A quote from the Scottish Rite

“… the square and the compasses, the gavel and the rule.  They are emblems of his virtues and authority; and let everyone who wears or uses them remember that he will become an imposter in the ranks of honor, if he dishonors them by any act of baseness, or by sloth becomes unworthy of them.”  5^th Degree Perfect Master.

I became a Mason for a reason.  To me it isnt just a fraternity or a place to sit and hang out with guys a couple times a month.  True, the fraternal aspect is an important part of my experience, but the aspect of working together with these brothers to achieve a common goal is even more so.

In the first degree we learn that Charity is a major part of the Masonic experience.  In the fouth degree we learn that one of the Nine Great Masonic Virtues is Devotion.  As a Mason, I believe that I am bound to be devoted to my craft.  Devoted to one of the most important aspects of our Masonic life, Charity.  Charity to me isnt just putting on one big fund raiser a year or a couple small ones, just to say we did something.  Charity is a way of life that we must live on a daily basis.  Devotion to our craft doesn’t mean we neglect our responsibilities to be an active part of the Lodge, but it means we strike a perfect balance, as per the 24 inch rule.  8 hours to rest and relaxation, 8 hours to our vocation and 8 hours to our craft.

I personally do not wish to become that Mason who has allowed sloth to make me unworthy of my emblems.  Nor do I strive to be that Mason whose devotion to the craft has removed me from my other responsibilities and pursuits in life.  But if I see an event planned out in advance and it doesn't conflict with anything other than me sitting around and watching TV or hanging out, I will choose to attend it.  It serves to do what I joined the Masons for, to take a man and make him better.  If I choose to attend it, I attend it.  I don’t use some lame excuse not to show up or to cancel at the last minute, I gave my word that I would go by virtue of my RSVP or promise.  I know that others, who worked hard to put on an event or set up a meeting or prepare a presentation are counting on me to attend.  I know that the charitable effort needs my attendance to succeed.  I know that my promise to volunteer will have a positive impact on someone’s life.

All too often I see men become masons and sit on the sidelines and just let others do the work.  I personally can not do that.  I want to make a difference for my craft or those who my craft supports.  I know that my devotion may be contagious and that other men may see that and strive to match my efforts.  I know that the new Entered Apprentices will see my devotion and believe that we still stand true to our reputation.  They will know that we are not just a network of men, but a network of men that mean action.  Movers and shakers who really do affect the pulse of the world.

I am a Mason and that means something to me.  It means something to others outside of our craft and I want them to see the truth in that reputation.  That we are all good men, working on making ourselves and the world better.