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I have been speaking on this subject for over forty years. Ever since I became a Mason, when I was given the opportunity to speak to Masons in Lodges or Grand Lodges, I have tried to remind them of their duties and responsibilities and impress upon them the importance of living up to those duties and responsibilities which they have taken upon themselves voluntarily as Masons. Every man who comes into Masonry, comes of his own free will and accord. He is not invited to join the Fraternity. He must knock upon the door for admittance.
Our Masonic responsibilities can really be summed up in one word, "PRACTICE." We have the responsibility of living our Masonry before the world. Every Master Mason is charged with the practice of Masonic ideals and principles as taught in Masonry's degrees. Every Master Mason must realize the gravity of his responsibility as a Mason, and practice, in his everyday life, the principles taught at the Altar of our Lodges. In Masonry we say that it is un-Masonic to solicit members, and it is if you are speaking of asking someone to join the Fraternity. I submit, however, that we do solicit by the lives we live before the world. I submit also that to influence others to seek admission to our Fraternity by the lives we live is a far better way to get new members than by simply asking men to join.
I repeat every Master Mason should realize and be conscious of his responsibility to live Masonry in his daily life. In short, we should practice what we preach.
A Minister's daughter said to her boy friend, "Dad's sermon tonight is on the text, LOVE ONE ANOTHER. Wouldn't you like to go to church and hear him? Her boy friend replied, "I had rather stay here at your house and practice what your father's preaching."
One of the most tragic truths I know is that Masonry means so little to so many who call themselves Masons. Can you imagine the impact if suddenly every Lodge member would become a Mason in deed as well as in word; if suddenly every Lodge member would become what he professed to be; if suddenly every Lodge member would do what he is obligated to do; if suddenly he should practice what he preaches; if suddenly he should measure up to his Masonic Responsibilities. Let us look at a few of the specific areas of our responsibility as Masons:
RESPONSIBILITY to the LODGE
Every member has a duty and responsibility to the organization to which he belongs. So many receive the three degrees and then forget all about the Lodge. They seem to feel that it's somebody else's responsibility to keep the Lodge going. For a Brother to forget the Lodge that gave him his Masonic birth is like a son who would forget his mother that gave him physical birth. Suppose no one attended Lodge meetings any more than you do, nor took any more of an active part than you do, nor showed any more interest than you do, what would have happened to your Lodge? Would it still be in existence? I quote from the charge given to you in the first degree, "Although your frequent appearance at every regular meetings is earnestly solicited, yet it is not meant that Masonry should interfere with your necessary vocations, for these are on no account to be neglected." Some interpret this to mean that it is all right for anything and everything to interfere with their Masonry.
RESPONSIBILITY to OUR FELLOW MAN
Again, we read from the charge: "To your neighbor, in acting upon the square, and doing unto him as you wish he should do unto you."
RESPONSIBILITY to YOURSELF
We read again from the Entered Apprentice Degree Charge: "To yourself, in avoiding all irregularity and intemperance, which may impair your faculties, or debase the dignity of your profession."
I believe that it is my duty and your duty to take the life that God has given us and make the very best out of it that's possible for us to make.
YOUR TASK
To build a better world God said. I answered "How"? "The world is such a large vast place so complicated now; and I so small and useless am, there's nothing I can do." But God in all His wisdom said, "Just build A BETTER YOU."
By H. Dwight McAlister, P.G.M. Grand Secretary Grand Lodge of South Carolina
