The Front Page – June 2020 – Portland, Oregon

One of the things I enjoy about being new to the Craft is that there is so much to learn. So many things are fresh and new to me and I have the pleasure of seeing things through a new lens.

For example, I waste a fair amount of time on the website, Reddit, and particularly the section (or subreddit), on masonry. There, I found that MWB Ben Franklin had a rare insight into life and at the ripe old age of 20 created a system to develop his character. I’m sure some of you may know his system already but please indulge me.

Brother Franklin defined 13 Virtues to focus on:

Temperance: Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation.
Silence: Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversation.
Order: Let all your things have places; let each part of your business have its time.
Resolution: Resolve to perform what you ought; perform without fail what you resolve.
Frugality: Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself; i.e. waste nothing.
Industry: Lose no time; be always employed in something useful; cut off all unnecessary actions.
Sincerity: Use no hurtful deceit; think innocently and justly; and if you speak, speak accordingly.
Justice: Wrong none by doing injuries or omitting the benefits that are your duty.
Moderation: Avoid extremes; forbear resenting injuries, so much as you think they deserve.
Cleanliness: Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, clothes or habitation.
Tranquility: Be not disturbed at trifles; or at accidents, common or unavoidable.
Chastity: Rarely use venery but for health or offspring; never to dullness, weakness, or the injury of your own or another’s peace or reputation.
Humility: Imitate Jesus and Socrates.

He then designed a card to keep with him and scored himself on how he did that particular day. This was then reviewed weekly to enable Brother Franklin to recognize an area he could work on for the following week. While the virtues listed are not strictly masonic in nature, they all hint at what the craft teaches and serve as a good reminder to us all.

Taken from “thirteenvirtues.com” and “https://www.thesimpledollar.com/financial-wellness/ben-franklins-thirteen-virtues-using-one-week-to- change-your-life/”

Matthew Cox
Senior Steward, Washington 46