Happiness is Being A Mason

Vernal Visitation, July 9, 2005

Most Worshipful Grand Master Ridge, Most Worshipful Past Grand Masters, Right Worshipful Deputy Grand Master and Grand Wardens, Worshipful Grand Lodge Officers, Worshipful Past Masters, Worshipful Masters, Wardens, Brethren, and Ladies. My talk this afternoon is entitled “Happiness is Being a Mason.” My Webster’s College Dictionary describes happiness as follows: good fortune, pleasure, contentment, or joy. My thrust here is about pleasure, contentment, and joy: pleasure from the company of our brethren, contentment in the work we are about, and joy at the results we achieve.
I believe that masonry provides a great framework for happiness. Happiness starts with our faith in God. You know, they say that happiness must come from within. Well, a deep faith in God tells you that you are special and valued in God’s sight. You have worth just by being you and have been placed on earth to do great things in His sight. This is the first step in self confidence and allows you to face life with enthusiasm and openness; openness to knowledge, openness to service. Masonic knowledge encompasses many types of knowledge; knowledge of our history, knowledge of our ritual and the meanings thereof, knowledge of running a lodge, knowledge of how to inspire and motivate men. Masonic service speaks of service to God, service to our nation, service to our community, and service to our families. These are eight avenues of approach to bring happiness to yourself. Being assured that each of these avenues leads to some enhanced level of happiness, you would naturally approach each day with enthusiasm because you are predisposed to increase your own level of happiness.
Happiness follows from the principles we are taught at our sacred altar; brotherly love, relief, and truth. Our ritual says that we are taught to regard the whole human race as descended from one Almighty parent to whom we are to give aide and protection. This is universal aide and protection, but more especially aide and protection to a Brother Mason. With this assurance that your brethren are pledged to give you aide and protection, why would you not have a reason to be happy? Relief of the distressed and less fortunate is one of the first lessons we are taught in Masonry. We are taught to give to others as liberally as we can without material injury to ourselves and families. Where else do you get a guarantee like that? While this doesn’t relieve you from taking prudent steps to provide for your needs and for those of your family, it does provide a modicum of assurance that others will help you through your most trying times. Hence, one more reason to be happy. “Truth is a devine attribute and the foundation of every virtue.” It is also the foundation of the word trust which we as Masons can expect from our brethren. To meet upon the square and discuss all manner of problems and concerns with our brethren, exchange and receive good counsel from experts in other walks of life specific to our needs, and never having to worry about compensation between brothers is a luxury afforded few individuals. But it is afforded to you, a Mason, because you will willingly do the same for the person helping you. Another checkmark taken from the worry column and placed in the happiness column.
Happiness also comes to those who are involved in a cause greater than themselves. Masonry provides many causes that are greater than our personal horizon and whose success would not be possible without the involvement of many dedicated brothers. Sports analogies abound in this arena. Team work, goal orientation, playing to win, staying the course, doing your best notwithstanding the outcome, and good sportsmanship are just a few of the terms used to describe the qualities required to achieve organizational goals. For masons, these goals include such programs as the Masonic Model Student Assistance Program, the Scottish Rite Children’s Learning Centers, the York Rite Eye Bank, and the Shriners Hospitals for crippled and burned children. Our sponsorship and support of the International Order of Jobs Daughters, DeMolay International, and Rainbow Girls is a source of pride, joy, and happiness to the many Masons who participate in their success. You will note that this emphasis on youth programs is a great goal we have undertaken to pass on to our heirs those values we hold most dear and to assure the continuance of our freedom and happiness as a society.
Now let’s talk about some examples of things we routinely do that bring happiness to ourselves and others. Let’s talk first about helping a new mason begin his masonic journey. Have you coached a newly initiated Entered Apprentice? He starts off mystified by the archaic (to him) ritual we use. As he gets a couple of sentences memorized he begins to see the intent we have. He begins to ask questions – you answer his questions or begin finding the answers to his questions. You both embark on a journey of exploration and expanding knowledge. He is happy to learn the work and begin to understand what Masonry is about. You are happy to be able to provide him answers, and you are also happy to be able to expand your own Masonic knowledge.
Have you ever heard a lecture given by a Mason so proficient that it sounds like he is having a conversation with the newly obligated brother? Can’t you imagine how happy that Mason must be to be able to deliver the lecture in that style so that the real meaning of the lecture can be transferred to the newly obligated brother and to the sideliners as well? Think of the personal “ah-ha” factor that you get when you hear a lecture or ritual done that well. Aren’t you happier now that you understand the meaning more clearly?
Think about the Mason who doesn’t “do” ritual but talks about the value of Masonry to him to his colleagues and friends. Imagine how good he feels when one of them asks him for a petition, has him be the “top line” signer. And, after being raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason, imagine how he feels when his friend tells him how happy he is to be a mason.
Have you helped a widow lately? My lodge has been paying special attention to our widows for the last five years. They receive our trestleboard every month. They are especially invited to all our public functions. We hold an annual Widows Dinner to honor them. Each time they are with us we give them a small token to remind them that we value their participation and stand ready to help them as their needs arise. As a consequence of these actions, we hear from them when they need help. The pleasure you receive from helping a widow who thanks you in so many ways is huge. First of all they can hardly believe that you will take time to solve little problems from them because you are so busy. Second,, they will force cookies, or a cake, or a donation upon you for thinking of them. And third, they will feel remembered. You, the helper, will feel great joy at having been able to make life a little easier for them that day.
With all of these ways that Masonry can increase your happiness, I suggest that it makes you a better husband, father, parent. A happy husband, father, parent is more able to cope with the things that go wrong without losing his temper, is more reasoned in his approach to life, and is better able to lead and guide his family and inculcate his values to his children. He can separate important things from trivial things. His well-being is infectious. His family members have a happier and more optimistic outlook. And that brings to you the most important kind of happiness, the one reflected back to you from your family.
Finally, Brethren, I suggest you take a look at how you view Masonry and maybe you will agree with me that “Happiness is being a Mason.”