Assiduity In Lodge

“A ssiduity” is an unusual word. As with many words in the English language, it was borrowed from the French. I like it. It has a nice ring to it, particularly if you pronounce it in French — assiduité — with just a little relish at the end. As I search through the Masonic lexicon and think of words to express what Lodge means to me, this word “assiduity” comes to mind as often as any other. I have come to regard “assiduity” as a significant word in the Craft, one that conveys one of` Masonry’s most important ideas.

If you look in the dictionary you will find “assiduity” defined as “constant application or diligence.” A close second meaning is “devoted attention.” When we were made Masons one of the charges we were given, and one of the obligations we agreed to accept, was in fact “assiduity in Lodge” — to be diligent and devoted to our Masonry. That means that we should be attentive not only to the good and wholesome instruction provided by the Worshipful Master, but also to the Lodge meetings where this instruction takes place.

As officers advance up the line and take on more and more responsibility for degree work, this becomes particularly important for they and those they serve not only need to attend Lodge on a regular basis, but also need to make a special effort to practice our ritualistic work as well. That is good and wholesome instruction. That is how we learn. We can only succeed if we are assiduous about our efforts — working constantly and devotedly to achieve our goals..

How do we square these demands with the clear instruction given to all Masons that they should put their family and their work first? No single answer to that issue can be given, but as anyone who has been a Mason for any length of time can testify, there are plenty of Masons with heavy work commitments who are devoted to their families and yet still find time to be attentive to their Lodge.

Involvement in the Lodge, of course, is a personal decision. While it may be a high standard to aim for, as a general rule every member of the Lodge should attend every Stated Communication, if within his power to do so, excepting the pressing obligations of family and work. If a Brother

Dalton A. West, Naval Lodge No. 4

must miss a Lodge meeting for underIf you look in the dictionary standable reasons, he you will find “assiduity” should feel obligated to defined as “constant applilet the Worshipful Master know of his cation or diligence.” A close intended absence in second meaning is “devoted advance. attention.” When we were So much for getting made Masons one of the yourself to Lodge. charges we were given, and What does “assiduity” suggest that you should one of the obligations we do when you get there? agreed to accept, was in fact The best way to think “assiduity in Lodge” — to about this is to consider what the Lodge be diligent and devoted to is. On any given night our Masonry. Lodge is two things, one material and one spiritual. First, there are the Brothers who are there to share the experience. The Brothers are the material Lodge.

Second, there is the Lodge room itself and what it stands for. It is a stylized replica of an ancient temple. If we are “assiduous” in our behavior we will treat it like a temple, beginning with our individual comportment and our respect for the Brothers who are there. This means addressing the Worshipful Master, and one another, in the proper manner at the proper time. It means dressing appropriately in dark clothes or business suit that allude to or suggest a state of mourning. It means speaking in a reverential manner, leaving your cell phone or pager off, bringing neither food nor drink into the Lodge and generally behaving in a manner respectful of a temple atmosphere.

And you know what? If we all did that, the Lodge would be more like a temple. Assiduity — solemn, respectful, devoted attention to one another in a temple setting — is the Masonic way.