Volunteering for the Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign

Volunteering for the Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign
Volunteering for the Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign

Morning Star's New Banner

Morning Star's New Banner
Morning Star's New Banner

The Front View of the Worcester Masonic Center

The Front View of the Worcester Masonic Center
The Front View of the Worcester Masonic Center

Close-Up view of the Worcester Masonic Center

Close-Up view of the Worcester Masonic Center
Close-Up view of the Worcester Masonic Center

MSL's Annual Table Lodge

MSL's Annual Table Lodge
MSL's Annual Table Lodge

Tuesday, March 1, 2016

Master's Message - March 2016

Master’s Pay



Historically, as operative masons our ancient brethren were indentured servants. These brothers were truly engaged in a lifelong struggle for personal survival. The attainment of becoming a master mason literally meant freedom from bondage. This decades-long process to liberation was arduous and only those with superior skill and ability were “raised” to this distinguished level. We learn about their quest for emancipation in the lessons of the degrees, where obtaining the secrets meant “…that I might travel in foreign countries, work and receive Master’s pay.”  Unlike the majority of people at the time, these Masters or “travelling men”, were free to journey and seek independent employment, “….the better to enable me to support myself and family.” For these operative brethren, the wages of persistent effort were in fact life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
Today, as speculative masons, our journey is far more cerebral and spiritual than primal. Our labor is not the desperate pursuit of the basic requirements of life, but rather the vigorous pursuit of self-improvement. Master’s pay for the contemporary brother is a personal journey toward the liberation of each man’s ultimate potential. Today’s master mason is not guaranteed his wages; He must “earn” them as arduously as his predecessors earned theirs.. The secrets communicated to each new master are the same “wages” secured by our predecessors, albeit directed to a different end. Our emancipation is the ultimate liberation of the greatness within each mason.
           So why do we do it? Why do modern Masons labor in the trenches of character building? Why do we seek Master’s pay?  We do it because we seek a greater ambition that transcends our personal self-interest. The wages of our Masonic toil transcend the individual Mason. Each enlightened Mason communicates the virtues of our fraternity to their families and to their communities. The ripples of virtue, the influence of every just and upright Mason are the true recompense we seek. Master’s pay - it forward!
The month of March is upon us, and with it, longer days and warmer sunshine. We kick off this busy month the very first day with our Regular communication, Tuesday 3/1/16. There are 2 scheduled Fraternal Visits of the DDGM on Thursday 3/10 at Matthew John Whittall Lodge, and Monday 3/14 at Boylston Lodge. All officers are welcome by the RW Stahl; just arrive before 7:45 pm to come in on the suite! We are planning a “Past Master’s” night on the 15th for our 3rd degree for our two current candidates. Lastly, we have our multi-district exemplification workshop on Saturday 3/12 @ 08:00 am at the Worcester Masonic building, and the Exemplification of the 2nd degree on the last day of the month Thursday 3/31 at 7:00 pm. Dinner will be served at 6:00 pm w/ RSVP and payment $25.00 made to Wor. Dave Shea – Quinsigamond Lodge at the March LOI on Tuesday 3/22.
Lastly, we are in the planning stages for our first biennial “Isaiah Thomas Day”. This celebratory event is tentatively scheduled for Saturday June 11, 2016 (the 223rd anniversary of our lodge), and will include a luncheon to honor our Masonic widows, a short program to commemorate the memory of our brethren who have passed to The Celestial Lodge, a short historical tribute to our first Master, Isaiah Thomas and finally a few moments to honor our Masonic Veteran’s. Please put that date in your calendar as a “must attend”!!!

Fraternally,

Br. John F. Sullivan – Master