WHAT SHALL BE TOLD THE INQUIRING PROFANE?

AMERICAN FREEMASON, AUGUST 1914

A BROTHER active in the work and alive to the interests of a small Kansas
Lodge, writes as follows: "We have several here who have expressed a
favourable opinion of the fraternity and are inclined to seek membership in
our Lodge.  Some of them have asked information of the fraternity beyond
what is known of common report among profanes. I believe that Masonic
education can to advantage begin even before the petition is presented. 
What is your opinion.

I have replied personally, advising the brother to follow his own notion in
this matter, with confidence that his discretion and Masonic knowledge will
be safe guides as to what should properly and to benefit be told in the
cases mentioned.  I have little patience with those who put on a look of
owl-like wisdom, and speak in whispers, whenever Masonry is mentioned
in the presence of profanes.  One can pardon the very young brother who
is still oppressed with weight of the secrets confided to him.  Such a one
passes the jeweler's window furtively and with bated breath, lest at sight of
the emblems there displayed he might by involuntary sign betray the awful
meanings.  But in a little while he learns to bear the weight of added
knowledge without inconvenience.  I have found, as a general thing, that
the brother who is most averse to giving clear and reasonable answer to
the natural questions of outsiders is that one who has least knowledge of
the fraternity for himself.  Of course there are many who seek information
from mere curiosity, and such can be snubbed or put off as not deserving
attention.  But the honest inquirer, and especially that one who has
expressed a favourable opinion of the fraternity, is entitled to information.

Strictly speaking, Freemasonry is not a secret society.  Its aims are well
known; its membership is not hidden; its history is open to the inspection
or study of all.  Even the symbolism of Masonry is unveiled, alike to the
initiate and the profane.  Not from the teachings of the Lodge room can the
Mason gain to real understanding of the concealed meanings; these he
must search out for himself.  And I know of those who have never been
within the doors of a Lodge who can give the wisest of us instruction as to
significances of emblems, the possession of which we boast as an
exclusive treasure.

What shall be told the inquiring profane? The proper "silence and
circumspection" has application to but a small area of Masonic knowledge;
in all else we are free to give information, if satisfied there is a praiseworthy
motive underlying inquiry.  The private business of the Lodge has interest
only to its members; the family affairs become the worst gossip when given
over to the tender mercies of the neighbours.  The modes of recognition
and a few matters of that sort are naturally kept to ourselves; they would
benefit no others.  After all, the real secrets of Freemasonry are those that
are sought for one's self, and that can not be communicated one to the
other.  Initiation, if rightly given and rightly received, puts one upon a road
that he must travel afterward unaided.  Here and there upon the journey,
if eyes and ears are open, hints will be given and signs perceived, showing
that others have gone before and have left evidences of their travel, and of
good upon the way.

I have a very fair collection of Masonic books at home; some of them
unusual and not to be found in the chance gathering.  But among them all
I can not think of one I would hold from reading by a non-Mason, if he was
mentally and by training fit for its perusal.  And there are many of them that
I would hesitate to put into the hands of the average brother, for the reason
that he would not be competent for understanding, and might from their
pages become hopelessly confused.

I would as readily discuss Masonic history or symbolism or the purpose of
the fraternity and its place in the world of thought and action with the
intelligent profane as I would with the brother of equal intelligence.  And
this with the same end in view.  I would hope that the one who was already
a Mason would from the discussion find that he had not exhausted
knowledge of the institution, and thus be urged to further inquiry, greatly to
his advantage and the betterment of the Craft.  And I would expect that the
really earnest inquirer, as yet without the organization, might because of my
frankness of explanation and freedom of expression be led to the doors of
the Lodge, and having the right direction go on to an increase of
knowledge.

A few years ago it was accounted the proper thing to give evasive,
sometimes "cute" answers to perfectly natural questions as to Masonry.  It
was hardly ever appreciated that the men asking for information had
common-sense, and were not likely to be impressed with any
hugger-muggery of secrecy over matters that would not make a pin's
difference to any one worth considering, I have heard Masons make replies
to reasonable inquiries in such wise as would give me, had I been likewise
uninformed, the justified opinion that the fraternity was a thing of false
pretence, and that its adherents were either asinine, or liars.

Whenever now I find one, and especially a young man, of the right quality
of mind and of character worthy of Masonic teaching and affiliation, I am
willing to go even further in explanation than I am with many who, being
brothers, ask questions only to there after air a little superficial knowledge
among others more ignorant than themselves.  If he desires to acquaint
himself with the history of the fraternity, Gould or Mackey is at his service. 
There are a score of volumes to which I am willing to refer him for
knowledge of symbolism.  I am only sorry that with all that is written of
Masonry I can not cite him to a single book that sets forth adequately, to
my mind, the position of the institution among the serious world forces. 
Some day, as I hope and believe, such book will be written, and those who
are inclined toward Freemasonry will be able to decide in advance whether
the ancient fraternity is the medium best fitted wherein to attain
self-realization and to develop the best of the powers of mind and soul.

My brother from Kansas has the right idea; the education of Masons, if they
are to be worth while, should begin before ever they present a petition.  I
am not in favour of distributing literature broadcast, as do some other
societies.  The men taken into our fraternity are selected, not taken in
classes and drummed up from the general population.  But when the right
sort of a man is found, give him instruction, so that he will come to the first
steps of Masonry indeed "duly and truly prepared." The Senior Deacon's
vouchings are perfunctory.  It is for those who recommend a petitioner to
stand good for mental worthiness and intellectual qualifications.  And this
they can not do, conscientiously, if the applicant is absolutely ignorant of
Masonry.

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