GIVEN
AT THE 2004 GRAND COMMUNICATION
GRAND
ORATION: THE MASONIC CONSPIRACY
Or, if you
are looking for bubblegum and lollipops this speech is not for you.)
While searching for an appropriate
subject to be the focal point of my oration I looked at what my predecessors
had covered. There were some orations which I read that both inspired and left
me with feelings of humility and awe, some which left me rather bored and
longing for a message, and some which just left me. I thought for awhile, with
some trepidation, where mine might fall when viewed on this sliding scale.
Deciding on an appropriate subject was the first stumbling block, when I thought
I had narrowed my search down; something totally unrelated gave me the answer
to my quandary.
While doing an antique show, another
dealer, a friend commented on the Masonic ring I wore. She asked if I were a
Mason, so I advanced one step with my left foot and answered in the
affirmative. She then proceeded to tell me that she had read quite a bit about
the Masons and their relationship with and control of a secret organization
known as the new world order, an organization with world dominance as its ultimate
goal. I immediately went into the usual explanations of what I felt Freemasonry
actually was and what we as Freemasons stood for. As time went on I thought
more of our conversation and it occurred to me that here was a very
intelligent, highly educated, articulate and well read person who had come away
with a view of our fraternity based on the writings of people not in our
fraternity. Also the underlying thread of a worldwide conspiracy was not as farfetched
as it first struck me. The involvement of freemasons in a few minor political
upheavals such as the American and French revolutions is indisputable and due
to the composition of its membership, its influence on events in various parts
of the world almost a foregone conclusion. However, despite the multitude of
conspiracy theories, some possibly real and some totally ridiculous there IS
one true, continuous and undeniable conspiracy: to share ideas and take the
best of all cultures with the goal of making good men better and thru this make
our surroundings a better place to live. This I believe is the underlying
reason which drew men of all stations and beliefs to come together in a
fraternity which has weathered the test of time, and will continue to do so, if
we remain true to our basic tenets while adjusting, as we have, to the ever
changing times.
As I look back on what it was that
first attracted me to Freemasonry, I realize it was a combination of the many
stories; some actual, some myth, surrounding our fraternity; combined with the
physical evidence of their existence and accomplishments. Being from Chicago I
saw many tremendous buildings I knew were somehow connected to the Masons,
these included hospitals, and not just the Shrine hospital there was also an
Illinois Masonic Hospital, lodges, temples and one in which an annual circus
was even held. Then there were those men with their colorful outfits and the
silly hats. These men while looking strange also looked as if they were
enjoying themselves and their deeds allowed them to engage in a frivolous
method of dress while retaining an aura of respect. Our Masonic flair for
dressing up in costume goes a long way back; it is said that on one occasion
Freemasons dressed up like Indians and then went out and dumped a large amount
of tea into Boston harbor. My brothers we also have a penchant for haberdashery
and as such have a large assortment of headgear; some of which would look great
if we were riding atop an elephant, leading a cavalry charge or selling
cigarettes. Happily we still have the hats and outfits, however our deeds have
diminished. Sadly we no longer conspire to achieve things on a scale previously
unheard of and then actually do them we struggle to just maintain the status
quo. Freemasons conspired to do things that would bring about positive and real
effects in their communities and on a larger scale in our nation and they
succeeded. By their accomplishments Freemasonry was able to attract talented
and powerful members and friends. While we in no way invented democracy that
theory has been around in one form or another since ancient Greece, the Masonic
influence among our founding fathers helped make it a modern day reality.
My Brothers I joined a fraternity,
and while I feel that involving one’s family is part of being a Mason I did not
join a familial organization. We have many Masonic related bodies which family
members may join if they wish. It has been suggested that by involving our
families, they would understand more about Freemasonry and want us to
participate more in it. Our families and friends should be given the
opportunity to participate in our public events, but only those of their
choosing. Picnics, charter banquets and official visits, to name a few, are
perfect examples of public Masonic events which are enjoyable and can showcase
our fraternity. We need not ask our loved ones to toil alongside us in the
labors we have voluntarily taken upon ourselves. At a recent installation I
heard a newly installed Worshipful Master, Worshipful Otto Crump III, sum it up
wonderfully. He said, and this is not an exact quote; Masonry makes good men
better and if that is true my brothers; if you attended Lodge and came home a
better man from the lessons you learned there your family would not only NOT
mind you going to Lodge but rather they would push you out the door to attend.
My brothers let us not bring the family to Freemasonry but rather bring
Freemasonry to the family.
It has also been suggested that we
invite non masons to our events to show them what we are about and while that on
the surface sounds like a good idea; I ask you if you would invite an important
client, a boss or colleague to most of our functions. Events which showcase our
activities and are put on in a manner which will impress and leave non members
with a desire to be a part of are okay but without
the accompanying actions they are hollow. Let us conspire to accomplish
something which is beneficial in our communities and then put on an event. Let
us stop bringing people to functions so that we can tell them what our
predecessors did. Instead let us show them what we have recently done and
better yet what we are planning to do and they just might want to join us in
achieving our goals.
Looking back on the history of
Freemasonry in Florida I find it interesting that in 1860 one of every four
candidates was rejected and that the per capita was $1.00 per member and the
initiation fee to Grand Lodge was also $1.00; translate that into today’s’
money. It seems they were much more selective back then and willing to pay for
the privilege of belonging to this esteemed group. Amazingly this selectivity
and expense instead of deterring men from joining seemed to encourage them to
join and the ranks of Freemasonry grew. We seem to have gone the other way in
recent years and while refusing almost no one and keeping our dues and per
capita ridiculously low our numbers continue to drop out, we seem to be reaping
what we have sewn. Well my brothers remember you get what you pay for.
Recently a brother expressed to me
that the idea of making good men better is an over simplification of what
Freemasonry is. He said, in fact, that if by one’s association with Freemasonry
it causes us to act in a more compassionate and caring manner towards our
fellow man; and the people we come in contact with through our daily business
and social encounters think positively about how we act and what we do and
because of this wish to possibly emulate our behavior we have succeeded in
spreading our conspiracy. We do not need to market Freemasonry as a product we
need merely to live Freemasonry as a lifestyle and it will market itself.
Freemasonry is spread by example my brothers. If we can influence people to act
in a Masonic manner it matters not that they become Masons though I believe
many will. They will see that Freemasons put aside their personal differences
of opinion for the good of the fraternity and by extension mankind. They will
see that Freemasonry allows us agree to disagree with each other on all but one
important point, the existence of a Supreme Being and on that not to mandate
one viewpoint.
We are a fraternity based on
tolerance, which means that while may not agree with what outsiders or even
sometimes each other have to say we believe in their right to an opinion. We
are an organization based on that which is morally correct not politically
correct, we believe in freedom of choice as long as it is accompanied with an
acceptance of responsibility for the consequences of those choices. We believe
that while all men may have been born equal what we do with our lives does make
some men better than others. We are a fraternity which, as R\W\
C. Edward Gonzalez once said, is not suited to all and that is okay. The type
of men we need do not care for what is handed out to any and all just for the
asking, we need men who appreciate that which is achieved with hard work and
dedication. We must once again make Freemasonry an organization where men with
the ability and talent to achieve can join us in accomplishing noble things and
one that is worth their time and resources. We must conspire by our deeds to
attract men that are inspired enough, capable enough and willing enough to
expend the time and energy necessary to learn about our fraternity and then
encourage them to achieve the prerequisite goals which will allow and prepare
them for leadership positions in our fraternity.
We as Freemasons have a rich and
glorious past a bright and promising future. It is unfortunately the present
that has us muddled. We must get away from gimmicks and let Freemasonry sell
its self. Our basics are solid and yes some adaptation is necessary to remain
relevant to our times, as has always been the case. Unfortunately at the rate
we are going we might as well as take out a newspaper ad with a coupon to clip
and send in for membership. My brothers we must start conspiring to achieve and
stop planning on how to survive; if we accomplish the former the latter will be
of no concern at all.
By
Michael G Beaudet, W∴Grand Orator
2003
- 2004