Youngblood, IN MY EYES, what makes "this thing of ours" so beautiful is that Masonry is all of the above-----a Fraternal ORGANIZATION (ORDER), a LIFESTYLE (try to APPLY what you read to your life), a PHILOSOPHY(based on the tenets and doctrines in our Order), a BROTHERHOOD, and, for our worthy, distressed Brethren, Widows, and Orphans, it SHOULD BE a SUPPORT SYSTEM. The Brothers are correct in that this is NO PERFECT CRAFT by any means; there are Brethren who choose NOT to apply the tenets and doctrines to their daily lives, but, for those if us who try our best, the Craft has done wonders. I can attest to my own personal struggle with alcohol abuse. I have absolutely NO shame about being open with this, as I am on a Forum with my Brothers. I have been sober every day now since April, and I attribute this in part to what I have read, studied, and applied about Masonry and its "charges and obligations" to my life. Masonry has helped ME focus in on what's really important in life-----the obligations I have to GOD, my family, my fitness, my career, and the Lodge. Being involved on this Forum has helped me maintain proper focus as well, as it motivates me
to read and study as I read and share with the Brothers I've met across the Country here online.
You will not find a PERFECT Brother in this Craft; if he SAYS he is, stay away from him........what you WILL find, however, is a group of GOOD Men who are (OR SHOULD BE) striving to become BETTER MEN. So, part of the beauty of this Craft is that no matter what you call it, you will get the return on it exactly what you CHOOSE TO INVEST. For some, all they desire is affiliation---write that check, claim their affiliation, that's plenty. For others, all they desire is community involvement, and they find a Lodge that best suits that interest. For still yet others, they desire to practice Masonry in its purest form-----from Ritual, to Business, down to the Esoteric Teaching found in Lectures from the Brotherhood.
You make the conscious decision to become the Mason that YOU CHOOSE, and make that investment in your Lodge. The Brothers will see from the start what you can offer, and where your heart is. And, don't place so much emphasis on ONE incident of which you spoke in which Brothers didn't reach in their pockets to assist that Brother. Now, if a Brother in your Lodge is WORTHY and is ever is DISTRESS, THAT is the time when the Lodge should come together and provide that safety net for the Brother and his family.
Keep your eyes, ears, and heart open as you continue your travels................
Bro. Vincent C. Jones, Sr., Lodge Chaplain, Bayou City Lodge #228
Prince Hall Affiliation, Free and Accepted Masonry, Houston, Texas
Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Texas