Revolution.
I've been fascinated by Masonry and its ties to various revolutions and political coups through its much lauded history. Fascinated, because it takes an extraordinary man to recognize injustices around him, create a plan for how to bring then to an end, persuade others to help him accomplish this task, inspire these people to risk their way of life (or even their lives), and then lead them to accomplish the revolution. Throughout history, many of these extraordinary men were Masons.
Where are these men today? I've often wondered why we read about these people in our history books in school, yet asking the average person on the street to name a current revolutionary thinking Mason would bring a notable silence. Or worse yet, the more common answer; "What's a Mason?"
When contemplating what I perceive as an injustice perpetrated againist my brother Aaron, my temper became heated, and I looked for a way to strike back, or somehow show my disapproval en force. I know others did too. Yet, what are our actual recourses? We're persuing some; the wise and prudent courses as good Masons should. But how could we make a bold and uncompromising statement against Grand Lodge... an organization which we created from our own ranks, and one which is supposed to help and support us? We can't go "on strike." The only thing Grand Lodge asks of us is our dues. If we withheld them, they would just pull our charter. That doesn't make a very strong statement.
How about a revolution? How about being so incensed against the establishment that I persuade a significantly large group of like-minded Masons to overthrow our Grand Lodge Officers, and elect new ones? It'd have to be a pretty large group. And I'd have to be a pretty persuasive speaker. How about I leave Freemasonry and start a new organization; the Liberated and Acknowledged Freemasons of California and establish my own Grand Lodge? I could persuade others who are also angry at the injustice of our current system, to give up their rights in the established California Masonry, and join this new (what would be deemed clandestine) Lodge system. It might take years of fighting against the system to finally be recognized among other Masonic organizations as legitimate, all the while us brave L&A Masons would be shunned at Lodges all around the world, and quite possible persecuted here.
These can't possibly be easy tasks. How great must the injustice be before a large group of people are inspired to give up everything they have come to know and tolerate in order to fight for something they hope will be better? Now suddenly, I have a greater appreciation for the sacrifices of my revolutionary Masonic forefathers.
I am not looking to start a revolution. I'm choosing to "wait a time with patience," and "let prudence direct me." For now. But then again, which characters in the history books are known for their patience and restraint and not for acting on their revolutionary thoughts?
Exactly.
With Brotherly Love,
David Sylvester
Senior Warden