MS Lodge of Research DCXL (2020)
I will summarize the entirety of the following discourse in this manner: Let’s start matching our theory on unity with our daily practice of Freemasonry.
In our Judeo-Christian belief system, it is written by the Psalmist, “Behold how good and how pleasant it is for the brethren to dwell together in unity.” KJV, Psalm 133. We recite this in our adopted Grand Lodge of Mississippi ritual in the beginning of every Mason’s journey to more Light. We use these sacred words to frame our personal experience from the onset that we all make as Freemasons in our initiatory degree, Entered Apprentice.
In another important Bible verse it is written, “Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.”. KJV, 1 Corinthians 12:4-6. Thus, it appears that there were different gifts given men for different purposes. But all emanated from the same Source.
In our Masonic traditions there were different roles of the gathered workmen necessary for the building of King Solomon’s Temple, “..three Grandmasters, three thousand and three hundred Master Masons…eighty thousand Fellowcrafts, and seventy thousand Entered Apprentices….All these were classed and arranged in such manner…that neither envy, discord nor confusion, was suffered to interrupt or disturb the peace and good fellowship…” Every man present had a purpose, and all worked in unity to build such a magnificent edifice-A temple built to honor our one True and Living God.
As we are taught, the working tools of a Master Mason are, “…all of the instruments of Masonry indiscriminately, more especially the Trowel…spreading the cement of Brotherly Love and affection, that cement which unites us into one sacred band or society of friends and brothers, among whom no contention should ever exist but that noble contention, or rather emulation, of who can best work and best agree.” Recently I was in a class where there were excellent examples given of the purposes for each class: one focusing on the “I” factor of self-improvement, in another class the focus is on how to work better with “them” as a source of group self-improvement. In that specific class, the observation was made that collectively more gets more done by incorporating the word, “We” into the mix and if we did not do so, then soon it would become everyone doing their own thing. The use of “We” factor makes us all stronger. The “We” is us in unity, a band of Brothers.
Now the above are our theories, but what of our daily practices?
The beauty of a single rose vs the beauty of a flower garden could possibly be the source of a friction between avid flower lovers. The beauty of a wildflower vs that of an award-winning planted or grafted rose is in the eye of the beholder, as beauty is always in the eye of the beholder. However, in the eyes of the Creator of both they are equal, as HE created them both.
One sage writer offers, “The flowers of the earth do not grudge at one another, though one be more beautiful and fuller of virtue than another, but they stand humbly, kindly, one by another, and enjoy one another’s virtue; so we all please the Creator, if we give up ourselves into the Creator’s will; if we all stand humbly in the field.” Jacob Boehme (1575-1624)
In our great Fraternity there are many reasons that good men come and join us, some prefer the fellowship, some the philosophy, to others the administration of a Lodge. Others want to practice philanthropy, charity and good works in the local community, while others to want to express their Brotherly Love and Relief primarily in their local Lodge. Some want to work on themselves alone to be a better man, father, husband, still others want to work on developing good Masons through education. Others desire excellence in our Masonic rituals. We have something for everyone!
Now more than ever we need to demonstrate that we have something in our grasp, Freemasonry, that the world needs and wants. This being our ancient system of philosophy that good men, tried and true, can demonstrate to the world what Freemasonry can and will bring to a single good man, a single Lodge, a single community.
To me, the greatest preamble of a written document ever conceived by man were these words, “We, the People…” The idea behind this masterpiece was signed by men of great intestinal fortitude and foresight, this guiding document-our Declaration of Independence-was greatly instrumental in making these United States the greatest force for good the world has ever seen. Yet we are seeing more divisiveness and polarization in our daily lives than ever before in our over two-hundred forty-year history. At the time of the Constitution signing, a statement is attributed as being made by our Masonic Brother, Benjamin Franklin, “We must hang together, or surely we will hang separately” Truer words have not been written as evidenced by our descent into division and lack of unity by our Countrymen.
I offer the following quote from Brother Robert G. Davis 330 the closing line from an online blog post from August 2018, “It seems like such a worthy mission—to stand on what we stand for.” https://robertgdavis.net/may-brotherly-love-prevail/ What a novel idea, is it not? For a country and for a man.
We close our Masonic Lodges using this passage from Brother William Preston’s Illustrations of Masonry (1772), “May Brotherly Love prevail, and every Moral and Social Virtue cement us.” May this be our prayerful take-a-way from this humble offering.
I now repeat my earlier summary of this discourse as in the opening paragraph: Let’s match our theory on unity with our daily practice of Freemasonry: Let’s practice unity.
In a closing quote, “There is so much good in the worst of us, and so much bad in the best of us, it doesn’t behoove any of us to speak evil of the rest of us.” Edward Wallis Hoch (1849-1925)
Fiat Lux
Respectfully submitted,
Terry McLeod, FMR, Worshipful Master
MS Lodge of Research DCXL (2020)
Grand Lodge of Mississippi Education Committee, Member
