Address of R.W. Bro. Michael Grima
on His Official Visit to Granite Lodge No. 352,
April 21, 2011

JUSTICE & DEMOCRACY

Within the lodge, a member practices a democratic process by calm enquiry and a studious demeanour; the good of the majority is placed in priority to the well being of the few. Disharmony or jealousy in one or two members adversely affects the entire lodge and usually spills over to sour the whole Craft. A members happiness and security depend upon that of his neighbour, thereby making the interests of each member, the interest of all. It is essential that the development of Mind, Body and Spirit must be pushed to it's fullest, and enable us to take into each day a greater willingness to do our best, not for ourselves alone, but for the good of the majority.

Brethren, throughout my year as DDGM, I have observed tension amongst the Brethren in more than one Lodge in this District. I have encouraged everyone at every opportunity to put their differences behind them and bring our Fraternity together in a spirit of Brotherhood. Unfortunately, there are still some Brethren who are more interested in how they may be able to alter Masonry to accommodate their purposes than they are in practicing Masonry as it was intended. This is not as it should be. I call upon each of you to resist the efforts of those who would undermine the integrity of this organization. Look at each other as Brothers and friends. Follow the laws of Masonry. Don't divide and chip away at the edges and cause it to crumble down. Let us put our differences behind us and live together in peace and harmony.

You cannot make a community by law. Law cannot be imposed upon people unwilling to assume some restraints. This is what is happening in our permissive society and it is probably Masons, and I mean “True Masons”, who will stem the tide. By their insistence on Secrecy and Fidelity and by fellowship they can yet help society return to it's sanity.

Democracy is a free association of people who willingly sacrifice personal freedoms for the good and convenience of all. Men are free when they are Masters of themselves and can think. When thinking ceases the individual joins the mob, swayed by the interests of the moment and by prejudices that make a mockery of reason.

There are many unwritten laws, some of them unenforceable except by conscience. The man of culture knows that the search for justice is a search for moral law and values above men and their legalistic societies.

Masonic vows are not inconsistent with an individuals civil, moral or religious duties and he is enjoined to obey the laws of the country in which he resides or offers him its protection; he is expected to fulfill the duties of a citizen by not subverting the peace and good order of society. By the same token we should preserve the same for Freemasonry.

A Mason is also a citizen of his lodge with all its privileges, and its attendant responsibilities. Apart from doing unto his brother what in similar circumstances he would want his Brother to do unto him, all that a Mason pledges himself to do is to conceal the secrets and mysteries of Freemasonry, and to keep inviolable the Tenants and fundamental principles of the Order, Brotherly love, Relief and Truth.

Although his direct pledge is limited, there are many injunctions urged upon him, such as to support a brother in all his lawful undertakings, and to preserve his good name in his absence as well as in his presence.

Many assume the privilege of disobeying the law or the injunctions, because they feel that one or the other is unjust or inequitable. They will do anything which is in their power to discredit a brother, or just to do what they want to be done, and moral ideals are discarded.

When we attend Lodge where degree work is being carried out, we renew our obligation as we repeat in our own minds the work being done by the candidate. Do we fully comprehend or understand those words which we are repeating?

At our Initiation after we are invested with the distinguishing badge of a Mason, we are enjoined to never put on that badge should you be about to visit a Lodge where there is a brother with whom you are at variance, or towards whom you entertain feelings of animosity. In some cases it is expected that you will invite him to withdraw, in order that you may endeavour to settle your differences amicably. But if, unfortunately, your differences should be of such a nature as not to be so easily adjusted, it were better that one or both of you should retire than that the harmony of the Lodge be disturbed by your presence.

Private piques and quarrels continue to disturb and fracture the fraternal environment in some lodges. When differences arise between brethren, as they inevitably do, rather than attempting to settle them amicably as gentlemen ought, the widespread airing of grievances only serves to divide the lodge into warring factions. The obligations, charges, and lectures of our Ritual set a high standard of behaviour. Do we fully understand what we say on the floor of the lodge? Do we mean what we say? More to the point, do we practice what we preach?

Some must rule and teach, whilst others must submit and obey. Without this willingness to bend the knee and give up some of our personal freedoms for the sake of law and order, there would be chaos and anarchy. In Masonry, we look to the good of all, and not our personal elevation; we submerge our own selfish desires for the betterment of the Craft.

A governing body has no real authority except that given it by those it rules, and the laws that it passes and enforces are only those that the majority wish to be bound by. Therefore laws and authority are not sacred unto themselves and have no sanction except by ethical concepts. If a law or authority loses this sanction, then it may be challenged.

St. Thomas Aquinas declared ,”Justice is a constant and perpetual will to yield to each one his right.” This talk is not of law then, but of justice, and justice finally is in the hands of each one of us.
In conclusion brethren, The words of Henry Ford are appropriate in this situation. “Comming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success.”

Brethren, for your warm hospitality, the fine banquet and your friendship, I thank you.