THE CHURCH AND THE LODGE AS THEY
MEET IN THE MAN
This Short Talk Bulletin was given as an
address at the Luncheon of the Conference of
Grand Secretaries of North America at Kansas
City, Missouri, on February 20, 1964, by The
Reverend Forrest Haggard, Grand Chaplain of
the Grand Lodge of Kansas, who has graciously
permitted its reproduction in this form.
There seems to be today a considerable hue
and cry about the status of Freemasonry in
the eyes of organized religion. This is not a
new subject. I do not consider it to be the
most important area of concern for the
Fraternity; and I most certainly am not an
authority in this field. I am a clergyman and
a Freemason, and keenly aware that the
subject needs attention.
At the outset, it needs to be stated that it
is difficult not to rephrase old arguments or
merely repeat what has been said before - and
even more difficult to launch out into new
ideas and still remain in sight of ancient
and basic landmarks.
Underneath my suggestions are certain basic
suppositions:
First, the lodge. The Fraternity is, to me,
man's organized attempt in an orderly way to
proceed in a direction of life that is
oriented toward what he feels is Creation's
design for him within this universe. It is
the reach of man toward God. Masonry is, of
course, a fellowship of men, a system of
morals and philosophy. In some of its
original concepts it was to be a center of
union and the means of conciliating true
friendship among persons who must have
remained at a perpetual distance.
Is Freemasonry a religion? Today our
literature is filled with such statements as,
"It can not be too strongly asserted that
Masonry is neither a religion nor a
substitute for religion." (1) Or, "Masonry
never intended to take the place of the
Church in modern society, for it offers no
plan of salvation." (2)
And yet, in the beginning, the Old Charges
read, "But though in ancient times Masons
were charged in every country to be of the
religion of that country or nation, whatever
it was, yet `tis now thought more expedient
only to oblige them to that religion in which
all men agree, leaving their particular
opinions to themselves." This is the concept
that George Washington had when, in
addressing the Bishops of the Methodist
Episcopal Church, he said, "I shall always
strive to prove a faithful and impartial
Patron of genuine, vital religion." (3)
All of this is to say that to attempt to
prove that Masonry is, or is not, a religion
is to miss the point. I do not claim the
Lodge is a religion, and, when confronted
with this challenge, use it as a springboard
to make a positive statement as to the true
nature of the Fraternity.
Secondly, let me give you a definition of the
Church as seen in this discussion. This is
difficult, as the various bodies of
Christianity, for example, cannot come to a
single definition among themselves. Certainly
the Church is not organized religion. It
seems to me that the Founder of Christianity
was martyred, for one reason, because of his
resistance to organized religion. The Church,
as I see it, is basically a people called out
by God and blessed by His spirit. In
Christian faith it is called "the body of
Christ". It is the reach of God for men.
Now, the main body of the Fraternity seems to
make an error in this definition. It is
correct when it lists the "opponents" of the
Lodge and names certain organized religious
bodies, but it is not correct in stating that
the Church is critical. Certain of the clergy
may be critical. The error of equating the
Church, especially in the free Protestant
tradition, and its clergy, is not uncommon -
but it is an error.
Therefore, I cannot say that I see a conflict
between Freemasonry and the Church. I agree
with Cerza in his conclusion which states,
"The question can rightfully be asked, "Is
there anything about Christianity or
Freemasonry which makes them incompatible
with one another? The answer is emphatically
no." (4)
If a conflict exists it does not exist within
the body of Masonry nor within the teachings
of the Church. It exists as these come
together in the Man. It can be a conflict as
simple as that for time, energy, and talent
of the human being, or as complex as the
egocentricity of the laity or clergy who
cannot tolerate any threat to their status as
the "chosen of God". It is at the "man level"
that conflict or co-operation exists.
The clergyman might see the Lodge as a well-
oiled machine which competes for the loyalty
of people, or he might see it as a handmaiden
of his own purposes and ministry. The Lodge
might see the Church as a divided, bickering,
and somewhat hypocritical group of differing
institutions, or as a people blessed by God.
And let me digress just a moment and say that
a lot of this conflict or co-operation finds
its origin in the initial meeting between
clergy and the Fraternity. Too many clergymen
have been solicited into the Fraternity and
had their way paved and paid by well meaning,
but misinformed, Brethren. Such an approach
only deepens the misunderstandings. It is far
better that you explain the goals, history,
and worth of the Fraternity to the clergy
when the occasion presents itself. This
occasion might even be at a time of
misunderstanding - as at the graveside, or
following a sermon against "secret
societies". Gentle words of wise counsel and
information are usually respected by a
pastor, especially if they come from a man
whom he may well respect.
I have some suggestions that apply to this
area of relationship of the Lodge and the
Church within the Man. These are based on the
supposition that light is the cure for
darkness, and that knowledge is the remedy
for ignorance.
1. A program of education is urgent and
necessary. It must be leveled first at the
general body of Masonry. Why? To combat the
new and concentrated attack upon us by some
of our ancient enemies. One of the latest
books purports, as usual, to reveal the exact
procedures in the degrees of the Fraternity.
(5) But it differs from other attacks in that
this book is not aimed at the general public,
but at the average nominal "Blue Lodge"
Mason. It is well written and calculated to
lower his estimation of his own institution.
We need new and positive literature aimed at
the general body of our Fraternity. And more,
such a work as might be titled, "The History
of Freemasonry in America", or "Freemasonry
and Christianity" needs to be placed, by
proper jurisdiction, in the public libraries
of our communities and in the libraries of
our Bible colleges and seminaries. This would
certainly be a worth-while project for the
public relations or education committee of
any jurisdiction.
2. A continued look at the public ceremonies
of the Craft is in order. For example, the
funeral service is under observation by a
good many Masonic scholars. Most articles are
critical of the ceremony. Among other things,
it is claimed that the funeral ceremony
invades the function of the Church, repeats
the service which precedes it, is inexpertly
done, is theologically unsound, is a sombre
and melancholy thing, and is objected to by
members of the clergy.
In specific instances, no doubt, all of these
may be true. I would agree it needs careful
attention and re-study. But this and other
difficulties will not be solved unless
attention is given to a more basic problem:
that o f our changing culture. The problem of
the funeral ceremony is only a symptom of a
deeper problem that is tied in with shifting
population, changing economic roles, and
revolutionary advances in science and
discoveries. I feel that few jurisdictions
have ever really taken the time to study the
pattern of things as simple as changing
population from rural to urban, or to chart
the growth and loss patterns of their
memberships and Lodges. In other words, a
part of the difficulty in the funeral
ceremony lies not in a theological or
spirtual conflict, but in the failure to
adapt old truths to a new situation.
3. Last of all, we need to use our Brethren
who are members o f the clergy. I appreciated
the use of Dr. Daniel A. Poling's statement:
"I arrived at the decision that Masonry is a
vital and dynamic force in America, and in
the world, for everything high and worthy to
which my life has long been committed. And
there is something more. Masonry occupies, in
my opinion, a unique position of opportunity
and obligation in the human order today."
(6)
Recently both the state and national
publications of the Christian Church, of
which I am a pastor, carried a story and
picture of my own and our congregation's
participation with the Masonic Fraternity on
the occasion of St. John the Baptist Day. Use
the clergymen at every level of Masonic
activity, but attempt to ascertain that he
participates out of a love of the Fraternity
and not out of a need of "honor".
Brethren, we live in a dark and troubled age.
The forces of evil seem to be combined
against the forces of good. Our frame of
reference has been twisted until what was
once good now seems to be bad. The word
"square" and its common usage is but an
example. In this kind of situation we need a
good relationship between the Church and the
Lodge. It is still true that our answer to
opponents of the Craft is good conduct, good
works, and a noble example. And since both
Church and Lodge are made up of men, it is
within the Man that this answer must be
found.
An uncrushable triangle that will form a
solid base of support for the good things of
our community can be formed by the union of
the Church, the Lodge and the Man. And the
key to this triangle is the Man himself.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
1. Short Talk Bulletin, Masonic Service
Association of the U. S.: Vol. XII, No. 10
(1934) and Vol. XXXVI, No. 8 (1958).
2. The Evolution of Freemasonry, Delmar Duane
Darrah, Masonic Publishing Co., Bloomington,
Ill., 1920, pp. 294-298.
3. `The Writings of George Washington, edited
by John C. Fitzpatrick; Vol. 30, p. 339.
4. Anti-Masonry, by Alphonse Cerza, Lodge of
Research, p. 362.
5. Christianity and Freemasonry, by William
Whalen, 1958. Bruce Publishing Co.,
Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
6. `The Philalethes, op. cit., Vol. XV, No.
1. back to top | 
