Bethlehem 11/20/07
Last Monday evening, in Masters Lodge, I received my 45 year pin. Exactly 45
years ago that day on November 12, 1962, just before I entered the Army, I
was raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason. In preparation for my
message this evening, I found myself reflecting upon that night 45 years
ago. I soon concluded, reluctantly but realistically, that I wished my
understanding of the Craft then was what it is now. My brothers, I will now
share with you the reflections of a 45 year old Mason on the subject of
understanding.
I have long thought that besides the moral component of Freemasonry, there
is an equally important component which involves the word "understanding" as
it is described Masonically in the description of the Bee Hive. It is
understanding which enables us to develop our moral intelligence. It is
understanding which directs us to form reasoned judgments about applying the
tenets of the Craft to our own lives. It is understanding which directs us
towards a practical knowledge of those aspects of the human condition which
lead to the development of our own good character. My brothers, it is the
unique combination of moral intelligence and understanding found in the
"true man" or Master Mason which helps us fulfill our most important Masonic
duty - making the most and the best of ourselves.
The second article of The Masonic Compact says: "because I am a Freemason, I
know that education and the rational use of the mind are the keys to facing
the problems of humanity; therefore, I will bring my questions and my ideas
to my Lodge, and strive to advance the growth of my mind alongside my
Brothers." The mind is where your ability to understand rationally resides.
This ability is not only the key to facing the problems of humanity, more
importantly, it is the key to solving the problems of humanity. The
Freemason is a man who by definition is moral and who, when he develops his
mind reflectively according to those tenets which have been transmitted to
him unimpaired through a succession of ages, will want to automatically add
to his own common stock of knowledge and understanding.
What is it that the phrase "advance the growth of my mind" instructs us to
do if not to develop the reflective side of ourselves as Freemasons. The
growth of our minds includes our ability to understand those things
happening around us viewed from the unique perspective of our
"understanding" as Master Masons. The more advanced the growth of our minds,
the better we understand what we must do to make the most and the best of
ourselves; the better we understand just what a privilege it is to be a
member of this Fraternity.
The Bee Hive is an emblem of industry. We are told that "he that will so
demean himself as not to add to the common stock of knowledge and
understanding, may be deemed a useless member of society, unworthy of our
protection as Masons." This is an extraordinarily honest statement and
expresses a thought like none other in Masonry. We are called useless if we
do not, as it says in article 2 of The Compact, "rationally develop our
minds alongside our brothers." The Bee Hive is an emblem of industry and
being industrious includes both rationally developing your mind alongside
your brothers and adding to your own common stock of knowledge and
understanding.
It is instructions like these which separate our Fraternity from the rest:
instructions which tell us that "because I am a Freemason, I know that the
rational use of the mind is a key to solving the problems of humanity;
therefore I will strive to advance the growth of my mind alongside my
Brothers." Instructions which say "he that will so demean himself as not to
endeavor to add to the common stock of knowledge and understanding, may be
deemed a useless member of society, unworthy of our protection as Masons."
Common stock of knowledge is that whole body of truth, information and
tenets acquired by humankind. Common stock of understanding is the
intelligent application of the whole body of truth, information and tenets
to our own experience as Master Masons. This is what I wish I had understood
better 45 years ago.
The Masonic Compact and our Standard Work compliment each other. This is the
genius of this newest Masonic document. There is one all-encompassing thread
which is common to the success of both and that is a proper application of
education. In this context education does not mean simply an academic use of
the tools Grand Lodge makes available to us: for example, the MDC Course,
The Road to the East, or The 24" Gauge, it also means the disciplined
self-improvement of our minds alongside our brothers. As we achieve this, we
demonstrate the tenets of the Craft to "men of quality" everywhere. The more
effectively we educate our minds Masonically, the stronger the Fraternity
will grow. This will be a direct result of the proper application of
education, knowledge and understanding.
Because I am a Freemason I know that education and the rational use of the
mind are keys to facing the problems of humanity; therefore I will bring my
questions and my ideas to my Lodge alongside my brothers. The word
"alongside" as used here, assumes your brothers are doing the same thing you
are - adding to their own common stock of knowledge and understanding and
striving to rationally use their own minds. The word "alongside" is used
specifically in The Compact to remind us all that to achieve success as a
Fraternity, we must work together. This knowledge must become a part of our
collective understanding as Masons.
I am absolutely convinced that to increase our numbers we must communicate
to men of quality everywhere that one of the most distinguished
characteristics of a Freemason is that he is constantly adding to his own
common stock of knowledge and understanding. We must perceive this as a
benefit of the Craft and be comfortable acknowledging it. If we are not, we
must be prepared to be judged useless members of society, unworthy of the
protection of Masons. We must understand that if we are unwilling to advance
our minds rationally alongside our brothers by adding to our own common
stock of knowledge and understanding, there will be consequences. This is
what the Bee Hive, an emblem of industry, tells us.
Grand Master Bidnick has focused our attention on the formula CCER=M;
Communications, Community Service, Education, and Ritual equals membership.
The authors of the Compact have focused our attention on the fact that as
Masons we know education is the key to facing the problems of humanity. The
proper application of education is also common to The Masonic Compact and
the Masonic Formula and as with our Standard Work, the key to making any
educational endeavor work is the rational use of a mind whose stock of
knowledge and understanding is continually being expanded.
To conclude, specifically here is what I wished I understood 45 years ago.
Because I am a Freemason, I am a moral man. Because I am a Freemason, I am a
man who uses his mind rationally to its greatest advantage. Because I am a
Freemason I am reflective and proud of it. Because I am a Freemason I am
going to do everything in my power to communicate the benefits of Masonry to
men of quality everywhere. Because I am a Freemason, mine is an
understanding to the best of my ability of all those things which make this
Fraternity great.
We should all try to understand these truths which are really just practical
applications of the tenets of our Craft. How else can we possibly hope to
live these tenets if we do not strive to advance the rational growth of our
minds alongside our brothers? To reflect is to think! When we think
reflectively we add to our own common stock of knowledge and understanding.
If we do not, we become useless members of society, unworthy of our
protection as Masons. This is my understanding. These are my reflections. I
only wish I had begun sooner heeding my own "sting of conscience." My
brothers, it is never too late for you to achieve your own "understanding"
of Freemasonry. It took me 45 years. Please, you do it in less.
Thank you so very much.