In the Pursuit of Happiness, A Masonic Essay for Independence Day

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

These are perhaps the most famous words of the Declaration of Independence, dated July 4, 1776, a day we celebrate annually with firecrackers, concerts, picnics, family, flag waiving and other effusive demonstrations of our patriotism.

So what is the pursuit of happiness? What did it mean to Thomas Jefferson who drafted the Declaration and to his contemporaries?

According to Professor Brent Strawn (see, https://news.emory.edu/stories... ),

“Arthur Schlesinger should be credited with pointing out in a nice little essay in 1964 that at the time of the Declaration's composition, ‘the pursuit of happiness’ did not mean chasing or seeking it, but actually practicing happiness, the experience of happiness — not just chasing it but actually catching it, you might say. ... It's the difference between dreaming and reality. Remember that the pursuit of happiness, in the Declaration, is not a quest or a pastime, but "an unalienable right." Everyone has the right to actually be happy, not just try to be happy.”

Do we find happiness in being Masons? Of course we do! And we express it in this way, among others:

“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity.”

Moreover, we are reminded symbolically by one of our “working tools” to experience happiness in the way we spend our time – in service to God and a distressed worthy brother, in our usual vocations, and in refreshment and repose.

In fact, Bro. George Washington, one of the most famous Masons in American history, is credited as saying:

“The grand object of Masonry is to promote the happiness of the human race.” See, https://founders.archives.gov/...

During the pandemic, we experienced happiness in every (limited) way that we could, with our families and friends at a safe distance, and with our Brothers with whom we connected by phone or video conference. We also conducted our usual vocations to the extent permitted by the situation, and even sought happiness with our inner selves as we tried to find peace, harmony and balance in a difficult year.

Some of those efforts continue now, of course, by phone and zoom, by meeting with family and friends, by conducting business, and so forth.

But, after a year of meeting only virtually via Zoom, our Lodge has returned to in-person meetings and activities, and we could not be happier.

One upcoming in-person activity is actually open to the public. Although, one of Freemasonry's traditions is that we do not solicit members or ask men to join – men must seek membership on their own initiative – yet, Lodges do provide opportunities for learning about the Fraternity. Clarence F. Smith Daylight Lodge No. 866 is planning an Open House/Information Meeting, to which the public is invited, on September 18,2021, at 10AM at the Van Nuys Masonic Center. For Further information, see https://www.facebook.com/mason... . If interested, you may “like” the page to receive additional posts about the event and the Lodge.

Contact:

David I. Karp, Newsletter Editor

Clarence F. Smith Daylight Lodge No. 866

818-515-9361

davidikarp@karpmediation.com

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