When is a Man a Mason?

Our Brother over at the Free-Mason-Alert blog has published several interesting articles lately, questioning the Grand Lodge of Alabama in particular and Grand Lodges in general about their fear of newly formed so-called "clandestine" lodges and grand lodges. Some of the articles call into question the morals and motives of specific Masons. A rumor is afoot that the Grand Lodge of Alabama will soon require Alabama Masons to sign an "oath of loyalty" to the Grand Lodge of Alabama.

Also on that site is an open letter from Brother Jeff Peace, one of the founders of the modern / restorers of the ancient Rite of the Rose Cross of Gold. His letter is directed to Most Worshipful Brother F. Ray Jackson, the current Grand Master of Masons for the Georgia, which we have now reprinted on the Burning Taper.

Read the Free-Mason-Alert blog and decide for yourself.

Also recently published on Free-Mason-Alert is Joseph Fort Newton's "When is a Man a Mason?", a poem that oft bears re-reading:

When is a Man a Mason?

When he can look out over the rivers, the hills, and the far horizon with a profound sense of his own littleness in the vast scheme of things, and yet have faith, hope, and courage — which is the root of every virtue.

When he knows that down in his heart every man is as noble, as vile, as divine, as diabolic, and as lonely as himself, and seeks to know, to forgive, and to love his fellowman.

When he knows how to sympathize with men in their sorrows, yea, even in their sins — knowing that each man fights a hard fight against many odds.

When he has learned how to make friends and to keep them, and above all how to keep friends with himself.

When he loves flowers, can hunt birds without a gun, and feels the thrill of an old forgotten joy when he hears the laugh of a little child.

When he can be happy and high-minded amid the meaner drudgeries of life.

When star-crowned trees and the glint of sunlight on flowing waters subdue him like the thought of one muched loved and long dead.

When no voice of distress reaches his ears in vain, and no hand seeks his aid without response.

When he finds good in every faith that helps any man to lay hold of divine things and sees majestic meanings in life, whatever the name of that faith may be.

When he can look into a wayside puddle and see something beyond mud, and into the face of the most forlorn fellow mortal and see something beyond sin.

When he knows how to pray, how to love, how to hope.

When he has kept faith with himself, with his fellowman, and with his God; in his hand a sword for evil, in his heart a bit of a song — glad to live, but not afraid to die!

Such a man has found the only real secret of Masonry, and the one which it is trying to give to all the world.

— Joseph Fort Newton

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