Guarding the Gate
T.F.S.
Three, five, and seven
3 5 7
Number 148 – June 01, 2009
“Freemasonry is not a fraternity of reformers; we do not take in men who are lacking in morals and values, and then reform them.” ERH
This publication, while it is printed with the permission of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of A.F. & A. M. of Minnesota, contains the writings and opinions of Ed Halpaus and is not in any way the opinion of the Grand Lodge of Minnesota.
“The first step in successfully influencing someone to stop doing wrong and to begin to do good is to sincerely care about this person's well-being. When you have a profound concern for another person then regardless of exactly what you say, that person will experience your sincere caring. However you think and feel, that is the way you will talk. When you are motivated by sincere concern, what you say will be more conducive to effective results.” Rabbi Zelig Pliskin
Guarding the Gate!
Who’s Guarding the West Gate – is something heard in Freemasonry every once in a while; sometimes it’s not so easy to tell if it’s asked as a question we should answer, or if it’s said as a statement. Either way it’s a good phrase to ask ourselves and think about. I like what M.W. Brother Rex Hutchens says; ‘we should change our slogan to – we admit better men and make them really good men.’ In order to admit the ‘good’ or ‘better’ men of society every Freemason takes his turn in guarding the west gate; this is part of the responsibility we have to each other as Masons.
The subject of guarding the west gate generally comes up when a Mason is found to have committed some act of unmasonic conduct. The ways some will come up with to commit unmasonic conduct are too numerous to mention, so we’ll just call these acts, unmasonic.
Thinking of guarding the gate, some may wonder if the Lodge Brothers of our unmasonic Brother didn’t exercise due diligence in the selection process regarding petitions. Some might suggest that these same Brethren have a small stake in the responsibility for the act their Brother committed. This brings up something important about responsibility; we have responsibilities to each other, but not for each other.
While it may be true that some Masons don’t exercise due diligence in the selection process of a petitioner, it may also be possible that a Mason who has completed his degrees, and who was taught the lessons of Freemasonry, didn’t take them to heart. This might happen when men petition for the degrees for the wrong reasons. What seems to be true is that people change over the years, and the changes are not always for the better.
The Lodge can make a significant difference in a Mason’s life, and have a positive influence on his conduct. The responsibility we have to our Brethren and to Freemasonry to mentor, teach, advise, and warn, doesn’t end at the end of a third degree, nor is it in effect only when we’re in Lodge.
We as Masons and as members of our respective Lodges do have a responsibility ‘to’ each other; revisiting the charges and obligations of the degrees helps us in remembering this. Some Lodges in the U.S. will annually ask every member present to meet at the altar, where the obligation of the 3° is again repeated by every member. In the jurisdictions of some other countries the ‘Old Charge’ are read for the edification of everyone present at the end of every degree – both of these practices are very good customs. Our obligation does not end at the attainment of the third degree, or a ‘high’ office. Masons, the really good men, will live up to their obligation every day in every area of their life.
If we shirk our responsibility to ourselves, our Brethren, and to Freemasonry, then whatever Masonic related group we may speak of is at risk; the risk of the culture of the group changing for the worse: The group could begin to accept behavior that is not in keeping with Masonic values and ideals.
When we look at the obligations, and the degree charges, we can also look at the “Old Charges” from the premiere Grand Lodge as written by Brother Anderson, in particular article 6 [VI] ‘Of Behavior,’ and in the section #’s 2, 3, 4, 5, and the paragraph after the numbers. (The ‘Old Charges’ are available in many books and on the Internet.) #3 has to do with ‘Behavior when Brethren meet without strangers, but not in a Lodge formed.’
#3 says: “You are to salute one another in a courteous manner, as you will be instructed, calling each other Brother, freely giving mutual instruction as shall be thought expedient, without being overseen or overheard, and without encroaching upon each other, or derogating from that respect which is due to any Brother, were he not a Mason; for though all Masons are as Brethren upon the same level, yet Masonry takes no honor from a man that he had before; nay, rather it adds to his honor, especially if he has deserved well of the Brotherhood, who must give honor to whom it is due, and avoid all ill manners.” [Underlining is mine.] Freely giving mutual instruction also means to be supportive of laudable undertakings and to warn of approaching danger when a Brother is headed for unwholesome, dangerous, or unmasonic conduct.
#4 has to do with: ‘Behavior in presence of strangers not Masons,’ it says: “You shall be cautious in your words and carriage, that the most penetrating stranger shall not be able to discover or find out what is not proper to be intimated; and sometimes you shall divert a discourse and manage it prudently for the honor of the worshipful Fraternity.” [Underlining mine.]
There is much to ponder in these two passages in the ‘Old Charges.’ Regarding #4: We might at first be of the impression that this means we are to be watchful in our thoughts, words, and actions, so that none of the secrets of Masonry may be revealed or discovered, but I think there is much more to it than that: ‘Discourse’ has to do with communication of thought, this is generally thought to involve words, talk, conversation, and writing, but I submit that thoughts can also be conveyed through actions. If possible, Masons should divert unmasonic actions. ‘Intimate’ (in-ti-mate) means to make known or formally announce: Do we at times by our manifested thoughts, through words, and actions make known to the uninitiated a false impression of what Freemasonry stands for, and how Freemasons behave? When we hear of Masons who have behaved in an unmasonic manner, is this not exactly what they have been doing? – giving a false impression of Masons and Masonry.
In the fraternity of Freemasons, every member of a lodge is guarding the west gate. I’m convinced that we all want to guard it well. I’m also convinced that by living up to the obligations, charges of the degrees, and the ‘Old Charges,’ Freemasons can change for the better. Masons are expected to be more resistant to changes that lean toward the base, and unwholesome; we are also expected to encourage each other to stay away from such things. We warn each other of what we are about to do, so that we may ward off all approaching danger; There are many dangers that can ruin a Mason’s life; his family relationships, his health, his reputation, and our fraternity. As Freemasons we hold ourselves to a high standard.
Our responsibilities to our brethren don’t end at the attainment of the third degree, or at any other time; we have responsibilities to each other for as long as we are freemasons. ‘Once a Freemason always a Freemason!’
If we see a brother doing something, or about to do something that is unmasonic we know we should warn him about the danger. The question is; how seriously do we take our obligation? Do we whisper good council in his ear, and say as King Solomon does in Proverbs 6:20-35, to warn him of approaching danger, or does apathy or even acceptance take the lead?
Certain segments of society would like us to believe that what it puts forth is desirable and acceptable. A Masonic Lodge is not a microcosm of society; society and its influences should stop at the door of the Lodge, the Lodge is a respite from what society tells us. A good example of that is Brother Kipling’s poem called “The Mother Lodge;” if you don’t recall the poem, or if you haven’t read it lately, you might enjoy looking it up in a book, or on the Internet, and reading it again.
Freemasonry should be different from society because, what it stands for is not what society professes. It is in Lodge, and from a Brother that you should hear the truth; one who cares about you enough to tell you when you are making a mistake. A mistake we Masons will make at times is to allow a Brother to engage in what appears to be very pleasant, but could easily cause great discomfort later. Friends and Brothers are people who share values; Freemasons share values, and they care enough about one another to remind their brethren about Masonic values.
Masons are also the kind of men who will be vigilant in making certain that any change in the culture of a Lodge, or in any other Masonic affiliated group, will be in keeping with the values of Masonry.
Every freemason is a guard at the west gate: The design of the Masonic institution is that Masons take turns in guarding the west gate; (think of the charge of the first degree.) Masons, when not able to attend Lodge, trust that their Brethren, (who are in attendance,) will do the best they can in the selection process on petitions. Because we take turns we are all guarding the west gate. Here’s something to think about – we Masons who don’t ballot on petitions, because we can’t be at Lodge, or because we are not a member of the Lodge where the petition is presented, do ‘vote’ by having confidence in the Brethren who are eligible to ballot that they will cast a ballot that is good for the order.
Words to live by: Too many people confine their exercise to jumping to conclusions, running up bills, stretching the truth, bending over backward, lying down on the job, sidestepping responsibility, and pushing their luck.
“It is wrong to think that misfortunes come from the east or from the west; they originate within one's own mind. Therefore, it is foolish to guard against misfortunes from the external world and leave the inner mind uncontrolled.” Buddha
From the Great Light of Masonry: “He commanded them, saying, ‘this is what you are to do: You are in three companies that are going on duty on the Sabbath – a third of you guarding the royal palace, a third at the Sur Gate, and a third at the gate behind the guard, who take turns guarding the temple.” 2 Kings 11:5-6
Please remember: if you would like to participate in the latest Masonic Monday Question, please go to http://www.lodgebuilder.org and click on the Lodge Education forum. When you have an answer send it to masonicmonday@gmail.com the Masonic Monday Question for the week of 06/01/09 is: What does the title of ‘Master’ of the Lodge signify?
“Let the wise guard their thoughts, which are difficult to perceive, extremely subtle, and wander at will. Thought which is well guarded is the bearer of happiness.” Buddha
More Light – Mehr Licht ©, Masonic Matters © and T.F.S. ©, are sent out by Email at no charge to anyone who would like to receive them. If you enjoy these publications please share them with others. To subscribe to these publications just send an E-mail to erhmasonic@gmail.com with Subscribe in the subject line and you will be added to the list to receive the publications.
“However much we guard ourselves against it, we tend to shape ourselves in the image others have of us. It is not so much the example of others we imitate, as the reflection of ourselves in their eyes and the echo of ourselves in their words.” Eric Hoffer
To read some past issues of Ed’s publications on the web go to: http://www.halpaus.net and click on the publication you would like to read.
With “Brotherly Love”,
Ed Halpaus
Grand Lodge Education Officer
Seek to mentor a Brother Mason:
It’s good for him, it’s good for you, and it’s good for Freemasonry!
Three, five, and seven
3 5 7
Number 148 – June 01, 2009
“Freemasonry is not a fraternity of reformers; we do not take in men who are lacking in morals and values, and then reform them.” ERH
This publication, while it is printed with the permission of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of A.F. & A. M. of Minnesota, contains the writings and opinions of Ed Halpaus and is not in any way the opinion of the Grand Lodge of Minnesota.
“The first step in successfully influencing someone to stop doing wrong and to begin to do good is to sincerely care about this person's well-being. When you have a profound concern for another person then regardless of exactly what you say, that person will experience your sincere caring. However you think and feel, that is the way you will talk. When you are motivated by sincere concern, what you say will be more conducive to effective results.” Rabbi Zelig Pliskin
Guarding the Gate!
Who’s Guarding the West Gate – is something heard in Freemasonry every once in a while; sometimes it’s not so easy to tell if it’s asked as a question we should answer, or if it’s said as a statement. Either way it’s a good phrase to ask ourselves and think about. I like what M.W. Brother Rex Hutchens says; ‘we should change our slogan to – we admit better men and make them really good men.’ In order to admit the ‘good’ or ‘better’ men of society every Freemason takes his turn in guarding the west gate; this is part of the responsibility we have to each other as Masons.
The subject of guarding the west gate generally comes up when a Mason is found to have committed some act of unmasonic conduct. The ways some will come up with to commit unmasonic conduct are too numerous to mention, so we’ll just call these acts, unmasonic.
Thinking of guarding the gate, some may wonder if the Lodge Brothers of our unmasonic Brother didn’t exercise due diligence in the selection process regarding petitions. Some might suggest that these same Brethren have a small stake in the responsibility for the act their Brother committed. This brings up something important about responsibility; we have responsibilities to each other, but not for each other.
While it may be true that some Masons don’t exercise due diligence in the selection process of a petitioner, it may also be possible that a Mason who has completed his degrees, and who was taught the lessons of Freemasonry, didn’t take them to heart. This might happen when men petition for the degrees for the wrong reasons. What seems to be true is that people change over the years, and the changes are not always for the better.
The Lodge can make a significant difference in a Mason’s life, and have a positive influence on his conduct. The responsibility we have to our Brethren and to Freemasonry to mentor, teach, advise, and warn, doesn’t end at the end of a third degree, nor is it in effect only when we’re in Lodge.
We as Masons and as members of our respective Lodges do have a responsibility ‘to’ each other; revisiting the charges and obligations of the degrees helps us in remembering this. Some Lodges in the U.S. will annually ask every member present to meet at the altar, where the obligation of the 3° is again repeated by every member. In the jurisdictions of some other countries the ‘Old Charge’ are read for the edification of everyone present at the end of every degree – both of these practices are very good customs. Our obligation does not end at the attainment of the third degree, or a ‘high’ office. Masons, the really good men, will live up to their obligation every day in every area of their life.
If we shirk our responsibility to ourselves, our Brethren, and to Freemasonry, then whatever Masonic related group we may speak of is at risk; the risk of the culture of the group changing for the worse: The group could begin to accept behavior that is not in keeping with Masonic values and ideals.
When we look at the obligations, and the degree charges, we can also look at the “Old Charges” from the premiere Grand Lodge as written by Brother Anderson, in particular article 6 [VI] ‘Of Behavior,’ and in the section #’s 2, 3, 4, 5, and the paragraph after the numbers. (The ‘Old Charges’ are available in many books and on the Internet.) #3 has to do with ‘Behavior when Brethren meet without strangers, but not in a Lodge formed.’
#3 says: “You are to salute one another in a courteous manner, as you will be instructed, calling each other Brother, freely giving mutual instruction as shall be thought expedient, without being overseen or overheard, and without encroaching upon each other, or derogating from that respect which is due to any Brother, were he not a Mason; for though all Masons are as Brethren upon the same level, yet Masonry takes no honor from a man that he had before; nay, rather it adds to his honor, especially if he has deserved well of the Brotherhood, who must give honor to whom it is due, and avoid all ill manners.” [Underlining is mine.] Freely giving mutual instruction also means to be supportive of laudable undertakings and to warn of approaching danger when a Brother is headed for unwholesome, dangerous, or unmasonic conduct.
#4 has to do with: ‘Behavior in presence of strangers not Masons,’ it says: “You shall be cautious in your words and carriage, that the most penetrating stranger shall not be able to discover or find out what is not proper to be intimated; and sometimes you shall divert a discourse and manage it prudently for the honor of the worshipful Fraternity.” [Underlining mine.]
There is much to ponder in these two passages in the ‘Old Charges.’ Regarding #4: We might at first be of the impression that this means we are to be watchful in our thoughts, words, and actions, so that none of the secrets of Masonry may be revealed or discovered, but I think there is much more to it than that: ‘Discourse’ has to do with communication of thought, this is generally thought to involve words, talk, conversation, and writing, but I submit that thoughts can also be conveyed through actions. If possible, Masons should divert unmasonic actions. ‘Intimate’ (in-ti-mate) means to make known or formally announce: Do we at times by our manifested thoughts, through words, and actions make known to the uninitiated a false impression of what Freemasonry stands for, and how Freemasons behave? When we hear of Masons who have behaved in an unmasonic manner, is this not exactly what they have been doing? – giving a false impression of Masons and Masonry.
In the fraternity of Freemasons, every member of a lodge is guarding the west gate. I’m convinced that we all want to guard it well. I’m also convinced that by living up to the obligations, charges of the degrees, and the ‘Old Charges,’ Freemasons can change for the better. Masons are expected to be more resistant to changes that lean toward the base, and unwholesome; we are also expected to encourage each other to stay away from such things. We warn each other of what we are about to do, so that we may ward off all approaching danger; There are many dangers that can ruin a Mason’s life; his family relationships, his health, his reputation, and our fraternity. As Freemasons we hold ourselves to a high standard.
Our responsibilities to our brethren don’t end at the attainment of the third degree, or at any other time; we have responsibilities to each other for as long as we are freemasons. ‘Once a Freemason always a Freemason!’
If we see a brother doing something, or about to do something that is unmasonic we know we should warn him about the danger. The question is; how seriously do we take our obligation? Do we whisper good council in his ear, and say as King Solomon does in Proverbs 6:20-35, to warn him of approaching danger, or does apathy or even acceptance take the lead?
Certain segments of society would like us to believe that what it puts forth is desirable and acceptable. A Masonic Lodge is not a microcosm of society; society and its influences should stop at the door of the Lodge, the Lodge is a respite from what society tells us. A good example of that is Brother Kipling’s poem called “The Mother Lodge;” if you don’t recall the poem, or if you haven’t read it lately, you might enjoy looking it up in a book, or on the Internet, and reading it again.
Freemasonry should be different from society because, what it stands for is not what society professes. It is in Lodge, and from a Brother that you should hear the truth; one who cares about you enough to tell you when you are making a mistake. A mistake we Masons will make at times is to allow a Brother to engage in what appears to be very pleasant, but could easily cause great discomfort later. Friends and Brothers are people who share values; Freemasons share values, and they care enough about one another to remind their brethren about Masonic values.
Masons are also the kind of men who will be vigilant in making certain that any change in the culture of a Lodge, or in any other Masonic affiliated group, will be in keeping with the values of Masonry.
Every freemason is a guard at the west gate: The design of the Masonic institution is that Masons take turns in guarding the west gate; (think of the charge of the first degree.) Masons, when not able to attend Lodge, trust that their Brethren, (who are in attendance,) will do the best they can in the selection process on petitions. Because we take turns we are all guarding the west gate. Here’s something to think about – we Masons who don’t ballot on petitions, because we can’t be at Lodge, or because we are not a member of the Lodge where the petition is presented, do ‘vote’ by having confidence in the Brethren who are eligible to ballot that they will cast a ballot that is good for the order.
Words to live by: Too many people confine their exercise to jumping to conclusions, running up bills, stretching the truth, bending over backward, lying down on the job, sidestepping responsibility, and pushing their luck.
“It is wrong to think that misfortunes come from the east or from the west; they originate within one's own mind. Therefore, it is foolish to guard against misfortunes from the external world and leave the inner mind uncontrolled.” Buddha
From the Great Light of Masonry: “He commanded them, saying, ‘this is what you are to do: You are in three companies that are going on duty on the Sabbath – a third of you guarding the royal palace, a third at the Sur Gate, and a third at the gate behind the guard, who take turns guarding the temple.” 2 Kings 11:5-6
Please remember: if you would like to participate in the latest Masonic Monday Question, please go to http://www.lodgebuilder.org and click on the Lodge Education forum. When you have an answer send it to masonicmonday@gmail.com the Masonic Monday Question for the week of 06/01/09 is: What does the title of ‘Master’ of the Lodge signify?
“Let the wise guard their thoughts, which are difficult to perceive, extremely subtle, and wander at will. Thought which is well guarded is the bearer of happiness.” Buddha
More Light – Mehr Licht ©, Masonic Matters © and T.F.S. ©, are sent out by Email at no charge to anyone who would like to receive them. If you enjoy these publications please share them with others. To subscribe to these publications just send an E-mail to erhmasonic@gmail.com with Subscribe in the subject line and you will be added to the list to receive the publications.
“However much we guard ourselves against it, we tend to shape ourselves in the image others have of us. It is not so much the example of others we imitate, as the reflection of ourselves in their eyes and the echo of ourselves in their words.” Eric Hoffer
To read some past issues of Ed’s publications on the web go to: http://www.halpaus.net and click on the publication you would like to read.
With “Brotherly Love”,
Ed Halpaus
Grand Lodge Education Officer
Seek to mentor a Brother Mason:
It’s good for him, it’s good for you, and it’s good for Freemasonry!
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