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Brethren,

This reminder should be posted inside the entrance of every lodge, and any mason who does not abide by it should be reminded by his brethren first, then the Master of the lodge if he still refuses to understand its meaning. Some of our new masons, and (sigh) some of our "more established" members must have it spelled out for them as well, so I will try to convey it as succintly as possible.

"Make good men better"

This is a great motto, if used properly, but lodges can quickly lose the meaning and spirit of this fine reminder if it is not monitored constantly by all brethren. I have been to many lodges (even my own) where the brethren tout these words, but do not make any attempt to live them.

Listen up, Brother Masons:

To make good men better, it takes "better men" to be role models for the "good men" to see and learn from.

We are all part of this imperfect lodge, which prevents us from always being the model we should be all the time, but our charge is to learn to be as perfect as possible. How can we accomplish this if we do not make any attempt to "mind our manners" when in the lodge, or fraternizing with other masons?

Should you meet a mason for the first time on the street you would not address him with distaste, nor would you choose to tell him racist jokes or negative things about your lodge. Of course you wouldn't, because you are proud of your lodge! If you do any of these things in your lodge, are you not defacing the very thing you have sworn to uphold?

For those who have yet to mature into the world, here is the Masonic warning: This is not high school, college, or a "frat". It is not a place where you "let your hair down", or tell lewd jokes at the expense of another to make yourself feel more important.

It is a place where masons "meet to work"; a place meant to be a haven clear of all negatives toward each other, a place to model who can best work and agree.

What is good for the lodge?

o Fellowship - We should greet each other when possible as we enter the lodge. This should be the job of Entered Apprentices (and/or FCs) so that they can learn the names of other brethren in the lodge, and begin to make bonds withvisitng  brethren.

o Friendship - Brothers should have the contact numbers of all masons in their lodge in order to make contact with any they choose. To withhold a cell number from a lodge brother is essentially saying that you do not trust him. (Shall we continue?)

o Role Modeling - All Master Masons are role models for EA's and FC's. That is a plain, simple fact. Any Master Mason should be willing to take charge of a brother EA or FC and help him. That is an obligation, not a suggestion. MMs should also be willing to teach EAs/FCs customs, manners, and remind them of etiquette for functions or introductions. That is the fraternal way, and what we should be handing down to our new brothers.

o Tutoring - Brothers should be willing to teach, listen, or assist the brother who is studying by finding a suitable teacher for him. It should NOT be left to the student to "track down" the teacher…. EVER!!

o Counseling - When a brother who normally shows up to the lodge is absent for an extended time (for no apparent reason) we should be worried about him. A lodge designee should have a list of these brethren, and should be contacting them monthly to determine their status, offer help, or to pass that request on to the lodge in case another brother can provide the service. We help our own first, and we worry about them when they are not with us.

o Edification of another - I cannot count the number of times I have heard someone edifying (that's talking good about) another mason in his absence and seeing the admiration of the younger masons in the group. I also cannot count the times that the negatives were elicited about a mason, and younger masons started chiming in with their own negatives about masonic issues or brethren. We cannot let this happen. The only way to prevent this is to ensure all do not get this kind of conversation started.

o Controlled discussion of differences - Will we always work best or agree? Certainly not, but we should be constructive about how we solve our differences. Are we ever as ready and willing to take the constructive criticism we dish out? Of course we aren't, so why should we think someone else would like to hear it. Craft your discussions without emotion, or just say you don't agree but cannot verbalize it. Don't be petty, rude, or condescending to another mason because you do not agree. Get a neutral party (the Master perhaps?) involved, if necessary, but keep the level of discussion to the point.

What is not good for the lodge?

o Attitudes - Of any kind, please leave them at the door. It doesn't matter if the mason with whom you are fellowshipping is a lifelong friend, all masons should have the same thoughts in mind when attending lodge. Do what you want outside the lodge, but remember that you represent your lodge when you do ANYTHING!!!!

o Control Freaks - For those who think they run everything… be my guest (because I have been there) but first roll up your sleeves and lead on. Never ask someone to do something you have the time to do yourself, unless you are asking them to help you. Nobody wishes to be ordered around, and I guarantee you that nobody will think very highly of you if you do.

o Discriminatory thoughts, remarks, or actions - These are NEVER to be tolerated in a lodge, whether it be in the Bathroom, Kitchen, Dining room, or Lodge room. We are adults, gentlemen, and we should act like adults… not children! Our physical and mental differences are what make us unique, but not what Masonry is supposed to regard. These things should not be used to denigrate any person, more especially a brother mason. They should be used to understand the

o Blaspheming the Creator's name - This is antithetical to Masonry. Any mason doing this should be taken behind the woodshed immediately. (No joke!) Seriously, this is an offense to many people, and you never know who is going to hear it. Said in reaction to pain is no excuse. Masons should be prepared to reprimand any Mason who represents himself (and the lodge) in this manner.

o Other profanity - Ok, it is bad enough that I have to include this item, because the above should take care of it, but just for those of us who are a little slower….. NO PROFANITY IN THE LODGE, WHATSOEVER!!!

o Lewd or racist jokes - I cannot believe this still exists. I learned them as a child from more racist adults of that age, but as an adult I know they are not proper under any circumstances. I cannot "un-learn" what I learned, so I try to forget them. These have no place in lodges that are trying to mold young men's minds.

Some will most certainly take offense at the above words, and if they knew me would probably convict me of them occasionally. I am not saying that I am on the "high road". I am just as humble as the next mason in trying to conquer the vileness within me. It is my duty to myself to quell those thoughts and actions as much as it is my obligation to aid a falling brother in his reformation.

Please join me in making this lodge, wherever you may choose to display this, full of proud masons who exude the following qualities for younger masons to see:

1. Honor to the fraternity to never to let it be defaced by bad intentions.

2. Virtuous in our lodges, and in our daily lives.

3. Truthful to ourselves about our need to change.

4. Fidelity to our practices, so that younger men will want to be like us.

5. Courage to speak out when others are not following Masonic principles.

6. Loyalty to our brothers in letting them know we care, and are willing to help.

7. Patience enough to wait and watch them change.

8. Humble enough to accept criticism when we falter, or commendation when we succeed.

9. Proud enough to commend the changes we see in our brothers.

Thank you for your help.