117 - The Masonic Bond, March 31, 1994, by James R. Billig

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EDUCATIONAL LODGE
No. 1002, A.R & A.M.
Bulletin No. l-I7 St. Paul, Minnesota March 31,.1994
Paper Presented at Braden Lodge No. 168
A.F. & A.M.
$t, Paul, Mlnnesota
The l{asonic Bond
By James R. Bi I I ig
". . our Brothec belng now bound to
us by a covenant which cannot be broken,
you will release him from his cable
tot"t. "
Freemasonry is not a secret society, but rather a
society which posseslses certain secrets. Masonry is not a
rel igion. It does nequire a bel ief in a Supreme Being and a
belief in a life hereafter. Freemasonry ls benevolent in
that it is not organized for profit. Freemasonry reqognlzes
Its responsibil ity for justice, truth, charlty,
enlightenment, freedom and liberty, honesty and integrity in
al I aspects of human endeavor.
Freemasonry can be defined as a fraternal society whlch
is based on certain moral and rel igious doctrines; those
moral doctrines lncluding Brotherly love, Rellef and Truth,
Temperance, Fort i tude, Prudence, and Just ice wi th the
rel igious doctrines comprising a bel ief in God and future
existence. Freemasonry is very old. It has survived
because it is founded upon eternal truths proven of value
through a succesrsion of ages.
The Masonic Lodge provides an inspirational thrust to
its members to be thoughtful, conscientious, participating
citizens. It charges each of its members to be true and
loyal to the country which he owes allegiance, ancl to be
obedient to the laws of the place in which he resides.
These truths and lessons are taught by al legories, symbols,
dramas. I egends, and lectures. It is possible to possess an
abundance equa l to al I needs and desi red diversions and yet
find life stale and boring. What life is is largely a
matter of inner qualities; etennal tnuths practiced by

choices througrh dally interactlons. Llfe conslEts not ln
the abundance of things a man po€rsesges. The nature and
quality of a person's life is to no gnall degree determlned
by his inner urges and the ideas motivating his conduct.
The Lodge prov i des direct ion and inspirat ion through
education of the Brethren while engaged in actlvities
designed to instruct and provlde service.
Like minded men come together to form a Masonic Lodge.
Those like minded men also came together for the purpose of
fellowship and to promote the cornmon good. In all Lodges,
members request adnission by exercise of their pot{rer of
choice. At the present time, Freemasonry appears to be in a
decline. I would like to submit to you a challenge of
sorts. Is it Masonry or is it Masonic Character that is in
decline? Take a close and good look at yourself. You are
somebody'E impression of Masonry.
Throughout history societies developed and fell. It is
not an unusual situation. The suqcess of many ancient
civilizations are well documented and the rise and fall of
their power and success can be attributed to a number of
social and political events and ideals. Men have always
possesEed a variety of inner elements suitable to build
character, a society, or a civilization. No worthy and
enduring character, society, or civi I ization can be bui lt
out of lying, cheating, intemperance, tactlessness,
cupidity, unreliance, self-indulgence, etc. These elements
are at once worthless and ruinous. They are unequal to
I i fe's most rigoroue exactions. They fai I to conunand
confidence. Conversely, sterl ing qual ities are conunendable
and enduring. They elicit confidence. Enduring qualities
or elements are equal to the severest tests. Some of these
elements: love, kindl iness, patience, courtesy, adniration,
truth, freedoms, rel iabi I ity, fortitude, iustice, I iberty,
charity, etc., never fai I to inspire admiration. These
ruinous or enduring qual ities are just a few of the elements
that men may choose from to build a paradise or a veritable
helI. An indivldual's reactlon to external influence is
largely a matter of inner qual ities and urges. Numerous are
the instances of men who have surmounted the most horrific
physical pain and social handicaps. Grit and indomitable
resolution can accompl ish wonders. Masonry is a good
exampl e of this test. Many civil izations did not survive
because of a lack of individuals committed to the eternal
truths or enduring qualities. The members lost sight of
their purpose the foundation upon which they met, the
elements that made their existence worth while.
Educat ion is the basis of our present society's success
and tailures. Masonic lisht has a gneat responsibility.
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The Lodge is the main avenue for lndlvtdual Masons to
accomplish its goal of admitting good men and making them
better. This achnittance of members can be described as a
bonding process. In the degrees, we express an obl igation
binding each Mason together with others into one sacred body
or society. All civilizations, societles, fraternal orders
have traditionally operated on a bonding processr. Thus the
bondlng theory:
Individuals become a part of and support a society
or Fraternlty when they bond to conventional norms
of that society through a varlety of affirrnations:
fami ly, rel igion, school, organizations, and
economlcE - a9 long as ties to family, church,
school , fraternity, or \.rork place remain strong -
individuals are I ikely to conform to nules. If
there is a break down in this bonding, then you
have an individual at odds and confrontational.
There are four distinct concepts of vital importance to
bonding. Those being:
1. Corrnitment: an interest or etake in something
valued that misconduct would jeopardize.
2. Attachment: to other people. To violate the norm
would be to act contrary to the wishes and
expectations of otherE who are held as significant
or in high esteem,
3. Involvement: an ongoing investment of time and
energy in certaln enduring Iaw-abiding
benef icial activities.
4. Belief: in the moral validity of the social rules
which a person is aaked to obey and in the
mechanisms used to enforce those values.
It is important to note that these same four components
can be used to influence individuals in negat ive behavior
patterns as well as positive. This is the point at which
each Mason must make the effort to agk the consc ience
question. "What role model do I as a Mason present to the
world?" Be fully asrare that we are measured by what we do
iust as much as ere measure others by what they do. Life
experlences bring many shattering disillusions. Dreams and
long sought goals fail to materialize - efforts appear
futile - kindness is rewarded by ingratitude - integrity and
mora I conunitment appear to be di sadvantagieous in the
struggle of daily existence. Those you trust the most may
prove false. Confidence is betrayed with friendship being
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capitalized upon or discarded for some paltry monetary
advantage. The story of Job is filled with these
vicissitudes. Job is very much the example of Masonic
truths in action, His behavior marked him as a role model
for all t Imes.
Cornrni tment i s the f i rst step vre took as a Mason . Each
and every Mason has passed througrh the doors of the
preparation room. We were asked to subdue our passions and
improve oursel ves in Masonry. How many have read a book,
improved himself, about Masonry or Masonic behaviors? How
many have taken the time to look at the lectures presented
in the degree work? Where does the commitment begin and
where does it end? To improve yourself in I'lasonry is an
open ended life long conunitment as stated in the first
degree.
An attachment to the Lodge or to another member seeme
to be crucial. llhat are the expectations of Lodge members
towards the newly Entered Apprentice? How strong is that
commitment to foster and to nurture an attachment to
Masonry? Are you that role model upon which an individual
has placed his commitment and attachment? Brother, observe
your self carefully for you are someone, E role model r.rhether
you know i t or not !
Involvement is easy to see and measure. It is an
ongoing investment of time and energy into the activities of
the Lodge and into the philosophy which the Lodge promotes.
The danger here is that the invol vement can over$rhelm
individuals placing significant stress on families. We are
taught to divide our time and informed that nothing in our
obl igation wi ll interfere r+ith fami ly, work, rel igious
obligations, or duty to country. Being. overwhelmed or
burnout occurs when other members of the Lodge do not step
in and take responsibility for part of the activlties that
the Lodge is about. How many good Masons have not come to
meet ings or other activities for fear of being volunteered
into invol vements which they can not realistically conrni t
to?
Belief comes when quest ions and needs are met in a
realistic manner fulfilling the needs of the individual
member. It is at this point Mason ic principles become a
reality for him in the Lodge and outside of the Lodge to
become better, wiser, and consequent ly happier. This is the
ultimate goal of the Blue Lodge. It is this gift that
Masonry is uni.quely Euited to give the society of which it
is a vital part. Masons and Masonry are not out of date.
Eternal truths are just that, eternal.
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I now present the challenge to you. Is Masonry dying?
I do not believe this for a minute. I cto believe that as
Masons we have lost sight of the Masonic Light and are in
need of getting back to it. As I attend other Lodges and
talk wi th Brethren, I find that Masons are very friendly
!rith themselves. Few atre friendly with a nev, person in
their midst. This may account for the uncertainty anct brief
survival of neer members, Ne$, members will survive in the
Lodge as they are fed a steady supply of convincing evidence
of Mason i c i ntegr i ty and the usefu I ness of Mason i c
teachings. Only as the Lodge members are lrilling to give
evidence of intrinsic values can the Lodge hope to maintain
its memberg and secure new ones.
Masonry undertakes to teach men to sift the elements at
their command. They must learn to differentiate between the
worthy and the worthiess if ruin is to be escaped and the
finest results knohrn. Men atre in possession of elements
which, if left uncontrol led, are capable of considerable
friction and ugl iness. Other el ements make for personal
attractiveness and commanding personality. They invite
confidence and respect, honoring those who display them with
the highest roles of leadership and acfninlstrative
responsibi I ity. Masonry makes cognizant those eternal
truths upon which Hasons aesisted in building the greatest
Nation on earth and the greateet fratecnlty known.
Brothers, exami ne yourse I ves careful ly, you are
someone/s impression of Masonry. You are someone'a rol e
model, knowingly or more than likely unknowingly, bound by a
covenant that can be broken. The future of Masonry rests
upon u9.
Blbl loglrapl-ry
Official Minnesota Cipher. authorized by Minnesota Grand
Lodge, 1985.
Hunter, C. Bruce. Masonic Dictionary. Macoy publ IEhing &
Masonic Supply Co., Inc. t986.
Wilmshurst, W. L. The Meaninq of Masonrv. Macoy publishing
& Masonic Supply Co,, Inc. L975.

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I99{ OFFICBRS OP
A.F.&
l{aster:
Senior llarden:
.Iunior Warden:
Sec I yrlTreas. :
Senior Deacon:
iluni-or Deacon:
Senior Stesard:
ilunior Stevard:
Chaplain:
Chairman - Advisory
EDUCATTOTAL LODGB NO. 1002,
A- li. of lli-nnesota
John Ady
Inari paasklmen
Terry Tilton
Richard Tufte
Barnea A Sharitt Jr
James R Billig
James E Konkler
Jerry R Korstad
James L Osborne Jr
Coilnittee: Ralph L Eultquist

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