The Secret
The Secret
Brethren,
Brethren,
Few subjects surrounding Freemasonry have inspired more curiosity than its secrets.
Few subjects surrounding Freemasonry have inspired more curiosity than its secrets.
For centuries, men outside the Lodge have wondered what lies behind its closed doors. Some have imagined hidden knowledge, concealed power, or mysteries known only to a chosen few.
For centuries, men outside the Lodge have wondered what lies behind its closed doors. Some have imagined hidden knowledge, concealed power, or mysteries known only to a chosen few.
Yet perhaps the greatest secret of Freemasonry is not something that can be whispered into an ear.
Yet perhaps the greatest secret of Freemasonry is not something that can be whispered into an ear.
Perhaps it is something that must be discovered within the heart.
Perhaps it is something that must be discovered within the heart.
A secret is more than hidden information.
A secret is more than hidden information.
It is a trust.
It is a trust.
When another person places something in our confidence, he gives us something that cannot be measured or replaced. He gives us his faith in our character.
When another person places something in our confidence, he gives us something that cannot be measured or replaced. He gives us his faith in our character.
The question is not simply:
The question is not simply:
“Can I keep this hidden?”
“Can I keep this hidden?”
The greater question is:
The greater question is:
“Can I be trusted?”
“Can I be trusted?”
Every Mason has answered that question through solemn promises.
Every Mason has answered that question through solemn promises.
But those promises are not tested only inside the Lodge.
But those promises are not tested only inside the Lodge.
They are tested when a friend speaks to us in confidence.
They are tested when a friend speaks to us in confidence.
When a Brother shares a private burden.
When a Brother shares a private burden.
When we learn something that could embarrass another person.
When we learn something that could embarrass another person.
When repeating a story might bring us attention, but remaining silent would preserve another man’s dignity.
When repeating a story might bring us attention, but remaining silent would preserve another man’s dignity.
In those moments, secrecy becomes more than a Masonic custom.
In those moments, secrecy becomes more than a Masonic custom.
It becomes an expression of character.
It becomes an expression of character.
The world often treats secrecy with suspicion.
The world often treats secrecy with suspicion.
And sometimes, rightly so.
And sometimes, rightly so.
A secret used to conceal wrongdoing is not honorable.
A secret used to conceal wrongdoing is not honorable.
Silence should never become a shield for injustice, abuse, or harm.
Silence should never become a shield for injustice, abuse, or harm.
But privacy is different.
But privacy is different.
There are things we protect not because they are shameful, but because they are sacred.
There are things we protect not because they are shameful, but because they are sacred.
A family’s private grief.
A family’s private grief.
A confidence shared between friends.
A confidence shared between friends.
A prayer spoken quietly.
A prayer spoken quietly.
A promise made before God.
A promise made before God.
Their value is not diminished because they are not displayed before the world.
Their value is not diminished because they are not displayed before the world.
Perhaps their privacy is part of what gives them meaning.
Perhaps their privacy is part of what gives them meaning.
So it is with the private traditions of our Craft.
So it is with the private traditions of our Craft.
Their importance does not rest upon whether others know them.
Their importance does not rest upon whether others know them.
Their importance rests upon whether we remain faithful to the trust we accepted.
Their importance rests upon whether we remain faithful to the trust we accepted.
And yet, Masonry’s greatest lessons have never been hidden.
And yet, Masonry’s greatest lessons have never been hidden.
Brotherly Love is not a secret.
Brotherly Love is not a secret.
Relief is not a secret.
Relief is not a secret.
Truth is not a secret.
Truth is not a secret.
Charity is not a secret.
Charity is not a secret.
Integrity is not a secret.
Integrity is not a secret.
The world is free to know what Masonry teaches.
The world is free to know what Masonry teaches.
Our responsibility is to show what those teachings can produce.
Our responsibility is to show what those teachings can produce.
A man may read every book written about Freemasonry.
A man may read every book written about Freemasonry.
He may search every website.
He may search every website.
He may memorize every ceremony ever published.
He may memorize every ceremony ever published.
And still never discover its deepest meaning.
And still never discover its deepest meaning.
Because Masonic Light is not merely information.
Because Masonic Light is not merely information.
It is transformation.
It is transformation.
It is found when knowledge becomes wisdom…
It is found when knowledge becomes wisdom…
When obligation becomes conduct…
When obligation becomes conduct…
When symbols become principles…
When symbols become principles…
And when a good man quietly labors to become better.
And when a good man quietly labors to become better.
Brethren, perhaps the true test of a Mason is not whether he possesses a secret.
Brethren, perhaps the true test of a Mason is not whether he possesses a secret.
It is whether he possesses the character necessary to be entrusted with one.
It is whether he possesses the character necessary to be entrusted with one.
May we be faithful in what we are called to preserve…
May we be faithful in what we are called to preserve…
Open in sharing the virtues our Craft teaches…
Open in sharing the virtues our Craft teaches…
And mindful that the most important truths of Freemasonry are not revealed by words alone.
And mindful that the most important truths of Freemasonry are not revealed by words alone.
They are revealed by the lives of the men who practice them.
They are revealed by the lives of the men who practice them.
Thank you, my Brethren.
Thank you, my Brethren.
Tony Fain P.M.
Tony Fain P.M.
Springville Lodge #153
Springville Lodge #153
Powder Springs, Ga.
Powder Springs, Ga.