STB-AP82

MASONIC EDUCATION
for
SOJOURNINC MASONS

by Raymond H. Bachman
Grand Master of Masons in Illinois

We thank M.W. Brother Bachman for permit-
ting us the use of this paper as a Short Talk Bulle-
tin. It is adapted from a presentation which he
made to the Midwest Conference on Masonic
Education in 1981 at Cedar Rapids, lowa.

In a discussion on the subject of Masonic
education for sojourners, we need, first of all,
to determine what the word "sojourner"
means. The Random House Dictionary defines
the word as "to stay for a time in a place; live
temporarily; a temporary stay; rest, stay. "
When we refer to a sojourner in the Masonic
Fraternity, we think of one who is away from
his home lodge. He may be from another part
of his own state, from another state, or even
another country.

It is very evident that man has always had a
responsibility to the sojourner even before the
existence of Freemasonry. We read in Leviticus
19:33,34 these words: "And if a stranger so-
journs with thee in your land, ye shall not vex
him. But the stranger that dwelleth with you
shall be unto you as one born among you, and
thou shalt love him as thyself." In Hebrews
13:2, one of the most poetic of Biblical phras-
ings, tells of the rewards of entertaining so-
journers: "Be not forgetful to entertain strang-
ers; for thereby some have entertained angels
unawares."

During that period when all members of the
Craft were Operative Masons, as set forth in
the Regius Poem (the oldest extant written
document), members were bound by many
rules of moral conduct. There is also strong evi-
dence that Masons had a word which was used
as a means of recognition. It was known as the
"Masons' word." A means of recognition was
necessary because Masons did travel a great
deal to be employed in cathedral construction
projects. Resident Masons were duty bound to
give shelter to these travelers, to feed them, and
to give them money to be able to travel. It was
then important and helpful to be a member of
the Craft while sojourning away from home.
With passage of time, the necessity of belong-
ing to a special group to gain sustenance has
become less urgent. As a result, it becomes
more difficult, and in some cases almost impos-
sible to locate the sojourner. There are some
avenues, however, that provide some assistance.

Most of our appendant bodies do not re-
quire a petitioner to be a member of a local
lodge. If access can be gained to their records,
every sojourner in their membership can be
located. This is probably one of the easier
courses to pursue. Many communities have an
individual who welcomes each new family that
moves into the community. They usually pre-
sent them to their new surroundings. It is sim-
ple for this individual to determine whether or
not a new family has any fraternal ties.

Possibly this is a good place to mention
something not to do. A certain individual
received a publication from an out-of-state
lodge and folded inside was a similar piece ad-
dressed to an individual on the other side of
town. He did not know this man. He drove to
the home to deliver the publication. No one was
home. The publication was placed in the mail
box. He gave the name and address to the Mas-
ter of his lodge so that he could call or write this
brother to invite him to lodge. Several months
later, he asked the Master if this sojourner had
visited lodge. The Master said he had not con-
tacted him yet. Something like this is hard to
believe and is inexcusable.

Many sojourners, of course, look up the
local lodge as soon as possible after arriving in
a new community. They enjoy the fellowship
found among their brethren and it helps them
to immediately get acquainted with others and
to develop family friendships. Notices in the
local newspapers concerning special events,
i.e., Past Masters' Night, pancake breakfast
and any other social event will attract some so-
journers.

Another likely place to meet sojourners is at
your place of employment, particularly in a
manufacturing area that attracts new people.
Sojourners can often be found in the church
which you attend. They will usually be identi-
fiable by a pin or ring which they wear. This
gives a topic on which a conversation can be in-
itiated and acquaintance made.

After the sojourner is found, what is to be
our relationship with him? First, and foremost,
certainly will be the offer of fellowship. We can
invite him to lodge functions as well as those of
appendant bodies of which both we and he are
members. Oftentimes he may be able and desir-
ous of participation in the conferral of degrees.
He may also have some special ability that he
would like to share that would be advantageous
to the local lodge.

There are some who think that a concerted
effort should be made to get the sojourner to
transfer his membership. He may have senti-
mental reasons for not transferring his mem-
bership, or he may expect to move back at some
future time.

Also, some jurisdictions require a certain
number of years of continuous membership
(Illinois requires ten) in the state before they
become eligible to live in the Home for the Ag-
ed. Dual membership can perhaps be pursued if
the brother can afford it. This would allow him
to hold any office in his new lodge if he so
desired.

It is to the advantage of the sojourning
Mason to make himself known to the local
lodge for different yet similar reasons to those
of the cathedral builders. Here he has someone
who can give him immediate help and assistance
in an emergency, until his local lodge can be
contacted. Contact with his home lodge can be
made by the local lodge if he should be incapa-
ble of doing it himself.

If the sojourner has some special ability he
may find an outlet for it with his newly found
brethren to their mutual satisfaction and educa-
tion.

Lastly, there is a tremendous opportunity
for the transfer of knowledge between the so-
journer and his newly discovered brethren. This
is particularly true if he should be from another
state or country. Masonry is taught in many
different ways in all parts of the world even
though the ultimate lessons are the same. Both
the sojourner and the local brethren can ex-
change information and both learn more of
Masonry and be the better equipped to live and
practice the profession. We all learn from
others because every man knows something we
do not.

I See You've Traveled Some

Wherever you may chance to be
   Wherever you may roam,
Far away in Foreign lands,
   Or just at Home, Sweet home
It always gives you pleasure,
   It makes your heart strings hum
Just to hear the words of cheer
   "I see you've traveled some."

When you get the brother's greeting,
   As he takes you by the hand
It thrills you with a feeling
   That you cannot understand,
You feel that bond of brotherhood
   That aid that's sure to come
When you hear him say
   in a friendly way
"I see you've traveled some. ''

And if you are a stranger,
   In strange lands all alone,
If fate has left you stranded
   Dead broke and far From home,
O, it's grand and glorious Feeling,
   It thrills you--makes you dumb
When he says, with a grip of Fellowship
   "I see you've traveled soome."

And when your final summons comes,
   To take a last long trip,
Adorned with Lambskin Apron White
   And gems of fellowship;
The Tiller at the Golden Gate,
   With square and rule and plumb
Will size up your pin, and say,
   "Walk in--I see you've traveled
   some."
