OUR TRUST IS IN GOD
This Short Talk Bulletin has been adapted from a paper prepared by the
Committee on Masonic Research and Education of the Grand Lodge A.F. & A.M. of
Minnesota.
The Church and Masonry are two subjects with great similarity, but also
striking differences. When one considers them together, there are certain
basic truths that should be recognized. To review these truths is to recognize
the true relationship between them. In Masonic terms and for this paper "God,"
"Deity," "Grand Architect," "Supreme Being," and other similar references to
the Holy Father are varying ways to refer to the "One and Only,'' according to
individual preferences, without infringing on the preference of his particular
church. Similarly, all individual churches are, in Masonic terms, considered as
the Church. George Bernard Shaw said, "There is only one religion, though there
are a hundred versions of it." Yes, each denomination has its own belief in what
the Church should be. Masonry takes no preference in this separation of thought
about the Church, but accepts the universality and the individual member's
preference.
Two principal truths should be recognized about the Church and Masonry.
First, Masonry does not replace the Church in worship of God; and secondly, a
spirit of cooperation and understanding is to be encouraged in both the Church
and in the Masonic Temple. Since any misunderstanding is more likely to be on
the part of church people looking at Masonry, rather than Masons looking at the
Church, it becomes the responsibility of Masons to take positive and affirmative
steps to ward off any misunderstanding. To avoid misunderstanding, it is
essential that no Masonic activities be scheduled at a time or place that would
interfere with activities of the Church. Scheduling rehearsals, for example,
or scheduling any program is restricted by the Codes of many Grand Lodges.
In Minnesota, for example, the Grand Lodge Constitution states: "No Lodge
shall hold any communication upon the Sabbath or first day of the week, except
to conduct the Masonic funeral services of a deceased Brother." In 1978, this
was amended to permit an afternoon or early evening ceremony on the Sabbath for
public installation of Lodge Officers. But the well-meaning intent of Masonry
is to avoid Lodge activity that would in any way conflict with customary Church
activity.
Masonry is not a religion, and does nothing to interpret or effect various
persuasions or faiths of its members. Masonry teaches, and has preserved in
ancient purity, the cardinal tenet of the old primitive faith, which underlies,
and indeed is the foundation of religion, which is that God is One, and that
every member must have a firm and abiding faith in that fact.
Masons are encouraged to be active members of a church. It is generally
recognized, and many churches have discovered, that the outstanding leaders and
officers of a church are often active Masons in their Lodges. Masonry and the
Church do not compete as far as their basic teachings are concerned. They seek
to strengthen and support each other.
Masonry insists that every member have a firm belief in God, but does not
interpret what the God is like. This is the purpose of the Church, and is
clearly the distinct and separate reason why Masonry and the Church can and do
work together. They have different purposes.
Historically, during periods of the rise to power by dictators and other
forms of government that demand individual minds to cease to think, and to
turn allegiance to demands of the central government, Masonry has been among the
first organizations to be persecuted. Churches more often have been allowed to
function under controlled patterns of influence, using directed church
leadership as the forum for new thinking .
Masonry is one of the most powerful influences and forces for maintaining
in the citizens, principles of freedom of thought, freedom of conscience, the
right to learn, the desire to follow truth, understanding, and what we
symbolically call Light. This is what the Church does also, but in a different
way. Both are working toward a common end.
Masonry in America, since the inception of the American Constitution, has
supported the theme of a public educational system. Education existed since
early ages of mankind, later was undertaken by the Church as one of the
fundamental elements. Many schools and universities all over the United States
were started as an outgrowth of religious men and women concerned about
education of youth.
A member of any Masonic body can never be "saved," religiously speaking, by
being in Masonry. Both Masonry and the Church, however, use the Bible as the
source of Light, the source of inspiration. The Mason will be a better
churchman, and have a stronger faith by having received Light in Masonry and the
Light of the Holy Bible, and will find in it the way for the soul's welfare and
salvation. The Holy Bible has sometimes been referred to by such terms as
"book of life," or "the operating manual for living," or "trestle board of
life," because of its complete and all-encompassing nature of providing a
solution to every problem. For example, when the missionary, John Eliot,
completed a huge undertaking to translate the complete Bible into the Algonquin
Indian language in the mid-seventeenth century, he is quoted as saying, "The
word of life is now your own," as he gave the first copies of this first
American Bible to his people. Therefore, the Light that is found upon the Altar
in a Masonic Temple is the basis of our faith, and of our life. Spiritually,
mentally and morally, a member finds source for strength in both the Church and
in the Masonic Temple. But, because of his understanding, he never lets one take
the place of the other. Knowing the respective places of each, one can be a
better Mason because of being a faithful member of the Church, and likewise be a
better member of the Church because of being a Mason.
Masonry and the Church, like the pillars Jachin and Boaz, provide two very
strong foundations on which one builds a life. From these foundations rise
landmarks of humanity which have called upon the skill of writers throughout the
ages, and incite meanings, construct allegories, invite continuing study, and
incite the imagination into what one can become. Masonry is not a religion, but
both Masonry and the Church invite men of all religions to war against wrong,
uphold truth, and covet charity, or love. This universality of the Church is
recognized by Masonry and, as noted earlier, Masonry takes no preference in
individual denominations but accepts each member with whatever denominational
relationship he may have. In so doing, every Mason is reminded of duty and
obligation. His lips should be sealed against vulgarity and falsehood. His life
will attract good men to follow the same road.
In the end, the good Mason will be that person who can look upon death, and
see in its face the same countenance with which he hears its story. He will
endure all the labors of his life with his soul supporting his body, and amply
returning to the world the fruits of his gifts from God. His crowning glory
then, will be that his Church will mourn his passing with the knowledge that one
of their greatest supporters has passed the test of time. To reach this height,
Masonry invites its members to be equally familiar with both the landmarks and
instruction of Masonry, as well as with landmarks and instruction of the Holy
Bible. Dr. Henry H. Halley, recipient of the Gutenberg Award and author of a
noted "Bible Handbook," noted the widespread neglect of the Bible ". . . we
talk about the Bible, and defend the Bible, and praise the Bible, and exalt the
Bible. Yes indeed! But many church members SELDOM EVER EVEN LOOK INTO A BIBLE .
. . indeed would be ASHAMED to be seen READING the Bible." Masonry will share
the burden of such neglect if it does not continue to share encouragement for
reading and studying the Bible as well as Masonic literature.
In summation of these thoughts concerning a Masonic relationship with the
Church, the words of an unknown poet are most appropriate:
THE LODGE ON HIGH When you've passed on to that Far Land Beyond the skies and
take your stand
Before Jehovah's Great White Throne, Clad only in a gown alone; A pilgrim
tired, without one cent To show for all the time you've spent, The work you've
done down here below In this old strife-torn vale of woe-
My son, I'm sure the Lord won't care If you were poor or millionaire.
And when we've ceased our daily grind, Left all our worldly goods behind And
landed safe above the clouds, We'll look alike in snowy shrouds; With feathered
wings and hand in hand We'll both enroll in Heaven's Band. And, son, I know that
we won't need To fuss about our race or creed Or if we took some high degree As
Mason, Moose or K. of C.
If you've believed in one true God, The straight and narrow path have trod,
No matter what your lodge may be, Your politics or pedigree, You'll need no word
or paid-up card To pass you by the outer guard. There's just one Order I surmise
The Lord of Hosts will recognize, The biggest Lodge since time began-And
that's the Brotherhood of Man.
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