Reflections on Self-Containment and Manhood

When a new Mason begins to delve into Masonic literature he will soon come across some terms that may seem foreign to him. Virtues such as "disinterested" and "self-contained" may, to the modern man, come across as odd lingo but it is through investigating some of these once-popular praises that we can take a peek into the minds of the Masons who came before us and learn more about what they held valuable and dear.

On a visit to our great State's capital city, the studious Mason should pay a visit to the Parthenon at Centennial Park and take a stroll around Lake Watauga. On his walk, he will come across a stone obelisk that stands as a Monument to Gen. James Robertson, an explorer, a pioneer, and the founder of Nashville which stood as the westernmost settlement of the United States at the time.

Upon reading his epitaph one will come across the beautifully poetic line, "He was earnest, taciturn, self-contained, and had that quiet consciousness of power usually seen in born leaders of men."

What can a man learn from the virtue of "self-containment"?

Self-containment is that virtue of independence which every Mason should be a beacon of. We are taught through our degrees how to use the faculties of our mind to develop our judgment and discernment. Freemasonry as we know it came out of the Age of Enlightenment, which was an age of reason.

While many may think of independence and self-sufficiency in terms of resources or money, let us take a moment to contemplate the self sufficient capacity of the human mind.

There is a point in every Man's life where he has to learn to trust his reason and rely on himself fully without hesitation. If we cannot count on ourselves, who can count on us? Thomas Jefferson said, "Your own reason is the only oracle given you by heaven, and you are answerable not for the rightness but uprightness of the decision."

It is the discerning and self-contained men that rise up in times of great trials and keep their wits about them. As we continue our fraternal march to greatness meditate on this virtue my brother and endeavor to develop yourself into a strong, self-contained, Man.

You owe it to everyone who looks up to you.

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