Instruction vs. Education

What do you consider to be the difference between Instruction and Education? I suggest that the main difference is one simple word. “Why”

Any Mason who attended the Lodges of Instruction held by M.W. Bro. Edwin Drew will remember that one was permitted to ask “Who”, “What”, “When”, “Where” and “How”. But never Why.

The reason for this, of course, was that it was a Lodge of Instruction. The word instruction comes from a root which means building, arrangement, and the Latin was in-struere, to pile or build. So instruction is an informative process laying out what is, what exists, how things are done. The Lodges of Instruction were not of discussion, but information. Where does the Deacon place the Candidate? When does he change sides? In which hand is the wand held, at what angle? One does not say, “Well I think this should be done this way” One is being taught of the accepted and determined structure of the ritual, and how to follow it properly.

Education, however, is a different creature. Its root is ex-ducare, to lead out. It is the embodiment of “Why”. Any Mason who has children or grandchildren, which includes most of us, will know that the word most commonly uttered, ad nauseam sometimes, from ages two to eight or so, is “Why” . Why upon why, why is the sky blue, why do birds fly, why do I have to eat my spinach, why can’t cats speak to me……………why,why,why? So when we educate, we lead the student to knowledge, we answer their questions, we explain to a candidate why he is placed in the NE angle, why he is slip shod, where do Boaz and Ruth come into all this? We encourage him to ask, to search into the hidden mysteries of nature and science, and any other Masonic discipline, to satisfy himself as to the roots and origins of our ancient craft.

So when we instruct, we are laying out how it is done. But when we educate, we are instilling and fostering the inherent curiosity of our candidates and brethren, and saying “Seek and you shall find”

There is a proper place and a need for both, and all are encouraged to make use of the finer points of both Instruction and Education

District Education Chairman