GIVEN AT THE 2004 GRAND COMMUNICATION, FLORIDA, USA
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 far fetched 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, Florida
2003 - 2004