Published in "Ashlar" in Queensland, and republished in MASONIC LIGHT,
Huntingdon, Quebec; March 1952.
Masonry has no room for narrow-mindedness, nor is its educational horizon
confined to the Temple. It is not a secret society, for its aims and
objects are known the world over and no attempt ought to be made to conceal them. The only secrets attached to the Craft are the modes of recognition and the methods of identification; and these, after all, are our safeguards against the admission of undesirables into a community of men who prize honor and virtue above all else.
There are so many Brethren whose knowledge of the Craft does not go outside the Ritual, Brethren who have been given little or no instruction in Masonic symbolism or the inner meaning of the ceremonies, and who have but a limited idea of the Fraternity of which they are members. A good knowledge of the Ritual is highly desirable, but it should also be remembered that Ritualism is only the outward and visible sign of Masonry.
The modern man is above all a thinker, an enquirer. The age of
unquestioning faith is passed. In every phase of life men are asking "Why?"
and expect to be answered plainly. If he answers are not forthcoming,
enquirers turn away, and that means in Masonry a great army of unattached
Brethren.
Huntingdon, Quebec; March 1952.
Masonry has no room for narrow-mindedness, nor is its educational horizon
confined to the Temple. It is not a secret society, for its aims and
objects are known the world over and no attempt ought to be made to conceal them. The only secrets attached to the Craft are the modes of recognition and the methods of identification; and these, after all, are our safeguards against the admission of undesirables into a community of men who prize honor and virtue above all else.
There are so many Brethren whose knowledge of the Craft does not go outside the Ritual, Brethren who have been given little or no instruction in Masonic symbolism or the inner meaning of the ceremonies, and who have but a limited idea of the Fraternity of which they are members. A good knowledge of the Ritual is highly desirable, but it should also be remembered that Ritualism is only the outward and visible sign of Masonry.
The modern man is above all a thinker, an enquirer. The age of
unquestioning faith is passed. In every phase of life men are asking "Why?"
and expect to be answered plainly. If he answers are not forthcoming,
enquirers turn away, and that means in Masonry a great army of unattached
Brethren.