I was reading the post on
Animal Farm and Freemasonry by Masonic Blogger. The article basically suggests that "some are more equal than others," one of the key messages promoted in the book Animal Farm, is evidenced in Freemasonry by the perceived elevation in status of Grand Lodge officers.
All in all, a really good, thought provoking post. I think it highlights the practice in its worst light, however, and there's another way to look at this.
I think that one could also approach it from the standpoint that as wages for a good number of years in service, these men are temporarily offered special recognition. Not in the sense that they are superior, but that they have achieved a high standard of effort and devotion to the craft. At the end of their GL/provincial term, they are no longer in the limelight, so to speak, but the trappings of that office remain with them as evidence of that service. His service is then recognized for the rest of his days.
A brother from our lodge is currently serving as our District Deputy Grand Master. I know of few brethren that are so devoted to the Craft as him. Each day he internalizes the lessons we're taught and strives to bring them into the outward world, and he often succeeds. Brethren from other lodges in the district have held this office with similar ideals and practices.
Insofar as this is what happens in my district, I know many, if not most GL officers to be modest men who were just happy to have been given the chance to serve. I have never felt as if any of them treated me as inferior because of my rank.
Now the age matter is something else entirely. I really think the attitude of which the author writes is simply part of the human condition. Again, in counterpoint, we as younger or newer masons can sometimes be dismissive of the experience offered by the more senior brethren. We, as masons, strive to overcome our prejudices. Often though, our efforts don't quite reach the mark.
That doesn't mean we should stop trying.
