Once we relax our standards ever so little, a long and difficult struggle is ahead
before their lofty position can be regained, if ever.

12 - 'Or What's A Heaven For?'

Dear Tom:

LESS you for that reference to Gresham's Law in your letter received yesterday. Years ago I memorized it while cramming for tests in Economics 101a, then pigeonholed it in an out-of-the-way brain cell, possibly for this very occasion.

You really set me to thinking, my lad. "Couldn't we apply Gresham's Law to other areas of society--Freemasonry, for example?" you ask.

Indeed, I believe we could and should. As a point to remember in the field of economics, Gresham's Law has a highly specialized application. To be useful in our everyday life, perhaps it could be phrased something' like this:

There are high standards and low standards; values that are worthy, desirable, becoming, and values that are undesirable, unbecoming, cheap and shoddy. When society becomes careless and permissive, allowing that which is cheap and shoddy to gain ascendancy, we need not expect standards of excellence to drive out low standards. On the contrary, that which is cheap and shoddy drives out that which is sound and good.

Frightening thought, isn't it?

Both you and I are disturbed over the talk of some of our Masonic Brethren who would pull down our standards more than they have descended already. It's reminiscent of the Old Testament story of Esau selling his birthright for a meal of bread and lentil broth.

A new Worshipful Master will do well to keep Gresham's Law constantly in mind. At the same time, let him take a positive approach with the words of Robert Browning forever ringing in his ears:

"A man's reach should exceed his grasp,
Or what's a heaven for?"

It's an endless battle, Tom. High standards don't remain high of their own volition. We have to struggle to keep them there, in Lodges of Freemasons as in every other area of society. It's so easy to let our values and our practices descend to the lowest common denominator. And once we relax those standards ever so little, a long and difficult struggle is ahead before their lofty position can be regained, if it ever can.

In fact, I'm willing to go out on a limb and say that if you as Worshipful Master carry on a valiant and unceasing fight for higher standards in Acacia Lodge, you'll have a memorable year, and the answers to most of the problems that beset Masters will fall into place.

We would do well to remind ourselves now and then of Freemasonry's basic teaching. It is that building stones must be square, level and plumb-- no less. Our duty, then, is to labor to bring about beauty, symmetry, order, perfection. The place to begin and continue that labor is in the Lodge, for "the stones were all hewed, squared and numbered in the quarries where they were raised." Acacia Lodge is our quarry.

Let's start, then, with consideration of some objectives for next year--

• To instill pride and loyalty in the heart of every Brother; pride in and loyalty to Acacia Lodge first, last and always; pride in and loyalty to all the Fraternity wheresoever dispersed.

It goes without saying that our Lodge must earn loyalty and respect. But in addition to that, there are times when we need to "rear back on our hind legs" and demand loyalty and respect. There's no reason why we should meekly take a back seat to any organized body, especially one that profits by its dependence on us. We need to do a little preaching now and then to remind our Brethren of some things that are basic.

• To insist that Freemasonry be always at the highest level of organized societies, surpassed by none.

There's work to be done on that one, and it must begin at home, in Acacia Lodge.

Suppose we start with your installation. There's been a tendency to lower the banner in installation ceremonies in recent years, with the result that the entire event has deteriorated. Let's lift it to the supreme place it should occupy: a Masonic ceremony conducted in a Masonic Lodge open on the Master Mason degree.

We can demand higher standards at all Masonic occasions--in dress, manners, speech, behavior. In other words, we can expect and insist that Masons act like Masons.

We can demand the highest in ritualistic work. It should be impeccable, which means nothing short of perfection. I hope there will be no place in your Lodge for the "big bruiser" or the showoff, or the comedian seeking only to be noticed.

We can demand the highest of our speakers and entertainers. As long as Acacia Lodge is writing the check, the Master of the Lodge can write the specifications, which I hope will always be: No filthy stories or suggestive remarks. No unkind or derogatory references to persons of any racial, religious or national background. No talk of any kind concerning partisan politics or sectarian religion. (And sectarian religion means just that, including Christianity.)

We can demand the highest standards at the Table Lodge. Some of these occasions are shocking in their carelessness and sloppiness. I hope old Acacia Lodge never descends to the hot dog and potato chip level with the Brethren drinking their toasts out of paper cups, as if a Masonic ceremony were no more than the annual company picnic at the city park!

We can demand the highest on all occasions at which Freemasonry is on display before the public: the Masonic burial and/or memorial service, the procession, the dedication, the laying of a cornerstone.

• To lift the level of our membership.

The most important job you will have as Worshipful Master, Tom, is the selection of investigating committees on petitions for membership. No petitioner has an inherent right to become a Freemason ; it is a privilege that may be granted or denied according to the worthiness or unworthiness of the man who applies. Sometimes it is our duty to cast a black cube.

How ridiculous it is for the Master to glance about the Lodge room when a petition is received and select the committee from those who happen to be present! It should be chosen before the stated communication, with the most careful thought as to those who will insist on lofty standards.

Why not get a "pool" of good, conscientious Brethren who will really investigate, leaving no stone unturned; Brethren who are just as concerned that the level of membership be kept at a high point as you?

I have come to believe that those who are to be members of these particular committees should be given several "class" sessions on investigating techniques.

Tell them never to read questions directed to the petitioner from a paper. The visit should be casual, relaxed. It's easy to make appraisals without appearing in the role of a detective or credit agency.

Argue with me if you will, but I "drag my feet" on the practice of meeting with the petitioner in the presence of his wife and family. It has come to be the thing to do in many places, but I see little to recommend the practice and much to discourage it. It's all right to get acquainted casually with the petitioner's wife, but never in the role of one who is a member of the character committee.

While the petition is under investigation, I like the practice of having the petitioner meet with the elective officers of the Lodge to get acquainted. Sound him out on some key questions that will reveal his true character. Keep the interview relaxed, but probe gently now and then.

When the petition comes to a ballot, try to get the Brethren present to use the positive approach. In other words, to ask themselves the question, "What will he do to uphold the reputation of Freemasonry? How well can we expect him to reflect its dignity?"

It isn't enough merely to say, "He has never been in trouble; there's no reason why he should not be admitted to our fellowship." I prefer to know whether there is any good reason why he should be admitted.

Before the Lodge ballots on the petition, I hope you will be sure to read the Grand Master's Message, "Your Sacred Right and Duty."

Also, I like the old-fashioned practice of placing the ballot box on the altar. It serves a dual purpose in that position: to keep out petty prejudices and grudges, of course--but also to insist that the petitioner be a man of unimpeachable character. That he has managed thus far to keep out of trouble with the law is hardly what we could call a positive recommendation.

"Bring the standard back to the line," the commanding officer in one of the Napoleonic wars ordered in a message to the boy who carried the regimental banner. But the lad was on fire with zeal for victory.

"Bring the line up to the standard!" he urged his chief.

That is our challenge for the year ahead.

--Your Old Mentor