The Lesson of Three, by Bro. T. Justin Robinson

As every Freemason can attest, one of the first aspects of Freemasonry that becomes embedded into the psyche of a newly made Brother is the recurrence of the same number, the number Three.

There are so many portions of our fraternity that reflect themselves in this mystical number that it is nearly impossible to describe them all. There are, of course, three initial degrees in the blue lodge; there are three symbols in the Square, Compasses, and the letter G; three geographical locations in lodge, South, West, East, with the North being a place of darkness; and three officers for those stations.

When you go deeper in the degrees it becomes even more apparent; there are three Great Lights and three Lesser lights represented by the three officers of the three geographical locations. This number is also repeated in the very fabric of our degree work.

To bring it to a more broad horizon, three is repeated on a much larger scale starting with our planet's position in the solar system. Earth is the third planet from the Sun. Thus in this aspect three becomes a number representing the creation and sustaining effect of life. A number that can be connected to a solitary degree of distance which is suitable for the flourish of our existence. Three is an ideal position.

Three can also be attributed to the Holy Trinity in the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. In this aspect the number three becomes a relation of faith, spirituality, and religious teachings. Three is a spiritual connection.

Three is representative of the three stages of life, Childhood, Adulthood, and Old Age. In this capacity Three gives us the sum of education, experience, and wisdom. Three is a path of life.

Three is the first prime number that we come to that is more than the sum of its two predecessors. Why is this number so often repeated in the course of our experiences? Is it a divine truth that yet escapes our full understanding or is it merely a set of coincidences that bar any unforeseen explanation?

As Freemasons it is our privilige to be able to investigate such mystical occurences and try to decipher either for our Brethren and the common good or for our own personal benefit, what truth we can come to ourselves in the never ending journey of the sublime path that such metaphysical matters afford us.

Let us begin.

Obligations. Who Cares, Right? by Br. T. Justin Robinson

There are many things that I consider sacred in my life: my beliefs, my family, my word and my bond.

I was raised a Master Mason in 2005 and jumped right into the lodge. I have had many masonic experiences, both in lodge and on the internet; many good and some not so good. But when it comes down to it I have no regrets.

I have been asked countless times, What do I think needs to be done to improve the craft? What needs to be done to help retain membership? For a long time I have pondered questions such as these.

It wasn't until recently that the answer hit me like a bolt of lightning on a clear sky.

There is one thing at the heart of Masonry that is often overlooked or not taken seriously--our Obligations. It is this more than anything that I believe has led to the deradation of our fine craft. So many good and true Brothers have very deep discussions regarding regularity, PHA, Ancients and Moderns, etc...that they easly miss this simple truth. Many Brothers take their obligations with a grain of salt.

I have seen on several occasions a brother attacked, on no credible grounds, by both a non-mason as well as a brother. When I have seen this happen it has been rare to witness a fellow Mason come to the defense of said brother and much less vindicate him as we are obliged to do.

I have seen worthy, distressed brother Master masons seek assitance and find none. I have seen and heard secrets sworn before God let out on loose lips. I have seen brothers keep secrets from eachother regardless of their common bond of trust and many many more examples of disregard to our obligations.

These things are done, and then they ask, Whats wrong with our Fraternity? Why do brothers not take our Craft seriously? Why can't we retain our membership? The answer is before them, yet they seek it not; they wish others to seek it for them and then argue when it is presented.

When the day comes that our brothers truly feel connected, not only through beliefs and actions, but through our own obligations which are held sacred and invaluable; when the day comes that brothers unite in defense of one another, stand together through thick and thin; when the day comes that we are able to share secrets regardless of content without hesitation...that will be the day that this Fraternity regains its former grandeur.

Until that time, I will continue to do my part, Brothers...let us always meet on the level and part on the square!