Written by: Kevin J. Hack
George Washington joined the Masonic Lodge in Fredericksburg Virginia at the age of 20 in 1752. During the War of Independence, General Washington attended Masonic celebrations in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. Washington also supported Masonic Lodges that formed within Army regiments. At his first inauguration in 1791, President Washington took his oath of office on the Bible from St. John’s Lodge in New York and participated over the cornerstone laying of the US capital in 1793. Such was Washington’s character, that from the day he took his Masonic obligations until his death, he was the same man in private as he was in public. In Masonic terms he remained “a just and upright Mason” Brother Washington was a “living stone” who became the cornerstone of American civilization. (1)
At age sixteen, George Washington had copied out by hand, 110 rules of Civility & Decent Behavior in Company and Conversation. They are based on a set of rules composed by French Jesuits in 1595. Presumably they were copied out as part of an exercise in penmanship assigned by young Washington’s schoolmaster. (2) This however is now a book that you can purchase at Amazon if you wish. With the Help of Dr. Ed Piatt, Ed.D. MBA, adjunct professor of business programs at Olivet Nazarene University below are Dr. Piatt’s top ten rules out of Washington’s’ 110. (3) By the way, all good Mason should follow these 10 rules at a minimum.
- Treat everyone with respect. – regardless of socio-economic status, religious or political beliefs.
- Be considerate of others. Do not embarrass anyone. – especially to make yourself feel superior.
- Do not draw attention to yourself. – egotistical behavior is not a desirable quality to possess.
- When you speak, be concise. – do your best to make the complex simple.
- Do not argue with superiors but submit your ideas with humility. – Humility is the hallmark of Emotional Intelligence.
- Do not make fun of anything important to others. – do not embarrass or ridicule someone’s aspirations or values because they are not in agreement with yours.
- If you are corrected, take it without judgement. If you are wrongly judged correct it later – Taking the high road is always the most desirable.
- If you criticize someone else for something, make sure you are not guilty of it yourself. Actions speak louder than words. – be resolute in aligning your words with your actions.
- Do not be quick to believe bad reports about others. – Not everything you hear is accurate or believable. Go directly to the source and investigate it yourself but refer back to rule #1.
- Associate with good people. It is better to be alone then in bad company. – if other are not making you better or stronger then it is better to be alone.
All 110 rules can be found at the George Washington’s Mount Vernon website. This will be my last Letter from the Worshipful Master, it has been a pleasure serving the past two years even in the middle of a pandemic. Things have been a little difference but as good Mason’s we have adapted to the situation and still successfully served our community. Until we meet again my Brothers, may we ever Meet, Act and Part.
Kevin Hack, Worshipful Master
- George Washington, the Mason – GWMNMA
- Freemasonry – George Washington’s Mount Vernon
- Dr. Edward Piatt, Kankakee Daily Journal, Wednesday, January 19,2022, Main Street: Rules of Civility
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