When I was initiated into Freemasonry – only a few short years ago, in 1994 – I pondered on why I had joined, and whether I had done the right thing. And I looked at those who wore a rather non-descript oval shaped badge on their lapel, sometime with a little doo-dad hanging below it and when, through that strange osmotic process by which we find out much of Freemasonry, I learned that it represented 50 years and more (depending on the number of doo-dads) continuous membership of the Order my feelings turned to one of awe.

Curious? Yes.

Unique? No!

Remarkable? Indeed!

Awesome, or awe-inspiring? Without a doubt!

Why?

What is it about Freemasonry that encourages men to devote at the very least the time to reach such an exalted milestone? But not only just time. Many of the recipients of such have devoted more, much more, to the Order. The governance of many Lodges owes much to the dedication of Brothers such as these – Brothers who have devoted years to secretarial, treasury and preceptor duties.

I, and many others, have pondered this and have theorised and speculated about what would engender such devotion, such love. I’m sure everyone present has thought about it.

For me many of the answers lie in the Charges and Obligations we take on ourselves when we enter the Order – obligations which entail collective as well as personal responsibilities.

Obligations which call on us to apply the principal virtues of Faith, Hope and Charity: Faith to follow the moral dictates of our hearts and minds – “the substance of things hoped for; the evidence of things not seen”[iii]. Hope that our Faith will be manifest in the things we learn, and in our turn, teach. And Charity – or as it is now more commonly understood, Love – to share our lives, knowledge, understanding and means with others, especially our Brethren.

Obligations which call on us to apply the cardinal virtues of Prudence, Temperance, Fortitude, and Justice: to be prudent in our deeds and thoughts; to temper our actions with wisdom; to accept life’s tribulations and burdens with equanimity;  and above all to be just in our dealings with others, but  not to be judgemental.

Obligations which ask us to practise a meaningful work ethic, to consider everybody as an equal, and to act honourably towards our fellows.

Obligations which require us to develop our knowledge of Masonic philosophy, history and morality and, above all, insist that we respect our Brethren by practising the Five Points of Fellowship.

What is it, then, that makes a truly great Mason? We have all seen them – we may well have several as friends. We may even be fortunate enough to be included in their ranks!

If we stop and think about it, we will recognise that they are probably men who have no particular ambition, or who do not aspire to greatness, but who have picked up the collective obligation to ensure the well-being and future prospects of the Order, and have devoted their abilities in whatever way they are able to support that collective obligation as their way of fulfilling their personal obligations. They are the ones who quietly work in the background – voicing their opinions as appropriate but never endeavouring to usurp authority or protocol. Who see something that needs to be done and, without acting unilaterally, do it – recognising the importance of that aphorism: “If it is to be, it is up to me!”

They are the ones who embrace the elements of Masonic philosophy. Who know that the work ethic promoted in the First Degree is necessary to ensure the well-being of their Lodges and the Order: that labour (or effort) is required; that accuracy is not just important but is absolutely essential; and that without perseverance the affairs of a Lodge which is facing adversity may well turn into shark-infested custard.

They are the ones who know that the lessons of the Second Degree must be learned and applied if the Lodge and its Brethren are to advance – that a Lodge must preserve, almost as one of its Landmarks if you like, the concepts of equality and merit. They recognise the concepts of justice and fair play – and the qualities of mercy and constructive criticism and they are certainly ready “to view their [Brothers’] interests as inseparable from [their] own.”[iv] They realise that without the study and honing of the mind which is referred to in the Second Degree that the understanding, let alone the development, of the philosophy we hold dear is impossible.

They are the ones who realise that the lesson of the First Degree is about developing a strong and meaningful work ethic; that of the Second Degree is about the honing and polishing of the mind with knowledge and understanding; and that the import of the Third Degree is to teach us about the spirituality of Freemasonry and our lives. They know that if we miss these elements we miss the whole point of Freemasonry.

So, why did I quote Kipling?

Because, as we know, Kipling was a Freemason, and many of his works make reference to Masons and Masonic philosophy, and to me every line, bar one, of his poem, “If”, summarises one of the qualities we wish to develop in the hearts and minds of every Freemason – ourselves included!

  If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs

A Mason should be a calm, thoughtful, strong person whose personality is able to cope with adversity and panic and hold together those who are succumbing to the pressure.

   and blaming it on you,

 But he will be “big” enough to understand that others will place blame where it best assuages their consciences and feelings – to cover themselves from that blame, recognising that it is human nature to try to protect one’s self, and be prepared to assist them through their travails. He will know exactly what the Five Points of Fellowship mean by “…remind me of his wants.”

If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you

He will have confidence to continue on the path he knows is correct. But he will understand that others do not necessarily have that same confidence and is prepared to accept that his path may well be questioned by others.

But make allowance for their doubting too,

 He will not be judgemental about how others are acting and reacting, giving them the benefit of doubt and lack of understanding, or even, misunderstanding. He will be prepared to “turn the other cheek” while not surrendering his moral values.

If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,

  He will be patient and prepared for however long it may take for understanding and acceptance to emerge in others, and he will use his patience and time wisely to assist others.

Or being lied about, don't deal in lies,

Or being hated, don't give way to hating,

 He will remain true to his values and will never use the tactics that others may adopt: ensuring that he remains truthful at all times and striving to preserve his integrity – no matter how much others may impugn him. And above all, he will not reduce himself to their level. He is a Mason and he will not be ashamed of feeling elite but he will remain humble:

And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise:

He will retain a sense of humility and not yield to the temptation of thinking that he is “better” than his Brethren or anyone else: to be humble can also be considered a virtue, but not to the extent that his values are prejudiced in any way. He will recognise the difference between humility and submission.

  If you can dream – and not make dreams your master,

He will dream. Of course he will, but he will ever be pragmatic about those dreams and will not allow them to dominate him or supplant the reality of his life. He will have a firm grip on reality and will be comfortable with his life and surroundings. He will not be jealous or envious of others in his life.

 If you can think – and not make thoughts your aim;

He will think clearly and rationally and “outside the square” should it prove necessary. But he will not allow his thoughts to deflect him away from the reality he finds himself in. That is to say, he will not allow his thoughts to become dreams which have no real chance of coming true.

  If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;

He will understand that life will always present him with a mixture of good and bad – a dichotomy of opposite conditions – and yet he will be able to balance his life and treat both success and failure with equanimity: “… turning neither to the right nor to the left from the paths of virtue; …”[v]

If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,

He will know and understand that sometimes others will take what he has said, and which he truly believes to be true, and twist it often through ignorance but sometimes through deliberate malice. But he will be able to bear it with fortitude and will have the courage to endeavour to correct the misapprehensions and damage.

  Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,

He will be able to view with equanimity and acceptance his treasured values torn apart. He will be keenly aware of that corollary to “Murphy’s Law” – “If it ain’t broke, someone will fix it until it is.”

And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools:

He will have the fortitude and courage to rebuild or to start again, even if the “tools” at his disposal are not in the best condition or necessarily suited to the task. “… The Almighty Architect never intended that our temples should remain damaged or composed of imperfect material, but has given us the faith to repair and, if necessary, to rebuild upon the ruins of our former temple, profiting by our mistakes of the past …”[vi]

  If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it all on one turn of pitch-and-toss,

He will be brave enough and prepared to risk much for the things he believes in. We often talk about the bravery of some men in battle – that they are prepared to risk their lives so that they may save others. We do not look to lose our lives in support of Freemasonry but we also know that we risk much in standing up for our principles when we know the odds are stacked against us. Courage, surely, is continuing when fear would have us turn away.

  And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breath a word about your loss;

But, even though he may lose the “skirmish”, he will not complain about it, but quietly start to rebuild – to start again at the beginning. He will ever “… have eternity in view …”[vii] knowing that if his heart is right and his principles sound, eventually his moral convictions will win through.

  If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on!"

He will be able to apply his courage to situations which require moral strength and fortitude to the very end, even though his external support has long left him, and possibly his life is at risk. And his convictions and principles will enable him to stay at the helm of the “bark of life” and strive to steer it over the “seas of passion”6. For him, “will power” will never be confused with “won’t power”.

  If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,

The emphasis we place on the various virtues in the philosophy of Freemasonry should be so strong that he will be able discuss, or even debate, with others without getting upset about the attitudes, values and thoughts they express and be able to maintain his values and aspirations without losing his equanimity. He will, indeed, “… hold the scales of justice with equal poise, …”6

  Or walk with kings – nor lose the common touch,

Despite any “greatness thrust upon him”, or being invited to mix with those in power and authority he will be able to preserve his humility and will not lose sight of his origins and the source of his support and friendships.

  If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you;  

Without abandoning his humanity he will be able to “… suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune …”[viii] and will not allow himself to be offended by slander nor endeavour to seek retribution for real or imagined slights.

  If all men count with you, but none too much,  

He will view all men as equals never forgetting that “… we are all Brethren, for he who is placed on the lowest spoke of fortune’s wheel may be equally entitled to our regard with one on the highest: …”6 and that “ … he who faithfully performs his duty, even in a subordinate or private station, is as justly entitle to esteem and respect as he who is invested with supreme authority.”[ix]  

If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,  

He will be keenly aware that life is running out – not only for himself, but for all he considers precious – and he will endeavour to make the best use of every minute available to him. He knows that when he gets up in the morning it is the first day of the rest of his life and that he has an obligation to himself, to his family, to his work colleagues, and to his Brethren to ensure that none of it is wasted. Without being fanatical he will pursue the projects he holds dear with enthusiasm. He will ensure that his advice is sound and wise. He will support his friends with whatever assistance he is able to provide, within his ability and means. He will know only too clearly the obligations he has taken on himself and will endeavour to live up to them to the best of his ability. Without exhausting himself he will strive with every sinew to make his life worthwhile.  

Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,  

And he will succeed because he has given of his best not just for himself and those dear to him, but to those who depend on him in some way. He does not seek a “kingdom”. He is comfortable with his life, even though his means and resources may not be great.

Kipling’s words are advice from a father to his son. They are a recipe for a life lived well and written some 14 years after he was initiated, he could well have written the last line as:  

And – which is more – you'll make a Mason, my son!  

I have no doubt that Kipling had Masonic philosophy in mind when he wrote “If” and I believe that we can use the lines of this poem as a guide to what we should expect of a Mason, and, to my mind, it serves as a useful criterion as to the character of the men we should encourage to join with us.

For those who are interested the following is a brief synopsis of the entry in Wikipedia[x]:

Joseph Rudyard Kipling (December 30, 1865 – January 18, 1936) was an English author and poet, born in Bombay, India, and best known for his works The Jungle Book (1894), The Second Jungle Book (1895), Just So Stories (1902), and Puck of Pook's Hill (1906); his novel, Kim (1901); his poems, including Mandalay (1890), Gunga Din (1890), "If—" (1910) and "Ulster 1912" (1912); and his many short stories, including "The Man Who Would Be King" (1888) and the collections Life's Handicap (1891), The Day's Work (1898), and Plain Tales from the Hills (1888). He is regarded as a major "innovator in the art of the short story"; his children's books are enduring classics of children's literature; and his best work speaks to a versatile and luminous narrative gift.

Kipling was one of the most popular writers in English, in both prose and verse, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The author Henry James famously said of him: "Kipling strikes me personally as the most complete man of genius (as distinct from fine intelligence) that I have ever known." In 1907, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature, making him the first English language writer to receive the prize, and he remains its youngest-ever recipient. Among other honours, he was sounded out for the British Poet Laureateship and on several occasions for a knighthood, all of which he rejected.

However, later in life Kipling also came to be seen (in George Orwell's words) as a "prophet of British imperialism." Many saw prejudice and militarism in his works, and the resulting controversy about him continued for much of the 20th century. According to critic Douglas Kerr: "He is still an author who can inspire passionate disagreement and his place in literary and cultural history is far from settled. But as the age of the European empires recedes, he is recognized as an incomparable, if controversial, interpreter of how empire was experienced. That, and an increasing recognition of his extraordinary narrative gifts, make him a force to be reckoned with."

It may be of interest that this entry does mention Kipling’s Masonic Associations.

Eric G. Edgar, PM, Virgin Lodge No 3, Grand Lodge of Nova Scotia wrote:[xi]

In “Something of Myself” Kipling writes: “In 1885, I was made a Freemason by dispensation (being under age) in The Lodge of Hope and Perseverance 782 E.C. [Lahore] because the Lodge hoped for a good Secretary. They did not get him, but I helped and got Father to advise me in decorating the bare walls of the Masonic Hall with hangings after the prescription of King Solomon’s Temple. Here I met Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs, members of the Araya and Brahmo Samaj and a Jewish Tyler who was a priest and butcher to his little community in the city. So yet another world was opened to me which I needed.” We get a little more detail in a letter Kipling wrote in the London Times, date March 28, 1935: “In reply to your letter I was Secretary for some years of the Lodge Hope and Perseverance No 782, English Constitution which included Brethren of at least four different creeds. I was entered by a member of the Brahmo Samaj (a Hindu), passed by a Mohammedan, and raised by an Englishman. Our Tyler was an Indian Jew. We met, of course, on the level and the only difference that anyone would notice was that at our banquet some of the Brethren, who were debarred by caste rules from eating food not ceremoniously prepared, sat over empty plates. I had the good fortune to be able to arrange a series of informal lectures by Brethren of various faiths, on baptismal ceremonies of their religions.”

Kipling also received the Mark Master degree in a Lahore Mark Lodge and affiliated with a Craft Lodge in Allahabad, Bengal. Later in England he affiliated as an honorary member of the Motherland Lodge, No 3861 in London. He was also a member of the Author’s Lodge, No 3456, and a founder-member of the Lodge Builders of the Silent Cities, No. 4848, which was connected with the War Graves Commission and which was so named at Kipling’s suggestion. Another Masonic Association was formed when he became Poet Laureate of the famous Canongate Kilwinning, No 2 in Edinburgh, the Lodge of which Robert Burns is said to have served in the same office. … Years later … he accepted a fellowship in the Philalethes Society, an organisation of Masonic writers formed in the United States in 1928. The February 1963 issue of “The Philalethes”, a publication of this Society, recalls that, before the original list of forty Fellows was closed in 1932, Kipling was proposed as the fortieth Fellow. When the Secretary wrote to advise him that they wished to honour the author of “My Mother Lodge”, “The Man Who Would Be King”, “Kim” and other Masonic stories, Kipling accepted.

There seems to have been some quality deep within his nature to which Freemasonry appealed. The idea of a secret bond, of a sense of community, and of high principles among men sworn to a common purpose, fitted his concept of a social order.