A Freemason's Christmas Wish

 

A Freemason's Christmas Wish  

-Bro. Andrew Bradley

It is the time of year when the Brethren rejoice,
and sing carols of praise in resounding voice.
Days of merriment and long nights of cheer,
as we all await the "Happy New Year!".
It is a time of family and life long friends,
a time of happiness and to make amends.
Roast turkey and baubles and the Nutcracker Suite,
we each have our own way to make Christmas complete.

As we stroll through this happy month of December
find time to pause and take time to remember
that distinguishing sign of a Freemason's heart -
those acts of Charity. How great they are.
As your family gathers 'round your Christmas tree,
and the children play with giggles of glee,
spare a thought for the poor, the man with no shoes,
whose money for food is less than your dues.

Remember also the Grand Lodge above,
and the Supreme Great Architect's act of love.
And practise those virtues we hold so true.
Have some fun! But let Temperance chasten you.
And during this season of peace and joy
look well to our future - the girl and boy.
Then wonder what lessons you may them teach,
and with your guidance what heights they may reach.

So, to all of my Brethren from far and wide,
whether your Christmas be snow, or hot and dry,
may the Architect grant his celestial boon
and keep your good health 'til we meet again soon.
Take care of yourself and those you find dear.
Keep this festive spirit throughout the next year.
Look toward your next date with our happy band.
'Til our next merry meeting. Apron, heart, and hand.

Exclusive Territorial Jurisdiction by Stewart W. Miner, PGM, GLDC

A Presentation on Masonic Exclusive Territorial Jurisdiction (ETJ) by RW Stewart W. Miner, PGM of the Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia.  Mr Miner notes that far from being rooted in the Constitutions or landmarks or even customary practices of Freemasonry from the Grand Lodge of England, that the practice is instead one based on pragmatic policies and politics in the American Masonic landscape.  Here in America the speaker notes, ETJ has never been uniformly practiced historically nor is it in modern times, and that such practices have come both with and without the approval of various grand lodges.  Mr Minor also expresses in an amusing personal anecdote that (prior to his research) he too, as Grand Secretary of the District of Columbia was upset to find that his grand lodge's "territory had been invaded". 

For those interested in further information we recommend this piece by noted Masonic scholar Paul Bessel. You will also find the text to Mr Miner's speech above here.

Simplicity of Being a Mason Among Masons

“What’s that you are reading?  So I see you are studying to be a Mason. What is that all about?”

"Give me a break; I'm just trying to figure out if this thing is for me at all."


As time passed and as I had more experience living as a Brother, it seemed as if just being a Mason was truly putting to ease this restless heart of mine. I was fortunate to have an  experience of a well formed lodge that had maintained tradition and emphasized quality of membership but could Freemasonry be that simple?  In a word, yes.


It was not so much about the study, rewarding though that was. The Brotherhood of Freemasonry done well was rather simple. I became less worried about the arcane and more focused on simply being… being a Brother. In fact the words "simplicity" and "availability" in our Lodge credo struck me very deeply. That is what resonated in my heart! That is what I love about this Masonic life at its best!


Simplicity:
Simply love Masonic principles written in the rituals, exemplified in the work, lived in our daily lives.
Simply love being among good men believing in Brotherhood of Man, Fatherhood of God, basic yet inspiring.
Simply love fraternity, the sentiment of good will with those in my Lodge.

Simply love the joy of hearing the fellows call me "Brother" and the joy of calling them "Brother".
Simplicity; God's gift to me-simply to be a brother.


Availability:

In an age where people find it hard to sit still and stay put, I desire to be available. To commit to being a Mason means keeping in touch in various ways with a set of men through my movement and travels.  Even on the seldom occasions I cannot make it to an Lodge meeting or event they are a touchstone, a reason for communication. I also find that when attending Lodge even if one doesn't say much, the presence says much more. Whatever Brothers do: whether it is efforts of friendship- finding out about our brothers and what is going on in their lives, sincerely wishing them well, lending a hand when possible, and giving the best of ourselves; or the work of the Lodge- setting up and taking down the lodge room, the chores of office, sending communications and publishing newsletters and updates, giving phone calls and emails, tiling the door, opening the meeting, etc.; there is also the work for the Lodge outside the Lodge itself- setting up for a group events, finding a caterer, making reservations, coordinating supportive and charitable efforts, offering advice and a listening ear, having fun while attending an event, etc.  - it is all really relevant. A Brother's main job is to be a Brother, to be available.

Shriners Declared "Clandestine" by the Grand Lodge of Michigan

This from what I have always found to be the atrociously titled though well intentioned "Freemasonry for Dummies" blog and a comment (written in purple, followed by our commentary in black):

The Grand Master of Michigan, MW Frederick E. Kaiser, Jr., has withdrawn official recognition of the Shrine there, and it has been declared clandestine and illegal. Michigan Masons may not attend tyled Shrine meetings in that state.


The problem stems from a Mason who was expelled by the Grand Master in July allegedly for pleading guilty to a crime punishable by incarceration of one or more years, and per Michigan's Masonic rules. Unfortunately, the Elf Khurafeh Shrine and the Imperial Shrine (Shriners International) in Tampa didn't agree and kept the suspended Mason as a full member of the Shrine. A slight complication: he's the current Potentate. He had pled guilty to possessing and operating gambling devices, and probably won't be sentenced until February. However, since he did plead guilty, the GM expelled him. The Shrine did not...


From the GM's letter of November 23rd:

The expelled Mason, by action of Elf Khurafeh Shrine, headquartered in Saginaw, Michigan continues to be a member and Potentate of that Shrine. Elf Khurafeh’s action to retain him was subsequently upheld by the Imperial Potentate. This situation exists despite the reputed requirement that a member of the Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of
the Mystic Shrine (Shriner’s International) must also be a Mason in good standing.

Discussion was initiated with the Imperial Potentate, and counsel for the Imperial Shrine. The Grand Lodge of Michigan explained its position, and requested that the Imperial Potentate reconsider his decision, given information previously unavailable to him. Unfortunately for all concerned and with heavy heart, I must state that no modification of
his position, nor of Elf Khurafeh Shrine’s, has occurred.

Elf Khurafeh Shrine and the Imperial Potentate have failed to adhere to their own Shrine law, by retaining a non-Mason in their ranks. They have also failed to honor their obligations under Michigan Masonic Law. Therefore, acting under §3.10.2.2 of Michigan Masonic Law, the Grand Lodge of Michigan hereby withdraws formal recognition of the Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (Shriner’s International) as a Masonic organization in the State of Michigan. The relevant sections of Michigan Masonic Law are as follows:

§3.8.2: Any and all organizations, associations, or persons within the State of Michigan, professing to have
any authority, power or privileges in Ancient Craft Masonry, not fraternally recognized by this Grand Lodge, are
declared to be clandestine and illegal, and all Masonic intercourse with any of them is prohibited.

§8.1.2.9: All Master Masons under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Michigan who hold membership in
Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine are forbidden to attend tiled Shrine meetings when there is in
attendance a suspended or expelled Mason.

It is therefore my order that no Mason who holds membership in a Michigan Lodge, or in a Lodge chartered by a recognized Grand Lodge who resides or sojourns in Michigan, may (1) attend any nonpublic function of any Shrine in Michigan or (2) have any Masonic interaction of any kind with any Shrine organization in Michigan. Furthermore, no Shrine function or activity will be afforded a special privilege not afforded any other unrelated organization that is allowed to use a building dedicated to Masonic purposes, or on the grounds of a building so dedicated.

Violation of these provisions by a Mason under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Michigan is punishable by charges of un-Masonic conduct.

 And then we have this from a commenter: "The GM had the intestinal fortitude to make an unpopular decision to assert the sovereignty of the Grand Lodge over all things Masonic. Unfortunately, some bodies forget that."

I respectfully though intensely disagree with the course of action and the commenter.  Being a Mason does not stop your freedom of association. The the A.A.O.N.M.S (known more popularly as the Shrine and its members Shriners) is not a Masonic organization in that Lodge functions occur; it is simply an association that limits itself to Masons. (At least most of the time; Shriners have regularly admit on an "honorary" basis any number of individuals who are not nor have ever been Masons.)  


These are independent Masons not conducting Masonic affairs.  When anyone starts to dictate to Masons what they can do independent of Freemasonry and outside the lodge then we run dead against the values that Freemasonry is supposed to be championing and imparting and the rights that Masons depend on the practice the Craft (see the Constitution and the notion of freedom of association and assembly).


(As a related aside, I often find it funny that an organization that promotes its history as a model of democratic principles often brings out the lurking authoritarianism in its members. Human nature...)


I entirely agree, for instance with the Grand Lodge of Kentucky's long held decision to not recognize the Shrine.  If anything I do not think that the grand lodges who govern the "blue lodges" should be in the business of conferring the favor of recognition or not to external organizations that do not deal in  blue lodges just as we expect for the most part (in this country anyway) for the York Rite, Scottish Rite, Shrine, Cedars, etc. to not get into conferring the degrees of the blue lodge. Fortunately, this tends to be the case, i.e., grand lodges do not attempt to  restrict among its members outside degrees that are separate and different from the work of the Lodge.


"Sovereignty of the Grand Lodge over all things Masonic" is a very big statement that while grandiloquent is not true, for reasons of practice and principles of Freemasonry itself); the gentleman also seem to infer "Sovereignty of all people Masonic" as well which to any Mason should be alarming on the very face of it. 


This not only takes things as far as restricting the freedoms of Masons in ways heretofore unknown and unwarranted, but also takes the additional step of determining that the grand lodge of a state has the right to dictate the terms of operation to an independent body, and one that happens not to even be headquartered in the state (not that this is the crux of he issue.)


While not a Shriner I admire their good work and I believe that since it is being done by Masons it is a credit to Freemasonry because the members are Masons.


I also believe that this may be a product of ongoing issues, one being the dispute between the idea of whether grand lodges serve Freemasonry or whether Freemasonry serves the grand lodges. With such a declining state of membership there seems to be a lot of tension and politics inside Freemasonry and between Freemasonry and organizations of Freemasons.


Brethren are examining not just the laws/ rules and practices and their basis and history. Sometimes we see where politics and practice may not be valid. Things may be rapidly becoming a case of "reform (and splinter) or die" but I think we are much better served if everyone comes to their senses and perhaps the sides step back from creating unnecessary conflict. Perhaps it is true, that "he who rules less rules best".

R.M.

Development of a New Lodge: A Template Based on What We Have Learned

THe MISSION, GOALS AND ORGANIZATION OF Lodge #--- OF THE --- gRAND lODGE OF fREE anD ACCEPTED MASONS

Lodge #--- aspires to emulate the best practices and principles as follows: Traditional American Freemasonry (including much expressed by RW John Mauk Hilliard); Anglo-Latin or “European Concept” practices (as outlined by RW Kent Anderson, UGLA); and something of the initiatic focus of Traditional Observance (promoted by the Masonic Restoration Foundation);  organizing along the principles of Affinity (including those espoused by RW Oliver Lodge UGLE and RW William A. Hill);  reintroduction of Anglo-Saxon traditional Masonry in a focus on wide ranging intellectual inquiry (as urged by WB Julian Rees PJGD, UGLE);  avoidance of the petty and perfunctory including officialdom, kakistocracy, obsession with promotion, rank and lengthy procedure and time wasting (as shared by RW Dwight Smith and RW George Braatz and immediate involvement in areas of lodge function beyond simply occupying “chairs”, (also shared by Smith and Braatz).  

The core principles for us INCLUDE:

Distinct and sole focus on Initiatic function of Lodge meetings;  Programs of Regular Indoctrination into the intellectual, spiritual teaching and social applications of the Fraternity and the Lodge;  Bringing the Lodge into intimate fellowship and personal communication;  Charity first among the Brethren and also in the immediate community;  Mutual Support in Advancement of Brothers;   Refined and elevated Environment in behavior and presentation in all aspects of Lodge functions;   Limiting the number of Lodge meetings held to the absolute minimal needed for degrees and votes to maintain the initiatic focus;   Selectivity, Exclusivity and Continuity with a thorough, independent program for identifying new members;  Compatibility among membership, formulating and continuing a distinct character and Affinities of the Lodge:  a relationship with a formal or informal society, club or other organization for mundane affairs such as charitable endeavors, social events, membership development, debate and other opportunities ;   Warm relations with and support of the governance of the Grand Lodge ;  Relationships with other Lodges; Relationships with spiritual organizations and other civic and social organizations in keeping with the interests and characteristics of the Lodge;  Required commitment to the Lodge and its supporting structures that assures at least minimal level of involvement and support of the Lodge and its members (and the rancourless disassociation of members who cannot meet this requirement).

Mission and Goals of the Lodge:

·         To Benefit our constituency in the Lodge, the institution and the community in that order. 

·         The Lodge would be as a group of brothers, dedicated to mutual support, well being and development of each Brother, emphasizing the values of the Lodge and Freemasonry through our actions toward each other in ways tangible as well as intangible.

·         Every Brother would know that the most Masonic duty of Charity would be engaged in first and unfailingly within our Lodge membership.

·         Every Mason in the Lodge would be able to point to the manifest benefit of being in the Lodge and why he attends. No brother would need to use platitudes and idealization to explain his reasons for membership in the Lodge.  

·         The continuation and establishment of traditions and customs that reinforce the Masonic spirit and ethos within our lodge in service to our members, the institution and the community.

Organization and Operation of the Lodge:

·         Our Lodge meetings will have a clear agenda of dealing with vetting candidates, organizing and carrying out degree work and engaging in education befitting those of substantial intellectual development and educational attainment. 

·         Engage in the "European Concept" model of education where new candidates would share some research or information about Masonry rather than focusing on memorization from rote, and the pursuit of members that show evidence of taking the exhortations to learning in the liberal arts and sciences seriously.

·         Be influenced by Traditional Observance scheduling and focus of formal meetings, to wit, Lodges being held only for review of candidates and giving degrees, work being done in ancient manner to the degree allowed by the jurisdiction. (An atmosphere of solemnity including use of a contemplation room; brevity and austerity rather than “dramatic flair”, affectations and camp in ritual performance). Formulation of a Lodge specific Credo as a touchstone to communicate and retain the character desired.

·        Hold informal round table business meetings, with clear agendas either on some Lodge meeting nights (or on weekends or Friday when possible).

·         Short term and long term goals, tasks, time-lines and calendar, point people and committees.

·         Nights for guests and for inter - lodge visitation (usually when degrees are held).  The opportunity will be taken to offer our assistance and request assistance from other Lodges in the Work.  Otherwise we would encourage privacy and exclusivity to build the bonds and maintain the distinct character within the Lodge.

Organization and Operation of the Club:

·         The club would work independently in support of our Masonic work, having the similar duties reflective of the goals of our Lodge.

·         The social and intellectual development, charity (in and out of the Lodge) and our development of the club's financial wherewithal would occur through its calendar of events and programs.

·         The Club will permit social and intellectual discussion and member participation broader than the Lodge. There will not be compulsory membership as to respect the independence of the Lodge.

·         While independently assessed and managed fees will be assessed from the Lodge to cover the basic work of Charity, Agape, and Membership Development (including investigation),  other fundraising will be pursued by the Club independently to support Club and Lodge activities.

Communication:

·         We would support both the Lodge and club with an integrated (social networking) internet forum, online journal and email and text message group. 

·         We would all have some biographical information to the degree that none of us would be strangers. We would all know the names and something about our fellows in the Lodge- what they are doing, what they are thinking and what their situation is.

Recruitment:

·         The Club will be at the service of the Lodge and do thorough outreach to yield a steady stream of good, solid and well-vetted men coming in. The Club’s services will enable the Lodge to avoid soliciting membership (per Masonic regulations) and other limitations and problems often experienced in the selection process, allowing the Lodge itself to maintain an unmarred character and attention to its initiatic focus.

·         According to the principles of traditional Lodges, we will employ selectivity and the strictest attention to compatibility with membership.  The Club will be mindful of this Lodge’s tradition, interests, mission, credo and themes; relationships will be considered along with the careful and independent assessment of potential candidates.

·         The Lodge will welcome candidates with the wherewithal to assist in ensuring that our Lodge is viable.

·         The Lodge will welcome individuals with a genuine interest in esoteric and spiritual meaning of the Craft and capacity to understand these aspects of the Craft. 

·         A graduated dues system similar to clubs (taking into account age, proximity and retirement, university enrollment, clergy, commissioned officers and educators.)

·         Consideration of Masons with ties to healthy Lodges while generally avoiding cross membership to the degree that the Lodge suffers from significantly split attentions.

·         Men who are likely to be in full amity and fellowship with the character of membership we have.

Culture and Programs:

·         Traditional Observance Rituals (candles, contemplation room) focused on the ancient ritual and brevity.

·          Preferably two annual table Lodges.  Festive board (mixer) open for Masons and guests.

·         Guest degree teams (such as Colonial Degree, “Kilties” and the Badge and Square); opportunities to travel to participate in degrees in exceptional environments such as the outdoors.

·         When available, to take part in Grand Master Classes, degrees at other lodges and to invite guests to assist in our work so that the initiation is not just into our lodge but into Freemasonry as a whole, and a chance for the candidate to be welcomed into a wide Freemasonic circle.

·          Appropriateness of dress in Lodge and appropriate Club events (tuxedos or business attire / jackets); Fine regalia including personal aprons, ribbon jewels for Table Lodges and Festive board occasions.

·         Lodge meetings and Agape scheduled and held according to European Concept. 

·         Twinning programs with lodges that nationally and internationally that have been successful and that would be easy to visit, for instance:  Twinning program University Scheme Lodge in Britain; Twinning program with the nearest and best suited University Scheme Lodge; Twinning program with Swedish Rite Lodge in Scandinavia or Germany to encourage familiarity with those recognized but somewhat distinct jurisdictions; Twinning with Lodges of similar character in cities where Brothers show a pattern of relocating in order to ensure Brothers stay involved with the Craft.  

·         Development of a credo, motto, seal and other distinctive statements and indicators as a appropriate to the new lodge.

fin

Hello there! Tell me about yourself... Seeking Brotherhood?

Good to see the young men at Emerson involving themselves (Br Tyler Cameron Sanborn) and also good to see the efforts by the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts (particularly the work of Br Robert Huke, Communications and Development Director.)  

Huke and other Brethren in the Bay State have gotten out into the student and professional community, and very appropriately yet energetically presented the benefits of membership to promising and accomplished men interested in brotherhood, connecting them with lodges of like fellows in lodges that share things in common in terms of background, interests and disposition.

Supporting What is Good and Remembering Our Limits

What follows is an interesting essay, especially the bit on the Rite of the Rose of Cross Gold.  Perhaps oddly named, the organization is seemingly a very positive development of the type that one would hope would be supported by grand lodges.  If not supported or encouraged, one would expect that such a thing would have to be ignored and it would operate freely with no interference or commentary. No grand lodge has any imaginable jurisdiction over such organizations or the involvement in such by its membership, and it would be un-Masonic and absurd for any to claim any jurisdiction. It should be stressed that WE are not at all acquainted with the details and not sure that the Grand Lodge of Georgia was not in fact either supportive or non-interfering. Our reprinting is not about the particulars of this situation but problems arising from grand lodges' leadership that perhaps have mistaken their roles and purview and the purpose of Freemasonry. If that is the case we can hope that all involved will rediscover their right course.

The following essay is by Brother Griffin, a Master Mason from Texas, and is reprinted from his website The Griffin's Lair.


Masons are naturally predisposed to give their loyalty and the benefit of their doubts to those who have ascended to leadership positions. But these virtues, coupled with complacency and a lack of information, make the fraternity a fertile field for men whose intentions are not to serve the ideals and spirit of Masonic Light, but rather to serve narrow-mindedness... and an anti-intellectual shallowness.


Masons everywhere ought to be outraged at the foolish indignities and blatant tyranny fostered in the name of Masonry by Grand Lodges across the United States. What follows is an accounting of reprehensible events and trends in Masonry that are becoming all too common.


A number of Grand Lodges continue to refuse recognition to Prince Hall Freemasonry on the flimsiest grounds of traditional rules of regularity. Somehow the men of power in those Grand Lodges believe this course of action is more virtuous than extending a fraternal hand to generations of good men who have sworn before God to uphold the same honorable obligations. No matter what the true intentions may be for this continued segregation of Masonry, to the general public, and especially to many who might otherwise join the fraternity, it is nothing short of racism.


Some Grand Lodges are taking steps to eliminate the right of Masons to freely express their own opinions about our fraternity. There have been edicts and rulings that Grand Lodge censors must approve personal Masonic websites, or their owners can face expulsion. In other words, these Grand Lodges no longer respect a Mason's ability, much less his right, to speak about Masonry in accord with his own conscience and his understanding of the obligations. If in speaking a Mason violates an obligation, then let him suffer the consequences. But it is nothing less than tyranny to eliminate the actual liberties of all in order to prevent the potential offenses of a few.


The freedom of association is also under attack. A number of Grand Lodges already have regulations forbidding Masons from joining, supporting or organizing Masonic bodies not already on a sanctioned list. So long as an organization is not claiming to make Masons, so long as it is not in violation of the Ancient Landmarks, and so long as it does not seek to usurp the authority of the regional Grand Lodge, then it is absurd for a Grand Lodge to assume any lawful authority to interfere with the business of that organization...


Think carefully about these infringements on free speech and association. It means that in some jurisdictions Masons have less freedom with regard to their organization than members of political parties, churches or schools do with theirs. Is this consistent with an order that has long prided itself on being an instrument of liberty?


As a general rule in most jurisdictions, Masons who seek a deeper philosophical, psychological and spiritual experience and understanding of Masonry are scoffed or shunned as "fringe Masons." Discussions of Masonry as a system of mythical initiation and philosophical enlightenment are too often discouraged in lodge meetings. The message is that the language of Masonic ritual is not to be taken seriously, and that Masons with such interests had best keep quiet. It is another tactic of totalitarian regimes to keep their people uneducated, and to silence and ridicule the most learned.


There is also a bitter generation gap emerging in the fraternity. Many Masons of the World War II and Baby Boomer generations do not understand the needs and wants of Generation-X Masons and the Millenials that are now coming of age for candidacy. In searching for excuses for Masonry's membership ills, older Masons in influential positions have publicly accused young American males of being lazy, stupid, immoral and heathenistic. Of course, this accusation is also used as a justification for throwing out pieces of ritual and symbolism that are no longer understood and valued by the very same men who claim to be the defenders of tradition. These attitudes and circumstances coupled with unprecedented membership campaigns clearly communicate to the men of younger generations that their only value to the fraternity is as sources of income and labor. The meaning of Masonic membership is delivered as "Show up, pay up and shut up."


Masons at large must start consistently confronting such injustices, or what is left of the fraternity will be nothing but a pretentious farce. Already it is too often an insult to the great bygone defenders of enlightenment and liberty that we now publicly advertise as exemplars of Masonry.


Even now, the Grand Lodge of Georgia is moving toward setting a precedent for the expulsion of young, hardworking Masons with good intentions. The Rite of the Rose Cross of Gold (RRCG) was created by a group of well educated professionals, some of them holding Masonic offices, who wanted a place within the fraternity that lives up to its promises of brotherly love and assistance in the quest for further Masonic Light. These regularly initiated and loyal brothers had grown weary of the ridicule and resistance they had suffered from brethren who want their fraternity to be little more than a dinner club for grumpy old men. To their credit, the RRCG website has drawn an impressive amount of attention, and Masons across the country and in other nations have shown enthusiastic interest in what the RRCG is offering.


The young men of the RRCG asked no more than to be allowed a corner under the umbrella of the Grand Lodge of Georgia where they and future like-minded brothers could pursue their legitimate Masonic interests without ruffling the feathers of others. They were not seeking any status beyond that held by such organizations as the Shrine, the Scottish Rite, the Allied Masonic Degrees or the Masonic Rosicrucians. They publicly and privately attested that they were not going into the business of making Masons, and that they would not admit anyone to their ranks who was not already a "regular" Master Mason in good standing. To demonstrate their desire to operate in the good graces of the Grand Lodge, they were scrupulous in providing the RRCG's financial records, founding documents and rituals. Not only did they provide access, they requested critique and guidance from the Grand Lodge on anything they might need to amend in order to operate in amity with the Grand Lodge.


The Grand Lodge of Georgia did not respond to the RRCG with any critique or guidance. Instead they are now responding with the threat to expel these honorable brothers if they do not renounce their affiliation with the RRCG and denounce it as "clandestine". In preparation for this move, the Grand Master had to issue an edict that effectively ignored the traditional Masonic meaning of clandestine and actually redefined it to suit his desires. When the RRCG leaders requested clarification on whether or not the edict applied to their organization, they received no response.


The intention of the edict has only now become clear after being sneaked through the Grand Lodge, hidden within a package of other proposals and left undiscussed. Now the officers of Georgia lodges are going to be pressured to bring charges against friends and brothers with whom they have no quarrel, most of them active members and leaders in their lodges and other Masonic organizations.


This state of affairs is organizational insanity, if not outright megalomania. It is asinine that the Grand Lodge of Georgia would take such actions while simultaneously complaining about declining membership. If the Grand Lodge doesn't want the kind of men in the RRCG, then what kind does it want? It is sickening to realize that the Grand Lodge is not above allowing convicted felons and known child molesters to retain and even regain membership, but they find it impossible to tolerate the presence of good men who only want to enrich Masonry.


The situation(s listed are) repulsive, but all of these points ought to raise red flags in the minds of every good Mason...


It isn't everyone's calling to publicly battle injustice on the front lines, but it is time for every conscientious Mason to do something. In some places and situations, Masonic reform requires public conflict, even legal action, for that is the only way that justice can be served. Already there are brothers leaving the mainstream jurisdictiions to join "irregular" and more enlightened Grand Lodges. Some brothers may find the best way to serve Masonic reform is by quietly creating change from within the existing power structures. In the more progressive mainstream jurisdictions, Masons ought to be expressing their concerns about such things to their own Grand Lodges, for sometimes the scrutiny of other Grand Lodges is the most effective means of encouraging change. Other Masons may wish to simply join in Internet discussions of these problems as a way of helping to ensure that they do not continue to be swept under the rug.


There is one form of service that all can perform in this cause, and that is prayer. Masonry claims to be dedicated to the Glory of God, and we are taught to seek the blessings of the Great Architect of the Universe upon all great and noble labors. We are now in a time when the greatest and most noble labor we can perform is to return the fraternity to its calling as a school of moral virtue, philosophical enlightenment and spiritual illumination...