What Now?

by Midnight Freemason Contributor

Bro. Robert Walk Jr.

"Well, what now?", one of my instructors asked me.

Yeah, what now? Why don't you tell me? Brent and myself stood for our proficiency in the 3rd Degree two nights ago, and passed with flying colors. After we sat down, and were declared proficient, the presentation of the lodge budget was given. And as I sat there listening, I hoped it looked like I was listening because I sure wasn't. I wasn't really able to focus on the issue at hand, because the question was nagging -- what now? I think this question is asked far too often by newly Raised Master Masons, because the deeper meanings of the degrees are not ripe to be seen by candidates. That, however, is a subject for a different time, Brethren.

This particular topic of discussion is a difficult one to attend to at this particular time in Craft Masonry. It seems that on the sidelines sit all of the WW2 Masons that came in, because they wanted to have some sort of social connection similar to what they had in the service they retired from. There is nothing in the least wrong with this. As I've said on other occasions one of the things that struck me so viscerally was the rather deep feeling of Brotherhood I gained upon being Entered into the lodge. There is nothing like it..."this of ours." These Brothers grew up in a time where their particular religions and spirituality came first, and nothing else was to be broached on the topics that may step over that heavy rope.

At the same time, there is the question of why when Masons are Raised they never end up coming back to lodge after that momentous event. The question truly begs: why? I believe it is due to what was lost when our dear fraternity was given over to rote memory, mere socialization and charity. As far as I'm aware, prior to this influx of members there is a "brand" of Masonry that was practiced which educated, developed and helped the Mason to "become a better man." And this "brand" of Masonry included just that -- education.

This sort of education included research papers, discussion, and contemplation of the ritual, symbols and lectures given us in the Three Degrees of Masonry. These meetings were rather solemn events, with a deeply contemplative tone which has been -- please forgive me here -- lost to the blue lodge today. It is my own belief, and indeed understanding (as I practiced many of the contemplative traditions of the East) that were such an environment cultivated and practiced now, many of the Masons that didn't return after being Raised would more than gladly sit in lodge four times a month or more. Their expectations while simply a petitioner would have been satisfied, and they would have become -- given the proper conditions -- better men.

What now, indeed, Brethren? Do you have a part in bringing these rich traditions back to your local blue lodge, or will you continue to suffer the endless pancake breakfasts and stated meetings dedicated solely to paying those bills that come around every. single. month. Oh, these are surely important, please don't get me wrong. However, at a period in time where you don't see even 3% of your lodge membership show up for stated meetings, what is it we're moving toward exactly? I have asked the Worshipful Master of my own lodge to allow me to start a group for Masonic education.

As the meeting was winding down, and the Worshipful Master ready to close the lodge, my eyes were falling shut due to some fatigue and a hair's bit of boredom. I looked back at one of my instructors, and his chin was in his left hand. Looks like I'm not far from Good company. We wrapped up, went downstairs for a coffee and got in our cars to drive off. I looked back at my degrees and proficiencies, without a word to recite on the drive home.

What now?

~RW

Brother Robert Walk Jr. is the creator and sole writer for On Freemasonry and Humble Pie: a Wordpress blog dedicated to his experiences and journey from being a petitioner, to Initiation, Passing, and to being Raised. A dialysis technician being his main work, he enjoys writing, rock climbing, drumming and craft beer in his free time. He is a Master Mason at Jephthah Lodge No. 222, A.F.&A.M. in Essex, MD.

The Brotherly Love of the Lodge(s)

by Midnight Freemason Guest Contributor

Bro. Mike Kennelly

I am a Master Mason, barely. I was raised on 29 February, 2014. When it comes to Freemasonry I ama greenhorn. I am proud of the work I have put in and am very grateful for the help that I received from others at the start of this ruff and windy journey. I am a member of Williams-Grand Canyon #38, and I have found a welcome home. 

Lodge #38 is not unique. Low membership and a shortage of younger men have made the average age of our members closer to the end than to the beginning of their Masonic journeys. This is typical of small rural lodges such as Williams-Grand Canyon #38.

My lodge is so small in fact that we have to “borrow” members from another lodge located 30 miles east of Williams just to perform degree work.

At first I thought that a lodge that could not fill enough seats to perform their own ceremonies to be a sort of a letdown. Do I really want to become a member of this lodge when I could just drive 30 miles east to a lodge with many more members who are a lot closer to my age? The answer came to me in a flash. That answer was YES, a big girl being asked to prom type of yes!

I live in Williams Arizona. It just does not seem right to represent another city as my home lodge. Just like the rising high school sports star that leaves his hometown the summer before junior year to play ball for the bigger city down the road. It is done, but it does not feel right, and the locals feel this too.

Imagine what would happen if all new Masons took that trek to another lodge and left their local lodge with aging members. The lodge would never renew itself. Just like a forest the year after a fire, Masonic lodges must generate re-growth. New members are the carriers of the seeds that will rejuvenate the ancient forests and keep them healthy and strong, making them too beautiful and too thick to cut down.

Representing your local lodge is important but that was not the deciding factor in my decision to join Williams #38. What made me take the invitation to the prom was that I have the unique opportunity of having the friendship and brotherly love of two lodges.

The other lodge, 30 miles east of Williams is Flagstaff Lodge #7. Flagstaff Arizona is much bigger that Williams, still pretty rural compared to Phoenix, but Flagstaff does have enough good men to run a successful lodge. Flagstaff #7 does have its fair share of older Masons (many are dual members that also belong to Williams #38), but it also has a fresh crop of relatively young Masons that are closer to my age of 34.

These two lodges, #38 and #7 are similar, of course, but also very unique. The stated meetings in Williams have been known to last around 40 minutes. That’s about an hour and a half shorter that the stated meetings in Flagstaff. The members of Flagstaff #7 dress more on the formal side. In Williams the pair of sweatpants or shorts worn to lodge is not a rare occurrence. The WM of Williams #38 sometimes trades his top hat for a thirst quenching 10 gallons of hat… A firearm on your hip seems almost mandatory. The Williams’s lodge room looks like Flagstaff’s lodge room after eating a cookie from Alice in Wonderland, identical but half of the size.

Upon my initiation as an EA, a man with a booming voice (plural member) invited me to visit him at the Flagstaff Lodge to practice my proficiencies and to discuss Masonry. I soon found out that “the voice” was the secretary Flagstaff Lodge #7. I met with the voice on several occasions. In our discussions he pointed to two businesses in Flagstaff who seem to employ only Masons. “These guys would be a great help to you on your trip up the Winding Stairs” said the voice in the way only a booming voice knows. Two of these Masons were people I had done business with for years and had no idea that they were part of the fraternity! Whoa, these guys are good a keeping secrets.

Soon after that I gathered some courage and decided to get out of my comfort zone and just show up at these businesses with hopes of not getting tossed out for bothering people at work. The tossing did not come. I introduced myself, begged for help, and handed them a box of doughnuts (how can anyone be annoyed with the man who brings donuts?). I did not have to beg. The employees/Masons at both businesses welcomed me with open hearts and offered to help me with my proficiencies anytime I wanted.

Proficiency practice was just a sample of what I received from these guys. I was shown that Freemasonry is much more that memorizing some lines and ritual. Discussions on Freemasonry are a form of mining. I was taught to use the tools of Masonry to mine deep into the meaning of what I was memorizing, and to excavate deeper into the infinite space between the words to bring to light the true meaning of my work. These men made me a Mason.

My Masonic experience reminds me of Chicken and Waffles. Two Lodges with Two unique flavors mixed perfectly make one hell of a tasty and satisfying dish. The differences between the lodges do not divide, they bring us together. The differences are what we find interesting. The differences give us something to talk about. Both lodges are quick to poke fun of each other when forgotten lines are exposed during degree work. “What is that, the short form?” is often loudly whispered when such mistakes are made. Everyone gets a laugh and a little bit closer. The friendly harassment is just extra syrup on those waffles.

What I see is two distinct lodges, coming together, setting aside differences, and making the Masonic experience better for all involved. And, when a Mason starts down that ruff and rugged road, it is always best to travel with friends. So believe me when I say that I was extremely proud that when the WM extended to me his right hand and invested me with friendship and brotherly love, it was the friendship and brotherly love of two lodges.

~MK

Bro. Michael Kennelly is a new Master Mason being raised in Williams - Grand Canyon Lodge #38. He is also the father of three ages; 16, 14, and 10, he is a busy brother. He is a utilities director for a private golf course in Flagstaff AZ. Bro. Kennelly lives by the motto "CDC" (consistency + discipline = CONFIDENCE).

The Twelfth

Ever since he was a profane, this man, now Brother would email me and ask questions. Not long ago, he finally was raised to the Sublime Degree of a Master Mason. Of course I am speaking about Brother Robert Walk Jr.

Brother Robert Walk Jr. is a brand new Master Mason with an old soul, he maintains his own blog On Freemasonry & Humble Pie as well as stopping by "The Midnight Freemasons" every once in a while to give us a guest post. I know Brother Walk had been clamoring for his third degree, but what he didn't know, is that I too was clamoring for it, as it meant I would then be able to invite him to join us here on our little blog.

About a week after Brother Walk's raising, I sent him an official invitation to join us as a regular contributor, needless to say, he accepted. I can not tell you all how excited I am to have Brother Walk's writing talent as well as his eternal bond as a Brother. I know I speak for everyone when I say "Welcome to the group!".


Brother Robert Walk Jr. is the creator and sole writer for On Freemasonry and Humble Pie: a Wordpress blog dedicated to his experiences and journey from being a petitioner, to Initiation, Passing, and to being Raised. A dialysis technician being his main work, he enjoys writing, rock climbing, drumming and craft beer in his free time. He is a Master Mason at Jephthah Lodge No. 222, A.F.&A.M. in Essex, MD.