VWB C. Blair Leckie Deputy of the Grand Master in District 4 of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Washington for 2005-2007 Mailto: cblairl@excite.com

As Masons (April 2006)

Brethren,

These monthly articles provide a forum for things Masonic.  An unexpected plus for me personally is the opportunity to consider ideas and to discover what I actually believe to be true about our craft and its ways. This month I am muddling through a distinction that affects many of us in our fraternity.  As Masons, we take justifiable pride in our craft.  We find great reward and satisfaction in our outreach into the community and our many worthwhile charities.  And, within the many excellent and well-governed lodges we pride ourselves in the body of work that comprises our drama and ritual.  We respect those who perform it well.  In fact, many of us, myself included, tend to expect perfect presentation and are somewhat disenchanted when we observe anything less.  Even worse, we castigate ourselves when our own performance is less than perfect.  It is at this point where some temperance and consideration might be applied. 

Masonry gives us the metaphors of the rough and perfect ashlar.  As we are taught, the rough ashlar is representative of man in his rough hewn, uneven and imperfect state; a work in progress.  The perfect ashlar is the symbol for that man, who by persistent diligence, moral rectitude, integrity and faith has become a more perfect being.  It is fairly safe to assume that none of us has yet to meet the perfect being.  Indeed, all of us are works in progress.  Yet there persists in many of us this niggling need to witness the perfect opening and closing, the perfect conferral of degrees, the perfect lecture.

In place of perfection, perhaps we would be better served to seek excellence.  Perfectionism and fear go hand in hand.  The fear and abhorrence of error drives the perfectionist.  He is driven to eradicate error and is fearful of its occurrence. On the other hand, those who pursue excellence embrace the imperfection in man and honor his flaws and mistakes. To the man striving to become better, one’s errors are his best teachers. Excellence is the transformation of these errors into learning, proficiency and wisdom.  While the quest for perfection is noble and Masonic, excellence is a far more human and reasonable standard to expect.  Because we are imperfect, we are given the opportunity to learn, to grow and improve ourselves as men.   Perhaps, as we are all works in progress, simply expecting excellence from ourselves might be the beginning of our perfection.

Thanks to both the District Deputy of the Grand Master in District 4, and the Masonic Monitor which publishes his articles for allowing us to reprint them.  The Masonic Monitor is published monthly (except August) under approval of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Washington.  The Masonic Monitor can be contacted at: 6619 132nd Avenue NE, PMB 237, Kirkland, WA, 98033-8627, USA.  Phone: (425) 822-4605 - FAX: (425) 822-2535 - Email: masonicmonitor@earthlink.net.