Only
Spirit Will Save Us
R. Nick Remy, 32°
PO Box 972
Booneville, Arkansas 72927-0972
Exemplifying and communicating Masonry’s tenets does not require
one nickel out of your pocket.
Let’s pause and remember one key fact -Masonry is first of all a fraternity,
not a business. It is becoming increasingly difficult for Americans to
envision anything except the bottom line. Even churches, charities, and
civic organizations seem to be placing money before people at the expense
of their original mission. Freemasonry must not lose its primary and essential
focus - people.
Any Mason, old or young, can take one look around and realize that
our average age is dangerously high, that suspension for non-payment of
dues is more common than putting on a Degree, and that nearly every time
you attend a meeting, it looks like the beginning of the end. But why is
it that way? Just what should we be doing? What is the Masonic mission,
and how can we achieve it?
These are rhetorical questions, of course, but, in all seriousness,
if sitting around drinking coffee is our goal, then we don’t need a set
of ancient rituals to accomplish our aim. If Masonry means more than social
visits, then its time for more than just one or two people in each Lodge
to get with the program.
Masonry teaches faith in the Almighty and charity to all. Sincere charity
is the true spirit of Freemasonry. It is also the answer to all our problems
- period! Charity can be extended to anyone, anywhere, wherever a need
exists. Open your eyes and take a look around. People with needs are everywhere!
Not just financial needs, but moral and ethical needs as well. People are
crying out for the very values Freemasonry extends - brotherly love, fellowship,
and belief in the Almighty! Exemplifying and communicating these three
tenets does not require one nickel out of your pocket. All that’s required
is time and effort, which are much more precious commodities than dollars!
I’m talking about one-on-one charity - personally helping someone else.
And nowhere in that definition of charity is getting credit for your good
deed mentioned. Credit and goodwill will be returned in due time.
How will this solve our membership problems? Initially, it may do nothing
more than give the individual members of the Craft a satisfied feeling.
Remember, you don’t start at the top of the pyramid and build down. You
start at the bottom and build up. It takes many years to reach the pinnacle.
Hopefully, people will notice what we’re doing, see that it is good, and
ask to get involved. If anything, we don’t need to make it easier to join
the Lodge; we need to make it harder. We need to pick out five men who
are sincere, good, and willing to help their fellowmen, especially their
Masonic Brothers, rather than shooting for 50 idle men who may or may not
boost our Masonic bank account. Let us all truly and sincerely strive to
live according to the great Masonic principles. With patience and endurance,
the ship, our Craft, will right itself.
R. Nick Remy
was raised a Master Mason in September 1998 in Blocher
Lodge No. 247, Booneville, Arkansas, and became a Scottish Rite Mason in
October 1998, receiving his Degrees by communication in the Western Arkansas
Consistory of Ft. Smith, Arkansas. He is a member of the Amrita Grotto
of Ft. Smith; the Ft. Smith Shrine Club of Scimitar Temple; and Booneville
Chapter No. 110 R.A.M. in Booneville. A member of the Booneville Rotary
Club, he works for his family’s L.P. gas business in Booneville, and his
wife of three years, Jennifer, is a Licensed Practical Nurse for an eye
clinic in Ft. Smith, Arkansas