WHATEVER HAPPENED TO THE MASONRY WE ALL KNEW?

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Freemasonry is a charitable, benevolent, educational and religious society. Its principles are proclaimed as widely as men will hear. Its only secrets are in methods of recognition and of symbolic instruction. It is charitable in that it is not organized for profit and none of its income insures to the benefit of any individual, but all is devoted to the promotion of the welfare and happiness of mankind. It is benevolent in that it teaches and exemplifies devotion as a duty. It is educational in that it teaches by prescribed ceremonials a system or morality and brotherhood based upon the Sacred Law. It is religious in that it teaches monotheism, the Holy Bible is open upon its Altar whenever a Lodge is in session, reverence for God is ever present in its ceremonials, and to its Brethren are constantly addressed lessons of morality; yet it is non sectarian or theological. It is a social organization only so far as it furnishes additional inducement that men may gather in numbers, thereby providing more material for its primary work of education, of worship and of charity.

Through the improvement and strengthening of the character of individual man, Freemasonry seeks to improve the community. Thus it impresses upon its members the principles of personal righteousness and personal responsibility, enlightens them as to those things that make for human welfare, and inspires them with that feeling of charity, or goodwill, toward all mankind that will move them to translate principle and conviction into action.

To that end, it teaches and stands for the worship of God; truth and justice; fraternity and philanthropy; and enlightenment and orderly liberty, civil, religious and intellectual. It charges each of its members to be true and loyal to the government of the country to which he owes allegiance, and to be obedient to the law of any state in which he may live. It believes that the attainment of these objectives is best accomplished by laying a broad basis of principle upon which men of every race, country, sect and opinion may unite rather than by setting up a restricted platform upon which only those of certain races, creeds and opinions can assemble.

Believing in these things, our lodges affirm their continued adherence to that ancient and approved rule of Freemasonry that forbids the discussion in Masonic meetings of creeds, politics or other topics to excite personal animosities. We further affirm our conviction that it is not only contrary to the fundamental principles of Freemasonry, but dangerous to its unity, strength, usefulness and welfare, for Masonic bodies to take action or attempt to exercise pressure or influence for or against any legislation, or in any way attempt to procure the election or appointment of governmental officials, or to influence them, whether or not members of the Fraternity, in the performance of their official duties. The true Freemason will act in civil life according to his individual judgment and the dictates of his conscience.

The above description defines Freemasonry.

What has become of Freemasonry, as we once knew it?
It seems that these principles are not as prevalent as they once were. We are involved more in a competitive form of Masonry. By this, it is meant we ask our members to leave their homes and families on an additional night so that their lodge can obtain various awards given by the Grand Lodge, and other groups within our fraternity. In recent times, themes from the Grand Masters have been an attempt to bring family members into a closer relationship with the lodges. We invite our families to attend meetings that are open to them, so they will become acquainted with the inner workings of our fraternity. Unfortunately, wives are not conducive to this type of approach. Many house-wives are really not interested in what these meetings have to offer, and would much rather stay at home, and do what is particularly of interest to them.

Now let’s speak about awards. Awards should be based upon direct involvement of the members of lodges by participating in “hands on” projects sponsored by the various communities. Awards should be given to brothers who stand next to the “Red Bucket” of the Salvation Army during the Christmas Holiday Season. Awards, should be given for a certain amount of hours participating in reading programs at local schools, or assisting the less fortunate, by becoming personally involved at Town Meetings, and Board of Education meetings. This type of involvement, for the most part, does not take a member away from home another evening during the week for most of these volunteer programs are performed during the day. I am certain, that the single Mom, who is working two jobs just to exist from day to day, will be really excited because the Masonic Lodge in her community received a one hundred percent attendance award from another organization. Senior citizens, or residents of a local convalescent home will also be thrilled for that same reason.

The sad fact remains, that many of the awards the lodges attain, all hang in the anteroom where no one except the members, and visitors to the lodge, can view them. Only occasionally, do members of the non-Masonic family get to see them, and to most of them, they are staring at an award they have no idea why it was received. I feel that many Worshipful Masters have placed the criteria of earning awards far above, and beyond, the basic principles of Freemasonry.

It is the responsibility of the Master of his Lodge to “set the Craft to work.” If a Master’s top priority is obtaining awards, how can he set the Craft to work, and in what direction will he send them?

Winner of the Soapbox Award of Opinion. Oh, it sits on my mantle.
Hiram Abiff
The Widow’s Son

"No man has ever knelt at our altar of Obligation an arose the same man."
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