A Masonic Christmas Tale

A MASONIC CHRISTMAS TALE

• by W:.Tim Bryce, PM, MPS
• timb001@phmainstreet.com
• Palm Harbor, Florida, USA
• "A Foot Soldier for Freemasonry"

"Tis the season for a tale...and a lesson."

Past Master Vicar trudged through the snow on his way to Lodge. It was December now and Christmas was just around the corner. The first snow flurries had come early in 1950; trick or treaters were the first to taste snowflakes. November saw a few subsequent snow flurries, but it wasn't until the day after Thanksgiving that the first heavy snow fell. This was followed by two more weeks of snow which clogged the streets and made driving difficult. So much so, Vicar decided to walk to Lodge instead of risking a drive through the icy streets and snow. He lived but a mile from the Lodge and the cold night air invigorated him. As Secretary of the Lodge for the last 17 years, he always arrived early to review paperwork prior to the meeting. But because of the snow, he came a little earlier to make sure the furnace was heating the Lodge properly. After he arrived, he hung his hat and coat in the cloak room and removed his rubber boots. He turned on the lights in the recrea tion hall and went down to the basement and shoveled some coal into the furnace. Vicar then went up to the kitchen where he started to brew a pot of coffee.

Even though the Harmony Lodge building was now one of the oldest structures in this modest Midwest community, the Craft made several enhancements over the years to help keep it current with the times. But the trademark of the Lodge was an old cast iron potbellied stove in the corner of the recreational hall which originated from the Lodge's first building back in the 1880's. Although it looked like a historical piece, the Lodge had dutifully maintained it and the stove worked remarkably well, particularly on cold winter nights, such as tonight. Vicar opened the grate on the stove and put in some ash and cherry which produced a comforting aroma in the room.

The Secretary's office was quite small. Actually, it was nothing more than a renovated closet which housed a small desk and file cabinets. Vicar rarely sat in the office as he found it confining. Instead, he would spread out his folders and do his paperwork on a table in the adjoining Rec Hall. He didn't mind the cramp quarters as this was still a small Lodge which could accommodate a maximum of 75 Brothers in the Rec Hall and the Lodge Room. Actually, the Lodge seemed cozy to Vicar as he poured himself a cup of coffee and waded through his paperwork.

He began by looking over the agenda for the Stated Communications to be held that evening. Scheduled was a 50 year service award for an old adversary, Forrest Stempl, a cranky old Brother who Vicar frequently butted heads with over the years. Vicar thought back to his younger days when he first became a Mason in 1924. At the time, Stempl had already been a Master and was generally considered a pillar of the Lodge. Vicar joined the Masons as he saw it had a positive influence on his father and grandfather. As a young Mason, he enjoyed Lodge life and reveled in the camaraderie. His enthusiasm was contagious and he signed many petitions for new members to join the Lodge. This did not go unnoticed by the Lodge officers of the day who saw Vicar as ambitious and influential. Consequently, he was appointed Senior Steward, thus beginning his rotation through the chairs. By 1929, Vicar sat in the East as Master, which was a bit premature due to the Lodge's Senior Warden who befell an accident and died, thereby catapulting Vicar through the chairs. Nonetheless, Vicar was prepared for the office and fulfilled his duties admirably.

Vicar was the office manager in the local hardware store/lumber yard and had a good sense of organization and the technology of the day. He was also an educated man who was lucky to have earned a scholarship and graduate with a business degree from the state university. He and his family lived well, but not opulently. Many of the officers he preceded, including Stempl, were not educated and worked as factory workers. This had no ill-effect on Vicar, other than a few Brothers, such as Stempl, were somewhat intimidated by Vicar for his education and station in life.

The hallmark of Vicar's year in the East was his ability to put the younger members of the Lodge to work, who helped clean up and modernize the Lodge. In October of 1929, the stock market crashed, forcing a lot of people out of work, including several Brothers. This also greatly affected Vicar's business, but he somehow found the wherewithal to establish a fund to help distressed Brothers as well as other members of the community. This fund slowly grew and eventually helped dozens of people over the next several years. But while Vicar's programs endeared him to the Craft and the community, his success was viewed jealously by Stempl as he saw his own authority in the Lodge challenged. Because of this, he tried to undermine Vicar in every new change he tried to introduce. The two were at loggerheads on more than one occasion. If Vicar said "White," Stempl would say "Black." He went out of his way to complicate Vicar's life just out of spite. Nonetheless , Vicar persevered and eventually Stempl was discredited and his role in the Lodge diminished. Eventually, he began to visit other nearby Lodges and infrequently attended his mother Lodge.

By the time the United States entered World War II, Vicar was already established as Lodge Secretary. However, he was too old for military service as were a lot of the members of the Craft. The younger members though readily enlisted thereby causing attendance at Lodge meetings to plummet. Nonetheless, the Masons kept the Lodge lights burning. Even though he couldn't serve in the military, Vicar helped organize Lodge programs to sell War Bonds, collect rubber, provide special meals for troops passing through his community, and offered assistance to families who lost sons during the war. To this end, Vicar carefully kept track of the finances for these charity programs in a separate cash book. Although Stempl didn't actively participate in such programs, he didn't object to them either. However, he kept a watchful eye on Vicar who was coordinating the programs.

When Stempl learned Vicar was maintaining the charity project finances in a cash book separate from the Lodge's own cash book, he seized on the opportunity and accused Vicar of unMasonic conduct by misappropriating funds for his own personal use. This led to Masonic charges being brought against Vicar in Lodge in an attempt to besmirch Vicar's character. Even though Stempl had no actual proof of any wrongdoing, he suspected Vicar of taking money for his own personal gain. This became very controversial among the members of the Lodge. On the one hand, Vicar was well liked and respected, and on the other, Stempl was still respected as a Past Master. The Lodge was confused as to which side to believe. As for Vicar, he was angered by Stempl's accusations and visibly shaken by the charges. Word spread around the district and state of the infraction and Vicar's Masonic record became tarnished.

Subsequently, Lodge members were summoned to listen to the charges. It was the most attended meeting of the year which included Lodge members, visitors, and the District Deputy Grand Master who witnessed the proceedings. One by one, the charges were read of Vicar's alleged improprieties. Vicar sat quietly but seethed as he suffered through this embarrassment. Finally, Vicar was allowed to speak and refute the charges. He produced the cash book and carefully explained how money was taken in and disbursed. He had even gone so far as to produce bank statements, receipts, and because this was being managed separate from Lodge finances, produced an audit report from an independent CPA who found the finances in good form and order.

Following Vicar's refutation of the charges, the floor was open for discussion. After hearing both the charges and Vicar refute them, one Brother asked why the Lodge had not done an independent investigation prior to the charges being made. The Master pointed out that charges can be leveled by another Mason at any time. This did not sit well with the Craft who overwhelmingly exonerated Vicar of any wrongdoing. After the meeting closed, Stempl exited the Lodge quickly. He may have lost in terms of having Vicar found guilty, but he knew he had forever left a blemish on Vicar's Masonic record. Consequently, Vicar was never again asked to serve on any district or state Masonic committees. Stempl took great joy in knowing this would be the outcome.

Vicar sat back at the table in the Rec Hall, lit his pipe, and put the agenda away. He didn't relish the thought of seeing Stempl again that evening after all of these years. After awhile, the Junior Warden and the Stewards arrived at the Lodge to prepare the meal for the evening. Vicar helped set the tables and then prepared the Lodge room for the meeting. Other Lodge Brothers slowly entered, put their hats and coats away, and sat down for the Lodge supper. Vicar enjoyed their company but kept an eye on the door anticipating Stempl's arrival. He hadn't seen Stempl for the last several years. Vicar had heard his health was declining and didn't attend Masonic functions anymore.

Dinner came and went and slowly the Craft filed into the Lodge room for the meeting. Just minutes before starting, the front door swung open and in came Stempl in a wheelchair pushed by his nephew who was also a Mason. The nephew dutifully wheeled his uncle into the Lodge room and set Stempl on the sidelines.

The Master and the officers marched in procession into the room and opened the Lodge. Following the normal reading of the minutes and treasurer's report, the Master ordered the Senior Deacon to present W:.Forrest Stempl east of the altar for the presentation of his 50 year pin and certificate. The Senior Deacon did as he was instructed and wheeled Stempl to the east. This was the first time Vicar could get a good look at Stempl, who was now a shadow of his old self. His clothes hung on his shrinking body and he appeared sullen.

Although the Worshipful Master was a young man, he was well aware of the friction between Vicar and Stempl from years ago and hoped there would be no disruption in the harmony of the meeting. He then went about making his presentation of the Masonic 50 year award, complete with Grand Honors. As the Master affixed the gold pin on Stempl's lapel, he noticed a tear forming in Stempl's eye. As is customary, he then asked Stempl if he had anything he wanted to say to the Craft to commemorate the moment.

"Yes, there is," Stempl said, "but first could you have Bro. Vicar join us here?"

Surprised, the Worshipful Master looked over at Vicar who was also startled by the request. He didn't know what Stempl was up to this time and was reluctant to come forward. But Stempl looked over at Vicar and said, "Please." The Master then directed the Senior Deacon to present Vicar to the east. Vicar was still unsure where this was going.

Once joined in the east, Stempl began by saying to the Craft, "I'm a very proud and private man. I have always relished my years in the fraternity and have always considered myself a proponent of it. Many of you may have noticed that I have been away from Lodge for a long time, so much so, that none of you younger Masons will probably remember me, but at one time I was very active in this Lodge. Although my health has been in decline for the last few years, this was not the reason. I worked a long time and recently retired, but it was not my job that kept me away either. Nor was it my wife or family. I haven't forgotten the words either, they are as fresh in my mind now as they were 50 years ago. No, the problem was simply me; I was ashamed to show my face in Lodge again."

Vicar and the Master glanced at each other surprised.

"There is an old saying my Brothers that 'we get too soon old and too late smart,'" Stempl continued, "As for me, it took me a little longer than other people. Years ago I committed a huge injustice against the Secretary here," as he pointed to Vicar. "I thought if I could discredit him I would be able to get the Lodge to listen to me instead of him. But even after I pressed Masonic charges against him, I found the Lodge Brothers respected and supported Bro. Vicar more than me. I had a hard time understanding this at first, as I was a much more senior member of the fraternity than he was. It was then that I realized it was I who was guilty of unMasonic conduct by allowing myself to fall prey to simple jealousy. My envy of Bro. Vicar was so great that I concocted a plot to assassinate his character. But as you can see, he is still here and I was not. I finally realized I had hurt a Brother, hurt my Lodge, and hurt the fraternity I love so much. Brot hers, it was shame that kept me away. But then I received a letter from the Secretary here, and let me read it to you."

Stempl pulled a letter from inside his coat pocket and read it aloud, "Dear Bro. Stempl, On behalf of the officers and Brothers of Harmony Lodge I extend you fraternal greetings and am pleased to inform you that we have received your 50 year pin and certificate from the Grand Lodge and we would like to present it to you at our next Stated Communications. On a personal note, I know we have had our differences over the years but I would be pleased if you would attend Lodge to receive your award. Brother, I wish you well and hope to see you soon. Sincerely and Fraternally, W:.Samuel Vicar, PM, Secretary."

"This last line from Bro. Vicar was more than I could handle. After everything I had done to him, he still called me Brother."

Stempl then wheeled himself closer to Vicar, took his hand, and looked up at him, "My Brother, can you ever find it in your heart to forgive an old fool? I am truly sorry for all of the problems I caused you over the years, how can I have been so foolish?" and he buried his face in Vicar's hand and wept.

None was more surprised by the outburst of emotion than Vicar as he cradled Stempl's head. Vicar looked down and him and quietly said, "My Brother, I do not know why we were so different, but we were. Maybe its because we come from different backgrounds or perhaps we simply had two different interpretations of what Freemasonry is all about. Understand this, I never bore you any ill-will, not years ago, not now. Of course I forgive you, you are my Brother."

Stempl regained his composure but didn't release his grip on Vicar's hand. Using his other hand, he reached over and took the 50 year pin from his lapel and put it in Vicar's hand. He then said, "My Brother, please do me the honor of accepting this pin as a sign of our new bond of friendship. And please wear it as a symbol that there should never be any contention in our Lodge, that we must always find ways to work together and that a rift such as ours should never again exist."

Although Vicar was at first reluctant to accept the pin, he saw the wisdom in Stempl's words and allowed Stempl to pin it on him. The Craft gave the two a standing ovation and there wasn't a dry eye in the room.

Stempl passed away two years later and Vicar was permitted to lead the Masonic service at his funeral. He proudly wore Stempl's 50 year pin to Lodge meetings for many years which reminded the Craft to respect each other. In 1974, Vicar finally received his own 50 year pin. He then had Stempl's pin framed and added a small bronze plaque underneath it which read, "From W:.Forrest Stempl, PM to W:.Samuel Vicar, PM - Brothers, let us never forget how to best work and best agree. Let us always seek Harmony. 1950."

Although Bro. Vicar past away in 1985, the plaque still hangs in the Lodge room as an important reminder to the Brethren. Since then, the story of the rift and reconciliation between the two Past Masters is retold each year at the Lodge's annual Christmas meeting so that every member be mindful of the cost of contention, as should we all.

Keep the Faith.

NOTE: The opinions expressed in this essay are my own and do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of any Grand Masonic jurisdiction or any other Masonic related body. As with all of my Masonic articles herein, please feel free to reuse them in Masonic publications or re-post them on Masonic web sites (except Florida). When doing so, please add the following:

Article reprinted with permission of the author and www.FreemasonInformation.com

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