ARE YOU A
MASON

Have you ever wondered how many people know you are a Mason?  I imagine you were like most of us and soon after receiving the degrees of Masonry you put a square and compass emblem on your car.  Many others ran out and bought a ring to wear, showing the world their pride in being a part of this great fraternity.  All this would imply, a large number of people do in fact know you are a Mason.

Have you ever wondered, how many people know what being a Mason means to you, or what you being a Mason mean to others?  These questions are much harder to answer because there is seldom a tangible way of calculating it.  In an effort to find the answer, we might ask ourselves: When is the last time I shared information about Masonry and what it means to me, with others?  When is the last time I went to a Lodge dinner, visited a sick brother or a widow, or handed out fruit baskets at Christmas?

As you reflect back in time, can you remember the last time someone saw you walking into the lodge building?  I realize many brothers cannot attend lodge because of work commitments.  I wonder: do those Masons ever invite a brother of the fraternity to lunch or even coffee for the sole purpose of discussing and sharing the importance of Masonry, or do they only talk about work or the big ballgame.

Let us now bring the question a little closer to home.  What do you think “you” being a Mason means to your family?  Have you told them you are a member of the oldest and greatest fraternity in the world?  Do they know that in North America alone, the Masonic family gives nearly two million dollars a day to charities?  That’s right, two million dollars each and every day of each and every year!  Does your family see you as a contributor to these great charities or do they see you as a man who contributes “less than a dollar a week” by simply paying his dues each year.  Does your family see you proudly telling others you are a Mason only to hear you tell your Brothers, “I’m to busy to attend Lodge functions anymore?”

A few of us have not even shared with our family’s the significance of the Masonic Funeral or Memorial Service and what it means to Masons everywhere.  Each of us needs to share with our families as well as our friends what masonry is and what it means not only to us, but also to the world. At Lodge, you can always see Brothers sharing the joy of being a Mason.  I am reminded of a story.  I shall change it a little to fit our topic.

A Mason, we will call him John, was sitting alone in his back yard casually tending a small fire of sticks and limbs he had picked up after a windstorm.  As he set peacefully watching the fire flickering in the breeze, the “Senior Warden” of his Lodge walked up and set down next to him not saying a word.  Both felt the warmth of the fire as they set watching the coals glowing red-hot.  John, knowing the Senior Warden was going to invite him to Lodge finally said: “Now look brother Senior Warden, I’m a good Mason.  I pay my dues each year, other people know I’m a Mason and I don’t need to go to any lodge meetings or events to remain a good Mason”.

About that time, a hot coal popped from the fire and landed about a foot away from the others.  Both men sat quietly watching as this coal, now sitting all alone, quickly lost its glow and warmth and soon began to die out.  The Senior Warden gently guided the coal back into the fire and it soon became red hot again as it shared in the warmth of the others.  John, with a smile on his face, casually turned to the Senior Warden and said.  “I’ll see you in Lodge this week my Brother”.  

 You’re friend and Brother
John N. Starkey
Past Master
Fairmount Lodge #635
F & A M