duty of the worshipful master
by R.
W. John Fitzhenry Townsend
BRETHREN - As this is the period of the year when the
newly-elected officers of our several Lodges enter upon their official duties,
this present meeting of your Lodge of Instruction appears to me to present a
fitting occasion to offer to my less experienced brethren some observations on
the nature of the duties of a Master in the government of his Lodge; and as the
consideration of his duties will necessarily involve that of his rights, which
are, correlatively, the duties of the Craft, I think the subject will be found
interesting to us all. I do not intend to comment upon the charges which are
contained in the book of Constitutions, and which are read to every Master at
his installation: they are plain and precise, and require no elucidation: I mean
rather to direct attention to those parts of the Master's duty with which the
Constitutions presume that he is acquainted.
I have been induced to make this attempt at reviving the long-disused practice
of giving Masonic Lectures, because I consider that a lecture is the easiest way
by which those who desire information, but have not leisure for research, can
obtain the benefit of the researches of others. An ordinary Lodge meeting would
not be a fitting place for the experiment; Masonic disquisitions would be
inexpressible tedious to those who find the chief charms of Masonry in its
sociality; but as we are all met here for the express purpose of receiving and
imparting information, I am induced to address you; though I do so rather with
the hope of offering an example to others more competent, than with that of
saying anything peculiarly novel, entertaining, or instructive. Your fraternal
kindness will, I am sure, make due allowance for the imperfection of attempts
made in the short intervals of professional duties, which afford little time for
the study necessary to collect materials for an address, or for the more
difficult task of condensing and arranging them when collected.
It has often occurred to me that the nature of the engagements, both expressed
and implied, which are entered into by the Master of a Lodge, is, in general,
but indifferently understood or appreciated. It is reasonable to presume that
any man of ordinary understanding who has gone through the subordinate offices
will, by the time he reaches the chair, be able to perform his part in the
ceremonies of the Lodge with accuracy and propriety. If not, he must be a cipher
- "if he can do nothing, but say nothing, he shall be nothing here."
But we have a right to expect more than the getting by rote a few phrases. The
Master should possess, and should be able to impart, some knowledge of the
meaning and origin of our ceremonies, which, unless explained, may seem
frivolous or tedious formalities. They are, it is true, calculated to awaken
rational curiosity, and are fraught with meaning: Masonry still bearing the
impress of its Asiatic origin, teaches its moral precepts by symbolical actions,
But explanation is needed to convey that meaning, and "The Master" is not only
supposed to be a master of men, but a master of work. The vulgar and illiterate
may stand amazed at what they cannot comprehend - but Masonry is not confined to
the vulgar and illiterate; men of high intellectual acquirements are daily
joining our Society, anxious not merely to share in its benefits, but to be
instructed in the boasted philosophy which is "veiled in its allegories, and
illustrated by its symbols. " Why, then, should we tolerate that ignorance which
is the result of mere apathy?
Surely it is worth while to know somewhat of a subject which engages the
attention of so many estimable and intelligent persons. And the means of that
knowledge are in our reach. Masonry has now broken through the restraint, which
the timid jealousy of our predecessors had imposed upon it. We have shared in
the irresistible progress of the age, and we now have Masonic treatises,
magazines and journals, all devoted to the explanation of Masonic history,
antiquities, and principles. We attract more attention than heretofore, as
appears not only by the multiplicity of our authorized publications, but by the
host of spurious and despicable rituals and pretended exposures, which feed the
credulity of the vulgar. Here, in this city, our friends of the Victoria Lodge
have entitled themselves to our lasting gratitude by reviving this Lodge of
Instruction, where all who please may become practically conversant with Masonic
rites and ceremonies. And, perhaps, we may look forward, at no distant period,
to a regular system of lectures on different subjects connected with Masonry, by
which the influences of literature, science, and taste, may be brought to aid in
the diffusion of rational and intellectual improvement amongst us, and that in
the easiest and pleasantest manner possible. Such, at least, is my hope. My
ambition is to point out thus to others the way in which I do not pretend to
follow.
To become Master of is Lodge is the legitimate object of every young brother who
takes any interest in our Society. The very questionable policy of our present
regulations seems to be, to open to each, in succession, the way to the
Mastership - almost, if not altogether, as a matter of course. Now, my younger
brethren may rest assured, that although, in deference to an usage which it is,
perhaps, too late to abolish, we may place a careless or ignorant Mason in the
chair, invest him with the badge of authority, and address him with the external
forms of respect, we cannot command for him the deference and consideration
which will be sure to follow the enlightened and expert. He will be like the
figure-head of a ship - placed foremost and gaudily decorated, but, after all,
it is a mere effigy, not contributing in the least to the management of the
vessel. In small as in great things, knowledge is power - intellectual
superiority is real re-eminence.
An ignorant Master may, however, find some charitable friend to prompt him -
some expert craftsman to explain for him what he could not explain for himself.
All that is but little creditable to the Master's ability, and cannot, one would
think, be gratifying to his good opinion of himself, yet it is not necessarily
injurious to the Order. But what shall we say of those who regard the office of
Master of a Lodge as no more and no less than the presidency of a convivial
club, which is to have no other effect upon our conduct in life, than as it may
enable us to pass a pleasant evening occasionally in sociable company? This is
not so uncommon a case. The prevalence of this notion of Masonry (especially
among the higher classes of society) has paralyzed its powers of doing good,
consigned the Institution to ridicule and contempt in the eyes of many whose
good opinion we would justly prize - and made it, at best, the faint and empty
image of what it ought to be, and might be, if well understood and thoroughly
practiced. We are often taunted with making too much of Masonry, but the truth
is, we greatly underrate both its objects and capabilities, and are, therefore,
too ready to admit men amongst us whom we can hardly expect to bestow a single
thought upon Masonry. The avowed enemies of Masonry have striven hard - but in
vain - to injure it. Our worst foes have been those of our own household, who
have tarnished the brightness of Masonic purity, and lowered the standard of
Masonic excellence. Let us hope, however, that juster notions are beginning to
prevail; as they do, the office of Master will cease to be a mere name, and will
resume its ancient utility and importance.
The Master's rights do not take effect until his installation. Once installed,
his authority becomes absolute in his own Lodge, although due checks are
provided by the constitution of the Order against the arbitrary exercise of it.
It is presumed that his brethren have elected one in whom they may confide, and
that his conduct will be neither capricious nor tyrannical; therefore, by the
immemorial Masonic law, obedience is his right, and he must be obeyed
accordingly. By electing him his brethren have given him, so far as they are
concerned, an indenfeasible right to preside in the Lodge during his term of
office; therefore, they cannot remove, suspend, or censure him, nor vote him
from the chair, nor prevent him from taking it. They cannot compel him to open,
close, or adjourn the Lodge. He does all this at his own pleasure, as our
ancient forms at opening and closing sufficiently prove; and here let me remark
how practically useful are those ancient forms which we frequently hear hurried
over as too familiar. Every Master should insist on their being strictly
observed and accurately repeated in his Lodge, without abridgement or
alteration. They remind each officer of his duty, and all of the due
subordination which so peculiarly distinguishes the Society.
There are certain matters which the Master must decide on his own
responsibility, and on which he should not put any question to the Lodge -
namely, all points of order, ceremonial, Masonic law, and discipline, in which I
include the arrangement of Lodge business. These he must determine according to
his own conscientious notions of what is right, no matter how urgently he may be
pressed to the contrary: if he does not, he is unworthy of his place. And his
decision on such questions should be at once cheerfully submitted to. There must
be no altercation, protesting, disputing, or remonstrating, between the Master
and the Craftsmen. Even the ordinary marks of approbation or disapprobation, are
unmasonic and irregular. As in a court of justice the opinion of the judge,
though not always assented to as correct, is, invariably, treated with
deference, and presumed to be right until it has been set right by superior
authority, so it should be with the decisions of a Master in his Lodge. And it
is for the common benefit of us all to uphold this authority unimpaired; because
the temporary inconvenience which may result from an error of the Master's
judgment, or even from an occasional abuse of his powers, is of far less moment
than the preservation of the harmony and order, which it is one of our chief
ends to attain - which our lectures illustrate when they point to the glories of
the firmament; to the amazing structure of sun and planet, system and cluster,
sweeping along in deep and solemn silence, without speech or language; where
neither obstacle, nor cessation, nor failure of design occurs in all the
astounding plan.
But the Master is always amenable to the Grand Lodge, and any well-grounded
complaint against him may be preferred there. Then, indeed, it becomes his duty
to submit, with ready and cordial acquiescence, to the ultimate decision of the
supreme Masonic power.
Some inexperienced brethren may think that no difficulty can ever arise in the
decision of any Masonic questions, because they have never seen any such
difficulty in our Society. It is true that mutual forbearance is so much
inculcated, and good feeling so widely prevails amongst us, that in the hands of
a judicious ruler, all goes on with easy and undeviating regularity. But I can
assure them, that in a well-regulated Lodge there is a very ample scope for the
exercise of intellect; and that the Master will soon find that he requires even
more than a knowledge of Masonic laws and usages, to acquit himself creditably
of his responsibility. He should know his own limits, so as not to encroach upon
the rights of his brethren, of which, I candidly warn every young Master, he
will find us not a little jealous. If he falls short of his own bounds, or
oversteps them, he will find clear heads and keen tongues to remind him -
respectfully, but unmistakably - of the fact. The Lodge will soon feel what sort
of hand holds the helm; and, as they are bound to acquiesce in his opinion, as
their Master, he must show equal deference to theirs, when the question is one
to be settled by their votes. He may speak, and he may vote in the deliberations
of the Lodge, but he must not let his conduct become liable to the imputation of
partiality; for he is still entrusted with the duty of taking the result of a
division, or of a ballot, and though a division or ballot often takes place on
questions of no great moment, yet, we know it sometimes happens that the credit
and character of individuals are vitally affected by the determination of a
Lodge. Also the peace and harmony, as well as the dignity of his Lodge, are, to
a great extent, in his keeping. Words may be spoken in the heat of debate which
may provoke angry recrimination, even in the very temple of Concord and Peace,
and create jealousy and temporary disunion even between close and sincere
friends.
The Master should be ever ready to heal dissension, and prevent the spread of
disunion; and (which is no less important) he must be ever on the watch to check
debate before it becomes strife, and to preserve, even in argument, the tone of
deliberation; which he can always do, provided he never for a moment loses sight
of his own position, or forgets the calmness of temper essential to command. It
may be tried, occasionally; for there will be sometimes silly, and meddling, and
impracticable people in a Lodge as in every other society: men like to display
themselves, even in a narrow sphere, and to take a lead, even in the wrong
direction; still, even petulance and folly in a member of the Lodge will not
justify arbitrary conduct or insolence in the Master, whose real power consists
only in the support of his brethren - support which he may be sure of obtaining
while his motives are honourable, and his demeanour dignified and proper.
Firmness and decision are perfectly compatible with good temper and courtesy.
Most of us have seen an instance of this in the conduct of our Grand Master,
whose amiable temper and conciliating manners place the most diffident at their
easy, while his integrity of purpose commands the respect of us all;
consequently, he is no less beloved than honoured amongst us, and Irish Masons
hail with hones pride and complacency the name of the duke of Leinster.
One of the ancient privileges of the Masters of the Lodges, which in modern
times has nearly been transferred from them to the Secretaries, is the right to
summon "meetings of emergency." I think we have fallen too much into the habit
of holding these special meetings for trifling occasions, or merely to suit the
convenience of an individual. Those who regularly attend them are usually the
best and most conscientious of the Order: the "dining Masons" are seldom found
at a Lodge of Emergency. It is unfair to call men from their occupations and
pursuits without good reason; and the goodness of the reason must be left to the
Master's decision; certainly the Secretary has no right to convoke the Lodge on
emergency at his own pleasure. But as the Master, as well as all the members, is
bound by the By-laws, which always provide for the regular meetings, the
Secretary need not obtain his permission to issue summonses for them. And I
think that if the Master were to die, or be expelled, the Wardens might convoke
the Lodge, since there would then be no Master, and they, as well as he, are
intrusted with the government of it.
This three-fold system of government, which probably is coeval with the Order
itself, is one of the proofs relied on by some learned men as establishing its
great antiquity. I suppose it is known to all here that among the ancient
nations of the world there were certain "Mysteries," that is, rites and
doctrines connected with their religious worship, which, being kept secret from
the mass of the community, and communicated only to a chosen few, were regarded
with great veneration. Any profanation or disclosure of them was visited with
universal abhorrence and with the severest punishment.
Dr. Oliver, the great expositor of Masonic antiquities, informs us of the
singular fact that, in the mysteries of Persia, India, and Greece, as likewise
in those of the Celtic tribes of Britain, there were three principal officers,
one of whom was of supreme authority, and personated the rising sun. The rites
were generally of a funereal character, in which the violent death and
subsequent restoration to life of some celebrated personage were represented;
but the ceremonies were as various as the deities in whose honor they were
celebrated. The mysteries were probably intended, originally, to teach the great
doctrine of the unity of God, [Bishop Warburton's "Divine Legation,", &c.,
book ii. Chap.4; Dr Oliver's "Star in the East," &c.] and the commemorate
some traditions handed down from the patriarchal times [Leland's "Advantage
and Necessity of the Christian Revelation," vol. I. Part i. Ch. 9; Rees's Cyclop.,
art. "Mystery"] - traditions frequently connected with the deluge and the
original peopling of the earth; [See Dr. Oliver's curious work on
"Initiation"] but whatever was their original intention, they became
overlaid with gross and sensual idolatry, and rather fostered then overthrew the
vulgar paganism they were, it is thought, intended to expose.
The early Christian writers speak of the mysteries in terms of great abhorrence.
These impurities were at length banished from the Roman world by the glorious
light of the Gospel of Christ. They gradually fell into disrepute, and were
prostituted for money to the lowest rabble. They were prohibited, with all the
other rites of pagan superstition, by an edict - his last - of the Emperor
Theodosius, A.D. 390, [Gibbon's "Decline and Fall," chap. Xxviii.; Lawrie's
"History of Masonry," 23.] which was enforced by his successors with great
severity, and inflicted, says Gibbon, a deadly wound on all the superstitions of
the pagans, although it was some time before they were totally suppressed. The
traces of resemblance between the mysteries and modern Freemasonry could not
fail to attract the attention of Masons.
Dr. Oliver, and those who adopt his views, contend that a secret system of
Masonry - that is, of the knowledge and worship of the true God, united to the
practice of strict and pure morality - was known in the earliest ages of the
world, and was the original institution form which all the mysteries were
derived, [Oliver's "Signs and Symbols," lect. i] diversified only by
local and political circumstances. But a scarcely less eminent Masonic
authority, Dr. Albert G. Mackay, of Charleston, U.S., whose "Lexicon of
Freemasonry" is so valuable an acquisition to Masonic literature, while he
admits that the instruction conveyed in the mysteries was an impure emanation
from patriarchal theology, thinks that the connexion between them and
Freemasonry, as we now understand the term, commenced at the building of the
Temple. The Dionysiac artificers, an association connected with the Dionysian
mysteries, which prevailed in Greece, Asia Minor, and Syria, had devoted
themselves to the architectural pursuits, and were established as a community of
temple-builders about one thousand years before the Christian era. They had
their peculiar signs and tokens - used Masonic implements in their ceremonies,
and were bound to relieve each others wants. [Lawrie's Hist., p.29, where
may authorities are quoted]
Dr. Mackay thinks that Hiram the builder, who was sent by the king of Tyre to
Solomon to aid in the works of the temple, was initiated by them, and that Hiram
imparted the secrets and privileges of the society to the Jews, who, after the
completion of the Temple, perpetuated the associations formed by him through the
sects of the Kassideans and Essenes.
Without pretending to decide this question, I cannot help thinking, with
reference to Dr. Oliver's theory, that all the terms and legends of Masonry
point plainly to a Jewish origin, and have reference to the favorite object of
that people - the construction or the restoration of the Temple. With the most
unfeigned respect for any opinion of Dr. Mackay, it seems difficult to suppose
that a system so pure as Masonry should come of a stock so vile as the
abominable and polluted Syrian mysteries. Moreover, the language of modern
Masonry is manifestly derived (as are its oldest constitutions) from some
association of actual, operative builders, which, so far as I can discover, the
Essenes do not clearly appear to have been, though Scaliger contends, as Dr.
Mackay and Lawrie tell us, that they sprung from the Kassideans, a pious
fraternity, who devoted themselves particularly to repairing the Temple.
The Essenes were a sect which for many centuries existed in Judea. The account
given us of them by Josephus and Philo of Alexandria - both Jewish writers -
presents many features resembling those of our own Society. They did not admit
women to their community. They did not concern themselves with religious
disputes or political factions. They consisted of two classes, one of which
devoted themselves to a life of contemplation, the other to some handicraft, but
they were all, theoretically, on a level, and had their goods in common. They
were distinguished by a peculiar white garment given them on their adoption into
the society, to which none were admitted but after taking two probationary
steps, and being solemnly sworn not to reveal the secrets of the sect.
Taylor, the editor of Calmet's Dictionary of the Bible, gives many reasons for
thinking that John the Baptist belonged to the Essenian sect; and it is supposed
that the early Christians borrowed from them many of their opinions and customs.
It is by no means improbable that the doctrinal part of Masonry was derived from
them in the early ages of Christianity; but still I think it a matter of mere
conjecture, although Masonic writers of great eminence treat it as indubitable.
Practically, the enquiry may not be worth pursuing; but it is certainly highly
interesting to trace thus, in our modern forms and legends, relics of ancient
associations of similar nature to our own, as the geologist finds in the rock
the imbedded fragments, tokens there preserved of prior formations and
existences, long since and for ever passed away. Thus, after the lapse of ages,
some remains of primeval rites are found in our ceremonies: still, as of old,
the Master sits enthroned in the East, typifying the Light of Truth irradiating
the darkness of ignorance and superstition: -- still his commands are formally
re-echoed by his Wardens, and still his duties and privileges are proclaimed at
each meeting of our assemblies, in the hearing of all his brethren.
As it is not only the Maser's privilege, but also his duty to rule the Lodge,
none are permitted to enter it as visitors but by his permission, since he is
responsible for the conduct of the assembly. At the very last communication of
the United Grand Lodge of England, this subject was discussed, and the
resolution unanimously passed, was - "That it is the opinion of this Grand
Lodge, that it is in the power of the W.M. and Wardens of any private Lodge, to
refuse admission to any visitor of known pad character." [Freemason's
Magazine, January, 1857.] But, irrespectively of character, whoever claims
to be present at a Masonic meeting must, if a Mason, be perfectly well aware
that he is bound to satisfy the Master and brethren as to his qualifications.
The investigation into them cannot be too strict, and it should never be
entrusted but to a sagacious as well as competent examiner. The Master has a
right to demand all the evidences of a visitor's right to admission - the
production of his certificate - the proof of his being what he asserts himself
to be, and any other test that he can devise. I can speak confidently on this
head, as the decision of our own Grand Lodge has recently settled the question,
that the admission of a visitor is not a matter of right. It is, of course,
disagreeable to reject any one professing to be a brother; but it is better (as
Dr. Mackay well observes) that many true Masons should go away disappointed from
our doors, than that one unauthorized person should gain admittance there.
It is hardly necessary, I hope, to remind any one, however inexperienced, that
the Master is as much Master during the entertainments of the Lodge as at any
other time; and is bound accordingly to check any irregularity, and to prevent
any abuse. For this reason, I think, it is advisable that our entertainments
should take place "in Lodge," as it is called; for the Master can thus exercise
a salutary restraint over the meeting; and the closing of the Lodge (which
should always take place at an early hour) is a signal for the members to
retire.
One of the charges, to the observance of which each Master solemnly pledges
himself at his installation, is to guard against all manner of intemperance and
excess. Now, of all the charges brought against Masonry by its opponents, none
is more frequently made than that of its leading to intemperance. That charge
has been too often made justly, I do not pretend to deny: I am not here to
flatter, but to teach; I do not attempt to excuse what it would be my grave duty
to reprove and reform. Yet, in justice to my brethren, I must say that I have no
reason to think our Lodges in this city are degraded by that vice. I certainly
have not seen, during my experience as Deputy Grand Master, any instance of such
misconduct. Yet I know that some cases have occurred where individuals have
brought discredit on the Masonic order, by indulging, at our social meetings,
propensities which they certainly never acquired from our precepts, nor from the
example of those we most look up to and respect. The world will not, however,
draw these nice exculpatory distinctions: it will judge of us, not by the
conduct of the many, who retire from the Lodge festival, as from a private
party, early, and after temperate and harmless enjoyment, but by the conduct of
that of the few, who, in defiance of our principles and in spite of our example,
will remain at table after the Lodge has closed, and the meeting lost its
Masonic character. This is an evil, and one which we cannot always prevent. We
cannot turn men's hearts - we may advise, and we may act upon our own principles
- but advice is not like medicine, which will produce an effect whether taken
voluntarily or forced down a man's throat.
We may point to the Sacred Law, that Great Light which should be the guide of
the Mason's path in life, and remind our brethren of its precepts; but, surely,
we cannot expect that Masonry will effect what Christianity has not been able
yet to accomplish. People say - why do you suffer such person to disgrace your
Society? - why do you not rather expel them? Simply because we cannot set up an
inquisition to punish men because they want common sense or common prudence, or
because we cannot get them to adopt our views of propriety. If Masons will
insist on introducing amongst us persons who see no good in our Society but its
occasions for eating and drinking, and if they go on thus to make our Lodges,
instead of schools of temperance and prudence, mere congregations of sots, and
if they thus pervert Masonry to an evil and mischievous end - of course every
man of sense will laugh in their faces at their cant of fraternity, benevolence,
and morality, and will answer their vindications with the unassailable facts of
neglected families, ruined business, shattered health, and impaired reputation.
If we could convict any Lodge of being such a hotbed of vice and dissipation,
our first duty would be to withdraw its warrant and renounce all intercourse
with its members; and all who are conversant with the business of the Grand
Lodge must likewise know, that any well-founded complaint of individual
misconduct is invariably punished with the only penalties in our power to
inflict - suspension from the benefits of the Society, or even total expulsion
from it. But though the world often unjustly imputes to Masonry the faults of
individual Masons, for that very reason let each Master - each Mason be
vigilant. Let each sweep before his own door - the street will soon be clean.
Excess, in even allowable things, is transgression. "Moderation," says the
excellent Bishop Hall, "is the silken thread running through the pearl-chain of
all virtues."
We have seen that the brethren must, in all lawful things, obey their Master.
He, on his part, should have no object but the advantage, welfare, and comfort
of his brethren. We may teach him our forms, explain to him their meaning,
stimulate his ambition to discharge his duties creditably, but, after all, we
must leave him to look within his own heart for instruction, and to be guided by
his own good sense and good feeling in his general conduct. But although
particular rules will not avail to supply the want of good sense and discretion,
yet there are two general maxims of which the Master should never lose sight -
first, to be serious - secondly, to be strict in observing what are called the
landmarks of the Craft.
I am happy to be able to bear testimony that in this metropolis our ceremonies
are uniformly conducted with propriety, and that the example spread throughout
the land by our P.G. Masters and P.G. Lodges has put an end to the levity and
rudeness too often tolerated in some country places. Every man who intrusts
himself into our hands does so confiding in our honour and our professions, and
this alone should render him sacred from all disrespect and insult. And,
moreover, we should never forget with what solemnity our Lodges are opened: even
in the name at which the adoring Hosts of Heaven bow down in reverential we.
There is no real distinction between open profanity and the mockery of first
making a solemn appeal and prayer to our Creator, and then degenerating into
levity, of (what is more usual, though scarcely less reprehensible) indifference
and inattention. This we must reform altogether.
Next, we must be careful to preserve uniformity, and to hand down unaltered to
our successors what we have ourselves received. Masonry is universal - it knows
no limit of country, or language, or time; therefore, its essential points must
be strictly observed; if not, it will lose its universality, and, to the same
extent, its utility. Ceremonies must indeed change from time to time, and from
country to country, but the essentials of the Order, its universal language and
reciprocal obligations, must be carefully preserved from all addition or
diminution: we must adhere to the form in which we have learned them: we have no
right to change even their antiquated phraseology to please the fastidiousness
of modern taste. It was well said, "you may polish an old coin, to make it more
legible; but if you go on polishing it will soon be a coin no longer." And the
Master should take care that every newly-admitted or newly-raised brother shall
be fully instructed in all the essentials of the degree he has received - that
he shall know to whom and to what he is bound. He has come to seek the light of
knowledge, and it is his right to receive it, full and pure, from him whose duty
it is to impart it - the Master in the chair.
I also strongly recommend to each Master to give or have given, an explanation
of the Masonic rites. I have seen some leave our assemblies with feelings not
merely of disappointment, but of some degree of indignation, as if we had been
merely jesting at their expense, at their first coming amongst us. Such feelings
would naturally lead a man of sense and spirit to despise the ceremony and the
Institution which sanctioned it; but I never saw anything of the sort when the
ceremony was explained as it ought to be, beginning with the first lesson which
teaches the aspirant to leave without the Masonic temple the tokens of worldly
wealth and distinction, and the soil and stain of earthly feelings, and to seek,
humbly as a brother of the earth, subject to like wants and weaknesses with
ourselves, admission to a society in which personal merit alone confers a claim
to distinction. At each step of the Masonic rite some grave moral truth is to be
impressed - some interesting historical association elucidated: the explanation
will at once enlighten those who hear and him who gives it. But, it may be said
few have capacity for lecturing on these matters. It is not so; a man who
understands his subject will never want words to explain it; no set form is
requisite nor even recommendable for that purpose.
But it is not by learned researches - by groping in the darkness of the past -
that we can best serve the Order, and do good in our own generation. It matters
little to us whether the rites of Masonry can be traced to patriarchal times; to
the exploded mysteries of heathenism; to the Jewish temple-builders; or, as some
suppose, merely to the artificers whose labours covered Europe during the middle
ages with such wonderful monuments of skill and perseverance. It is with the
morality of the Order, not with its history - it is with the utility of the
Order, not with its literary curiosities, what we have essentially to do. It
professes to be founded on the two simple and sublime precepts, "Thou shalt love
the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and thy neighbour as thyself." Masonry
may be older or newer - we know not, and shall probably never know to a
certainty when it originated, or how: but these were the laws prescribed by the
All-wise and All-merciful for the rational creatures of His hand, before the
foundations of the world were laid. These were announced as the THE TWO GREAT
COMMANDMENTS by the divine lips of Him who spake as never man spake. Throughout
all the globe we inhabit - throughout the vast immensity of creation, obedience
to these commands, universal as the presence of Him who has ordained them,
constitutes the moral happiness of rational beings. Mankind, evil and
consequently miserable as they are, have not so utterly lost the traces of the
image in which they were made, as to be altogether insensible to the glory and
beauty of piety and benevolence, thought they daily offend against both. Living
Faith and Active Benevolence are the real foundations of our Institution.
Keep that fact in the view of your brethren, all you who preside over them; your
words and style may be rude and unpolished, but if your heart be in them they
will awaken admiration and sympathy. The most elegant homily against those vices
for which the preacher is distinguished falls dead upon the ear: the most
graceful eulogy of virtue is but disgusting in the lips of a man whose conduct
gives the lie direct to his words. But he who teaches good by example will ever
be listened to with respect.
It is generally thought, by those who do not object to Masonry as a positive
evil, that it is at best a harmless charitable association; but, in truth, the
real spirit of Masonry is not confined to the relief of a brother's physical
wants, or the preservation of a brother's life in peril - of which we have all
heard many interesting instances. Such occasions seldom occur; but every day
affords opportunity to promote our brother's temporal good by lawful and
honourable means; to help him, by enabling him to help himself; to extend our
sympathy to his troubles, and or charity to his failings and imperfections; to
make peace between friends; to warn one of his danger, another of his errors -
to be patient, tolerant, and forgiving towards all. And it is because Masonry
brings into exercise qualities, of which all acknowledge the excellence, that it
has its vitality, universality, and importance - I say, importance, nor is it my
assertion only, or that of its friends, that it is important.
In a recent issue of a Dublin journal, supposed to have much influence with
those whose opinions it assumes to represent, an article appeared in which the
writer, avowing his uncompromising hostility to our Order, asks as follows:--
"Who has sanctioned this combination, that is should be thus permitted to
overspread the world, and act as it listeth, at all seasons and in all places?
It may exist in the government, or the seat of justice, in the jury-box, in the
legislature, in the army, in the navy, and even among our dependents; it may
plot or cabal against us or for us; we are powerless in its meshes; they may, in
spite of us, plot together against us. How insignificant is the power of the
confessional when compared to this!"
It is pleasant to think that, so far as regards the diffusion of our Society,
this anxious alarmist is perfectly right. The meshes, as he calls them, of
Masonry do, in truth, envelop the world. From St. Petersburg to Tasmania, from
Hong Kong to Dublin, from Peru and La Plata to California and Canada, they
include men of all estates and conditions; and whether you go to ask a favour
from a prince, or to get a horse shod by the blacksmith, you may find a "Brother
of the Mystic Tie" in him you seek. So mote it ever be! Yet, I do not see, and I
do not believe, that any one is a whit the worse for Masonic plots and cabals -
plans for infernal machines have never, that I know of, been submitted to the
Board of General Purposes, nor does any one suspect any of "The Three Grand
Masters" of having issued his mandate to some scientific brother to compound a
cunningly-devised prescription of strychnine for the indignant journalist I have
quoted. Indeed, I believe that most of us have the honour not to know that we
had so formidable an enemy. But this vast fraternity, powerful as it is, is so
only for good. It is powerless for evil. Direct it to a good end - then every
true Mason will lend his aid; the arms of the Society will stretch over the
globe to assist you, and the "meshes" of the network will "Feel in each thread,
and live along the line."
But try to turn it to evil - the strong chain of brotherhood snaps short - it
ceases to infold the evil-doer, while it re-unites more firmly than ever round
the rest. Other associations have died away in thousands, in all ages, because
their ends were evil, and their purposes narrow; but Masonry, though cursed and
denounced, ridiculed, reviled and persecuted, and, alas! too often perverted,
abused, degraded, and prostituted, is still founded on Truth and the Immutable
Laws of the Sovereign Architect of the Universe; and, therefore, it is still the
bond of a great and powerful Association, spread over the whole habitable world,
honoured and protected by princes and statesmen; and, what is of far greater
importance to us, cultivated and cherished by a multitude of wise and pious,
conscientious and honourable men - the approbation of a single one of whom
outweighs the discredit of a whole prisonful of drunkards, swindlers, and
imposters.
I hope that even from this slight and imperfect sketch, some, at least, of my
brethren who are to rule the Lodges of this great city, during my coming year,
may form some higher notions than they previously had of their own duties, and
of the character of the Order we come here to study. If I thought Masonry to be
a mere pretence for displaying childish vanity, by dressing ourselves in ribbons
and tinsel and trinkets, assuredly I would not be here to recommend it to your
attention. I enjoy and appreciate the social meetings, which have made me
acquainted with many whose friendship I highly prize, but if I thought Masonry a
mere club, I would leave the eulogy of the Institution to those respectable
persons whose business it is to provide entertainments. If it were a mischievous
conspiracy, I humbly hope that those who know me will do me the honour to
believe that for prudence, if not for conscience' sake, I would not meddle with
it. I take part in Masonry because I have experimentally found it can do good,
and because I think that if it fails to do so, the fault is in ourselves, not in
it. I ask you to aid me to turn its capabilities for good to account, and to
check its tendencies to evil, because both you and I are alike accountable to
our Creator for the use we make of this, as of every other opportunity afforded
us to serve our fellow-men.
If I have too long trespassed on your attention, I trust the importance of my
design will sufficiently plead my apology.
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