Speaking on St. John’s Day, 1849 in Sabine Lodge, Fort Jesup, Louisiana, William Hunter, a Masonic orator, declared that “Masons are frail as well as others, and are not necessarily converted men [i.e. men who sought salvation through Christian tenets], nor have we claimed that Masonry has the power to transform man… it can only modify or check, not regenerate; hence it receives men degenerate and defiled; and though we deeply regret the indiscretions and sins of the members of the Order, while all other institutions composed of mortals are liable to the same afflictions, we will not abandon ours for sharing a similar fate.” (Freemasons Quarterly Magazine & Review, London: Richard Spencer, 1850, p.439)
Hunter’s remarks formed only a small part of a larger exposition on the teachings of Masonry but his refutation of the transformative power of Freemasonry struck me as peculiar, and to a certain extent, deserving of rebuttal, despite the intervening 159 years.
Although I readily concede that there must surely be men among us in lodge who allow their passions free reign – and I do not claim exception from this group -- and that among those men, some even remain reprobates without any apology. But certainly the vast majority of our members remain in Masonry seeking something. The question is – do they seek something which transforms them?
It may also be conceded that some of our members are not prepared in their hearts to become Masons, and that many of them arrive at the West Gate for any number of reasons, some philosophical, others fanciful, and some downright frivolous. Increasingly though, many have done their homework. They have researched the Order thoroughly whether through books, or online, and it is no longer uncommon for investigating committees to be asked detailed questions which a generation before would never have been uttered by prospective candidates. But none of these men can know the empirical experience of Masonry as they are outsiders and Masonry does not display its treasures like the brazen goods of the pawn shop. Thus, while many may have a vague idea of good works, or good company, worthwhile men, or, yes, a funny hat with a tassel, the prospective Mason is more than likely in doubt as to the actual benefits of membership as these are not readily ascertained by the profane. And that is as it should be.
However, as each Mason is admitted into the sanctum sanctorum of the Order, he is given secrets which he may apply and use in his daily life. That many do not, or cannot, is lamented by Masonic commentators from the 18th Century to the present day, but some, perhaps a great number, do make use of those rules and guides and give life to the phrase improve myself through Masonry. Undoubtedly, this commitment to improvement is transformative in nature. Some examples;
Bro. B____, is a recovering alcoholic, sober these sixteen years. Within five years of joining his Twelve Step program, he sought out Masonry, not to keep him sober, but because his sponsor was a Mason, and incidentally, a man he admired. He still attends his “group,” as he calls it, but he rarely misses lodge. “It reinforces,” he claims, “what I’ve learned in group, and it goes farther than that – emphasizing not only sobriety, but moral, physical and intellectual improvement. I haven’t found that anywhere else.”
Similarly, another member admitted that he found sitting a lodge with men of color helped him shed biases and prejudices he held since childhood, something he claimed was inconceivable to him prior to him joining the Order. Less sensational, but equally transformative, is the brother who never was interested in study, but who cannot pass a Masonic title on the bookshelf without immediately taking it home and devouring it.
That Masonry is passive in its moral instruction, leaving each member to follow his moral compass as he sees fit, rather than actively conducting coursework on virtuous living, allows commentators like Hunter to claim that Masonry does not transform. Yet, this view must be erroneous. These few examples indicate real change – self reported to be sure – but change nonetheless. They are indicative of what some Masons have gained from their association with our Order and their exposure to our tenets. And I suspect they are not isolated examples. If a Mason does not know someone who has been transformed by the fraternity, then, I posit, he isn’t looking hard enough.
Do you agree?
Note (30 June 2008) - The Blog Flux poll I had incorporated in this post (above) has apparently crashed along with the entire Blog Flux website. Would the Grand Inter-Galactic Masonic Conspiracy please have those responsible for this cockup liquidated at once?