9 Responses to We in North America have absolutely no concept of what it means to be a Freemason in the rest of the world.

  1. Ramil Huele says:

    This is a very inspiring article and it makes me feel good and proud being part of this noble institution.

  2. ricky dc diaz says:

    the impressive rules for me that should be implement is to wait the candidate with patience for six year before in to the lodge of which to
    follow the same grand lodge of iceland implementing rules

  3. JakeMohns says:

    Solomon Abellera
    Yes, in 'improving the quality of the craft, we will improve the quantity of the craft and regain the respect' and this holds true, not only in North America, but also in the Philippines, nay even into my mother Lodge. Thank you Right Worshipful Brother Thomas W. Read for sharing your experiences and thoughts.

  4. Alan Cowe says:

    My observations about the difference between North American Masonry and the rest of the craft is the entanglement of the Shrine. It would appear that the reason for the need for quick degrees is to satisfy the need for membership in the Shrine, an area of discussion that is curiously missing from this article.
    In my own small view of the craft I have watched the Shrine take the time and resources of our best and brightest members, leaving the menial class to till the ground. I assume that in most other jurisdictions those talents are applied to freemasonry because there is no competing Shrine.(social masonry).
    I also agree with every observation made in this article, because if Freemasonry was the organization as envisioned in this article the Shrine could have no consequence on it.
    Alan Cowe M.M.

  5. Bill Powell says:

    Raising dues to "limit" the membership is excluding others who do not deserve to be excluded, am I wrong? Being a "good" man does not mean you are wealthy, or elite. I've met plenty of great men that were broke and poor because they lived within their means and used any wealth to help others.

    I fully agree with the craft in North America is not quite where it needs to be. Its almost like an online course for a college, where you get the gist, but not the point behind it, you arent getting the full experience and being enveloped in it, and fully believe it. The same example exists with North America. Its "rushed" like an online course where you get a crash course to get you through the degrees, so that you can pump your time and money into the lodge to help keep it afloat. I feel that North American Masonry is somewhat like Starbucks, expanded to quickly with no view of recourse, and as a result I see a lot of empty temples all over the tri-state area, and elsewhere in the country.

    Id like to see the fraternity come together as a whole and decide the direction for North America. I think that is one thing the consistory does right, in having jurisdictions and a figurehead to guide the movement.

  6. JakeMohns says:

    By Samuel Jacques-Cloutier

    Wow, powerful article, and one that I will try and read out at our lodge meeting, if I may.

    Samuel Jacques-Cloutier

    Please do Brother Samuel – I hope the Brethren enjoy your presentation.
    …jake

  7. RWB Campbell says:

    An additional point is the adherence to our Masonic Law, or lack thereof, within individual Lodges. RWB Jackson's veiled focus on individual commitment to excellence within Freemasonry failed to mention each particular lodge's similar commitment. We have found that the erosion of Masonic value occurs at the local lodge and begins with the selective application of jurisdictional Masonic Law. Some lodges have become almost completely social and their focus on the principles of Freemasonry and adherence to its written law are negligible, at best. Good men quickly see the hypocrisy and fall away. Those lodges that apply the law and hold their membership accountable to it, are flourishing with quality men.

  8. By Robert Fay ஃ

    Yes, Brother Mohns,

    I found the article to be most illuminating. It covers a broad reach about Masonry's early history and how men of all ranks met in the early day to discover common ground and the congeniality of fellowship… often over feasting amidst the work of the lodge, amazingly enough.

    I think it is useful for US Brethren to recall that most lodges of the Colonial times were above Taverns… which were the only places likely to have lanterns or candles for light, all needed to support the sense of community and civil society. Feasting and other salubrious activities were commonplace in the Taverns… and huge philosophical discussions and even arguments… probably put forth in the most thunderous of terms.

    Yet, too, somehow, these men of stern strength and tested metal… men who worked at the physical labor of building farms out of wilderness or sweating to make the printing presses work, knew how to keep Harmony and do the Craft of seeing who could Best Agree…

    How striking is the difference from that time to now, when men seek to "sell" their perspectives just to make themselves right … as to be otherwise than right somehow must make the whole of them wrong… How small and weak we are now. Inadequate as compared to men of yore, might be a proper assessment, me thinks.

    Apologies to the Brethren here for my ranting…

    As is my traditional moniker, and attempt at wry humor, to bring some levity to each and every day because the illusion can be such a pain in the butt, let me leave you with this:

    Remember, this IS the illusion… so laughing at the comedy of it all is a good thing.

    When life gives you lemons, make orange juice and let them wonder how you did it.
    And with that, may I once again raise a toast to Mirthful Irreverence Everywhere.
    .
    By Robert Fay ஃ

  9. by Ryan Swalm •
    That is true and as a result in North America i believe we are too casual about initiating new members pushing brethren through degrees. also i have found that brethren here consider each other bros. however do not offer the same support as other masons from around the world. we could all be closer and more supporting to create that never ending chain of mutual support and brotherly love