How should Masons act?

It all started by Bro Bert Guiang (from Oxnard, Ca and a member of Anacapa Lodge 710) by re-asking the question: How should Masons act? We know from our ritual what the answer to the question. This was followed by another question by Bro Bert: What distinguishes you as a Mason?

Being Masons, we obviously came up with numerous answers.

Bro Bert quoted from our closing prayers:

"May each one of us practice out of theLodge those great moral duties inculcated in it." May they so conduct themselves that they will be easily distinguished as Masons, not by an emblem worn, nor by a grip, or secret word, but by what they are and do. Beholding the unmistakable standards of Masonic conduct it will be said, "That man must be a Mason"."

To which Bro Ollie Olano added that:

"Freemasonry is not about paid dues card, masonic ring, social networking or Nation building. My guess is that how individual Mason will act will depend on his understanding of what is Freemasonry. Those who interpret that the Craft is about Brotherhood would not hesistate to ask for something, those seeking social recognition may favor social events, while those with personal ambition might be use the Craft to his advantage and those who truly believe that the idea is about "a moral system veiled in allegories and illustrated by symbols" might continue to struggle to make that journey on a rough and rugged road---we often called life and at the end hopefully be able to explain each of the spots on his lambskin apron."

Bro Olano also pointed to this speech (for complete text of speech, please click main title):

"We firmly believe that it is not Freemasonry but the individual who can have a positive influence on society. We see Freemasonry as an intensely personal journey of self-discovery, knowledge and personal development. We hope that the individual, during his journey, will absorb the principles and tenets of Freemasonry, so that they become a part of his nature. In that way he will make a contribution for the good of society. If the individual, imbued with the principles of Freemasonry, does not work for the good of society we should then question whether Freemasonry has fulfilled its purpose.

Regular Freemasonry is not, and should never be allowed to develop into being, a lobby group – no matter how universal and noble the cause. One of the great strengths of regular Freemasonry has been that it stands apart from politics and sectarianism, in the memorable words of Dr James Anderson forming “the centre of union between good men and true, and the happy means of conciliating friendship amongst those who must otherwise have remained at a perpetual distance.” Those who formed and developed Freemasonry knew from first hand experience how divisive politics and religion could be. By banning discussion of those topics at Masonic meetings and not allowing their Grand Masters or others, in their Masonic capacities, to make public pronouncements on those topics they were seeking to unite men of good will to enable them to set aside their differences and work together for the common good. That is surely a landmark of Freemasonry, and if we tamper with it we will materially alter the nature of Freemasonry."

Part of the speech by The Most Hon the Marquess of Northampton, DL Pro Grand Master Spencer Douglas David Compton, 7th Marquess of Northampton, at the European Grand Master's Meeting, 5th & 6th November 2007. Born 1946. Educated Eton. Landowner. Deputy Lieutenant, Northamptonshire. Previously held office in the United Grand Lodge of England as Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies 1983-85; Grand Sword Bearer 1992; Senior Grand Warden 1994-95; Assistant Grand Master 1995-2001. Installed as Pro Grand Master March 2001.

So going back to the question at hand. I won't bore you with the answer. Being initiated and raised you have been told of the answer. If you have forgotten, please review your ritual or attend that very important initiation, passing and raising of another candidate.

This is the very same reason that all our rituals and "secrets" are not to be written on any movable or immovable object. Our teachings should only be "written" in our hearts, memorised and taken to heart, that is the main purpose of being "proficient". That one has memorised at the very least the obligations and teachings of the craft, the better for us to put them into practice in our daily lives. Not just within the lodge or with fellow Masons but with our dealings with our fellow human beings (remember "The Brotherhood of Men Under the Fatherhood of God!).

The second obvious use of the "memorised ritual" and being proficient in our teaching is that we can be of help in instructing our younger brethren. Maybe on a one to one situation (remember your mentor?), but the very least in helping our lodge to "make" Masons by participating in initiations, passing and raisings.

By knowing what Masonry teaches, we know from the above speech by the Pro Grand Master that Masonry tries to make a difference by teaching and inculcating in the members the various teachings of the craft. We are not about institutions, which we know are made up of members. For an institution is only as good as its members.

We have seen countless government and church institutions that goes astray. While Masonry is not exempt from this, often quoting the "excuse" we are "only human"; we are but Masons and true Masons implies all our teachings that guides us in our everyday lives.

Whether we continue on searching the light and knowledge already imparted to us, will depend on what kind of Masons we are. If we are happy with the fellowship and "south" of Masonry, then that is how will perceive Masonry is to us. If we are just happy with the charity work that we do as a Lodge or as individual Masons, then that is what Masonry is to us. If we are happy in performing our Lodge ritual work, Lodge and District and Grand Lodge commitments, then that is what Masonry is to us. But to my mind, the greatest tribute we can give to Masons and Freemasonry is that we have became better persons and we, as Masons have distinguished ourselves not because of some reward in the after life or this life but it is God's will that we treat each other as true brothers and sisters and make a difference in this life!