It Started With a Little Blue Book

Cover Photo: Three generations of McNaughtons: (left to right) John Willard, John William, and John Brian in 2004.

by John Brian McNaughton, 33°, Active for Indiana

As a little boy, I can remember my dad talking to himself. As he was getting ready for work in the morning, I’d see him standing there, whispering silently to himself. On long family road trips, I’d sometimes get to sit in the front seat with him, and, again, I’d glance over and see him silently speaking. What was he saying? What was he doing? I was always intrigued that when he was having these silent conversations, nearby sat a little blue book. I recall picking it up once and the ensuing grin that crossed his face as my own contorted in confusion. What was this gibberish? It was page after page of nothing but letters. I can still clearly hear his belly laughter as I would haughtily pretend to “read” from this little blue book. My dad explained what it was in a way that I could understand, along with a simple word: Someday.

This was my first memory of Freemasonry.

Years went by, and I began to understand a bit more about this fraternity. I remember going to Maumee Lodge #725 to see my dad installed as an officer. I didn’t fully understand many of the things that were said, but I clearly recall all of the men and their ladies that I got to meet. Many of them were long-time family friends. It struck me deeply that between my parents and my grandparents, nearly ALL of our family friends had one thing in common: They were ALL Freemasons.

From an early age, I knew in my heart that I wanted to be a part of this organization, and knew that I had to wait until I was 21. More time passed. I went to college and became a member of Delta Tau Delta. I later learned that three of the founding members were also Freemasons.

My dad explained what it was in a way that I could understand, along with a simple word: Someday.

When I turned 21, I asked my dad what it took to join. I can still clearly recall the exact place where we stood and the look on his face. It should come as no surprise that he had a petition ready. I went through the application process and made preparations to attend a special one-day event to obtain my Entered Apprentice and Fellow Craft degrees in Michigan City, Indiana. We would all be there: my dad, my grandfather, and me. The next week, I returned to Maumee for my Master Mason degree. One of the greatest moments and memories of my life was entering the lodge for the second section and seeing my father sitting there in the East. Twelve months later, I graduated from college and returned home wanting to get involved. December of that year, I took the next step and was installed as Senior Steward.

Eight months later, I was at a wedding and sat at a table with some friends from high school. A very nice young woman that had graduated a year after us joined us. I hadn’t known her well, but the conversation was friendly. At one point, her eyes went wide in shock as she looked at my hand and noticed my Scottish Rite ring. She exclaimed, “My dad has one just like that!” We celebrate our 20th anniversary this November.

A few years after our wedding, I became a third-generation Past Master of Maumee Lodge and the youngest Master (28) in its history. I served again as Master in 2006. My wife, parents, and grandparents gently and lovingly supported me every step of the way.

I was tremendously humbled and honored to receive a call letting me know I had been elected to receive the thirty-third degree. It is not often that I am struck speechless. This was one of those times.

Serving the Blue Lodge was an extremely fulfilling and rewarding experience, and I genuinely loved every second of it I also got to see first-hand how much the Scottish Rite meant to my dad and my grandfather. There was reason for this, and I was determined to find the answers for myself. Later in the same year I first served as Master, I also became Captain of the Guard in the Fort Wayne Lodge of Perfection. In 2009, I presided as Thrice Potent Master at the age of 33 and became a third-generation Thrice Potent Master of the Fort Wayne Lodge of Perfection. Later that summer, I was tremendously humbled and honored to receive a call letting me know I had been elected to receive the thirty-third degree. It is not often that I am struck speechless. This was one of those times.

My father was Sovereign Grand Commander at the time, and I recall finding out that I was going to be the class exemplar in Chicago in 2011. No pressure. Standing there face to face just as we had the day he raised me nearly 15 years prior, my dad presented me with my 33° ring. With that, I became a third-generation 33° for the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite.

A petition waits for the fourth generation of the McNaughton family.

The Grand Architect of the Universe blessed my wife, Macy, and me with two wonderful boys. As our family grew, so too grew the hope of expanding our family’s Masonic legacy. Within moments of their birth, each of our sons had their tiny inked footprints stamped onto Blue Lodge and Scottish Rite petitions in the hope that they will carry on this legacy into the fourth generation and beyond. These are safely locked away for Someday.

This is our legacy.