Seeking Guidance...

eleusinian · 12-05-2007, 03:17 AM

Dear Brothers,

I have read the, "Laudable Pursuit", and am strongly considering discussing this with my lodge. I imagine that I am very typical of the young Freemason. Before I joined I already had a passion for things esoteric. I can say without pride that I already knew, to the letter, what to expect in the initiation ritual. I came to the Temple doors seeking light. Long story short, I have never been contacted by my coach, have not been to a meeting in almost year. I am still an Entered Apprentice. I am a former Marine Corp infantrymen, and have been out for 3 years. My friends and I have never stopped talking, and we live in every one of the fifty states. None of us are co-located with each other, yet I could not go more than one week without speaking to any of them without a full search party being mustered. Half of the kids my age do not know what Free Masonry is, and those that do never fail to deliver the old, "You guys are the one's really running things huh". The prestige and honor is not there. The First Knowledge lecture was just a repeat of many books openly displaying our so-called secrets.
With that being said, is the older leadership aware that there are no more secrets? Kids my age are indeed looking for the esoteric conversation. We seek the same answers that Benjamin Franklin did. To speak tirelessly of the deepest mysteries. I can play cards anywhere. I can discuss finances with anyone at any given time. I can go to bakes and potlucks anywhere, but I can not discuss the curriculum of life with just anyone.
To my peers who are considering joining, I say to you this, the greatest "secrets", can not, will not and never have been given from one man to another. If you come seeking the ultimate "secret", you will not find it within the voice of a man. The ultimate "secrets" are granted by a pure relationship with a Superior Power. I believe this Brotherhood has the capability and the responsibility to cultivate and mold the young man into a fashion that allows him to receive these "secrets". So far I have not found this.
Forgive me for being judgmental, but a dress code would be wonderful. I do not like the Temple looking like a biker rally. Or the, "I just barely had time to shower and shave before I got here", look.
With all this being said, how will my Lodge receive these things from the youngest member of its brotherhood? My elders are twice and three times my age. I have fallen off the face of the earth, and no one has come looking for me. Do I need this?... no. But it does nothing for the bonding experience. Reading Manly Hall and Leslie Wilmshurst are my only instruction in the things that are esoteric.
I want to go back back, but I want to feel the Brotherhood. I want to define Free Masonry, not let current Masonry Define me.

A. G.

D. W. Brown · 12-05-2007, 04:06 PM

I feel for you Brother, as do many. That being said and to answer your questions about whether you should present the essay to your lodge, I would have to warn you against it, if you wish to continue to visit any Antient lodges. I say that not knowing your lodge members but in reading your post I would question the wisdom in doing that and what repercussions may ensue if you do.

There are alternatives to your situation.

Joe West · 12-28-2007, 03:47 PM

Sir or somebody...I see this Ancient Lodges and the Modern lodges...how do I know which one my great father was?

D. W. Brown · 12-28-2007, 04:14 PM

Joe,

Your father or grandfather (not sure which) was probably a member of an Antient Lodge.

Most Brothers don't know about the rest of the Masonic world until after they have joined and the majority never find out and either stay in the Antient system and title chase or leave the lodge and never come back. My Antient lodge probably has 200+ members but I've never seen more than 15 or so there at once and 99% of the time it is the same 15. My decision to seek out the Modern Masons was out of disappointment in what I saw of the Antient system.

So, what I would do is check with the Antient Grand Lodge of any state you think he might have lived in and see if they have him on the old roles. This usually is pretty easy to do, just email the Antient Grand Secretaries and ask. If you think he was possibly an Modern then it will probably be harder to get the info.

parthianwarrior · 01-29-2008, 12:55 AM

Bro. Eleusinian

I too have felt the same way for a long time but recently have come to the following conclusion which I would like to share with you...

there are 4 type of men that join freemasonry.

1- Those that join to gain power and financial advancements
2- Those that join to Learn some secrets that are hidden from general public
3- Those that join out of pure curiosity
4- Those that Join to feed their hunger of knowledge. The burning desire deep in the stomac that can not be explained by words but for some reason when they are amongs their brethren in lodge and go through the works and rituals, it all starts to make sense (like a huge puzzle)

The first 3 groups will be disapointed and would either stop going to lodge or keep paying their membership just in case.

BUT The 4th type will be good masons, good men trying to better themselves but relating the allegorical symbols and rituals to their everyday life by asking themselves questions.
When I joined, I learned quickly that I know more than most brethren in my lodge and none of my questions were going to be answered as I had expected, but I got to meet 1 brother which was in the same situation and had the same hunger. I see this brother once a month at lodge and we get to discuss for 1 hours or so on different subjects. All of the sudden it made sense...I would have never meet this brother if it wasnt for freemasonry. so my suggestion is: dont expect anyone to help you, try to use the tools in front of you to see what they mean for you....That way it's more fun to put the puzzle of life together

p.s: there is also a 5th type of brethren that need to get out of the house not to hear the wife's constant nagging.... all 4 types above will eventually become part of this 5th type

regards,

roughashlar · 01-30-2008, 12:15 AM

HI,

I too read Laudable Pursuit, and decided to make it my "platform" for this year as Worshipful Master. I read the introduction at our Stated Communication in January... and the Brothers ate it up!

I would encourage you to try to get to know your Brothers a little more. Call your coach or Worhsipful Master and ask if someone else could coach you. I can identify with your disappointment as I have felt those same feelings and asked myself those same questions.. I would also encourage you NOT to define Freemasonry by what happens in one specific Lodge. Freemasonry is as much about what goes on inside of you as it is about what goes on in Lodge.

BTW... thanks for your service. It is people like you who give us our freedom and we owe you a debt that cannot be repaid.

--roughashlar