Cheshire-Mount Vernon Lodge #23

Transcription

1 Submission By: Michael C. Shklar, PM Cheshire-Mount Vernon Lodge #23 Cornish Flat, New Hampshire

2 As he got into bed, the RW E..S. (PM, PDDGM, PDDGL) thought over his evening. The banquet was wonderful, roast beef., the meeting of the Grand Line went well. There was no disagreement, and there were plans to concentrate on making sure constituent lodges degrees were flawless, full ritual would be observed at all times, and the per capita assessment needed to be raised. He loved Masonry and it had been the centerpiece of his life for years. He was liked by all, and was respected for having memorized more ritual than anyone else. As he drifted off, he also thought that at least the slightly irreverent PM from that Lodge in the middle of nowhere would not be his problem now that his term was up. Sure, he could speak for himself, but his flaky ideas wouldn t bother anyone. He was a good Mason, but, sheesh! He woke up to three distinct knocks. Standing by his bed was the Junior Deacon. He found himself being taken by the right arm and led into his home lodge There were loud voices, and it sounded like the Brethern were arguing with each other. And discussing issues. As he entered he saw someone resembling MW George Washington in the East. A Br. was objecting to slavery and organized religion. Another suggested that Br. Paine was too radical, and that leaving the Mother Country was treason. The discussion led to if there could be a theory of Natural Law without the existence of a deity. It was interesting. The brethren were be dressed in ordinary attire. After the Lodge closed (the ritual was quite familiar) they went downstairs. Oddly, this room seemed to be a tavern, where the conversation turned to matters of interest, such as the weather, children, the awful music that young people listened to, and the like. It did appear that beer was being consumed

3 The Jr. Deacon reappeared, and again they found themselves at the door, and again the SD opened the door and took him by the arm. Things had changed. The Brethren were again meeting, and were discussing patriotic celebrations. They all wore tuxedos, but were laughing that they looked like penguins, and how this could have been the 1920 s. The sidelines were full! It was clear was that most of them had recently served in the Armed Forces, and had recently emerged victorious from World War II. After the Lodge closed they went downstairs, where their wives had prepared food for the post-meeting session. They discussed television (the death of civilization) the awful music their children were listening to, and whether or not the Edsel would succeed with its odd grill and pushbuttons. Once again he found himself at the door, with the new Jr. Deacon, who he recognized as a Past Master. The Senior Deacon, also a PM conducted him to the center of the Lodge, where all except the Sr. Warden were also Past Masters. He noticed there was no Tyler, no Marshal, and the Secretary was also the Chaplain. Everyone still wore Tuxedos, but somehow looked uncomfortable as if they were a sort of costume. Suddenly he realized that he was looking at the last meeting. The ritual was impeccable (given a few missing officers), and the Brethren talked about the lack of members. One gave a program about a Masonic episode from the distant past, involving some arcane argument between George Washington and Thomas Paine. It was sort of dry. After Lodge, they went downstairs for coffee and cookies. They all got along, and actually had an interesting conversation about some recent crime and what should be done, and could anyone ethically defend the guilty so-and-so. They complained about the awful music their grandchildren liked.. After bemoaning the young,, someone asked what could be done to make Masonry appealing. That annoying PM explained:

4 Young people live in an electronic age. They are smart, they are caring. They are charitable. What do we offer that no one else does? ACTUAL HUMAN FELLOWSHIP. We offer the third space, where people who may come from different backgrounds meet, and talk, and perhaps even argue a bit. No computer furnishes this. Our world creates places where people only interact with others Just Like Themselves. In lodge, we have policemen, doctors, a cordwood dealer, a factory worker and even the lefty lawyer. NOWHERE ELSE WOULD WE BE FRIENDS. NOWHERE ELSE WOULD WE MEET ON THE LEVEL. This is our one enduring strength. We must offer the young what no computer can offer. What no social media site can do. We can offer actually human contact. Actual friendship and fellowship. We can offer a safe space where we can talk without being shouted down. We can eat a meal with folks a bit unlike us, but we can be UNITED IN THE GRAND DESIGN. That is what we offer. We must accept that for young people believe that women and men are equal. They crave connection. They are not their grandfathers. They also do not wear Tuxedos. They have never been taught to memorize anything, let alone archaic language. It is not them. But sitting around with a bunch of old guys doing ritual is not going to interest Silence. Then everyone chatted drifted off to their cars. Suddenly, he was outside the door again. Therewas a calendar for And the door opened. The lodge was nearly empty. However, it wasn t his lodge, but the Grand Lodge.. He asked his conductor what had happened.

5 By 2027 there were fewer lodges. They attracted a few members from their communities and the aging remnants from lodges that closed. Though they only practice on each other, they can still go through the degrees. The ritual is impeccable. After all, only the best are in Lodge. Dinners were nice. Meetings short. They donated to a favorite charity. A sort of successor to the Boy Scouts, though the y and Girl Scouts merged years ago. However they didn t want to be affiliated with a club which didn t welcome half of the new Eagle Scouts. Police Officers, Firefighters and Military personnel could not join. Their employers prohibited them from organizations which discriminated against their fellow officers or servicemembers. That led to disunity in places where unity is vital. Masons couldn t meet or operate on military bases, or on public property. No tax exemptions.. Some who might join don t want to be associated with such an organization. There were a few new members. Some for all the wrong reasons. Some joined to make their fathers happy, but never showed up after the 3d degree. Members were often afraid to admit their membership. It was not socially acceptable anymore. Masonry became a misogynistic relic. Grand lodges were full. Lodges sent four representatives. By 2032 Grand Lodge contained all of the active brothers in the State. Someone realized this. It became the only lodge. It was the last place where the ritual had been memorized, the last place the chairs were full. The last place tuxedos were worn. Then there were no stewards, The Marshal s seat was vacant. The Tyler became imaginary. The Master acted as Chaplain. The Secretary and Treasurer were Deacons.

6 Looking closely, he sees only 2 Masons. They are planning a Masonic Funeral. HIS,. They have a Mason from another state to help. This will be the last meeting. There are not 3 or more. And then he woke up--- or did he? For the FOURTH time he was outside the Lodge. The calendar still read Lodge hadn t opened yet The members of the Lodge are sitting down for supper. Was it take-out Chinese? Pot-luck? Both?. People are dressed neatly. Nothing sloppy, but nothing fancy. Lodge opens. The Master and Wardens have memorized their parts. The newer officers have books with them. The newest members follow along. Ritual is not really a secret. For 30 years it s been online.. They have accepted this. No one is intimidated by it. The real secrets are still secret. They don t discuss partisan politics, but lodge has a topic for the evening. Maybe it is a social issue. Maybe a book or article. Maybe an idea or theory. Perhaps even a member teaching a skill to the others or talking about their lives. All get to talk. The Master is moderates. They learn something essential--- they can actually listen to disagreement. They can understand that someone differs with them but is still a good person. Lodge is a safe space. Tomorrow they return to lives in a bubble where everyone is the same but tonight they are among friends. The officers reports were handed out. The calendar was too. There are announcements. Births, illnesses, deaths, events at other lodges. Lodge closes. In due form. Dessert follows.

7 Then it hits him. Some of the Brothers appear to be women. It only seems odd now that the meeting is over. Masonry will change, or die.