Why I Come to Lodge
by Brother Ron Halvorsen

I had originally planned to present a fairly typical, if uninspired talk about noteworthy Masonic buildings one might visit on the East Coast.  You know, the type of talk where some information is presented and, just as quickly, forgotten.

As I began to do some research, another idea crept in.   Why am I, or any other member, going to be at the Lodge next Thursday?   Not because one is an officer, or has to cook, or any other obligatory reason.   No, I want to know WHY does a MM stay active.   What is Masonry for?   How will I know if I am a MM in more than just conferred title?

The answers, which I have been pondering for a while, were best illustrated by two passages in two different publications.   So, if I may, tonight will be an effort at stimulating some thought and discussion.   The following are the two most interesting things I have read since being raised...

From WHITHER ARE WE TRAVELING by Dwight L. Smith, PGM (Indiana) in 1963:

"The purpose of Freemasonry is the same as it has been since the day when the stones for King Soloman's Temple were hewn, squared and numbered in the quarries where they were raised.  It is to take an individual- just one man at a time, mind you, and as good a man as possible-and try to make a better man out of him.   That is all." 

So, the question that follows:  Am I a better man than I was the first time I set foot in this Lodge?   And if I am trying, how will I know if I am succeeding?   Well, people often see change in us before we see it in ourselves, but Joseph F. Newton certainly spelled out the goal very eloquently for me in THE BUILDERS (probably the most popular of all Masonic books):

"When he can look out over the rivers, the hills, and the far horizon with a profound sense of his own littleness in the vast scheme of things, and yet have faith, hope, and courage which is the root of every virtue.   When he knows that down in his heart every man is as noble, as vile, as divine, as diabolic and as lonely as himself; and seeks to know, to forgive, and to love his fellow man.   When he knows how to sympathize with men in their sorrows, even in their sins- knowing that each man fights a hard fight against many odds.  When he has learned how to make friends and to keep them and above all, keep friends with himself...When he can be happy and high-minded amid the meaner drudgeries of life...When no voice of distress reaches his ears in vain, and no hand seeks his aid without response.   When he finds good in every faith that helps any man to lay hold of divine things, and sees majestic meanings in life, whatever the name of that faith may be...When he knows how to pray, how to love, and how to hope.   When he has kept faith with himself, with his God; in his hand a sword for evil, in his heart a bit of song; glad to live, but not afraid to die!   Such a man has found the only secret of Freemasonry, and the one which it is trying to give to all the world."

So Brethren, I came tonight because:

A. I enjoy it.
B.  I hope to learn something and gain something from my association which such a group of fine men."

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