Why Does Freemasonry Support Public Schools?

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Annually the California Grand Lodge and its constituent Masonic lodges all through the state proclaim one month to be “Public Colleges Month.” A proclamation is routinely delivered by the sitting Grand Grasp, learn aloud in every constituent lodge throughout a number of month-to-month acknowledged conferences. Its goal has all the time been to encourage lodges to plan a program publicly supporting Public Colleges in a means that reveals for all to see the depth of Freemasonry’s dedication.

Till 2011, every constituent lodge was typically left to resolve for itself what to do with out the good thing about additionally embracing a statewide Masonic challenge during which it may turn out to be concerned. That effort has been a fairly haphazard implementation of a collection of various actions by totally different lodges working independently of one another. The packages ranged from elaborate and energetic interplay with chosen Public Colleges to nothing in any respect.

There are a lot of numerous the reason why sure lodges have carried out little or nothing. In some lodges the members haven’t been significantly energetic exterior of lodge ritual or lodge social occasions. In different lodges the previous management merely didn’t present sufficient imaginative and prescient. And in but different lodges monetary sources had been insufficient to do way more than wrestle to assist the naked minimal of actions.

However all of that modified in 2011 for California Masons and their lodges. Grand Grasp William J. Bray III led the best way to implementing a statewide Masonic dedication to the state’s public colleges. Though it was his management that offered the vitality for implementing the packages, the plan got here from unusual Masons who work within the trenches of Freemasonry all through the state.

The latest Grand Lodge Strategic Plan is the product of a survey taken by its Govt Committee and workers delivered to every member of a constituent lodge. Woven into the material of that plan was the overwhelmingly hottest response: Masonry ought to turn out to be a drive for profoundly invigorating our Public Colleges. Masons up and down the state concluded that it was vital to avoid wasting public training, make it higher than ever earlier than, and show to our communities that Masons imagine {that a} profitable system of free public training is important to the continuation of a free society.

To higher perceive why such a various group of women and men from differing political, spiritual and cultural backgrounds stand linked arm-in-arm in assist of public colleges, it’s instructive to first find out how and why public colleges got here to dominate America’s academic system. Quite a lot of credit score for that goes to Horace Mann – the “Father of the Frequent Faculty Motion” – who additionally occurred to be a Mason. It might be a mistake, nevertheless, to conclude that Mann’s dedication to the general public college trigger was on account of his being a Mason. It might even be a mistake to deduce that Freemasonry helps Public Colleges just because Horace Mann was a Mason. The reality of the matter is that Masonry embraces values that Mann discovered interesting sufficient to be initiated into the Craft. Freemasonry and Mann shared the identical reverence for advantage, morality and the development of an enlightened public.

Immediately, Public Colleges are the first supply for educating our kids from kindergarten via highschool. That was not all the time so, for from the start of this nation till the current day advancing the reason for Public Faculty training has been strongly opposed by mother and father with highly effective political backing who’ve steadfastly resisted turning their youngsters over to lecturers for his or her ethical training. Even in America’s early years some youngsters had been home-schooled. If their mother and father had been rich sufficient others had been taught by non-public tutors. Nevertheless, quickly after the American Revolution was concluded, Thomas Jefferson initiated a nationwide dialogue that gained such great momentum that Public Colleges ultimately grew to become the norm fairly than the exception.

Jefferson argued {that a} free and impartial society can be stronger if all of its residents obtained equal entry to data – data which every may then apply of their day by day lives. On the finish of the Revolution the nation discovered itself with none academic system and the folks had been left to fend for themselves. To treatment the matter, Jefferson – who at numerous instances argued with equal vigor for small and huge authorities – instructed that tax {dollars} be used to fund a nationwide academic system. His suggestion was ignored on the time and his thought languished for almost a century.

By the 1840’s a couple of Public Colleges had popped up across the nation financially supported by communities that might afford them. At about this time Horace Mann started his personal campaign, choosing up the place Jefferson had left off. Mann’s life story can’t be instructed right here, however suffice to state that if he had not acted with energetic, single-minded dedication to what he believed was obligatory, Massachusetts wouldn’t have handed the primary obligatory training legal guidelines in 1852. New York adopted the next yr and by 1918 all American youngsters had been required to at the least attend elementary college. What adopted was the nothing lower than the profitable pursuit of one thing shared in widespread by Freemasonry and America’s Founding Fathers: equality.

On the flip of the twentieth century colleges within the South, in addition to many within the north had been segregated. In 1896, in a case entitled Plessy v. Ferguson, america Supreme Courtroom dominated that segregation was authorized – a call that will be overturned a long time later within the 1954 Supreme Courtroom choice in Brown v. The Board of Schooling of Topeka Kansas. What was at challenge in 1954 and determined as soon as and forever was the perfect that each one males are created equal below the eyes of the Supreme Architect of the Universe – at the least in terms of the query of equal entry to training. It actually comes as no shock that the Chief Justice in 1954 was Earl Warren who, like Horace Mann, was a Mason. From that yr ahead all Public Colleges have been open to youngsters of all ethnic backgrounds.

Between 1896 and 1954, Masons all through America led the cost for the development of enlightenment with its clarion name for the assist of Public Colleges. It’s neither ironic nor wholly shocking that the primary time the Historic & Accepted Scottish Ceremony for the Southern Jurisdiction of america, whose see is at Charleston, North Carolina, ventured out into the world of group service was to additional the reason for Public Colleges. A lot gratitude is owed to the Grand Commander on the time, George F. Moore, for his uncompromising management in that enterprise.

Earlier than being elected Grand Commander in 1914 by the Supreme Council, Moore – a prolific author – auditioned his Masonic place in favor of Public Colleges in such publications as The New Age – a predecessor to right this moment’s Scottish Ceremony Journal. His makes an attempt, made earlier than the onset of World Battle I, had been properly obtained in all places – together with in New York which was prompted by males reminiscent of Moore, in addition to organizations such because the Scottish Ceremony to cross it is obligatory training legal guidelines in 1918. Within the years after Moore had handed his elected place as Grand Commander on to John Cowles, the Scottish Ceremony grew to become recognized all through America as the good promoter of nationwide literacy via the auspices of Public Colleges.

California Masons had been no much less energetic of their assist of Public Colleges. In 1920 Charles A. Adams, Grand Grasp of Masons in California made Public Colleges a Masonic challenge for the primary time. The calls for for manpower made upon the populace by World Battle I led to the flight of hundreds of lecturers from their lecture rooms. Extra vital jobs awaited them: fight abroad, attending to farmlands to develop the meals essential to maintain a struggling nation, and manufacturing factories that needed to fulfill ever growing calls for for the manufacturing and supply of conflict materiel. Grand Grasp Adams witnessed the accompanying fallout with nice alarm. Roughly 600 colleges had been closed all through California – a rare quantity for that point.

Though Freemasonry has constantly kept away from participating in or taking sides on this planet of public politics, Grand Grasp Adams prudently weighed the benefits and downsides of doing so on behalf of Public Colleges. At its core, Masonry had all the time inculcated in its members the significance of pursuing data. Its ritual sought to impress upon candidates for Masonic levels the significance of learning the liberal arts and sciences, reminiscent of grammar, rhetoric, logic, arithmetic, music, astronomy and geometry. And the very thought in regards to the institution of Public Colleges all through the nation seemingly originated with our first President – and one among Freemasonry’s most distinguished members. In a letter to his Vice President, John Adams, George Washington wrote:

“Sensible and considered modes of training, patronized and supported by communities, will draw collectively the sons of the wealthy and the poor, amongst whom it makes no distinction; it would domesticate pure genius, elevate the soul, excite laudable emulation to excel in data, piety, and benevolence; and at last it would reward its patrons and benefactors by shedding its benign affect on the general public thoughts.”

There was further Masonic priority for Grand Grasp Adams to attract upon earlier than deciding what to do. De Witt Clinton, who served as Grand Grasp of Masons in New York, in addition to Governor of that state, embraced the reason for Public Colleges so emphatically that he’s recognized right this moment because the “Father of New York Public Colleges.” Whereas serving as Grand Grasp of Masons in Pennsylvania, Benjamin Franklin brazenly endorsed the adoption of Public Colleges in that state.

With that historical past and precedent to assist him, Grand Grasp Adams decided that California Masons ought to take a public stance in assist of strengthening the Public Colleges system on this state. He knew that Masonry had a long-standing perception that public training was important to sustaining a free society. Certainly, Masonic virtues promoted an idea that went far past encouraging the mere accumulation of information: equal entry to data promotes freedom and strengthens the center class with out which democratic ideas basic to this Republic will wither away and ultimately disappear. On these grounds it was simple for Grand Grasp Adams on August 30, 1920 to challenge the primary Masonic Public Colleges Week Proclamation.

The historical past of Masonry’s assist of Public Colleges didn’t finish there. That assist has continued since then in each Masonic jurisdiction, however was maybe most profoundly demonstrated by the persevering with nationwide work by the Scottish Ceremony. For instance, seizing upon the examples set by Grand Commanders Moore and Cowles – that freedom is essentially the most vital blessing any man can take pleasure in – Brook Hays, a Thirty-Third diploma Scottish Ceremony Mason and Arkansas congressman actually sacrificed his political profession for Public Colleges.

A lay-preacher and former president of the Southern Baptist Conference, Hays additionally took a stand towards a lot of his Southern Baptist cronies by main the general public cost towards Arkansas Governor Orval Faubus who opposed offering public training equally to all races. Owing to Hays’ braveness and persistence, President Dwight D. Eisenhower ordered the Arkansas Nationwide Guard to enter motion. By his command they superior into that state and restored obedience to the brand new legislation of the land – Brown v. The Board of Schooling of Topeka, Kansas – and thereby perpetually linked all of America and Freemasonry to a dedication to a free public training for all folks.

In 1985 when Fred Kleinknecht was elected to function Grand Commander of the Scottish Ceremony, Public Colleges had been below assault by numerous spiritual organizations bent upon wresting management of training from the arms of a secular public. Two Masonic values had been below assault: the liberty of faith and the suitable of all folks to a free public training. Kleinknecht was decided to proceed the work of his predecessor, Henry Clausen, to maintain faith separate from the state – the one and solely sure approach to forestall the tyranny of theocratic doctrine. Grand Commander Kleinknecht would perpetually be dogged throughout his tenure by spiritual fundamentalists who ultimately turned their ire straight towards Masonry – an ire that to today has not solely abated.

It did not assist Kleinknecht’s place within the eyes of his persistent detractors that Clausen had beforehand taken a agency public stance towards prayer in Public Colleges whereas serving as Grand Commander. To these fervently urgent for inclusion of prayer in Public Colleges, Clausen’s stance was seen as emblematic of all that’s unsuitable with Masonry. The outcome has been a steady and unrelenting effort to discredit the Craft and its members. It’s no shock that the assault by some highly effective forces upon Public Colleges has additionally elevated and poses a risk to a bedrock of human freedom.

Immediately our Public Colleges are operated on the state degree by departments of training, and domestically by college districts, in addition to publicly elected or appointed officers. By one estimate there are roughly 15,000 such college districts working all through the nation. Most are supervised and run by particular person counties. As a result of there may be little federal oversight, curricula differs from state to state – a incontrovertible fact that has prompted some to opine that higher coordination or centralization would even out the present disparities among the many states in pupil efficiency.

Whereas literacy charges amongst college students in any respect ranges in elementary college are maybe an important challenge for Masons to focus upon, it’s equally vital to grasp why some outspoken critics of Public Colleges blame poor efficiency upon the system and its lecturers, however give little credit score to both when college students carry out properly. The maxim “observe the cash” is especially related.

First, Public Colleges are funded by tax monies paid by taxpaying residents. Nobody likes paying taxes and when they’re requested to pay greater than they’ve prior to now, many individuals level fingers of blame at supposed inefficiencies inside the system.

Property taxes pay for many of the price of Public Colleges. Though some monies movement into the system from mother and father, non-public fundraising, in addition to federal, state and native governments, it stays these taxes which comprise the lion’s share of funding. In California, a so-called “taxpayer revolt” and well-financed political marketing campaign led to the passage of one thing known as “The Folks’s Initiative to Restrict Property Taxation.” Whereas the advantages and hurt of that legislation can perpetually be debated, one reality about Public Colleges is past debate: because the 1960’s when California colleges had been extremely ranked among the many nation’s Public Colleges, there was a gentle decline since The Folks’s Initiative was made legislation. Immediately the state’s Public Faculty college students now rank forty eighth out of fifty states in lots of surveys about pupil achievement.

For Masonry the problem just isn’t about endorsing or opposing greater taxes, and even to undertake a place in that emotionally-charged debate. Somewhat, the problem is to totally comprehend the forces at work for and towards Public Colleges. Our dialogue just isn’t about whether or not to assist Public Colleges – it’s about how finest Masonry can achieve this. Consequently it’s important for Masons to have interaction in a dispassionate dialogue about Public Colleges with out getting drawn into the politics that by no means appear distant. Maybe the discussion board our Craft supplies, devoid of political ambition, is the perfect discussion board inside which that dialogue can happen.

On April 1, 2011, the California Grand Lodge will “kick-off” its strategic plan to make a profound distinction in public training. Celebrations up and down the state will happen at numerous Public Faculty websites meant to speak clearly and really publicly that Masonry intends to work for the development of Public Colleges. It intends to take action as a result of a productive, educated center class is prime to the perpetuation of a free society. Enlightened folks is not going to simply relinquish the freedoms first established by the Founding Fathers.

There’s vital work remaining to be carried out by California Masons. A kick-off celebration with out one thing of substance to observe is little greater than a present – not an effort to make a profound distinction. Public college advisory councils drawing upon the skills and sources of Masons inside their geographical boundaries consisting of a mixture of age teams to debate and resolve upon methods to implement the Grand Lodge’s strategic plan maintain out a lot promise for fulfillment. Masonry is at its finest when it coordinates its lodges right into a drive for good. The advisory councils might be such a drive.

Equally vital, public college advisory councils present a possibility to California Masons that may not in any other case exist: the chance to have interaction members who’re trying to find one thing significant with which to make a private dedication. As they progress via the varied phases of initiation, from the First to the Third Diploma, Masons anticipate studying about how they could be a a part of one thing that adjustments society – and adjustments it positively. Our fraternal assist of Public Colleges affords the Craft an exquisite, maybe a once-in-a-lifetime likelihood to place Masons to work to implement Masonic values devoted to the hope that freedom will all the time prevail and that the pursuit of information will perpetually be obtainable to the wealthy and the poor, the excessive and the low – to all no matter station in life.

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Source by John R. Heisner