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Master's Message
March 2000

"All of us tend to assume that Masonry has always been the way it was when we joined. And we become fiercely protective of it in that form. But, in fact, we've done more than replace and change it than you would think." -- W. Jim Tresner, 33 Degree Mason

Dear Brother:

Upon researching George Washington, I found some rather interesting Masonic facts that I feel should be told to you. We must keep in mind that Masonry does change and has changed over the years everything is not as others have done before us. When Brothers George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, and Paul Revere (and the other Masons of their era and for decades to come) joined the Fraternity, they did not demonstrate proficiency by memorizing categorical lectures. Instead, the same evening, they received a degree, they sat around a table with the other Brethren of the Lodge. The Brethren asked each other questions and answered them for the instruction of the new Brother. They asked him questions, and help him with the answers. The discussion continued until they were confident that he understood the lessons of the Degree. They then taught him the signs and tokens, and he was proficient. In many cases, he took the next degree the next night. The system of demonstrating proficiency by memorizing categorical lectures is less than about twice as old as the average Mason today, not too long a span in the 1,000 year history of the Fraternity.

The custom of allowing 28 days to pass between Degrees came about for no other reason than the fact that most lodges only met every 28 days, on the nights of the full moon. There was no mystery behind that. Very few horses came equipped with headlights, and only on nights of a full moon could people see well enough to leave their homes in the country and come into town for a meeting safely.

Would you believe that the names of the three ruffians has changed at least three times since the Master Mason Degree was created around 1727? How about the tax-supported public school system is a Masonic creation? We created homes for the elderly and orphanages, and then worked for the sort of social legislation to make those universally accepted. Masonry sought economic development for states and communities, and was one of the most potent forces for change in America until the late 1940's and 50's.

In spite of the many changes which have already happened and the changes which are bound to happen in the future for Masonry; like any living thing, must change and grow or die. As long as Brothers meet in the true Masonic spirit, to work and learn and study and improve themselves and the world, Masonry will survive. Why not come out to lodge and help us to change and survive?

Fraternally,

John Lacki Jr.
Worshipful Master