Movable & Immovable

Had the pleasure of attending an Entered Apprentice Degree at Linden Lodge #132 last evening. This was a special degree performed with all of the lights on. Unfortunately my back didn't cooperate very well and I had to leave early. There was the usual fine compliment of brothers in attendance for this joint degree on two candidates one from Linden #132 and one from Fellowship #490 both Monday evening lodges who are working in a new spirit of cooperation.

As I was sitting outside the lodge room I had an interesting conversation with one of the new candidates and the Tiler of Linden lodge. Often times the spirit of Freemasonry takes place with a couple of brothers just talking about life....ahhh....the original social media....human interaction.

Also, I was thinking about what was going to be said inside the lodge room. Actually all during the day on Monday I couldn't get the part of the lecture dealing with the jewels of a lodge out of my head.

In contemplating this section I pondered what is truly being said....three movable and three immovable jewels. We are taught that the movable jewels are the "rough ashlar, the perfect ashlar, and the trestle-board" and when viewing the illustrations of these jewels I'm not so sure I want to move them. Some lodges have small renditions of the ashlars and the trestle board could be moved but seems cumbersome.

Then we have the immovable jewels....the square, level, and plumb. Certainly they seem more capable of being moved. Even the operative version of these tools are easily carried in one hand and obviously the speculative versions are much smaller and lighter versions.

Why....are these terms movable and immovable used along with jewels?

A jewel is a precious possession, something that is treasured, esteemed and indispensable.

What about movable and immovable ?

It turns out that movable means capable of being moved without injury...able to be rearranged.

Immovable means impossible to alter, unyielding in principal,  purpose or adherance; steadfast.

Therefore the movable jewels; the rough ashlar, the perfect ashlar, and the trestle-board are always changing or moving. The rough ashlar...a rude and imperfect stone taken from the quarry is symbolic of the candidate for Masonry....he is a rude and imperfect stone take from the quarry of the human race...hence movement. The perfect ashlar is a stone made ready by the Fellowcrafts for the builders use....again movement....the rough ashlar or candidate begins to be shaped by the tools of the Fellowcraft, the better to fit him for the builders use. By furthering his education in Freemasonry he begins to be shaped or changed to prepare him for the Builders use. In other words he is becoming a changed and improved man to be a better fit for the Builders use or Gods use. The trestle-board is also ever changing...the plans laid down are seldom the same for each building...so is the spiritual trestle-board for each man, God has a different plan for each of his creation. Thus plans are ever changing and evolving for Gods plan for that man.

The immovable jewels....the square, level and plumb.....the square teaches morality, the level equality and the plumb rectitude of life. Remembering that these are immovable, steadfast and unyielding in principal. The square always teaches morality, the level always teaches equality and the plumb always teaches rectitude of life.

In conclusion the movable jewels are always changing but are always guided by the steadfast principles of the immovable jewels.

Search these things out my brothers you will be continually amazed by the words of our ritual and will more than likely question those who wish to change it.

More Light in Masonry

Yesterday was a bit unusual. To start off Monday morning we had no heat at work, apparently a part on the boiler decided to stop working over the weekend.

So, after work I stopped by and picked up a traveling brother and we headed out to Linden Lodge #132 for a Fellowcraft degree. We joked about the last time we visited, the parking lot was packed as usual, we parked a ways out from the building and witnessed 3 large deer meandering through the parking lot, not sure if they were cowans or eavesdroppers.

As we got closer to the lodge building it appeared that the lights were not on....it appeared that way because they were not on. The lodge was without electricity....notice I didn't say power....but no electricity. The lodge had plenty of power. Brothers were milling about with candles, flashlights, lanterns, and cell phones.

Because of work, we missed the dinner but I guess they got most of the way through dinner before losing electricity. The brothers sprang into action and out came the candles, flashlights and so forth. We proceeded upstairs to confer the Fellowcraft Degree on one candidate.

The lodge room was lit with candles primarily and a few battery powered lanterns. The lodge room took on a very close and intimate feel....and after a short time ones eyes began to adjust and it wasn't that bad. The lodge was opened in fine fashion and the degree work proceeded as normal.

Also, it was unusually quiet on the sidelines and the degree went somewhat flawlessly. I couldn't help but think that as we gathered to give an Entered Apprentice more light in Maonry by passing him to the Fellowcraft Degree....that the ones who truly received more light in Masonry were the  52+ brothers in attendance.

This was definitely one for the story books of all the Masons in attendance. The degree proceed on through the lectures and right on to the final charge when the electricity came back on. I think many of us would have preferred for the lights to be shut off and finish by candlelight.

Sitting there in the warm glow of candles I couldn't help but think about the brothers of prior generations who conferred degrees in this manner as routinely as we do with the aid of electrical lights. It also proved that the craft and the Fraternity is bigger and stronger than man's inventions.

Another stirring thing was that out of the 52+ brothers in attendance probably about 40 remained throughout all of the lectures, the middle chamber and right down to the final charge. I think that with the warm glow of candles and the quietness in the lodge room, many brothers heard the lectures of the Fellowcraft Degree in a way they had never experienced it....with a renewed attentiveness seldom if ever equaled in their Masonic journey.

Definitely one for the story tellers out there....but just a great night.....and one brother received more light in Masonry by virtue of the degree he received.....and over 50 brothers received more light from the glow of a few candles than they have in many years by witnessing the degree.....just a fine night in Michigan Masonry!!

Brother Ernie

MOUTH TO EAR

By Brother Ernest Borgnine, 33˚ Member of Abingdon Lodge #48 Virginia USA In 1946, I travelled with a friend down to a little town called Abingdon, Virginia, to see what the Barter Theatre had to offer. It offered nothing except hard work and board. My friend, not accepting the work they offered him, stayed one day - I stayed five years. In that time I grew to love the town and all it offered. The people, in particular, were simply marvellous. Occasionally I would be assigned to go down to the printing shop and get posters made for the upcoming shows at the Barter Theatre. One day, in talking to the owner of the print shop, one Elmo Vaughan, I found that he belonged to the local Masonic Lodge, No. 48, in Abingdon. My father was also a Mason and had advanced to the Thirty-second Degree in Scottish Rite Masonry, and I told this to Elmo. He was pleased, and sensing his pleasure, I asked him if maybe I could join. He said nothing, continuing his work, and a short while later, I took my posters and left. The next time I saw Elmo, I asked him again about joining the Masonic Order - again he said nothing - and again my work took me away. We became good friends and finally one day I passed by and again I asked if I could join the Masons. Instantly, he whipped out an application and I hurriedly filled it out. I didn't learn 'til later, that in those days, you had to ask three times. I was thrilled! Not only was I going to be the first actor ever in Lodge No. 48, but I could just imagine my father's surprise when I would spring the old greetings on him! I wanted only to surprise my Dad - and was I surprised, when after I was made an Entered Apprentice, I found I had to remember everything that happened to me at that event and come back and answer questions about it! I was assigned to a dear old man of about 92 years of age who, I felt, must have been there when the Lodge first started. He was really of the old school - and he started me out with the foot-to-foot, knee-to-knee and mouth-to-ear routine of teaching. Besides doing my work for the Barter Theatre and a little acting to boot, I was also going to that dear Brother for my work in Masonry. I would tramp all over those lovely hills and work on my "Whence came you's" and one day - oh, one fine day - I stood foot-to-foot with my Brother and answered every question perfectly! I was ecstatic! I was overjoyed and couldn't wait to get to Lodge to show my ability as an Entered Apprentice. After I quieted down, that dear Brother said, "You've done fine, but aren't you really only half started?" I couldn't believe him! I knew my work; what else was there? He said "Wouldn't it be better if you knew all the questions too?" I couldn't believe my ears! All that hard work and only half done? He gently sat me down foot-to-foot, knee-to-knee and mouth-to-ear and taught me all the questions. That didn't come easy, because I was almost doing the work by rote, but with careful listening and by really applying myself, I was soon able to deliver all the questions and answers perfectly! The night that I stood in front of the Lodge and was asked if I were ready to answer the questions of an Entered Apprentice, I respectfully asked if I could do both - questions and answers. I was granted that wish and later found that I was the second man in my Lodge to have ever done so! I am truly proud of that, never having demitted, I am still a member in good standing in Abingdon Lodge No. 48. I tell this story not for the merit it might gain me, but to tell you that learning the Entered Apprentice obligation taught me a great lesson in acting as well: that before I ever attempt to do a part I should work, rehearse, feel, almost live that part to know what I am talking about! As I've advanced in Masonry, I have found we are an elite group of people who believe in God, country, family and neighbours. We work hard to help our fellowman; and through our charitable work, such as support for the Childhood Language Disorders Centers, we have made it possible to help many children grow Into good American citizens. We should always be proud of the Order we belong to. Where in all the world do you find so many great men and Brothers who have helped the whole wide world? But - we are hiding our light under a bushel basket! Recently I attended a dinner for a friend, and I ran across a Brother who identified himself in a hushed voice. I asked why he spoke in a whisper when talking about Masonry, and suddenly I realized he wasn't the only one who had ever done that. I speak out loud about Masonry to everyone! I'm proud of the fact that I belong to an organization that made me a better American, Christian, husband and neighbour; and all it took was a little self-determination by going foot-to-foot, knee-to-knee, and mouth-to-ear!

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