Brothers, A few weeks back, I posted a message that mentioned that we, as Masons, had forgotten our mission. A kind brother wrote back and asked me to define that mission. Due to a need for some thinking about this, and a business trip that took me away from my computer, I could not answer right away.
The mission of Freemasonry, as I see it has a primary and secondary goal. Our primary goal, as pointed out by J.F.Newton is to build the Temple. When we became Masons, everything said and done pointed the way. By belief in G*D, rectitude of conduct and charity to all, we began to make ourselves building blocks for that Spiritual Building. It is not easy; sometimes our tools are dull, our fatigue high and we are sure the material we started with is less than adequate. This has been summed up as "Masonry makes good men better," but I think the metaphor of the Temple is stronger and more accurate.
Our secondary goal, as I see it, is to create a fabric that helps others to improve their Spiritual Buildings. This is by fostering Brotherly Love, Charity (which should not be just a handout, but a tool for self-sufficiency), and promoting a quality education. ie, Brotherly Love, Relief & Truth.
Sometimes I think that we have forgotten our primary goal in favor of the secondary; or worse, we have become just another civic or charitable organization. Membership is important, but we must choose our materials wisely, as even the builders of old chose their stones from the quarry with care. We need not hide our building, was not the cathedral built in the center of the town, symbolic of being the center of the peoples lives?
I am proud to be a Mason, even tho' my "block" is still a VERY rough ashlar.
Fraternally,
Warren A. Caruss, PM
Dimondale #449 F&AM, Michigan