Am I a Master Mason?
Z. C. Hull, Jr., MPS


Have you, at any time, been inclined to ask yourself these questions, "Am I a 
Master Mason?" "Dare I call myself a Master Mason?" -Did you question your 
conscience in this respect? And if you did, "What were your answers?" Only you 
can answer such questions in true response to your heart and soul.

Just what is a Master Mason? The answer can only be found where true Masonry is 
at work, where there is activity in the Mason quarries and where there is a 
manifestation of a true adherence to the teachings and principles of our great 
fraternity. Brethren, we all know the questions, but do we have the answers?

Possibly, the first qualifications we should find out about ourselves are, "Are 
we paying a proper reverence to the Supreme Grand Master of all people?" "Are we 
following the blue prints so completely drawn by the number one Foreman in 
Masonic Quarries?" "Is the Letter G the first letter of the Masonic alphabet and 
is it shining forth within us with a pure golden brilliance?"

The symbolic teachings pertaining to. the Masonic Square are forcefully 
recommended to us in all our deliberations, "Are we squaring our actions by the 
square of virtue towards all mankind?" "Are we following the blue prints 
pertaining to the Masonic square in the erection of our Moral and Masonic 
edifice?" We are admonished to live respected and die regretted. This goal may 
be attained by following the lessons as taught the Masonic compasses - limiting 
our passions in every station and rising to eminence by our own merits.

In Masonry, we speak of the immortality of the soul and are taught to plan for 
immortality -by following the lessons pertaining to the Masonic Line. This 
symbolic emblem directs our pathway to immortality, to eternity, hence into 
infinity. What more is there? We learn that the Great Book of Laws will guide us 
to all truth - ALL TRUTH - there is no more. There is no other guide, truth is 
its fullest. We hear that this Book will direct our steps to the temple of 
happiness, pointing out to us the whole duty of man. Such guidelines to conduct 
our lives as men, as Masons, cannot be more complete. The manner in which we 
follow these guidelines will enable us -to truthfully answer the question, "Am 
I, a Master Mason?"

There is no doubt, all of us had an impressive experience at the time we 
received the Sublime Degree in Masonry. Immediately, we realized that we had a 
new road upon which to travel. Within our hearts we were firmly convinced that 
we should not sway from the middle of the Masonic highway. We all know that we 
are creatures of human nature and meet with many temptations along the way. 
After we were made Master Masons, it proved less difficult to travel in the 
middle of this pathway, neither swaying right nor left. Is this not true?

Brother Love is one of the principal tenets of our profession, closely followed 
by Relief and Truth. We meet as Masons, we experience a true feeling of 
fellowship and Brotherly Love. This is innermost manifestation of respect for 
our brother Mason; our fellow man is a feeling that we find in true Masonry at 
work. How can we temper ourselves so that we may experience such evidence of 
Brotherly Love?

By working off the rough part that disqualifies us as a living stone for the 
temple, the temple of happiness within us, using the common gavel, the first 
tool of a Mason. When do we not manifest this feeling, then it is time for us to 
ask the important question, "Am I a Master Mason?" Ask, "Am I one to whom the 
world may pour out its sorrow? To whom distress may prefer its suit?" Ask, "Is 
my hand guided by justice and is my heart expanded by benevolence?" May we 
always be deeply concerned by distresses, be forever benevolent, and endeavor to 
the fullest extent, to ease the sorrows and misfortunes of our fellow man.

We are fortunate to be a part of a Masonic Fraternity which stresses such a 
manifestation of brotherly love as these tenets which are so sincerely 
inculcated in all of our communications. We must strive to plant these 
principles in our hearts, in our thoughts, in our actions and let them grow and 
blossom each day of our lives.

Let us establish our connections by adhering to the tenet of relief of our 
fellow Mason, of our fellow man, our Masonic widows and orphans.

In Masonry, we do contribute to just and realistic charity. In our consciences 
we feel this to be a Masonic obligation. Many outstanding and worthy 
organizations receive bountiful contributions from our brotherhood. It is also 
in our hearts and minds to remember our fellow man in his distresses when we are 
at a throne of grace with our Supreme Grand Master. When we follow these 
guidelines, there is no doubt as to the answer of the question, "Am I a Master 
Mason?"

Freemasonry is based on the most fundamental and just principles found in any 
organization or group of people on the face of the earth. As Freemasons, we are 
obligated to follow the lessons of such teachings, free to perform the duties of 
being a Freemason, being a just and upright man, With such firm fundamentals 
upon which to rear our Moral and Masonic edifice, our temples will become and 
always remain monumental of what is good and true. When we sight down the 
Masonic plumb line, we find ourselves a destiny among the stars which will shine 
forth forever and forever.

As Mason, we cannot ignore justice. Our country is founded on the principles of 
civil and human justice. We must strive to initiate true justice for our fellow 
man. Now is the time for all Masons to be civic minded, to take a part in the 
affairs of our community, to take a part and a new interest in our civil 
government at all levels. We must endeavor to return our country to the proper 
state of justice for all. We must remove the unjust element contributing to the 
grave injustices which are in evidence today. Should we compare our country to 
ancient Rome?

All of us have heard the expression, "Nero fiddled while Rome burned." Is true 
Americanism being destroyed today? If so, brethren, we as Masons should endeavor 
to stop the music, destroy the fiddle and break the bow before the flame grows 
to an intense heat. Our country must justly be the land of the free and the home 
of the brave! Freedom must ring from every mountain side! We must be brave.

We must conquer because our cause it is just. I want to be my brother's keeper, 
aid him in his reformation, practice benevolence, relieve the distressed, soothe 
and sorrow, support the laws of our land, strive to encourage the administration 
of Justice. May the Great Book of laws guide me to all -truth and finally, may I 
say, "In God I trust." Then when asked the question, "Are you a Master Mason?" I 
can, in all sincerity answer, I am!"