MASONIC MATURITY
The following is taken from a speech delivered to Pyramid Lodge No. 869,
Vilseck, Germany, by Dr. (med) Hugo Thomas, Past Grand Master, American-Canadian
Grand Lodge, within the United Grand Lodges of German Freemasons, on September
21, 1978. It contains inspirational and universal challenges which each of us
must face. We thank "Brother Hugo" for permitting its use as our January Short
Talk Bulletin.
With my grateful appreciation I proudly salute the incoming and outgoing
symbolic representatives of the trinity of Wisdom, Strength and Beauty, and all
Officers and Brothers of this Lodge.
Brethren: I love our Lodges and at the end of the day it is good to feel that
we have helped some Brother, that we have accomplished some Masonic groundwork.
And I freely admit I don't have trouble sleeping at the end of my busy day. My
biggest problem is trying to find time to sleep.
As always in Freemasonry, the election and subsequent installation of
officers is a time for both acknowledgment and hope. The Brothers who have
served deserve our deepest appreciation, for they have taken time and energy
from their offices and their homes to apply their efforts toward the goals of
Freemasonry. The friends and families of these dedicated Freemasons have
witnessed their labors for the Craft and have encouraged them in their
endeavors. They realize - as do the officers themselves - that to serve self
only, is to enter a prison of egotism and vanity. Only by giving of ourselves
can we better ourselves . . . Only by loving can we be loved. Such men, such
officers become the very symbolic stone and mortar of our Order. They serve
beyond the call of duty and set an example for those that follow in their
footsteps. Our full acknowledgment and deepest gratitude go out to those who lay
down their present tasks to go on to new responsibilities or who take a well
deserved respite.
This sense of acknowledgment for past service is joined to a new hope for
those who take up the work of the Fraternity and accept the duties attached to
Masonic office. These new officers we greet with fraternal well wishes and
confidence that they will sustain the drive, direction and accomplishment of
those Brethren who have preceded them. This does not mean only those Brothers
who have just held the posts of authority, but also that long line of Brethren
who have served since the Constitution of the Lodge was drafted and recognized.
These men and officers - past and present - represent Masonry at its finest.
Each man is a leader among men. Each has a special talent, a special love of
Freemasonry and a special ability to do his job well. They meet challenges that
go far beyond simply serving as officers at Stated Meetings. They give guidance
and inspiration. They make the wheels turn. They accomplish real benefits.
Our Masonic achievements do not end here, for out of this service comes a
sense of personal fulfillment, fine fellowship and mutual endeavor that improves
and strengthens both leaders and workers. Here in the Craft, we build character
in men. We make men better and thus build a better world. It is a goal and a
challenge for all to share - family, friends, members, officers. Let each of us
at every Election and Installation of Officers express gratitude for the
accomplishments of past officers, accept the leadership of the new Brethren and
assume the full responsibility of our own important role in Freemasonry.
In unity and solidarity, let's continue the great work of Masonry, exemplify
the principles we so heartily endorse, and do our utmost to promote the growth
of our order in numbers and caliber, so it exerts its influence long after our
own years on earth have ceased. Make it be true that Masonry "has grown in the
years fulfilling-the highest hopes and inspirations of its early Brothers." Let
us do our work in the new Masonic Year to "stand the test of time." We need
builders not joiners; crewmen not passengers; and the program of the Lodge
should be so arranged that all Brothers are attracted to our meetings and given
a chance to actively participate in and push forward our real objectives. We
need the skill of them all; but do not expect perfection in a man just because
he is a Mason. If you do, you will be disappointed. Masonry makes men better,
but no human agency makes them perfect. If he is a Mason, you have a right to
presume he is a fairly good man, but do not condemn the Institution, even if a
few Masons turn out bad. Even the great Teacher himself had a Judas. Our aim and
purpose is to receive good men, keep them good and make them better. Judge the
Order not by a few failures but by the average of its successes. The average is
high and gives standards to its members, but it cannot be an infallible guide.
Each of us must be a working and acting instrument within our society of
Brothers, which will enable us so to live, that men might better understand who
we are and whom we serve. Masonry can form us into a stronghold and landmark for
goodness and nobility in the middle of evil, and enlighten us to show the way
out of darkness. It can and does serve as a peaceful pacemaker in the midst of
turbulence, a magnetic force influencing mankind by its pure principles. In our
profession as Masons we must have the boldness to speak and act as such. It
should be so obvious from the things we say and do, that we have been inspired
"with the symbolic purity and perfection of our institution." Our responsiveness
to these noble gifts should be with humble gratitude, but also a willingness to
achieve perfection in our weakness and to regulate our lives accordingly.
Paraphrasing Brother Goethe: "Only he deserves his Freedom, his Life, and his
Light, who daily earns it anew." Truly, only in this manner may we grow in
knowledge, faith and contemplation; in understanding and experience; in hope and
charity; in brotherly love, and in the boundless joy of eternal salvation
through Light in Masonry.
Our daily work in Freemasonry should be distinguished by enthusiasm and
excellence. We are obligated to minister each according to the best of his
ability; while we "volunteer" our daily services, we are simultaneously
"drafted" by those same obligations, and solemnly charged to preserve the purity
of the Fraternity unsullied. We are forever reminded and encouraged in doing so
by the writer of Ecclesiastes: "Whatsoever thy hand finds to do, do it with thy
might. Unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall much be required." This is
true of all tasks assigned to us, minor or important: that we be true and
faithful custodians of our Masonic heritage. When we combine fidelity with
faith, we know we shall succeed, and only then can we truly hope the LORD will
bless our decisions and actions.
When thus spiritually prepared, I believe I can truthfully state, that
Germans, Americans or Canadians or any other nationality should not be elected
Master of a Lodge or to any Lodge Office.
We are summoned to elect only Free and Accepted masons.
If we distinguish in any other way how we select our leaders, on Lodge or
Grand Lodge level, we violate the teachings of the LEVEL . . In Lodge all men
are equal and in the sacred walls of the Temple we are constantly reminded to
forget the division or existence of different creeds, professions or
nationalities.
I believe that the attainment of Master of a Lodge is not and was never the
ultimate goal of our great Order. Our great purpose and s objective is to seek
admission into a Lodge and 'I become as great a mason as humanly possible, to
receive Light, more Light and further Light, allowing the Mystic Tie to weave
its wonderful message into our lives. I even sometimes think, there are certain
advantages to keeping in office for more than one year that rare Master or
officer who has been touched with the tender message of Masonry and who has
those qualities of administration and leadership so badly needed for all
well-governed organizations.
The purpose of Masonry is to bring men from darkness to Light. Therefore, may
we set aside the quest for any single honor of office, and search for more Light
in Masonry. So if we can find this great Light through capable leadership
through a Brother, especially gifted, - who loses? Certainly not a seeking
Brother or a Lodge. The office must and should seek the man; not the man the
office. It really only matters that our leaders be Masons capable of leading and
will never promote their own advancement to any office other than that highest
of all offices-- serving his Brothers!
I, therefore, believe: Germans, Americans, Canadians or other nationalities
should not be Master of Lodges or Grand Master; only Masons, who have seen
Light, have allowed it to brighten the pathway and can spread it to others,
should serve in this position. So if by accident of birth the selected Brother
is of some nationality other than the most common in our midst, it should only
be noted to strengthen our chain of Universal Brotherhood. Inspired leaders are
what we need in our Mystic Circle. You, Worshipful Master, have exemplified this
tenet during your term, as so many have done who have gone this way before you.
Some may think of leadership in terms of political or business prominence, or
some other obvious position of prominence. I'll not use the word in such a
narrow sense. One meaning given in the dictionary is: a leader is one who acts
as a guiding force. A great need of our society is that every Mason when
qualified as a leader be an example of honor, morality, zeal and charity,
compassion and aggressive willingness: Honor, that we not only refrain from
doing ill, but that we extend ourselves to do good. Morality, that every facet
of our lives could be a worthy example for the guidance of others, because the
world needs active examples as much as it needs to be preached to. Zeal, that we
not only are committed to doing much that is constructive, but discreetly
letting our enthusiasm mark our behavior that others may be attracted to this
way of life. Charity, for every created being that he may fulfill his destiny as
designated by the Supreme Architect. Compassion, for the unfortunate, whether
high or low, rich or poor; taking no pleasure in the misfortune of any.
Aggressive willingness, to help meet any worthy need by giving a helping hand, a
word of encouragement, an under- standing hand on the shoulder, helping others
to have hope and to believe in themselves. The list is limitless. We do not
always perceive the opportunities for this kind of service, but as we use the
opportunities, we learn to recognize them.
Quality of character automatically makes the possessor a leader by virtue of
his example. Masonry's task is to produce that quality. Further acclaim and
prominence are not Masonry's objective, though we take satisfaction when these
things come to a Brother who merits them. Our prayer then, is that he will
always be a Mason, in the most profound sense.
Masonic leadership, as I understand it, means consistently exercising those
qualities which are inculcated in our lectures, so that each Mason is an example
for good, wherever he goes; leadership through example and with truth.
I have no doubts that this Masonic maturity will continue to be the guideline
of all Masters who govern this good Lodge.
Before closing this presentation, I will leave you with a few personal
remarks to the outgoing Master:
Worshipful Sir, how swiftly the year has passed and we are fast approaching
the end of a wonderful journey. Among our most valuable possessions are our
friendship and our happy memories that you have given to us this year, and for
the Brothers and friends who have proven themselves so faithful and true. We
thank you for your many acts of kindness and for the courtesies; and as we bow
in a prayer of thanksgiving to our Heavenly Father we thank Him for the gift of
your friendship and enthusiasm. It is only through the spirit of giving that we
are able to accomplish the objectives of our Order, that of extending Brotherly
Love, Truth and Masonic Charity. We are most grateful for these contributions
you have made to your Lodge, and we hope the Brothers will take renewed pride in
their membership.
Brother William Preston expressed it well: "Virtue is true nobility, and
Wisdom is the channel by which it is directed and conveyed. Wisdom with humility
and virtue alone distinguish Masons."
May our Heavenly Father bless your lives in the same bountiful measure in
which He has blessed ours and may He supply your every need. And late, very late
in life, you may be transmitted from the fading honors of an earthly Lodge to
the mansion prepared for the faithful, in another and a better world.
back to top |
