117 - The Masonic Bond, March 31, 1994, by James R. Billig
117 - The Masonic Bond, March 31, 1994, by James R. Billig
117 - The Masonic Bond, March 31, 1994, by James R. Billig
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EDUCATIONAL LODGE<br />
No. 1002, A.R & A.M.<br />
Bulletin No. l-I7 St. Paul, Minnesota <strong>March</strong> <strong>31</strong>,.<strong>1994</strong><br />
Paper Presented at Braden Lodge No. 168<br />
A.F. & A.M.<br />
$t, Paul, Mlnnesota<br />
<strong>The</strong> l{asonic <strong>Bond</strong><br />
By <strong>James</strong> R. Bi I I ig<br />
". . our Brothec belng now bound to<br />
us <strong>by</strong> a covenant which cannot be broken,<br />
you will release him from his cable<br />
tot"t. "<br />
Freemasonry is not a secret society, but rather a<br />
society which posseslses certain secrets. Masonry is not a<br />
rel igion. It does nequire a bel ief in a Supreme Being and a<br />
belief in a life hereafter. Freemasonry ls benevolent in<br />
that it is not organized for profit. Freemasonry reqognlzes<br />
Its responsibil ity for justice, truth, charlty,<br />
enlightenment, freedom and liberty, honesty and integrity in<br />
al I aspects of human endeavor.<br />
Freemasonry can be defined as a fraternal society whlch<br />
is based on certain moral and rel igious doctrines; those<br />
moral doctrines lncluding Brotherly love, Rellef and Truth,<br />
Temperance, Fort i tude, Prudence, and Just ice wi th the<br />
rel igious doctrines comprising a bel ief in God and future<br />
existence. Freemasonry is very old. It has survived<br />
because it is founded upon eternal truths proven of value<br />
through a succesrsion of ages.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Masonic</strong> Lodge provides an inspirational thrust to<br />
its members to be thoughtful, conscientious, participating<br />
citizens. It charges each of its members to be true and<br />
loyal to the country which he owes allegiance, ancl to be<br />
obedient to the laws of the place in which he resides.<br />
<strong>The</strong>se truths and lessons are taught <strong>by</strong> al legories, symbols,<br />
dramas. I egends, and lectures. It is possible to possess an<br />
abundance equa l to al I needs and desi red diversions and yet<br />
find life stale and boring. What life is is largely a<br />
matter of inner qualities; etennal tnuths practiced <strong>by</strong>
choices througrh dally interactlons. Llfe conslEts not ln<br />
the abundance of things a man po€rsesges. <strong>The</strong> nature and<br />
quality of a person's life is to no gnall degree determlned<br />
<strong>by</strong> his inner urges and the ideas motivating his conduct.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Lodge prov i des direct ion and inspirat ion through<br />
education of the Brethren while engaged in actlvities<br />
designed to instruct and provlde service.<br />
Like minded men come together to form a <strong>Masonic</strong> Lodge.<br />
Those like minded men also came together for the purpose of<br />
fellowship and to promote the cornmon good. In all Lodges,<br />
members request adnission <strong>by</strong> exercise of their pot{rer of<br />
choice. At the present time, Freemasonry appears to be in a<br />
decline. I would like to submit to you a challenge of<br />
sorts. Is it Masonry or is it <strong>Masonic</strong> Character that is in<br />
decline? Take a close and good look at yourself. You are<br />
somebody'E impression of Masonry.<br />
Throughout history societies developed and fell. It is<br />
not an unusual situation. <strong>The</strong> suqcess of many ancient<br />
civilizations are well documented and the rise and fall of<br />
their power and success can be attributed to a number of<br />
social and political events and ideals. Men have always<br />
possesEed a variety of inner elements suitable to build<br />
character, a society, or a civilization. No worthy and<br />
enduring character, society, or civi I ization can be bui lt<br />
out of lying, cheating, intemperance, tactlessness,<br />
cupidity, unreliance, self-indulgence, etc. <strong>The</strong>se elements<br />
are at once worthless and ruinous. <strong>The</strong>y are unequal to<br />
I i fe's most rigoroue exactions. <strong>The</strong>y fai I to conunand<br />
confidence. Conversely, sterl ing qual ities are conunendable<br />
and enduring. <strong>The</strong>y elicit confidence. Enduring qualities<br />
or elements are equal to the severest tests. Some of these<br />
elements: love, kindl iness, patience, courtesy, adniration,<br />
truth, freedoms, rel iabi I ity, fortitude, iustice, I iberty,<br />
charity, etc., never fai I to inspire admiration. <strong>The</strong>se<br />
ruinous or enduring qual ities are just a few of the elements<br />
that men may choose from to build a paradise or a veritable<br />
helI. An indivldual's reactlon to external influence is<br />
largely a matter of inner qual ities and urges. Numerous are<br />
the instances of men who have surmounted the most horrific<br />
physical pain and social handicaps. Grit and indomitable<br />
resolution can accompl ish wonders. Masonry is a good<br />
exampl e of this test. Many civil izations did not survive<br />
because of a lack of individuals committed to the eternal<br />
truths or enduring qualities. <strong>The</strong> members lost sight of<br />
their purpose the foundation upon which they met, the<br />
elements that made their existence worth while.<br />
Educat ion is the basis of our present society's success<br />
and tailures. <strong>Masonic</strong> lisht has a gneat responsibility.<br />
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<strong>The</strong> Lodge is the main avenue for lndlvtdual Masons to<br />
accomplish its goal of admitting good men and making them<br />
better. This achnittance of members can be described as a<br />
bonding process. In the degrees, we express an obl igation<br />
binding each Mason together with others into one sacred body<br />
or society. All civilizations, societles, fraternal orders<br />
have traditionally operated on a bonding processr. Thus the<br />
bondlng theory:<br />
Individuals become a part of and support a society<br />
or Fraternlty when they bond to conventional norms<br />
of that society through a varlety of affirrnations:<br />
fami ly, rel igion, school, organizations, and<br />
economlcE - a9 long as ties to family, church,<br />
school , fraternity, or \.rork place remain strong -<br />
individuals are I ikely to conform to nules. If<br />
there is a break down in this bonding, then you<br />
have an individual at odds and confrontational.<br />
<strong>The</strong>re are four distinct concepts of vital importance to<br />
bonding. Those being:<br />
1. Corrnitment: an interest or etake in something<br />
valued that misconduct would jeopardize.<br />
2. Attachment: to other people. To violate the norm<br />
would be to act contrary to the wishes and<br />
expectations of otherE who are held as significant<br />
or in high esteem,<br />
3. Involvement: an ongoing investment of time and<br />
energy in certaln enduring Iaw-abiding<br />
benef icial activities.<br />
4. Belief: in the moral validity of the social rules<br />
which a person is aaked to obey and in the<br />
mechanisms used to enforce those values.<br />
It is important to note that these same four components<br />
can be used to influence individuals in negat ive behavior<br />
patterns as well as positive. This is the point at which<br />
each Mason must make the effort to agk the consc ience<br />
question. "What role model do I as a Mason present to the<br />
world?" Be fully asrare that we are measured <strong>by</strong> what we do<br />
iust as much as ere measure others <strong>by</strong> what they do. Life<br />
experlences bring many shattering disillusions. Dreams and<br />
long sought goals fail to materialize - efforts appear<br />
futile - kindness is rewarded <strong>by</strong> ingratitude - integrity and<br />
mora I conunitment appear to be di sadvantagieous in the<br />
struggle of daily existence. Those you trust the most may<br />
prove false. Confidence is betrayed with friendship being<br />
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capitalized upon or discarded for some paltry monetary<br />
advantage. <strong>The</strong> story of Job is filled with these<br />
vicissitudes. Job is very much the example of <strong>Masonic</strong><br />
truths in action, His behavior marked him as a role model<br />
for all t Imes.<br />
Cornrni tment i s the f i rst step vre took as a Mason . Each<br />
and every Mason has passed througrh the doors of the<br />
preparation room. We were asked to subdue our passions and<br />
improve oursel ves in Masonry. How many have read a book,<br />
improved himself, about Masonry or <strong>Masonic</strong> behaviors? How<br />
many have taken the time to look at the lectures presented<br />
in the degree work? Where does the commitment begin and<br />
where does it end? To improve yourself in I'lasonry is an<br />
open ended life long conunitment as stated in the first<br />
degree.<br />
An attachment to the Lodge or to another member seeme<br />
to be crucial. llhat are the expectations of Lodge members<br />
towards the newly Entered Apprentice? How strong is that<br />
commitment to foster and to nurture an attachment to<br />
Masonry? Are you that role model upon which an individual<br />
has placed his commitment and attachment? Brother, observe<br />
your self carefully for you are someone, E role model r.rhether<br />
you know i t or not !<br />
Involvement is easy to see and measure. It is an<br />
ongoing investment of time and energy into the activities of<br />
the Lodge and into the philosophy which the Lodge promotes.<br />
<strong>The</strong> danger here is that the invol vement can over$rhelm<br />
individuals placing significant stress on families. We are<br />
taught to divide our time and informed that nothing in our<br />
obl igation wi ll interfere r+ith fami ly, work, rel igious<br />
obligations, or duty to country. Being. overwhelmed or<br />
burnout occurs when other members of the Lodge do not step<br />
in and take responsibility for part of the activlties that<br />
the Lodge is about. How many good Masons have not come to<br />
meet ings or other activities for fear of being volunteered<br />
into invol vements which they can not realistically conrni t<br />
to?<br />
Belief comes when quest ions and needs are met in a<br />
realistic manner fulfilling the needs of the individual<br />
member. It is at this point Mason ic principles become a<br />
reality for him in the Lodge and outside of the Lodge to<br />
become better, wiser, and consequent ly happier. This is the<br />
ultimate goal of the Blue Lodge. It is this gift that<br />
Masonry is uni.quely Euited to give the society of which it<br />
is a vital part. Masons and Masonry are not out of date.<br />
Eternal truths are just that, eternal.<br />
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I now present the challenge to you. Is Masonry dying?<br />
I do not believe this for a minute. I cto believe that as<br />
Masons we have lost sight of the <strong>Masonic</strong> Light and are in<br />
need of getting back to it. As I attend other Lodges and<br />
talk wi th Brethren, I find that Masons are very friendly<br />
!rith themselves. Few atre friendly with a nev, person in<br />
their midst. This may account for the uncertainty anct brief<br />
survival of neer members, Ne$, members will survive in the<br />
Lodge as they are fed a steady supply of convincing evidence<br />
of Mason i c i ntegr i ty and the usefu I ness of Mason i c<br />
teachings. Only as the Lodge members are lrilling to give<br />
evidence of intrinsic values can the Lodge hope to maintain<br />
its memberg and secure new ones.<br />
Masonry undertakes to teach men to sift the elements at<br />
their command. <strong>The</strong>y must learn to differentiate between the<br />
worthy and the worthiess if ruin is to be escaped and the<br />
finest results knohrn. Men atre in possession of elements<br />
which, if left uncontrol led, are capable of considerable<br />
friction and ugl iness. Other el ements make for personal<br />
attractiveness and commanding personality. <strong>The</strong>y invite<br />
confidence and respect, honoring those who display them with<br />
the highest roles of leadership and acfninlstrative<br />
responsibi I ity. Masonry makes cognizant those eternal<br />
truths upon which Hasons aesisted in building the greatest<br />
Nation on earth and the greateet fratecnlty known.<br />
Brothers, exami ne yourse I ves careful ly, you are<br />
someone/s impression of Masonry. You are someone'a rol e<br />
model, knowingly or more than likely unknowingly, bound <strong>by</strong> a<br />
covenant that can be broken. <strong>The</strong> future of Masonry rests<br />
upon u9.<br />
Blbl loglrapl-ry<br />
Official Minnesota Cipher. authorized <strong>by</strong> Minnesota Grand<br />
Lodge, 1985.<br />
Hunter, C. Bruce. <strong>Masonic</strong> Dictionary. Macoy publ IEhing &<br />
<strong>Masonic</strong> Supply Co., Inc. t986.<br />
Wilmshurst, W. L. <strong>The</strong> Meaninq of Masonrv. Macoy publishing<br />
& <strong>Masonic</strong> Supply Co,, Inc. L975.
EDUCATIONAL IODGE<br />
NO. lOO2<br />
A.n & A.M.<br />
PUBLISHED PAPERS<br />
Nour a,oailable in a Colrriplete 9,et<br />
PRICE: IUEMBERS $ 22.50<br />
NON.MEMBEBS $ 2E.5O<br />
Membership in Educational Lodge $12.00 with petition<br />
$f0.00 Annual Dues<br />
Individual papers available at $.70 each<br />
Send yoEr rcqueotc for complcte oets or individual publlcatl<br />
Educational Lodge No. fOO2 A.F. & A.M.<br />
P.O. Box 13t95<br />
St. Paul, ll[N 55113<br />
onc tc<br />
o<br />
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I99{ OFFICBRS OP<br />
A.F.&<br />
l{aster:<br />
Senior llarden:<br />
.Iunior Warden:<br />
Sec I yrlTreas. :<br />
Senior Deacon:<br />
iluni-or Deacon:<br />
Senior Stesard:<br />
ilunior Stevard:<br />
Chaplain:<br />
Chairman - Advisory<br />
EDUCATTOTAL LODGB NO. 1002,<br />
A- li. of lli-nnesota<br />
John Ady<br />
Inari paasklmen<br />
Terry Tilton<br />
Richard Tufte<br />
Barnea A Sharitt Jr<br />
<strong>James</strong> R <strong>Billig</strong><br />
<strong>James</strong> E Konkler<br />
Jerry R Korstad<br />
<strong>James</strong> L Osborne Jr<br />
Coilnittee: Ralph L Eultquist
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