An Army On Foot, The Hard Way Is The Masonic Way"

This is the Way Brethren

The article "An Army On Foot, The Hard Way Is The Masonic Way" by Dwight L. Smith does not exist as a standalone work. The phrase appears to be a misattribution or conflation of themes from Smith’s well-known essay Whither Are We Traveling? (1964), a critique of modern Freemasonry.

In that essay, Smith argues that Freemasonry has lost its way by prioritizing ease, efficiency, and popularity over its traditional values of discipline, moral instruction, and personal sacrifice. He laments that Masons now seek shortcuts—such as treating charity as writing a check rather than personal service, or valuing titles over character—instead of embracing the "hard way" of self-improvement and quiet dedication.

The metaphor of an "army on foot" aligns with Smith’s belief that true Masonic progress requires slow, deliberate effort, not flashy programs or mass membership campaigns. He criticizes the dilution of standards, weak leadership, and the fragmentation of Freemasonry into side bodies that distract from the core work of the Symbolic Lodge.

Smith calls for a return to rigor, integrity, and spiritual depth—the "hard way" that builds real Masons, not just members. While the exact title "An Army On Foot, The Hard Way Is The Masonic Way" is not found in his published works, it captures the central theme of his message: authentic Freemasonry demands effort, sacrifice, and a rejection of complacency.

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