"MARKED MEN"
Not long ago there appeared an article in which the phrase "marked
men" was used in connection with Masons and Masonry. The more you think
about it the more you realize the significance of the words. The Mason is marked
by the enemies of Masonry; he is marked by the non-Masons who are friends of
Masonry, and he is marked by his brother Masons.
The man who becomes a Mason immediately takes upon himself a greater
obligation as a citizen, a husband, a father, and as a moral and upright person.
He is accepted into Masonry only after he has voluntarily petitioned a lodge and
has been carefully investigated as to his mental, moral and physical
qualifications. He must have the capacity to love humanity and he must have the
urge to grow morally and spiritually. The man must ever seek Masonry. Masonry is
a great deal more interested in its strength through the strength of the
individual than in numerical values. The Mason then is the recipient of the
highest wisdom of the ages, and because of this truth more is expected of him.
Privileges and opportunities create greater responsibilities.
By the enemies of Masonry he is watched with eyes of hate, and even his best
deeds and purest motives may be distorted to the extent that his enemies will
discern that which is not there.
By the friends of Masonry the Mason is also a "marked man." They
want to see him live up to the ideals of Masonry. As non-Masons they do not know
about the school of Masonry, but they know about the product of the school- the
Mason. They seek to support the Mason and Masonry in every laudable undertaking.
But by the same token let the Mason fall short of his duties and obligations and
his friends must direct criticism not only against him as an individual but
against the Craft.
Then among our brothers we are "marked men." We mark our brothers
as men in whom we place implicit trust and confidence. We give strength to each
other through that trust and confidence. When the world refers to Masons as
"clannish," it must be recognized as half-truth. Men who are
associated together for the purpose of moral and spiritual development must
naturally seek to achieve that divine purpose through fellowship and
association.
Truly we are Marked Men.
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