Silence, Or A Tongue Of Good Report
By: The Freemason's Chronicle, 17th March 1877
WE have no intention of inflicting a sermon on our readers, but it is meet for us occasionally to advert to one of the Masonic Virtues, which brethren are not always careful to observe.
We do not know how it would have fared with some of us moderns had we lived in the Sonth of Italy in the days of Pythagoras, and sought admission into the school of philosophy, which that venerable sage established at Croton.
It strikes us that a very respectable majority would have experienced almost insuperable difficulties in obeying the prescriptions of that learned man during the first period of their novitiate, which lasted two years, and during the whole of which they were bound to observe the strictest silence.
True, we have in these degenerate days, a most wise precept which enunciates emphatically a most obvious truth, namely, that “Speech is silvern, silence is golden.” Unhappily we do not always exhibit that respect which it has a right to look for from men in general, and from Masons in particular. We recognise its merits, but only as it were, through a glass darkly.
We quote it freely, but do we obey it always, and unhesitatingly? There are cases, also, which come under our observation from time to time, and require ns, in very truth, to answer this formidable question in the negative.
We are not obedient to this invaluable maxim, and we purpose glancing on this occasion, and in general terms, at the more prominent illustrations of this disobedience.
One of the first and most important lessons we are taught at our entrance into Freemasonry is to speak well of a brother both in his absence and in his presence; and if, unfortunately, that cannot be done honestly and truthfully, we are enjoined to observe that special virtue of the Craft – SILENCE.
If we cannot honourably speak well in praise of a brother, we must say nothing to his dispraise. This is a charming precept, but how fares it when it comes to be reduced to practice? In what is Masonically known as the profane world, there prevails very commonly the habit of talking scandal.
This, it is needless to say, is a most pernicious habit, and one to which much evil is directly traceable. Is it asking too much of those who join our ranks that they should cast it aside when they come among us, not in theory only, but likewise in practice, and that the solemn obligation they contract at their initiation should be reverently observed, not flung to the winds when their purpose is gained, and they have received the honours of the first degree?
We are very far from expecting that a man will become perfect simply by reason of his Masonry, but it is not unreasonable we should require of him to be as diligent in the fulfilment of his Masonic duties as he is in satisfying the claims of society in his ordinary avocations.
There are times when it is necessary that a man should present himself for admission into the society of his acquaintance in the full dress of the day. He obeys this law, because he knows that admission in any other garb would be impossible.
A man is charged to fulfil certain duties at particular hours of the day. He does so, because he knows that any dereliction of his duty will be visited with condign punishment.
To put the matter plainly, his services will be dispensed with after repeated trials and dis-approbations , oftentimes, indeed, after one only, and those of one willing to fulfil such duties punctually will be engaged instead.
But if it is de rigueur to attend a ball or the opera in the conventional white tie and swallow-tail; if when we enter upon the duties of a certain post, we so far worship prescription and morality as to do what is re-quired, a fortiori is it incumbent on us to observe the obligations imposed upon us by Freemasonry, seem? that it is we who go to Freemasonry, not Freemasonry which comes to us.
Society says white ties and swallow-tails at certain seasons, or we forbid your presence. Business obligation says, duty at certain times of a given quality, or we need you not. Freemasonry says nothing in the way of invitation. It is we who seek admission. It warns us, before entrance, that we are about contractions’ certain solemn obligations.
Query, are we not equally in duty bound to fulfil them, just as we are the obligations of business or of fashion? Fashion prescribes a blue coat and brass buttons or nankeen in expressibles, or the afore-mentioned tie, and swallow-tail coat, and we obey the prescription in fear and trembling, lest the tie or in expressibles, or buttons, should differ to the extent of a hair’s breadth from the size and shape required.
In this matter we are the most despicable of slaves; yet in a matter of plain Masonic honour we are surely of every kind of prevarication, equivocation, and mental reservation, in order to shirk a duty voluntarily under-taken, not undertaken of necessity.
There are those brethren who do speak differently behind a brother’s back, then when they are in his presence; who do not observe silence as to his faults, when Masonry prescribes, they should be silent.
Many there are who enlarge on the infirmities of a brother’s nature, who talk scandal of him when occasion offers, and who create a scandal where there is none. There is no doubt that Masonry, which includes charity, covers a multitude of sins; but that is no reason for making the multitude more multitudinous.
Let us cultivate a tongue of good report, or let us, in the name of all we hold sacred, have a tongue of no report at. all. We have our wits about us, and we trust a sense of honour.
Let us exercise our wit and satisfy our sense of honour, when both alike forbid us violating our duty. It is surely no hardship to be discreetly silent. Let us drop scandal at the portals of the Lodge. There is no room for it in pure and unadulterated Freemasonry.
If men have not the courage to commit themselves unreservedly to the dictates of honour, let them forbear seeking admission to our temples. Neither the backbiter nor the scandal-monger has any appointed place within these.
The Freemasons Chronicle, a weekly record of masonic intelligence, was first published 2nd January 1875 London, England as an independent weekly journal of masonic interest and continued for 27 years.
It should be the business of a journal devoted to the interests of the Order to attempt the removal of prejudices such as these, which, though they may have little perceptible influence upon the prosperity of the Fraternity, yet have the effect of preventing timid or ill-informed persons from enlisting under its banner.
It will not only attempt to keep pace with the growing literary requirements of the day, but it will seek to exhibit the Order to the non-Masonic world divested of its technical details, and clothed in the garb of Charity and Brotherly Love.
The questions of the hour, which exercise the minds of thoughtful men, will be handled freely and broadly, without any tinge of political or sectarian bias.
The memoranda of Masonic gatherings which will appear from week to week, will be full and accurate; and as free interchange of opinion is one of the best signs of life and vigour in any society, ample scope will be given for Correspondence on topics of interest to the Order.
If we may venture upon a new rendering of words which recent events have made memorable, we will say here, once and for all, that we will be keen men of business, and will spare no effort, consistent with honour, to achieve commercial success; but first, and before all things, we will prove to our brethren and the world that we are FREEMASONS.
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