Finding the Meaning of Freemasonry
by David M. Daugherty, Jr.
Ever since becoming a Freemason, I have been nagged by my conscious for
the meaning of Masonry. Not happy with the parroted answer, “Freemasonry
is a beautiful system of morals, veiled in allegory, and illustrated by
symbols”. I wanted to know why I had joined and what’s Masonries place
in society.
Yes in deed, If Freemasonry is the answer, What is the Question?
What was I seeking?
Communal Identity?
An ends beyond myself?
Will I every find ultimate reality?
Will I find out how my mind works?
Is not this reflection into the meaning of life, of life’s value, a
theology without a God?
I have faith but yearn for the understanding.
Yes it is a system of morals, yes we use symbols and yes the metaphors,
mythologies (stories that teach), and allegories keep use lost in the
maze of our minds.
But there is something else. That some thing else that bonds us, (and
not just our obligation we took) that makes us live the way that we do
and not proselytize.
The saying “for no One man can define Freemasonry” is seared into my
mind.
But then how many men can?
There were three men that spoke to me on my journey, words I now share
with you.
“The Oversoul”:
Let us learn the relation of all nature and thought; that the Highest
dwells within us, that the sources of nature are in our minds.
As there is no screen or ceiling between our heads and the infinite
heavens, so there is no bar or wall in the soul where we, the effect,
cease, and god, the cause, begins.
I am constrained every moment to acknowledge a higher origin for events
than the will I call mine.
There is deep power in which we exist and whose beatitude is accessible
to us.
Every moment when the individual feels invaded by it is memorable.
It comes to the lowly and simple; it comes to whosoever will put off
what is foreign and proud; it comes as insight; it comes as serenity and
grandeur.
The soul’s health consists in the fullness of its reception.
Forever and ever the influx of this better and more universal self is
new and unsearchable.
Within us is the soul of the whole; the wise silence; the universal
beauty, to which every part and particle is equally related; the eternal
One.
WHEN IT BREAKS THROUGH OUR INTELLECT, IT IS GENIUS; WHEN IT BREATHES
THROUGH OUR WILL, IT IS VIRTUE; WHEN IT FLOWS THROUGH OUR AFFECTIONS, IT
IS LOVE.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
[To me this embodies the teachings in masonry, the equality of our
souls.
For it is the internal qualities not the external that make a man a
Freemason.]
Wish there was a collection of the talks he gave at Masonic Halls.
“A Comprehensive view of Freemasonry”p.234
Freemasonry in its Broadest and most comprehensive Sense, is a system
of morality and social ethics, a primitive religion, and a philosophy of
life, all of simple and fundamental character, incorporating a broad
humanitarianism, and though treating life as a practical experience,
subordinates the material to the spiritual; it is a religion without a
creed, being of no sect but finding truth in all; it is moral but not
pharisaic; it demands sanity rather than sanctity; it is tolerant but
not supine; it seeks truth but does not define truth; it urges its
votaries to think but does not tell them what to think; it despises
ignorance but does not proscribe the ignorant; it fosters education but
proposes no curriculum; it espouses political liberty and the dignity of
man but has no platform or propaganda; it believes in the nobility and
usefulness of life; it is modest and not militant; it is moderate,
universal, and so liberal as to permit each individual to form and
express his own opinion, even as to what Freemasonry is or ought to be,
and invites him to improve it if he can.
---Henry Wilson Coil
[This Definition seems to capture the seeming chaos that prevails in our
organization. A chaos created as our members express their own ideas of
what Freemasonry ought to be and, Yes, even leading us to that taboo of
proselytizing. You might even say that this is a good example of the new
mathematic genius of Chaos. Thus we begin to see the Order of our Chaos.
Yet, it conveys guidance to the individual to that which is important in
life yet giving him the freedom to chose what is best for him or best
for his understanding. One of the many catch phrases that is used in
Masonry is that it “makes good men better”. Now my mother would argue
that the fraternity has nothing over on her. For she followed that
philosophy handed down by the Greeks that the people you associated with
has more to forming you desires and imitations of behavior. So I guess
the association of those men in the fraternity have and will
unconsciously continue to influence how I behave].
“Morals and Dogma” p 691
Human wisdom must always be limited and incorrect; and even right
opinion is only a something intermediate between ignorance and
knowledge. The normal condition of man is that of progress. Philosophy
is a kind of journey, ever learning, yet never arriving at the ideal
perfection of truth. A Mason should, like the wise Socrates, assume the
modest title of a lover of wisdom; for he must ever long after
something more excellent than he possesses, something still beyond his
reach, which he desires to make eternally his own.
---Albert Pike
[What a true and humbling statement, stripping away our personal façades
of greatness and wisdom. In every tradition there is that empty chair,
symbolizing the continual search for the perfect friend, the perfect
idea, perfect leader and or an invisible leader. These vacuums, each,
expressing the idea that no matter how hard we try, our human
fragilities will always be with us and keep us from the ideal.]
My journey is not complete [unending you might say].
But thank you for your company.
The broken column holds new meaning for me.
Was it ever whole before it was broken?
With Brotherly Love,
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