morality
Morality runs like a silver thread through the dogma of Freemasonry from the Ancient Charges to the regulations and ordinances of the present day. No tenet of Freemasonry has been more consistently maintained and free from question. In the very oldest document of the Craft, the Regius MS. (c.1390), the Articles for the Master prescribed that he should be steadfast, trusty and true; must accept no thief for an apprentice lest it turn the Craft to shame

Another of the great tenets of Freemasonry is Morality. It is through this tenet that the brotherhood governs itself, both internally and within the community in which it serves. How does Freemasonry in general, and Roswell Lodge #165 specifically implement the moral aspects espoused by its members. There are many ways in which the brethren of Roswell Lodge guard against unfit members within its walls. There are two major aspects that will weed out those who are of lower moral standards than the Lodge would like to have. The first is the application and initiation process itself. The second is internal discipline and trial.

The first step in becoming a Mason is the application for the degrees of Freemasonry. Here, the candidate first encounters the demands of the Brotherhood. In the application process, two Brothers must vouch for the prospective candidate. These signatories must have known the applicant for at least a year. They also are asked if they have ever been divorced, and if answered in the affirmative the candidate must explain why he was divorced. As within other Lodges around the country, Roswell Lodge will then appoint a committee to investigate the candidate. An example of this committee is from the minutes of January 4, 1996. Martin Keith Duncan had applied for the degrees of Freemasonry; Worshipful Master (W.M.) Michael Parker assigned himself, Past Master (P.M) George Waldrop and Carl Gooch as the investigating committee. Dumenil gives excellent insight as to what the investigating committee is looking for. “Theoretically, the committee inquired into his home and family life, as well as into his business reputation, and then made its report to the lodge, which, in turn, voted by secret ballot”
The minutes of January 18, 1996 reflect this; “The Petition for Degrees of Martin Keith Duncan was read for the second time. The committee reported favorable. A ballot was taken and the Petition was granted.” Even though the petition is granted, the investigation into a candidate’s character is not yet finished. Before beginning the Entered Apprentice degree, the candidate is asked to declare affirmatively to the following questions:

Do you seriously declare upon your honor that unbiased by the improper solicitations of friends and uninfluenced by mercenary motives, you freely and voluntarily offer yourself a candidate for the mysteries of freemasonry?
     Do you seriously declare upon your honor, that you are prompted to solicit the privileges of freemasonry by a favorable opinion conceived by the institution, a desire for knowledge and a sincere wish to be serviceable to your fellow creature?
     Do you seriously declare upon your honor that you will cheerfully comply with all the ancient usages and established customs of the fraternity? Do you believe in the existence of one supreme and everlasting god, in some revelation of his will and in the immortality of the soul?

There are, however, times when the candidate is not found to be of strong moral character. When this happens, either the committee will make an unfavorable report, or the vote will not be passed unanimously. In 1947, Raymond Lester Brooks was in the process of advancing from the Entered Apprentice degree to the Fellowcraft degree. During the voting, Mr. Brooks was denied advancement in Masonry on the basis of his character.

Masonic trial is the second avenue for enforcing the moral code upon the brethren. According to the bi-laws of Roswell Lodge, “The Worshipful Master shall…see that all unmasonic conduct that comes to his knowledge be faithfully dealt with according to the bi-laws of this lodge and the general rules of freemasonry, to guarantee to everyone charged with unmasonic conduct a fair trail and a appeal to the grand lodge if demanded.” But what constitutes “unmasonic” behavior? The members of Roswell Lodge have defined “unmasonic” activity within their bi-laws. According to Chapter 7, Section 1 “An offence in masonry is hereby defined to be. Any act which contravenes any clause of these bi-laws, any constitutional rule or edict of the grand lodge of Georgia, and any requisition of the written or unwritten law of god or law of the land. The Ten Commandments constitute the divine law to which freemasons are particularly subject. The vices of intemperance, profanity, Sabbath breaking, evil speaking, and gambling are in a special manner. Interpreted as unmasonic, nonpayment of dues, divulging the transaction of the lodge, rude behavior within the lodge, neglect of family or neighborhood duties, contumacy in refusing obedience to a lodge summons….”

The earliest record of a Masonic trial can be found in the Lodge records from April 1, 1867. According to the testimony of a Bros. Hicks, Bros. B.G. Roberts and Nat Reed got into quite a scuffle at the house Brooks Grocery.24 The Vigilance committee, chaired by M.P. Parker Junior Warden (J.W.), found that Bro. Reed had “a matter of grievance or some personal difficulty with Bro. B.G. Roberts at various times and places and also for drunkedness and profanity.”25 Bro. Roberts was charged with “unmasonic conduct in a matter of grievance or some personal difficulty with Br. Nat Reed and for fighting and drawing blood and otherwise mistreating Bro. Reed at various times and places.”26 Both men were found guilty and removed from the membership rules.

While examining the Lodge records, it is becomes quite clear that the earlier years of the lodge had a great many more trials for “unmasonic” activities than the latter years. In 1867-1868, the records show four different trials being held. This agrees with the research of Dumenil, in that she found the power of lodges in general to be greater at social control in rural areas.These trials ranged from fighting and cheating another brother to charges of abandoning of family. One of the most interesting charges comes from charges preferred by W. P. Parker on S.J. Ramsey. Bro. Ramsey is charged in one of the counts with claiming that Bro. Parker had won money from “the Yankees.” In his response to the charges, Bro Ramsey states. “I deny every saying he had won the goods for the Yankees, but in a joking way I have said that he had won them from the Charleston Merchants.”

Once a brother has been charged with an “unmasonic” act, the only recourse for the lodge is expulsion. According to Roswell Lodge’s bi-laws, “The object of the Masonic penalties is said to be two-fold. To indicate the honor of masonry, and reform the erring brother.” What effect does expulsion have on a brother? In the earlier years of the Lodge, expulsion was a much more powerful deterrent, because as Dumenil states; “an action on the part of a lodge would be more likely to become known among the citizenry.” As Roswell grew up around it, Roswell Lodge began to see less charges of “unmasonic” conduct brought before the brethren. Within the last five years, no charges have been brought to bear against any brother within the lodge.

Next: Charity & Conclusion