Brothers, I pose the question - "What has happened to the Speculative Mason?"

In this modern day and age when many of our Masonic Lodges more closely resemble a Lions or Rotary Club with our social and civic agendas - has the Art of Speculative Freemasonry gotten lost in the quarries? What would William Preston think of the modern craft? What happened to he who builds his own spiritual temple within?

In our attempt to save the world, we've forgotten about saving the man from moral and mental darkness and making him a better person and helping our Brothers improve themselves in Masonry. More concerned with feeding the mouth of hungry profane than feeding our minds. More joyful over the monetary riches that come from our Lodge and Grand Lodge portfolios than the riches of knowledge that come from the investment we make in that search for truth.

Let's refresh ourselves in what we came here to do by reviewing the root of the Art of Speculative Freemasonry!

As a Freemason is first prepared in the heart before his symbolic rebirth and emergence into Masonic Light - "As a man thinketh in his heart, so he is," according to the aphorism. To further explain - You are only what you think you are and your character is only a complete sum of your thoughts.

A mans actions are always equal to his thoughts, whether they be good or evil. The art of being master of self cannot be fully discovered until man digs deep into the quarries of his soul and realizes that if he will prudently temper watch, control and alter his every thought and utilize every experience that he will finally develop knowledge of self. The door to knowledge of self can only be opened by seeking and knocking.

Temperance is that due restraint upon our affections and passions, which may render the body submissive and frees the mind from the allurements of vice. The mind produces thoughts as a garden would produce flowers. The garden may also produce weeds and unhealthy fruit if left neglected or if fresh seeds aren't planted therein. Man eventually discovers this lesson and decides upon what elements he wants his garden grow. Whether he grows the poison or antidote remains his decision and his actions remains equal to the stock of his garden. Since time man has bathed in the cesspool of excess and over indulgence. Good thoughts and actions can never produce bad results, while bad thoughts and actions can never produce good results.

Fortitude is that strong and steady purpose of the mind whereby we are enable to undergo any pain, peril or danger when deemed necessary. The body is only a mere servant of the mind. A sickly mind will only produce a sickly body. Individuals have been known to die from thought alone. Anxiety can quickly destroy the body, just as impure thoughts can shatter the nervous system. The body is so interwoven with the mind that it can only function harmoniously if the mind is at peace. A mind in conflict may cause some to physically age quickly, gain or lose weight or cause hair to fall out. Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean thing? Not one!

Prudence is the art by which we regulate our lives and actions according to the dictates of reason, and is that habit by which we plot our future purpose. Until thought is linked with purpose there can be no intelligent accomplishment. Without purpose in life, man can easily fall prey to anything. Without purpose his thoughts are random and may wander into dreams of excess and to practice self-control or concentration would be out of the question. When practicing prudence, stray away from doubt and fear as they are the greatest enemies of knowledge.

Justice is the cement and support of civil society. You can gauge the mental health of a nation simply by evaluating the method by which they judge and punish their inhabitants, their laws and the manners by which they tend to their citizens needs. Only good thoughts can create a sound system of equal justice.

While North American Freemasonry and a few other sects about world have become more external in their agendas, let us always remember what we can here to do. To improve ourselves in Freemasonry, we must practice it! It is an art!
To Learn - To Think - To Act!