The True “Gifts” of Freemasonry BY AKRAM R. ELIAS, PAST GRAND MASTER AND CHAIRMAN, GRAND LODGE COMMITTEE ON MASONIC EDUCATION
It is often said that “Freemasonry is a fraternal organization that offers different things to different people.” What does this really mean, and more importantly, what message is such a statement conveying to a newly made Mason? Words can be much more than words; they can convey profound messages and reflect our way of thinking. The words we choose to use when we speak of our Fraternity reveal how we really view Freemasonry. So, is Freemasonry a fraternal “organization” or a fraternal “initiatic society?” And if it is the latter, who are the “takers” and givers” in our institution? Fraternal Organization An “organization” is defined by the American Heritage Dictionary as: • Something that has been organized or made into an ordered whole. • Something made up of elements with varied functions that contribute to the whole and to collective functions; an organism. • A group of persons organized for a particular purpose; an association: a benevolent organization. A fraternal organization, sometimes also known as a “fraternity,” is an organization that represents the relationship between its members as akin to brotherhood. There exist in the United States today more than two million civil society organizations that one can choose to join. Is Freemasonry among these organizations that a person can simply join? Of course not! What, then, is the nature of our Craft? Fraternal Initiatic Society A “society” is defined by the American Heritage Dictionary as: • A group of humans broadly distinguished from other groups by mutual interests, participation in characteristic relationships, shared institutions, and a common culture.
• “Watching the west gate” – is that person worthy of being initiated into our society? Will that person “conform to the rules of the Order” or will he attempt to subvert our Sacred Art with the poisonous ways of the profane world? • “Loving our ritual” – are we devoting time to learn the ritual, which distinguishes us Bro. Akram Elias, PM from the profane and helps each one of us build his internal temple? • “Speaking in symbols” – are we designing Lodge instruction programs which help us decipher the hidden meanings of our symbols, which are naturally invisible to the naked eye? Are we stressing to Entered Apprentices the importance of seeking the deeper (esoteric) meanings of the tools, symbols, and ceremonies, without which one cannot “improve himself ” in Freemasonry? Are we providing them with guidance as to how they would go about doing that? • “Living our Freemasonry” – are we discussing in Lodge meaningful ways to internalize the teachings of Freemasonry in order to truly become better men and make a positive difference in our respective communities? What about Ethics from the Masonic standpoint to guide our conduct? The “Axiomatic” Gift of Freemasonry: Enlightened Freedom to Build Since our fraternity is indeed a Society of Freemasons, it hands out a most precious gift that no money or wealth in the world can ever buy – how to be truly free! We live in a profane world that is constantly talking, doing very little listening, filled with white noise, spitting out increasingly manipulated data, demanding instantaneous reactions/interactions, and often ruled by stress, fear, greed, anger, and retribution. How can I be free in such a profane world? Freemasonry provides this inestimable gift.
Freemasonry indeed meets the definition of a fraternal “society” of men in the case of our Grand Lodge who distinguish themselves from others by mutual interests (to become better men), participation in characteristic relationships (ritualistic ceremonies), shared institutions (the Lodge), and a common culture (Masonic symbolism). Furthermore, one does not “join” Freemasonry so much as one is “initiated, taken, and accepted” into the Royal Art.
For the purpose of illustration, I will highlight the positions of the Tiler, Junior Warden, Senior Warden and Master in the “opening” and “closing” of a Lodge which are allergically designed to guide the Brother in achieving his freedom by learning when and how to “open” and “close’ his inner temple when operating in the profane world.
Our words have force; they are the tool that we use to communicate and create the events in our life. By stressing the fact that we are a fraternal initiatic society, we remind ourselves of the true mission of our Noble Craft and become more vigilant in:
The Tiler allegorically teaches me not to let any thought, word or deed go out of me nor come into me unless and until I, have designed a wise course of action (Master: Wisdom, Square) which is well founded and just (Senior Warden: Strength, Level), for the purpose of doing what is right while diffusing beauty (Junior War(continued on page 15)
6 The Voice of Freemasonry ISSUE 4, 2019
