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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**Masonic Muscle: Dwight L. Smith’s *Why This Confusion In The Temple*, Chapter 11 – “Where The Stones Are Raised”** explores the profound metaphor of sacred labor in Freemasonry. The episode delves into Smith’s critique of modern Masonic centralization, contrasting it with the ancient, individualized effort required to prepare temple stones. Just as the Kohathites carried holy objects on their shoulders and each stone was hewn and numbered in the quarry, true Masonic growth demands personal dedication—not mass-produced rituals. The chapter warns against reducing initiation to “three evenings” or treating candidates as mere fees, emphasizing that **Masonic knowledge**, **spiritual growth**, and **brotherhood** must be earned through effort, not bureaucracy.

This theme resonates throughout the podcast: **Freemasonry** is not a passive membership but a craft built on **esoteric symbolism**, **personal responsibility**, and **speculative Masonry**. The **Ark of the Covenant**, the **Temple of Solomon**, and the **shoulder-carried burdens** symbolize the weight of wisdom each Mason must bear. As the episode unfolds, it challenges listeners to reject impersonal systems and return to the **ancient traditions** where each man is shaped like a living stone—through **self-development**, **ritual depth**, and **Masonic philosophy**.

Repeating the core: **Masonic knowledge** transforms through personal effort. **Spiritual growth** comes not from standardized degrees but from **esoteric symbolism** lived daily. The **brotherhood** thrives when each member embraces **personal responsibility**. **Freemasonry** remains vital only when grounded in **ancient traditions**, **ritual depth**, and **speculative Masonry**. True **Masonic philosophy** demands more than attendance—it requires the **shoulder-carried burden** of lifelong learning and **self-development**.

If this exploration of Why This Confusion In The Temple stirred your Masonic spirit, subscribe to Masonic Muscle wherever you listen.  Each episode is a step deeper into the craft—unpacking symbolism, challenging modern complacency, and calling every Brother to personal responsibility in the Lodge. 

Share this episode with a Brother who values spiritual growth over ritual repetition. Then, visit our Instagram @MasonicMuscle and answer this: What does “carrying the burden on your shoulders” mean in your Masonic journey? Your insight could shape our next discussion.

Want more light? Leave a review—your voice helps us reach more Masons ready to build their inner temple, one living stone at a time.

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Earlier this year I had the opportunity to talk to the new Master of Palm Springs Lodge No.693 and aske him what his goals are for this year?

We talked a little more about other things around the topic but he never went through or enumerated a list.

A few weeks later I again reached out to him and followed up on his goals and his vision for Palm Springs Lodge No.693.

He quickly responded and here are his 8 goals he wishes to work throughout the year.

When the year starts and you have your first stated meeting, the realities of lodge life begin to sink in on all involved.

The eight areas of lodge life should be an eye opener for any aspiring lodge leader because you now see all these different areas you had not probably thought about.

Lets go over his list.

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Masonic Muscle: Dwight L. Smith’s Why This Confusion In The Temple, Chapter 10 – “Not By Bread Alone” confronts the erosion of Masonic standards in modern lodges.  The episode dissects Smith’s warning that excessive focus on social activities—fundraisers, banquets, and casual gatherings—dilutes the sacred purpose of Freemasonry. He critiques the “Masonic Gresham’s Law,” where low standards drive out high ones, and urges lodges to bring the line up to the standard.  True Masonic work isn’t measured in meals served, but in spiritual growth, ritual integrity, and personal responsibility.  When lodges prioritize convenience over dignity—wearing casual clothes, mocking the degrees, or mishandling sacred symbols—they betray the ancient traditions that demand reverence. 

This message echoes throughout: Freemasonry must resist becoming common.  Esoteric symbolism loses power when rituals are performed carelessly. The Temple of Solomon stands as a metaphor for inner discipline, not social club membership. Brotherhood thrives only when each Mason embraces self-development and speculative Masonry. The Ark of the Covenant symbolizes the sacred trust each Brother carries—disrespect in attire or conduct dishonors the Great Architect of the Universe.

Repeating the core: Masonic knowledge grows through disciplined practice. Spiritual growth requires ritual depth, not entertainment. Personal responsibility means dressing with dignity, performing degrees with solemnity, and guarding Masonic philosophy.  Ancient traditions are preserved when speculative Masonry guides action. Esoteric symbolism must be honored, not trivialized.

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**Masonic Muscle: Dwight L. Smith’s *Why This Confusion In The Temple*, Chapter 9 – “What Now, Little Man?”** confronts a critical crisis in modern Freemasonry: the temptation for lodges to engage in political activism. The episode unpacks Smith’s firm stance that Freemasonry must remain above partisan politics. When lodges take public positions on current events—whether during the COVID-19 pandemic or other societal emergencies—they violate the timeless principle of neutrality. True **Freemasonry** thrives on **brotherhood**, **spiritual growth**, and **personal responsibility**, not political declarations. The **Great Architect of the Universe** unites all Masons, regardless of ideology, and introducing division undermines the **ancient traditions** of unity and peace.

This message is repeated with urgency: **Masonic philosophy** demands non-interference in civil governance. **Esoteric symbolism** guides inner transformation, not public protest. **Ritual integrity** depends on **speculative Masonry**, not social commentary. **Lodge decorum** must reflect solemnity, not trending opinions. The **Temple of Solomon** stands as a symbol of harmony, not contention. When Masons confuse civic duty with Masonic duty, they risk fracturing the **brotherhood** and diluting **Masonic knowledge**.

Repeating the core: **Spiritual growth** comes through self-mastery, not political engagement. **Personal responsibility** means rising above division. **Ancient traditions** protect the fraternity from worldly chaos. **Speculative Masonry** calls for reflection, not reaction. **Ritual depth** strengthens the inner temple, not public image.

Freemasonry, Masonic philosophy, esoteric symbolism, ancient traditions, spiritual growth, Masonic knowledge, speculative Masonry, ritual integrity, personal responsibility, brotherhood, self-development, Temple of Solomon, Great Architect of the Universe, lodge decorum, political neutrality, Masonic principles, non-partisanship, inner temple, symbolic meaning, fraternal unity

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Why This Confusion in the Temple?

Chapter 8 - Earthquake, Wind, and Fire

All Brethren should read these articles, take them back into your lodges, and talk about them with the brethren.

Maybe it can help improve the lodge experience, maybe it will help turn on a light in your head, and be a guiding light for your lodge.

Maybe

Maybe not.

Read it, and you tell me.

Chapter 7 of Why This Confusion In The Temple by Dwight L. Smith talks about how the fraternity has to be careful about publicizing anything about the fraternity.

Most Masons and Lodges don't think this all the way through, and the results can be more injurious than helpful.

With the advent of all the social media apps and lodges eager to post everything about what the lodge is doing, we may be setting ourselves up for a more negative response than a positive one.

Curmudgeon Supreme and I read chapters 4-6 of Why This Confusion In The Temple, and wonder if history will not repeat itself?

Will the fraternity ever learn?

Are we destined to be mediocre?

Was Dwight L Smith, Past Grand Master of Indiana, warning us all those years ago?

Let's find out.

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Dwight L. Smith's thought-provoking articles of 1963 and 1964 are just as relevant today as they were back in those times.

Why have we not heard more about this information, and how does it rank among the several issues affecting the Masonic Fraternity?

Can we ever get out of our own way and just follow what Freemasonry has laid before our feet?

But what does that even mean?

Let us contemplate after lifting heavy weights, or before lifting heavy weights.

How many times have you attended the Annual Installation of Officers at a Masonic Lodge and wondered what it meant? When done with solemnity, it can have a profound impact on the people in attendance and the officers being installed.

One of the masons officiating the ceremony reads the expectations of each officer and explains the meaning of the corresponding jewel

But could there be a more spiritual meaning behind this inauspicious occasion?

And on the exercise side of things, we ask, "How many reps are enough reps?