Transcript Masonic Civility

R.W.Bro. Phil Zubrycki
Empire Lodge No.127, G.R.M., A.F. & A.M.
JRC Evans Memorial Lecture 2005/06
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We bring the past to the future daily. The youngest generation has no need to discover fire or invent the
wheel. The knowledge of the ages of those that have gone before is used and improved on by each new
generation. The past Masonic knowledge of “A BEAUTIFUL SYSTEM OF MORALITY” is the past to be
brought to the future. Freemasonry is “a beautiful system of Morality Veiled in Allegory and illustrated by
symbols” (The Work, 1996, p. 62).
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What is Freemasonry?
A beautiful system of Morality
Veiled in Allegory
and illustrated by symbols
(The Work, 1996, p.62)
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The Masonic System of Morality
The veiled allegory directs us to the moral
virtues.
Much like a person making their way through
a fog of misinterpretation, misdirection,
and false assumptions
the allegory remains mysterious, and obscured .
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The Masonic System of Morality
The symbols represent the moral virtues we
endeavor to emulate and inculcate.
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ILLUSTRATED BY SYMBOLS
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ILLUSTRATED BY SYMBOLS
The Symbols may be pictures or words.
•virtue
•honour
•mercy
•secrecy
•fidelity
•obedience
These symbols are defined as each individual
perceives them and understands their meaning.
•faith
•hope
•charity
•benevolence
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•temperance
•fortitude
•prudence
•justice
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ILLUSTRATED BY SYMBOLS
The Symbols may be pictures or words.
•virtue
•honour
•mercy
•secrecy
•fidelity
•obedience
•faith
•hope
•charity
•benevolence
•temperance
•fortitude
•prudence
•justice
These symbols are defined as each individual perceives
and understands their meaning.
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The Masonic System of Morality
•temperance
•fortitude
•prudence
•justice
•secrecy
•fidelity
•obedience
•faith
•hope
•charity
•benevolence
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•virtue
•honour
•mercy
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What are these virtues?
What do they represent?
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Temperance
Is that due restraint upon the affections and passions which
renders the body tame and governable, and frees the mind
from the allurements of vice.
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Fortitude
Is that noble and steady purpose of the mind, whereby
we are enabled to undergo any pain, peril or danger,
when prudently deemed expedient.
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Prudence
Teaches us to regulate our lives and actions agreeably
to the dictates of reason, and is that habit by which we
wisely judge and carefully determine, on all things
relative to our present, as well as to our future
happiness.
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Justice
Is that Standard, or boundary of right, which enables us
to render to every man his just due, without distinction.
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Virtue
“A particular moral excellence.”
(Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary, 1974)
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Honour
“A keen sense of ethical conduct: INTEGRITY, ones
word given as a guarantee of performance”
(Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary, 1974)
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Mercy
“MERCY implies compassion that forebears punishing
even when justice demands it or that extends help even
to the lowliest or most undeserving”
(Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary, 1974)
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Faith
“firm belief in something for which there is no proof”
(Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary, 1974)
“faith in God”
(The Work, 1996, p.53)
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Hope
“desire accompanied by expectation of or belief in
fulfillment”
(Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary, 1974)
“Hope in immortality”
(The Work, 1996, p.53)
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Charity
“Charity, comprehends the whole…”
(The Work, 1996, p.53)
“Love of all mankind”
(Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary, 1974)
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Benevolence
“To do good, an act of kindness, or a generous gift.”
(Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary, 1974)
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Loyalty
“unswerving in allegiance”
(Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary, 1974)
“… a lively sense of the value of the institution of one’s
country and of one’s fellow citizens together with an
earnest will and endeavour to preserve the one and
serve the other.” (The Work, 1996, p.59)
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Obedience
“submission to laws and authority”
(Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary, 1974)
“…be proved by a close conformity to all our laws and
regulations……and by a perfect submission to the
Master and his Wardens whilst acting in the discharge of
their respective duties.” (The Work, 1996, p.59)
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Secrecy
“Marked by the habit of discretion. Something kept from the
knowledge of others or shared confidentially with a few.”
(Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary, 1974)
BONE BOX
by William “Ray” Fischer
In the early lectures of the last century, now obsolete these questions were used as a test:
QHave you any keys to the secrets of a Mason?
AYes.
QWhere do you keep them?
Ain a bone box, that neither opens nor shuts but with Ivory Keys
The Bone Box is the mouth, the Ivory Keys the teeth. The key to the secrets is the tongue.
Http://users.1st.net/fischer/SHORT48.HTM
“Secrecy may be said to consist in the inviolable adherence to the
obligations you have entered into, never to improperly reveal….”
(The Work, 1996, p.59)
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Fidelity
“The quality or state of being faithful, showing
allegiance, or loyalty.” (Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary, 1974)
“… fidelity must be exemplified by a strict observance
of the constitution of the fraternity; by adhering to the
landmarks of the order:…” (The Work, 1996, p.59)
We lock up our secrets in the safe and sacred repository
of our heart with fidelity….. (The Work, 1996, p.18)
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What are the principles
of Freemasonry?
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Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth
Are the fundamental principles of Freemasonry.
(The Work, 1996, p.56)
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Brotherly Love
All of humanity is of one parent and all Masons
are brothers of one large family of all humanity
and specially one Mason with another.
•temperance
•fortitude
•prudence
•justice
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•virtue
•honour
•mercy
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Relief
To relieve the distressed is a duty of all Masons,
and particularly with our brothers. Together We
form a chain of sincere affection.
•faith
•hope
•charity
•benevolence
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Truth
Truth is the foundation of every virtue. Hypocrisy and
deceit are unknown among us. Sincerity and plain dealing
will distinguish us. The heart and tongue will join in
promoting each others welfare and rejoice in each others
prosperity.
•secrecy
•fidelity
•obedience
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Our Lodges are supported by three pillars
Why are the columns of special importance?
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Our Lodges are supported
by three pillars
WISDOM STRENGTH & BEAUTY
Ionic
Doric
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Corinthian
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A beautiful system of Morality
W
I
S
D
O
M
Brotherly
Love
•temperance •virtue
•fortitude
•honour
•prudence
•mercy
•justice
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T
R
E
N
G
T
H
B
E
A
U
T
Y
Truth
Relief
•Faith
•hope
•charity
•benevolence
•secrecy
•fidelity
•obedience
•loyalty
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“A beautiful system of Morality”
makes good men better.
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Masonry makes good men better.
It is in the Entered Apprentice degree the newly initiated
brother gets his instruction to build his moral future, his
Masonic Character, and his Grand Lodge above.
Master
Sr. Warden
Jr.Warden
Strength
Beauty
Wisdom
Brotherly Love Relief
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Truth
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fidelity must be exemplified by a strict observance
of the constitution of the fraternity; by adhering to the
landmarks of the order:…” (The Work, 1996, p.59)
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What is a “Landmark”?
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The term "Landmark" is found in Proverbs 22:28: "Remove
not the ancient landmark which thy fathers have set." In
ancient times, it was customary to mark the boundaries of
land by means of stone pillars. Removal of these would cause
much confusion, men having no other guide than these pillars
by which to distinguish the limits of their property. Therefore
to remove them was considered a heinous crime. Jewish law
says "Thou shalt not remove thy neighbours' landmark, which
they of old time have set in thine inheritance."
Hence landmarks are those peculiar marks by which we are
able to designate our inheritance. They define what is being
passed on to us. In the case of freemasonry, they are called the
landmarks of the order.
Grand Lodge of British Columbia and Yukon, http://freemasonry.bcy.ca/texts/landmarks.html (2005, Oct.)
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The Landmarks of Freemasonry, as compiled by Albert Mackey in 1858,
Grand Lodge of British Columbia and Yukon, http://freemasonry.bcy.ca/grandlodge/landmarks.html(2005, Oct.)
1.The modes of RECOGNITION.
2.THE DIVISION OF SYMBOLIC MASONRY INTO THREE DEGREES.
3.The Legend of the THIRD DEGREE.
4.THE GOVERNMENT OF THE FRATERNITY BY A PRESIDING OFFICER called a Grand Master.
5.The prerogative of the Grand Master to preside over every assembly of the craft.
6.The prerogative of the Grand Master to grant Dispensations for conferring degrees at irregular times.
7.The prerogative of the Grand Master to give dispensations for opening and holding Lodges.
8.The prerogative of the Grand Master to make masons at sight.
9.The necessity of masons to congregate in lodges.
10.The government of the craft, when so congregated in a Lodge by a Master and two Wardens.
11.The necessity that every lodge, when congregated, should be duly tiled.
12.The right of every mason to be represented in all general meetings of the craft and to instruct his representatives.
13.The Right of every mason to appeal from the decision of his brethren in Lodge convened, to the Grand Lodge or General
Assembly of Masons.
14.THE RIGHT OF EVERY MASON TO VISIT and sit in every regular Lodge.
15.No visitor, unknown as a Mason, can enter a Lodge without first passing an examination according to ancient usage
16.No Lodge can interfere in the business of another Lodge, nor give degrees to brethren who are members of other Lodges
17.Every freemason is Amenable to the Laws and Regulations of the masonic jurisdiction in which he resides.
18.Qualifications of a candidate: that he shall be a man, unmultilated, free born, and of mature age.
19.A belief in the existence of God.
20.Subsidiary to this belief in God, is the belief in a resurrection to a future life.
21.A "Book of the Law" shall constitute an indispensable part of the furniture of every Lodge.
22.THE EQUALITY OF ALL MASONS.
23.The secrecy of the institution.
24.The foundation of a Speculative Science, for purposes of religious or moral teaching.
25.These Landmarks can never be changed.
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The Landmarks of Freemasonry, as compiled by Albert Mackey in 1858,
Grand Lodge of British Columbia and Yukon, http://freemasonry.bcy.ca/grandlodge/landmarks.html(2005, Oct.)
The Landmarks of Freemasonry, as compiled by Albert
Mackey in 1858, are not universally accepted; they are not really
landmarks at all. For example, the "three" degrees of Craft
Freemasonry aren't a landmark. The Third Degree didn't exist at
the time of the formation of the first Grand Lodge in England.
Landmark 8 is also a controversial item in some jurisdictions.
Landmark 14 is noteworthy since in some jurisdictions, visiting is
considered a privilege. Landmark 20, regarding resurrection,
raises theological questions which some jurisdictions feel
unqualified to address.
This enumeration of Landmarks has not been accepted or
authorized by this Grand Lodge and is only presented as an
historical document.
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“The best writers are unanimous on two essential
points, the two point test: a landmark must have
existed from the "time whereof the memory of man
runneth not to the contrary" and a landmark is an
element in the form or essence of the Society of
such importance that Freemasonry would no longer
be freemasonry if it were removed. In other words,
they are something perpetual and unchanging.”
Grand Lodge of British Columbia and Yukon, http://freemasonry.bcy.ca/texts/landmarks.html (2005, Oct.)
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“In attempting to define the definition of an Ancient Landmark there are
two essential points that must be seriously taken into consideration:
1. It must have existed from the time whereof the memory of man runneth
not to the contrary.
2. It must be an element in the form or essence of the society of such
importance that Freemasonry would no longer be Freemasonry if it were
removed.”
(Masonic Civility, Fergusson J.A., p.57)
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“If we accept the fact that an Ancient Landmark is such that it existed
from the time whereof the memory of man runneth not to the contrary,
then we cannot in all honesty, attempt to document them in writing,
under any circumstances”
(Masonic Civility, Fergusson J.A., p.57)
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“A beautiful system of Morality”
is
a “Landmark” in every sense of the word.
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“A beautiful system of Morality”
is what Masonry is!
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“A beautiful system of Morality”
- is not written.
- cannot be held, transferred, or sold
- is locked in our heart.
- is veiled, hidden, a mystery, or a secret.
- is illustrated to only Freemasons who understand.
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“A beautiful system of Morality”
is a “Landmark”.
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“A beautiful system of Morality”
is a “Landmark”.
•Masonic Morality has existed from before we can
remember it not existing
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“A beautiful system of Morality”
is a “Landmark”.
•Masonic Morality has existed from before we can
remember it not existing
•Masonic Morality marks a boundary
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“A beautiful system of Morality”
is a “Landmark”.
•Masonic Morality has existed from before we can
remember it not existing
•Masonic Morality marks a boundary
•Masonic Morality is not written
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“A beautiful system of Morality”
is a “Landmark”.
•Masonic Morality has existed from before we can
remember it not existing
•Masonic Morality marks a boundary
•Masonic Morality is not written
•Masonry would not be Masonry if not for
“Masonic Morality”
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A question to a Masonic Brother:
Q. What is Freemasonry?
Ans. A beautiful system of Morality
Veiled in Allegory
and
illustrated by symbols
(The Work, 1996, p.62)
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The answer to the “question” has not changed
since the establishment of Masonry
as an organization of men of good moral standing.
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We may have FORGOTTEN
the importance of this most basic
foundation of principle.
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Perhaps the application and importance
of these values of “Moral Virtue” have lost
their prominence in our labour.
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However I would prefer to believe that: These most basic values inculcated in the first
degree may be so firmly integrated into our
behavior that we practice them without conscious
thought and forget the source of our wisdom,
strength, and beauty; much like the foundation of a
building is out of sight and forgotten, until it should
fail.
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So what might causes a Freemason to strictly adhere
to the basic principles of Freemasonry
with that certain strength of conviction
all Masonic Brethren profess to hold dear
and in high esteem?
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“… fidelity must be exemplified by a strict observance of the
constitution of the fraternity; by adhering to the
landmarks of the order:…” (The Work, 1996, p.59)
We lock up our secrets in the safe and sacred repository
of our heart with fidelity….. (The Work, 1996, p.18)
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“A beautiful system of Morality”
3 Pillars of
WISDOM, STRENGTH & BEAUTY
constructed on a base of
BROTHERLY LOVE, RELIEF and TRUTH
resting on a foundation of
MASONIC VIRTUES
is the Landmark we must bring to the future
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Before We act,
think
“What would a Mason do?”.
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Bringing the Past to the future
In conclusion
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“In the 21st century Brethren will be openly and honestly
discussing the cultural importance of Masonry in terms
completely acceptable to a community.
The heart of Freemasonry can never change, but the face
of Freemasonry has been changing imperceptibly, and must
continue to change in accordance with the outlook and
attitude of a modern day culture if it is to remain relevant.”
(Allen, Stuart, Senior Grand Warden, G.L. of MB, presented to the Banff Conference)
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Bringing the Past to the future
“A beautiful system of Morality”
is the Landmark we must bring to the future
WISDOM, STRENGTH, & BEAUTY
BROTHERLY LOVE, RELIEF and TRUTH
MASONIC VIRTUES
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Bringing the Past to the future
“A beautiful system of Morality”
is the past we must bring to the future
Thank you for your attention.
Respectfully submitted by R.W.Bro. Phil Zubrycki
The views expressed are entirely those of the author
and in no way, shape, or form represent the official
position of any official Masonic Organization.
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