In a world that often feels upside-down, where division is currency and outrage is a daily expectation, the idea of being an upright man may seem almost old-fashioned. But within Freemasonry, uprightness is not just a moral suggestion; it is a cornerstone. The Craft teaches that a man’s character is measured not by the noise of his opinions, but by the steadiness of his actions. In the swirling currents of modern political and religious extremism, these lessons are more important than ever.

Freemasonry asks every initiate one question that echoes through every Lodge: What kind of man will you choose to be? Not what party you support, what faith you follow, or what ideology you prefer, but what virtues you will embody when confronted with conflict, fear, and uncertainty.

In an age where social media amplifies hostility and public discourse rewards the loudest voice rather than the wisest, Masonry offers an ancient but deeply relevant antidote: the pursuit of balance, tolerance, and Brotherly Love. The idea of being “upright” is symbolized in the Mason’s Plumb Line, a reminder to stand straight, morally and spiritually, no matter how skewed the world around us becomes.

This uprightness is not passive. It is an active, daily discipline. It means questioning our own biases before judging others. It means resisting the seductive pull of extreme rhetoric, even when it flatters our emotions or validates our frustrations. It means responding to hatred not with silence, but with dignity.

Freemasonry provides Brotherhood precisely for this purpose. The Lodge becomes a refuge where men of vastly different backgrounds meet on the Level, without fear of ridicule or retaliation for their beliefs. In a world aggressively sorted into “us” and “them,” a Lodge demonstrates that harmony is not only possible—it is essential. Brotherhood does not erase differences; instead, it elevates the virtues that transcend them: integrity, charity, justice, temperance.

Masonic principles challenge the notion that disagreement must be destructive. A true Mason learns to listen, to seek common ground, and to engage without malice. He does not confuse firmness of belief with intolerance, nor does he surrender his convictions simply to avoid discomfort. Instead, he moves through the world with measured thought, guided by the Square and Compasses — the Working Tools that remind him to Square his actions with virtue and circumscribe his passions before they overtake him.

In a free society, where political and religious extremes can blur the line between conviction and fanaticism, this discipline becomes a form of resistance. A Mason resists the temptation to dehumanize opponents. He resists the urge to treat complex issues as simple binaries. He resists the pressure to meet anger with more anger. Uprightness becomes not just a moral stance but a stabilizing force.

Years ago, as a young man seeking knowledge, I visited my local Lodge, Collabergh-Radium Lodge No. 859. Even though I had just completed my bachelor’s degree, I still felt unsatisfied and unenlightened. Despite having a wife and a young son, I was looking forward to the future and felt something was missing from my life. For five years, I had been studying various philosophers and theologians as part of my Journalism degree program at UAlbany.

In this moment, my mind sought something undefined, perhaps a sense of purpose or meaning in life. I wanted a better understanding of life’s purpose. Feeling uncertain, I believed Freemasonry would guide me forward and that the connections I made there would have a significant impact on my life. In the beginning I was asked what did I most want, the answer of course was more light, but just how do I get it I wondered!

Initially, I experienced setbacks and delays in my Masonic progression, completing my first degree over a few months before taking a pause in my Masonic journey. After more than two decades and some life changes, I returned to the Craft in search of “more Light in Masonry.” Advancing through my remaining Masonic degrees provided the answers I was seeking.

The first answer was that I am not alone; a celestial being controls the universe and has a purpose for me. As a Freemason I believe my purpose is to improve myself in Masonry, by adhering to moral principles, charitable work, and fostering good will and friendship amongst my community and my Brothers.

One approach to this is to attend Lodge regularly, participate in and observe degree work, remain a resolute member of the Masonic community, and engage in charitable activities that benefit the community. Since affiliating to St. Patrick’s Lodge No. 4 in Johnstown, NY, I have found friendship through meaningful work with my brothers.

Each year, I am honored to take part in our Veterans Breakfast. We offer a complimentary meal to local veterans to show our gratitude for their service. This gesture is very meaningful to me due to my close bond with my grandfather, PFC William R. Dunstan, a WWII U.S. Army veteran. He earned several honors, including a Combat Infantry Badge, three bronze stars, a Purple Heart at the Battle of the Bulge, and stormed the beaches of Normandy. Though he suffered from PTSD and passed away years ago, participating in my Lodge’s annual Veterans breakfast helps me honor him and other veterans, healing the regret I feel for not showing him more appreciation when he was alive.

Freemasonry emphasizes regular participation in charitable activities for the benefit of the community and personal development. Through brotherhood and common bonds, members find peace, friendship, and guidance that are unique to this organization.

Many who join our numbers do so because they want to be a part of something greater than themselves and long to find meaning in their life. When I was initiated into the degree of Entered Apprentice, passed to the degree of Fellowcraft and raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason, I felt a huge sense of accomplishment and a greater connection to our fraternity because I knew that every Brother before me, and all that will come after, share the same path for Light in Masonry. It is amazing to think that I followed the steps of famous Freemasons like George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Franklin D. Roosevelt and Mark Twain.

When at Labor in Lodge and in my Masonic travels, I often heard it said the best title a man can receive is Brother — I agree 100% with this point. I often thought about what that idea meant in a time when me still greeted each other with handshakes, how that time has passed and what it means to be a Brother today. I am really inspired by profound bonds I’ve witness over the years between my Brothers in our ancient Fraternity. These bonds are forged by trust, respect and a shared belief that we raise each other to greater heights. As Brothers, we form close-knit kinships cemented by a spiritual and moral bond. Many organizations brandish the term “brother” when referring to one another because of a meaningful, shared bond. However, the term “Brother” in Freemasonry has a depth and meaning beyond any other definition; from a Mystic Tie that obligates us many levels, to a bond that seems to transcend mortal life spanning eons.

Freemasons don’t frequently display our bonds publicly, but one of the few times that we do is during Masonic funeral services. We are taught that Operative Masons buried their own with great reverence having shared many years of Labor with each other and that we, as Speculative Masons, do so in an ages old, sacred tradition. It is a time that we demonstrate our Brotherly Love and bond with the deceased to show that this man was a cherished member of our Fraternity.

In the beginning as an Entered Apprentice’ I tended to overuse the term “Brother” without the depth of knowledge one gains through shared Labor and commitment to Masonic values over time. I grew up in a family where we fought a lot amongst ourselves, so it appeals to me that as Brothers we are expected to overlook petty disagreements and to focus on the good in each other. I admit that this is something I struggle with at times in my personal life, but I’m learning to be more forgiving by practicing charity towards all and helping those in need so long as it doesn’t cause undue harm to myself or others.

I also find it appealing that my Brothers come from all walks of life, that it doesn’t matter where we came from or where we are going. This is explained to Masons at the end of our meetings, before we depart Lodge that we meet on the Level, act by the Plumb and part on the Square. This lesson is timely in connecting the importance of being respectful in our dealings with others, upright in our actions and fair in our decision-making. I find these principles comforting, especially when I think about the day I finally lay down my Working Tools. I find peace in knowing my Brothers will honor my memory and when I travel to the Celestial Lodge above, I will be surrounded by Brotherly Love and the Great Architect’s everlasting Light.