C. Fred Kleinknecht, 33°
Sovereign Grand Commander

"Believing that 'nothing adds more to the Appearance of a man, than dress, George Washington took pains to clothe himself in a fashion appropriate to his rank." I read this caption in a museum exhibit recently while visiting the colonial-style State House in Annapolis, Maryland. There, on December 23, 1783, in the senate chamber, Washington resigned his commission as Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army. The caption struck a chord in my mind—especially those words "a fashion appropriate to his rank."

It is a delicate topic to address, the question of how a Freemason should dress when attending Lodge or a meeting of the Scottish Rite. It is perfectly true, as the Blue Lodge ritual teaches, that it is the inward and not the outward qualities of a man which matter. It is also true that "where there is much show without, there is seldom much within."And Washington would have agreed. Addressing a letter to his nephew Bushrod Washington on January 17, 1783, George Washington wrote, "Do not conceive that fine Clothes make fine Men, any more than fine feathers make fine Birds. A plain, genteel dress is more admired and obtains more credit than lace and embroidery in the Eyes of the judicious and sensible."

Washington understood that to dress appropriately for the situation is not a matter of showing off or trying to impress someone—it is a matter of showing respect for the position you hold. As Masons, we hold a high position indeed. We are members of an elite group of men. I do not apologize for the word elite because this descriptive is based on personal qualities and not outside factors such as wealth or social status. Masons, as individuals, have decided to live their lives with integrity and a sense of service. We have decided that truth is more important than convenience; that what is honorable is more important than what is easy; that knowledge is better than ignorance; and that compassion is better than selfishness in guiding our actions.

That is what is significant and elite about being a Mason. Whatever our walk of life, whether we be the President of the United States or a day laborer, we are leaders. Because of what we believe, we are role models for our peers.

I admit to a strong preference to see Brethren in business dress at Lodge or Scottish Rite meetings, when more formal dress is not called for. There is nothing new in this. My friends in the Midwest tell me stories of their fathers and grandfathers leaving the fields of the family farm a little early on Lodge days so that they could shower and put on their "Sunday best" clothing before going to Lodge. By doing so, they showed respect to Masonry as an institution and to themselves as Freemasons.

There are exceptions, of course. Brethren who work backstage or in make-up, or in the kitchen, or other such jobs during a Reunion, are very likely to get dirty while doing their work, and those jobs are essential to a good and effective Reunion. Appropriately, they wear clothing which is tougher and more easily washed. But most of us, while in a Masonic Lodge or Scottish Rite Center, do not perform tasks likely to soil our clothes.

For us, to take the little extra time and trouble necessary to dress for a Masonic meeting is a way of saying to our ancestors in Masonry, our Brothers and ourselves, "I know Masonry is important." Perhaps each of us might give a slightly wider meaning to the opening injunction, "Brethren, be clothed," and, like Brother Washington, adopt "a plain, genteel dress."