INDIVIDUALISM AND INVOLVEMENT
By: William S. Broomfield
Brother Broomfield has served in the United States House of
Representatives for 33 years and is currently Vice Chairman of the Foreign
Affairs Committee. For 9 years prior to this he was elected to the Michigan
state legislature. A member of Lodge No 536 in Berkley, Michigan, he was
coroneted an Inspector General Honorary in 1986 by the Northern Masonic
Jurisdiction.
When I was a boy, there were two very successful
businessmen in my hometown. Each worked hard and was well known in the
community. As you might expect, each wore the Square
and Compasses on his lapel. But unfortunately, this is where the similarities
ended!
One man had a reputation for his friendly disposition.
Going into his store was a pleasure as there was never any pressure as you
browsed. If you happened to buy something that was not quite right, your money
was refunded gladly. To this man the individual was more important than the
product.
In contrast, going into the other man’s store was not as
much fun. He was friendly only when
the cash register rang, giving a feeling that customer satisfaction was
secondary to profit.
The impression that these men left on me is vivid today as
I think of Freemasonry and its role in the future. Similarly, I have tried to
recall my dealings with the many other Brethren I have met. My conclusion is
that our actions speak not only for ourselves but for the organization to which
we belong. Others, who know little about our fraternity, judge Freemasonry by
our actions not our words.
Most Masons are good men. Most are sincere, honest,
forthright and want to contribute to the world. More than the members of many
other social and business groups, Masons want to be involved citizens who
preserve the values that made America great.
This point has become more apparent to me as I reflect upon
my association with one man in particular who represents the best that a Mason
could be. Throughout his life he has read, observed and thought. When he has
something to say it is worthwhile. Many of the current trends of society bother
him, not because they are dif-ferent from years ago but because something
crucial is missing. As he often described to me, the problem is the decreasing
emphasis on the individual and the increasing trend to follow the pact of
mediocrity. Conformity, he feels, has become the norm while those with a strong
conviction of ideas have become lost.
Has the individualism that was common in America been
sacrificed to the whims of those who market fast food and designer clothing,
provide meaningless entertainment and promote materially oriented advertising?
Have the values of honesty, hard work and independent thinking been replaced
with profit margins, laziness and mindless decadence? I do not think so but such
could be the case if we do not become involved in the future of our country.
Freemasonry promotes the dignity of the individual. It
encourages freedom and will not tolerate those who want to shackle humanity
either physically, spiritually or emotionally. The time is now for us to apply
the tenets of our Craft. Through vision of purpose, we must succeed where men of
weaker stature may fail. We must show by example that we do not live in an era
where the individual is judged by the superficial standards of materialism. We can set the example as we maintain our
standards and assess others on the basis of their character and ability.
Corresponding to the diminishing role of the individual is
the concept that the collective good of society is achieved through compromise.
But does this mean that there is no room for in-dividualism? If so, then there
will be a lack of creative thinking which will result in meaningless compromise.
When properly applied collective efforts can be tremendous.
Throughout history such has been the case. Consider, for example, the 1960’s
when we harnessed the talents of our scientists and engineers to place a man on
the moon. Continuing since then team efforts have produced technological and
medical advances that have improved the quality of everyday living. I do not
support abolishing the group approach but I encourage a constant infusion of
fresh ideas into the process. Individual thought must prevail.
Individuals with strong convictions become leaders whose vision ultimately
benefits present and future generations. And this is where we, as Masons, must
become involved.
Each of us must participate in the decision making process.
At all levels, but especially at the local one, we should serve on committees to
provide constructive input. Similarly, our Lodges can become activist in nature
by honoring outstanding students, citizens and leaders who work to build a
better tomorrow. We must no longer talk about the problems but become catalysts
for solution. Too often we observe
change for the sake of change. Now is the time for change that will do the most
good. The future is too important for us to let others prepare the blueprints.
If we are indeed the architects of ideas then let’s apply them. It is not easy
to become involved; time must be sacrificed. But then, nothing worthwhile is
accomplished without work.
Having had the honor to serve in the United States Congress
for over three decades this experience has taught me the importance of sound
policy. As I attempt to view the future through the vision of today, I think it
is crucial for good people to provide their ideas. Masons are a cadrc of individuals, rich
with experience, who can ol-fer much. Do not be afraid to become involved. To
paraphrase an old saying: “One man with courage makes a majority.”
There are those among us who feel that Freemasonry has
served its useful purpose and is now an organization with a dwindling
member-ship. But such a perception does not have to exist. For over two
centuries, our Fraternity has survived various social climates. And throughout this time our value has
been measured by the character of our members not by quantity. Why should there
be any difference today? As long as good men wear the Square and Compasses, our
respect in the community will not diminish.
My Masonic heritage dates back to my greatgrandfather and
great, great uncle who moved to Michigan from the east coast in the 1820’s. They were men of strong conviction who
helped to establish one of the early Lodges in the then Michigan wilderness.
During the time of the antiMasonic movement they kept the light burning.
Literally, this was the case as my great, greatuncle would hold Lodge in his
home on the night of a stated communication even though few at-tended. His
tenacity paid off! Times changed and the Lodge prospered. So to the six
generations of Broomfields, who have become Master Masons, the convictions of
the indivudal have a strong root.
This is just one example of how individualism kept alive has an impact on
tomorrow.
The author, Jonathan Swift, once wrote: “Although men are
accused of not knowing their own weakness, yet perhaps, as few know their own
strength. It is in men, as in soil, where sometimes there is a vein of gold that
the owner knows not of.” Each of us should search deep inside for our strengths
and find the way to best contribute these to others. Thus, Freemasonry will be
judged by what we do and each member will be remembered for what he did.
This article may be reprinted as it is—without abbreviation
or editorial changes—in Masonic publications. However, permission must first be
obtained from The Masonic Service Association and appropriate credit must be
given to The Short Talk Bulletin.