Rough Ashlar

When I was told that I needed to produce a “Master’s Piece” before the third degree I wasn’t sure what to expect out of myself.  What could I possibly bring to the table?  Certainly not some great work of art, not a musical masterpiece, or even an article on Freemasonry itself.  The cold hard conclusion is that I am an under educated, under skilled, classless man who wants to obtain light in Masonry.  How could a man such as myself produce something worthy of the title “Master’s Piece” and be proud to place my name on it, claiming it as my own?  Stephen King came to mind.  King once said "you are the unfortunate ones who still get the lovemaking all confused with the paltry squirt that comes to end the lovemaking (the orgasm is, after all, God’s way of telling us we’ve finished, at least for the time being, and should go to sleep)."  Although a crude statement, it is one of my favorites.  What King was trying to say is simply it’s the journey that counts.  I believe that statement applies to Masonry.  Masonry, to me, is not the beginning of my journey, nor the end.  So instead of writing a “Master’s Piece” I decided to write about the under educated Mason (myself and I’m certain there are others) and the journey taken as a rough ashlar.

Each time I step into the lodge or even the dining area I feel intimidated.  It has been difficult to keep up in conversations that I know nothing about.  The vocabulary used confuses me.  Most of the Masons I’ve met know about history, philosophy, politics, and are very well read.  I however, do not know about these things, and I am not well read.  I am a 23 year old high school graduate.  I play video games in my spare time and I have a job as a security guard.  I could have stepped out and quit at any time -- but I didn’t.  An under educated Mason such as myself learns something new each time he steps into lodge.  If I had known everything before I walked in the door, I wouldn’t be learning anything new.  Lodge would be boring, and I probably wouldn’t want to be a Mason.  For now I am happy sitting on the sidelines, warming the bench, and just listening.  The more I listen the more educated I become.  As I become educated, I become less intimidated.  As I become less intimidated I am able to participate more in discussions and ask appropriate questions.   This is the path I am taking to become a better man and Mason.

How else do I benefit from Freemasonry?  Other than the obvious educational aspect there is a sense of comradery.  Myself being a former military man, the friendship and brotherly love offered by Freemasonry acts as a replacement for the fellowship amongst soldiers.  No one can deny that it is a benefit of Freemasonry to know that no matter where a Mason goes, there are others around that can recognize him for what he is, and treat him with the same respect he would his own family.  We are brothers, and that is not a term that I personally would take lightly.  The world looks different and feels different everyday when you know that by the decisions you make, you may be letting your brothers down.  Although I have not yet been passed to the degree of Master Mason, I do take my obligations seriously.  Sometimes that’s all that we as men need to walk uprightly during our day-to-day activities.  Bettering myself as a man betters myself as a Mason and allows me to represent our fraternity proudly.  This could not be done without the constant thought of letting down my fellow brothers.

This is not to say that an under educated Mason only benefits himself by attending lodge.  Because I am not educated I have the ability to ask questions that maybe no one else would have bothered to ask.  These questions can inspire conversation and learning even amongst “veterans” of the Craft.  The generational difference that a young under educated Mason brings allows the fraternity to continue growing as time continues.  This keeps the fraternity from becoming outdated, and also potentially attracts new members.

A man can memorize rituals, or phone books, or movie quotes.  I do not feel that this benefits the individual or the world around him.  It is a great starting point for tradition's sake and as an introduction to the Craft.  We as Free and Accepted Masons only benefit ourselves and the fraternity through our daily actions and understanding of what it is to be a Mason.  Regardless of age and education, each driven member of the lodge will find a way to benefit himself and his brothers.  I am not proud of the man I am, but I am proud of the man I will become through dedication to both the lodge and myself.

- Bro. Jason Bonnett