"HE PLUCKED OFF HIS SHOE…"
In the Master’s Lecture of the Entered Apprentice
Degree, we learn that in ancient Israel it was customary for a man to “pluck
off his shoe and give it to his neighbor” in order “to confirm all
things.” We further learn that as
Masons we have adopted this custom, to demonstrate the “sincerity of our
intentions in the business in which we are engaged.”
Why would plucking off of one’s shoe be a
confirmation of anything? We do it all
the time. Many of us have even given
shoes to an unfortunate child, or given shoes to charitable organizations to
help the destitute. There is nothing
really uncommon in the act of plucking off our shoes and giving them away. Or is there?
To us today, perhaps not. But it should.
The Book of Ruth in the Holy Bible is a
thought-provoking story. Among the many
lessons it contains is the story of Boaz and Ruth. Boaz wanted to marry Ruth, the widow of Mahlon. Boaz wanted to purchase a piece of land in
order that he might wed Ruth. To
confirm the land purchase, Boaz “plucked off his shoe.”
Boaz then told the elders that they were witnesses
to this purchase. “Moreover,” he told
the elders, “Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of Mahlon, have I purchased to be my
wife, to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance, that the name of
the dead be not cut off from among his brethren, and from the gate of his
place.”
Boaz then plucked off his shoe. This was a simple but significant act,
because for a man to give up his shoes in ancient Israel meant that he had to
walk barefoot over hot, rough and rocky ground. It meant that he was giving up an important portion of his
creature comforts. To regain his shoe,
he had to fulfill his pledge.
In plucking off his shoe, Boaz was pledging his
honor, just as until recent times a business deal could be confirmed by a
handshake. Some decades ago the
extending of the right hand proved that a man came in peace. So the extending and joining of right hands
became a friendly gesture.
Every man who enters Freemasonry plucks off his
shoe. In doing so, you made a solemn
pledge to keep all the obligations you assumed as you advanced in the Craft,
one degree at a time.
Have you kept this pledge? Of course you haven’t.
Nor have I. No human being
can. But the important thing we have to
ask ourselves is: “Have I tried? Have I plucked off my shoe since I was
initiated?”
Let’s look at some men who did pluck off their shoes
as they worked as servants of Freemasonry.
President Harry S. Truman plucked off his shoe on
many occasions for the Craft. Although
his biographers rarely mention his connection with the Craft, Truman often let
the world know he was proud to be a Freemason.
He was prouder of his election to the office of Grand Master of Masons
in Missouri than he was of any elective political office he attained.
During World War II, the Masonic Service Association
of the United States was raising funds from the various Grand Lodges in order
to support and assist servicemen and women at home and overseas. Harry S. Truman, while Senator, Vice
President, and later President of the Untied States, plucked off his shoe
numerous times in fund-raising efforts for the programs of the MSA. Twice President Truman used his influence to
permit a committee to travel overseas to help Freemasons in war torn countries.
He often endorsed and praised the work of the Masonic Service Association in
its Hospital Visitation Program to Veterans Hospitals, and in its relief of
distressed Masons in Europe.
Another man who plucked off his shoe was the
Reverend George Taft, in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. During the anti-Masonic craze in the 1820’s and 1830’s, he stood
by the Craft in its darkest hour. He
openly avowed his connection with the institution and traveled long distances
to attend and read the funeral service for deceased Masons. He built respect for the Craft, and at the
time of his death the entire town was in mourning. He had proven that a man who stands by his principles is the man
who eventually will be honored and respected.
The man who plucks off his shoe and gives it to his neighbor is the man
who learns and puts into practice the tenets of Freemasonry.
A brief story will illustrate what we mean
here. In a small town in mid-19th
century America a young man said to his wife, “Mary, you have a shawl you never
use. May I have it?”
She was puzzled for a few moments, but got the
shawl. He thanked her and left the
house. She was also suspicious, because
several evenings during the past few months he had left after dinner without
any explanation. He was never gone
long, and when he returned he seemed to have an inner peace about him. He said nothing, and neither did she.
About a week later, Mary was shopping in the village
when she saw her shawl again. She was
shocked. It was on the shoulders of a
beautiful young lady. Angrily Mary
followed the girl to a shabby shack.
Mary knocked on the door. The
girl opened it and smiled when she saw the visitor. She held the door open and Mary stomped in.
As Mary looked around she saw and elderly lady
propped up on a cot. The lady smiled
and said: “How nice of you to visit
us.”
Mary was stunned.
She did not really know what to say.
The girl asked if she could fix her a cup of tea. Mary nodded and the girl turned to put a
kettle on the stove.
While the water was heating, Mary said “I do not
know exactly what to say, so I will tell you the truth. I saw my shawl on your daughter and I was
furious. Last week my husband asked me
for it, but didn’t tell me why. I still
don’t understand how you have it.”
The mother said “We have no idea who left it. We have no idea who has been doing some nice
things for us for the past several months.
Perhaps now we can solve the mystery.
It started soon after my husband died.
We had no money and I am unable to work. And Nancy couldn’t find a job.
We were desperate. We had no
food and no fuel. Then one morning when
Nancy opened the door she found several packages of food, clothing and coal on
the doorstep. You have no idea what
that meant to us.
“A short time later, along with more packages, Nancy
found a note telling her to see Mr. Tompkins, the lawyer, if she would like a
job. She did and Mr. Tompkins hired
her. He sent a doctor to see, who has
been coming regularly ever since. And
he won’t take any money. And we still
find packages, but have no idea where they come from.”
They drank their tea and chatted pleasantly for some
time. The mysterious packages were
mentioned from time to time. Suddenly
Mary asked: “Was your husband a Mason?”
“Yes, he was,” said the lady. “He loved his Lodge. I don’t think he ever missed a
meeting.” A short time later Mary left,
promising to visit often.
After dinner that evening, Mary worked on a quilt
she was making while her husband read.
She looked up from her work and said “I think I learned the great secret
of Masonry today.”
Her husband looked at her with alarm and asked, “And
what is it?”
Mary answered, “To do good and not say anything
about it.”
The Masons of that small town had plucked off their
shoes to help those in need. SHOULD WE
DO ANYTHING LESS?
Millions of great men have been and are members of
the Craft. Many have become truly
Master Masons. But more have not. Actually, only a few Freemasons over the
years literally plucked off a shoe and worked for the Fraternity. Imagine what a wonderful difference it would
make throughout the world if only those millions who have received the Degrees
would fulfill their obligations.
Will you ask yourself: “Have I sincerely plucked off my shoe in testimony of my fidelity
to Freemasonry”
If your answer is “No,” will you consider plucking
off your shoe? Will you work for your
fellowman through Freemasonry? If you
will, you’ll make a difference for the better in today’s uncertain world.