Carl Claudy was a Masonic Author. He wrote The Lion's Paw which I am currently reading. Ordinarily I would wait until I have finished a book until I write about it but I am going to share a couple of things which I found particularly touching/meaningful to me. The story is about a young boy who is orphaned. His father was a Past Master and Masonry is all through the book. He winds up in a Masonic Home for children but before that he is introduced to Masonry by his father who takes him to the Lodge room. He is with another child, a girl, who's father is also a Mason. They see the Altar and ask:
"What is the Altar for?'
"To put the Holy Book on!" he explained.
" Why?" asked Winty.
...
"An intelligent question about Masonry deserves an intelligent answer." Mr. Millard spoke as if to himself. "Listen, both of you!"
...
This is a holy place," he began, "That Altar -- the Altar of Freemasonry is God's Altar. Freemasonry teaches the fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man. At that Altar they take their vows and become brethren. From that Altar radiates a sweetness, a helpful spirit of light that makes the whole world better. To it the sore in spirit come for neverfailing comfort. By its light men compose their differences and forgive each other their wrongs. One of you --" he pressedWinty's shoulder as he spoke, "may some day have the proudprivilege of kneeling at that Altar. When you do, remember -- this is a holy place. Keep it holy."
I thought about that tonight at Lodge when our newest Brother knelt at the Altar to take his Obligation as a Fellow of the Craft. I thought about the sweetness and the helpful spirit of light that makes the whole world better.
The book is kind of schmaltzy in places and as I read it I find myself choking up a little and there are a few tears coming to my eyes but I am enjoying it. I borrowed it from the Grand Lodge Library. You can also borrow books from them (even if you are not a Mason) all it costs is the return postage. It is a wonderful service.
Speaking of wonderful services. The Internet has a terrific story written byClaudy called The Old Past Master, Understanding.
Lodge Life from the Lion's Paw
... "Joppa is one of thousands, neither better or worse. It possesses its enthusiastic brethren, its little "ring" or "gang" which carries on, fills the chairs, does the committee work, loves and labors for it. It also has its "Knife and fork" Masons who turn out en masse for an entertainment, a "feed" or a District Deputy Visitation, but who are conspicuous by their absence at funeral and Fellowcraft's degrees. Among Winty's brethren in Joppa were several real students such as Past Master Tolliver; Masons who delighted in the Craft's romantic history, the quiet but important part Freemasonry has played in secular history, especially that of the Untied States, her symbolism, her antiquities an her ramifications. Like the Masons of many another Lodge, Joppa members will vote freely from the treasury for relief and fight bitterly among themselves over the question of raising dues a dollar a year. Her leadership was average. Joppa elects to the foot of the line and moves officers up year by year nine times out of ten. Too often the Junior Steward was elected because of personal popularity, occasionally from indifference. Seldom was he picked by thoughtful consideration as the best possible brother to be Master seven years hence. Just an average lodge, sturdy in Masonic ideals, sometimes wavering in Masonic practice, it muddled through somehow, showing a steady growth.
I stayed up last night until 1 AM to finish the book. I enjoyed it even if the story was somewhat predictable as I read through it. It was obvious to me that Claudy loved Masonry and he wanted to convey his perception of what we are all about. I recommed that you read it. j
The biggest contrasts though were the two tragic figures in the story. Ben was the "user", who caused great pain, yet suffered tremendously and was the recipient of Masonic Charity. Kathleen was the long suffering girl, loving Winty forever, being largely ignored by him and then being used most cruelly (at least in Winty's mind). Her reward? Winty named his daughter in her memory. Somehow, that just doesn't seem like enough.