DDGM Messages for 2004-2005

How often have we all been asked by someone we know or by a total stranger who has who has heard we are a Mason, "What is Masonry?" I have heard this question many times and have struggled to answer it. You may also have received other questions like "isn't Masonry a cult?" and what do Masons do?" and isn't Masonry a secret society?"

I often get that 'deer in the headlight' look in my eyes because I am usually unprepared to answer these questions. I haven't had time to think the answer.

There are many ways you could answer the questions. Some good, some bad. It is inappropriate, I believe to say a beautiful system of morality, veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols. Yes it is a part of the lecture in the first degree but do you really think that a non-mason is going to get much out of this explanation.

Is Masonry brotherly love, relief and truth? Sure - but is this an adequate explanation of what we are and what we do? I don't think so.

Are we a secret society? Not really, but we have secrets. However, they tend to be methods of recognition. We do not keep the fact that we are Masons hidden from the public. We are proud to be Masons and want the public to be aware of this fact. We have rings, window stickers and license plate frames. We wear our regalia to divine services and to Masonic funerals. Secret societies do not want to be open. People have heard of organizations such as the Skulls in the United States but they do not advertise their allegiance. The KKK is a secret society. They hide under hoods and robes. Yes some members are known - but this is a far cry from our organization.

Are we a cult? No, we are not a system of religious worship or a fad or passing fancy. To be a Mason you have to believe in a higher power but we are a non - denominational organization.

So now that I have told you what we are not...What are we? To start with we are the world's largest and oldest fraternity " dedicated to the Brotherhood of Man under the Fatherhood of a Supreme Being". We are urged to be faithful to the teachings of our own religion what ever that religion is, be it Judaism, Islam, Christianity or other. Race, colour, and income are immaterial in our brotherhood.

Masonry teaches us many things, morality, kindness, honesty, dependability, compassion. There must be respect for ones self, neighbours, fellow Masons and country.

Honour is one of the hallmarks of the members of our institution. You have heard the statement; we take a good man and make him better. This is very true. You can't take a person without morals, and honour and expect to see a change in the person life just by joining an organization. Being a Mason is about growth and development of a man as a human being and his desire to help his community.

We are a committee volunteers, leaders in organizations, fund raisers and a source of knowledge that can be drawn on by those in need.

We are all of these things but even these are probably not the best answers. The best answer is probably as varied as there are Masons. I asked is probably as varied as there are Masons. I asked several distinguished brethren what masonry was to them. A way of life, a bond among brothers were some of the answers.

My own answer to this question would be confidence, respect, and knowledge of yourself and friendship. What each of us should attempt to do is spend some time in contemplation quietly thinking of these questions. Your answer will different to the question of what Masonry is to mine. That is fine. As long as it is a heart felt answer this is much preferable to a stock answer.

You can mention Masons of the past who have been Prime Ministers, Presidents, company CEO's, leaders among men. You can talk about associated organizations and funds donated to worthy causes. But to my mind that thoughtful answer of what Masonry means to you personally is much preferable and will mean more to the person asking the question than any other answer.