MASONIC EDUCATION FOR SOJOURNING
MASONS
by Raymond H. Bachman
Grand Master of Masons in Illinois
We thank M.W. Brother Bachman
for permitting us the use of this paper as a
Short Talk Bulletin. it is adapted from a presentation
which he made to the Midwest Conference on Masonic
Education in 1981 at Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
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 sojourns 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
phrasings, tells of the rewards of entertaining
sojourners: "Be not forgetful to entertain
strangers; 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 evidence
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 belonging
to a special group to gain sustenance has become
less urgent. As a result, it becomes more difficult,
and in some cases almost impossible to locate
the sojourner. There are some avenues, however,
that provide some assistance.
Most of our appendant bodies do
not require 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 present
them to their new surroundings. It is simple
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
addressed 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
Master 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
contacted 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
sojourners.
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 identifiable
by a pin or ring which they wear. This gives
a topic on which a conversation can be initiated
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 desirous 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 sentimental reasons for not transferring
his membership, 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 Aged. 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 incapable 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 education.
Lastly, there is a tremendous
opportunity for the transfer of knowledge between
the sojourner 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
exchange 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,
0, 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 some. "
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. "
