A well known and widely respected Past Master heard about another Master Mason's reputation for radically different ways of communicating the wisdom, strength, and beauty of Masonry. He knew this Master Mason had not held many lodge offices or done the usual things to earn a name in the fraternity, so he decided to go meet the brother and see for himself.
When they met in the brother's home, the Past Master introduced himself and shared all of his fraternal credentials, including that he was a former member of a Grand Master's administration, and had been a high-ranking member of both the Scottish Rite and York Rite. The Master Mason then asked to what he owed the honor of the visit. The Past Master said, "I have heard that you are a teacher of Masonry, though somewhat unorthodox in your methods, and I have come to see for myself."
The Master Mason then invited him to sit down, saying that he would return in just a moment. As he walked back into the room he asked the Past Master what in particular he wished to discuss.
The Past Master began to speak, but as the brother sat down, he held up a mirror between their faces so that the Past Master could only see his own reflection. The Past Master quickly became irritated and said, "Stop that! What are you doing?"
The Master Mason replied, "Respected brother, please be patient with me. Now what do you see?"
"Nothing but my own reflection being held up by a very insolent fellow." grumbled the Past Master.
The Master Mason replied, "Dear brother, you came here today under the pretense of seeing things for yourself, but the truth is that you only wanted to see things of yourself. I have given you both."