From the Deputy Grand Master

What’s It All About?

Paul D. Gleason

Deputy Grand Master

Amonth shy of thirteen years ago, I left my home Great Lights of Masonry and familiarized with the a Mister and returned a Brother. On entering three Lesser Lights both as to what and who they my abode, I called out in my usual manner, represented. Upon being shown the working tools “Honey, I’m home”, and received the standard reply of our noble Craft and what in speculative Masonry “Hello, Home.” “And, by the way… how did it go?” they should call to mind, I was well on my way to an My wife Pat, was, of course, referring to my initiation enlightened awareness of my new state of being. Yes, as an Entered Apprentice Mason. In reviewing the I was still me, but the “me” in me was subtly changing evening’s events, I related to a greater understanding to her that my qualifi caof self, my fellow man, and tions for joining were four the Deity we Masons refer to in number, i.e., being a man, free born, sound in mind Yes, I was still as the Great Architect of the Universe. and under the tongue of good report. She chuckled and said, “Well three out of four isn’t bad.” I will leave it to the reader to decide which qualifi cation she felt I lacked. me, but the “me” in me was subtly changing Since I was raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason, I have joined many other Masonic Bodies—York Rite, Scottish Rite, Rosicrucians, Royal Order of Scotland, the Shrine and During the process of initiation, I was called upon to a greater National Sojourners (outside of Masonry I also belong to answer several questions. Most importantly, in whom did I put my trust? understanding to the VFW and American Legion) to name a few. And while each group, in its I chose the fi rst letter of some quality stock I owned of self, my fellow own way, is slightly different, all basically build on the (starts with a G and ends with an M) and added a man, and … the Masonic philosophy as set forth in the EA, FC and MM couple of letters of what Degrees. some young people do and, lo and behold, it was the correct answer. After walking around (I later learned what we did was circumambulation), kneeling and being placed in the proper position, I took upon myself the binding obligation of an Entered Apprentice Mason. I was still trying to assimilate all that I swore to do when I was asked in my present condition what did I desire most. I was about ready to answer “a cold Bud” when something more luminescent was whispered in my ear. Brethren, we are all familiar with those teachings. To name a few—brotherly love, relief and truth, the immortality of our spirit, the separation of church and state, prudence, temperance, and mercy, the quest for and love of knowledge. While familiarity with these qualities of Masonic life makes us “better men” it doesn’t guarantee success. What we frequently forget are the necessary prayers to the GAOTU for the strength and tenacity to live up to all the obligations we took during our initiative Great Architect of the Universe. On a much more serious note, during my initiation, process and the responsibilities we incur as we rise passing and raising, I was informed about the three up in lodge leadership to the position of Master. continued on page 22