DDGM Messages for 2005-2006

How many times have you been asked, "What is Freemasonry?" How many times have you found it hard to tell a prospective candidate what he wants to know about Freemasonry? What does " a beautiful system of morality, veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols" really mean? Why illustrated by symbols? Why not a statement that clearly defines a system of morality? Don't feel bad because many of us find it difficult to describe Freemasonry.

We ask our candidates "in all cases of difficulty and danger, in whom do you put your trust." His answer "In God." We do not define God, as God is different to all of us. Further more who would be wise enough to define God. As soon as we put a definition to describe God you would place limits on God and consequently a limited God is no God.

If I were to give you a mathematical equation such as 2+2=4, what can you deduce. Really nothing can be deduced as it is completely defined and as such very limited. If I were to say A+B=C what can you deduce? You can put any number on A and B, add them together and still be correct with C. Now the equation can be express differently by everyone and everyone can be correct. The interpretation is only limited by the individual's imagination.

Suppose, I give you a signed blank cheque, what now comes to your mind, a new car, a new house, a vacation or a yacht? If I take the cheque and fill in the amount at $100, what now comes to mind? The mind is now limited to things that are worth $100 dollars or less. Now I write the cheque for $10 and you are now extremely limited in what you can purchase.

Illustrating Freemasonry by symbols allows each of us to put a meaning to each of the symbols as we see fit. Let's look at the square. The square may mean perfection, of rectitude of conduct, of honour and honesty, or of good work. There may be many more meanings perhaps everyone in this lodge may have a different description as it applies to his life. None of these would be wrong but be allied to all the others. I would also venture to say none of you would associate the square or any other symbol in Freemasonry with wrong doing, evil, meanness or disease.

We employ symbols in Freemasonry to let the imagination of each man to be expressed as he sees fit and in so doing we can all work amicably in the lodge with no limits on us or our imaginations. All the symbols are interpreted differently and apply to each one as his particular circumstances in life merit.

The late Jacob Hugo Tatche, a Masonic Historian wrote: "Freemasonry permits each individual to interpret and apply the lessons of the Craft as he sees best. It is this unique spirit of tolerance and freedom, which frequently confuses opponents of the Fraternity. One Mason places his interpretation upon a certain symbol or attribute of Freemasonry; another may take an entirely different view, and will cite evidence with which a third may be in entire variance; yet these three men can gather about our altar and labour together in perfect amity."

Why is it so hard to describe Freemasonry? There are multiple meanings for all the symbols in Freemasonry with different meanings to each and every one of us. To attempt to convey these meanings to another would put limits on the symbols or may not be what the candidate will understand until he can apply his own meaning as it relates to his life and circumstances. We do not want to limit anything about Freemasonry and allow it to remain Free for all men to express themselves and let their imagination interpret the symbolization as individuals consequently, it becomes very hard to explain Freemasonry.

Suffice it to say Freemasonry is different for every one who joins the fraternity. It allows all to apply it to their own lives and express their own opinions working with that love and harmony, which at all times characterizes Freemasonry.