THE SUPREME OBJECTIVE

By M E Comp A B Christensen Grand Z, March, 1954.

I think it must be evident to anyone who gives the slightest thought to it that the aim of Freemasonry is not contained in a lot of signs, tokens and words, which are themselves symbols and serve to provide means of recognition and protection. But that underlying the whole fabric of moral regeneration in the Craft there is a supreme objective.

Brotherhood, which is the primary and physical aim, can arise of the pursuit of common interests or enterprise and the sharing of danger, such as in war. But it endures only when it is based on some unvarying principle or belief, and therefore the only sound bond of Brotherhood is the belief in the Supreme Being, the fount of creation and life, the Divine Spark which animates us. This unchanging formula provides the common basis on which all men holding such a belief can associate in peace. The wise founders of Freemasonry insisted that no innovations be introduced, realising that as long as our faith, on which it was based, endured, the Craft would survive the rise and fall of kings and nations, and the onslaught of subversive influences, as it has done.

When speaking of spiritual development which is the secondary but most important aim of the Craft, the average Mason usually forms the impression that he is expected to develop a distinctly religious bias, and fails to comprehend that the moment he consciously controls his impulses by subduing the undesirable and expanding the best elements of his nature, his spiritual development has commenced.

The aims and objects of Freemasonry are entirety wrapped up in the spiritual development of its adherents. Brotherhood, and the simple moral truths and lessons, together with the principles we are enjoined to observe, are designed to condition us for this one end. The physical acts of preserving life by feeding the body and the perpetuation of the species have no particular value at all, and are more or less mechanical and automatic operations. It is the mentality which enables us to control our actions, to exercise the powers of reason and intellect, which makes us conscious of the differences and consequences of behaviour, and to articulate and convey our thoughts and feelings to others, which marks our superiority to the beasts of the field and proclaims our kinship with God.

The more enlightened we become, the better we can understand and appreciate this sublime conception. Freemasonry, throughout its whole system, emphasises the value of knowledge in the search for Truth, Which is God. Precisely as one cannot grow strong physically by watching an athlete at exercise, no more can one win spiritual strength and moral insight merely by admiring the exalted life lived by others. To become an athlete, one must lead the athletic life. Equally, to hasten the development of his inner powers, one must endeavour, however modestly, to study the laws of spiritual growth and put them into practise. One of these is that only through activity can anything grow. Inaction means ultimate, atrophy. To build up muscles of size and strength, we have used them. That law holds as certainly in the mental and moral realm.

To become completely absorbed in material things, and give no thought to the higher life, Is to court spiritual atrophy, while to give free rein to the loftiest aspirations is to grow strong in spiritual life. Freemasonry seeks to inculcate a vital faith in the reality of the spiritual world, and emphasises the importance, of spiritual considerations in this materialistic age. I feel quite confident that it is the little excursion into the realm of the spiritual which gives us the greatest satisfaction and sense of well-being that we experience at Lodge and Chapter meetings. Many are perhaps not actually conscious of this fact, but there is no doubt that in sharing and contemplating the moral lessons of the evening we enjoy that uplift which makes our association so much worthwhile. It is this spirit which gives life and purpose to our labours, and has enabled the Craft to survive the abuses of monotonous repetition and lack of sufficient and proper instruction of which we have of recent years become so conscious.

What is most often overlooked however, is the fact that the spiritual as well as the physical sides of man must receive attention if one would preserve the best of health. The soul and mentality derive untold benefit from the regular application and consideration of things spiritual, which help to induce mental peace and tranquillity. The more intelligent and civilised we become, the more we desire to require this condition. It is an antidote to the tension under which far too many people have to live. The spiritual side of man also requires regular “feeding.” just as his physical being requires regular meals. Moreover, just as the food for has body must contain the necessary elements and vitamins to maintain good health and condition, so must our mental nourishment be no less sustaining and productive mental health and vitality.

Furthermore, there is a far-reaching physical reaction to mental wellbeing and tranquillity. The, bodily mechanism responds in a marvellous manner to harmonious and controlled processes of thought, and thus, physical health goes hand in hand with mental contentment and well-balanced emotions.

But in considering Freemasonry on this basis, we must at once become conscious of the very imperfect conception, if there is any at all, in the minds of most people, including many Freemasons, as to who and what God is. Obviously, even in the minds of the most thoughtful, it will vary considerably, but that the anthropomorphic conception prevails in the minds of most is no doubt a fact. Millions of people still conceive God as a benevolent figure in something like human guise, seated somewhere in the skies, overlooking His vast domain. Possibly this is because one’s very thought and conception of God is dominated by the symbolism employed to teach us in childhood, and also by the confusion of Jesus Christ with God. The young mind is not capable of grasping abstract ideas, hence pictures and images must be employed to convey them; and a great many go on through life never attempting to penetrate beneath the allegory or symbol, just as many Freemasons do with regard to their own symbolism, and consequently suffer doubt, uncertainty and confusion of mind, whether we care to admit it or not.

It is a subject of vital importance to every thinking man, but at the same time far too many shrink from venturing too deeply into the realm of thought, and are thus never able to resolve the conflict in their minds.

And there is no doubt that if a man wants peace of mind, and to see a clearer path ahead of him, he must settle the issue once and for all; and try to establish a firm conviction and unshakeable faith which will enable him to set a standard by which all else may be evaluated. Failing this, there is nothing solid or stable to cling to, and he cannot correctly and consistently assess the value of his failures or successes in the moral field. He is like a ship without a rudder, drifting on the sea of life. Unable to set a course and hold to it, he is at the mercy of every changing wind of circumstance and opinion.

A Brother (now a Companion) recently came to me and said “I cannot settle my mind about this question. I have read a good deal and have attended churches of various denominations, and yet I cannot seem to get real faith in anything. My reason tells me that there is something supreme over all, but somehow i cannot lay hold of anything that satisfies me.” His was a problem common to thousands of earnest. So I told him in effect that he was looking for something more than he should expect to see. That he wanted something ready-made handed to him on a platter – guaranteed and warranted to work. After all, faith (which he was seeking) is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Attending Churches and delving into books should show the path to follow, but, I asked him, “Have you ever thought of looking for God within yourself?” The Book says: “Know ye not that ye are the Temple of God, and the Spirit of God dwelleth within thee.”

An ancient Persian parable contains this little poem:

0 ye who seek to solve the knot!

Ye live in God, yet know it not.

Ye sit upon the river’s bank,

Yet crave in vain a drop to drink.

Ye dwell beside a countless store,

Yet perish hungry at the door.

So there you have a simple interpretation depicting God – “within and without.”

Believe what you will – but belief you must have if you sojourn here is to have real meaning or value. Freemasonry, by means of its unchanging code, its moral lessons and unique symbolism, provides the whole plan for living a useful, harmonious and happy existence. When you have the faulty elements of your character under control, and you spontaneously display kindness of heart and consideration for the feelings of others, and give full rein to your most generous Impulses, it may truly be said that the spirit of God is within you. In a life so governed, He will manifest Himself in that tranquility and serenity of mind, restfulness of spirit and mental contentment which Is evidence of His presence.

It is true that in Brotherhood alone you may find considerable pleasure and comfort, but even this lacks its fullest flavour, and true companionship exists hardly at all without some measure of spiritual development. But as you increase in stature spiritually, so will your appreciation and enjoyment of our fraternal relationship expand in meaning and worth. But as I have said elsewhere, just being told it or reading it will mean little, nor can you enjoy the secret, until you have worked out the problem of God and life through your own efforts. That rich spiritual experience cannot be given you by anybody. It must be created and grown within yourself, and ultimately manifest in practical terms of “being and doing” something for somebody. Then we can truly understand and experience Companionship and Brotherhood in its fullest and richest meaning.

Copyright © A B Christensen, SGRACNZ, 1954

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