Presented at “Pyramid Lodge No. 869” on 3rd April 1975
"A word spoken in due
season, how good it is."
(Proverbs 15:32)
Worshipful Master and Brethren all;
I thank you for your fraternal invitation and I gratefully acknowledge the honor to communicate with you at this Lodge of Instruction. At this time, I would like to preface our work with some remarks of general interest.
In the beginning of his Masonic travels, a candidate must indicate his willingness to absorb all the lessons taught in the Degree. He must acquire and cultivate the spirit of Brotherhood. He must offer his particular gifts to speculative or Freemasonry for any task a Lodge may require of him. Encompassed in such a favorable climate he ought to grow Masonically. By the same token, Brothers of longer standing membership will grow in stature, provided they make the required efforts. However, Brothers who freely admit personal shortcomings in measuring up to the high standards of Freemasonry are numerous. These searching's of the conscience should or rather must consequently lead to higher levels of life and conduct.
One Brother will go back to the phraseology of the petition to help his fellowman, or whether he has shirked his duties often. Another Brother is somewhat awed by the thought that he owes an immeasurable debt to the two recommenders and avouchers who signed his petition. Such a Brother states quite definitely that he must try to live up to the high opinion they had of his character. Still another Brother will consider his Lodge's good opinion of him must be sustained, because he was honored with a unanimous ballot. He might wonder whether an Investigation Committee would recommend him again should he petition anew.
These mental interrogations indicate the Brother is drawn to make sacrifices and perform duties that he may have previously shunned. To the Brother with regrets because he has been a passive, inactive member, one can order the antidote, of steering him to the opposite course. There is always room in the Lodge, especially set up for Brothers who are constructive with their suggestions, who are desirous of having and receiving Light, more Light, who promote peace and harmony, and who are willing to go far beyond the line of duty to repay, in part, their voluntarily assumed duty to Freemasonry.
My Brethren, you did not honor Freemasonry when you were admitted into the Temple for the first time. Masonry honored you and you are indebted to the Fraternity for this honor, it can never be repaid in full. The will to work, act and part, outlines a principle, which is especially applicable to the endeavors of a Freemason. Responsibility is the obligation one is accountable for and the fulfillment of which we must squarely accept. To respect and honor this educational process is to be mature, to implement and fulfill it, is to be a true Mason, and for each Brother to do more than his share is to be noble. . Brethren! "to these duties you are bound by the most sacred ties.
"When I decided to name this presentation: OF MY OWN FREE WILL
it is presented with apologies for its omissions but with the sincere hope that it will accomplish something, at least achieve its primary purpose, the stimulation of a new increased interest in Masonic education, to establish values and to perceive a deeper meaning of some facets of our Masonic philosophy, ever bearing in mind, on the volume of our Masonic life these bright words are written, from which every side blazes an ineffable splendor; duty and work, truth and faith, relief and charity.
Freemasonry is a voluntary association of men, which is entitled for doing only those things voluntarily, which they desire. It is our job, to instill in our Brothers the desire to fulfill their voluntary duties daily anew, in every day.
The most devastating and furious enemy of Freemasonry can reside within its own bosom. This malignant disease is characterized by indifference, intolerance and ignorance. Masonry teaches the practice of good morals and accepted standards of behavior, leaving interpretations of right and wrong to the individual conscience.
We believe in the equal rights of all men and the freedom of opportunity. We know that all are not born equal because the Almighty has seen fit, to bestow upon some the ability of genius and on others, lesser ability. However, all who seek it, equality of opportunity, will receive it; if one wishes to improve oneself, an effort in that regard can be rewarded. "As a citizen you are enjoined to be exemplary in your civil duties.” We have all memorized that statement; consequently we have to live what we have learned.
Certainly, as Freemasons we will not agree on all candidates or propositions placed upon the ballot, but if we carefully investigate the matters to be voted upon so as to be knowledgeably informed in regard thereto and then Ballot, we will make our determination known in the best possible way.
We all agree, politics has no place in Masonry, but politics is nothing more than the art of persuading others to support our point of view. And all Masons, having been obligated through the three degrees in the belief and support of freedom, equality and Brotherly affection, should be able to influence others in matters of right. We Masons as individuals, who believe in the rights of man and who believe, that disagreements, when they cannot be settled by argument and persuasion, should then be resolved Masonically. There are men, and one sometimes meets them, who reach the evening of life a little disappointed that no one has asked them to join our Fraternity. They sometimes wonder why it is that with other honors coming their way, with their services in demand for this and that social enterprise, with the apparent regard and esteem of their fellows, they have never been invited to enter our mystic circle.
Freemasonry is almost, if not quite alone in refusing to proselytize, to sell anyone the idea of membership. But, after all, Masonic funds are put to good use; the more members we have who pay initiation fees and dues, the better will our work be done. It seems logical that we should seek out men who would enjoy the Masonic association, and suggest to them that they might become a member. A year or two ago some well meaning Brothers in Germany and the United States were dallying around with the idea of introducing proposals to permit solicitation. Lately little has been heard of these proposals, and it seems likely, that wiser counsels have insured their natural death. We do not guard this landmark simply because it is a landmark, simply because we have agreed to guard it. There are practical reasons too.
We have many defections from our ranks. Some men enter the Craft, take the three Degrees and from lack of real interest in instructions, gradually fall away. Others go through the chairs, attain the rank of Past Master, but have been so little gripped by the realities of the Craft that when the excitement is over and the Past Master's Jewel pinned in place, they cease to be active. Others, on changing their place of residence, take no steps to resume attendance when they have settled down. A few and they are probably very few; indeed, resign in dudgeon or disappointment, unable to get on with their fellows. Some are struck off for non-payment of dues.
Many who leave us could be saved, but when one considers how very highly most of us value the privilege of Freemasonry, the number who do cease to be active Freemasons, seems too high. And yet these are all men who have themselves taken the initiative. They have themselves, by their own approach, and uninfluenced by the solicitation of other people, sought to be received into the Craft. They cannot say that someone else persuaded them. They cannot plead that they were given a wrong idea of the institution and so induced to join. If they are not at home, they have no one to blame but themselves. For the ordinary society, membership for a few years, resignation, then a further period of membership is not abnormal. But once a man is a Freemason he remains a Freemason. He may or may not remain active; he may not remain in good standing, but lie is nevertheless a Freemason. Death can sever the bond, but neither expulsion nor resignation can dispense from the provisions of the obligations, which are taken willingly, and without reservation. They are obligations, which it would not be proper to persuade a man to take. The preconceived opinion, which we require, must be a genuine one; the sincere wish, based on worthy motives, to be numbered among us must not be a wish deliberately implanted by someone else. Only if this is so, can we feel assured that men come to us of their own free will and accord, and only if they do this, can we be assured that their interest is likely to be genuine enough for us, to be able to rely on its permanence.
Whatever we do, we will lose some members, although we shall not always lose their sympathy. Men in the course of their adult lives do change; the Craft is not the only influence acting upon them. A man may become generally embittered, may lose his faith, may follow gods of which the Craft knows nothing. A man may become solitary, may cease to feel the need of adult male companionship, may find himself no longer in sympathy with our objectives, may feel he has discovered a conflict between our tenets and his own religious faith.
These men we lose, and it is normal wastage. But we should not lose men because they have been induced to join us in the first place, because their desire has been influenced rather than spontaneous. We are wise to scrutinize our candidates carefully. "Easy come" can soon develop into "easy go" and the Masonic Craft is no short-term diversion for the unthoughtful. Our mysteries and privileges are to be ensured to worthy men alone, and enjoyed forever.
When balloting, our virtue, honor and reputation are concerned; when spreading the cement of Charity and Brotherly affection we implant deeply and firmly in our hearts, those foundation stones of principle, on which to erect our Masonic Faith, which all the storms of misfortune and all the powers and temptations shall not prevail against.
My Brothers, keep in mind: “sense shines with a double luster when set in humility.”
In our daily life, we must apply the principles of temperance to all facets of our dealings with our fellowman, most especially our Brothers. If we ask ourselves the question, and the answers being in the affirmative, are we not exercising temperance?
Do we show moderation by not flying off the handle when our Brother does not measure up to our expectation? Do we carry out our Lodge assignments without complaining? Do we, when on an investigating committee, carry out our responsibilities, without letting personal prejudices interfere with our duty?
Temperance is one of the cardinal virtues, one we should practice and emulate in our daily life, for such things as "joy, love, peace, mildness, faith, self control" are attributes worthy of attainment. The beauty of the Masonic Degrees, the fellowship within our Masonic Lodges, and our charitable efforts are enlightening, and extremely important, to be sure.
However, we have additional obligations, not the least of which is to participate in making our fraternal views and tenets known to those about us, by our actions and the way we lead our daily lives. Thereby, we will become involved as individuals in those problems round about us, which we know are right and good. As we live and act, so will we be known.
In closing, I owe gratitude for the famous remark of the French philosopher "Voltaire", who stated: "I disagree sharply with your opinion, but will defend your right to voice your opinion with my life. " And quoting "Abraham Lincoln" "I am not bound to win, but I am bound to be true; I am not bound to succeed, but I am bound to live up to the Light I have received I must stand with anybody who stands right, stand with him while he is right, and part with him when he goes wrong."
/s/Hugo Thomas
(Dr.) Hugo Thomas
Grand Senior Warden
American Canadian Land Grand Lodge