| Over a period of many
years we have heard and read much about the secrets of Masonry, and
it is still our opinion that they are, in themselves, of the least
importance. These so called secrets are not the material of which
the Grand Masonic Temple is built. They do not constitute any of the
ancient landmarks of the Fraternity.
Masonry has no secrets which the world would
deem important or care to know. The secrets of Masonry are nothing
more than modes of recognition by which we know each other, by
which we know a true Craftsman from an impostor, by which we prove
ourselves worthy and well qualified, by which we show that we have
visited the sacred places of the Fraternity, and have knelt at the
altar of a common Father.
The fundamental facts of Masonry are not
secret. Its principles are known; its objects are known; its members
are known; its meeting places are known. Our ancient and honorable
Craft has adopted the general principles of secrecy because a unity
and harmony of labor can be better attained thereby.
As has been said by a great philosopher:
"Bees will not work except in silence; neither will virtue work
except in secrecy. Let not thy right hand know what thy left hand
doest. Like other plants, virtue will not grow unless its roots be
hidden from the sun. Let the sun shine on the roots, they wither and
no flowers will delight thee."
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