Badge of a Master Mason When a new Master Mason is raised, the Worshipful Master grants the Senior Warden the authority to invest the newly Raised brother with the "distinguishing badge of a Master Mason." Taking pride in his duty, the Senior Warden makes sure that the new apron fits the invested brother just right. It is snug, square and neat. The Brethren of the Lodge stand in admiration of this newly raised Brother among Masons who is standing there proudly donned in his perfect fitting "badge of honour." The newly raised Master Mason takes pride in putting away that apron as he heads home, elated and happy, if not somewhat overwhelmed by the lessons he has learned about his new apron and the craft. Then what happens? For some the study of Freemasonry, the practice of its rituals, and the contemplation of the lessons learned become a lifelong pursuit. The badge of honour with which they were invested is but the beginning of a long and wonderful Masonic journey for them. Some Brethren keep the same apron for the rest of their lives doing their best to make sure they always fit the apron. By helping whenever needed, being good men and upright citizens, exemplary husbands and fathers; their conduct as men and Masons ensures that they always fit the apron. Some truly dedicated craftsmen seem to fit the apron so well that other, more colorful, aprons start to seek them out. These are the Masons that other Masons revere as our leaders and who, by following their example; all Masons become better men. This type of dedicated Mason fits every apron they will ever wear. For some however that "Badge of honour" once so proudly worn and carefully put away after each meeting, begins to get a little loose on them. They stop attending Lodge for any number of reasons or they do not do the duties they were charged to fulfil when they were first given their apron. Perhaps they only joined for the apron, or the right to say they belong to the Masonic Fraternity. This type of Brother will pay his dues to keep up his membership thinking he is doing his part, but sadly will do nothing more. It is often said, "we get more out of Masonry than we put into it," which is obvious to those many members who get so much out of Freemasonry and yet put little or nothing back. One cannot continuously make withdrawals from the Bank of Freemasonry without being willing to make at least the occasional deposit. These members do not fit their aprons. Most of us know how well our apron fits when we put it on. Sometimes the apron belt needs to be stretched but sometimes we need to stretch too. The question should not be how well does our apron fit us, but how well do we fit our Masonic apron. Brethren, how do you fit your apron? If you are finding it a little too loose these days then change what you have to so you may fit the apron once again. Stretch yourself a bit instead of stretching the belt. As we all learned as apprentices, "being the badge of innocence and the bond of friendship. I strongly recommend you ever to wear and consider it as such; and be assured that if you never disgrace that badge it will never disgrace you." It is time to MASON UP? Thanks for your good work, Brethren! |
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