Motives,
Persuasives and Inducements to Maintain the True Dignity of the Masonic
Character
The
following speech was delivered by Dr. Peter Fite Hoyle (1812-1871), W.M., to the
Brethren of Pythagoras Lodge on March 6, 1860. It was “ordered that a copy
of it be entered upon the minutes of the Lodge,” and there it has remained
dormant and neglected for over one hundred forty years, lost from the memory of
man and Mason. That is, until now. It is our distinct pleasure to
have set in type for the first time the words of Decatur’s pioneer physician and
statesman. Spelling and punctuation have been modernized from the original
manuscript, but otherwise the text and its nineteenth-century Masonic sentiment
remain
intact.
A character of
celebrity, marked with the distinguishing characteristics of true greatness,
forms a motive for inducements instantly persuasive. Such is the natural
propensity in man that he ardently aspires after equal superior fame. The
principles of imitation are engendered in his nature, fostered in his pride and
excited by a spirit of emulation. Various are the ways and means suggested
by different minds for the attainment of the same desirable end. To each
profession or station in civilized life is necessarily attached a corresponding
propriety of conduct and deportment of manners in some way suited [to] the
sphere in which we move or the station we fill. A corresponding propriety
between practice and profession forms that consistency in character, observable
through every grade of social intercourse or civilized life. Excellency of
character in the view of the world is principally estimated from the honorable
natures or religious importance of profession harmonizing with uniform propriety
of practice. If the employment be of a public nature or in any way open to
the inspections of mankind, a deportment corresponding there to is uniformly
expected. Such is the propensity of the human heart as to be inclined to
censure and condemn each devious step, each semblance of inconsistency when
formed in another.
Amongst all the numerous
associations of men on which the jealous and scrutinizing eye of the world has
been fixed, none is more conspicuously observed than the Masonic. Hence,
the more especial necessity of attaining such a character and creating such
examples as it may be virtuous and praiseworthy in others to imitate.
Every member of the Institution [is] by profession magnanimous, [liberally]
humane, benevolent and upright. These are words of very great latitude and
of high import. To these we add justice, integrity of heart, fidelity,
sobriety and temperance, prudence and economy, friendship and brotherly
affection—with every virtue which can adorn human nature and constitute all the
appendages of a finished character. Here is a public profession of the
highest cost, and demands a corresponding dignity of deportment in the life and
conduct of every member of the Institution. Notwithstanding the high
import of this Masonic profession, yet it to be believed the constituted means
to form a corresponding character are truly adequate. Long has it been
evinced to the world that the most brilliant and overwhelming oratory, even
where employed in the cause of truths, the most weighty in themselves often fade
from the mind like the fictions of a dream. The mind of desultory man
flying from object to object with the rapidity of thought is never seriously
affected except by what does in some way engage the understanding and interest
the feelings. Through this medium lies that avenue which leads directly to
the heart and fastens convictions on the conscience.
In Speculative Freemasonry, precepts and examples are most happily designated to
harmonize, and thusly present the most powerful motives to impress on the mind
the sentiments of virtue and the precepts of wisdom with a favorable prospect of
success. Hence, the Lodge becomes a school for improvement where man is
taught the duties of life and the sublime precepts of our holy religion.
Here the candidate is instructed in the numerous relative duties of decorum,
subordination and modesty, kindness, gentleness and affability, which can render
the possessor amiable and lovely in the eyes of the world. Within these
walls impervious to the vulgar eye, the mind is matured in all that soundness of
intellect that discreet, engaging deportment, that benevolence and charity of
disposition, which constitute the more excellent and noble appendages of the
human character. A habitual practice of every commendable virtue is taught
by suitable and appropriate Masonic emblems with that gravity and solemnity
which comports with [the] nature of the Institution. The maxims of wisdom
are gradually unfolded till the whole duty of man is clearly and persuasively
exhibited to the mind. By duly improving those means, the intellectual
faculties may receive high improvement and the manners those soft blandishments
of social intercourse, which give currency and importance to character. Such
indeed are the instructive lessons of Speculative Freemasonry. Not only
are they in perfect accordance with the sober dictates of human wisdom and
prudence, but [also] the sublime and holy requisitions of the Prince of
Peace. [An] unjustifiable neglect or obstinate refusal to comply with and
improve instructions of this nature betrays a heart wholly inclined to
malevolent designs, or a judgment fatally misguided. Hence, we are
furnished with the proper means of forming a character as nearly answerable to
our public profession as human frailties and imperfections will admit.
Brethren, the more prominent features of a true
Masonic character are liberality marked with the highest beauties. They
are such as will survive the ruins of a perishable world and shine with
increasing luster when time shall have merged in the ocean of eternity. If
such are the excellences of our Institution and such the injunctions, we as
Masons are under [obligation] to improve all these faculties which heaven has
bestowed to render ourselves a character pure and blameless before God and man,
[however] circumspect should we ever be found, [however] scrupulous [we]
maintain the true dignity of our profession. An habitual practice of
justice, equity, truth, benevolence, charity and sobriety should ever appear
conspicuous in our lives, shed a luster on our actions, and adorn our public and
private walks. The whole tenor of life should manifestly appear to be the
fruit of an honest, sincere and upright heart. Each manly feeling of the
soul should swell with the tender emotions of gratitude and love, which meet and
mingle in kindred spirits. Such a life and conduct would draw benedictions
even from the adamantine heart.
Brethren,
should you ask for additional motives to the performance of the practical duties
of Speculative Freemasonry, which involve not only the general good celebrity of
the Institution but our own happiness, let me point each individual to his own
personal character and fame. Where is the man so callous to nature’s
feelings, so lost to inbred honor, so indifferent to the attainment of virtuous
fame, as not to aspire to human excellences. The love of personal
character is so nicely interwoven with the filaments of the heart as usually to
form a predominant motive to action a powerful incentive to glory. It
hence becomes a noble and high-minded emulation for the attainment of unusual
and exalted merit. The agency of this principle is confined to no class
either in savage or civilized life. It darts persuasive motives for
imitations through every mind, and inspires that magnanimity which leads to the
exercise of those amiable charities and virtues of the heart, which always
characterize the man of real worth. Such has been the force of this ruling
motive in every age and every country. Methinks of our ancient brethren,
stimulated to action through the force of this principle, have by the greatness
of their achievements and goodness of their lives enrolled their names on the
imperishable record of fame, and left an everlasting memorial of their virtue
and preeminent usefulness. Brethren, do we still ask for motives in a case
involving such high considerations and desirable consequences? They are
found in the eternal weight of glory that crown the joyful [recompense] laid up
for the faithful in a future world. Here is an infinite reward, here is
that ultimate point to which all others are subordinate and in which all others
do eventually center. A more weighty and eternally interesting
consideration does not exist, cannot be presented.
Yet astonishing to be told, some of our
brethren, not merely in foreign countries, but even in our own happy republic,
with such powerful motives before them and such momentous consequences staring
them in the face, plunge headlong into vice and not on the precipice of their
own distraction. Such persons not only violate the very laws of nature,
but [also] the most solemn injunctions of Masonry. Having thrown off all
restraint in lieu of principle, character or fame, they have plunged themselves
into the depths of human degradation and literally pulled down the curses of
mankind on their heads. Totally regardless of the dictates of wisdom,
their temporal enjoyments or eternal happiness, they have awfully apostatized
from their profession, disgraced themselves and their brethren, brought misery
on their families, and merited the sovereign contempt of the world.
Wretched spectacle of human depravity for a man endowed with reason and
understanding, privileged with light and information, thus to debase the dignity
of his nature, and overleap every barrier of human restraint, could not be
credited had we not witnessed the melancholy truths. What brother does not
shrink back in amazement at such a deleterious spectacle? Let such
apostate members make one deep and solemn pause even in the midst of their
unrestrained licentiousness. Let it be the awful pause of that mind fixed
on future and eternal consequences. Let them remember to whom much is
given, much will most assuredly be [required]. Let them call to mind for
one moment those precious Masonic instructions which they have rescinded and
duly consider the amazing event to which their unrestrained conduct will
infallibly lead. Be assured the reward is not only inestimable, but [also]
commensurate with eternity itself: The
stars shall fade; [the] sun’s broad beams retire,
Creations sink on nature’s funeral
pyre, But virtue’s gifts unfading shall
endure When skies and stars and suns
shall be no
more.
What heaving bosom breathes
forth not our ardent sigh To grasp the
immortal prize and triumph in the joy.
Brethren, do
not hence discover the imperious necessity of plain dealing with those who may
err from the path of duty. A Mason above all others is under solemn
obligation to be a good man and faithful to his charge. Where I ask is the
advantage or what the benefit of uniting with this society if there is nothing
to be done? What good can result from that capacity of usefulness, that
wisdom and prudence, which is never exercised? The fact is our brethren
need our advice, counsels, admonitions and reproofs, and we need theirs.
We are all imperfect, fallible beings and should freely consult each other in
all matters of importance, remembering that in the multitude [of] consultation,
there is safety. It is our privilege to unbosom our souls to a brother,
and his duty to hear and advise. We feel a confidence in this relation to
which the world is an utter stranger. Are we not under solemn obligations
to deal faithfully and affectionately with each other as beloved brothers?
Are we not bound, and it may be hoped consistently, with the feelings of our
hearts to use every wise, prudent and friendly exertion to warn the brother of
approaching danger, to reclaim his wandering steps, if he strays from the path
of duty? The best of men are but imperfect, liable at times in some evil
hour to be overtaken in vice. As one error often paves the way for others
more dangerous, seasonable and salutary advice given by the hand of an
affectionate brother may be the means of preventing a once amiable and virtuous
character from being plunged into vice with all its attendant calamities.
No satisfactory reason can be assigned why we as Masons and acting in that
character aught not to aim at the absolute extinction of vice and immorality,
and no substantial excuse can be urged in the neglect of one’s duty for the
accomplishment of this end.
Vice necessarily
involves the vicious in difficulties, destroys the character and reputation, and
is the high road to wretchedness and misery. Had we rather our Masonic
brother when once beginning to stray from duty should be suffered to persist
till his ruin [becomes] inevitable than [to] take him by the hand in a most
friendly and affectionate manner, and point out his danger and strive by all the
means in our power to reclaim him? Should kind admonitions be faithfully
administered with the true spirit of brother love and tenderness of
affections? We have every reason to believe scarcely one instance in a
hundred would fail of restoring to the world a useful citizen, to the Lodge a
grateful brother, and to his family a friend indeed. Such affectionate
solicitude in behalf of our brethren would at once seal the lips of slander,
check the spread of vice, avert the stings of an accusing conscience, and save a
brother from impending ruin. Do we fear the giving of offence? Let
us rather fear to neglect our duty. Do we dread our brother’s
displeasure? Let us rather dread an accusing conscience. Are we
unwilling to interfere lest his feelings should be wounded? Let us rather
fear to have them wounded when they can never be healed. Let us rather
guide his feet to the path of virtuous enjoyment! Such a course would
truly be characteristic of Masonic friendship; such would be the dictates of
humanity and benevolence, and such brethren is our unequivocal duty. Would
not this be doing as we would be done by? What brother, now beloved and
esteemed by all who know him, happy and prosperous in all his relations and
pursuits, could he foresee himself at some future period ensnared and seduced
from the path of virtue and in danger of becoming a nuisance to society, would
not solemnly engage his brethren before hand to persuade him should he stray to
the very last extremity, and if possible compel him to abandon what eventually
would land him in wretchedness? No virtuous brother on the truth of this
supposition but with tears in his eyes would pledge his friends by the most
sacred promises to be faithful to him. The beneficial effects resulting
from such frankness and affection would be productive of consequences durable as
they are important. Instead of weakening our social bonds, it would make
them stronger than a threefold cord. Vice would stand appalled and virtue
in smiling countenance. Such faithfulness would add an inextinguishable
luster to the Masonic Institution and secure to posterity the precious blessings
resulting from precept, teaching by example.
Brethren, let it be asked with solemn emphasis what would be the probable result
if every worthy member in all our numerous institutions should in this
particular discharge his duty with fidelity. Would it not be a glorious
fact that immorality of every description would be banished [from] the society,
and seldom be charged against a single individual? Would not the great
Institution literally become a nursery of piety, its members the pillars of
state and the salt of the earth? Methinks, this would be a joyful
end! From the experience of ages, we are taught that where precept and
example are united in a good cause, they are attended with powerful influence
over the human heart. Seldom do they fail of controlling the general
current of opinion in society. The principles of imitation are inherent in
our nature, and imperceptibly incline us to imbibe the sentiments and adopt the
habits of those we esteem. How exceedingly important then that every
Masonic brother embrace those sentiments, exercise that friendship, cultivate
those habits and maintain that excellence of character, which will render it
truly virtuous to imitate his examples. Such is the nature of our
Institution, and it is hoped every brother will be suitably affected with those
momentous considerations; that every member will duly appreciate his privileges;
that each presiding officer exhibited a bright example of all that is
praiseworthy; and the whole body universally appear to the world as a spiritual
building in which every part being fully joined together may grow up into a
building of God.
Finally brethren, let us keep the
unity of the spirit in the bonds of Peace. Let us love one another, for
love is of God. “Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to
dwell together in unity. It is like the precious ointment upon the head,
which ran down the beard, even Aaron’s beard, which went down to the skirt of
his garments. It is the dew of Hermon, and the dew that descended upon the
mountains of Zion; for there the Lord commanded the blessing, even life
forevermore.
