It has been said that "All men are created equal". Freemasons meet "On the Level", regardless of social class, religion, military rank, geographical origin and financial wealth...in the Masonic Lodge Room all masons level themselves with one another just as the kings scepter lays next to the farmers shovel in the grave. Why wait for death to level ourselves with our fellowman? Can we begin during the course of our lives to be brought together by our differences rather than being repulsed by them?
Do external attributes such as public power, financial wealth, or material possession make one great? Extrinsic values do not mark the greatness of a man but rather his intrinsic values such as the merits of his character.
Integrity, Self-Control, Fortitude are but a few of the qualities that "build a strong character" thus building an individual who stands as pillar of strength which is able to bear the weight of responsibilities he owes to his country, his family his neighbor and himself; sustainably.
Just imagine what can be accomplished if more citizens of our world can come together through their commonality as "people" rather than be repulsed due to their differences. Peace and harmony might then exist when differences are put aside and ones ability to recognize and respect their fellowman as a "fellow-man" allowing love to prevail and truth to be observed.
President Roosevelt addressed the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania in 1902 on the anniversary of Washington's initiation. In his speech, he reflected on some of his own reasons for joining the Freemasons:
"One of the things that attracted me so greatly to Masonry, that I hailed the chance of becoming a mason, was that it really did act up to what we, as a government and as a people, are pledged to — of treating each man on his merits as a man. When Brother George Washington went into a lodge of the fraternity, he went into the one place in the United States where he stood below or above his fellows according to their official position in the lodge. He went into the place where the idea of our government was realized as far as it is humanly possible for mankind to realize a lofty idea."
Let us then explore the practice of demonstrating the merits of our character which communicates to our fellowman who we are for that "Actions speak louder than words". As Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote, "Who you are shouts so loud I can not hear the words you are saying." Also, getting off our high horse level ourselves with others so as to listen and understand others with compassion, empathy and mutual respect. Meeting "on the level" will foster peace among fellowmen, first in our hearts and then in our world.