DILIGENT INQUIRY
"DILIGENT INQUIRY - A Candidate Investigation
The various Codes, Constitutions, Rules, Regulations and By-Laws of Masonic
Grand Lodges usually speak in general terms regarding the duties, appointment
and reporting of Investigating Committees. All too frequently, Brethren
assigned to these Committees treat the matter lightly or with a routine
attitude.
A number of Grand Masters in reporting upon the "state of the Craft" in their
Jurisdictions have expressed doubts and concerns regarding the effectiveness
of some Investigating Committees.
More than forty-five years ago, Brother Lewis L. Martinson of Shawmut Lodge,
Boston, Massachusetts, in a report to his lodge, gave more detailed
instructions. We are pleased to share them with you: The object of this paper is
to remind the members of this lodge that the investigators' moral liability is
great and superficial investigation conducive to evil. By the exercise of common
sense, fearlessness, and above all, thoroughness, no man need pass our portals
to cause us subsequent regret.
Members should ever be on the alert, and at all times cooperate with the
officers and members of the investigating committees. The difficulties that
surround a metropolitan lodge in the selection of the candidates are numerous.
Do not add to them by carelessly proposing men whose fitness can be questioned.
In conducting these investigations you should be as rigid as you would were
the applicant seeking admission to your home, instead of to your lodge. Masonry
is no reformatory, neither can we build stately and superb structures out of
tissue paper and on quick-sand foundations. The applicant is a petitioner; he is
asking something of Masonry. Masonry, therefore, has an absolute right to know
all about him before it shall extend to him its privileges. Do not be timid; do
not fear to tread upon his corns; but get the information and thus discharge
honorably, as a Mason, the duty which you have assumed through which your Lodge
will be enabled to extend the glad hand of fellowship to clean, upright men
and avoid marring the beauty of the Temple with soiled, morally leprous
material. Remember also, that when once admitted within our tiled recesses you
cannot avoid this applicant and draw your cloak about you. You must be as ready
and willing to treat him as a Brother, as you are the brother related to you by
blood ties, residing beneath your home roof.
For this reason it is within your province to ask information which might
otherwise be considered very personal, to propound questions which in any
other connection would be termed impertinent .
Of the applicant you should also ascertain: How long has he been acquainted
personally with his proposer? How long has he resided within the Jurisdiction of
this Lodge? Why does he desire to become a Freemason? What is his conception of
the Masonic institution? What does he think it is, and why, in his opinion do
Masons congregate and what do they endeavor to accomplish by their associations
one with the other?
Does he understand that Masonry is not a financial institution and that no
financial returns are to be expected by either the applicant or his family?
Is he of a charitable disposition? Does he contribute financially to
charitable causes as far as his ability permits? Is he charitable in thought and
action toward his fellowmen or is he bigoted and prejudiced, considering all men
in error who do not view life through his particular line of vision?
What is his financial standing? Is he prompt in meeting his bills; is he
considered an A-l man to have business dealings with? Does he understand that
there are certain yearly dues required from each member, and will he promptly
meet them and any other obligations of a similar nature?
Do his appearance and surroundings indicate that he can financially afford
the degrees of Masonry? No man should deprive himself or his family of
necessities that he may enjoy the degrees of Masonry. We desire to add to our
working force; do not handicap us with an added burden.
What provisions has he made for his family and himself in event of disability
or death? Does his family concur in his desire to become a Freemason? Do you
consider him a man who will attend with reasonable regularity upon the
communications of the Lodge, and a man who will endeavor to educate and better
himself by a more extensive study of Masonry than that contained in the
lectures of The Three Degrees?
Does he impress you as being one who will LIVE Masonry, who will endeavor to
bring into actual practice the tenets of our profession?
Is he a citizen of the United States? Is his desire to become a Freemason
based on the fact that some of his relatives have been, or are, Masons?
Does he consider Masonry merely as a social organization and does he wish to
become connected with it merely that he may have the social fellowship
connected with it, or has he a sincere desire to become a Mason that he may help
himself and help others?
Does the applicant sincerely reverence the Supreme Being and accord Him the
glory of the Divine Truths?
This line of questioning, my Brethren, is merely suggestive and is very
general. Circumstances alter cases and while each question might be
appropriate on many occasions, they might likewise be unwise in other instances.
They are suggested merely to impress upon you the necessity of thoroughness in
your work. No set of questions can be compiled which can be followed literally
in every case. The nature of the case will suggest to you what information you
must require, but be certain that you secure enough that you may speak with
certainty and emphasis upon the case. Let not the finger of shame or ridicule be
pointed against our noble institution because you have been slack in your work.
You will probably not be called upon to perform this service more than once in a
Masonic year; surely it is not asking too much in that one case each year you
expend some real energy and thought and give liberally of your time, not only
for the protection of Masonry, and yourself, but also for the preparing and
protection of the applicant.
The applicant can doubtless refer you to men of standing who can furnish
reliable information regarding him. Those references need not necessarily be
Masons; in fact, it is well to consult with men who are not Masons, for often
they are more open in their expression of opinions. Do not be content with a
list of names furnished by the applicant, but by your own efforts find others
who know the applicant. It is not reasonable to suppose that the applicant will
not refer you to any but those whom he believes will give him a "good send-off."
You may find his next door neighbor, his grocer, or the man who works alongside
of him, a much better source of information. It is well, however, not to
indicate to profanes the reason for your inquiries as there may be those among
them who are not favorable to our institution and harm might be worked the
applicant were it known to these people that he entertained Masonic ambitions.
You are given one month for your investigation. If more is required, the
Master will gladly grant it, provided, of course, you ask for it.
You should not procrastinate, thereby seriously interfering with the work
of the Lodge. When doubts remain as in the applicant's fitness, after strict
examination has been held, remember, Brethren, the Lodge always should derive
the benefit of them.
In conclusion, Brethren, let me remind you most emphatically that Masonry is
great and good just to the degree that its individual members are. We are a
strong body, we need not of necessity accept any and all kinds of material, we
have the privilege of choosing and selecting. By the admission of unsuitable
material you mar a beautiful edifice which you have promised to keep clean. We
do not expect perfect men by any means, but we do insist on men who have already
laid a foundation upon which we may build, men who are not decayed by the wrong
living of years, men who have character and intellect sufficient to grasp the
richness of the moral banquet which Masonry spreads before them.
Let us have clean men. We do not want the libertine, the man of loose habits
or unclean tongue .
The man who deals lightly with virtues and whose eyes do not turn with
reverence to God cannot be made a perfect ashlar. Symbols, lessons and
obligations to him are as water on a duck's back. Masonry cannot reform him and
he will be a blight to Masonry.
Investigate east and west, north and south, at home and abroad, from friend
and foe, by day and night--but investigate.
Look well to our portals; let no unworthy foot cross the threshold.
OTHER REFERENCES:
Short Talk Bulletin. 12-24
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