BuilderPhysicalRequirements

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The Builder, Vol. III, No. 9, September 1917, Page 259.

"Shall the several Grand Jurisdictions modify their rules as to physical requirements of candidates so that, other qualifications being satisfactory, Masons may welcome the petitions of all those soldiers and sailors who lose arms, legs or eyes in the service of their country? If so, shall ability to support himself and immediate family be substituted as a requirement of each initiate? If not, what physical requirements are reasonable?"

Mental Requirements Come First

I should not regard it so much a "modification of their rules as to physical requirements of candidates" as getting back to those "first principles" which are the ancient landmarks of Freemasonry, if the Grand Jurisdictions followed the rules and policy settled for Kentucky 116 years ago by Grand Lodge action, namely, that the Grand Lodge has no authority in the matter and the question of eligibility of persons who have physical misfortunes lies entirely with the lodge which receives his petition.

As I recall the first decision concerned the petition of John Pope who was minus a left arm or hand. The lodge received him and he became one of the brightest Lights of both Masonic and Civil history in this state. Our rule of reason is that unless the candidate is unable to feel the grip, hear the word or see the sign" physical misfortune is no bar, except in cases where entrance to Masonry by such persons is made under such conditions as to lead us to believe they might become a financial charge from the beginning.

Without entering into a discussion of philosophy, I am satisfied that the reason back of the original requirement that a man be sound "in mind and member" was and still is purely spiritual and not physical save incidentally as above set forth. A consumptive or a man with eczema may have all his arms and legs but is undoubtedly physically "unsound."

If I understand our rituals aright, there is an extra-physical trend to them that can not be waved away with an idle word, and which necessitates the student who would grasp our philosophy's meaning, regarding his body as a machine or set of working tools for the use of his mind. So that there may have once been more reason than exists now, in these days of scientific surgery, for lodges to require physical perfection.

But as I say, physical requirements in my opinion, have always been subordinate to and dependent upon the mental or "spiritual" requirements, with the lodge itself as the judge.

Because of the erroneous notion that "Speculative Masonry" was merely an outgrowth of "Operative Masonry" whose symbols and rituals were in large part adapted to the ancient wisdom we now call "Freemasonry," a great many of our unthinking and I am sorry to say unlearned Grand Masters have built up "precedents" in their jurisdictions which are followed from one generation to another somewhat as attempts used to be made to confine the "landmarks" to a definite number, resulting in the most absurd situations.

I think a most interesting - and enlightening - topic for research would be a comparison of the various decisions in every jurisdiction. I recall one jurisdiction in this country where the Grand Master decided that a man could not become a Mason because he had lost a certain finger on the left hand and exactly the reverse was decided (same finger) in another jurisdiction. Such a compilation of cold statistics would amply demonstrate the need for reform. J. W. Norwood, Kentucky.

Let Us Make New Laws Slowly

I believe that the several Grand Lodges have already enacted too many regulations and that it is impossible at present to unite on any uniform rule as to physical qualifications. If it were possible, I doubt the wisdom of additional rules.

We have heard the charge to preserve the "ancient landmarks" and never suffer them to be infringed, or countenance a deviation from the established usages and customs of the fraternity given to every Mason and have given it ourself, realizing we did not know what we were talking about. In Mackey's enumeration of the "landmarks" he includes physical qualification, but why did he not include the requirement that apprentices serve seven years which was also a regulation given in the "old charges"? Modern dentistry makes the conformity to one of our requirements impossible in a majority of cases, but it has never been seriously considered or its symbolic effect lessened. Electric lights now take the place of the time-honored candle and so we might continue if it were necessary to show that changes have been made in our usages and customs.

Brother R. F. Gould says that "The dogmas of Perpetual Jurisdiction, Physical Perfection, and Exclusive (or Territorial) Jurisdiction, have been evolved since the introduction of Masonry into what has become the United States," from England.

Before making more laws of Masonry let us get together and try and find out what a landmark is and what constitutes ancient usages and customs and in the interval regard the Lodge as a safe guardian of those we now consider as such.

The student of history can not fail to see the harmful effects that have resulted from dogmatism in politics, science, religion, and even in social life. Let us, as Freemasons, avoid dogmas that will weaken the foundation of our Fraternity and allow nothing to take preference over our fundamental principle of "The Fatherhood of God and the Brotherhood of Man." In the past 200 years many changes have been made in Masonic ritual and jurisprudence, some of which have been questionable, and we fear have been made without due regard to the basic principle. Let us be slow to enact laws and careful to make them on the basis of those things on which we all agree. Silas H. Shepherd, Wisconsin.

Involves Changes in Ritual

I should not advocate any change in the physical qualifications of petitioners for our degrees as set forth at present in the Grand Jurisdictions, nor even modifications to meet the hypothetical cases covered in your inquiry. Opportunity offers the men of the Army and Navy to seek Masonic Light, should the suggested chartering of Military Lodges already discussed in the Forum be approved. Any such radical modification as that embodied in your present query would involve a complete revision of the ritual.

Viewing the subject from another angle, so long as Masonry endures as an Institution in the United States, the Patriotism and Charity constituting cardinal principles of the Order, will promptly provide for such National Responsibilities as the Red Cross, the National Soldiers' and Sailors' Homes and other obligations, an increase of which must directly result as an aftermath of our present Battle For Civilization. Our present high physical standard is an old landmark of Masonry. Its abrogation, even for so laudable a purpose as you suggest, would establish a bad precedent and personally I am opposed to innovations which might lead to others, so ultimately lessening the great potency for good of an ancient and honorable Institution.

If at any time the great Government of the United States finds itself in the least hampered in properly providing for the gallant soldiers and sailors who have suffered physical impairment in its service, our Blue Brotherhood will be the first to contribute to the needs of the Fourth Great Light of American Masonry - the Flag. John Lewin McLeish, Ohio.

Virginia is Investigating

Aside from the motive of opening the doors to returned veterans, which was not mentioned, the Grand Lodge of Virginia, at its Annual in February, placed the subject of modification of physical requirements in the hands of the Jurisprudence Committee to be reported on in February, 1918. My fixed idea is that the requirement of a degree of physical perfection is but a link with past ages of the operative branch and should be retained for that reason alone. What that degree of perfection shall be, should be left to the Lodges, except that all initiates should be able to receive and comprehend our ceremonies, and should be able to make a living for themselves and families. Prior to 1866 this was about Virginia's position.

Grand Lodges legislate too much and leave too little to the intelligence and Masonic zeal of the Lodges. A change is coming as to physical requirement and it would be well but not at all necessary that Grand Lodges should all agree. Certain it is that they will not. Jos. W. Eggleston, Virginia.

Few Changes in 1861-1865

My opinion is that none of the Grand Jurisdictions should in any way modify their present requirements as to physical qualifications, because of military conditions. As I understand it, there was very little modification of these requirements made by the Grand Bodies because of conditions arising from the Civil War of 1861-1865 and in my judgment the present war does not present any reasons for such modification any stronger than were presented at the time of the Civil War.

Masonry is a fraternal and charitable institution but not an eleemosynary one. Whatever charity the order dispenses outside of its own membership should be given freely and in lump sums to worthy objects, but the order ought not to invite into its ranks those who would become burdens upon it and cause it to levy burdensome taxes upon its members. The ability of one to support himself and immediate family ought by no means to be substituted as a requirement for physical perfection. This would in a majority of cases be strained to take care of what might be deemed individual worthy cases and thus in the course of time the order would be burdened with charitable distribution to many who, while deemed able to support themselves and families at the time of their petition, would, due to military injuries, afterwards find themselves unable to render such support.

Wisconsin has always been very strict in applying the ancient landmark of physical perfection and I am not one of those who believe that the bars should be let down at this or at any other time. Frank E. Noyes, Wisconsin.

Protests Innovations

I beg leave to invite attention to the installation ceremonies of a W. M., which makes it clear that we deny the right of any man or body of men to make innovations in the body of Masonry.

My belief is that tampering with the Landmarks and with the Constitutions is like driving nails into the coffin of Freemasonry. Too much liberty has, I think, been taken with the original plan of Masonry, and I would therefore advise protecting the Landmarks and Constitutions rather than changing them. Geo. W. Baird, Washington, D. C.

An American Anachronism

There is an ever-growing opinion amongst thinking Freemasons, that the Mental Qualification, not the Physical, should be the test for membership in our Order.

This physical qualification is an anachronism - a form that has remained with us centuries after the substance has gone - and strange to say remained only in the minds of American Masons. This has been the cause of more worry to our Grand Lodge, more rulings, more disappointment than almost any other single subject, all because we insist in dragging this ancient Fetish into our assemblies.

The laws of Physical Perfection died with the Operative Lodge. We apply these rules to our moral and mental qualifications rather than to our physical today, or we should do so. Ability to support himself so he may not become a charge on the Order, a further ability to make himself known to, or as a Brother, by sight, sound or touch, should govern all future initiations, and thus give our brave maimed boys a chance to receive all the "comfort of the craft" when they return. J. L. Carson, Virginia.

The Missouri "Cripple" Law

My views on the Physical Perfection idea have, in the past, been considered very radical. About fifteen years ago I introduced, advocated, and the Grand Lodge of Missouri adopted, the following law:

"It is incompetent for any Lodge in this Jurisdiction to confer either of the three Degrees of Ancient Craft Masonry on any person whose physical defects are such as to prevent his receiving and imparting the ceremonies of the several degrees; provided, that nothing herein contained shall be so construed as to render any one ineligible to the privileges of Masonry, who can by the aid of artificial appliances conform to the necessary ceremonies."

This law met with furious criticism by some correspondents and editors of Masonic papers, and I was dubbed an iconoclast, a destroyer of the "Ancient Landmarks," and one, after denouncing me, said, "That charges should be preferred against me and expelled." But this was fifteen years ago and the Missouri "Cripple Law" or some modification of it, has been adopted in many Grand Lodges.

Freemasonry is a progressive science and a new light and age has dawned. The Physical Perfection notion became obsolete when operative Masonry became speculative. We recognize today that a wooden leg is better than a wooden head, and a few fingers missing is far better than a heart of stone. We believe today, (not merely mouthing the Ritual), "that it is the internal qualification and not the external that qualifies a man to be made a Mason."

The "Perfect Youth" doctrine has become so absurd and ridiculous among thinking Masons, that it is no longer necessary to even argue the question. It lives in some Grand Lodges purely as a reminiscence of a past age, and like all obsolete notions, it dies hard. "Shall Masonry welcome the petitions of all those soldiers and sailors who have lost arms or eyes in the service of their country?" Yes, or any other good man similarly afflicted.

There is only one point that should be considered and that is the question of becoming dependent. Freemasonry is a luxury and not an eleemosynary institution; pecuniary and material benefits must not be the motive for gaining admission. No man should be admitted, or he knowingly apply for admission, when inability to support himself is self evident. The physical condition, as to loss of legs, arms, eyes, fingers, toes, bow legs or bald head, is of no importance, but the question of ability to support himself is the only question involved. Wm. F. Kuhn, Missouri.

A Survival from Operative Masonry

It was inevitable that the Operative Masons should insist that their apprentices be sound in limb and in good health, seeing that their trade was dangerous, onerous and difficult, and that a sick man had to be supported out of the common purse. Also was it inevitable that this ancient custom be carried over into Speculative Masonry at the Revival in 1717, for it had come to be considered an Ancient Landmark, and we all know how careful the Early Speculatives were to adhere to these. But in spite of the sanctions of antiquity the premier Grand Lodge gradually modified its rules as to qualifications, learning that what had been necessary among the Operatives was no longer essential to Speculative Masonry. Even Oliver, with all his loyalty to the past, was driven to see this, as witness this paragraph found in his "Treasury":

"It would indeed be a solecism in terms to contend that a loss or partial deprivation of a physical organ of the body could, by any possibility, disqualify a man from studying the sciences, or being made a Mason in our times, while in possession of sound judgment, and the healthy exercises of his intellectual powers."

In 1875 the Board of General Purposes of the Grand Lodge of England issued a circular in which the writer said:

"I am directed to say that the general rule in this country is to consider a candidate eligible for election who although not perfect in his limbs is sufficiently so to go through the various ceremonies required in the different degrees." As to whether the candidate was able "to go through the various ceremonies" was, it goes without saying, left to the judgment of the ballot.

In an essay included in one of the early volumes of the Iowa Grand Lodge Proceedings, T. S. Parvin takes the same position:

"It is the SOLE RIGHT of each and every LODGE to act upon these physical qualifications, as it is universally conceded that they are the sole judges of the moral qualifications of all candidates."

This, it seems to me, is good sense. If a candidate is able to pay his dues, is in reasonable good health, of average intelligence and has a good reputation, we need ask no more, unless his physical defects may incapacitate him from performing the ceremonies. I, myself, pray that the day may come when the chief qualification demanded of a candidate will be the evidence of a sincere determination TO TAKE MASONRY SERIOUSLY. We need more Masons and fewer members. H. L. Haywood, Iowa.

Manhood, Duty and Valor

Eligibility to the Masonic orders should not be denied any soldier or sailor of the United States because of physical disabilities caused by such service, when such candidate has the other essential moral and mental qualifications, it being granted of course that physical impairment is properly authenticated as due to exposure in the line of duty as such soldier or sailor. Masonry is not an eleemosynary institution and every candidate for membership should be capable of supporting himself and family, or least he should not become an immediate charge upon the Order. A spasm of patriotic fervor or sympathy should not be permitted to vote a man into membership in Masonry simply because he bore in his person the evidence of military heroism. But being a man and having done a man's full duty and is maimed thereby, such physical disability ought not to deny him a place in our noble Order that in all its teachings places a premium upon manhood, duty and valor. Franklin B. Gault, Washington.

The Massachusetts Rule

I do not think that I can better reply to your question for September than by quoting a provision of the Grand Constitutions of Massachusetts which is as follows:

"If the physical deformity of any applicant for the degrees does not amount to an inability to meet the requirements of the Ritual, and honestly to acquire the means of subsistence, it shall constitute no hindrance to his initiation."

The Grand Masters of Massachusetts have never been willing to rule on particular cases but have ruled in a general way that an awkward compliance might be accepted.

The Worshipful Master of a Lodge is required to pass on cases as it appears best. There was a vote of the Grand Lodge something over a hundred years ago to the effect that a blind man might not be given the degrees, but that would appear to be unnecessary as a blind man clearly could not comply with the regulations of the ritual. Frederick W. Hamilton, Massachusetts.

Symbolism of The Perfect Man

I fear that I could not bring myself to consent to the initiation of any man into the body of Freemasonry who was not possessed of all of his physical members whole and complete. And I believe that this is in accord with the very genius of the Order.

But first of all, however, I must recognize and agree to the dictum, "It is the internal, and not the external, qualifications that recommend a man to be a Mason," (Mackey, Book of the Chapter, p. 41), and I fully realize how it may be drawn therefrom that a man, having great internal qualifications, should not be debarred from the privileges and duties of Freemasonry because he has lost perhaps the little finger of his left hand. This is further complicated by a parallel which I seem always able to find from the early Church. A candidate for Holy Orders must come freeborn, of lawful age, under the tongue of good report, and also sound of limb and unmutilated; but a man whose blood had been shed as a martyr - and who was possibly mutilated - had the priestly right of absolution, and without further ordination. (Smith and Cheetham, Dict. Xn. Antiq., pp. 1118 and 1481-2.) So it could be argued that a man who had lost a limb in the highly Masonic duty of the defense of his country, should, if otherwise worthy, be admitted into the mysteries of Freemasonry.

Now all ceremonial, whether of the Lodge or of the Church, has a materialistic, and a spiritual, or symbolic interpretation - and either is as true as the other. Now, our ancient operative brethren could not admit a maimed man to their Gild because he could not perform the functions of the Craft; but this, it might seem, could be waived when we enter the realm of the speculative. In other words, inability to display the various external signs and tokens does not necessarily keep a man from being internally what it is to be a Mason.

But even with these considerations, I cannot bring myself to believe that a maimed man should be admitted to initiation. Symbolism is the life of Freemasonry, and to such a degree that frequently what is presented to our attention is but the symbol of a symbol. And therefore, let us go to the Temple quarries. The Giblim have hewn out of the living rock a stone that shows a flaw, although but slight. This they drag with their strong cables before the Master and his wardens. Should they accept it? We know what the overseers would have done. But should this imperfect stone be placed in the North-east Corner, or even cemented by the stronger tie to the other stones of the Temple ?

The candidate symbolizes, in his physical being, the perfect man, who alone is fit to enter into the composition of "that spiritual building, that house not made with hands, eternal, in the heavens." I say symbolize rather than be, for none of us has yet arrived at that perfection to which the whole of Freemasonry aspires, and there may actually be, in many of us, hidden flaws that tend to weaken the great Edifice. But still we must scrupulously preserve the symbol of what we would be; we must continue to teach that we seek the perfect in body, mind and spirit, that is, in the man, and that we cannot therefore admit an imperfect man to initiation.

Let us remember, moreover, that the Great Initiate was not maimed even in death (Ps. xxxiv., St. Jno. xix., 36), and that He is the head-stone of the corner (Ps. cxviii., 22), the model from which the whole structure and every part thereof may be taken. H. W. Ticknor, Maryland.

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