STB-JL87
THE RECOMMENDER
by
Lowell C. Jensen, PGM (Idaho)
This Short Talk Bulletin has been adapted from a paper delivered by
Most Worshipful Brother Lowell C Jensen, the Grand Master of Masons
in Idaho, at the Seventy-Seventh Annual Tri-State Conference in
1974.
RECOMMENDED BY BROTHER JOHN
DOE, A MEMBER OF THIS LODGE
What is in a name? It is the means, by which, we as individuals
are identified. If it is used with concern and care, it will be
respected. If it is overused and abused, it will be questioned--and
often there will be debate as to its value. For example, who
respects a person who has the reputation of passing bad checks? He
develops the reputation of a person who cannot be depended on--so it
is, my Brothers, in Masonry.
The name of a Master Mason can bring pleasure to himself, and
profit to the Fraternity, if wisely used. It is an instrument to
loose, as well as to make fast, the gates of the Fraternity.
When we recommend a person for the degrees of Masonry, do we
realize the importance of this act? Does the prospective member
possess the qualities and character necessary to become a good
Mason? This is the first and most important safeguard of the
Fraternity. Like the checks we give out, there must be sufficient
funds to make the transaction good, or it will bounce and the
reputation of the recommender and the petitioner will be
jeopardized.
When we sign a petition, are we just practicing our penmanship and
leaving our responsibility behind? In recent years, possibly this
has been the situation with too many of our petitions.
The Persons admitted Members of a Lodge must be good and true Men,
free-born, and of mature and discreet Age, no Bondsman, no Women, no
immoral or scandalous Men, but of good Report. (Anderson's Constitu-
tions of 1723).
The first responsibility, in regard to a petitioner, is to
determine if he possesses the desire to become a Mason, and if so,
has he been given some idea of what Freemasonry is and what it is
not? Has he been informed that he will have to meet certain moral
and financial obligations.
In some jurisdictions and in some of the lodges, the recommender
is expected to stand up in open lodge and make a brief statement
about the person he is recommending for membership.
The persons who sign a petition should always be in lodge when the
petition is read, and by all means they should be present when it is
balloted on. Failure to do so leaves a question among the Craft that
the recommenders may not be completely sold on the individual. If
they are convinced, they would display their conviction by being
present. If you would--a credit reference for a good man. Isn't this
practicing the teachings of our Fraternity, that of concern for our
fellowman?
If the persons who have given this credit reference are concerned
Masons, they can make a very important impression by being present
at lodge every night when the candidate receives his degrees. Better
yet, they should take him to lodge and introduce him to the
membership. By so doing, they will be available to answer all the
questions that he may have. This act will establish the first tie
of Brotherhood; therefore causing the candidate to think, ''Say,
these fellows are serious. They are concerned with Masonry and with
me."
We say that when the candidate has completed the necessary
requirements of the three degrees of Masonry, he is a Master Mason
and is thereby commended to the kind care and protection of
Master Masons withersoever dispersed. My Brethren, he is just
starting to become a Master Mason at this point. To this new Brother
of the Craft, the recommenders should assume a greater
responsibility than ever before. They are the two Masons who can
whisper good counsel to the new Brother, take him to a neighboring
lodge and let him be examined, assist him with the formalities of
balloting in lodge, inform him on what honors are to be given at the
proper time, what books are good for his further enlightenment, and
can offer assistance to those questions that most members hesitate
to ask when they are so new. By so doing, they are thereby
developing a deep and lasting impression of Masonry. Therefore they
would be enabling him to become a better Mason.
By their demonstration of interest and concern in the new
Brother, they are demonstrating that there are sufficient funds to
make the transaction good--to the petitioner they are demonstrating
that he is important, and that they are willing to help him to a
better way of life.
''Let Ceorge do it'' is somewhat the way of our lives--passing
the buck. Too much responsibility has been placed on the coach,
and letting the brothers who recommended him go somewhat free of
responsibility in laying this important foundation. If the coach
does not do a good job, the candidate does not receive the start to
which he is entitled. Whose responsibility is it to see that the new
brother received good coaching, and that he understands the
teachings of the Masonic Degrees? The recommenders, in signing the
petition, have in effect, stated that the candidate is potentially a
good Mason, and if they are serious about it, they will see that he
receives the proper start in Masonry.
Possibly we should return to the practice of standing up in lodge
and demonstrate our pride in the use of our names. This would
require the recommender to express a deep belief in the character
and reputation of the person proposed for membership and attest to
his good character, as well as the recommenders willingness to
follow through.
If there is a loss of Brother's interest and involvement in
Masonry, and the discharging of his financial obligation begins to
decrease to the point where he must be dropped from the rolls, then
the recommenders and the other Brothers must assume their
responsibility once more. Here again there has been too much of
"letting Ceorge do it". The Lodge Secretary, should never have to do
any of the soliciting of dues (other than in open lodge). It is the
membership's responsibility, particularly the recommender, to
demonstrate their concern in their fellowman and Brethren.
So, what is in a name? Has it some meaning? Is it as good as the
individual it represents? In the roll of the recommender, we are the
most important person in Masonry. What kind of a reference are we
giving when we sign our names, and in the role we play after that?
Think back to the times you have used your name on petitions in
the past. Is the Brother still a Mason, and how good a Mason is he?
What did you do in this important act--in safeguarding and opening
the gates to a better way of life?
There is an instrument, the Trowel, which spreads the cement of
Masonry, and I quote in part--that cement which unites us into one
sacred band, or society of friends and brothers, among whom no
contention should ever exist, but that noble contention, or rather
emulation, of who best can work and best agree. My Brothers, there
is another working tool of Freemasonry, the pen. When it is used to
sign a petition, it is writing the future of Freemasonry.
M.W. Bro. Jensen resides at:
Rt. 4, Box 359
Idaho Falls, ID 83401
A Lodge is a place where Masons assemble and work;
Hence that Assembly, or duly Qrganiz'd Society of
Masons, is call'd a Lodge, and every Brother ought to
belong to one, and to be subject to its By-Laws and
aeneral Regulations. (Anderson's Constitutions of
1723).
All Preferment among Masons IS grounded upon real
Worth and personal merit Qnly; that, so the Lords may
be well served, and the Brethren not be put to Shame,
nor the Royal Craft despis'd, Therefore no Master or
Warden is chosen by Seniority but for his Merit.
(Anderson's Constitutions of 1723).
The only punishment ever inflicted by Freemasons
upon Freemasons are reprimand, suspension (definite
or indefinite,), and expulsion from the Fraternity,
The initiate who violates his obligation will feel the
weight of no hand upon him. He will suffer no physical
penalties whatsoever. The contempt and detestation of
his brethren will be punishment enough.
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