Benjamin Franklin Lodge #83, Madison, WI

The Masonic contributions to medical research and practice was the subject of a Fellow Craft presentation on June 22,2011 at a BFL#83 Brothers and Guests evening. These FC presentations are given by each Entered Apprentice as they work to gain Masonic knowledge on their way to the FC Degree. Brothers and guests also learn more about the Craft from them.

This presentation was themed around showing the contributions of both past and present Masonic brothers for the good of science, medicine, and fellow man. While some endeavors were shown to be made by a single person, others are contributions made by groups. Neither are more important in the end than the other, but all had or do have lasting effects on the common man.

Part of the Masonic teaching is finding the ability to take what one can do and give benefit to everyone else around them, and by doing so, make both one’s self and everyone all the better. This in turn leads us into what work each Masonic brother endeavored to bring forth and advance their interests in medicine and science.

Examples of the Brother’s works, which are expounded upon in the attached presentation, include many individuals. Lister developed Antiseptic surgery practice, Fleming’s discovery of Penicillin, The Mayo family and their work building the Mayo Clinic, and the lesser Known Menninger who developed a different method in Topeka Kansas of working with psychological disorders. These are only a few of the examples in the presentation of past Brother’s contributions but it isn’t only in hindsight that we see work being done.

In today’s world, it’s not only individuals that continue to contribute but groups of brothers who individually may not be the key to finding a cure or new method but working together are able to fund, supply, and give support to those researchers and the families who are on forefront of dealing with life’s challenges in medicine. These include the Shiner’s Hospitals for Children and the Scottish Rite’s Learning centers for Children with Dyslexia and other learning disabilities. Individual lodges and Masonic organizations contribute both financial and organizational support for these groups.

After examining these contributions, it was important to this presentation for the viewer and the presenter to reflect on what does this mean to each individual. The theme presented gave evidence to the viewer that each and every person, be it singular or in group form, are able to find a way to take their everyday ability and make a contribution for the betterment of man. How many people have had their lives changed by the volunteer efforts of fellow Masonic brothers who they have never met. It may seem small, and like throwing a pebble into a river, it doesn’t do much to the top view, but eventually enough pebbles can alter that flow and change the direction the direction that life may leading some individuals. Somewhere someone may be having a tough time but the contribution on one person can make their life a little better down the road.