THE BUILDER JULY 1918

THE FAITH THAT IS IN THEM--A FRATERNAL FORUM

EDITED BY BRO. GEORGE E. FRAZER 
PRESIDENT. THE BOARD OF STEWARDS

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS

Wildey E. Atchison, Iowa. 
Geo. W. Baird, District of Columbia. 
Joseph Barnett, California. 
John W. Barry, Iowa. 
Joe L. Carson, Virginia. 
Jos. W. Eggleston, Virginia. 
Henry R. Evans, District of Columbia. 
H. D. Funk, Minnesota. 
Joseph C. Greenfield, Georgia.
Frederick W. Hamilton, Massachusetts. 
H. L. Haywood, Iowa. 
T. W. Hugo, Minnesota. 
M. M. Johnson, Massachusetts. 
John G. Keplinger, Illinois. 
Harold A. Kingsbury, Connecticut. 
Dr. Wm. F. Kuhn, Missouri. 
Julius H. McCollum, Connecticut. 
Dr. John Lewin McLeish, Ohio. 
Joseph W. Norwood, Kentucky.
Frank E. Noyes, Wisconsin. 
John Pickard, Missouri. 
C. M. Schenck, Colorado. 
Francis W. Shepardson, Illinois. 
Silas H. Shepherd, Wisconsin. 
Oliver D. Street, Alabama. 
H. W. Ticknor, Maryland. 
Denman S. Wagstaff, California. 
S. W. Williams, Tennessee.

(Contributions to this Monthly Department of Personal Opinion are
invited from each writer who has contributed one or more articles
to THE BUILDER. Subjects for discussion are selected as being alive
in the administration of Masonry today. Discussions of politics,
religious creeds or personal prejudices are avoided, the purpose of
the Department being to afford a vehicle for comparing the personal
opinions of leading Masonic students. The contributing editors
assume responsibility only for what each writes over his own
signature. Comment from our Members on the subjects discussed here
will be welcomed in the Question Box and Correspondence Column.)

QUESTION NO. 11--

"Shall each American lodge appoint one of its members as a personal
representative in the lodge and in the home community of and for
each member of the lodge who is on War duty in France?

"If so, shall each such personal representative be made responsible
for furnishing personal letters, magazines, books, gifts, etc., to
his Masonic brother in France?

"What other systematic scheme do you propose that will as
effectually remind Masons in France of their Masonic brothers at
home, as the K. of C. buildings remind Catholic soldiers of their
Catholic brothers at home?"

Rotate the Work.

In the ritual of an ancient organization, one undergoing trials
says, "My brother, my brother, hast thou forgotten me?"

Our enlisted Masonic brethren must not be neglected, even though
they are well looked after by those in National authority, and even
though we have subscribed liberally to the Y.M.C.A. for that
particular purpose. All material needs are doubtless well cared
for. What Masonry should do is to supply the personal friendly and
sympathetic and appreciative element. Each of the boys in France
should receive a letter from the lodge from time to time. And the
boys should be encouraged to write the lodge, so that those less
fortunate than themselves may be cheered up by learning that the
lodge is not forgotten amid new and interesting experiences in
foreign lands.

It would be an unreasonable burden on Secretaries of lodges to ask
them to write to all the members in camp. Nor is it likely that any
individual or group of individuals appointed permanently would
accept such duty. It would probably be more fruitful if men were
appointed for one such service, to be succeeded by others from time
to time. And one man might write a letter to each of three or four
men once or so in a year, either in his own name or in the name of
the lodge. Most members would probably gladly do their share, and
would take special pleasure in writing to those with whom they were
intimately acquainted.

As regards books and packages, it would be still easier to interest
members. Everyone would make some sacrifice in that way. But it is
not at all certain that such things would reach our boys. Every ton
of ship space is urgently needed for other purposes. Even if
packages should reach France, there is no probability of immediate
transportation to the front. For the present it would probably be
wasted effort to send anything but first-class mail.
Joseph Barnett, California.

* * *
The Plan Works.
I am strongly in favor of having every American lodge assign to an
individual member the pleasing duty and responsibility of keeping
another member, absent on service, informed of affairs at home.

Those who have had opportunity to visit the battle front state that
nothing is more helpful to the soldiers than a cheery letter from
home. I can see how a brother, who caught the idea, might make of
such an assignment an opportunity for real service, not only
encouraging his fellows in the trenches, but also finding his own
patriotism strengthened by reason of constant thoughtfulness about
things that might be of interest to the absent one.

College fraternities are making much of a similar plan. Each
brother in service, whether known to the correspondent or not, is
kept posted on affairs in the college, current events, and every
possible item which might be of interest to one remote from the
ordinary source of news. There is no reason for thinking that a
work which has found abundant justification among college boys
should not also commend itself in actual experience to those of
maturer years.
Francis W. Shepardson, Illinois.

* * *
Let the Secretary Write.
It seems to me that the Secretary of a lodge is the proper person
to furnish personal letters, magazines, books, gifts, etc., to
members serving in the army in France. Such work would add to his
duties, but he is the proper channel for all lodge activities, such
as the getting out of notices, bulletins, etc. He is familiar with
the personnel of the lodge. Why transfer such activities to
another? He might be given clerical assistance, however. The
members of a lodge are better acquainted with the Secretary than
with any individual member thereof. The members drop out, leave for
other jurisdictions, etc., but the Secretary remains.

It seems to me that the combined Grand Lodges of the United States
should take up the matter of establishing Masonic centers with our
army in France; appointing a general committee and asking for funds
from each jurisdiction to maintain such centers. We do not want to
compete with the Y.M.C.A. in its particular line of work, but we
could have centers where the brethren might meet and exchange views
and obtain assistance when necessary.
Henry R. Evans, District of Columbia.

* * *

Special Deputies.
I think the positive suggestions contained in the question are both
of them admirable.

I do not think that our brethren at the front need the same kind of
mental treatment as is administered to the Catholics through the K.
C. buildings. I think there is some confusion of thought prevalent
among us with regard to this particular matter.

The K. C. work is not primarily fraternal in the sense that ours
is, but it is the Catholic substitute for the Y.M.C.A. with
increased emphasis on the religion side.

The method of Masonic communication adopted by this Grand Lodge is
the appointment of a special deputy with each military or naval
unit in which there is any considerable number of Massachusetts
men. These special deputies interest themselves in the promotion of
Masonic clubs which are intended to organize Master Masons, and
serve generally as a center around which the Masonic interests of
the command may gather and as the means of regular communication
between the brethren and the Grand Master and Grand Lodge.
Frederick W. Hamilton, Massachusetts.

* * *

A Committee of Earnest Men.

I do not approve of appointing one member of a lodge to look after
the comforts and interests of each soldier member. This is a lodge
matter; every brother thereof should have the same burden on his
heart and conscience. It is unfair, although easy, to put onto the
other fellow the duties one should assume for oneself. On an
average, only about ten per cent of a lodge roster is in the
service. It would be manifestly unjust to put the work on one-tenth
of the membership and let the other nine-tenths drift into the
slacker class. Furthermore, it would be better for the nine-tenths
themselves if they had a personal interest in the matter. It would
keep war needs constantly before them, stimulate the fires of
patriotism, and make them realize they are an important, integral
unit in the fight.

If anything is done, it should be by a committee. I realize that
committees are too often unsatisfactory and that one member thereof
generally does the work. But this committee should be carefully
selected, not named haphazard, as is too often done in Masonic
lodges. It should demand and receive active support and assistance
from every member and should insist on each one doing his part.
Community effort is more productive of results than individual
effort when wisely and tactfully handled. A band of earnest men
acting as a unit can accomplish much, while the individual is
limited by his ability or his inclination.

I note your question seems to refer to our brethren while in
France. I believe the time to look after them is before they go,
and after they come back. This man's army is going to France for
strenuous work; it may be the last stand for freedom of thought and
pure democracy of government. While over seas there will be little
time to read books and magazines, and the soldier with a sixty
pound pack on his back will not care to increase it, no matter how
sweet the spirit of the giver. But, before he leaves America, he is
ofttimes home-sick; many times anxious about those he is leaving
behind, and ignorant largely of what is on the other side. And when
he comes back, he will be confronted with lost years of effort for
himself and with questions regarding the future.
Joseph C. Greenfield, Georgia.

* * *

Teach Masonry at the Cantonments.

The idea does not appeal to me. I would want no one to represent me
or to feel that he was in any way responsible for my acts, wants or
needs.

As a member of the Masonic fraternity I would like to feel that my
entire home organization took an interest in me but I would not
want that interest focused in any one individual outside of my
family.

"What would remind me of my brethren at home as the K. of C.
buildings remind Catholic soldiers of their Catholic brethren at
home ?"

I would want no gifts, but I would welcome newsy and cheerful
letters--many of them--and the privilege and ability to have
Masonic intercourse with Masons of my own and of all other
nationalities on and behind the firing line. But how many of us are
equipped for such fellowship ?

Let me illustrate. Thousands of young men are drafted into the
service. Before going to France they are intensively trained for
six to nine months or a year. Then they are in a fair way to care
for themselves. Now consider what we Ancient Free and Accepted
Masons do for our recruits. We take them in today and tomorrow they
are Master Masons, entitled to all the rights and privileges of the
fraternity. Most of them learn nothing but the catechism. True, a
lot of brethren do assemble and enjoy themselves with the constant
repetition of the ritual but let us give Masonic "meat" to the
serious minded men who are going abroad. This will, in time, leaven
the whole body of the Craft. How would I accomplish this ? By
establishing Masonic schools at each cantonment in the United
States and in France and putting them in charge of such a man as
Frank C. Higgins, who would teach us something worth while of
Masonry so that we would not appear as intellectually poor Masonic
relations when we come into contact with English, French and other
brethren. Then let our Grand Lodges rescind their decrees relative
to non-intercourse with other nations so that we can fraternize
with Masons of every land and nation whom we are likely to meet.
That's what I would like to have you do for me if I were going to
France. I'd take chances with my fellows--Masons and non-Masons--on
getting the material things in life. 
John G. Keplinger, Illinois.

* * *
"The Junior Warden."
I absorb this inquiry as I would a timely admonition, as I think it
needed. The question "Am I my brother's keeper?" thus comes home to
us as men and Masons. Why do I say "men-and Masons"? By the
ceremony of Masonic transubstantiation we have taken to ourselves
a real heritage, separating us throughout our conscious lives from
the common grovelling serfdom of ignorance, wherein we would say
for examine, do live the beasts of the field who weave not, neither
do they lay up treasures for the winter's day, but die with the
grass. So when we call upon Masons, we call upon men, made Masons,
who, by vow and practice have risen to the dignity of Masters, not
slaves. This mastery is of self alone. When we have thus risen to
our feet upon this great battlefield we become like those heroes
upon the fields of France. We become then, mindful of the other
fellow first. So men charge with bayonet and sword, through
ringing, singing, screeching rain of shot and shell, and when the
fight has lulled, go back again to seek upon the sodden field some
brother who has fallen wounded sore, that this brother may by his
side hobble back to life. This is the spirit of the field and
trench, the humanity of a Christ, above the self that was once
first--the Masonry above the ego of the world.

My lodge has sixty-five Masons in the war. We have four hundred at
home. We have a large "field committee" constantly in touch with
the absent ones. We publish a lodge paper, "The Junior Warden,"
that goes each month with its chats and home news to each boy in
the army. The mail, too, is well loaded with these publications
from everywhere.

I am not seeking argument, but I would say that one copy of "The
Junior Warden" would look as big as the Vatican buildings and farm,
to a soldier in the field because we as Masons have not asked him
to divide his fealty. The "Junior Warden" means more to such a man
than club houses could mean to a man not sufficiently free to form
an intelligent idea of anything. We sow the seed in prolific soil.
It puts nothing above Country. A man gets pretty close to God when
he fights for his Flag. Masonry means Country first and in that
service we find heaven within our grasp with all its realization,
beatitude and glory. Masonry holds the key to every barrier that
ofttimes seems to obstruct and nearly bar our upward, onward march.
Denman S. Wagstaff, California.

* * *
Have Postal Cards in the Lodge Room.
I firmly believe in any plan which will cause our lodges to give
proper care and attention to the brethren at the front. The
suggestion of appointing a member as a personal representative of
each brother is good. Some Michigan lodges are appointing
committees of various size who see that each brother gets a letter
at least once a month and a present of some kind once a month.

Some lodges have adopted the circular letter plan, the letter being
specially written and containing not only lodge doings but also
information about the families of the boys. One lodge has adopted
the most admirable plan of having cards at its lodge room and each
brother attending a meeting is requested to then and there write a
card to a brother in service.

It appears to me that each lodge must determine the most effective
course for itself. The principal thing is to see that the boys are
reminded of their brethren back home and feel that the lodges have
an interest in them.

By the way, one of the Canadian brethren, recently returned wounded
from the trenches, told me that the most valuable packages that
could be sent to the boys in France are those containing tobacco,
good soap and a bath towel. These articles are practically
unobtainable at the front, and a good smoke and a real bath and
rub-down constitute the height of luxury for the soldiers when they
return from the front trenches.
Louis H. Fead, Michigan.

* * *

Help the Y.M.C.A.
I think it would be well for the brethren to give to the Secretary
(the only paid officer of the lodge) excerpts from personal letters
received from brethren at the front from which the Master should
formulate and disseminate information to the members in open lodge.
This would increase the work of the Master and Secretary, but it
would also make them more interesting personages to the members.

The best scheme that presents itself to me at this moment by which
to keep the soldier brethren mindful of their lodges at home, is to
help, aid and assist the Y.M.C.A. units at the front, and identify
them with the fraternity; to keep our soldier boys provided with
Christian, Masonic, Patriotic and Americanized literature; to make
it possible for them to fraternize with Masons in Europe, and to
encourage them to kill the Huns.

The adherents to the food administration scheme believe the best
way to win the war is to consume less food; the fuel administration
adherents believe it may be done by burning less fuel, while the
girl who sells Liberty Bonds believes it may be won by purchasing
the bonds. My own belief is that the best way to end the war is to
kill Huns.

While the soldier in the cantonment has leisure to play ball, write
letters, attend dances and receive the coddling of sentimental
maidens, he will not find these conditions when he reaches the
firing line. In fact the boys on that line are harassed, hungry, in
momentary danger of death; spending sleepless nights, plagued by
vermin, suffering from sores and fevers, and their thoughts are
probably more concerned with the making and transportation of the
munitions which they need for defense, than of literature or love
letters from lodges. They probably deplore a strike in a munitions
factory at home and regret that they have relatives engaged in that
enterprise.
George W. Baird, District of Columbia.

* * *
A Sympathetic and Effective Plan.
I think it would be an excellent idea to have a personal
representative or Masonic god-father in each lodge and home
community for the member who is on war duty in France. It would
surely be appreciated by their families, and by the boys. However,
I think the best service could be obtained by calling for
volunteers instead of having them officially appointed. It seems to
me the most sympathetic and effective plan for keeping in touch
with the Masonic brother in France would be through personal
correspondence with the brother and letting it be known to his
friends on this side that all gifts could be sent through him. This
would help the Post Office as well as the soldier Mason.

New York is not waiting for the co-operation of other Grand Lodges
but is going to establish Masonic centers of its own. The best
scheme to effectively remind brothers in France of the brothers at
home seems to me to be through a National Council of Defense. I am
a warm admirer of Brother Schoonover's plan.
Joseph W. Norwood, Kentucky.

* * *

Georgia Lodge Sends "The Builder" to Each Member in the Army in
Addition to a Letter Every Week.
I suggest that each lodge that has members now serving in the
National Army, either at home or abroad, subscribe for THE BUILDER
for each member so employed. The Secretary of Columbia Lodge No. 7
has been instructed to prepare a list of those of its members now
in the Army, order THE BUILDER sent to them and to write each a
letter telling him of the action of the lodge and requesting him to
leave the magazine, when read, upon the table in the Y.M.C.A. By
this we hope to let our boys have a monthly reminder that we are
interested in them but we hope further to put good Masonic
literature where it will be effective in educating young manhood
and leading them to a lofty conception of Masonry.

Our Secretary has been instructed further to prepare lists of our
Army boys in groups of four, making four lists each containing the
same four names, but the names so arranged that No. 1 on list No.
1 shall be No. 2, No. 3 and No. 4 on the other lists. Each of these
lists will be taken by some brother who agrees to write one letter
a week. He will in this way write to four men in four weeks, and as
each name appears on four lists, it will insure each man a letter
every week. It will be more interesting to receive letters
regularly from foul men at home than from only one as would be the
case if only one man were appointed as correspondent for each
soldier.
