ROTARY AND FREEMASONRY
SERVICE ABOVE SELF


Article reprinted from The Western Mason, March 1991, the official Organ of
the Grand Lodge of Western Australia.

M\W\ Arthur J. Smith, 33
Past Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Western Australia
78 Terrace Road 
Perth, Western Australia, 6000

The origins of Rotary 
and Freemasonry are similar.

Rotary was born out of an idea that came from the facile brain and open
heart of Paul Harris, a young Chicago lawyer in 1905. He gathered three of
his friends to talk about the idea of a club where one person from each
occupation could meet on an informal basis. It is interesting to note the
three men chosen by Paul Harris to help him found his club were: Gus Lochr,
mining engineer; Hiram Shorey, merchant tailor; and Silvester Schide, coal
dealer. What a diverse group they were!

        Freemasonry is, of course, much older than Rotary, although nobody
can be quite sure exactly when it originated. However, most Masonic
scholars today would agree it probably had its origins in the groups of
stonemasons who worked on the great cathedrals of England and Europe. Those
magnificent buildings took centuries to build, and often generations of the
same family would be involved in the building.

        Often it was necessary for the Masons to live on the job, and they
would erect a temporary building, often called a lodge, in which they lived
and housed their tools. You can appreciate that living together for such a
long period they developed special close ties that banded them together.

        From time to time they would find it necessary to accept into their
number carefully selected young men of good character to be trained as
apprentices. Because these young men would also be living away from home,
the Masons taught them not only the skills of the trade but also imparted
lessons about life and morality. To do this they took the tools with which
they worked day by day the square, level, plumb, chisel, mallet, and
24-inch gauge and invested them with symbolic meanings.

        When the building of the great cathedrals came to an end, those
groups of operative masons wanted to continue to enjoy the fellowship which
they had experienced with one another. So they began to take into their
number men of good character who were not operative masons. These men
became known as Speculative or Symbolic Masons.

        And that is really what modern-day Masonic organizations are. They
are groups of men who meet together and who by use of ritual and drama
based upon those old working tools and the legends surrounding the building
of King Solomon's temple, impart valuable teachings about the meaning of
life and morality. If you think that is old fashioned, well so be it! I
suggest to you that there never was a time like the present in the world's
history, a time when emphasis needs to be placed on traditional moral and
ethical values. We have only to look at the scandals that have occurred in
high places in recent times to recognize that a return to high ethical
standards is vital to the well-being of this generation.

        Of course there is much more to Freemasonry than that, but I must
return to my original theme.

Rotary and Freemasonry are based on fellowship.

The first objective of Rotary is "the development of acquaintance as an
opportunity for service."     

        The first principle of Freemasonry is "Brotherly Love." The term is
not meant to be exclusive, for a Mason is taught that he has a duty to all
men.

        As in Rotary so in Masonry, special bonds of friendship are formed
between the members of each Lodge in the same way that Rotarians of a
particular club develop similar ties of affection.

        It is significant that much Rotary fellowship is engendered around
the meal table. Masonic meetings are followed by a time of fellowship often
around the supper table.


Both Rotary and Masonry have criteria for membership.

        The criteria for membership of Rotary is that a person is a good
citizen and a leader in a particular profession or occupation. Admission to
membership is not automatic and must be approved by the club. The proposed
member must also be eligible to fill a vacant classification.

        The criteria for a Masonic Lodge are that a member be a male of 21
years of age, of good moral character, and express a belief in a Supreme
Being.

        Membership likewise is not automatic. As in Rotary, each proposed
new member is interviewed, and reports are sought as to his suitability. He
must then be voted into membership. Applying such criteria, Masonry and
Rotary are able to accept as members men from all walks of life and all
religious persuasions.

        Masonry is not, as some would tell you, a religion. Indeed it has
among its members men of many different faiths. I have been present at a
Masonic meeting when there were present an Anglican Bishop, a Uniting
Church Minister, a Jewish Rabbi, and a Salvation Army Officerall meeting
in complete harmony. Freemasonry is, therefore, one of the great unifying
forces in society.

        Some people would tell you that you cannot be a Mason and a
Christian. I emphatically reject that idea. This is not the time nor the
place to debate that notion. Simply let me say that among the membership of
Freemasonry there have been and still are many distinguished clergy
including Archbishops of Canterbury. I have been a Freemason for 36 years,
and in all that time I have been an active churchman, and I have never
found any conflict between my membership in the Craft and my religious
faith.

In Rotary as in Freemasonry there is emphasis on equality among the
members.

        One of the good things about Rotary is that in it all members are
equal. True, we have a president and other office bearers, but these are
for fulfilling functional requirements rather than for giving superior
status.    

        In Rotary it does not matter what your position in society is. Be
you a peer of the realm or a businessman just starting out, in Rotary you
will be accepted as an equal and known by your Christian or given name.

        In Freemasonry every member is known as a Brother. Like Rotary,
there are office bearers, but these, too, are functional. They do not
confer superiority. The Craft emphasizes theBrotherhood of man under the
Fatherhood of God.

You don't join Rotary or Freemasonry for what you can get out of them.

        That was not always true about Rotary. Indeed few Rotarians are
aware that the 1910 Convention of Rotary (just five years after its
formation) adopted a fifth objective for Rotary: "To advance the business
interests of individual members."

        By the time of the 1912 Convention, that objective had been deleted
and the concept of "Service Above Self" became a dominant theme of Rotary.

        Today using one's membership in Rotary to gain privileges or the
displaying of Rotary emblems in connection with one's business is frowned
upon by Rotary. The same is true of Freemasonry.

Both organizations have a proud record of significant community service.

        In every community Rotary has a proud record of community service.
There are many examples of this, but let me remind you that Rotary was the
driving force behind the establishment of the Medical School at the
University of Western Australia. It was Rotary that pioneered the Medic
Alert bracelet in Australia. It was Rotary that built International House
at Curtin University.

        Freemasonry is not essentially a service organization in the same
way as Rotary is, but nevertheless in Australia, as elsewhere, it has
become deeply involved in community projects. In Western Australia the
Grand Lodge of Freemasons provides low-cost housing for some 472 needy
people. It conducts a hostel and nursing home for 105 people. Scholarships
are provided to worthy young men and women proceeding to tertiary
education. Thus Rotary encourages good citizenship in many schools.     

        The important point to note is that Freemasonry, like Rotary, does
not require Masonic affiliation to enable people to receive these benefits.
The sole criteria is genuine need.

Both organizations have an international aspect.

        Rotary's objectives include the advancement of international
understanding, goodwill, and peace. Rotary is to be found in an increasing
number of countries throughout the world. So is Freemasonry. The bonds
forged at the international level by these two organizations are a force
for global good.

Both organizations set standards of conduct and ethics.

        Here are some words from the objects of Rotary:

        High ethical standards

        The dignifying by every Rotarian of his occupation.

        Similarly, the often-stated goal of Blue Lodge Freemasonry is "to
make good men better," and Scottish Rite Freemasonry has a creed which
reads: "Human progress is our cause, liberty of thought our supreme wish,
freedom of conscience our mission, and the guarantee of equal rights to all
people everywhere our ultimate goal."

There is a notable difference.

        There is one notable difference between Rotary and Freemasonry.

        Nobody becomes a Rotarian until he is invited by a Rotary Club to
do so.

        Conversely, you will never be asked to become a Freemason. Your
Masonic friends may drop a hint or two now and then, but it is a
cornerstone of Freemasonry that men who wish to become Freemasons must ask
to be admitted to the Craft. If you want to know more, ask any of your
Masonic friends.

Freemasonry and Rotary are a privilege and a challenge.









        In my youth I learned some words written by R. L. Sharpe:         
                Isn't it strange
		That princes and kings,
		And clowns that caper
		In sawdust rings,
		And common people
		Like you and me
		Are builders for eternity?
		Each is given a bag of tools
		A shapeless mass
		A book of rules;
		And each must make
		Ere life is flown
		A stumbling block
		Or a stepping stone.

        I believe that both Rotary and Freemasonry provide us with tools to
build stepping stones in our world that men may rise to higher and better
things. For that reason I am proud to be a Rotarian, and I am proud to be a
Freemason. We have inherited from the founders of these two organizations a
rich tradition of dignity, decency, and ethical standards. It is our
responsibility in this age to maintain those standards and pass them on
untarnished to future generations.     s

Service above self is a dominant theme of Rotary

Freemasonry, like Rotary, does not require Masonic affiliation to enable
people to receive these benefits. The sole criteria is genuine need.

Both Rotary and Freemasonry provide us with tools to build stepping stones
in our world that men may rise to higher and better things. For that reason
I am proud to be a Rotarian, and I am proud to be a Freemason.

Editor's Note: The above article is an edited prcis of an address
originally given at a meeting of the Rotary Club of Nedlands, Western
Australia, on January 10, 1991. 

Arthur J. Smith is a Sovereign Grand Inspector General of the Ancient and
Accepted Rite for Australia, and the immediate Past Grand Master of the
Grand Lodge of Western Australia. He is a retired Hospital Administrator
and has been a member of Rotary for 24 years.

Hope Hope is the very center of faith. Like the small bright spot at the
center of a flame, hope is the seed of life itself. No matter how difficult
the path may be, no matter how steep or rugged, if you protect and maintain
the smallest glimmer of hope, you will prevail. Bad times must pass as they
are just that, time. Hope, however, is eternally present and steady. Its
strength with time will prevail. Never give up hope. Paul L. Helzer, 32
Long Beach, California, Scottish Rite Bodies.nship in many schools.     
The important point to note is that Freemasonry, like Rotary, does not
