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"WHERE shall I find the mysteries of Masonry?"
So writes a
troubled brother, and his question gives voice to a query
unexpressed in many minds. He thus continues: "In
outward
form of the fraternity there is much to interest the
merely
curious. But I am not particularly interested in textual
criticism of 'Old Charges,' nor concerned with the exact
line
of descent through which forms and ceremonies may have
come to us. Yet if, as we are told on all hands, Masonry
has
a soul, a something worth while, how shall it be
apprehended?"
The question is put sincerely, and with the clearness that
its
importance and urgency demand. We but repeat what has
been said many times before, and substantially in the same
words, that if Masonry offers no more than its catechisms
and lectures and its outward ceremonies, it is not worth
the
attention of any thinking man. It will be granted,
further, that
those who hint often and darkly at a secret content and
esotery of Masonry are the very men who have no clear nor
adequate conception of the institution. They are either to
be
classed with confidence men or dupes; are in toxicated
with
the fumes of their own words, or hypnotized by mummeries
they can not understand. Hearing one of these hold forth
we
are reminded of the fellow who has been egregiously fooled
in a fake side-show, yet afterwards is loudest in urging
others to enter, that so he may not stand alone in his
shame.
The average man, fairly capable of judging an organization
from the information vouchsafed or the facts apparent,
finds
nothing in his initiation to the several degrees deserving
of
more than a passing interest. Nor will continued
attendance
at Lodge - as Lodges are generally conducted - do much to
enlighten him as to the real meaning of the Craft. He is
glibly
informed, most likely by brothers to whom the words they
themselves utter convey little or no meaning, that
"Freemasonry consists of a course of moral and
philosophical instructions, illustrated by hieroglyphics
and
taught, according to ancient usage, by types, emblems and
allegorical figures." That is a pretty large
prospectus, and
were its promises fulfilled in our Lodges, Masonic
instruction
would be a very valuable addition to the education of any
man. But it is worse than a shame to speak of "moral
and
philosophical instruction" in the face of what we
know to be
the curricula of the Lodges. It is conceivable that one
who
has no more than a vague idea of what is meant in this
phrase might be impressed by the jumble of words he hears
confusedly. But no good thing of knowledge can come of
such impression. He is further told, from time to time, of
mysteries to be imparted, and at the end must wonder where
the secret had been missed. And at this point, when he has
learned to do no more than twiddle his thumbs, his Masonic
education is assumed to be complete, and he is thereafter
left to his own devices. If he learns the ritual, and thus
follows along the line of least resistance, for one having
any
ambition, he is regarded as a very valuable addition to
his
Lodge. If he lacks such ambition, the social side of the
fraternity offers itself, and the "good fellow"
soon learns to
regard this as most important function of the
organization.
Reiteration of the ritual quickly palls on such a one, but
the
banquet-hall and the smoking room will long hold their
attractions. If again - and the case is unfortunately
infrequent
- one has a glimpse, even through bungled ceremonies and
recitation of trite sentences, of an esoteric Masonry, and
seeks to peer beyond the veil of verbiage, he is regarded
with mingled pity and contempt by his easy-going fellows.
The Lodge will not and can not afford him any help in his
search for that which is lost, because those who should
give
instruction are every whit as ignorant as those they are
supposed to teach. Should such a brother be proof against
discouragements and disappointments; should he persist in
desiring and seeking knowledge, he is finally, and at the
best, regarded as a bore. By some, who are satisfied with
things as they are, the investigator, as he gains to some
truth, is likely to be shunned as a disturber-setting an
example of inquiry that might entail much unnecessary
trouble.
Before me as I write are a number of volumes of Grand
Lodge Proceedings, recently received. At every one of the
annual communications which these record a Grand Orator
was heard, and his rounded phrasings are spread large
upon the pages. Yet I have searched through all these, as
through such speeches I have searched for years, in the
vain hope to find a brother who can reach on such occasion
to the full measure of his opportunity. For it is needed
that
one arise, with eloquent tongue and convincing speech, who
shall be able to discern the potentialities of Masonry,
and
also see how far it falls short of reaching and enforcing
its
own ideals. It is required that the words of such an
orator
shall be so heated in the fires of sincerity that they
will burn
through the outward shell of indifference, and sink deep
and
permanently into the consciousness of the Craft.
In place of such theme and such treatment, what is given:
Long and rambling discourses on civilizations dead and
gone; rehashed essays on gods that have no worshipers,
and of temples that have been forsaken and in utter ruin
this
thousand years past and more. And these things are strung
together in loose fashion on a tenuous and brittle thread,
named for the occasion the "Masonry of the
ages." Or,
perhaps, there is flight over the field of modern history,
with
painful searching for the names of men of any note who
have been members of the fraternity. And because these
show fairly numerous the absurd inference is drawn that
Masonry is somehow to be credited with whatever they may
have accomplished.
"If not so frequent would not this be strange,
That `tis so frequent, this is stranger still."
Let us face the disagreeable, even humiliating truth. Let
us
admit in all candor and honesty that for the most part our
Masonry, when it professes a moral and philosophical
teaching, is a huge sham. It is, as at present directed,
without adequate motive, and in no way reaches to its
capabilities and real purposes. These, then, are the
alternatives:- either to claim nothing for the
organization than
that it is a great social organization, and as such is
fulfilling
its purpose; or to bow our heads in shame, with knowledge
that the soul of Masonry has been stifled and smothered
and
denied manifestation, while the body is garbed in tawdry
robes and hung thick with garish ornaments.
What, again, are the facts, In the two hundred years of
Masonry of the English-speaking countries, of the really
historical period, has it made any visible impress upon
the
world of thought and action? This is not a question for
flamboyant orators to answer, but rather for
serious-minded
students of events to consider. And I say to you that if
this
great brotherhood of ours had not been of set purpose and
intent turned from its first direction, it would today
rank first,
and be acknowledged first, among the forces that are
making for the advancement of humanity. For it was meant
at one time that Masonry should give full scope and
protection to those who urge freedom of thought. It was
intended that Masonry should set example to all the
peoples
of a wise tolerance, distinguishing between the
conservatism
that only hampers and retards, and the radicalism that
would
destroy. It was given to Masonry the task of breaking down
the barriers that the ages had raised of caste and class
and
race and nationality; of finding and heralding manhood as
the supreme product of Time. Instead, at least in our
boasted English and American variety of the Craft, we have
given over control to sectarianism and smug
respectability,
to the politician and the ignoramus. And if one stands
against the mob, proclaiming righteousness, the voices are
loud of those who cry, "Crucify him!" It is so
nice to go with
the current, so long, at least, as the current runs
smoothly; to
disagree with no one, to antagonize no one, and to
evaporate at last, like a bubble, without meaning or
purpose
to existence. So runs the Masonry of our generation. But
it
should be remembered that in the great current of human
existence there are iron pots afloat, as well as those of
clay,
and sooner or later these will come in contact, with
results
disastrous for the vessels of brittle substance. So I say
to
you that time will come, and is even now near at hand,
when
there will be stress and test for our orators and
perfervid
writers and our Grand Lodge politicians, and they will
shrink
from the contact with certain iron pots that may threaten
cracking and sinking. Fair weather Masons are plentiful,
but
any season of peril or of obloquy will sift them, as
troublous
times before have sifted, to a numerical loss but a
strengthening of the Craft.
The idea and ideal is of a world-wide Craft; a brotherhood
great and ever-growing; an active force striving for
enlarged
freedom, for justice and true righteousness; a factor real
and
important in the dynamics of civilization. Would not such
an
institution give theme and inspiration for art and
literature?
But what can genius take of value from an organization
given over to mediocre rule and sordid aims; what can the
true poet find in mechanical ceremonies and emasculated
moralities; what thing of lasting beauty can be brought
from
contemplation of the commonplace? To the hurt of Masonry
- the ideal Masonry - no poet has found his theme therein,
providing for the fraternity "that grand chariot
wherein king-
thoughts ride." I know there have been rhymesters and
spoilers of paper, and are to this day, who like Mary of
Scotland, have in their lines "offended all the laws
of God
and man and meter," and these are hailed as Masonic
poets.
Not yet has there been one of intellect so great and
insight
so keen as would suffice to formulate and fix a real
philosophy, basing the aspirations and purposes of Masonry
on the immutable verities. Nor has one worthy product of
the
artist's brush or sculptor's chisel redeemed the Craft
from
sordidness, showing the soul of Masonry through its
grosser
form. Surely these things would have been, if only the
fraternity had gone upon the highest path of attainment -
if
the true esotery of Freemasonry had been made manifest to
true initiates.
As it is the inquirer, asking still for that which is
hidden or
lost, has no recourse but to search - and search vainly -
through succeeding grades. In each of these he is promised
that the veil shall be lifted, that the Lost Word shall be
revealed, the philosopher's stone resolve for him between
truth and error; sight of the Holy Graal reward his quest.
And
thus seeking he comes at last to the end of paths that
lead
no whither, his most earnest efforts unavailing.
But is there not, my brother seeking in very truth for
light, a
more than vaguely hinted meaning, even in the mutilated
and obscured forms of Symbolic Masonry? Is there no trace
left of the Wisdom that is of all time, and known in its
varying
degrees of illumination to initiates of all ages? Is there
to be
heard in our Lodges no echo of that subtly secret speech
which antique alchemists hedged about with barbarous
terms of transmutation. For ever the gross, the earthy,
must
be broken down, that so the essence of being may be freed.
Is there no indication of this in the Master's legend? The
esotery of Masonry, my brother, can not be taught in any
formal lessons, though it should be from the wiser
brothers
you receive directions toward the East of knowledge. There
are, as runs the monitorial lecture, three jewels of a
Fellow
Craft - the attentive ear, the instructive tongue and the
faithful breast. But, alas, how seldom is the second
found!
Yet for the Master's use two others are to be added - the
soul of intuition and the brain stored with knowledge.
Without
these no esotery can make itself manifest; with them shall
all
secret places be explored, and treasures brought forth as
may be for the use of the seeker.
The Arcanum is not revealed to him profane in spirit, eve
though he wears the girdle of the initiate.
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