VALUE AND PURPOSE OF FREEMASONRY: BY A "P.M."

AMERICAN FREEMASON, SEPTEMBER, 1914

IS NOT Freemasonry, as a body, too virile, too earnest and too capable to
go on spending time, energy, money and effort in discussing a historical
or a mythical past, to the exclusion of a real and living present, full of the
most wonderful opportunity? Editorial article in July number of THE
AMERICAN FREEMASON, "Matter of Hope and Fear," is like a voice in the
wilderness, crying for a change of front. It is a timely call. And the world is
full of earnest, forward-looking men, many of whom are Masons, to whom
such call will be an inspiration.

To repent is to change the thought. In this sense the world of mankind is
going through the greatest period of repentance ever known.  The
accumulation of ages of human experience, the expansion of human
knowledge, the ever increasing power of the human mind and the
realization of the human soul, these are at once the opportunity and the
urge, making imminent and unavoidable the change of purpose that is now
seeking almost universal expression in the lives of men and women.  The
personal man can no longer regard himself and his desires as the center
of the world and of the forces of the universe.

Through world-wide inter-communication by transit and telegraph and
telephone all humanity is getting well acquainted.  Through the constant
and world-wide interchanges of commerce the brotherhood of the whole
race has become an established fact.  Freemasonry can no longer claim
for itself exclusively the purpose of establishing brotherhood, nor that it has
any special means and methods of exemplifying it.

The thoughtful members of the Craft - and they are many and daily
increasing in numbers - are beginning to realize that the true purpose of the
teaching included in the symbols and ritual is far higher, and of even
greater importance, than the inculcating of morality or the expression of
Brotherly Love.  As an organization we are no longer unique as to our
precepts nor yet as to our methods of inculcating them, in so far as they
apply to the relations of members to each other or to the outside world. 
Wherein then lies the pre-eminent excellence of the Craft?

First, in the fact that the real teachings of Freemasonry are fundamental.
These are essentials, and in them is the strength of unity.  Of equal
importance is the jealous adherence to the principle that in non-essentials
there shall be liberty.

In the next place the student of the mysteries will surely find that all the
symbols of Masonry contain truth and teaching for the individual, and are
so wisely constructed that in gaining the knowledge of their meaning the
neophyte gains a corresponding knowledge of himself, his nature and his
destiny.

The ritual of Freemasonry is very artfully constructed to reveal the hidden
meaning of its symbols, and is in reality a method of self-culture and
self-development.  Personal study broadens personal understanding.
Personal knowledge leads to a personal application to one's own life and
conduct of the methods of development outlined in the symbols and
detailed in the ritual, and actual practice with that end in view leads slowly
but surely to the attainment of power. 

Understood and wisely used, every item of the "work" will yield to each
member who places himself in the proper position to receive it, good and
wholesome instruction for his labours.  The "work of a Mason" is that of a
Master Builder.  What Masonry most needs today is an increasing
realization of the importance of emphasizing the responsibility of the
individual in doing, within himself, the work of a Mason.  The Master's
degree may be conferred, but to become a MASTER requires effort,
patience and perseverance.

Masonry seeks nothing for itself, but provides the ways and means by
which each one may, if he will, attain to the true dignity and power of a
Master Builder - in his own life, in his Lodge, his community, his state and
in service to his fellow men.

Masonic Lodges should become training schools of humanity, and should
send men into the busy life of the world, fully equipped to help humanity
in its unending struggle for attainment. "Let every man build the wall over
against his own house." Let the brother cease seeking for degrees and
strive for attainment, which is only another way of saying, let him do the
work of a Mason.

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