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And those who would like to inquire within The following article is from the November 2015, Southern California, research, launched fraternal review Past Masters. When a brother comes to the point at which he lays aside responsibility of the mastership of a lodge stepped down from his rulership and is added to the role of Past Masters. He begins a period where he can leisurely view the position of
Master from a new angle. Previous to becoming an installed Master. He was merely the aspirant for the office, but having occupied the position of Master and be a now relieved of its anxieties. He reflects on the position and surveys the range of its influence, in a way he never could. Before he then discovers, that it is invested with traditions and Powers far in excess of what
he had previously conceived. And that the unqualified obedience loyalty and unfailing respect, shown him and the special privileges extended to him during his rulership, we're due to the position rather than To its occupant thus, having completed his term as master and passed, the Insignia on his exalted position on to his successor. He's now numbered with the Past Masters of the lodge. A kind of unofficial bodyguard with no specified duties
assigned to him. And yet with the understanding that he must hold himself in Readiness, to answer any call for assistance, that may reach his ears. The extent to which Past Masters count, depends, very largely on their personality and character and whether by counsel good leadership and efficient Administration, they have one confidence and esteem having themselves occupied.
The Masters chair, it is incumbent on them to uphold and support the present master and to do all in their power to radiate a healthy influence, and Inspire the rank, and file of the lodge with the spirit of Goodwill, their past experience as Masters, and their accumulated, Masonic knowledge should make them an invaluable to the lodge.
Past Masters, largely determine the character spirit and success of a lodge and its influence will depend much on their experience and considered judgment. Happy is the lodge which has a United band of loyal and devoted Past Masters. And this article is from Masonic information, for stated meetings, volume 1 page 16 by Jack, Levitt, Grandmaster of California and Hawaii 1986 The following article is from the June 1999, Scottish Rite Journal of Freemasonry, Southern jurisdiction, USA.
The old past Master understanding. By Carl H clotty, 33rd degree, a classic Masonic writing offers insights for every age. I've been amazing for a year. Now remarked, the young brother to the old past Master while I find a great deal in masonry to enjoy and like the fellows and all that I'm more or less in the dark as to what good masonry really is in the world. I don't mean I can't.
Preciate it's charity or his Fellowship, but it seems to me that I don't get much out of it. I can't really see why it has any function outside of the relationship. We enjoy in the lodge and the charitable acts. We do I think I could win an argument about you smiled the past master and argument about me. Yes, you say you have been a Master Mason for a year.
I think I could prove to the satisfaction of a jury of your peers who would not need to be Master Masons that while you are a lodge member in good standing, you are not a match. Mr. Mason I don't think I quite understand puzzle, the young mason, I was quite surely initiated past and raised.
I have my certificate in my good standing card, I attend Lodge regularly, I do what work on the side if that isn't being a Master Mason. What is You have the body but not the spirit returned to the old past Master you eat the husks and disregard the colonel. You know, the ritual and fail to understand its meaning you carry the documents but for you they
attest but an empty form. You do not understand the first underlying principle, which makes masonry the great for she is and yet in spite of it, you enjoy her blessings, which is one of her Miracles. A man may love and profit by what he does not comprehend. I just don't understand you at all. I am sure. I'm a good Mason. No man is a good Mason who thinks the fraternity has no function Beyond Pleasant Association in the lodge and charity.
There are thousands of Mason's who seldom see, the inside of a lodge and therefore missed the fellowship. There are thousands who never need or support her charity. And so never come in contact with one of his many features. Yet these may take freely and largely from the Treasure House,
which is masonry, masonry. My young friend is an opportunity, it gives a man a chance to do, and to be among the world of men, Something he otherwise could not attain no man kneels at the altar of masonry and rises again. The same man at the altar, something is taken from him, never to return his feelings of living for himself alone. Be he ever so selfish ever so centered, ever. So much, an individualist at the altar, he leaves behind him. Some of the dross of his purely profane makeup.
No man kneels at the altar of masonry and Rises the same, man, because in the place where the dross in selfish were is put a little of the most Divine spark which men may see where was the self-interest is put an interest in others.
Where was the egotism is? Put love for one's fellow, man, you say that the fraternity has no function, man the fraternity performs, a greatest function of any institution at work among men and that it provides a common meeting ground where all of us be our Creed are Social position, our wealth, our ideas, our station of Life. What they may be, may meet and understand one another what caused the Civil War failure of one, people to understand another and an inequality of
men, which is country could not endure. What caused the Great War class hatred? What is the greatest level of class in the world masonry? Where is the only place in which a capitalist and laborer socialist and Democrat, fundamentalist in modernist, Jew and Gentile, sophisticated in simple, alike meet and forget. Their differences in a masonic lodge, through the influence of masonry masonry, which opens her portals to men because they are
men. Not because they are wealthy or wise or foolish or great or small, but because they seek the Brotherhood which only she can give masonry has no function. Y son, the function of Charity great as it is is the least of the things masonry does. The fellowship in the lodge beautiful as it is is that best not much more than one can get in any good club Association. Organization. These are the beauties of masonry but there are also the
beauties of other organizations. The great fundamental beauty of masonry is all her own. She and only, she stretches a kindly and loving hand around the world United millions in a bond too strong for breaking time has demonstrated, that masonry is too strong for war too strong for hate too strong for jealousy and fear. The worst of men have used the strongest of means and have but pushed masonry to one side for
the moment. Not all of their efforts, have broken her or ever will masonry gives us all a chance to do and to be, to do a little, however, humble the part in making the world better to be a little larger, a little Fuller, in our lives, a little nearer to the great architect of the universe. And unless a man understands this believes, it takes it to his heart and lives it in his daily life.
And strives to show it forth to others in his Every Act, unless he live and love and labor in his masonry. I say he Master Mason I though he belonged to All rights and carry all cards though he be hung as a Christmas tree with jewels and pins though. He be an officer in all bodies. But the man who has it in his heart and sees in masonry, the chance to be in reality what he has sworn, he would be a brother
to his fellow. Masons is a Master Mason, though he be raised, but tonight belongs to nobody. But his blue Lodge and Bea too. Poor to buy and wear a single pin, the Young Brother looking down. Unfasten the emblem from his coat lapel. L and handed it to the old past master. Of course you are, right? He said lowly. Here's my pen. Don't give it back to me until you think I'm worthy to wear it. The old past Master smiled. I think you had better put it back on.
Now he answered gently. None are more fit to wear the Square and Compass has then those who know themselves unworthy for they are those who strive to be real Masons. Life after the east by, right? Wash full, Richard s morally and this article is from the November 2015, 7, California research. Lodge fraternal review Anyone who has served in the east of any Masonic Lodge has a special feeling of satisfaction and pride in his accomplishments.
In that office, it is only natural that he will also have a feeling of regret that he was not able to accomplish everything he had hoped during his term. He will also have second thoughts on how he handled some situations. But what about life after the East? What happens, then that depends on the individual and his attitude. There are some who relinquish the gavel with great reluctance. And there are some who never seem to give it up and yes.
There are some unfortunately more than we would like who walk away from the job and never appeared. Look back and sell them. Come back. We need to keep our past Masters involved in our lodges and many cases are Past Masters are referred to as the backbone of the lodge in many lodges the Past Masters. Sit Close to the east where they've been compared to Buzzard
sitting on a fence. It seems they want to be near the master so that they can see and hear everything that is going on and of course, they are willing ready and able to assist prompt or correct the master. Unfortunately, I've seen too many lodges that have only a few Past Masters involved in the lodge or none at all. We need to get these past Masters re involved in Lodge. They once led the lodge now, they need to help aid and assist the seated master.
And why is Master recognizes the talents of the Past Masters and puts them to good use. They can serve as a sounding board for the programs and activities of Master is considering he can pick their brains for ideas and count on the Past Masters, to give him the wisdom of their experience with the title of past Master. You are accorded, the Accolade of worshipful indicating that you are an honored and respected
brother. It is a reputation which you must continually strive to uphold Okay, our third and final article in this episode is also from the Southern California research. Large fraternal review, November 2015, and is actually a reprint of the short talk bulletin, where have all the Past Masters gone by Edward D Potter, Junior. A recent worshipful master used, the illustration of standing on the shoulders of Masters who had gone before him.
He spoke of dedicated brothers who served as models mentors and guides to walk with him during his year in the East and Beyond, he felt the weight of the collar of leadership within the lodge. His year was considered very successful but within a momentary flash he was a past Master, he asks himself. So what now he sees the next new master struggling at thanks? Well, at least, he's paying his dues just like I did.
No one offered me any in I to maintain the tenants or continuity for the good of the lodge Past Masters. Can provide invaluable support to all who they previously challenged at their state of meetings convert degrees upon and strove to provide educational and transformational programs. A look at the Past Masters pyramid May provide Insight. That is not often discussed within the lodge. It appears that without proper support. The pyramid or the lodge May
topple or falter. On the surface. One might say that the key to this support is having all the progressive officer, chairs filled with competent brothers. That was easy enough to say in the post-world war, two era. But today, these chairs may, or may not be filled with brothers, who are willing and interested in, moving to the east.
There's an assumption that if one is shown what to do, several times, everything will be okay in the ritual business of the lodge funeral services, Etc. We all know that it takes much more than this. It takes lots of practice with all officers participating, Elected and appointed officers. Need a guiding hand both collectively and individually. Each individual officers chair should have an active chair Mentor a position that could be filled by a past Master.
The Past Masters would not only provide expertise in dialogue, floor, work and duties but also could form a bond with officers and possibly renew their own commitment to the lodge. One-pass master of a lodge was witnessed, focusing on a newly raised Master Mason who is sitting in the perseverance, chair for the first time, his lips moved as the purse of on spoke and the gray head, nodded as the young man moved the occasional, frown was the Past Masters awareness of something,
not right after the purse. Avant informed. The Tyler that the lodge was closed in the meeting ended up a spring. This past Master with hand extended towards his charge and congratulated him on a job. Well done, followed by some well phrase, corrections to improve the ritual for the next date of meeting.
The chair Mentor is one who keeps abreast of ritual changes and officer requirements of the Grand Lodge by attending the school of instruction and Lodge practices and the unfortunate incidents of an officer deciding not to continue in the Progressive chairs and active packs, Master can step in and keep the line strong and moving East decisions should be framed by first asking whether it will benefit the lodge in the Brethren the natural officer progression.
Allows a brother time to acclimate to Ritual business degrees and his fellow officers with New role of the chair Mentor jumping would become rare because the past Master would provide the type of leadership to help guide his charges movements through the officers. Chairs are Past Masters, are one of the greatest resources a large can have. You don't have to ask about their loyalty and desire. To see the lodge Prosper. They went through the chairs and
answer the call to the east. Many Past Masters have died. Father, time is weighing others down and the Four Winds have scattered others. But within your Lodge is a core of Past Masters. The call from the lodge is being sent forth again. Come past Masters, help us by lending your time and talents in Reviving The Lodge to become a
lodge men will want to join. Your participation will help put the muscle into an already flexed-arm poised to support the lodge by providing one, better ritual, to retention of officers in their chairs. Three increased membership for continuity through planning and five, coordination of actions from the lodge room. Full of Brothers in the 1950s and 1960s with a line of Brethren waiting.
Start in the chairs and move to the east to the lodge room today, with more empty chairs on the sidelines than filled with members, the lodge room can look a little anemic. We need are Past Masters to provide the leadership and oversee the structure of the officer line as never before brother. Can you lend a helping hand? Edward dupatta. Jr. Is serving as the 2015 worshipful master of Red Lion.
Lodge number 649 in Red Lion. Pennsylvania, a former educator, he is active in a variety of York, right? Scottish Rite, Masonic research organizations, So this article is from the December 1999, Scottish Rite Journal of Freemasonry and it really enjoyed this article and it made me kind of think back on some of the Masons that I know and have known that have laid down their working tools.
So with that, let's dive into the article called, tell us past Master by Bobby. J demet 33rd degree Deeply moved by the beauty of masonry. Some newly made Mason's ask the old past Master to tell them more about the Masonic apron and the older man replied masonry regards no man for the clothes, he wears the house in which he lives the kind of car he drives or the other luxuries. He owns or uses all Masons are equal when in the lodge room and all are clothed in the same
manner. The apron is the only raiment we see Mason stand before God equal to one another. And the apron is the sign of equality. In ancient times, the aprons were manufactured from the skins of lambs animals, deemed can be pure and without taint, thus the wearer of the apron assumes, the characteristics virtues Purity and innocence typified by the lamb Mason's were two. Aprons one visible and one invisible.
The visible one is a symbolic gift from the lodge to the Mason. It is made of worldly. Material and is subject to Decay and destruction. The invisible apron is the gift of God. To every man who would assume the responsibilities and obligations, which entitle him to wear it. This apron is eternal not subject to Decay or destruction man sees only the visible God sees both, and he holds him accountable who wears the honor Badge of this Masonic Lodge.
The young Mason's then said, tell us more about the square, the old past Master replied, the operative Mason's used the square to determine if the rough ashlar were trimmed into a block of 90° on all corners and thus, fit for the builders use. The perfect ashlar is always formed from a rough ashlar by removing excess material Never by adding to it, the rough ashlar always contains a perfect Bachelor and the stone is tested many times by the square to determine if it is fit for the
builders use and base. the rough ashlar is symbolic of the man who enters the lodge for the first time and the perfect ashlar is symbolic of the Master Mason in a moral sense, the square is a symbol of Morality In truth, justice. And righteousness man should refrain from doing to others, what? He would not have others. Do to him. This is called the principle of acting on the Square and has been a rule of guidance for men. Since long before the time of Christ, every person has a try
square of his own. It's called a conscience. We use this to measure our thoughts words and deeds as to, whether they are true or false, the extent to which this test is applied to himself. In regard to his relations with his fellows, measures the extent to which each man's life will be stable, honest, true and happy, the young Mason's then said, tell us more of the level in the plum, the old past Master said, now the square is the tool to be used in the making of a perfect
ashlar. But the Plumb and level are concerned with the use of the perfect ashlar. In order to construct a wall, which is straight and strong, as stones are hewed into perfect ashlars and placed in the building wall and a level and vertical manner manner. Vested of their course habits and sinful matters, thus building a better life for the entire group through their
common effort. Each man is tested by his own Plumb line, his own conscience, in order, for him to fit properly, into the hole because no two men have the same talents, abilities or characteristics. No two men can use the same device to measure their Fitness. Then the young mason said, please pass master be more specific. We understand how to use the working tools to improve ourselves, but we are not clear as to how we can serve our fellow man in a society.
Which is so indifferent to the needs of others. And the old past, Master said, this is your challenge. Your brothers are confident that you are of high moral character. And you know that you are now part of a great Temple of masonry Masonic. Lee you have reached manhood, do your duty Thank you for listening. If you like what you heard, Please Subscribe and leave us a comment. We enjoy hearing from our
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