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Trowel Study Club "Help, Aid, and Assist" By PM Kaleth Wright, #46 One of the most attractive attributes of Masonry to most outsiders and Master Masons alike is the comprehensive “network” contained in our fraternity. Masonry is made up of men from all walks of life and from almost every profession that exists in the world today. It’s nice to know that as a Mason, you have some special bond with over 10 million men all over the world who have received the same light and traveled the same roads that you have. More importantly, the mere recognition of you as a Mason probably affords you some special treatment from these men that you may not have otherwise received, from a friendly token to a free plane ride to a couple of hundred dollars. Undoubtedly, most of us feel as if we are entitled to this type of treatment, after all, we are Brother Masons, and we each kneeled at that altar and took a solemn obligation to help, aid, and assist. We just simply want what we rightly deserve as members of this elite organization. Brothers, please don’t let this become your motive for practicing Masonry! I would like to present you a few points to ponder on this subject: First and foremost, the obligation is very clear in establishing that your assistance is intended for a poor and distressed Master Mason who you have found worthy. Your own good judgement must determine the worthiness of each individual Brother, don’t let the square and compass make that decision for you. Furthermore, this assistance must not come at the expense of you or your family or anyone else for that matter. Most “hook-ups” are generally at the expense of someone or something. Take the most widely known example in Masonry: The Airport Hook Up: Every brother knows that when traveling abroad, he’s supposed to wear some ”light” just in case you get stuck in the airport. There’s probably a brother working behind the desk that can hook you up on the next thing smoking. All he needs to see is that trusty old square and compass and he’ll bump and maneuver the system to get you where you are going. For you, this is great, for him, even better, he feels like he earned his Masters wages by taking care of a Brother. But at whose expense is this normally at? Probably the poor family or individual who needed to get on that plane just as bad as you did. This type of innocent hook-up could also cost that Brother his job in the most extreme circumstances. We must look at the big picture when attempting to help, aid, and assist. Be mindful that there are times when taking care of a Brother if perfectly legal and does not harm a soul but we at least need to recognize and consider all parties involved when things may not be “exactly legal”. Being a Mason should be an individual experience. Even though we are initiated as a class, we attend lodge meetings and functions together, we depend upon each other for support, and have received the same light; each man must determine how Masonry will impact his life. He must make decisions for himself based upon his interpretation of Masonic symbolism and justice. Don’t feel as if you have to provide anyone anything that is beyond your means or could cause material injury to yourself or family just because some old Past Master told you so. In the end, the cardinal virtue of Prudence should always prevail in any decision you make. I have made many bad decisions in life and have learned from each one of them. The one that I refuse to make is misinterpreting our Masonic laws. Be careful not to take every portion of your obligation literally but understand the context of each portion as it relates to the whole. Obviously, there’s nothing wrong with taking care of each other, but again, we must be mindful and accountable for all of our actions. I say all of that to impress upon your minds that the square and compass does not make you better than anyone else and should not entitle you to any special privileges. Am I saying that you should leave that Brother stranded in the airport? Not exactly, if you have the means to assist him in a prudent manner then you should, otherwise you should meet and greet him and explain that the power to assist him at this time is not within your means. Trust me, a “True” Brother will understand.
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