Are you just a Mason, or a just Mason?

*Reprinted from "The Lee Sin Times: The official newsletter of the Alfonso Lee Sin Masonic Lodge No. 158, Free and Accepted Masons, May 2018 issue"

VIEWS FROM THE ALTAR
by: Bro. Dennis C. Uy, PM, PDGL

Are you just a Mason, or a just Mason?

The recent episode during the 102^nd Annual Communication in Davao City demonstrated some of the qualities, and deficiencies, we have as Masons. After all has been said and done, how each player in the great debate demonstrated, not only his character, but more importantly, how well the lessons and teaching of our craft has been ingrained in their hearts.

They say that each person has his own character and set of values. But we, as Free and Accepted Masons, are united not only by a mystic tie that binds each and every one of us, but by the universal symbolism

and allusions of our fraternity, taught to each and every one who has traveled through the same rough and rugged road.

One of the most important teachings of our fraternity are the four Cardinal Virtues: Temperance, Fortitude, Prudence and Justice. The Four Cardinal Virtues of Freemasonry provide a framework for daily living and serve as a guide for our relationship with God and our fellow man. Thus these virtues are essential to Freemasonry. Perhaps this is why they are introduced in the Entered Apprentice Lecture, to provide a foundation upon which to build the lessons of Freemasonry.

For this article, allow me to refresh our memories and understanding of the Four Cardinal Virtues so they may always remain our guide in our daily lives.

“Temperance is that due restraint upon our affections and passions which renders the body tame and governable, and frees the mind from the allurements of vice. This virtue should be the constant practice of every Mason, as he is thereby taught to avoid excess, or the contracting of any licentious or vicious habit, the indulgence of which might lead him to disclose some of those valuable secrets which he has promised to conceal and never reveal, and which would consequently subject him to the contempt and detestation of all good Masons.” Temperance represents restraint. The Mason must control his passions and desires. He must practice restraint in all things and avoid excess. He must exercise caution in his action, speech, thought, feeling, judgment, and life.

“Fortitude is that noble and steady purpose of mind, whereby we are enabled to undergo any pain, peril, or danger, when prudentially deemed expedient. This virtue is equally distant from rashness and cowardice; and, like the former, should be deeply impressed upon the mind of every Mason, as a safeguard against any illegal attack that may be made, by force or otherwise, to extort from him any of those valuable secrets with which he has been so solemnly entrusted, and which were emblematically represented upon his first admission into the Lodge.” Courage is another name for fortitude. For the Mason, fortitude symbolizes more than physical courage. It also represents moral courage. The Mason must have the strength and ability to make a decision based upon his own moral convictions and stick to it regardless of the consequences. The Mason must exhibit the highest moral and ethical principles in his life and standby those principles when society looks unfavorably upon those principles.

“Prudence teaches us to regulate our lives and actions agreeably to the dictate of reason, and is that habit by which we wisely judge, and prudentially determine, on all things relative to our present, as well as our future happiness. This virtue should be the peculiar characteristic of every Mason, not only for the government of his conduct while in the Lodge, but also when abroad in the world. It should be particularly attended to in all strange and mixed companies, never to let fall the least sign, token, or word, whereby the secrets of Masonry might be unlawfully obtained.” In its most comprehensive sense, prudence implies not only caution but also the ability to judge in advance the probable consequences of one’s actions. It also symbolizes wisdom in the conduct of one’s activities. Wisdom of mind and soul comes from thought, study and circumspection. It brings the Mason closer to God. Prudence reminds the Mason to reflect upon the moral and social consequences of his activities and his relationship to his Creator.

“Justice is that standard, or boundary of right, which enables us to render to every man his just due, without distinction. This virtue is not only consistent with Divine and human laws, but is the very cement and support of civil society; and as justice in a great measure, constitutes the real good man, so should it be the invariable practice of every Mason never to deviate from the minutest principles thereof.” Justice symbolizes equality for the Mason. The Mason should govern his own actions, have them judged openly, and his conduct towards others should be without deception. He should undertake actions because he desires to and not because he is forced to. His actions should be unselfish and self-sacrificing.

We pride ourselves on being a Mason. In fact some of us wear it on our sleeves, figuratively, and in our bodies, physically, whether it be in our clothing, jewelry, homes or cars. But the best way to wear our pride in being Masons is in our hearts, in the way we treat our fellowmen, and in the way we conduct our dealings.

Yes, we are Masons. But let us ask ourselves; am I just a Mason, or a just Masons?