by Midnight Freemasons Contributor
James
E. Frey
PART I: THE MASONIC CHARACTER
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| Freemason George Washington |
My Brethren, the subject of Masonry and its
connection to the Founding Fathers and the American Revolution has inspired
much research and heated debate. The progression of history has accepted the
Craft as a mere footnote in the events that lead to the founding of our great
nation, when in actuality the Masonic philosophy was a driving force behind the
social change of the enlightenment era. Masonry and its rich ideals and virtues
changed the social consciousness of the founders to accept social justice not
only as inevitability but as a duty they owed to God and the common lot of
humanity. They accepted the responsibility of bearing the sword of justice and
the torch of destiny and stood strong against the tyranny of kings and
monarchs.
The Founding Fathers were really rebelling
against the claim of a man that it was the will of God that he is ordained to
rule. The Founders saw the darkness of this system, that it was based upon
ignorance and fear. Their goal was to lift humanity towards the light of
political liberation and democracy, as they also believed it was the will of
Deity to institute this change in history. The Grand Lodge of Massachusetts
addresses the Masonic influence in the American Revolution when they write to
George Washington December 10, 1792.
“A Band of brothers, having always joined the acclamations of their countryman, now testify their respect for the milder virtues which have graced the man. Taught by the precepts of our Society; that we all its members stand upon the level, we venture to assume this station & to approach you with that freedom which diminishes our diffidence without lessening our respect.”
Out of all of the Founding Fathers no man is
more revered in American Masonry then George Washington. In fact he was almost
dubbed the title Grand Master General, or Grand Master of North America, before
he declined as an act of humbleness. Washington has become an almost archetypal
figure of the Masonic and American character. He stands as an ideal, a symbol
for the courage to fight for freedom and not to accept the whims and dictates
of those who claim authority not given to them by the consent of the people.
But what were Washington’s true feelings and thoughts on the craft? What were
his concerns on the new nation he forged out of steel and bullets?
Washington was a strong proponent of the
Masonic philosophy and how it helped shape his character into the strong leader
that we venerate as a champion of liberty. Washington addressed the nature of a
true mason when he wrote back to John Cutler, Grand Master of Massachusetts on
December 27, 1792.
“Flattering as it may be to the human mind & truly honorable… that the milder virtues of the heart are highly respected by a Society whose liberal principles must be founded in the immutable laws of truth and justice…to enlarge the sphere of social happiness is worthy the benevolent design of a Masonic institution; and it is most fervently to be wished, that the conduct of every member of the fraternity… that discover the principles which actuate them; may tend to convince mankind that the grand object of masonry is to promote the happiness of the human race..”
Washington addressed the philosophical mind
state of a mason as being concerned with the virtues of the heart. A Mason should have a strong sense of
compassion and mercy toward his fellow man. We can see this concept echoed in
the Masonic teaching of “Charity” and “Relief”. That is it the position of a
Mason to relieve the distressed of those who are afflicted by strife and to
offer a hand of charity to help those who do not have the needs to stand for
themselves. This sphere of social happiness is the sphere in which this
philosophy spreads into the national character. Washington also addresses that
this sphere must exist upon the backbone of truth and justice. This truth and
justice is the foundational belief that all man is created equal. It is not
wealth of privilege that creates a higher class of citizens; this was the
belief of the world. In the new world the virtues of the individual would be
the basis for social esteem. So this sphere of happiness could not exist within
the old system of belief and government. So it is the true duty of the Mason to
shield the oppressed and stand up for justice and truth. A Mason shall not
stand idly by as his fellow man is exploited by the privileged and powerful.
This is the benevolent design of the Masonic
institution that American government implemented, that no one could rule
without the consent of the ruled. Those who
are self-serving will not exploit us as a people. A true leader, like a true Mason, is
interested in the welfare of others and will stand in defiance of tyranny and
injustice. It is these ideals that are instilled into every candidate upon the
checkered floor, the nature of both good and evil. Washington believed that this new form of
government by the people for the people was the great social change that
Masonry offered the world. It was the great plan implemented that when
established would inspire the rest of the world to throw off the chains of
monarchy and take up the cause of truth and justice.
Paul Revere another famous American Mason and Founding
Father addresses this Masonic plan when he was Grand Master of Massachusetts
wrote to Washington, March 21, 1797
“Of these (Masonic teachings) may you partake in all their purity and satisfaction; and we will assure ourselves that your attachment to this social plan will increase; and that under the auspices of your encouragement, assistance and patronage, the Craft will attain its highest ornament, perfection, and praise. And it is our ardent prayer, that when your light shall be no more visible in this earthly temple, you may be raised to the All Perfect Lodge above; be seated on the right of the Supreme Architect of the Universe, and there receive the refreshment your labors merited."
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| Freemason Paul Revere |
Washington responded to Revere on April 24,
1797 and further addresses the Masonic character as being selfless in nature.
He claims the true reward to the Mason is the betterment of himself through his
morality bringing himself and society closer to God. Washington writes.
“No pleasure, except that which results from a consciousness of having, to the utmost of my abilities, discharges, the trusts which have been reposed in me by my Country, can equal the satisfaction I feel from the unequivocated proofs I continually receive of its approbation of my public conduct… my wishes that bounteous Providence will continue to bless and preserve our country in Peace and in the prosperity it has enjoyed, will be warm and sincere; and my attachment to the Society on which we are members will dispose me always to contribute my best endeavors to promote the honor and interest of the Craft.”
In this Washington shows that the American
character should be self-sacrificing in its display of justice and charity. He
says his fullest reward of all his earthly labors is that the All Seeing Eye of
Providence has blessed their endeavors to liberate mankind politically, thus
reflecting honor and the interest of the Craft. In this statement he expresses
his belief that God has blessed the Masonic agenda of social justice. To
establish a new form of government, and that it is the duty of Masonry to aid
in the American destiny of the liberation of humanity. This is the proper
attitude of the true Mason. To do what is right and strive to benefit others
with no hope for monetary value and reward, only that honor be reflected upon
the Craft and society profit through God’s will.
So as we look upon the Masonic Character what
do we see? From the writings of Revere and Washington we see a man dedicated to
serve and protect others. A True Mason understands how the ideals of the Craft
can change the character of not only an individual, but also a nation. If the
Founding Fathers had not held these virtues and ideals so close to their
hearts, in what kind of a nation would we live? Would they have proclaimed
themselves rulers to satisfy only their own self-interests? Would they have
exploited the people to benefit only themselves? It is a scary thought to think
that the American principles could have never existed. But it was the belief of
the Founding Fathers that the virtues and ideals of the Masonic institution
were a intricate part of the destiny of mankind and the will of God. So when we
as Masons lost sight of those truest of virtues, when we join a group for only
a lapel pin, or we step outside the length of our obligation, let us remember
that the virtues we enact are a central part of God’s plan to liberate mankind
from the darkness into the light of individual duty and justice. Let us learn
from the example of the Founding Fathers, who resisted all temptation to
oppress and exploit, but to remain steadfast to the virtues of the craft and to
the obligation that makes good men better.
~JEF
Part II of this article will be appearing soon on the Midnight Freemasons blog
James E Frey, 32° is a Past Sovereign Prince and current librarian of Valley of Danville AASR. Founder of the R.E.B.I.S Research Society he sits on two Blue Lodge Education committees as well as a guest lecturer on Occultism and Esoteric studies in masonry. He is also a Member of the Oak Lawn York Rite, Medinah Shriners, and Golden Dawn Collegium Spiritu Sancti. He also works as a counselor with emotionally and behaviorally challenged children.
