In the “Are Freemasons Elevated?” article, I stated the following, “If the majority of the Craft readopted an elevated or elitist attitude, without being arrogant, and truly believed in that elevated status; then almost all of Freemasonry’s ills could be cured.”
Based on some blogs and forum postings, there are those that believe that some Grand Masters are corrupt and abusing the power of their positions. This, therefore, could be labeled as one of the ills in Freemasonry. If this is a real ill, and I have my doubts that it is, then ensuring that the Fraternity is truly an elevated society would cure it.
FIRST STEP: The first step is to aggressively guard the doors of Freemasonry. Only those that have the demonstrated potential to understand and adopt the elevated principles of the Craft should be admitted. Only those that show the probability of staying active in the business of the Fraternity should be admitted. This does not mean that only the rich and well educated should be allowed to enter, but it does mean that only the worthy and the intelligent should become members of the greatest Fraternity.
The importance of this first step can not be overstated. If the right men are made Masons, then they are more likely to be at Lodge functions and to be engaged in the business of the Lodge and the Fraternity as a whole. They will be the ones who are soaking up the teachings and honing what was imparted to them during the various Degrees. They will also be the ones who are observing their fellow Brothers around them. With that last sentence in mind, let us go to the next step.
SECOND STEP: Since some unworthy, petty men will undoubtedly make their way into the Fraternity despite the best of efforts on the part of Masons, step two involves observing. The elected chairs must be guarded even more closely than the outer door. The title chasers and other types of Masons with petty thoughts and agendas cannot be allowed to enter the elected positions. This thought process must start at the Lodge level since any man that becomes Master of his Lodge now has the very real potential of becoming a Grand Master. The key to stopping the petty from being elected as Master is the art of observing. The members of the Lodge must know their fellow Brothers, and they can only do that if step one is fully functioning. If a member is not active and constantly refining what was imparted to him in the Degrees, then he cannot make an intelligent decision when it comes time to choose a Master or a Warden.
As part of this second step, the broken idea of “moving up through the chairs” must be discarded. Only the men who have demonstrated that they are the elite of the elevated, or the cream of the crop, should be nominated and elected. These should be the type of Masons who have fully adopted the teachings of the Craft since such a man will never become a corrupt Master or even a corrupt Grand Master. If this means that the same man is elected over and over until another Mason rises to the standard, then so be it.
Based on some blogs and forum postings, there are those that believe that some Grand Masters are corrupt and abusing the power of their positions. This, therefore, could be labeled as one of the ills in Freemasonry. If this is a real ill, and I have my doubts that it is, then ensuring that the Fraternity is truly an elevated society would cure it.
FIRST STEP: The first step is to aggressively guard the doors of Freemasonry. Only those that have the demonstrated potential to understand and adopt the elevated principles of the Craft should be admitted. Only those that show the probability of staying active in the business of the Fraternity should be admitted. This does not mean that only the rich and well educated should be allowed to enter, but it does mean that only the worthy and the intelligent should become members of the greatest Fraternity.
The importance of this first step can not be overstated. If the right men are made Masons, then they are more likely to be at Lodge functions and to be engaged in the business of the Lodge and the Fraternity as a whole. They will be the ones who are soaking up the teachings and honing what was imparted to them during the various Degrees. They will also be the ones who are observing their fellow Brothers around them. With that last sentence in mind, let us go to the next step.
SECOND STEP: Since some unworthy, petty men will undoubtedly make their way into the Fraternity despite the best of efforts on the part of Masons, step two involves observing. The elected chairs must be guarded even more closely than the outer door. The title chasers and other types of Masons with petty thoughts and agendas cannot be allowed to enter the elected positions. This thought process must start at the Lodge level since any man that becomes Master of his Lodge now has the very real potential of becoming a Grand Master. The key to stopping the petty from being elected as Master is the art of observing. The members of the Lodge must know their fellow Brothers, and they can only do that if step one is fully functioning. If a member is not active and constantly refining what was imparted to him in the Degrees, then he cannot make an intelligent decision when it comes time to choose a Master or a Warden.
As part of this second step, the broken idea of “moving up through the chairs” must be discarded. Only the men who have demonstrated that they are the elite of the elevated, or the cream of the crop, should be nominated and elected. These should be the type of Masons who have fully adopted the teachings of the Craft since such a man will never become a corrupt Master or even a corrupt Grand Master. If this means that the same man is elected over and over until another Mason rises to the standard, then so be it.
I’ll now wrap this up. If you think you have a corrupt, over-bearing Grand Master then you must realize that he got there because the Lodges of your Grand Jurisdiction didn’t follow the two steps that I have just outlined. If your Grand Master and your Grand Lodge is truly a disaster, then it is unlikely that you can fix it at the Grand Lodge level. The cure must include a true belief in the elevated nature of the Fraternity and it must begin at the local Lodge level. If my two steps were implemented in all Lodges, then time would take care of any problems at the Grand Lodge level.
3 comments:
Mr. Bug wrote:
If my two steps were implemented in all Lodges, then time would take care of any problems at the Grand Lodge level.
Not necessarily. People change. I've known people to take management positions only to suddenly become different people. Why would the Craft be any different?
That said, I have known many Grand Masters quite well and none of them were corrupt. I'd like to think that's the situation just about everywhere.
I note you mention that the elevated mason must be intelligent. Brother I have met many masons who are very worthy and hardworking in the lodge. I understand your point but I don't believe an IQ test should be required. Perhaps something to show they are committed to the lodge, and freemasonry, in the sted of an IQ test. On the risk of sounding egotistical I would tell you I'd pass your "intelligence" requirement but many of the brethren who I feel make AWESOME brethren in my lodge, may not.
That is really my only criticism of your post. I agree with the overall idea you present.
Just as a note... My Grand Master is a great guy...
dean: I am not calling for an IQ test and my GM is great, too.
Post a Comment