Tuesday, December 11, 2018

The Fruits of Thy Labors

Behold how good and how pleasant it is for Brethren to dwell together in Masonry.....ok, so I took a small little liberty and replaced unity with Masonry, but they seem quite interchangeable particularly after the evening we enjoyed last night at Lapeer Lodge #54.

It was the annual occurrence of the auspicious solemnity known as the installation of officers at the Lapeer Masonic Temple . WB Daniel Reese was installed before a nearly standing room only crowd.

When I arrived a little late for dinner I found myself parking in the back 40 and then I was triple parked. Upon approaching the doors of the temple I noticed the windows were fogged and there was a table right at the front door. This could only mean one thing....a packed house, and that was an understatement.

I had the honor of emceeing  and in my remarks I referenced WB Howard Durbin, by today's standards this was a Durbin turn out and very deserving for WB Dan, who has worked very hard over the last 6 years to arrive at this point in his Masonic journey.

Dan's journey illustrates that when a brother is allowed to progress in the manner designed, that of spending a year at each of the stations along the way to the East a brother has the opportunity to learn the ways of the craft and become prepared for the office Worshipful Master.

It seems that today that lodges are in a great big hurry to rush new members through the 3 degrees, then rush them through the line into the East....and when they arrive they don't fully understand why or how they got there. This can be traced back to the greatly reduced catechism of today and just an overall lack of commitment on the new brothers part and sadly of the lodge itself.

A very wise brother noted some years ago that travelling is one of the hidden gems of the fraternity of Free & Accepted Masons....truer words have never been spoken. This was proven by last evenings attendance at Lapeer's installation of officers.

WB Dan has worked tirelessly for the craft and traveled to many many lodges during his journey to the East. This was evidenced by the turn out to see him installed in this highly esteemed office. It was nearly standing room only.

Too often we hear brothers complaining that the fraternity is dying, they see the glass half empty and so on. Dan's installation proved that with hard work and giving to others that one will be able to reap one's harvest and gather the fruits of thy labor and fully demonstrate that the glass is half full or more.

By studying, learning, traveling, and giving it makes many of the lessons of Freemasonry come to life for all to see. If all of us brothers could be inspired and do a fraction of what Dan has accomplished the craft and the fraternity would do nothing but grow in strength and numbers.

I would be remiss if I didn't mention that there were two young couples in attendance last evening who were there to see what Freemasonry is all about. Two young men and their wives were witness to a terrific installation but also a tremendous display of brotherly love and affection.....they could not have attended a better installation for their first time.

Some very important lessons come shining through at events such as this....the strength, depth, perseverance, and sustainability of the fraternity is stronger and more vibrant than any of us....there truly is strength in numbers... and success breeds success and one can at some point truly harvest the fruits of thy labors.