01/09/2020
Fraternal Greetings and Happy New Year to you all,
Brethren- As many of you should know by now, the Grand Lodge of New Jersey will be holding an Emergent Communication on February 4th at Fellowship Hall. Several items will be discussed at that meeting including several proposed pieces of legislation, one of which has been proposed by myself.
Brethren, I am looking to reintroduce the legislation dealing with: TITLE IV, ARTICLE X, SECTION 1, PART 3 LANGUAGES. Current Legislation: Part 4. English Language. I know this piece was brought up at the last GL Annual Communication, the failure to pass this important piece is why I am looking to bring it up again for a vote. In a nutshell, this piece will address the needs of this Grand Jurisdiction by allowing our Masonic work to be conducted in a language other than English with the use of a translated ritual approved by the Grand Instructor. The legislation does not do away with the requirement of keeping Lodge records in English.
Much has been discussed on this topic and I will not restate that which has been offered up as support. I would, however, like to offer up my own personal thoughts as to why we need to pass this legislative change.
Remember when you were first brought into the lodge room, you were told that “you” were first made a Mason in “your” heart. That meant, you had the foundations of being a part of this great fraternity deep within. What you needed was to be brought to light in order and recognize the potential that was always there. You were brought to light through our ritual and ceremonies. You were asked to take three oaths, each specifically charging you to follow specific rules while a man and a Mason. “As Masons, we understand the light of knowledge and how powerful and strong education can be. Where darkness of selfishness, prejudice, and hatred threaten Masonic teachings, education brings light.” As Worshipful Masters, we are charged with spreading and communicating light and instruction to the brethren of the lodge.
In order for us to successfully spread knowledge and light, in order for us to properly instruct the candidates and the brethren, we need to communicate in a manner that is understood by the intended audience. Our world is a diverse world! We bring many things to the table, we possess many talents and Brethren, there are many men out there looking for what we have to offer. Good men, Masonic men, men who have it within them to make this fraternity even greater than it already is. Is it fair to ask them to wait until they have mastered the English language sufficiently enough to understand our ritual and ceremonies? How can we bring a man to light if he does not understand what we are asking? There are many Grand Jurisdictions, both domestic and foreign, that practice Freemasonry in other languages. Grand Jurisdictions that we recognize and hold communications with. Are they less of a Mason because they practice Freemasonry in a language other than English? We all know the answer to these questions and we should know that we need to change how we instruct our candidates and our members. There was a time, within this Grand Jurisdiction where other languages were spoken within a Masonic lodge, if it was acceptable then, why should it not be acceptable now?
Brethren, please look within yourself, and stand up in support of this important piece of legislation. We are part of something greater than ourselves and this legislation is more important than any one individual. For us to grow as a Grand Lodge and to continue to attract that which is good in society, we must change and this legislation helps us with that goal. Thank you and I look forward to being with each of you February 4th,
Sincerely & Fraternally,
W. Bro. Rich Schultz, PM
Clifton Lodge #203
Past Master, Treasurer
HTMT Trustee
