Visit Our Sponsors

A PECULIAR SYSTEM

by W:.Tim Bryce, PM, MPS
timb001@phmainstreet.com
Palm Harbor, Florida, USA
"A Foot Soldier for Freemasonry"

"Systems are logical, and can be implemented physically many different ways."
- Bryce's Law

As Masons, we are taught that "Freemasonry is a peculiar system of morality veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols." As an old systems man, this caught my attention the moment I first heard it years ago. I have been consulting and teaching information systems design for over thirty years now, and I want to describe an inherent property of systems that has a direct bearing on how we implement Freemasonry around the world; specifically, systems are logical in nature and can be implemented physically many different ways. Let me give you an example...

Years ago, I had a major Fortune 500 conglomerate as a corporate account, with divisions spread around the world. At the time, they wanted to develop a standard Payroll System to be used throughout the company. Using our "logical/physical" concept, they developed a single "logical" system design and produced a single "physical" implementation (using IBM mainframes and written in the COBOL programming language). They distributed the system to their many divisions who had the opportunity to either implement the suggested "physical" system if they were so inclined or develop a new physical implementation based on the logical model. This resulted in the same system being implemented in different programming languages, file structures, and operational on many other platforms, e.g., DEC VAX/VMS, Honeywell GCOS, HP MPE, AS/400, UNIX, etc. The company also specified standards for physical file layouts to import and export data. As a result, the system operated identically on all configurations because it was based on a single logical blueprint. This was considered a major success by the company and proved our "logical/physical" concept. Further, this approach gave the company machine independence so they could easily migrate from one computer configuration to another. Since then, this approach to design has been emulated by other companies, particularly our customers in Japan.

Thinking of systems in terms of "logical/physical" is analogous to writing music. The composition of music is logical, but the orchestration is physical. For example, Paul McCartney of the Beatles wrote one "Yesterday," yet it has been orchestrated differently by hundreds of artists over the years.

People have problems grasping the significance of logical design, and are more inclined to grasp the physical elements. I see this in the Information Technology world, architecture, manufacturing, and many other places, including Freemasonry. No, Freemasonry is not a Payroll System, but it is a system nonetheless with processes for teaching our lessons and work, administering our membership, chartering and recognition, etc. The physical manifestation of the fraternity is rather obvious, as represented by the Grand Lodge system. Keep in mind, Freemasonry has been with us well before the formation of the United Grand Lodge of England (UGLE) in 1717. The Grand Lodge system is simply the latest physical implementation of it, but the logical side is quite a bit more nebulous, and herein lies the problem.

If we were to devise a logical blueprint for Freemasonry, what would it include? I can only point at three things that suggest what it might be:

1. Our obligations and charges - which defines standards for morality and social intercourse.

2. Our Ancient Landmarks - which theoretically defines the standard elements for recognizing valid Masonic institutions. The problem that has plagued Masonic scholars for years though is a concrete set of landmarks that are universally accepted by all Grand Jurisdictions. Each has their own particular spin on the landmarks; they are close, but not quite identical. Further, the Ancient Landmarks tend to specify a physical implementation of the fraternity, namely the Grand Lodge System. This implies you cannot practice Freemasonry outside of the bounds of a Grand Lodge which, of course, is a fallacious concept (particularly when you consider we have been practicing Freemasonry for hundreds of years prior to the formation of the UGLE). The problem with mandating a physical implementation is that it makes it difficult to accommodate change. This would be like mandating the use of IBM computers and MS Windows in perpetuity for an information system which is ridiculous since the physical world changes dynamically (particularly in computing). In contrast, the logical blueprint should be a stable model and based on accepted concepts and principles.

As an aside, perhaps the best source of information on the Internet regarding our Ancient Landmarks can be found at: Grand Lodge of British Columbia and Yukon, and Missouri Masonic Lodge of Research (Makey's Revised Encyclopedia).

3. The writings of early Masonic historians and writers, such as Rev. James Anderson, Albert Pike, and Albert Mackey, produced an abundant amount of material for us to consider, but little for us to adopt as a universal standard.

Perhaps the closest we come to in terms of general agreement is:

The problem is that we all have different interpretations of Freemasonry and operate accordingly. However, if we had a standard set of "logical" principles, I really don't care how each jurisdiction "physically" implements them, it would still be a truly universal system.

I raise this point because I see Freemasonry as a system that should operate under the same "logical" blueprint but takes into consideration the nuances of the local jurisdiction. When I read the Ancient Landmarks for the first time, I was expecting to find something about a declaration of principles (a kind of "Bill of Rights"). Instead, I found a lot of information on how to organize a Grand Lodge. To me, Freemasonry transcends the Grand Lodge system, which is something the Grand jurisdictions have a hard time swallowing.

I find it interesting that the last item on our Ancient Landmarks is, "These Landmarks can never be changed." As a systems man, ordinarily I would agree with this if it was based on a sound logical design, but since the Ancient Landmarks are flawed by mandating a physical implementation, it is not a valid logical blueprint to use as a universal standard. But since the Grand Jurisdictions have already signed-off on the Ancient Landmarks, it is highly unlikely they will ever change, and Freemasonry will continue to be practiced in an inconsistent manner for time immemorial.

Here's one final thought to ponder; if I have learned anything over the years in terms of systems, if the logical design is flawed, so will the physical implementation. If the logical blueprint of Freemasonry is flawed, so is its physical manifestation.

Keep the Faith.

NOTE: The opinions expressed in this essay are my own and do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of any Grand Masonic jurisdiction or any other Masonic related body. As with all of my Masonic articles herein, please feel free to reuse them in Masonic publications or re-post them on Masonic web sites (except Florida). When doing so, please add the following:

Article reprinted with permission of the author and www.FreemasonInformation.com

Please forward me a copy of the publication when it is produced.

To receive notices of Tim's writings, subscribe to his Discussion Group.

You can also "tune in" to Bro. Tim's audio podcasts at the "Lodgeroom International" (UK):

http://podcast.lodgeroominternational.com/

Copyright © 2007 by Tim Bryce. All rights reserved.