Ti Freemasons optimistic for 2024

TICONDEROGA | In 136 years, Mount Defiance Lodge #794 of Free and Accepted Masons has offered men within the community who embody integrity and honesty and who have an innate desire to make their world better by helping people in need the opportunity to come together. At the very heart of the organization is its motto, "Making good men better," and the members are consistently striving to do just that. "We have principles of morality that we, in many ways, impart in what we do in ritual. Masons help men become better in their own families and in their community," revealed Lodge member, Bob Bartlett. "I know a lot of men are looking for an organization of men - a group of men- that care about the right ways of living that would like to seek out other like-minded men that practice these things and be around men of that nature." Freemasonry is the leading worldwide fraternal order of men bonded together in fellowship, who aid one another and their communities by giving freely of their time and energy with a commitment to making the world a better place through their actions. The focus on the social, moral and intellectual development and well-being of the individual man is unique among modern organizations. According to the official website, Modern Freemasonry was established in England in 1717, although its exact origins are lost in the unrecorded history of medieval times. The United Grand Lodge of England reports there are 6 million Freemasons worldwide. As a very young boy, Bartlett recalls seeing his father, Carney's, ring of solid gold adorned with the square and compass that has become synonymous with Freemasonry. His curiosity peaked, the child would always ask his father about the ring, though he didn't reveal a considerable amount of the centuries of history behind the ornament. By leaving an air of mystery, Carney instilled in his son that it would be advantageous to his offspring's future. "My father gave me the impression that it would be a great honor and a privilege to me personally that I might be able to avail myself with this when I was of age," Bartlett said. And in 1970, at the age of 25, Bartlett entered into the Brotherhood, where he has faithfully given his time and dedication for the past six decades. Having served as Master for the first time in 1976, he is now on his eighth term as Master of Mount Defiance Lodge, and is still pleasantly surprised at how the sacred rituals continuously keep members captivated; the words never get old or tired. "The Lodge has been a very steadying force in my life," he said. "The ritual we keep to ourselves and it is a strong tenant and basis of this organization, a strong foundation, and it is part of the unifyingness that holds us together as Masons. As many times as I have been involved in ritual, there is always something new to pick up." There are three degrees in Masonry; First, Second, and Third. As a member enters into each degree, there is a ritual ceremony specifically designed to teach a lesson. The first degree focus is on the Bible and the importance of faith (but not any specific religion, but on the importance of believing in a higher power), the Second Degree focuses on a man's duty to help others and also to be honest, and the Third Degree concentrates on the duty to yourself. "They are loosely based upon the journeyman system, which was used to educate Medieval Craftsmen," the official website stated. "Symbolically, the degrees represent the three stages of human development: youth, manhood, and age." Once the Third Degree is reached, one is now a "full-fledged" mason, eligible to join other "concordant" bodies, perhaps the most notable of these being the Shrine, or "Shriners" as they have become known for their many acts of benevolence, including the establishment of their well-known hospitals for children. The Masonic Temple at 10 Montcalm Street was built in 1946 and opened in 1947 for the specific and exclusive purpose of being home to the Mount Defiance Lodge. In the early years of Freemasonry (from the 17th through the 18th centuries) it was most common practice for Masonic Lodges to form their Masonic Temples either in private homes or in the private rooms of public taverns or halls. However, the convenience of that eventually led to inconvenience, and Lodges began to seek and construct their own permanent facilities. The Montcalm Street Masonic Temple is one of only two "officially built" lodges in its district, the other being in Lake Placid. The question of what exactly is Masonry seems to be as old as time. The impression that many members of the public have is that it is a society shrouded in secrecy and ritual, full of archaic practices and secret handshakes. Yes, there are handshakes, and yes, ritual is an integral part of the organization and a pillar of what it was founded on, but according to Lodge member and secretary for over 40 years, Steve Boyce, it is so much more than that; Masonry enriches the community it serves. "If a man is looking to help his community, we are an outlet to do that. If he is looking to make himself better, the tenants of Masonry layout a plan through ritual, discussion, and treatment," Boyce said. "We are a non-political organization, but I really feel in this world today, if more people followed the ideas of Masonry, which are to help others and treat each other civilly- if more people acted like Masons we would be better off in the world today." In Ticonderoga, Mount Defiance Lodge members take part in monthly monetary donations to the many different organizations- the Ticonderoga Historical Society, Friends Comforting Friends, the Ticonderoga Area Backpack Program, Hometown Heroes, the Food Pantry, and Tiny Tim (now known as It Takes A Village). "We assisted the high school Quiz Bowl Team when they traveled to Chicago this past year," Boyce said. "We also serve pumpkin pie to the nursing home residents at Thanksgiving time, and cherry pie and ice cream to them in February." Part of the Clinton Essex District, Mount Defiance Lodge also helped raise over $1,300 to support Masonic Lodges in war-town Ukraine. There are also graduation awards for high school seniors, and through the Grand Lodge of New York State there is a scholarship program that supports children and grandchildren of Masons to help fulfill their college aspirations. The Masonic Brotherhood, being worldwide, means the connection between members extends beyond the reaches of one's own lodge; involvement in the Brotherhood is recognized and embraced everywhere. In fact, a tale that illustrates how deep those bonds run occurred ten minutes to the North in Crown Point. "This story explains why the Masonic Lodge on Crown Point is named Rescue Lodge," explains Boyce. "Back in the French and Indian War, Israel Putnam was taken captive by a group of French and Native Americans." Putnam was tied to a tree and about to be burnt at the stake, and in a last ditch effort to save his own life, he let out the universally recognized by Masons signal of distress. "If you say these words or give the sign and another Mason is present, it is their duty to try and help you," Boyce said. Luckily for Israel Putnam, he was dealt a fortuitous hand as one of the French officers was a Mason and intervened on Putnam's behalf, his life spared and Putnam "rescued." The roster of famous figures in history who have boasted being a Freemason is also rather impressive. First President George Washington was a Master Mason, and Benjamin Franklin was a founding member of the first Masonic Lodge in America. Presidents Franklin D. Roosevelt and Gerald Ford were Masons, as was Great Britain's Prime Minister Winston Churchhill. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Paul Revere, Duke Ellington, Davy Crockett, Henry Ford, Nat King Cole, and Buzz Aldrin were also Freemasons. "We are not a religion but many religious leaders have been Masons, and many of the men who helped write the U.S. Constitution and the Declaration of Independence were as well," revealed Boyce. "The Masonic movement goes back well into the 17th century." Though membership has fallen off over the recent years (an all too common occurrence for organizations), neither Bartlett nor Boyce believe Masons to be dying. In fact, now that there is more accurate information readily available to the public, both are optimistic that members will gravitate towards the Brotherhood. "There are peaks and valleys in anything," Bartlett pointed out. "All organizations are feeling a pinch- there are a lot of distractions out there today with activities, and busy schedules crammed full, which makes things a little more hectic and life more demanding, but I think in a way that also is helping us in bringing members." In 2024, Mount Defiance Lodge intends to continue its work and civic-minded initiatives. Recently moved to Mondays to better accommodate the needs of the community, the monthly public dinners they are so well-known for (held jointly by the Masons and its sister organization, the Eastern Stars) will resume in January and run through May. "I look forward to the comradery and the people that you meet, and I look forward to the challenge of making this building better," noted Boyce. "We have a public building here that is a big part of Main Street; many have not been able to maintain their buildings, so there is a challenge there, and there is a challenge of maintaining the organization- if you don't work at it, you are going to lose it." Mount Defiance Lodge meets on the second and fourth Wednesdays of every month, September through May. For more information on membership, please contact Worshipful Master Bob Bartlett at 518-585-6049, or email at rbartle1@nycap.rr.com. Any Mason is also happy to be approached and can answer questions.

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Ti Freemasons optimistic for 2024

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