From the Worshipful Master

I want to talk to you about an article I read entitled “A Master’s Wages,” author unknown. Its addresses the things Masons consider wages. This article attempts to answer the question “what are a Mason’s wages?” It attempts to categorize a Mason’s wages into two categories. One, “those inalienable rights which every Freemason enjoys as a result of fees, initiation and the payment of annual dues to his Lodge,” and second “those more precious privileges which are his if he will but stretch out his hand to take.” I particularly liked how he articulated the second part in contrast with the first. We are entitled to wages by doing the basics, but also other wages by doing extra work.

The author explains that we as Masons receives wages as a result of our membership and affiliation. We can attend and sit in lodge. We can travel to other regular lodges around the USA and world. As a result of knowing the degrees, we are more open to all the great works of Masonic literature. If unfortunate events should arise, there is also masonic charity. This can come from the lodge directly, or from a Brother in the lodge. Whether it be financial, or emotional help, these are considered wages. Additionally, the author mentioned Masonic funerals as a wage of a mason. This is something I never thought of but it makes sense. Masons have a proud history of providing fellow brothers with proper funerals regardless of even knowing him, or even across waring states as illustrated during the American Civil War. Wages can also be pain in friends. In a lodge, we meet honorable brothers from all walks of life and I believe it to be a mason’s wage indeed to know some of the brothers I have met here in Wayfarer’s.
In the author’s second set of remarks were about things that require extra effort. He mentions the satisfaction of work well done serving on committees, which oftentimes are usually thankless. He also addresses the wages that come from service in the Lodge, such as those in an officer’s position. He makes remarks about knowing other brothers to whom we can confide. We can talk about things with each other which we may not be able to talk about outside of the Lodge. We can keep each other’s confidence.

My brothers, I hope we can see and recognize the wages of a Mason and grow in appreciation for the ones which we already have.

http://masoniceducation.com/article/?article=a-masters-wages

Christopher Huson
Worshipful Master

From the Senior Warden

The Article comes from the Knight Templar March 2017, the article was written by SK Douglas S. Robertson KTCH, Brother of Wayfarers #50

Here is the link to the article, http://www.knightstemplar.org/KTnews/0317/AZ.pdf

I believe that what is said is true for all brothers to consider, what can we do to contribute to our community and lodge. Volunteering to help in any fashion can help to draw members to our illustrious organization, also reaching out to old members than have not attended the lodge for some time, we need the voices of all to help and improve the experience of what it means to be a Mason. We all can be great in our own ways but always remember that we are Mason’s and should exemplify our teachings of Brotherly Love.

Yours in the Craft

Kenneth Olsen
Senior Warden

From the Junior Warden

Brothers,

A few years ago I had the opportunity to read, and teach an article written by one of our own Past Masters, WB Ron Watkins. WB Ron wrote on the subject of Freemasonry in the internet age. You may ask why this is so important? Well, there are a lot of reasons.

I believe that the first and most important reason is to remember our oaths. Whether or not there are things to find on the internet that may give away more than we would like, it is our duty not to participate or give credence to these posts on the web. We have a sacred obligation to protect our secrets and to keep inviolate all that we have been entrusted. Our younger Brethren must also be careful not to ruin the experience for themselves. Masonry cannot teach it’s work without a true and open mind coming into the door of the Lodge.

WB Ron also talks about Masonry and how Lodges can take advantage of the internet. There is mass communications, there is the ability to reach a wider audience and to drown out the anti-Masonic voices that can be heard all across the internet. We as a Lodge, and Arizona as a Grand Lodge can put our best foot forward to create a more positive experience online both for the Mason and the Candidate.

Keep this in mind when you are online on Facebook and you engage in silly politics, or trite arguments. You won’t win anyone over, and it is not Masonic behavior.

Here is the article in it’s parts:

Freemasonry: The Digital Challenge

http://www.wayfarers50.org/?p=640

http://www.wayfarers50.org/?p=652

http://www.wayfarers50.org/?p=667

Thank you WB Ron for your insightful words!

Yours in the Craft

Jason Michlowitz
Junior Warden