Aims and Objects of Freemasonry

PAPER PRESENTED AT THE QUARTERLY COMMUNICATION OF THE DISTRICT GRAND LODGE OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO & GRENADA

APRIL 15, 2011

E.C.Clyde Parris M.Sc., B.Sc.,Hon.Snr.D.G.W, Worshipful District Grand Secretary.

INTRODUCTION

RWDGM, distinguished Brethren, Brethren all. By way of Introduction I wish firstly to thank Brother George Charles Snr., Past District Grand Secretary and our recently elevated Substitute District Grand Master for bringing to my attention the material which I will present this evening.

I can say and I am sure that you will agree that we have, in the past, been exposed in the Temple and at Harmony to presentations which have been scholarly, intellectually challenging and stimulating, informative and exciting. Work based on information, no doubt, derived from a wealth of personal experience, scholarship, knowledge and intense research.

Brother Gerry Besson, the late Sir Ellis Clarke, Dr Pat Bishop and of course Brother Emile Charles, Worshipful District Grand Lecturer,are only a few of the presenters who are characterized by the level of excitement, interest and intellectual challenge they generate.

This evening’s presentation,while it cannot in any way be classified as a piece of intense scholarly research that is intellectually challenging,it nevertheless addresses the important purpose of prompting the reader to engage in a critical self-examination based on honesty and sincerity.

In order for my presentation to have meaning and any relevance to you as Masons It is important for me to alert you to the fact that the paper which I will now read is structured for and directly addressedto applicantsto Freemasonry.

Notwithstanding thishowever, it is my hope that it will also challenge every Mason in a very simple but fundamental way to answer the question….What kind of Mason am I? But to achieve this I will ask you to transport your thoughts back in time to that point when you first were encouraged or when you felt a desire to be involved in Freemasonry. This of course,for some, may be challenging because of the time distance between then and now.

(For Recital to an Applicant at the Board of Inquiry)
Here begins the narrative to an applicant …

You have expressed a wish to become a Freemason.The granting of this wish depends on whether you are fitted for this organisation, according to the opinion of its members, or whether it is fitted for you.

We would like to suggest, therefore, that you examine yourself before you let yourself be proposed for election,even if you think that you conform to our expectations, and even if you think that you will find in our circle what you expect, and what led you to us.
If you believe that you may procure some personal or business advantage by admission to Freemasonry, you will be sorely disappointed. It were better you withdraw your application.

lf it seems impossible for you to forget all differences of social position, financial possessions, mental abilities,religious beliefs, and political opinions, it would be better to renounce your intention of becoming a Freemason because you would not feel at home in our surroundings and meetings where such differences are not observed. If again you believe that we aspire to freedom and equality by aiming at the destruction of the social structures of society, then you would not fit into our group.If it is only your curiosity or a desire to enlarge your social contacts, then you had better give up your desire. Curiosity cannot be satisfied here. Your vanity may be hurt when you see your social inferior superior to yourself. The desire for sociability, as such, can be better satisfied in other organisations.

Every Freemason must vow secrecy when admitted. Disappointed expectations, injured vanity and uncontrolled emotions have induced some to break their vows. But our Brotherhood continues to exist and flourish, and to count many honourable men as members. Whoever has made this vow and kept it cannot become a traitor, but he who has not, would only be a traitor to his better self (if indeed such exists).
Examine yourself carefully to find out what you really want in Freemasonry. If this is not clear to you then you may be in danger of later becoming unfaithful to your vows, and this we fear, not so much for our sake, as yours.

The obligations which you have to accept as a Freemason do not, in any way, conflict with those to God, the Government,to your honour, your morals or your duty to your family. The Lodge requires faithfulness. This means not merely that members should not desert her, but also that they be active in her interests. For this she will demand a part of your time and efforts. She asks you to attend the communications regularly and that no member excludes himself when help is required of all for a common useful purpose.

Since the society of Freemasons is drawn from men of different occupations and social environments, it is very likely that you will find amongst us those with whom you have not previously been in social converse in profane life.Examine yourself to determine if you would be strong enough to accept this man as a brother, and indeed more so, to ally yourself with him in fraternal love for a common purpose. Similarly, it could happen that you would meet, as amember of our society, a man whom you might feel you could not respect. Sober thought, however, will tell you that our society cannot always avoid mistakes in admitting members. It should not be held against Freemasonry which, only in extreme cases, wholly disowns a man who has received the title of brother.

Rather examine yourself to see if you would have the courage and compassion not to reject the fallen brother but to lead him with love and to uplift him.

A true Freemason does not regard his Lodge as a substitute for his Church, but as a Temple of the Highest who is always present where two or three are gathered in His Name. A Mason does not degrade the Lord to his own level, but humbly admits that he must aspire to be good; trying to walk in the ways of God in whose image he was made.

The purpose of Freemasonry is therefore the moral improvement as well as the intellectual and spiritual advancement of its members. To this end, a man must be freed from the chains of prejudice, sensuality and egotism. Freemasonry will offer stimulation of good for the cultivation of pure humanity. It will create an opportunity for united effort to develop harmoniously our talents and potential strength.

Freemasons consider all men equally called for purpose. The Lodge will therefore become the centre of union without regard to social standing, church affiliation or birth. Only strength of character, mental action and deeds are justly respected in our society. The differences and disharmonies which so often separate men in profane life are minimised. The institution strives to promote true friendship between its members and unite then in a mutually useful and ennobling fraternal activity.

lf then you do not feel the decided need to accomplish of Freemasonry in yourself and beyond yourself, membership in our Lodge would be an exercise in futility. If on the other hand, the desire and need exist, we shall be happy and honoured to receive and accept you.
This is the end of the narrative.

CONCLUSION

This presentation was extracted from ‘THE LEVEL” The Masonic voice of Trinidad and Tobago Volume 6, 1987 -1988. The Editor-in-Chief of the publication was Brother Cecil Haig Dolly, M.O.M., P.M. #596 and Hon. Grand Director of Ceremony. The paper is entitled “AIMS AND OBJECTS OF FREEMASONRY” and was intended to be recited to an Applicant at the Board of Inquiry. Its Author is unknown.

I do not know if this is used by Lodges in its original or any form at an Inquiry, but it should be mandatory as there is no question about its relevance to the applicant and equally so to the Board of Inquiry in evaluating the worthiness of the Applicant. When conjoined with the Grand Lodge brochure entitled SCOTTISH FREEMASONRY – “Introducing Men to the Craft – Guidelines for Members of the Craft” to help the Enquiring Man and the New Mason, we have the blueprint for selection of the best candidates into the Craft. Of course, it all boils down to how effectively we use these guidelines and how perceptive we are in making our judgement.
Not withstanding this however there is evidence of drop-outs, disinterest and disenchantment among Masons.

While it is not my purpose here this evening to provide answers to the why of this situation I will ask of you the following:

Do you feel fitted to the organization? Have you found what you expected?
Have differences of social positions, financial possessions, political opinions etc. made you feel ill at ease in the organization?

Do the obligations of Freemasonry conflict with your other obligations?
Have you found any moral improvement as well as spiritual and intellectual advancement in your life?

Are you faithful to your Lodge? Has the Lodge become a Centre of union in your life?
These and many more questions we can ask ourselves.

As I indicated in my introduction, while this paper is intended to provoke deep introspection and an honest self-examination in the candidate as a means of informing and assisting his decision about pursuing membership in Freemasonry, I am suggesting that it can also be a referenceto Masons in answering the question “What kind of Mason am I?”. For in asking you to go back in time to your beginning as a Mason, you can now travel forward and as you make an evaluation of your journey to where you are at this juncture, for this could be very informative, perhaps, just perhaps this could be the beginning of a new chapter in the unfolding narrative of one’s quest for “Masonhood”.

SUCCESS

He has achieved success who has lived well, laughed often and loved much; who has gained the respect of intelligent men, and the love of little children; who has filled his niche and accomplished his task; who has left the world better than he found it, whether by an improved poppy, a perfect poem or a rescued soul; who has never lacked appreciation of earth\’s beauty or failed to express it; who has always looked for the best in others and given the best he had; whose life was an inspiration, whose memory a benediction.
Anonymous

Taken from “The Level” Volume 6 – 1987-1988(The Masonic Voice of Trinidad and Tobago)