A Message on Brotherhood and Passing the Torch, from Herb Lindberg
This fall, we are spotlighting Brothers who carry Masonic Ritual forward. It’s no secret that Freemasonry depends on each generation passing this torch to the next.
Recently, we spoke with RWB Reuben Owens, Chairman of the Board of Grand Examiners, and Deputy Grand Master Jim Williams. Brother Williams shared that, of all his work across decades in the fraternity, teaching the ritual to other Brothers has meant the most.
Today, we share the words of RWB Herb Lindberg, who passed away in September 2025. Brother Lindberg served as Right Worshipful Area Deputy Grand Master for the Northeastern Masonic Area, and he generously gave much of his time to his Lodges and to statewide Grand Lodge committees.
He wrote the piece below in February 2020 for the Northeastern Area newsletter. Drawing on more than 50 years as a Mason, he reflected on friendship, becoming a better man, and guiding newer Brothers toward teaching roles. His message is as timely now as the day he wrote it. While the colder months approach, his words feel especially fitting.
The late Right Worshipful Brother Herb Lindberg
Winter in Chicago can be brutal. It helps us appreciate sunny days and the warmer months. It provides an opportunity to keep our perspective and focus on what we enjoy in life, including spending time with our Brothers, family, and friends. A hot pot of coffee shared during a thoughtful chat, in which time just fades away, forms some of the best memories and provides an opportunity to build good relationships. Even though smartphones these days have more computing power than probably what was used to put a man on the moon and communication is mostly digital, we still need and value the time invested in “good-old conversations.”
One of the benefits of being a Freemason is meeting and talking with good men whom you might otherwise never cross paths with in life. A rich benefit to all of us is the ability to talk, listen, and become real friends. As I look back across the years, making friends amongst our Brethren has been a joy. Regardless of our age differences, cultural or economic backgrounds, etc., we find a common place in Masonry which encourages us to just talk and share our perspectives. From these conversations, we learn and broaden our view of the world. We realize something important: that we have more in common as fellow human beings than differences. We are just working to improve ourselves and make a positive impact on the people around us.
While traveling across the Northeastern Area and talking with Brothers, especially newer members of our fraternity, I’ve made a heartwarming observation. More of the men coming to Masonry these days are really interested in learning the core lessons within Masonry about life in general and living as a useful man. They want the basic knowledge that they can apply to their daily lives to improve themselves, but not for selfish reasons. They genuinely want to make a positive impact on their families, their communities, and the world overall. These Membership Prospects and newer Brethren are seeking out our fraternity to help them grow as men!
A real question is “how do we help these Brothers achieve their goals?” It is more than helping them through “posting” for the degrees or with their proficiency exams. They want to know the core lessons and how to apply them to their lives. They need teachers and mentors to guide them. I remember so many Brothers during the past 50 years who have taken the time to talk with me about Masonry, and I thank them for it. I still value the brotherly advice today as issues arise. Remember, we do not travel alone in life and definitely not as Masons! We need help from those Brothers who are willing to share their experience and help us learn. Yup, right back to those important times to sit down over a pot of coffee and just talk as Brothers and friends.
One of the opportunities that we have—I’m not going to say it is a problem—is to identify and help more Brothers who have the talent to learn our Masonic work and teach it correctly to others. To deliver on our statement that “Freemasonry helps make good men better,” we need more Masonic Teachers and Mentors to make that a reality. As I think about the number of Lodges that have capable and knowledgeable Lodge Intenders or the number of Grand Lecturers or Certified Lodge Instructors available today, I’m concerned, but hopeful. That last point comes from talking to many newer Brothers in the fraternity who are talented and want to put in the work to learn. They have a desire to perform our work well and with pride. More still, they genuinely want to help the Brethren around them learn as well. “Mouth to ear” learning is not gone, and the additional “Instructive Tongues” like those admired for years will not get created on their own; they need our guidance.
Here is where I ask for your help, not for me, but for our dear fraternity. Encourage the Brethren around you to learn and study as a step towards being a future Masonic Teacher and for self-improvement. Also, share information about roles like Lodge Intender, Grand Lecturer, and Certified Lodge Instructor. If you know of a Brother who has the ability and desire to grow into one of these roles, then connect him with well-informed Brethren who he can learn from or share information about local Masonic Schools of Instruction that he can attend. By working together, we can get this done!
Brother Lindberg’s call still stands. If you know a Brother with the talent and desire to teach, encourage him to reach out to your District Deputy Grand Master. For more information about becoming a Ritual Instructor, please visit our website here.
We are grateful for Brother Lindberg’s many years of service, and for the Brothers he guided along the way.