Harnessing The Oxen,
A Key To Masonic Renewal

Jerome G. McCormick, 32°
15000 Tamarind Cay, Apt. 105, Fort Myers, Florida 33908

Seasoned Brethren and new members, working together, can bring true renewal to the Craft.

Being raised in a small town had many benefits, one being the annual county fair. Back then it was all rural, everyone was your neighbor. One of the main attractions was the ox pull. Today we have tractor pulls, horse pulls, and other events; however, the most dramatic was and still is the ox pull. It presents an amazing amount of live energy focused on one massive effort, beast against matter. If the oxen do not pull in harmony, they cannot move the load.

One driver, I remember, would go up to his team, talk into the ears of his oxen, then walk silently away to the finish line. He would turn around, call out each name to get their attention, all three would look eye to eye with him, then he'd take off his cap, throw it to the ground, and yell "PULL!" The oxen would lurch in unison into the traces and strain with all their might toward that hat. No yelling, no whip, no commotion, just devotion to doing their best at winning the contest for their friend.

We have many strong men at Lodge meetings. Early in their lives, they were put to the task, the benefit of our Brotherhood. They did the hard pulling to get us to where we are, but now many seem to be grazing in the pasture. Remember, there is no retirement in Masonry. They are still willing and able, yet they need someone to whisper in their ears "PULL!" It is time to share the load and to harness these Brethren with our younger men. Yokinq these two into the process of making better men out of good men is what succession is all about. But, of even more importance is for these seasoned Brothers to be mentors guiding and helping newer members learn and understand our fraternal history, thus acquiring the respect for and dedication to our Fraternity which is so essential for the success of Masonry in the world today. Then, together we will conquer all challenges and bring a renewed life to the Craft. This will be Masonic renewal at its finest.

J. G. McCormick is a Certified Management Analyst and a member of the Scottish Rite Valley of Ft. Myers, Florida, and Chaplain of Tropical Lodge No. 56, Fort Myers.