My Brothers,
Please spare a few minutes of your time and indulge me in a fantasy
speculation of times to come.
The year is 2201 and over 100,000 men have opened their view
screens and have logged on to the WorldWide Cyber Lodge to further
their travels in Masonry. They are about to receive their second
Degree, or as it has come to be known, The Fellow Cash Degree.
The Virtual Worshipful Master, (a term that has come to cause
much confusion concerning the true connotation of the word “virtual”),
has downloaded the initiation program. Those viewing their
screens see an image of a candidate being asked the question
. . .
“By what authorization do you expect to receive this
favor?”
To which the candidate replies, “By the Account Name
and Password of this Degree.”
“Give the Account Name.”
“Perpetual.”
“Give the Password.”
“Security.”
“The Account Name and Password are correct, we will now
proceed with a representation of an approximation of the ceremonies
that were once performed in conjunction with the ancient degree
one denominated “Fellowcraft”.
After the initiation program has finished, the Virtual Worshipful
Master once again appears and informs those viewing that an explanation
of the degree will now begin.
A Virtual Senior Deacon appears and begins; “The second
part of this degree is concerned with the history of Freemasonry
and is an explanation of the Three categories of the same, which
are Operative, Speculative and Contributive. By Operative Masonry
we . . . . . . and by Contributive Masonry we refer to the state
of the Craft we now find ourselves in. Our Brothers in the past
were either Operative and Speculative Masons or Speculative Masons
only. Since the aforementioned original two forms were found
to be neither relative nor convenient, but since a power and
financial edifice existed, so great that the desolation of which
would prove calamitous, especially to those at it’s apex,
it was determined to form a third entity, that to which you
have just become a member.”
“We are Contributive Masons only, having neither the
time or inclination to be concerned with matters of Philosophy,
Spirituality or Morality. Yet we are still known to those in
the community and the world as Freemasons by the Jewels placed
upon our persons and the Emblems affixed to our various modes
of transportation.”
“Mankind has ever appeared to benefit from institutions,
historic and venerable, that seem to give foundation, structure
and continuity to society. We hold that Masonry is foremost
in that field of august and elevated bodies, ever to be preserved
at any cost. You as Contributive Masons have been selected
for your status in the community and your ability to financially
support the Fraternity without material hardship to yourself
or family. Little else will be expected of you, save that
noble and laudable expectation of continued application to
and enrollment in the numerous other appendant bodies of Masonry,
links to which are now displayed on your screens . . . . “
The program concludes shortly thereafter and those viewing log
off.
---
My Brothers, it is not my intention to ridicule or insult the
fraternity I love and to which I have pledged my support. Rather
it is my hope that this writing would encourage us to exercise
the utmost caution in the future when seeking the means to preserve
that for which so many have for so long wrought.
We are founded on the premise that that which mankind once had
has been lost and it is we who must seek to restore it. That
which was lost was lost to the ruffians of Pride, Arrogance and
Selfishness. We have ever sought to counter those vices with
the virtues of Humility, Fraternity and Charity. Now the institution
itself appears to be in danger. And once again, the ruffians
come from within the Craft. They are Panic, Shortsightedness
and Expedience.
I am not unmindful of the financial realities facing us. I am
keenly aware that demographics are a huge part of the concern.
But I ask these questions. In the days before Masonry became
the organization it now is, with the vast real estate and financial
holdings and responsibilities it now possesses, what was its
purpose? Does that purpose still lie at the core of our being?
When our numbers grew to those of some fifty years ago, prompting
the expansion of properties and responsibilities we now find
ourselves struggling to maintain, what was the impetus for
that growth? Was it the essence of what Masonry was founded
upon or was it misdirection, the ramifications of which we
are now forced to correct? But if the growth was well deserved,
is it society that now believes that Masonry and what it stands
for is no longer relevant or is it we ourselves who have failed
to demonstrate that the tenets of Masonry and our daily application
of the same are vital to a strong, free and just society?
Much was accomplished in the past as a result of Masonry’s
existence in our world. We are ever touting the achievements
of great Masons and the effect Masonry has had in the formation
of the revolutionary movements in our country, France, Bolivia
and others. We reflect with both humility and gratitude on the
sacrifices made by many of our Brothers in the face of Fascism,
Communism and other forms of despotism. Have we therefore reached
that third of the three steps where we merely reflect on the
accomplishments of a life well spent, only waiting for the pronouncement
of the words “Well done good and faithful servants”?
Or are we still Fellow Crafts, ever laboring to rebuild the
broken temple, ever searching for that which was lost? Is not
our time as important as our treasure, if not more so, in preserving
and perpetuating what Masonry was originally intended to be?
I don’t pretend to know all the answers but I do know
this. As we ask the questions about the future, these questions
I raise about our purpose and direction must be asked as
well and the answers diligently sought after. Otherwise, my
fantastic sarcastic fiction could become an unfortunate reality.
George Steberl III, P.M.
