On Masonic Misconduct

Over the past six months or so, there have been a number of pieces on the Web that have highlighted the misconduct of individual Masons and certain Masonic groups.

This is not an exercise in apologetics. If a Mason has committed an act against the law of the land, or the Masonic code of his jurisdiction, he should be made to pay the appropriate criminal, civil, and Masonic price of his actions.

What has moved me to post on this matter is the sentiment that somehow, Masonry is in some way responsible for his actions. In response to this, I would like to turn as I usually do to Carl Claudy through the words of the Old Tyler:

MASONRY'S FAILURE

"Why does Masonry fail so much?" puzzled the New Brother, dropping into a chair beside the Old Tyler in the anteroom.

"I didn't know it did," commented the Old Tyler. "But then, I'm an old man and my eyes are not very good. Maybe I don't see clearly any more. Tell me about it."

"Oh, you see well enough! You just don't want to admit that the order to the service of which you have devoted so much time and thought is just a failure!"

"Is that so!" The Old Tyler seemed surprised. "You interest me! But pity my foibles and tell me your side of it!"

"Masonry fails because it doesn't interest men sufficiently to make them practice what they preach. I was at Jones' house tonight. Went to bring him to lodge in the car. After we had left he said: 'Of course you know I'm not really going to lodge! Got a hen on! Nice fat lil' poker game. Want to sit in?' I told him I didn't. But I took him to his 'nice fat lil' game!' Now, there is a man who tells his family he is going to lodge, and then plays poker. I say Masonry has failed with him. It hasn't even taught him to tell the truth!"

"Remember Roberts? He was arrested last week for forgery. He has been a member for several years. Yet Masonry couldn't teach him to be honest. There was Williamson, who tried to kill his doctor; and Burton who has been defending an ugly divorce suit...they are lodge members, but Masonry didn't teach them to be what they ought to be. And say...did you hear about Larson? Well..." the New Brother lowered his voice. "It's being whispered about that..." He leaned over to talk in the Old Tilers ear. "Now, that isn't Masonry...it's a violation of all his obligations. So I say Masonry has failed with him. What do you say?"

"Yes, Masonry failed to make an impression on these men to suit you, even as Masonry has failed to make an impression on you to suit me!" snapped the Old Tyler. "That last remark you made was an unadulterated scandal! Does Masonry teach you to talk scandal? But never mind that! Let me dig a few weeds out of the scrubby, ill-tended, and unwatered garden you miscall your mind and see if we can't get it ready to grow one straight thought!

"I know Jones. He is a member of the city club, the country club, Dr. Parkin's church, and a luncheon club. Neither church nor luncheon club teach deception or foster lies. Both instruct in morality, one by precept, the other by practice. By what right do you blame Masonry for Jones' failure to tell the truth, any more than the church or the luncheon club? Is Jones' mother to blame because she didn't teach her boy never to tell a lie? How about his Sunday School teacher and his wife? Are they to blame? If not, why is Masonry to blame?

"Roberts has been accused of forgery. I don't know whether he is guilty or not. Williamson seems to have had some real justification for feeling enmity toward his doctor, although nothing justifies murder, of course. Burton may be a sinner or sinned against...I don't know. As for Larson, it will take more than your whispers of scandal to make me believe ill of a brother until I know something.

"But let us suppose Roberts a forger, Williamson a murderer, Burton a Don Juan. All these men grew up, went to school, got out in the world, joined clubs, societies, orders, became Masons, members of a church...Why pick on Masonry as the failure when these men go wrong? Is it just? If the church of God can't keep a man straight how can Masonry be expected to?

"It is rankly unjust to blame Christ for the failures of those who profess to follow Him. Was it Christ's fault that Peter denied Him and Judas betrayed Him? Was it the fault of the religion they professed? Or was it the fault of the man, the character, the up-bringing, the times?

"Men fail, and fall, and rise and try again...or fall and stay in the mud. To those who rise Masonry has a helping hand to extend. To those who fail and stay fallen, she has charity. Not hers the fault that humanity is frail. She hold the torch; if they close their eyes to its radiance and refuse to see the narrow path that the torch illumines, will you blame the torch?

"Masonry does not fail men. Men fail Masonry. Masonry has the teachings, the thought, the ennobling influence, the example to set, the vision to show those who have eyes to see. If they close their hearts to the ennobling influence, will not profit by the example and shut their eyes to the vision, is that the fault of Masonry?

"You, my brother, have just talked scandal without proof; a whispered slander against the good name of a Mason. Has Masonry failed with you that it has not taught you tolerance, brotherly love, reticence, charity of thought? Or is the failure in you as it may be within these men you mention?"

"The Old Tyler waited. The New Brother hung his head. At last he spoke.

"I am most properly rebuked. How shall I make amends?"

"A great teacher said to you and all like you and to me and all like me; 'Go, and sin no more!'" answered the Old Tyler reverently.

These words are as true today as when they were written in 1924. Perhaps it is a failing of mine to rely on the words of those who have a greater command of the English Language than I. But, our thoughts are much the same.

To tear down, to accuse, to find fault with others, is far easier than it is to build, to be intimate enough with human frailty to forgive, to bring out the best in others.

Yes, when transgressions are committed, penalties must be paid. But should that not be an end to it? How long will we grind the transgressor under our heel until the debt is considered paid?

Not just Masons, but to all of you I ask in all humility and sincerity, how long will the misdeeds of others rent space in your soul until it is enough? Haven't we seen through the history of our race the terrible destructive power of unrelenting vendetta? How much of yourself are you willing to give to the perceived foe? Can't we find it within ourselves pity for those who have not received enough light and remain in darkness? Can't we find within ourselves the capacity to see even the most depraved wretch as one who deserves judgement tempered with mercy?

Mercy.

How we cry for mercy for ourselves but remain adamant in denying it to others! How very much our world stands in need of mercy. Thousands are dead in Darfur for its lack. Millions more met their end throughout history because the need for justice outweighed the human capacity for mercy.

Perhaps Solomon erred when he asked for wisdom. He may have been better served by asking for the gift of mercy.

By all means, when transgressions are tried and proven, meet out justice. But I think she remains blindfolded because she cannot bear to witness our lack of mercy to temper justice.

Tonight I am very old and tired man.

Stay tuned, or not, it's up to you