Greetings Brethren,
Here it is the middle of September already and by the time you read this it may very well be October. The State Fair is over, Labor Day has come and gone, and by most peoples reckoning summer is over. That means that most Lodges are getting back into the swing of things. I’ve had a chance to visit several Lodges this month and most of them, including Montgomery, are fairly rusty when it comes to ritual work. The Worshipful Master has been in both the East and the West. The Junior Warden has been in the South, in the West, and in the North. While some Lodge openings might have the LEO, or even a occasional Custodian, tearing there hair out it’s good to see the Brothers back at their labors.
One of the things that I’ve had the occasion to think about over the summer his something that comes up over and over again in our journey in Masonry. That is that we are to cheerfully conform to the laws of the country in which we reside. We are also to cheerfully conform to all of the laws rules and regulations of the fraternity.
What does it mean to cheerfully conform to of our country? Most of us are law breakers of course. We may not even be aware of it but we are. We might be speeding because we are late for an appointment, we might cross in the middle of the block because it’s more convenient, or any number of minor violations of the law. I don’t think that strict adherence to the law is what is meant by cheerful conformance. What it does mean is that when we find out that a permit is required for serving food or alcohol in our Lodge building we cheerfully get the permit or we don’t serve. We don’t say things like that’s a stupid law so we don’t need to do that and ignore the law. It might also mean paying more a attention when we’re late for that appointment and try watching our speed.
I think the same thing applies to the laws, rules, and regulations of Masonry. While we may not agree with everything written in the Minnesota Masonic code, it’s our duty as Masons to cheerfully conform with it to the best of our abilities or to try and change it. Also the officers of a Lodge cannot use ignorance as an excuse for their lack of conformity with the code. It’s also their duty, as officers, to become familiar with both the Ancient Landmarks, Masonic code, as well as the Bylaws of their Lodge.
As we begin the fall season at Montgomery October marks the beginning of the degree cycle. On October 15 Montgomery will be holding it’s Entered Apprentice degree. We expect to have at least three candidates coming through the degrees this fall. As I’ve said in the past, Montgomery’s degree is some of the best you will see anywhere so I encourage everyone who can to attend.
There will also be several events this fall which all Masons should try attend if they can. On October 11th at 11am the Oriental chapter of the Eastern Star will be putting on a fund raiser at the Masonic Center on Plato Boulevard. Also at this event the Grand Lodge will be honoring all of the recipients of Military scholarships in the East Metro area. Grand Master Tom McCarthy and several Grand Lodge officers will be in attendance. Also on October 24th the Grand Master and other officers of the Grand Lodge of Minnesota will perform the Masonic Cornerstone Ceremony on the site of the new University of Minnesota Amplatz Children’s Hospital located on the West bank. The University will be serving Fun Fall Fair for lunch to everyone in attendance. This will be a wonderful event and the bigger the turnout the more fun it will be so everyone who can should plan on attending.
Fraternally yours Mark Dreyer, Master
Fraternally Mark Dreyer, Master
