about weaving canvas, forging nails, or reading the sky. It’s about giving a shared taste for the sea, by the light of which you will see nothing contradictory but rather a community of love.”

Go forth and inspire, my 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 Spes Novum Lodge No. 1183 UD. He is a Past Master of Waukegan Lodge 78 and a Past District Deputy Grand Master 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. He is the co-author of "It's Business Time - Adapting a Corporate Path for Freemasonry" and is currently working on a book of Masonic essays and one on Occult Anatomy to be released soon.

Fallen Idols

by Midnight Freemason Contributor

Bill Hosler, PM

I’m sure you have heard the old saying, “Don’t meet your idols because you will be greatly disappointed.” I’m sure the reasoning behind the saying is because you will meet them and realize this person you have grew to idolize is just another human being with flaws and imperfections just like the rest of us.

I learned this adage was true myself when I was given the opportunity to meet a national disc jokey I had listened to since my early teens. I listened to his show on the radio every night, rarely would I miss it I loved it because his show was so funny.

Every night he would interact with characters who would call into his radio show, and they would discuss make believe events that were happening in their lives. It was always funny. It was one of my first experiences with ”Theater of the mind”.

When I had the chance to meet the man in person I realized he was a very quiet man who was just playing a role on the radio. In real life he was nothing like the zany guy on the radio. I still listened to the show afterwards but it was never the same. Or, maybe I wasn’t the same because I didn’t have the same perspective of this man any longer. 

Recently I had a conversation with a Brother. He is the sitting Master of his lodge. We were discussing his year in the East. The poor guy was miserable. Besides the typical issues you encounter as a Master, his lodge was going through some unusual drama among the officers. He had been planning for this year for a while now and nothing was going the way he had planned it. I told him I felt for him because my year in the hot seat was pretty much the same way. I think most of us who have been there have felt something similar.

I could tell the part that bothered him the most was observing all the men who came before him in the East, who appeared comfortable in the job, calm cool and collected. They had it all together. But partly due to the previously mentioned drama many of these men were planning to quit the lodge or to just stop coming.

These Masters had assured him when it was his turn to sit in the Oriental chair they would be there to advise him and provide good and wholesome instruction. Sadly none of them fulfilled their promises to him and left him to “sink or swim” and he felt as though he was sinking. The poor guy felt abounded. “I really idolized these guys, Bill. How could they do this to me?”

I think most of us who have served their lodge as Master thought they had planned a foolproof year, little did I realize all of my “cunning plans” would fall apart like a cardboard suitcase within the first two months of my term. The rest of the year was pretty much a blur.

I have often said “Masonry is a perfect institution. What screws it up is when human beings are introduced into it.” I’m sure each one of those brothers he had idolized pretty much had the same troubles and trials as he did but the difference was, all he could see was the public persona they portrayed which gave the perception that all is well and under control.

It’s never easy to watch the idol you placed upon a pedestal fall to the ground and shatter before your eyes. But I believe if you look to someone for advice and inspiration because of their insight or experience they can be a wealth of information as long as you remember that these people are human beings and have flaws, fears and prejudices just like yourself and everyone else. Then they became role models, not idols.

Remember Brotherly advice is always a good thing. But always remember it’s just that: Advice. It’s not meant to replace your plan. That isn’t leadership, it’s just following someone else’s designs from their trestle board. Take what advice is given to you and use your experience and judgment to create your plan of action. 

One last thing. This is directed to the Brother who is the subject of this piece. I know you will read this. I want you to know I am proud of you for fulfilling your obligation to your lodge.

It would have been easy to just walk away from all the drama and non-Masonic incidents you've had to endure this year. But you stayed in placed and made the best out of a bad situation. I’m here for you if you need me and I want you to know if I were to have a “Masonic idol” it would be you. You have true Masonry in your heart and I think you should hold your head high. I’m proud of you. Thank you for your service to the Fraternity.

~BH

WB Bill Hosler was made a Master Mason in 2002 in Three Rivers Lodge #733 in Indiana. He served as Worshipful Master in 2007 and became a member of the internet committee for Indiana's Grand Lodge. Bill is currently a member of Roff Lodge No. 169 in Roff Oklahoma and Lebanon Lodge No. 837 in Frisco,Texas. Bill is also a member of the Valley of Fort Wayne Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite in Indiana. A typical active Freemason, Bill also served as the High Priest of Fort Wayne's Chapter of the York Rite No. 19 and was commander of of the Fort Wayne Commandery No. 4 of the Knight Templar. During all this he also served as the webmaster and magazine editor for the Mizpah Shrine in Fort Wayne Indiana.

An Old Friend Returns

by Midnight Freemason Managing Editor

Robert H. Johnson

When I became a Freemason back in 2007 (became an EA), I was a hard working guy who worked with my hands, winter or summer, cold or hot. I was outside 8 hours a day, 5 days a week. This is no big deal to many of you reading this, as I'm sure many of you are the same. When I finally became a Master Mason, I was still in that job and I wanted ring, but one that would withstand ANYTHING.

Enter the world of stainless steel rings. The market is flush with them now, but back then, there was really one dude who was the genesis of the trend, Bro. Gordon Spurlock. My lodge had a custom ring with him, and it was only $100. I know, now days, you can get a ring for about $25 if you really want to.

But this one was made by a bro, cut from steel, hollowed, ground, and the individual iconography placed and glued by hand. I liked that touch. I bought it and wore it every day. It had been "gold fired" as well, but that wore off after a year. That thing got beat to hell on the regular. Being steel, it even saved my finger from a few incidents.

About three years ago I started a new gig and started working in the office. I became a little more Masonic, I gained weight. All kidding aside, that ring became too tight to wear. Being steel, I can't resize it either. Insert long story about inspirational healthy living here. I was walking around the house last week and my current ring was noticeably loose. I thought, "Huh, I wonder if my old ring would fit again."

Turns out, it did. I smiled, and kept it on. It's nice to have it back.

Oh, I almost forgot, "Points Out" ;)

~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.

Masonic Wisdom: The Wisdom Shouts!

by Midnight Freemason Guest Contributor

WB Luciano M. Azevedo

"There comes the wisdom, shouting out in the streets, in the public square: Hear my warnings and I will open my heart to you and make you wise!" 1st Proverb of Solomon (Verse 23)

Although King Solomon's writings have been written in Hebrew, I believe the best word to explain the invitation of wisdom is "Metanoia." This word of many vowels is a Greek word that means "Expansion of Mind" or “which goes beyond” / Noia means: mind.

The most propagating or expanding matter is light. So, the expansion of consciousness or the acceptance of the wisdom invitation is often compared by the modern philosophers of the Enlightenment as: the "Light" or the "discovery."

Leaving the darkness of ignorance from the profane world to the Light of Masonry can also be called a process of “Metanoia”

Upon being brought to Light you must have a state of mind in which you are predisposed to change your essence, consequently controlling your judgment, your anger and your desires.

Those who accept this invitation according to our Most Worshipful King Solomon and hear the warnings of the wisdom and let them sink into their hearts, become wise! They learn how to love, to forgive and to perform acts of justice. Therefore accepting this invitation means a complete transformation. A transformation of consciousness not just a change of opinion; It is a change of the way of thinking; It is not just a substitution of an information for another; is actually acquiring more and more knowledge inexhaustibly!

It is like an "insight", a change of our "inner posture", a "revelation" that changes your way of thinking completely. It is not that you change your mind, you change yourself.

This is the idea of metanoia: The Expansion of Consciousness.

Masonic wisdom says, "Come hear my voice. If you go through a “metanoia” you will be completely transformed. You will be more tolerant. Will love more. You will understand that loving your brother is not just about an obligation is pure wisdom."

Fool is the one who rejects it, and who thinks there is more pleasure on ignorance. Changing is very painful for them. They prefer to hide behind silly jokes or the tireless chase for power. They prefer the perverse desires of greed, envy and control... Simply because they are just opinions and wills of an unchanging mind, unable to accept the invitation of WISDOM, so then confined to the lesser and perverse world that has not yet Passed, and Raised through "Metanoia". Through the light that expands…

My prayer: May the Light expand our consciousness and of all regular Masons. May we all accept the “Wisdom Invitation” and therefore, and consequentially, may brotherly love prevail and every moral and social virtue cements us. Amen.

~LMA

WB Luciano M. Azevedo holds an MBA and Bachelor in Business Administration. He has published several scientific and philosophical essays and articles in the secular world. As a sommelier he wrote his own column for a major wine magazine for many years. In Freemasonry Brother “Lou”  has contributed with many articles from a philosophical  basic approach to an ethical decision-making in regards to masonic conduct.  He is the current Worshipful Master of Zurich Lodge 1089 of A.F&A.M of the State of Illinois. W. Bro Luciano is also a member or the Grand Lodge Leadership Committee of the State of Illinois, a  32 Degree active member of the Scottish Rite Valley of Chicago and a Shrine Noble of the Medinah Shriners.