INACTIVE MASON NOT SO!

PREFACE

     Many mason refer to themselves and are referred to by the non-Mason as  "inactive" Masons simply because they do not attend their Lodges regularly or take an active part in ritualistic matters.

     The object of this pamphlet is to emphasize the importance of these members to  the Fraternity.

     We hope every Mason who regards himself as an "inactive" Mason will read and  study this pamphlet and thus come to realize that he is an important and vital part of the Masonic institution.

INACTIVE MASON ”NOT SO!

     Frequently we hear someone apologetically refer to himself as an "inactive" Mason, meaning that he doesn't attend Lodge meetings or participate in any of its activities. In other words, a man usually believes that he must be a  participant in some kind of Lodge endeavor in order to be an "active" Mason. He  should go there at least four times a year three times to witness the conferring  of each of the degrees, so that he will refresh his mind concerning the teachings and responsibilities of Freemasonry; and at least once to attend a stated meeting so that he can have some participation in the business affairs of the Lodge.

     This is, of course, a commendable attitude, and to a degree it is correct. It is important for a Mason to attend Lodge. He should go there at least four times a year three times to witness the conferring of each of the  degrees, so that he will refresh his mind concerning the teachings and  responsibilities of Freemasonry; and at least once to attend a stated meeting so that he can have some participation in the business affairs of the Lodge.

     It is true that a Mason who is regular in attendance at Lodge meetings is taking an active interest in his fraternity.  If he takes part in the  ritualistic ceremonies, he renders an additional service to the craft. If he accepts the responsibility of office and does his job well, he is an important builder in the greatest fraternity on earth.

     However, it is not essential, even through most desirable, that a Mason fulfills some of the services listed in order to be an "active" Mason. Many men have responsibilities and duties, which do no permit them to attend Lodge or hold office, but they are still "active" Masons.

PAY  YOUR DUES

     A MAN IS AN ACTIVE mason if all he does is pay his annual dues to the Lodge.  At first thought, this statement may suggest bold commercialism that Masonry is nothing but a "degree mill" and a money-making business. However, when one stops to consider that our institution is dedicated to Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth, how could it operate without the financial support of all it members? The officers, ritualists and regularly attending members, are too few in number to  even provide a meeting place.  Through their financial support, men who might consider themselves "inactive" Masons make it possible for the work to be done  and Masonry carried on from one generation to another.

     What would happen to our program of assistance to destitute brethren, their wives, their widows, and their orphans, if it were not for the dues-paying  "inactive" Masons?  There would be none!

     The charities and benevolences of the Grand Lodge are only a beginning of the great programs of Masonic charity.  All of the Masonic institutions which  predicate membership upon being a Master Mason would disintegrate overnight if  it were not for the "inactive" Masons. But more importantly, their charities and  benevolences would cease also at once. We need to remind ourselves constantly that Freemasonry is the greatest charitable institution on earth. It is  impossible to arrive at an accurate estimate of the amount of money being spent  each day for the relief of destitute and suffering humanity; also works of  charity without regard to Masonic affiliation, race, creed, or national origin.  The Shrine alone has a budget of millions of dollars for the operation of its hospitals for burned and crippled children.  Then consider the Scottish Rite  program of Education, the Knights Templar Eye Foundation, and the many other like programs.  Lastly compare, for example, the budget of the Shrine by itself with any other benevolent institution on earth and realize that no other group  can approach the Masonic virtue of Relief, and remember that every member of the  York Rite, Scottish Rite, Shrine and all other allied Masonic bodies is first,  and last, a Master Mason.  How can a man pay his dues and be called an  "inactive" Mason?

LIVE AN UPRIGHT LIFE

     A man is an active Mason if all he does is live according to the principles of  Freemasonry. There are few things in life, which do more for the world than  living an upright and moral life.  When a Master Mason goes to sleep at night  and is able to say to himself that he has that day fulfilled as best he could  the obligations of a Mason, he has accomplished something for himself, but more than that, he has done something for his fellowman. If he has worn and displayed  a Masonic emblem of upright living, he has served as a living testimony to all that is good, kind and charitable, and proudly proclaimed to the world that this  is Masonry.  The Mason should always remember that the Masonic emblem on his finger, or in his lapel, represents the badge of a Mason, the Apron.

SERVICE  TO THE WORLD

     A man is an active Mason if he engages in great works of service to the world and quietly, modestly, lets everyone know that he is a Master Mason.  Two of the greatest Masons of our time were General Douglas McArthur of the U.S. Armed Forces and J. Edgar Hoover of the F.B.I. Their Masonic accomplishments were  achieved in sacrificial services to their country rather than within the tiled Lodge; but the whole world knew that they were Masons and were proud of that  fact.  This category of "active" Masons includes men from all walks of life.  It  includes the brother who works for the DeMolay for boys and the one who works  for the Rainbow for girls.  It includes the brethren who choose to work in the York Rite, the Scottish Rite or the Shrine, rather than devote their activities  to the Symbolic Lodge.

ENCOURAGE  OTHERS

     A man is an "active" Masonic if he encourages worthy men to become Master Masons. This may be through example, precept, or suggestion. It is contrary to Masonic practice to consider a man for Masonry, elect him and then invite him to become a member. A man must seek to become a member because of honest desire.   There is, however, no rule, which forbids a Master Mason to encourage non-Masons to seek membership.  A father can tell his son that he hopes some day he will desire to become a Mason and when he does, he merely has to ask for a petition.  A Mason may have a good friend whom he considers to have all the attributes to be a good Freemason. He cannot invite that friend to join, but he can tell him that if he ever wishes to become a Mason, he must make application. Many good men are lost to Masonry because they are waiting for an invitation.

SCARED MASONS

     Lastly, there are countless Masons who pay their dues and never attend Lodge  because they have remained away so long they are afraid they can't get in, or  because they fear they will be embarrassed by loss of memory concerning the ritual.  They should never let themselves become this kind of "inactive" Mason. In the first place, no examination will be required of a man attending his own  Symbolic Lodge; the Secretary can vouch for him. In the second place, he will  not be required to participate in any of the rituals, and he will soon find that  all of those things he once learned are still buried in his "memory bank."

DEFINITION OF "INACTIVE"

     We will admit that there is such a thing as an "inactive" Mason but he usually  falls within three categories, first, he is the Mason who has forfeited his  membership through non-payment of dues and surrendered one of the great and priceless honors of the world, that of being a Freemason.  Second, he is the man  who fails to live according to the principles of Masonry and brings disgrace  upon himself and the Craft. Third, he is the man who zealously hides the fact that he is a Freemason, lest the world learn of his association with an  institution, which inculcates the highest principles of morality and eternal  truth.

WHAT KIND OF MASON ARE YOU?

     You and you alone can answer that  question.  Search yourself, my  brother!

     The  Committee on Masonic Education Grand Lodge Free and Accepted Masons of Tennessee  publishes the preceding in a pamphlet form a copy can be obtained at most Lodges.