Page 18 - 2017 Summer

This leads us to Fraternalism. Too often I hear the word Fra-
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Masonic T r r ibune ternalism being used as a catch all word for simply getting
Volume XCVIII No. 4 - Summer 2017 Issue - Page 18 together for fun. Certainly, getting together for some social
V
Volume XCII No.1 - Summer Issue - Page 3olume XCII No.1 - Summer Issue - Page 3
time with our Brethren is a must! But if we’re really being hon-
est with ourselves, simply getting together for a good time
Deputies of the Grand Master isn’t uniquely Masonic. Save for the ceremonies of opening
and closing, we do this with lots of people, our neighbors, our
co-workers, or our classmates. I tend to think of Fraternal-
REPORTS continued... ism in a more profound Masonic sense; getting together to
talk and act Masonically with one another. While the topic
of FreeMasonry is as broad and deep as the ocean, the dis-
course is quite specific. If simply getting together and having
Brotherly Love and Fraternalism fun were enough, then what would the point of describing
The keys to a successful Lodge. standing at the portals, helpless, in darkness and ignorance,
on the threshold of a new Masonic life be?
ne of the joys of traveling around the
ODistrict and spending time with Ma- When you were made a Mason, you entered freely into a
sons is the opportunity to see the various new life, one which was spoke of lessons of light a truth to be
ways we practice FreeMasonry. Now I impressed upon your mind. This happens in two ways – you
don’t mean the ritual itself; that is all from seek this yourself through reading and personal reflection
the same Standard Work. What I mean and from your Lodge and Lodge Brothers by providing con-
is the purpose for assembling and to see veying lessons through allegorical teaching and discussion.
FreeMasonry in action. Like a good friend How do we know this should be happening? It’s the very first
of mine once described it, FreeMasonry as a verb. thing we are told to expect as we are standing at the thresh-
old of the portal in the preparatory lecture.
Ask any Mason to describe FreeMasonry and there’s a good We are all rough ashlars and it is our personal responsibil-
chance you will effectively hear the catch phrase, “We make ity to engage with each other in the manner that helps us
good men better.” Assuming this is our primary mission, we improve each other, striving to become that perfect ashlar.
must also identify the clues of how we go about doing that. Lodges that create an environment where this takes place
As it turns out, there are plenty. Themes within the Degree will remain relevant and find themselves growing and thriv-
work are packed with lessons of virtue. We learn about pru- ing.
dence, justice, fortitude, and temperance and how our lives
should be lived by these virtues. We learn about faith, hope It is only when we are honest with ourselves can we deter-
and charity and how to put it into a Masonic perspective. mine if this is really happening in our Lodge. If it isn’t, here
Charity when you consider it as a virtue isn’t the same as is a perfect opportunity to ‘Be the Difference’ in your corner
being charitable, although being charitable is a noble pursuit. of the world and create a Lodge environment where this hap-
Charity, when considered from a Masonic perspective, is re- pens.
ferring to Brotherly Love.
Once you understand this then the common thread through- Fraternally,
out our ritual stitches together the tapestry of FreeMasonry,
as in…Friendship, Morality and Brotherly Love. VWBB Zane P. McCune
Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth Deputy of the Grand Master - District No. 13
Brotherly Love and Affection
In token of my Brotherly Love and Friendship I would like to congratulate Brothers Jeff
May Brotherly Love prevail and every moral and social virtue Steik, the Worshipful Master of Stei-
cement us lacoom Lodge, No. 2, and Brian Red
Shields and Kyle Foster, the Junior War-
Now you can clearly see the virtues of Faith, Hope and Broth- den and Senior Deacon, of Corinthian
erly Love. But the greatest of these is Brotherly love. Lodge, No. 38, for completing and receiv-
But as an initiate, we don’t arrive proficient at this. Attend- ing their Proficiency in Lodge Manage-
ing Lodge provides us that location where we come to dwell ment. This is a great accomplishment for
together to learn and practice these virtues. We are warned a Brother, and is sign of hard work and
that there are going to be times when we may have disagree- dedication to the Craft. We have several
ments on how to best work and agree. When we may not other Brothers in the District that are working toward their
always see things the same way or when some of us are certificates and I appreciate their zeal. I encourage all Breth-
more proficient at practicing these virtues. It is at these times ren to review the ritual and the constitutions, and earn your
that we are clearly instructed that peace and harmony should certificate.
prevail because harmony is especially the strength and sup- This past month has been a fun time in District 15, as Lodges
port of our institution. hand out bikes for reading books to local elementary schools
The point is, therefore, to create an environment where we and libraries, and college scholarships to the local high
are simultaneously the student and the teacher because school students. The process of reviewing applications is
while we ourselves are learning from others, others in Lodge difficult due to the large demand by highly qualified students,
are learning from us. We then take what we learn inside the and the lower supply of scholarship funds. These types of
Lodge to the outer world where the good of humanity may fund-raisers are a great way for a Lodge to Be the Difference
benefit from a better version of oneself. in your local community, in your little part of the world. This

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