Who Will Stand in the Breach?

At last, a return to topical Blogging! Who will stand in the defense of masonry? Who will stand in the breach? This question arises from many discussions I've had since I started researching, writing, and publishing articles and books. It is now bubbling around in my head and it will become a Blog Post, then it will become an article, and perhaps I will work it into a book in the near future. The real question is this: "when push comes to shove, who among us will fight for our craft through tough love, pointed and very direct masonic education, strict petition investigations, and the application and expectation of standards in our lodges and among our brothers?

Here is a test that each of you can do, and that I have been doing for almost four years now. Randomly ask brothers you know this question: "what do you think is wrong with masonry today?". It's a simple question, and the answers will reflect the opinion(s) of those whom you ask. But here are the essentials to consider once you begin your survey.

First, how many brothers respond with two or more issues that really bug them? Inversely, how many love everything about the craft exactly as it is?

Second, of the answers you receive, how many of the problems or issues are you personally already familiar with and perhaps agree with?

Third, after you have asked the number of brothers you have selected, how many different issues surfaced as things that bother your brothers?

As in any family, there are always small issues in families that members either don't like or maybe even just drive them crazy, but, because they are a true family, they personally find their own way to address the problem. Some just ignore the problems, perhaps assuming there are things they themselves do that drive others in the family crazy, while some will address the issues head on with the family member at the center of the problem. Strong, healthy families work through these type of problems and move forward.

Unfortunately, in some families, members ignore problems and avoid confrontations simply to - as they believe - avoid bigger problems. I think we all know that problems ignored will eventually demand attention, it's just a matter of when and how much damage is done when the dam bursts.

When you asked your brothers what things bother them about the fraternity, did any indicate what, if anything they had done to address the problem or problems? If any of the issues were the same as any you yourself find to be causing problems in among your brothers, what have you done to address the problems?

"Problems ignored will eventually demand attention, it's just a matter of when, and how much damage is done when the dam bursts".

If you informally sampled the thoughts of five or six brothers and were surprised to find that there are eight, or nine, or perhaps more issues floating around in your lodge, on the minds of five or six brothers, yet no one is moving to address or correct them, the problems will eventually demand attention. Is it your hope that when that happens that it is someone else's job to deal with it? Do you hope you don't get pulled into the tornado that might emerge as the wheels come off? Or perhaps you may just feel that yes, you understand the problems and issues but they just aren't your problems to address.

Let's go another step. Suppose 15 or 20 brothers you know from your lodge and perhaps others as well all have four or five things that really bother them about the craft and everyone is sitting back, waiting for someone else to address them and even maybe praying quietly they can avoid being pulled into the chaos when the domino's start falling.

Who will stand in defense of the craft and who will stand in the breach when the winds start to blow?

Who will take an issue they have with masonry and try to fix it? Who will say to themselves "this makes no sense and I will do my best to improve it!!"?

Will YOU work in the quarry to improve our fraternal temple? Will you write a resolution to improve that article in the Law Book you really hate? Will you research and design an education program to teach brothers something they need to know about the craft but may have never seen before? Will you tell the brother it's distracting and not polite to talk on the sideline during a meeting or worse, during a degree?

My brothers, if you run that little test where you ask several brothers what they don't like about about masonry or the fraternity, don't stop there - think about the answers and force yourself to understand what those answers mean, and if you find you agree with certain issues or problems, then step up and into the breach! LEAD! Acknowledge those things that impact the fraternity, then do something about them!

Masonry only works to improve a man when a man actively engages with our system of

morality. Bored in lodge? Start a club. Think there are better options and ways to take care of the lodge? Volunteer to be on or even to lead a committee! Do you think things could run better? Volunteer for the line and address your ideas and suggestions with the weight of an officer of the lodge. Engage the lodge and engage with masonry to make masonry work for you and your lodge!

I will offer one word of recommendation or caution. When you take on a problem or an issue, keep your mind and your eyes open! Do not go into the battle under the belief that you already know everything there is to know about the issue - be prepared to learn! You may find out there are other factors you knew nothing about. If this occurs, learn everything you can about the entire issue and all the factors and then share that information with your brothers who probably do not have the knowledge you have learned. Educate and share the light with your brothers!

Are we not taught, and do we not teach that masonry is a system where good men are made better? A man who sees a problem and then thinks it through, and then institutes a solution makes himself and the craft better! Leadership, problem solving, motivating those around you, and perhaps public speaking are all aspects you might improve in yourself while you improve your lodge and the fraternity!

My brothers, I see a clear choice - sit around, grumble about things that bother us and make those around us miserable, or take advantage of the opportunities afforded us through masonry and make our selves, our lodges, and our craft a better fraternity for all of us! Any man from EA to Master Mason can spot a problem, but leaders address the problems they find. Stand in the breach!

Travel with purpose my brothers!

Bro. Bill