Instead of working to establish higher standards, we tend to gravitate toward lower levels.
We can do something about it, though, if we will.

10 - 'Happy Ways Of Doing Things'

Dear Tom:

SN'T it odd that in our telephone conversation last evening we had a simultaneous thought and started to express it in identical words at the same instant?

"Now we're beginning to say the same things all over again," we were telling each other.

And indeed we were. But understandably, I believe. For in discussing the subjects in which we both are interested we cannot avoid coming back to certain basic premises:

• An understanding of what it's all about,

• Better manners,

• Higher standards.

Whatever it is that causes our brows to furrow, the chances are good that it will be found in one of these three categories.

Many times we have discussed the importance of helping the Brethren to know and appreciate what Freemasonry is all about. Now let's think about how we can improve our manners and the manners of our Brethren.

I like the way Emerson put it. "There is always a best way of doing everything, if it be to boil an egg," he said. "Manners are the happy ivays of doing things."

In Freemasonry we say little about manners; too little, perhaps. The subject seems to have become a "no-no" in the same manner that proper dress at Lodge meetings is verboten. And so, instead of working to establish higher standards in both manners and dress, we tend to gravitate toward lower levels. Not very encouraging, is it? We can do something about it, though, if we will. But the Worshipful Master in the East must be out in front--leading, not following.

At this point I need not remind you that the Worshipful Master must set a high example. From what you have told me, I know Acacia Lodge can count on you to lift the standard to the highest possible level. Then, quietly and tactfully, without belaboring your point, perhaps you could begin with some little "nuggets" of good and wholesome instruction. Make them so brief and so casual that the Brethren will never suspect you are "educating" them. A good place to start is with the more obvious points of etiquette.[*]

• The Brethren wear the apron outside the coat, and they tie the strings before they enter the Lodge hall. The practice of slouching into the hall while tying the strings is both discourteous and disrespectful.

• Smoking in the Lodge hall just isn't done while the Lodge is open and at labor.

• The Flag of the United States occupies the position of honor in every Lodge. No other flag is displayed during a Lodge communication, nor should it appear anywhere in a Lodge hall.

• There is a certain approved manner in which Brethren enter or leave the Lodge when it is open. They neither enter nor leave during a ballot. Entering or leaving during the conferring of degrees isn't done except at the natural "intermissions" which every Brother will recognize.

• A Brother always rises when addressing the Master or when offering or seconding a motion.

• A Brother never passes between the altar and the East while the Lodge is open except when required to do so during the ceremonies of the degrees.

Then when the basic rules of conduct have been discussed one by one, you could move on to the advanced course.

The Master's Head Covering. In the U. S. A. it is the Master's prerogative to remain covered while Lodge is open. If he wears a hat, it should be dignified in appearance and appropriate to the occasion. And the Master always removes his head covering when the Grand Master enters the hall.

Honor and Respect. The Grand Master of Masons is the highest ranking Freemason in his Jurisdiction. No matter how well we may know him, the practice of "first-naming" the Grand Master during a Masonic meeting is poor taste. Never say "Brother Bill"; not even "Brother Jones." Call him Grand Master.

Heckling. No Master Mason would engage in outright heckling during a meeting of his Lodge, but many accomplish the same purpose when they talk in undertones or loud whispers while a degree is being conferred.

Keep Quiet, Smarty! It will take some diplomacy, but the self-appointed prompter during the degree work should be told that only one Brother will do the prompting and then only when he gets the signal for help. Otherwise, the member who knows it all should observe the virtue of silence and circumspection.

Flippancy. Never will you find a Brother who would make wisecracks during a Masonic memorial service or laugh aloud when a candidate goes to the altar for prayer. There are far too many, though, who wisecrack and laugh during the most solemn moments in the Sublime Degree.

Respect for the Lodge. The candidate for the degrees is told that he should come to Lodge attired in a manner that will reflect his respect for the Craft. He is not relieved of that obligation as soon as he is raised, however.

Universality. And could we not be a little more thoughtful and considerate when in Lodge we address our supplications to the Great Architect, remembering that Freemasons boast of universality and that we claim to require no religious test save "that religion in which all men agree"?

Where's the Welcome Wagon? One place where we fall down in the basic niceties is in failing to pay a friendly social call on a newcomer in the community who may be a Freemason. Can't help but think how much I should like it if a Brother were to call, introduce himself, and invite me to Lodge!

A Seat in the East. Another one of those "happy ways of doing things" that is woefully neglected is the gracious act of inviting a Past Master to a seat on the Master's right. Personally, I feel that the seat of honor should never be vacant. It can be occupied by the Senior Past Master. Or a visiting Past Master. Or a distinguished guest. Or the father of the young man who is the candidate of the evening. Or the invited speaker. What a red letter year it would be for Acacia Lodge if every one of our Past Masters could be invited to a seat in the East sometime between January and December!

Masonic Birthdays. The ultimate in thought-fulness comes when the Master invites all the Brethren raised in a given month to attend the stated communication (or a particularly interesting called meeting) for that month, whereby each may observe his "Masonic birthday." But be sure to have something on the program worth their while.

Courtesy to Invited Speakers. A guest speaker doesn't give up an evening and come to Acacia Lodge because he wants to necessarily; he comes because the Master has asked him to speak. Hence, he should be treated with courtesy and consideration. Above all things, he should be permitted to speak before everyone present is worn out with program that is already too long.

"Once to Every Man." Usually without warning, Tom, the day will come when you as Master of Acacia Lodge should go to pay a call of respect t the family of a deceased Brother. Truly, it is on of the most kindly and thoughtful of all the Master's duties. He should offer his sympathies and convey the condolences of the Brethren. Never, under any circumstances, should he blurt out the question as to whether a Masonic service is desired. That should not be the purpose of his call. If a ceremony by the Lodge is desired, it will be requested; if no request is made, the subject should not even be mentioned.

"Solemn Strikes the Fun'ral Chime." If the Lodge is requested to conduct a memorial or burial service, nothing short of perfection should be tolerated. And let's see to it that a Brother of Acacia Lodge conducts the service.

A Masonic Lodge Is for Masons. If you do nothing more during your term in the East than this, Tom, you will be long remembered: Have something for Master Masons at every meeting. I need not remind you to entertain the ladies once, and the children once. But after that, for the sake of our beloved Craft, please build all your programs around Master Masons. They keep the Lodge going; they pay its bills; they are its life blood. Don't forget them.

--Your Old Mentor

* Much of the remainder of this letter is condensed from an article, "Happy Ways of Doing Things," which appeared in The Indiana Freemason February 1963.