"If we find wisdom in the world within, we shall have the understanding to discern the marvelous possibilities that are latent in this world within, and we shall be given the power to make these possibilities manifest in the world without."
— Bro. Charles F. Haanel
I've been hearing about a new book in Masonic circles recently, and it's roused me to post some commentary that I've been stewing over for a while. The book is entitled How Freemasonry Saved the World by Bro. Stephen Dafoe, and it's slated for release this summer.
You can see about it for yourself at this video, but the book's basic message seems to be that Freemasonry has emerged at various times throughout history to save society from its own worst excesses (political and religious fanaticism, bigotry, persecution, etc.), and that it is poised to render a repeat performance in these troubled times.
Basically, I'm torn. On the one hand, I think that it's well and proper to be proud of Freemasonry and its many positive contributions to civilization and society. After all, I certainly would never have become a Mason if I didn't think our order's history and achievements were things to be proud of, and that my acceptance in such an esteemed group was likewise something to be proud of. I am proud of Freemasonry.
That said, for as good as it is to be proud of Freemasonry, it is undesirable to be prideful of it, and something about the tone of this book's premise smacks of pridefulness to my ears. Some circumspect, candid and, above all, brutally honest self-assessment is in order before we slap ourselves too heartily on the back in proclaiming ourselves the Saviors of Society. (I will submit for your consideration that it is also somewhat dangerous not to engage in some good old-fashioned pious self-assessment, because goodness knows Freemasonry's detractors never lose the opportunity to assess our actions, motives and consistency in practicing what we preach.)
So, on the one hand, we as Masons proudly (and it must be said, sometimes loudly) proclaim that we meet upon the Level (are co-equals despite rank or station) and that we spread the Cement of Brotherly Love, particularly among our own ranks. To be sure, these are eminently worthy attributes and society would do well to emulate us in this regard. Surely this is an example of where Freemasonry can Save the World.
The rub is that, on the other hand, I'm all too keenly aware of many examples where we fall woefully short of our own mark. For example, there was a recent fiasco at a very old, well known Lodge here that resulted in out-and-out internecine warfare of the generational variety, involving disturbingly unbrotherly instances of character-assassination culminating in actions by Grand Lodge that shocked more than one observer and were deemed by many to be imperious and draconian, to cast it mildly. The end result was the deposition of a sitting Worshipful Master and a contingent of young, bright, motivated up-and-comers departing in disgust, and a good many onlookers wondering what on earth has become of us that things could ever have come to this. Such a scenario would seem to indicate we need to be seeking a savior for ourselves rather than putting ourselves forward to save anybody, much less the world.
I wouldn't want it thought that I demand an unreasonable perfection of Freemasonry, so let me state plainly that it's an eminently laudable institution but is inhabited by flawed human beings, and as such it's inevitable that it will fail to live up to its own standards all the time. This is true of any organization; civic, religious, academic, or other. What’s noteworthy is the frequency of our failure to actually practice the Freemasonry we're offering up as society's salvation, and the degree to which we fail when we do. By its very nature, Freemasonry's failures are likely to be spectacular departures from its tenets simply because its tenets are the highest of ideals. For example, by any account the above-mentioned incident is a humiliation to any Mason who takes the philosophy of this order seriously. It made a mockery of Freemasonry and everything it supposedly embodies. If some disinterested outsider were to see us presenting ourselves as would-be saviors of the world, in light of such an episode, there would be little cause for surprise if he smiled in amusement, rolled his eyes... or pinched his nose.
It would be pointless to rehash the numerous other examples that have made the news in Masonic circles in the past few years, and in any event I can at least take some measure of satisfaction that the majority of them have not taken place in my Jurisdiction. I simply ask the Mason reading this to pause for a moment in reflection and seriously consider whether Freemasonry is just a civic or fraternal group with a bunch of highfalutin, flowery platitudes that are just so much hot air... or is a true order offering a philosophy of life which, if employed and practiced in our day-to-day interactions, would lead to a greater society?
In any event, there is little doubting that Freemasonry has much to offer the world. Salvation?
Perhaps so.
I simply submit that any salvation we offer the world will lie in improving the ethical and moral fiber of our members, one at a time, who individually and collectively bring truly masonic principles to the profane world in their day-to-day interactions in the workplace, place of worship, civic institutions and so forth. By focusing internally instead of externally, we can change the world all right, but we change it by changing ourselves. This has two advantages. First, it’s achievable. Second, and far more importantly, it keeps our critical eye focused where it needs to be – on ourselves – and fosters an attitude of judicious self-assessment and appropriate correction whereby we can avoid the kind of dreadful shortcomings and unmasonic behaviors alluded to above.
