How to Make ‘Good Men Better’

(Presented by R. W. Bro. William Lewis – Senior Deacon of Trent Lodge # 38)

The following was a presentation given by R. W. Bro. William Lewis on the occasion of the official visit by the Prince Edward District Deputy Grand Master R. W. Leonard G. Bedford.

The presentation was based on the original speech given by W. Bro. H. Evan Woodhead. FCF.

We are told that the traditional purpose of Freemasonry is "to make good men better". I have heard many fine and prominent Masons say this, and do so with pride. But if you ask them to be more specific: "how does it do that?" or "better in what way?" the answer is often vague, rambling, unfocused and confusing. 

They usually hit several good and important themes, like encouraging high standards of ethics and morality, promoting personal development, preserving tradition, and maintaining a global fraternal network. But in the end the purpose is less than clear.

Worse still, they sometimes say "What each person gets out of it is different" or "You get out as much as you put in" and leave it at that.

Those things are true. But this is not what I think we should give as an answer. In answering the question, we will consider two levels. The basic or surface level and a deeper, more complex level.

Let's start with the basic level. I find it fascinating that an institution as old as ours does what Steven Covey calls "Starting With The End In Mind".

The ritual for the Initiation Ceremony gives us the foundation for this whole consideration of purpose. Every candidate is required to confirm that his purpose in joining is self improvement. Specifically, that he comes to us because of a "general desire for knowledge and a sincere desire to render himself more extensively serviceable to his fellow creatures".

We have already confirmed that he is a good man. We have made investigation into his character. We have received assurances regarding his faith. We now formally confirm his purpose in joining. He asserts that he is here to make himself better. To gain new knowledge. To make himself more serviceable. To become more useful. To expand and improve his capabilities.

Clearly, in joining Freemasonry the candidate expects to learn things he did not know and pick up new skills or improve those he already has. So, exactly what knowledge and skills are we talking about?

Morals and Ethics.

Despite the emphasis it receives, this is the most superficial layer of all. It is taught explicitly in the ritual. Reinforced and emphasized through memorization. This element of Freemasonry was clearly an essential and integral part of Masonry at least as far  back as the mediaeval Masons Guilds.

Even the earliest of the existing manuscript constitutions, or "old charges" place a central emphasis on the importance of ethical behaviour, and the Schaw Statutes (1598/99) emphasize the importance of memorization. Note also the parallel to modern Professional Associations.

Mental Skills.

By developing the power of memory through practice. By teaching mnemonic techniques and providing tailor-made examples for their practice and improvement. Memorization used to be a skill widely taught and practiced in the schools.

Today's pervasive access to reference material has reduced the need for this skill, and the schools have switched to develop other abilities. And so Masonry has emerged as somewhat unique in fostering and developing our internal mental capacity, honing the ability to function at a high level without recourse to books or computers.

Clearly, high moral standards, ethics, and mental acuity are of use in every aspect of life. But there's more. There are also opportunities to learn a wide range of skills that are useful on the job and help a man progress in his career, as well as being beneficial in a social context.

In the earliest days of the fraternity, this teaching encompassed the educational needs of the operative stone mason of all levels and types, from apprentices, through journeymen builders to the planning, design, and management of the craft in general and each building site in particular. Today, many of the same talents apply to every vocation and walk of life.

Public speaking, both extemporaneous and prepared, would be developed through the practice in the delivery of memorized ritual, and in making motions, delivering committee reports, toasts, or other speeches.

Protocol and Etiquette.

Many work places have abandoned business suits in favour of casual dress, and our society is much less formal than it was in past generations. Nevertheless, there is a level in every industry and very organization at which it becomes important to know these things. Breaches of the rules of polite society can derail a young man's career... Without his ever knowing why. Where else will he learn about:

• Dress and deportment. Being comfortable wearing a Business suit, tying a necktie, dressing for semi-formal (black tie), and formal (white tie) occasions. Even knowing exactly what is the proper costume if the invitation says "black tie" or "white tie". If you suddenly have to attend a fancy dress event at boardroom level...
• Formal dining etiquette. Which fork should I use when there are three of them?
• Toasts and speeches. How does one address the audience when there is a head table?

And before we leave the topic of protocol and etiquette, ask yourself just in general, how much does it differentiate a man from the rest of the staff if he can move in such an environment with ease? How does he look to Senior Management, if he can accept such an invitation on short notice since he has his own tux, knows how to behave, and is as relaxed as if he does this kind of thing every month?

Parliamentary procedure or Roberts Rules of Order, as it is more commonly known. Committee structures and formal procedures for managing discussion and decisions are confusing and intimidating to those who are not conversant with them. Opportunities to learn these things are rare. But with the skills learned through Masonry, a man could enter this sort of environment in a work context and instantly look experienced and capable.

Organization, administration, and leadership are all skills that can be learned and honed by participating as an officer. The chairs are arranged in a progressive pattern, with different skills and abilities needed for each, but in a sequence that builds up the officer's abilities to enable him to handle the "general management" responsibilities of the Worshipful Master.

As officers progress through the chairs, these skills (if they do not already have them) are taught to them by their more senior brethren. This is not just theory, but "experiential learning" which includes hands-on experience and the opportunity to try their own ideas and test the theories they have learned.

The Deeper Level

I have spent a lot of time talking about Masonry Making Good Men Better on the surface or basic level. There is also a deeper level. This is more difficult to describe specifically, because it truly is completely different for each of us.

What happens at this level depends upon our unique needs, and of course upon how hard we work at it. In general however, it comes as a gift to us, a secondary benefit of working through the surface layer of self improvement.

It may be a form of Enlightenment, as all the other knowledge comes together and becomes something bigger than the sum of the parts. It may be a breakthrough in understanding some specific part of what we have studied.

It can manifest as promotion at work, professional recognition, self confidence, improved relationships, financial success, or pure peace of mind.

I don't want to make it sound too mystical, but the benefit we find at this deeper level is often very strange. It is usually not something we came consciously looking for, but something we found along the way, and at just the time we needed it. You will find that every Mason who has been active in the craft over a prolonged time has stories to tell of the strange and obscure ways that he has benefited from his membership.

But all of them stem from a sincere and dedicated program of continuing education, self study, introspection, open-minded discussion, and all other intellectually honest means. People who expect the good things in life to be immediately showered upon them like manna from heaven go away disappointed. But those who persevere and participate fully are richly rewarded.