THE BUILDER APRIL 1929
Freemasonry in Business

How should it work?
The Sixth of a Series of Articles on Ancient Freemasonry and
Present Day Problems

By BRO. HERBERT HUNGERFORD
Author of Seeing Both Sides of Yourself.

How far should Masonry enter into the commercial relationships of
Masons between themselves, as distinct from those that are purely
social? Is there a middle way between the demands only upon the
Craft of the Mason who is such in name only, and who seeks to
exploit his connection therewith for his selfish interest, and the
reaction of those who seem to think that no consideration or favor
should be shown to a brother Mason in anything relating to
business?

IN A NUMBER of our preceding discussions, we have tackled some
pretty ticklish topics. Some of the questions we have raised have
caused a few of our timid brethren to fear that we were treading
upon dangerous grounds. In fact, in one or two cases, we have
actually been accused of discussing issues encroaching upon the
ancient Landmarks of our Fraternity.

But we have been undisturbed by these criticisms because we have
always been clearly conscious that our only objective has been to
promote the welfare of the Craft by endeavoring to throw more light
upon the fundamentals of Freemasonry and, as far as we possibly
could do so, by trying to stimulate the study of the whys and
wherefores of the relations of Freemasonry to all the various vital
problems of modern life.

As these studies of our ancient order and its relations to modern
problems have progressed, doubtless, those who have been following
the series have observed the pertinent fact that no problem in life
can be isolated. Each particular problem, in many ways, is
connected with or related to all other life-problems. So, when we
attempt to discuss the problems of business as though they were
separate and distinct from the problems of politics, religion,
education, or any other phase of life, we must draw a purely
arbitrary line of differentiation which does not exist in reality.
Let us bear in mind, therefore, as we attempt to consider the
relations of Freemasonry to modern business problems, the fact that
many of the points we have tried to bring out in discussing other
problems, might be applied most aptly in our present discussion.

A Matter of Common Criticism

At any rate, we may discuss this particular problem without fear of
being accused of raising a traditionally undebatable issue. Surely
all observing members of our Craft will agree that there is no
subject upon which Masons are criticised more freely and more
frequently than the various attitudes and relations which
Freemasons hold in their business dealings. There are two extremes
of business behavior which draw rather severe condemnation down
upon the brothers who adopt these particular attitudes.

On the one hand, we hear constant criticism concerning certain men
who attempt to work their Masonic membership in every possible way
in furthering their business interests. No one can deny that some
men seem to have joined our Fraternity almost solely for business
purposes.

On the other hand, we hear frequent complaints that many brethren
seem to feel that it would be a violation of Masonic ethics to
favor a fellow-member of the Fraternity in any business way.

Surely, therefore, an issue on which there are so many differences
of opinion and such a variety of viewpoints is deserving of being
brought out into the light for frank examination from all possible
angles. We shall not pretend to settle this issue any more than we
have claimed to solve the problems or answer the questions raised
in our previous articles; but we shall at least lay claim to the
credit of giving frank and sincere consideration to one of the most
perplexing problems of our Craft.

Masonry and Business Come in Contact

The reason why this question touches most of us so closely is
doubtless due to the fact that nearly all men and Masons are
obliged, in these modern days, to devote most of their time and
energies to the business of making a living and a little bit more,
possibly. Naturally, therefore, we are vitally concerned about any
association or activity which either helps or hinders our business
progress.

It seems pertinent, therefore, for us to consider at least three
ways in which Freemasonry might affect our business activities. So
we raise three questions which may serve to clarify our
understanding of what the relations of Freemasonry should be to our
business problems.

First To what extent, if any, should membership in a Masonic Lodge
contribute towards a man's commercial advancement?

Second To what extent, if any, should Freemasons show preference to
their fellow-members in business dealings ?

Third To what extent and in what ways should Freemasonry
participate in helping to solve the outstanding business problems,
such as promoting harmony between employers and employee; the
distribution of labor and problems of unemployment; the stimulation
of pride in craftsmanship and the discouragement of slipshod and
slovenly work, and similar matters to which leading thinkers in the
business world today are giving serious consideration?

Raping Questions Is Our Objective

Perhaps it may become monotonous for me to remind my readers so
frequently that my objective in this series of discussions is to
raise questions for you to consider rather than to present my own
particular notions as to what the answers should be. But I am
obliged to mention this again, lest anyone should regard me as
being so foolish as to attempt to present, or even suggest,
solutions to all the problems of life in such a series of brief
articles. Accordingly, please let it be understood that, whenever
I attempt to answer any of the questions under consideration, I am
merely throwing out a few personal viewpoints, without intending
that anyone shall regard these as either complete or conclusive.

So when I offer you a few brief personal notions on these three
pertinent questions, do not think for one moment that I am
attempting in any way to emulate the example of King Solomon.
Frankly, I believe that your own good judgment, my brothers, should
enable each of you to formulate his own personal answers to the
first two questions presented above. I do not believe that either
of these questions can be answered arbitrarily, as the different
circumstances and conditions will materially affect the answers.

Yet I have no hesitancy in stating that it seems to me that the
affirmations in the opening and closing ceremonials of our lodges
would become merely a hollow mockery or a lot of high-sounding but
meaningless phrases, if we should attempt to take the position that
the teachings of Freemasonry give an absolute negative answer to
our first question. If Freemasonry was not designed to aid men in
the business of making a living for themselves and their families,
then the author of our ritual surely wasted a lot of words in
affirmations and statements quite contradictory to this negative
notion.

Of course, there must be limits to the extent to which Masonry
should aid its members to gain success in business. Without
professing the wisdom or ability to define such limitations, which
are merely suggested in our second question, let me cite an
illustration which came under my personal observation and which, I
trust, will at least give you some hint as to my personal views on
this matter.

A True Story of Masonic Dealings

There is a certain firm of brothers who constantly exploit their
Masonic affiliations in seeking business for their concern. Some
years ago this firm obtained an account from another Freemason. The
latter experienced a series of those strange disasters, which seem
so frequently to enter into the lives of men. The deaths of two
members of his family, and the serious illness of another member,
together with a failure of a business project with consequent
losses, brought about a nervous breakdown. During this time,
however, our brother, who was going through these difficulties, was
paying off debts incurred by his business failure as rapidly as
possible. For instance, his indebtedness to the Masonic firm first
mentioned was reduced during three years at the rate of several
hundred dollars a year, leaving a balance of a little over five
hundred dollars due to the Masonic brothers. These brothers, in
order to force settlement of the balance due them, put their claim
into a lawyer's hands. When notified of this, our troubled brother
advised the lawyer that he would immediately put his mortgaged home
into the market, giving the lawyer definite assurance that the
residue from the sale would be ample to pay all outstanding
indebtedness. The only reply of the attorney for the firm of
Masonic brothers was to serve our struggling brother with a
summons, which our brother managed to settle by obtaining a loan
from a friend. But, of course, legal fees and heavy interest
charges were collected and added to the burdens our weary brother
had to bear.

Now, the odd fact is that our brother had nearly a score of other
creditors, to each of whom he was making payments in the same way
he was settling the debt of the Masonic brothers, whose concern was
the only one to try to force him to the wall.

What Does the True Masonic Spirit Mean ?

If this were merely an isolated instance of dealings between
members of our Fraternity, it would not be deserving mention. But,
it illustrates many similar cases that have come within my personal
observation. Of course, on the grounds that "business is business"
and has nothing to do with a man's fraternal affiliations, such
conduct may be justified. But, if it represents the true spirit of
Freemasonry, I have failed to comprehend the real meaning of such
spirit.

If Freemasonry means what it clearly professes in the affirmations
that every candidate must make in being initiated into any lodge;
then, not only in personal business relations, such as those with
which our first two questions deal, but also in the larger business
problems of society as enumerated in our third question, the
teachings of our great Fraternity, if actually carried out in every
day practice, certainly would take away some of the avarice, greed
and other selfish attributes of near human natures and so transform
our characters that we would conduct all business transactions in
the spirit of brotherly love.

If brotherly love actually should prevail among all Masons,
regardless of the attitude or behavior of others, there would be
enough of this leaven in our great Fraternity to permeate and
transform all society. If brotherly love and dealing strictly on
the square in all business transactions was the inevitable and
inviolate practice of all Freemasons, how long do you think it
would be before harmonious relations in all business dealings would
be the general rule? How long would strife between employers and
employees endure, if brotherly love were practiced on both sides?
You know the answer to this, because there are business concerns
which do practice this principle and these concerns never have had
a strike or any other clash between employer and employee.

In a previous article I have stated my opinion that materialism in
the great menace of our times. Of course, this sordid, selfish
spirit always has been one of the dominant evil forces of frail
humanity. Every motive of Masonry, it seems to me, is arrayed
against this evil. When we begin to conquer the selfish side of our
natures and begin to live in accord with the principles we profess
in our Masonic ceremonials, there is no question in my mind that we
shall arrive at the solution of every problem of business.

Again, some of my readers will accuse me of "preaching impractical
idealism." I frankly admit, of course, that I am not expecting all
Masons to begin immediately to practice the high ideals of our
profession. But I certainly shall voice my vigorous protest at any
attempt to interpret these high ideals as merely "words and phrases
void of meaning."

I contend that the high idealism upon which our great Fraternity
was established by its far-sighted founders accounts for the
permanency and the progress of the institution. Because we have
thus far failed to accomplish or realize our Masonic ideals is no
excuse for ignoring them or lowering our standards. As Masons, we
still must remain poor frail mortals, struggling towards the light
of our high ideals. Remove that light and you deal the death blow
to Freemasonry.

This, my brothers, concludes our series of discussions of the
relations of our ancient Fraternity to present day problems, with
the exception of a final summing up of the series which I expect to
present next month under the title of "The Future of Freemasonry."

I may as well warn those of my readers, who regard me as an
impractical dreamer of dreams, and an advocate of impossible
idealism, to skip this next article. Frankly, I intend to present
my personal prophecy as to what I believe Freemasonry could
accomplish and what the Fraternity would become if the majority of
our lodges should begin to place proper emphasis upon the permanent
and abiding features of our program, and should, consequently,
change our almost universal practice of devoting all or most of our
time and effort to the trifling and incidental activities of the
fraternity.

Let me again repeat our invitation to any reader who may desire to
challenge, question or comment upon any point suggested or any
question raised by this series of discussions. After the series is
concluded, the writer expects to continue his efforts towards the
objectives he has suggested in these articles by acting as the
general field manager of a membership campaign for our Masonic
Study Clubs. As a feature of this work, I expect to conduct The
Study Club Forum as a regular department of THE BUILDER. Your
questions, suggestions or comments of any sort are invited for this
department. Address: Herbert Hungerford, Harrisonburg, Virginia.

