Address of R.W. Bro. Stephen R. McIntyre
on His Official Visit to Algonquin Lodge No. 434,
January 17, 2012

How Many Masons Does it take……….?

I’m sure you have all heard the question asked, “How many people does it take to change a light bulb”? It is usually asked in reference, of a particular group, when one wishes to expose them, as not being able to accomplish the task on their own.

However when the question is asked, “How many Masons does it take to change a light bulb”, I would say this sheds a new light on the question.

With that play on words I will try to elaborate.

Every Mason may answer the question differently. There may be as many answers as there are Masons.

For when every Mason, according to ritual, is brought into the light from darkness, he feels differently about his experience.

It may be that there only needs to be three, five seven or more. The three who hold a lodge. One Master, to govern, direct and rule, or supervise. One Senior Warden, to pursue this task with the Master and point out the equal measures he is about to pursue. One Junior Warden to ensure that the ladder is plumb and an emblem of uprightness, and done with integrity.

Or maybe because there were but three Grand Masters who bore sway at the changing of the first one at the temple of Jerusalem.
The five who hold a lodge, are aided by two fellow craft to ensure there is no delay in completing the task.

The seven who make it perfect are two entered apprentices added to the former five, to learn how to complete this work in the future.
While looking at this in a slightly humorous light, it illuminates the very focus of Freemasonry.

The new candidate, when brought from darkness to light, learns that he can either take an interest in the lessons or ritual, or he can continue on the path he was. But you can’t do both. Once you have been shown the light it will be there, always.

In the initiation ceremony there are many lessons to be learned, but it always focuses on one concept: Light.
In some countries masons do not say “when I was initiated” but “when I was given light”.

We all enter our initiation with open eyes. Seeing with ordinary eyesight, in ordinary light. Then we are hoodwinked and led through a special ceremony in which light is then restored to us. From that moment on, we see things in a different light.

Masonry itself, is like each of us. It has two different forms of existence. Both have an exterior and interior. The Masonic lodge is formed and established with elected officers. It is only called into existence each time it is opened in a correct ritual way.

But the real Masonry does not exist in a formal, visible, tangible way. It knows no bounds. Extending from east to west, from north to south, from the surface of the earth to its centre, and even as high as the heavens.
It can be compared to the very nature of light. Which is invisible until it touches something.

We see this light with the aid of symbols and symbolism. We are in it and it, is in us. What happens, is that the barrier between outer and inner light becomes reality.

As with everything there are different perspectives. Two Masons watching the night sky; one might say “I see a star”. No, the other says “I don’t see a star, I see light coming from a star”. It has taken millions of years to reach me, and it does not stop here. It will travel on. How far? How long? Where will it go? Will it ever have a final destination?\

It has been said that by the age of ten, most children stop asking why and begin to accept things as they are.

A true Mason, however never stops asking why. Especially after his moment of revelation in his initiation, when light is restored to him. Because he has been given the opportunity to see everything in a new light.

Even though the ritual and teachings of Freemasonry have not changed appreciably in centuries, masons have changed.

Perhaps in this age of technology, we cannot see the light because of the big screen T.V.. There is constant reflection on what used to be important in simpler times and the longing to use those as the benchmark for what should be important.

For in the beginning god said let there be light and there was light.
And God saw the light, that it was good: and divided light from darkness.
Perhaps the light bulb needs to be changed to a more efficient one, but of higher intensity.

In this time of technological enlightenment, many people are turning away from spiritual and moral values. We as Masons know, that we alone cannot change the world. But the examples set by Masons will aid the next generation of young people, to see the benefits of an environment where higher morals and ethical standards are practiced.

Freemasonry provides us with moral lessons and teaches us to apply them to our everyday lives.

In a workplace environment, development follows a three step process. Recognizing a person, bringing out their abilities into the light and developing their potential.

In lodge, it is showing them the light, allowing them to make their light shine brighter and showing them how to share their light.
Benjamin Franklin once said. “Tell me and I forget, teach me and I remember, involve me and I learn.”

Freemasonry was strong at the start of the age of enlightenment-it must not be allowed to dim.

I leave you with this quote, “There are two ways of spreading light, to be the candle, or the mirror that reflects it.”