One of the new books you can pick up from the shop at Freemasons' Hall is a beautiful reproduction of a work from 1722 which describes various health regimes designed to lead to a long happy life. The book contains a huge chapter dedicated to the deeper aspects of Freemasonry and indeed is one of the most detailed explorations of the Craft written around the time of the creation of the Premier Grand Lodge.
Modern readers may, however, be forgiven for asking: What does Freemasonry have to do with Longevity? All Freemasons are informed in the First Degree charge that we have a duty to ourselves as follows:
“[...]such a prudent and well regulated course of discipline as may best conduce to the preservation of your corporeal and mental faculties in their fullest energy.”
The idea being that we look after our minds and bodies so as to be able to be of better service to the world.
But how does Freemasonry in and of itself lead to better health and longer life? Well the answer lies in the combination of balance and self mastery. In those days, the Freemasons very much saw the ritual in terms of mastering two inner pillars. The left hand pillar being mastery of the body, the ability to be restrained and to control oneself. The right being about the mind learning and action. These were associated with moon and the sun. Think of them like Yin and Yang. The idea was that the Freemason would spend years working with the teaching of Freemasonry and the mastery of these inner pillars would be a very healthy undertaking.
The left hand pillar would allow him never to eat, or drink to excess (or to little!), to rest enough, work the right amount and spend calm time in prayer and contemplation. The Right hand pillar would keep him learning, exploring and doing good works. Encourage him to be social, charitable and ambitious.
This may read very much like a modern health regime but to the author of Long Livers, Freemasonry had something special that could not be expressed in such plain terms. When one has mastered the principles of restraint and that of endeavour, when after years of honing control over the body and mastery of the mind the two combine. This state of equilibrium is the real secret of a long healthy life that only Masonry could offer.
Martin Faulks - Assistant Grand Pursivant UGLE
