Proper implements are to be used at the most practical times to plant, cultivate, develop and harvest our corn crop. The Lodge system, at the proper times in his initiatory journey, introduces the new Brother to our working tools, lectures and obligations. 

In teaching our tenets, we are not to delve into religion or politics. To involve ourselves in these things would be like spraying herbicide on our corn crop. Timely and proper application of established instruction are to be conveyed in order to lead the new Craftsman to greater heights of confidence, knowledge and faith in God as his religion dictates.  

When a farmer has the crop “laid by”, plowing, planting, and cultivating are over, and he can sit back until the crop is mature and gaze upon the finished product, hopefully, with pride. The Lodge must look into the new Brothers’ future and optimistically expect a proper and positive outcome. 

Craftsmen have distinct obligations to the Lodge but by the same token, the Lodge has obligations to the member. The new Brother should be protected from influences which might adversely affect his honor, pride, dignity or positive contribution to his family, community and his Lodge. 

In planning our corn crop, the ground must be well chosen and properly prepared. It must drain well, contain correct soil properties but the most important influence upon a suitable outcome and harvest is the amount of light it receives. 

The Lodge climate has a definite effect upon the growth and outcome of our Masonic harvest. Each Lodge has a unique climate or culture. Lodges are generally composed of men from backgrounds, attitudes and values which are reflections of local social conditions and diversities. Regardless of our Lodge makeup, dignity, truth and brotherly love must be our growing medium. We started out by reminding ourselves that we are a spirit, with a physical body. Our Lodge is the same. Appearance and upkeep of the meeting place is important and a reflection of the character of the occupants but it is the spirit of the Brothers of the Lodge that truly matters. It has been said that Peace and Harmony are the strength of all well-regulated institutions, more especially this of ours. 

As our harvest is in the field, we must be vigilant and careful to avoid conflagration.

In our Lodges, we must control brushfires lest they become wildfires. The smallest of issues can cause immeasurable destruction. Too often, sides are chosen according to political connections and the welfare of the Lodge will surely suffer. 

The character of the Lodge is an exact reflection of the spirit of the aggregate membership. It could be said that Freemasonry is a direct reflection of every member of every Lodge. 

 It is up to each of us to ensure that our personal contribution is not negative, but positive. We ought to offer ourselves as a true reflection and not refraction of the light that we receive. Let us each seek to live in harmony, keep our passions within due bounds, practice the great and immutable law of Love, live decorously and in such a way as to die in perfect peace. 

The last and most important stage in the production of a superior crop is the culling process. 

In order to enjoy the greatest overall quality of our marketability of the finished crop of corn, it must undergo a process by which the rotten, defective and corrupted specimens are removed and discarded. While inspecting a healthy ear of corn, a rotten kernel in a homogenous field of healthy ones stands out and causes that ear to be deemed unsuitable and perhaps, considered representative of the whole. If you look upon the products of a harvest, the flawed or rotten ones are most visible and stand out from the rest. More defective specimens need to be removed at the earliest opportunity, or else disease among others might result.

It is the same with the Lodge and the entrant who refuses to strictly conform to adopted statutory behavioral parameters. If his conduct or demeanor are contrary to proper dignity and remains unchecked his example will stand out and serve as someone’s undesirable image of the Order. If allowed to remain, his influence will fracture the peace that is vital to the good health of the Lodge. No Brother is expected to be perfect because we each come here to improve ourselves. This means that we each have imperfections, however some particular character flaws, as enumerated and prescribed by our code, call for purging. This should be done without hesitation and with the knowledge and assurance that it was done by honorable men, with noble intentions and for the good of the Order. 

Light or education, honesty and objectivity are essential components of a healthy Lodge growing medium. It is up to each Lodge to select good seed. The Lodge must provide a clean, fertile atmosphere, nurturing and healthy growing practices. Then, potential members will see the reflection of something noble and good and appealing. Quality and not quantity is the true measure of the value of the harvest.

Consider this: What if each and every member of the fraternity were to withdraw his Masonic membership and re-petition the Lodge. This would be done after the Brethren have become acquainted with him? His sponsors might have had skewed motives and signed his petition so as avoid social, family or personal discomfort. Often, too little is known about the applicant when he is admitted. Character flaws and undesirable traits can be hidden from an investigating committee, during a brief encounter. Would he feel comfortable and secure with making application to the Lodge of Brothers who, now know him? Would he feel secure after closer inspection and truly objective consideration? If not, it behooves him to begin now to chisel away at those imperfections that will prove a detriment to him and harshly reflect upon that great and noble order that has honored him. We should never stop learning to subdue our passions and improving ourselves in Freemasonry. Our greatest influence is over ourselves. Let us begin there. May we each earn those happy reflections consequent upon a well spent life.