Over the past few days I have received a few texts messages from some concerned Louisiana Masons. One told me that his Brother in Law passed away from this virus. He is deeply worried about what this whole situation can do to us as Masons. Another asked me if I thought that Louisiana Freemasonry can survive this virus and the lack of getting together as Masons. A third one wrote me in anger. He said that all this “stay at home nonsense” was a waste of time for him. He saw no value in it and that it was only an attempt at trying to make us do what was not wanted. I’d like to give a few thoughts on this situation.

It is my firm opinion that Masonry is NOT in a dues card or in a lodge room. Masonry is either in your heart or it is not. The lodge can help Masons in their personal growth as Masons, but it is not, in itself, Freemasonry. The routine of going to lodge is not going to make anyone a Mason. Staying away from lodge does not automatically make you less of a Mason. It is who you are inside that makes you a Mason. There are times, like right now, when going to lodge does not serve the best interest of the individual Mason nor Freemasonry as a whole. We have to be smart and not focused only on our personal wants and needs. We must think about the other guy.

I believe that we are in a time of evaluation. The simple truth is that we, as a Grand Lodge, have gone through a tough time. Let’s be honest and open, over the past number of years a small number of knuckleheads have placed ego ahead of Masonry and nearly tore our Grand Lodge apart. The “I” was placed before the “we.” For too many years it has been the drive for power and titles that has been the motivation for some. The true teachings of Freemasonry were forced to take a back seat. So, what do we do now? We have no control over a virus that is unseen and we only know about it when it hits us or someone we know. There is a lesson and an opportunity here!We have no choice but to obey the law. We can’t go to lodge meetings now. If all that Masonry is to you is visiting with other Masons, then I ask you to stop and reevaluate. I ask you to take this time off to do a little reading of some Masonic literature, some lessons and teachings of who and what we are. It is very possible that if we are forced to stop, think and learn, then we can come out of this isolation better than before. We may just, as a whole, remember who we are. Sure, if ego drives you, or if your Masonry is just getting together with friends socially every so often, then you may not get much out of this time. But, for the “silent majority,” I truly believe that we can make the most of this time and come out this better than we were. Sure, I may not know what in the world I am talking about. But again then, since we have no choice, why don’t we do some thinking. I have more faith in Masonry in this state than you may imagine.

Michael R. Poll
A Louisiana Mason
(Reprinted by permission of the author)

The below is being provided to help disseminate information to members of the Mississippi Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star.

Grand Master Harold Norton has extended the timeline of his recommendations regarding Lodge meetings and other gatherings. The timeline was extended through May 2nd. This also cancels the Deputy Schools which were to be held at Grenada Lodge No. 31 and the MS Lodge of Research No. 640. The first Congressional School for Clyde Howard No. 525 on May 16th is still currently scheduled.

While this is NOT an edict requiring any Lodge remain Dark during this time, the Grand Master sincerely hopes that you will take the recommendations into consideration not only for your own members, but for all those they may come in contact with during this pandemic.

As you are seeing here, the Grand Master will reevaluate the situation closer to May 2nd and, if the situation warrants, take additional action.

Please see attached (click here) for the Grand Master’s Dispensation permitting the cancellation of Stated Communications through May 2nd. No dispensation is required for any Lodge to cancel any other meetings, they may do so at their own discretion. This must be printed, read in Lodge at your next Stated Communication, and kept with your minutes.

Click/Tap here to view or print the dispensation.

S&F,

Jared Stanley, Grand Secretary

Brethren, my name is B.C. Hammond and I am the J؞W؞ for Indianola #450.  The working tools of a Fellowcraft are the Plumb, Square, and Level.  My W؞M؞ Jim Whitfield requested I give a brief lecture on the practical application of the Moral lessons found in the Plumb.

The first thing my mind was drawn to was the song that was sung while I was being conducted to my station upon installation. Which is as follows:

O Warden, with the PLUMB upraised,
What doth the emblem teach?
Do all the Craft uprightly walk,
And practice what they preach?
O Warden, where the faithful one
Observed the glorious sun,
Like him adorned with BEAUTY still,
The work by him begun.

Brothers we have all obligated ourselves freely and voluntarily to the Holy Bible as our rule and guide.  From it comes Amos 7:7,8, where it is written:

“Thus he shewed me: and, behold, the LORD stood upon a wall made by a plumb line, with a plumb line in hand.  And the LORD said unto me, Amos, what seest thou?  And I said, A plumb line.  Then said the LORD, Behold, I will set a plumb line in the midst of my people ISRAEL: I will not pass by them anymore.”

Amos 7:7-8

The Plumb is an instrument, made use by operative masons to raise perpendiculars and Masonically it should warn us to walk uprightly in reverence of our Almighty Creator, GOD.

The charge of the J؞W؞ states:

The Plumb admonishes us to walk uprightly in our several stations:
to hold the scales of justice in equal poise;
to observe the just medium between intemperance and pleasure;
and to make our passions and prejudices coincide with the line of our duty.

When I refer back to OUR rule and guide, the primary duties gleaned from it are three:

1. Love thy LORD thy GOD with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
2. Love thy neighbor as thy self
3. Recognize and accept Jesus Christ as your personal savior.

These are MY PLUMB line.

“I will make justice the measuring line and righteousness the plumb line; hail will sweep away your refuge, the lie, and water will overflow your hiding place.”

ISAIAH 28:17

As for a practical application of a PLUMB, I would like to advance the notion of righteousness as a Plumb line.  If we do not have righteousness as a plumb line then the just becomes that which is merely legal and that which is legal becomes just.  We should be reminded that everything Hitler did was legal and I believe we can agree it most certainly was not righteous.  Can we, therefore, agree that there are two types of laws; just and unjust?  We have not only, a legal but a moral duty to obey all just laws.  However, I would advance that we have a moral responsibility to disobey unjust laws.  It was St. Augustine that stated ‘an unjust law is no law at all’ or Lex iniusta non est lex.

What I can assure you all is GOD will judge us accordingly.  The process of this judgment will sweep away:

1. The deceptions that we have allowed ourselves to believe; and,
2. The hidden secrets sins that we have allowed to continue.

We need to apply the Plumb line to ourselves brethren.

The life of those walking in the light will be open and transparent having nothing to conceal and never pretend to be something we are not.

The good man is one who meditates on Truth, Love, and Beauty specifically towards his fellow man.  Brotherly love dictates we desire to alleviate suffering and mitigate wrongs and that we consciously look for ways to benefit others.

In conclusion, Brethren, it is not my job to judge you.  That is for GOD alone.  My job is to explain to you the measure or standard by which we all WILL be judged.

Fraternally,
B.C. Hammond, Junior Warden
Indianola #450

Over the last week, there have been over 820,000 emails sent from our systems, with 720,000 opened. While we would like to see those numbers for regular masonic business, we’re thankful you’re communicating with your membership.

Historically Freemasonry gets a lot of attention during, and shortly after, times of great social distress. I think it is safe to say that we’re experiencing one of those situations right now, and Freemasonry has the opportunity to, once again, be a beacon of strength in a time of uncertainty. We want to take a few minutes to remind you of the seminar functionality built into each of your systems. On Monday, March 23rd, at 10:00 AM Central, we will be hosting a web seminar to demonstrate this functionality and show everyone how to engage membership when we’re not allowed to meet. This presentation will be 30-45 minutes, explaining how to sign up for Zoom meeting accounts, how to publish and communicate seminars in the portals, and best practices when hosting web meetings.

You can join this presentation by going to the seminars tile under your member portal or by clicking the link below next Monday.   We recommend having a headset with a microphone, but as long as you have speakers, you can view the presentation.

Today, you can engage and interact with your members like never before.  Today, your members are suddenly a captive audience looking for stability and reason in a time of uncertainty. We want to make sure you’re empowered to leverage your capabilities during this unique time in our history. Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone as we weather the storms ahead.

Fraternally Yours,
Jeff Clarke

Hosting Seminars through Grand View
Monday, March 23rd @ 10:00AM Central
https://zoom.us/j/262891098?pwd=ajRORXZYYTRQVEV4a21xL1N1QWFWdz09