Circumspection and Silence

Within the education of the Freemason, he is to maintain a close watch that the secrets of the Craft are not to be revealed to the profane, or those who are not initiates or possessors of the various degrees of Freemasonry. It is this practice of keeping secrets or maintaining privacy that is to distinguish the Mason in his dealings with his Brothers and frequently leads to confusion in the outer world. Secret implies concealment on any grounds for any motive, while clandestine implies secrecy for an evil or illicit purpose. Certainly Masonry is secret and private, but not clandestine.

Being "private" means that Masonry is restricted to the use of a particular group, and not intended for public display. The Degrees are designed to place a code of conduct and expectations upon its membership toward personal improvement. Lessons of the moral law, truth, and personal conduct are taught and found throughout the Mason's journey in the Degrees.

But being private, these lessons require the Mason to be circumspect in his conduct and actions. The virtue of prudence is inculcated to teach regularity in our lives. The true Mason must consider all aspects and consequences. He must weigh what is said, what is decided, and what consequences follow.

One of nature's laws is the Law of Cause and Effect, and the recognition of the effects is critical to the Mason in expressing Brotherly Love. A loose word or "slip of the

lip" can carry effects far beyond the moment. While we are to correct irregularities of our Brothren, we should not rush to criticize or condemn. In sitting on the sidelines, it is easy to observe an error and belittle, just as it is easy to let slip a criticism of a Brother when in the company of others, and in doing so, forget that we are Brothers. Worse yet, we do not know how those words will affect those about us, nor their long term consequences.

Thus we arrive at silence, or the absence of sound. As an initiate, we come into Masonry hoodwinked, so that we may hear first and learn. We listen to all that is about us, and seek to understand its meanings. We respond to questions, but are in ignorance as we move toward our first Light. Likewise, we should remember that through silence and circumspection, we may learn the Truth. Rather that rush to judgment, we should remain silent long enough to think our way through to the truth. Such is the way of a Mason.