FREEMASONRY
[An editorial in Autumn 1993 publication of the
Masonic Lodge of Research, Lodge 200, Ireland]
(RAH: Have had this in my file for some time as
it sounds familiar, have read it some place before but just can't
bring that place to mind.. This type of article has a tendency to
be repeated - and it does do just that - anyway, enjoy it.)
One hundred and fifty years ago the Rev. Mosses
Shinn, a Methodist minister in Iowa who was also a Freemason was
ordered by the General Conference of his church to renounce his
membership of the Order. This placed him a serious problem , for
he depended on his church to support him and his family. After
pondering the situation he said 'I have for many years
endeavoured to perform my duty as a faithful Minister of this
Church, and I believed I had extended the field of my usefulness,
without violating my vows to the Church,by becoming a loyal and
zealous Freemason. Now you demand that I renounce my Freemasonry
or retire from the Church. The decision is a harsh and painful
one; I have friends both in Church and Freemasonry from whom I do
not wish to be separated. It is not for me to question whether
your requirement is right or wrong, wise or just, so at your
bidding I separate myself from the Methodist Episcopal Church.'
Conference was hushed in shock, and in the
silence one member who had been active in proposing the
resolution rose and extended his hand to Shinn saying 'My
brother, there must be something good about Freemasonry or you,
whom we all love so well, would not adhere to it so tenaciously.
I want to be a Freemason. Will you recommend me and present my
petition to your Lodge?' It is recorded that in the years
following there was a huge increase in members of the church
joining Lodges in Iowa.
I joined the Order in similar circumstances. I
had a friend - an ordained clergyman - who was just, upright,
honourable, loving and good to all who knew him. He made no
secret of his membership of the Order and through him I was able
to join.
At once I found myself one of a world-wide brotherhood founded upon truth, Brotherly Love, Tolerance and understanding. In Lodge I re-avowed my belief and trust in God and my utter dependence on Him. I accepted a copy of the Bible - 'The Volume of the Sacred Law' - a copy which rests on the Altar in every Masonic Lodge, and on that volume I made solemn vows of loyalty, chastity and charity, and pledged myself to practise brotherly love.
In reply to my critics let me quote a wiser man than me, who wrote:
For more than two centuries Freemasonry as we
know it has pursued its peaceful way alone. It has sought no
public acclaim; it has asked no help from outside its circle; it
has permitted the world to think what it may about its objects
and its works. Its best advertisement has been the fact that it
does not advertise itself or its works. Its best advertisement
has been the fact that one does not advertise itself or its
works. It has had, and today has, only one job to perform, only
one reason for its existence. That job is to take material that
comes to it and make good men and better men out of that
material. Everything else, our charities, all our works, are
incidental to that one purpose.'
If Masonry does that job - if it works at it
honestly, even only with a measure of efficiency - it has lived
up to its purpose and fulfilled its highest ideal.
Cecil Brennen.
This article appeared in a parish magazine of
the United Parish of Whitehead and Islandmagee - at the
request of the Rector. The writer is a Licensed Presbyterian
Minister and a Prince Mason.