Masonry In Action: My Brother’s Keeper

by Laurence Charles Dittmer, 32°, HGA, Valley of Rockville Centre

I have chosen to write about this degree for two reasons. The first is that this degree mirrors in many ways the time of my hospitalization and subsequent convalescence from September 2017 to February 2018. Aside from the expected visitations from family, friends, and coworkers, most of the visitations I received from my Masonic Brothers were from my Scottish Rite Valley. In addition to that, our Deputy’s Representative showed up at the door to my home and offered financial assistance to my wife. These were examples of Masonry in action.

The second reason why I chose to write about this degree is that it puts forward the greatest lesson of the Scottish Rite. The core of Masonry, to my mind, is that Masonry is not about what goes on within our meetings and buildings but rather in the outside world. This degree teaches how to be. It teaches us how to be not just with our Brothers but to be among all human beings as well. All Freemasons come from the profane world. We started there, and it is to that place that we must truly apply ourselves.

The impact this degree had on me is that it provided vindication in my long-held belief that there is a profound difference between ‘Freemason’ and ‘Brother.’ It’s ironic that the character of Samuel Brown, a Freemason no less, should give the prologue about being one’s keeper and helping and aiding, in view of the fact that his behavior was not that of a real Brother, nor did he help or give aid.

The two real questions we should always be asking ourselves are, “Am I a real Brother?” and “Are you my Brother?” Paul Revere was correct about the difference between Freemasonry and Brothers; Being a Brother is about how we think about people and how we treat people – all people, not just Freemasons.

The core of Masonry, to my mind, is that Masonry is not about what goes on within our meetings and buildings but rather in the outside world.

In the degree, the deacon and the senior warden were both Freemasons, but they did not conduct themselves as Brothers should. Thomas Dawes and Dr. Warren, however, in very stark contrast, were not only true Freemasons but also real Brothers. They both offered their assistance without even knowing or asking anything of the injured John.

In real life, as soon as they could, my Scottish Rite Brothers showed up at my bedside, and our state Deputy’s Rep. showed up at our door ready to help, aid, and assist. What being a Brother is really all about is living the teachings of Freemasonry in every aspect of our lives, especially when someone –anyone – is in distress and in need of help like I was.

The Core Values of this degree are Integrity and Service. I could not agree more. Every Brother conducts himself with respect and decorum while in lodge, but what about when he steps outside that outer door? A late usher in my church had a saying about some of our congregants. He would quietly say to me, “Gooder than gold in here, dirtier than dirt out there.”

That is what integrity is all about. It’s simple to be a Freemason among our fellow Masons, but what of our time with the rest of the world? It would do us good to remember that from there come our future Brothers. Sometimes, their impression of our Masonic world is derived solely from their interaction with just one person. I have my own thought about this: Although no one man can speak for all of Freemasonry, ALL Freemasons are representatives of it. We need to act as we are taught, and in all places, because there really is never a second chance to make a first impression.

What being a Brother is really all about is living the teachings of Freemasonry in every aspect of our lives, especially when someone – anyone –is in distress and in need of help like I was.

As for Service, that is the other side of the coin. Integrity is how we are – the inside part. Service to Humanity is the follow-through, the outside part. The moment comes when we must act without hesitation or thought. In the degree, the deacon and the senior warden had that opportunity. Yes, their act would have made them late, but what they failed to realize is that had either one of them helped John, the deacon’s congregants or the senior warden’s Brothers, upon learning of the explanation for the lateness, would have not only understood the reason for their tardiness, they would have all rejoiced because they had lived and carried out the words and ideals taught to them. What good is teaching someone to be helpful when the moment comes to render aid, and they choose not to help? Dawes and Dr. Warren acted; they acted immediately, without hesitation or any kind of forethought.

The way I apply the teachings of this degree is simply to continue to be the person that I was taught to be within the inner door and continue to do so beyond the outer door. In fact, I have always felt that Freemasonry is the ultimate humanities lesson. It teaches us how to be the best we can be around both our fellow Freemasons and all other human beings. We need to be examples to those who know us, and most especially, to those who do not.

To learn more about HGA and sign up for the waitlist, visit ScottishRiteNMJ.org/ hauts-grades-academy