Masons Unlike Other Men
Pondering virtues
In the earliest days of our nation, there were two clearly competing views of how the United States should develop.
Should it turn into a modern economic powerhouse?
Or should it remain pastoral, home to yeoman farmers?
The former was pushed most strongly and effectively by our very first Secretary of the Treasury, Alexander Hamilton. The latter by our very first Secretary of State, and third President, Thomas Jefferson.
If we are to judge by electoral success at the time, clearly the vision held by Jefferson, that this new nation should remain firmly rooted in rural agriculture, was wildly popular. Men who held this vision became our Presidents, one right after the other. Jefferson, Madison, Monroe.
But, of course, Hamilton’s vision won out in the end. We are living in the nation that he largely envisioned.
Here is an interesting quote, written by a Jeffersonian during the time of President Washington’s administration:
Hamilton had “talked to them so much of imports… funds… banks… and manufactures that they are considered as the cardinal virtues of the Union. Hence liberty, Independence… have been struck out from the American vocabulary and the hieroglyphs of money inserted in their stead.”
The prime division at the time seemed to be not simply regional, but a strong variation of perspective. What was most important, economic growth and potential, or independence and individual liberty.
Contemplating Freemasons, I have to wonder if, similarly, Masons have a different view of money than the average man? If holding it is less important to the average Mason than the average man? If a Mason is more likely to give it to someone in need?
After all, those Shrine hospitals didn’t build themselves.
And all those Worshipful Masters give an awful lot of their time and expertise without monetary remuneration.
We see this over and over again, throughout Freemasonry. Men giving freely of their time, talents, energy, and indeed money. Men in office and not, giving countless hours and standing up to answer vast needs.
I don’t know that we see much similar in our society at large. Or in the average man.
That’s what I wonder about this Sunday morning. Are “imports… funds… banks… and manufactures” less important to Masons than they are to the average man?
Is lending a hand and doing good for others, having a positive impact in the world, whether large or small, more important to the average Mason than it is to the average man?
Do we, as Masons, hold a fundamentally different perspective from the average?
"Do we, as Masons, hold a fundamentally different perspective from the average?"
Our Closing Charge tells us, "These generous principles extend further, for every human being has a claim upon your kind offices."
So why ask such a question in such a way that it insinuates a "higher than thou" stance. We are on the Level, in and out of Lodge. Economics aside.
I'm a huge Jefferson fan, less us sharing a first name (Thomas is a great name -- don't forget it), but I also agree with his ideologies. Hamilton was wrong. Economics of scale inevitably lead to collapse of societies. I'm not a Marxist either -- ownership abolished is worse than Capitalism. Trickle down hasn't worked, though.
Individualism and autonomy will be what wins this next window of society. We, as Freemasons, should stand to and abide by our Obligations and never present ourselves as better than, or above, lest we perpetuate the generalist belief of the Fraternity.
MWPGM Bailey,
First and foremost, each man who wants to find out more about Masonry, needs to know how to fill out a Petition (that is considered for what he says in his handwriting)! Then he is somewhat investigated by a few Masonic Brothers, to see if he might truly have enough to pay a membership fee, and not damage his other obligations (like a family)? After becoming an EA, his ability to memorize Obligations and repeat them back aloud in front of a Lodge is evaluated. So a reasonable level of intelligence is necessary to advance as a Mason, Correct?