MOUTH TO EAR
"Brother, what are some of the other values promoted by Albert Pike?"
"Fidelity to obligation and constancy and perseverance under difficulties
and discouragement. According to Pike (Morals and Dogma, chapter XV,) 'The chief obstacles to her {Masonry's} success are the apathy and faithlessness of her own selfish children, and the supine indifference of the world.'
"In my opinion, this sentence is a powerful indictment of Masons in general, Freemasonry as an organization, and of Mankind, as an whole.
"First, it suggests individual Masons are selfish at times, putting their
own individual desires and needs before those of the Fraternity and of the rest of Mankind. We acknowledge that the length of our cable tow influences our responses to our obligations at times, but Pike sees the very real threat our individual selfishness poses to the Fraternity, especially when we take the attitude, '...let someone else take care of that...'
"Second, it suggests that our Fraternity fails to instill in us, as
individuals, an adequate sense of fraternal responsibility. We take our
Obligation, perambulate the Temple, then depart the West Gate, feeling good about ourselves, but leaving
any sense of obligation behind.
"Third, it suggests that our apathetic approach to the work goes largely
unnoticed, as the rest of Mankind really does not give a rip. Teaching by example may be good, but when no one misses the absence of our example, how can we expect them to notice when we get it right?
"This same sentence provides us the solution to many of the ills of Mankind, suggesting that we accept Pike's challenge, become dedicated, productive Masons, and change the world through the example of our lives. When we feel rejected, discouraged, or even persecuted by those around us as we continue on the hard path; when we feel our actions go unnoticed and unappreciated; when we face the indifference of those around us, we must overcome our own apathy and retain faith in our Masonic roots. Pike suggests we look to the GAOTU, knowing Him to be the source of our souls and purpose, and that God's love is guiding us from darkness into light."
Fred Ayers
PM, Syracuse Lodge #309, Syracuse Kansas
Frederiucksburg Lodge #794
The Guiding Light / March. 2016 13