Returning to Lodge: Planning the Trestleboard during a Pandemic

by Midnight Freemason Contributor

Bro. Michael Arce

In Masonic jurisdictions across the United States, Brothers are anxiously anticipating the return to Lodge meetings. Virtual meetings kept us connected through computer screens and cellphones during the virus shutdown. Sure, they were a great fix, but no one would suggest that distance-meetings are a permanent solution to replacing face-to-face meetings. For one, Freemasonry is unique in the ritual performed to open and close our Lodge meetings. The standard of character for each man in attendance, decorum for the room, and respect of the traditions during a Lodge meeting are lost when dialing into a virtual meeting from my kitchen table.

In New York State, the last Lodge meeting I attended was Monday, March 2nd, when we raised two new Brothers in their 3rd Degree. There was talk that evening due to the impending coronavirus outbreak in New York City that it may be some time before we would be able to meet again safely. April 2nd, our Grand Master, MW Willaim M. Sardone, issued a proclamation that postponed all Masonic activities and events until further notice. Looking back at my calendar, Monday, April 13th, was my first "Virtual Masonic Meeting" hosted by Masters Lodge #5 in Albany, New York. I remember thinking there would be five of us that night since this was my first attempt to attend online. As it would turn out, there were almost 20 Brothers in attendance that night! The virtual meetings continued through the end of our Masonic year in June with education programs, discussions, and after-hours conversations that stayed late in the evening.

As the dark months of summer set in, Brothers would check the Grand Lodge of New York State's website, hoping for an update from our Grand Master on when Lodge's could reopen. Like small business owners, those working from home, or Americans furloughed due to the pandemic; we sought even the slightest sign of normalcy in an era of confusion. One tradition I want to share from my jurisdiction that brought relief every evening is the 9PM Toast to Absent Brethern on our District's private Facebook group page. Every evening, a new Brother would honor posting a toast, each putting his personal mark on the event. "To our absent Brothers, may we soon be reunited."

On July 2nd, the Grand Master released his edict authorizing Lodges to resume regular activity. We were allowed to hold a rare member-only (Mother Lodge) meeting over the summer for the sole purpose of the election and installation of officers. Freemasonry was back in New York State! At least, for now... that was the concern, "what happens if we have to shut things down again?" A few days after the Grand Master's letter, I invited the officers of my Lodge over for dinner. We gathered outside on my patio, each Brother sitting six feet apart, for burgers and a beer. This was the first time the five of us had gotten together in months. I'm sure you can imagine what the main conversation topic was that night.

Lodge. Precisely, what would the Trestleboard resemble in September?

The conversation picked up again a week later when the officer line met to plot calendar dates for a second time. This was my second experience working with a Master on his Trestleboard. I can see why it is sometimes referred to as a tracing board, in that, dates and events are often subject to change due to several reasons. The DDGM's Official Visit, weather, degrees... so many factors can affect even the best-laid plans. Since our Lodge meets twice a month, September was easy to plot. The first meeting will be the election and officer installation. Our second meeting falls in October, "we'll do a walkabout of the Lodge," the Master suggested. When we turned the page to November an air of uncertainty was detected. We usually host a Thanksgiving Dinner on the second meeting of the month, which serves as the Lodge fundraiser. "Are we going to be able to plan for food for more than our immediate members this year," one Brother asked. "Are we even going to be able to have a meeting," I said out loud.

A hush fell.

A segment of Masons fall into the category of "at-risk" due to their age or underlying health conditions (or both). And we were aware of the increase of coronavirus cases being reported in July, having experienced the spring shutdown in New York State; a resurgence of COVID-19 was a real possibility. We all agreed that even with the strictest safety protocols in place, following the guidelines of wearing a mask, no physical contact in the Lodge room, physical distancing, and washing of hands - history does not guarantee that we would be able to hold a meeting. Sensing the stress in the group, I asked a question to change the subject.

"Are there any records in our archives or minutes of how the Lodge operated during the Spanish Flu?" All eyes turned to our Past Master, Michael A. Hernandez. He is deeply familiar with the history of Mount Vernon Lodge #3. It was soon apparent that Bro. Hernandez had searched the archives. He looked up and said, "On Monday, October 21st, 1918, the following resolution was adopted. 'Resolved that out of respect of the order of the civil authorities forbidding any public or private assemblage on account of an epidemic of influenza, this meeting should be closed until our next stated communication, unless specially convened.'"

That was it? The Spanish Flu devasted the United States for two years, and, I'm sorry, the only record was one sentence?

Bro. Hernandez understood my surprise. He shared his idea to include a letter and accompanying correspondence to be added to the Lodge's permanent records. Below is a portion of his letter that I found moving.

"While these materials can in no way serve as a complete and comprehensive synopsis of what transpired during these several months, we do hope that it will serve as a memorial and testament to the fact that during this time this Lodge and Freemasonry endured."

In our Old 17th District Facebook group, I asked if any Lodge Secretary had a Lodge record from the Spanish Flu. I want to thank RW Timothy Smith, Secretary of Mount Zion Lodge #311, for contributing this letter. It's dated October 17, 1918. What is significant about this time is that the city of San Fransisco had implemented a shutdown and enforced mask-wearing in public that fall to combat the Spanish Flu spread. The city ended up with nearly 45,000 cases and over 3,000 reported deaths. While Americans were dealing with a pandemic at home, in Europe, our soldiers were fighting in World War I. This communication is with Bro. George Barnes, an Army Corporal, stationed in France during WW1. It is very possible that his unit was part of the Aisne Offensive during the summer of 1918.

In his book, The Life of Reason: The Phases of Human Progress, Spanish-born American philosopher George Santayana wrote the famous line, "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." As we look ahead, into the uncertainty that is our future during this pandemic, I find it reassuring that Freemasonry (in some form) has been present before written record. We are students of history who seek to learn the ancients' secrets, collect knowledge, preserve it, and build a better tomorrow. We have been tried and never denied --- we have survived my Brothers. Let us follow the principles of Friendship, Morality, and Brother Love as we consider our interactions and responsibility during these unprecedented times.

I want to include this line in Bro. Hernandez's letter to future Brothers as his words capture the spirit of how we best come together to serve and work.

"As we moved beyond this initial uncertainty and trepidation, many of our Brothers took it upon themselves to reach out to each other and offer any assistance that their circumstances permitted them to offer. Additionally, numerous acts of kindness and generosity were recorded, which manifested in tangible ways the principles and tenets of our Venerable Institution at a time when the world needed them most."

~MA

Brother Michael Arce is a member of Mt. Vernon Lodge #3 in Albany, New York. When not in Lodge, Bro. Arce is the Marketing Manager for Capital Cardiology Associates in Albany, New York. He enjoys meeting new Brothers and hearing how the Craft has enriched their lives. He can be reached at michael.arce@me.com

What Now?

by Midnight Freemason Contributor

WB Darin A. Lahners

I had a local brother, Jim Licquia, email me this weekend asking me to write a column to address some questions he had. While it’s too early to assess this, I will attempt to answer his questions, because they are questions that all of us have thought about during this crisis. Because Jim and I are both members of Illinois Grand Lodge, I will be using the framework of things we do in Illinois to answer him. If it doesn’t apply to your jurisdiction, then it doesn’t apply to you.

His questions are:

1. How do we, as Masons, stay connected to our Craft?

2. What will be left of us when the lockdown ends?

3. How much will we have lost, and what can we do to rebuild?

My answer to the first question brings up some more questions:

How did you stay connected to our Craft before this?

A. Did you only feel connected by attending stated meetings and degrees? Indeed, we can’t meet in person and hold fellowship, but we can still meet. I see social media flooded with virtual opportunities for Masonic Education and Fellowship.

Aside from that, set up a virtual check-in for the Brothers in your Lodge, or at least check up on them. Make sure they don’t need anything. Most of the Lodge business that your Lodge has can be taken care of either by holding a virtual meeting or via email.

B. Are you making use of the 24-inch gauge? You should be using this time to improve yourself by learning new rituals or refreshing the existing ritual that you know. You should be practicing floor work in your home. If you’re a Deacon, are you practicing your rod work? If you have a broom, you have a rod. Practice. Practice. Practice. We all have that one book about Freemasonry that we’ve been meaning to read. Take the time to read it.

C. Are you using this time for non-Masonic self-improvement? After all, we like to advertise that we take good men and make them better. Self-improvement isn’t solely Masonic. Use this time to practice mindfulness, learn a new skill, pick up a new hobby, and reconnect with your spouse and/or family.

To summarize; your connection to the Craft should not be any different than it was prior to this crisis, because you always should be making an effort to maintain that connection. The environment might have changed, but the effort you need to put forward remains.

In Illinois, at the conclusion of a 3rd Degree, many Lodges allow the newly raised Master Mason to address the brethren attending and have the Brethren attending go around the Lodge room and introduce themselves. Ultimately, I always hear someone tell the new Master Mason, “You get out of Freemasonry what you put into it.” While there is a level of truth to this, I abhor this phrase. I have always felt that we’re giving the new Master Mason an excuse to not put in any effort towards the Craft because we’re not holding him accountable. All of the degrees in Illinois end with a Charge. They are mostly to the candidate, but in the 3rd degree, there is a charge to the Lodge as well. One of the definitions of Charge is to impose a duty, responsibility, or obligation on. What we should be saying is: “Live your charges”. If you are doing this, then you shouldn’t have any questions about your connection to the Craft.

The second and third question are I think are pretty much the same.

2. What will be left of us when the lockdown ends?

3. How much will we have lost and what can we do to rebuild?

I’d like to say that the Craft won’t see any adverse effects from this. However, I’d be foolish to answer that way. There will be some impact. However, it is probably too soon to make any concrete conclusions. We will need to assess after this is all done. I don’t know when that is going to be.

Much of this is going depend on how much we’re allowed to have contact, if we’re going to be allowed to meet in groups larger than 10 people, there is so much unknown at this point that I can’t give a definite answer. I will do my best to address this based upon what I think may happen. Once again, this is just my opinion.

Many of you may have already been negatively impacted by the pandemic. It may have impacted you negatively due to losing your job, a loved one, a Masonic Brother, or a friend. To those of you that have, my heart is broken for you, and my prayers go out for you. Some of us who haven’t been impacted may still be impacted at some point. We might experience some form of loss before this is said and done. We might see cases of someone who used to be active to become inactive because of their loss. We might lose a Brother who did a certain part during a degree, or who was an integral member of your Lodge. We may see Brothers walk away from the Craft. We might see some Lodges close or consolidate. We may have to change the way we do our floor work to conform to social distancing guidelines. We may have to wear masks. There is too much uncertainty right now for me to give a concrete answer regarding what has been lost. However, one thing is certain. The Craft may have to change, but it will endure.

Freemasonry is officially 302 years old if you count the start of the first Grand Lodge of England on June 24, 1717, as its birthday. We know it to be much older. The Regius Poem is the oldest document that makes reference to Masons, and it was printed around 1390 and was a copy of earlier work. My point is that the Craft is much older than its official birthdate, and it has already survived darker periods of history. It will continue to survive. During this time, it has evolved. It will continue to evolve.

How do we rebuild?

I don’t think we will have much to rebuild. We may have to share some more of the load in our lodges to replace those that have been lost. What I hope to see come from this is a stronger Craft. I hope to continue to see the virtual education and fellowship opportunities after this, but that we don’t replace the in-person experience with a virtual one. I hope that we see men who hadn’t thought about joining the Craft previously think about joining because they will feel a need to have some male bonding or fellowship with other males after being locked away with their families for months, or because of the impact that your Lodge is having on your community during this crisis due to their charitable efforts. While we may see some Lodges fold, or consolidate, I believe that this just accelerated the inevitable. If a Lodge isn’t bringing in new members or providing its current members with a reason to show up, then it was already doomed. What we will see is the energy of a rejuvenated membership, and I’m excited about what that energy will do.

I will end the article with some lyrics from the song “Get Lucky” by Daft Punk. While maybe it’s not the most Masonic message in the song, but I think the beginning lyrics of the song are appropriate for the end of this article because it talks about new beginnings without losing one’s identity.

"Like the legend of the Phoenix

All ends with beginnings

What keeps the planet spinning

The force from the beginning

(Look)

We’ve come too far to give up who we are

So let’s raise the bar and our cups to the stars..."

~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.

A Similar Crisis

by Midnight Freemason Contributor

Steven L. Harrison, 33°, FMLR

It's not at all uncommon to hear someone on a news broadcast say, "I've never seen anything like this before," even when, in many cases, the event is not quite as unique as the news makes it out to be.

So along comes Coronavirus, and I've heard it said about a thousand times on news reports… say it with me... "I've never seen anything like this before." Maybe with a single exception… the AIDS epidemic… most of us actually never have seen something like this. There remain, however, a few centenarians who have experienced a similar crisis: the great Influenza epidemic of 1918, 102 years ago. In fact, I even saw a report of a 103-year-old woman in Italy who has now survived being stricken with both the 1918 flu and today's COVID-19 virus. I'm not sure if that makes her the luckiest person ever or the unluckiest.

The similarities between the two pandemics made me wonder how Masons reacted to the 1918 event. The documentation is spotty, but there are enough examples to indicate Freemasonry played a role in the relief effort.

In 1918, very few people had a telephone, and even fewer towns had access to a radio station. Mass media and social media were from a single source: newspapers. As the virus spread, the reaction from the press was surprisingly similar to the things we see in our current crisis. The United States Health Service issued guidelines that would be good advice even today. Newspapers printed that advice and issued calls for help to mitigate the fact public health facilities were being taxed to the limit. Sound familiar?

In similar fashion as today, Lodges and Grand Lodges alike suspended normal activities. Lacking email, Twitter, Facebook, and other communications tools, those Lodges also posted notifications in their local newspapers.

Freemasons rallied across the country. In lieu of meetings, Lodges did what they were equipped to do. Masons opened their kitchens and made food for victims and health workers alike. Many other Lodges made their dining facilities available to the public and served meals. In Pennsylvania, the Grand Lodge moved healthy elderly residents of a retirement home into a Lodge where they could be segregated from those in the residence already stricken with the flu.

Far and away, the main thing Freemasons did during the pandemic was to convert their Lodge buildings into hospitals, many in towns that had no hospital at all.

In short, the country was knee-deep in a crisis, and Freemasons were there to help. That begs the question, what are we doing today?

In spite of the similarities between the two pandemics, our response, or anyone's response for that matter, would have to be different. While hospital beds are in short supply in many areas, Masonic Lodges are not well-suited to be hospitals. Other large facilities such as arenas, hotels, and even temporary buildings are filling that gap.

We can't open our Lodges to serve as eating places given the quarantine regulations, and many Lodges are not equipped to cook and deliver meals. Besides, restaurants have taken over that function by delivering carry-out meals, sometimes at no charge.

Things are further complicated by the fact that in virtually all jurisdictions, Lodges can't meet. In my jurisdiction, that means we can't vote on any distribution of funds or other activities that would require the Lodge's consent. Also, today, as opposed to 1918, there are far more large and coordinated relief efforts taking charge and providing assistance. Still, there are areas of need where Grand Lodges or individual members can step in.

The Grand Lodge of Ohio issued a report that enumerates some of its activities on the local and state levels. There, individual Lodge Brothers are delivering food and supplies to those who can't get out. They are also deferring payment for those items if the recipients are unable to pay. One Brother has set up an online audiobook library using his own collection of books for members, their families, and widows to access and enjoy. Still, another Lodge is calling not only its members but others in the community to do wellness checks. Another Brother with access to Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) he has accumulated in his job through the years is donating it to the medical community.

Any one of these ideas or something similar (like individual donations to food banks) would be something a Lodge can do as a grassroots effort by its members, without requiring a vote in a stated meeting. We are Masons, and one of our great tenets is relief. We don't always need formal votes and large-scale programs to pitch in. We need Brothers who will do it because… that's what we do.

A century ago, Masons stepped up to be among those at the forefront during a devastating pandemic. A century from now, what will they say about the Masonic effort in this crisis?

* * *

Note: The author's grandfather, Cord Harrison, died in the 1918 pandemic. He was a druggist, likely infected by a customer. He died early in the crisis before its impact was fully understood.