The Working Tools Magazine “Light” Version - Hawthorne-Fortitude ...

“Freemasonry: A Better Way Of Being”
By:
Michael H. Shirley, PM & Todd E. Creason, PM
"Freemasonry is kindness in the home;
honesty in business; courtesy toward others;
dependability in one's work; compassion for
the unfortunate; resistance to evil; help for
the weak; concern for good government;
support for public education; and above all, a
life-practicing reverence for God and love of
fellow man."
In our first piece, “The Craft in Thirty Seconds”, which was
published in the September issue, we discussed how important it
is for every Freemason to have a thirty-second elevator
conversation ready, when that inevitable question “What is
Freemasonry?” was presented to us. We wanted to talk about it,
because it’s not something Freemasons discuss very much—the
fact that we are each representative of the Craft of Freemasonry is
not something most Freemasons think about very much. But we
should all be prepared to answer that question meaningfully when
we’re asked.
It might be a new idea in our more modern world, but it’s not a
new concept. If we look at the example provided by one of the
most famous American Freemasons, George Washington. The
George Washington Masonic Memorial in Alexandria Virginia
proposes, in concert with its presentation of Washington the man
and Mason, the definition of Freemasonry quoted above. It
applied to Freemasonry in Washington’s time. The implication of
the monument and the words is that Freemasonry is timeless. Is
it? Does this definition apply today as it did more than two
centuries ago?
Let’s have a look at this definition, one piece at a time, and see if
we can find a satisfactory answer.
Freemasonry is kindness in the home . . .
An archaic definition of “kindness,” which George Washington
would have understood, is “affection.” And this most magisterial
American aristocrat was affectionate in his home, with his wife,
his stepchildren, and their children. Affection is marked by a true
concern for others, and an unfailing wish for their best interests in
all things. As our families take up so much of our time, it’s easy
to get frustrated at their demands, and to want to get away. But
we are away often enough, as Washington was when called to his
duty. Our duty calls us to embrace our families with true
affection, to cultivate kindness in a way that can never be archaic.
And it’s never been more difficult to raise a family than it is
today. There are so many distractions. Families today can all live
under one roof and still not be together as a family. There is
By television, featured iPods, TWT computers, writer Kyle video Ferguson games, email, school,
activities, and a constant barrage of text messages. While we all
live together under one roof,
very often we’re living our
own lives and interacting
with the world in ways
Washington would have
never dreamed possible.
Getting together for
something as basic as a
family meal is often nearly impossible. Kindness in the home
requires a connection, and today, we often fail at that.
Freemasonry, as time consuming as it can be, requires us to
remember that our family is our priority, and reminds us to devote
our time and attention to them. A life Masonically lived requires
an affectionate connection, well tended, with those we love.
. . . honesty in business . . .
In George Washington’s day, a man’s word was his bond, and his
livelihood often depended upon whether he could be trusted to do
the things he promised. Character was king, and respect was
earned through a man’s actions. We live in a very different world
today, in which shortcuts and getting ahead at the expense of
others are seen by too many as being “smart practice.” But as
Freemasons, we strive to be men of honor, for whom a handshake
is a contract. Our word must be our bond.
. . . courtesy toward others . . .
In the eighteenth century, courtesy was a given. People acted
toward one another with a ritualistic politeness that made the
functioning of society possible. In today’s world of Internet flame
wars and 24-7 reality yell fests, that world seems lost. But it need
not be. Freemasonry teaches us to act with respect toward other
people, both in lodge and out. That we meet on the level and part
upon the square is assumed in our ritual, and our ritual informs
our practice in our daily lives. When we meet someone, whether
he is a Mason is immaterial to our conduct toward him. He is our
equal in the sight of God, and we must treat him as such in all
circumstances. He is as beloved of God as we are, and if we
would imitate God, as the Craft calls us to do, we ought to start
from a position of love and respect, which is necessary for real
courtesy.
. . . dependability in one's work . . .
A craftsman who was not dependable was not likely to make it in
George Washington’s era. In the world we live in, a “come in
late, take a long lunch, and leave early” mentality isn’t
uncommon. Just finding a contractor who will return a phone call
can be a challenge. As Masons, when we set out to work, whether
we are teachers or plumbers or bankers, we are representing to the
world that we will show up, work hard, and do what we say we
will. Our ritual teaches the possibility of perfection, which we
will never reach. But we may dependably get closer to it if we
work as Masons. (Continued on page 12)
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