Authors – W. Bro Rodney Grosskopff, PADGM, assisted by W. Bro Frank Stock, PADGM
At first glance, the message of the Mark Degree appears to be simple and, because it is given with a light touch, it is often called a ‘fun’ degree. Don’t let this, for a moment, stop you looking for the deep and serious nature of its lessons. We are taught how to handle rejection, to keep our own standards, to beware of being misled by others, as well as the advantages of patience and brotherly love.
* REJECTION
Surely, this must be regarded one of the most important lessons – how to overcome rejection.
The Psalmist tells us (Psalms 118, verse 22) that “the stone which the builders refused, is become the headstone of the comer.” This message is repeated over and over again in the Bible. In the Gospels of Matthew, Luke, Mark and the second book of Peter.
The exact meaning of this phrase has been debated by Theologians for years. Dr. Adam Clarke has interpreted it slightly differently to us Mark Masons, but acknowledges that it comes from a Masonic origin as “Masons finding a stone which, being tried in a particular place and appearing improper, is thrown aside and is later found to be the perfect stone for the headstone of the building.”
The Mark Mason’s legend tells the story of a Mason, lovingly preparing a stone which is rejected by his superiors, themselves not recognising its merits, and later finding that it is an essential part of the Grand design.
We have all suffered rejection in our lives, even King David. Thus it appears that rejection has been around for a long, long time – certainly since 1200 BC. Early masons must have faced the same types of rejection in those days as we do have today:
Rejection by our enemies
Rejection for what we are
Rejection by our peers
Rejection by competitors
Rejection by an aloof and uninterested world – as were Van Gogh, Copernicus, Galileo, Einstein, etc.
Even rejection by our friends and those nearest and dearest to us
The Mark Degree teaches that there is one antidote to rejection: Faith in God and belief in oneself, one’s dictates and one’s standards. Faith in the Great Overseer of the Universe, secure in the knowledge that He has a plan for our lives and that we should not regard the setbacks which befall us as some form of divine wrath or punishment.
The concluding speech in our advancement ceremony includes the phrase “Should other friends foresake you, should the envious traduce your good name, or the malicious persecute you, should danger, doubts or difficulties assail you, among Mark Master Masons you will always find friends”.
Lastly, it teaches us to overcome rejection by our friends by having faith in ourselves, to persist in what we believe is right and proper. It also teaches that there is an order to nature and society and no matter how much faith we have, if we don’t respect that, we should not view it as rejection. If you are apprehended for exceeding the speed limit, bite on the bullet and accept the consequences. Don’t whimper, since to do so would only be regarded as the consequence of undisciplined action.
If this is regarded as the main lesson, there are many other equally important lessons.
* STANDARDS
We are taught that our work will be tested, that if our lives are to be turned into perfect ‘living stones’ fit for the Highest use, they must first be tested against our own standards, and secondly, against the ‘square’ of the GAOTU “whose reward is … to give to every man according as his work shall be”.
* PATIENCE
The Mark degree calls on us to strive in patience and humility to make the best of our lives. It does not, however, promise that success will automatically follow. As stated, there will be setbacks and rejection to overcome, and as a reward for that faith and constancy, yours will be a new name written on that white stone.
* BROTHERLY LOVE.
It is a hands-on degree and leans more to brotherly love in the practical sense. We take our heritage from our operative forefathers and with it, all of the best elements of that early society – pride in our work and love of our brethren.
MAKE YOUR MARK
In the quarries should you toil,
Make your Mark;
Do you delve upon the soil
Make your Mark;
In whatever path you go,
In whatever place you stand,
Moving swift or moving slow,
With a firm and honest hand,
Make your Mark
Should opponents hedge your way,
Make your Mark
Work by night, or work by day,
Make your Mark
Struggle manfully and well,
Let no obstacles oppose
None right-shielded ever fell
By the weapons of his foes
Make your Mark.
What, though born a peasant’s son,
Make your Mark;
Good by poor men can be done,
Make your Mark;
Peasant’s garbs may warm the cold,
Peasant’s word may calm a fear,
Better far than hoarding gold
Is the drying of a tear,
Make your Mark.
Life is fleeting as a shade,
Make your Mark;
Marks of some kind must be made,
Make your Mark;
Make it while the arm is strong,
In the golden hours of youth,
Never, never make it wrong,
Make it with the stamp of truth,
Make your Mark.