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The Virtues of Freemasonry

Reid Gardiner, RW Past Grand Secretary

In Section Four of the Montana Masonic Manual, we in the democratic way of life and is a personal as well
are told that the Candidate, as the youngest Entered as a civic virtue. Masonry believes in even-handed
Apprentice, stands in the Northwest Corner of the justice as it believes in freedom of thought, speech,
lodge the point of entrance upon instruction, there to lay and conscience; always with due regard to the freedom
the cornerstone of his Masonic life, midway between of others.
the darkness of profane ignorance and the light of
the symbolic east. He is entitled to the most careful So, what is a virtue? A virtue is a trait or quality that
and thorough instruction and explanation to clarify is deemed to be morally good and thus is valued as a
his mind so that he may discover and understand the foundation of principle and good moral being. Personal
beautiful allegory of the Entered Apprentice degree. virtues are characteristics valued as promoting
collective and individual greatness. In other words, it
His instruction was started in the Northwest Corner is a behavior that shows high moral standards. Doing
when the Master presented him with his working what is right and avoiding what is wrong.
tools the twenty-four-inch gauge and the common
gavel and explained their uses. The tenets, principles Virtue has also been described as a habitual and fi rm
and certain traditions and customs of the Craft were disposition to “do good.” It allows a person not only
outlined, including such fundamentals as brotherly to perform “Good acts,” but to give the very best of
love, relief and truth; faith, hope and charity, and the himself if he practices said virtues.
cardinal virtues of temperance, fortitude, prudence,
and justice. Within Freemasonry, the Cardinal Virtues are
sometimes referred to as human virtues. The four
Good men of all times have practiced these principles virtues play a pivotal role in our lives and, accordingly,
of conduct. Since Masonry accepts only good men are called “Cardinal.”
and seeks to make them better, the candidate's petition
was approved after an investigation indicated that he Temperance is that moral virtue that moderates the
was a good man whose daily life was guided by these attraction of pleasures and provides balance in the
principles. In Masonry, however, they take on added use of all things. It ensures the will’s mastery over
signifi cance and must be constantly observed and instincts and keeps desires within the limits of what is
practiced, because with other teachings of the degree honorable.
they form the very foundation of the Symbolic Craft.
Fortitude is the moral virtue that ensures fi rmness
Four hundred years before the time of Christ, in diffi culties and constancy in the pursuit of good.
Socrates and Plato taught the four Cardinal Virtues It strengthens our resolve to resist temptations and to
of life. The early ritual makers drew much from their overcome obstacles in the moral life. It is the virtue of
material from the ancient philosophers, who set out the Fortitude that conquers fear, even fear of death, trials,
truth that is universal. Temperance means moderation and persecution.
all things in speech, thought and action. Fortitude
implies moral courage, that courage to stand for the Prudence is the moral virtue that disposes of practical
right against the wrong in every aspect of life. We do reason to discern our true good in every circumstance
not fi nd reference to the four Cardinal Virtues in our and to choose the right means of achieving it. According
work prior to about 1750. The Cardinal Virtues have to Aristotle, Prudence is “right reason in action.”
intrinsic value to the Mason and are certainly essential Justice is the moral virtue that consists of the
to Freemasonry. They can stand on their own within constant and fi rm will to give their just due to the Great
the ritual without any direct connection to the initiatic Architect and neighbor. Justice toward Deity is called
experience or to Masonic symbolism. the “virtue of religion.” Justice toward men disposes
one to respect the rights of each and to establish in
Prudence means common sense and reason. It is a
human tendency to allow our passions and prejudices human relationships the harmony that promotes equity
with regards to persons and for the common good. The
to dominate our thinking and control our actions, just man is distinguished by the habitual fairness of his
whereas prudence would prevent our emotions from conduct toward his neighbor. Other Grand Jurisdictions
outrunning our reason. Justice is an essential factor
have described the four Cardinal Virtues thusly.
Page 6 Montana Freemason November December 2018