Daily Survival Kit for Freemasons
By Dennis A. Coltart, P.M.
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Today, I will contemplate my presence here on earth and that my Creator has a purpose for my existence which may or may not always be clear to me, but will live by his Commandments in order that I might not spot or stain the character which has become me.
Today, I will strive to be a good citizen in the eyes of my neighbor, my community, the state and my country. I will revere my country's banner, honor its Constitution and laws, be grateful for the freedoms I enjoy and bear in mind that the right to those freedoms has cost in lives throughout the ages.
Today, I will remind myself that I am a Master Mason and that I have knelt at the altar and have taken an obligation upon myself and in the presence of those, my brethren, with my hands, my heart and my mind focused upon the Holy Bible, Square and Compass and to live and act in accordance with their moral and symbolic teachings.
Today, I will extend my hand to a worthy brother in distress, and to all persons knowing them to be one of God's children who is in need or suffering, and will require of them only the reassurance that they would act and perform the same should they find another in like situation as they themselves are and requiring no more or less of them.
Today, I will be more tolerant and cordial of those around me, and will abstain from being judgmental of those who are less fortunate than myself, but will encourage them to stand erect, to count their blessings and to make the best of the life which God has so graciously given them.
Today, I will speak only positively about my fellow man and will cast away all criticism, animosity and jealousy that may offend, humiliate or otherwise degrade another's name, their heritage or their religion, keeping in mind that we are all made in the image of the Grand Architect of the Universe and through him we are all related.
Today, I will do whatever is required of me to perpetuate the existence of Freemasonry by being mindful of those who have not found it in themselves to seek more "light" about our gentle craft, its beginnings, its tenets, and its teachings. To offer up information to those who demonstrate a genuine interest and, who in my mind, are worthy to receive that "light".
Today, I will spend quality time with my family and provide for their happiness and welfare so that together we may support one another physically, emotionally and spiritually.
Today, I will pray to my God according to the dictates and customs of my chosen religion.
Today, I will support Freemasonry by attending a Symbolic Lodge and will endeavor to be an active, enthusiastic, and supportive member of the world’s largest and oldest "Brotherhood of Man."
RELATIONSHIPS
By Alan Greene, Grand Chaplain – Grand Lodge A.F. & A.M. of Minnesota
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Our fraternity is one of brotherhood. The definitions state all those engaged in a particular trade or profession or who share a common interest or quality, belong to a brotherhood. It also is defined by the belief that all people should act with warmth and equality toward one another, regardless of differences in race, creed, nationality, etc. Well, these partially define the Masonic Brotherhood, but it is so much more. It is more of a bond between men of good character sharing common moral values and believing that all men are equal. The Fatherhood of God and the Brotherhood of Man, represents the foundational teachings of Freemasonry. Further, Masonry teaches that there is one God and men of all religions worship that one God using a variety of different names. Brotherhood is a primary teaching of Masonry -- that each person must be judged as an individual, on his own merits. And rather than associate our word for God with one of the various religions, we choose to adopt a more neutral word -- our word is Master Architect of the Universe, which helps to relate our vision of God to Masonry. Brotherhood is a primary teaching of Masonry.
I want to talk a bit about relationships – especially as it relates to Masonic life. The Masonic relationships are unique in that they relate both to God and to each other (the Brotherhood of man under the Fatherhood of GOD). Wow, that is huge. Brotherly love is the concept that all of us are brothers to each other under the Fatherhood of God, the Great Architect of the Universe. This phrase is often carved in the stonework of Masonic temples. A glimpse of the Masonic concept of God is provided by examining this phrase. In Freemasonry our Fraternal Order is dedicated to three principle tenets: Love, Relief, and Truth, and the greatest of these is Love.
Let me take a step back and provide a bit of background relating to our Sacred Book of Laws and to Moses, the bringer of the law. He lived in the thirteenth and early part of the twelfth century, B. C. E. He was a Hebrew liberator, leader, prophet, teacher, and historian. Even more interesting, he was known as a prophet in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. And in all three, he was known as the bringer of laws. As described in the Bible, Moses led the Israelites to Mount Sinai, where God gave them the Ten Commandments and other laws contained in the Torah.
These laws, described in our book of sacred laws, were initially intended to establish the moral principles by which the new Israelite nation would govern itself and through which it would manifest God's hope for just and proper relationships among all people. Today, they establish the rules by which all should live their lives.
The 10 Commandments can be thought of as two lists. The first four define our relationship with God,
1. You shall have no other gods before Me.
2. “You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them nor serve them..
3. You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain,
4. Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor any stranger who is within your gates. For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it.
The first four commandments describing our relationship with god can be summarized” Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with thy entire mind”.
The next six more commandments define our relationship with each other
1. Honor thy father and thy mother that it may be well with thee.
2. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
3. You shall not commit adultery.
4. Thou shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor’s.
5. You shall not murder
6. You shall not steal.
. These six laws can be summarized as:
Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. In this construct, all men are your neighbors and all your neighbors are your brothers (or sisters).
On these two summery commandments hang all the law and the prophets and the tenets of Masonry. Equally important is the understanding that these Commandments are identical in the Koran, the Bible, and in the Torah. Think about the implications of that little factoid
OK, let’s get back to Masonry and especially Brotherhood. As a generalization, all Masons have a belief in a higher power, regardless of the religion followed by a Mason, A Mason believes in a higher Power that reflects love, truth, goodness, charity, and common moral values. Brotherhood is a primary teaching of Masonry--that each person must be judged as an individual, on his own merits, and that such factors as race, national origin, religious creed, social status, or wealth are incidental to the person's character.
Freemasonry is built upon three basic tenants - Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth. Brotherly Love is the practice of the Golden Rule. Relief embodies charity for all mankind. Truth is honesty, fair play and adherence to cardinal virtues which are taught during three ceremonies, or "degrees". These moral lessons are taught using the traditional stonemason’s tools to reinforce our lessons.
The First Degree uses the gavel and gauge to remind the new member of his dependence on others and subordination to God. In the Second Degree, the square, level and plumb are used to reinforce the central moral lesson of brotherly love and service. And in the Third Degree, the trowel and other tools encourage the candidate to reflect on the end of life and on the value of faithfulness to His promises.
What starts to become apparent is the convergence of our Masonic laws and lessons with that prescribed by the 10 Commandments).
Masons see brotherhood as a form of wisdom, a sort of bond that holds men together - a private friendship that tells us we owe it to each other to be just in our dealings and to refuse to speak evil of each other. Masons believe a man should maintain an attitude of good will, and promote unity and harmony in his relations with one another, his family, and his community. Masons call this way of life believing in the Brotherhood of Man. It really means that every Mason makes it his duty to follow the golden rule.
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The Rough and Perfect Ashlars
By Ed Halpaus, FPS
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Recently in the e-publication “Mehr Licht” I reproduced a short anonymous article called Judge Kindly: It’s a reminder to not expect perfection from a man simply because he has taken the degrees of Masonry; a Mason can be expected to be a good man, but if perfection is expected one may a time or two be disappointed. It points out that if one should encounter a Mason who is less than perfect, not to condemn the entire fraternity because of the behavior of one Mason; Masonry should not judged by a few failures, but by the average of its successes. I like that short article called Judge Kindly; and whenever I rehearse or deliver the 3rd section of the lecture of the 1st degree I think of it.
The 3rd section of the 1° lecture talks about the Rough and Perfect Ashlars: “By the Rough Ashlar we are reminded of our rude and imperfect state by nature; by the Perfect Ashlar that state of perfection at which we hope to arrive by a virtuous education, our own endeavors, and the Blessing of God.” Occasionally I will meet a stranger who when I greet him by saying “hi, how are you today?” he will answer, “Blessed, truly blessed.” I always smile and extend the right hand of friendship, because I know exactly what he means.
The virtuous education spoken of in the lecture alludes to the education Masons can get by studying the lessons and allegories of Freemasonry, which will lead them to studying the lessons, allegories, and parables in the Great Light of Masonry, (the Holy Bible); a Masonic student cannot avoid becoming a Bible student too. The words ‘virtuous education’ also allude to the learning available to us in our houses of worship: It has always been a truism that if you want to meet some of the best men in a community, and you can’t find them congregated in a Lodge all you need to do is attend a house of worship on a Sabbath; Masons tend to congregate there too.
It is a blessing of God when we, through the lessons we learn in the Great Light of Masonry, our houses of worship, and in Freemasonry, improve ourselves. While it is a blessing to improve by striving toward perfection, our improvement requires our personal endeavors to acquire the virtuous education that will help us become the better men we wanted to become when we petitioned our Mother Lodge for the degrees of Masonry.
You and I know that it is well nigh unto impossible to become perfect: Nevertheless, a good man applies the lessons he learns in every area of his life in his quest to become better than he was before his learning. Through our endeavors and applying what we learn we will subdue our discordant passions so that we can get closer to the perfection we seek; closer than we would be without the virtuous education and our endeavors.
Masons are the kind of men who want to improve: The beneficiaries of a Mason’s improvement are many: he is a beneficiary, because of his endeavors, education, and God’s blessing, he lives a happier life; everyone he meets is a beneficiary, because he treats everyone with kindness and brotherly love; his loved ones, wife, or significant other, children, parents, siblings are all beneficiaries, because he is nicer and more loving toward those he loves; he appreciates them for who they are and the important people they are in his life. The list of beneficiaries can go on and on, because we meet so many people every day every year; they all benefit from a Mason striving for the perfection mentioned in the first degree when he hears briefly about “that state of perfection which we hope to arrive at by a virtuous education, our own endeavors, and the blessing of God.”
Judge Kindly
By anonymous
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Don’t expect perfection in a man because he is a Mason. If you do, you will be disappointed. Masonry makes a man better, but no human agency can make him perfect. If he is a Mason, you have the right to presume he is a fairly good man, but do not condemn Masonry even if a few Masons turn out bad. Even the great Teacher Himself had a Judas. The aim and purpose of Masonry is to receive none but good men, keep them good and make them better. Judge the institution not by a few failures, but by the average of its success. That average is high and it consequently gives standing to its members, but it cannot be an infallible guide.
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From the Intender Handbook of the Grand Lodge of Michigan – the 1984 edition
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“No matter how well-grounded a candidate may be in the subject covered by the Middle Chamber lecture, he is not or ever will be so "learned" that he may conscientiously cease his studies and "rest on his laurels." We say that "Masonry is a progressive science." So must the acquisition of useful knowledge be continuously progressive in the life of a man, an ever onward march that never ceases, else he becomes static or stagnant and his position in society becomes less secure and less valuable to his fellow man. Freemasonry expects it votaries to seek, seek, seek — to learn, learn, learn — and thus by precept and example to teach, teach, teach! Thus, and only thus, can our Craft carry its beneficent influence into every avenue of human activity — and accomplish its mission.
“All useful knowledge rests upon elementary fundamentals to keep it in proper perspective — and to remind the candidate forcibly that the process of education never ceases. The Fellow-craft degree accomplishes this in an admirable manner, for it not only reviews the basic elements of education but in so doing it automatically reminds the candidate how far we have progressed in the acquisition of useful knowledge in our modern day. Thus by contrast it sets before him a progressive pattern for the future.
“Look about you.' Consider the elements that "disturb" our daily lives — all of them! Quickly the realization will come that most of the burdens borne by mankind result from the departure by the world ' s people from the simple verities, the fundamentals which must guide the; human race if it ultimately is to find real happiness — which lies only on the path to Truth!
“Thus the Middle Chamber lecture, with its elementary fundamentals, presents a logical approach to Truth and permits the candidate to view in true perspective the Grand Architect and His works.
“The detailed discussion on the Five Orders of Architecture, which is a prominent part of the Middle Chamber lecture has several objectives. While it fixes the candidate's attention on the growth and the importance of architecture in general — and by inference displays the magnitude of its influence on the progress of man — it emphasizes, too, that architecture is a symbol of the very foundation of Freemasonry, which is a speculative science derived from an operative art.”
What is Masonry?
By Andrew J. Korsberg
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The question seems to always come up, what is Masonry, and what are those Masons up to? The Masonic institution is rather an enigma in the modern times. Masonry is misunderstood, not only by the authors selling thrillers, but by many Masons themselves. Many believe that Masonry is a social institution, designed to promote charity and civic duty in society, not unlike other civic organizations, such as the Elks Club, Rotary, and other honorable organizations. Yet, there is something different in the Masonic institution that has nothing to do with civic duty and promotion of moral behavior – Masonry is about internal growth.
Masonry differs from all other "modern" institutions in that it is both Traditional and Initiatic. Tradition is not defined with our modern conception of doing things how they've always been done – which is often the easiest misunderstanding of this word. Tradition is not secular, and cannot be reduced to mere methods or household traditions, like specific foods at Thanksgiving dinner. Tradition comes from the Latin, and means "to hand down". Tradition is the handing down of knowledge from the past.
This is also another place for confusion regarding the word Tradition – our forbearers were not by nature of coming before us wiser than we can be ourselves, but rather made their own mistakes as we make ours each day. There is often a cult of old that can likewise provide a barrier in truly understanding Tradition. Tradition does not mean worshipping how things were done in the past, because even the Book of Ecclesiastes states, "Do not say, "Why were the old days better than these?" For it is not wise to ask such questions."[1][1]
Tradition is not simply doing things how they have always been done, nor is idolizing a long lost past. However, Tradition is also associated with an unbroken lineage. This lineage is made of individuals who through their own effort and the teachings and grace of their predecessors, hand down the wisdom they themselves have discovered and experienced. Tradition consists of the lineage, but Tradition is not limited to the individuals of the lineage. Tradition is experienced through the handing down of wisdom. Wisdom can often be called sacred knowledge, for they are one and the same. How is it possible to give someone wisdom, one might ask? Well, this is exactly what separates Masonry from all other modern institutions and even religion.
When one decides to become a Mason, he petitions a Lodge for membership. This candidate for Masonry is then interviewed and voted on by the Lodge. If all is affirmative, which it is almost exclusively today, the candidate is then initiated with the First Degree of Masonry, also called the Entered Apprentice Degree. Through this initiation, the candidate experiences first hand the Masonic Ritual. It is this ritual that literally "hands down" an experience meant to elicit greater understand, or an experience of growing wisdom. This describes what initiation is – an expansion of understanding, both of oneself and of the world around us. All Masons who have gone before the Entered Apprentice experienced the same (or similar) ritual, binding the individual to the group in a shared experience.
Often newly initiated Entered Apprentices may feel confused about what just happened, and may not have necessarily "felt" anything different. What makes Masonry rather unique is that the handing down of what is called the initiatic secret is extremely subtle. The initiation is just the beginning of growing wisdom. It is like the first step a baby makes, and while the baby may stumble immediately afterwards, slowly and with practice, walking and running is possible. Masons grow and progress through years of practice.
You may be wondering what I am referring to. Well, it is extremely difficult to communicate, because the greatest effect of initiation is primarily internal and cannot be measured or communicated in the standard way. Often the best moments of communicating this understanding may happen in a glance or slight smile with another brother – both Know – and to be honest, that is the best way to explain it.
The Masonic institution is, as I've said, not a standard secular institution. Masons hand down wisdom to their new members through initiation rituals. These rituals are often what are considered the secret parts of Masonry, when in fact, as is evidenced by what I was just trying to explain, the secrets of Masonry are the experience of growing wisdom, and cannot be explained with words.
The Masonic rituals are extremely interesting, because they cannot be traced to any individual creators, and are in a sense similar to plays or ceremonies, but yet they are different because the individual being "initiated", who has never seen them before, is a participant and not a viewer. In fact, many parts of the rituals and symbols, when explored by historians, share bizarre relationships to ancient religions and mythologies that could not have directly influenced the first recorded Masonic Lodges in the 1500-1700s A.D. The philosophical underpinning ideas in Masonry are also bizarrely related to philosophies of Native Americans and East Asians, when Masonry, in its current form first came about in Europe when there was little if any communication between these cultures.
It is these underlying similarities that are found in all religions across the globe, and in all Traditional societies, that are a framework of understanding that is not limited by culture, religion, or even time. These underlying, or rather primordial "Truths", are called the perennial philosophy, and Masonry is one outward form of the same universal truths found in all societies. This is exactly why Masonry is not considered a religion, but while it is still has spiritual or religious similarities. The philosophy underlying Masonry is universal to all religions and all cultures, and this is what separates Masonry from religion.
We have established that Masonry is a Tradition that hands down wisdom that is universal and perennial. In fact, Masonic lectures even say that Masonry is intended to make its votaries wiser, better, and consequently happier. Masonry is also considered a course of ancient hieroglyphic and moral instructions, taught according to ancient usages, by types, emblems and allegorical figures. The initiation itself introduces the candidate to the symbols and allegories of the Masonic ritual, but further study and effort by the candidate is what will expand his understanding. Many Masonic symbols have almost infinite symbolic qualities, and can mean one and ten different things, all at the same time, while also fitting perfectly together with other symbols or parts of the ritual like a beautifully completed jigsaw puzzle. For one interested in discovery, Masonry offers almost limitless potentials!
There are two other very important aspects of Masonry that deserve further explanation, one is the mysterious experience in a Lodge meeting, which begins first with the initiation and then grows and grows through years of attendance. The other is the bonding that happens between Masonic brothers, often referred to as Fraternity. The Mysteries of Masonry are the internal experiences of Masons practicing Masonry. What is truly the most fascinating is how the interaction in Masonic ritual changes the internal situation in the individuals participating. It seems that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts, and this unity of action in the Masonic Lodge, when all the officers, or ritual enactors, are unified in their roles; the whole body of Masons present unites in a mysterious experience of oneness. Each individual may experience this differently, but there is often a consensus among attending brothers regarding this experience. There is something mysterious about all this, and the best way to describe it is that there is some form of divinity living within the Masonic institution. While Masonry is not a religion, the primordial truths it hands down to its initiates are still emanating from the Great Architect of the Universe, or however you might conceptualize this Divinity.
Finally, the bond among Masonic brothers is one of the most pleasant parts of Masonry. The deep friendship that surrounds brothers that have grown together in Masonry is also difficult to communicate. It is a type of male bond that would not have been created in any other situation than through Masonry. The brotherly love of Masons is both the goal and the effect of self-development and bonding that happens to men growing together.
So, when the layman wonders, what are those Masons up to? I hope these explanations help clarify why it is that Masons are often so dedicated to the Craft, and yet at the same time have difficulty explaining why.
[1][1] Ecclesiastes 7:10.
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MORE ABOUT
OUR MASONIC
OBLIGATIONS
By Dr. Stanley Shapiro
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We are obliged to respect our uniqueness and ourselves no more or less than our brothers. This means we may not withhold from him, or permit others to withhold from him any of the reverence, solicitude, or freedom we claim for ourselves. We may not exclude anyone from this deference because of race, creed, color, social position, economic class, or any other consideration. This is different than toleration (which is merely permitting what is not approved). I believe our Masonic duty of tolerance involves being fair toward those whose opinions, actions, or culture, are different from ours. It involves a liberal spirit toward the different views and actions of others, which can lead to a genuine respect and love for these differences in others rather than simply tolerating our differences.
There are no limits to this obligation. We cannot respect our fellow brothers excessively.
We may not injure him in any fashion, humiliate him, oppress, exploit, or deprive him of anything to which he is entitled. We are not to deceive him or withhold the truth from him. Oppression may be through words or deeds. We are not to inhibit or restrain his self-fulfillment according to his inclinations, talents, and conscience.
We also have the right to expect our Brothers to behave toward us as we seek to behave toward them.
As Masons we also have this respect for all individuals, have a noble sense of generosity, and zeal in the interest of mankind, and in the advancement and progress of humanity.
From the Great Light of Masonry: “Now therefore, I pray you, swear unto me by the LORD, since I have shewed you kindness, that ye will also shew kindness unto my father's house, and give me a true token:” Joshua 2:12 AV
Knock Three Times
By Ed Halpaus
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Sometimes there are people who will accost someone wearing a Masonic ring or pin, with accusations about things they perceive as wrong with Freemasonry. They many times will ask questions, demanding a response from the man wearing a ring or pin. One Masonic Brother mentioned to me that he thinks that could be a reason the number of Masons “wearing Light” has diminished over the years.
Being confident in our ability to answer charges against Freemasonry is important. Every Mason can be able to do by studying the allegories and lessons of Freemasonry; this is made easier if one reads articles and books written by other Masonic students. Those who attack Freemasonry and Freemasons rely on the presumption that Masons don’t know enough about their Fraternity and Craft to effectively answer the charges from the critics and enemies of Freemasonry.
We are admonished not to enter into arguments with those, who being misinformed will ridicule Freemasonry. Masons are not at their best if they enter into an argument and speak unkindly. We can be gentlemanly, and convey factual information about our Fraternity, when we have someone who will listen to us. One book I have that contains tips on Evangelizing suggests that some contemptuous people will not grasp what is being said; that’s true, so the Freemason being attacked needs to discern if he is hearing someone who he can have a conversation with. While it is true that the anti-Masons of the world are intent on accomplishing what they set out to do so long ago, to eliminate Freemasonry, the people you and I come in contact with everyday who may have a negative view of Freemasonry are not anti-Masons, they are generally just misinformed.
Someone once said about democracy, and I think it applies to Freemasonry as well, that if it ceases to exist it will not come from attacks from the outside – it will come from the apathy within. This reminds me of the saying that it is the internal not the external that renders a man worthy to be made a Mason. When it comes to learning what Masonry has to teach, Masons should not be apathetic. It is true that when a Mason studies, learns, and applies what he learns in Freemasonry he will be a happier man, and a better man to be around.
The Masonic Student will look at the charges some level against us as an open invitation to investigate the charges and study Masonry to see if there is any validity to the charges. I hope no one reading this will think ill of this suggestion, because Freemasonry can stand up to investigation, it is the charges from our critics and enemies that can’t stand up to investigation.
One of the questions or charges against Freemasonry is that we Masons don’t pray to or acknowledge Jesus in our Lodges. I’ll say just a little something about prayers; the prayers in a Lodge are interfaith prayers, which are not unlike interfaith prayers offered up in the Military, Congress, or in interfaith religious gatherings of clergy. Anytime there is a gathering of people who are likely to be of varying religions the prayers offered up for them as a group will be an interfaith prayer they can all be happy with. Anyone in the clergy will be familiar with that kind of prayer.
When it comes to acknowledging someone; I think we do acknowledge Jesus in our degree work; he is one of a few personages from the Holy Bible we do acknowledge by quoting him and what is attributed to him as lessons in the Scriptures of the New Testament.
One example of this can be found in the First Degree; there is a short explanation of the example / lesson in the lecture of the degree. When I think of this explanation I will sometimes smile, because to me there are a couple of once popular songs that remind me of this example of acknowledging Jesus in our degree work: The songs are “I’m going to Knock on your Door” by Eddie Hodges, and “Knock three times” by Tony Orlando and Dawn; these songs can be found on www.youtube.com if you’d like to hear them again. Anyway, the scripture they remind me of is Matthew 7:7 – “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” [NIV] You can also find this in Luke 11:9
As every Freemason knows this quote from Jesus is demonstrated with importance in the First, and following degrees. However, even though there is a short explanation given in the lecture of the degree many of our newly made Brothers, after they receive the Entered Apprentice Degree, don’t seem to understand that there is a lot to study about the degree, and that studying the degrees will naturally lead the Masonic student, (and the new E.A. has every opportunity and reason to become a Masonic Student,) to The Great Light of Masonry to learn more about what is contained in our degrees.
For instance, in the reference to Matthew: 7:7 this is a part of a very important section of Christian Scriptures; “The Sermon on the Mount.” The commentary regarding 7:7 tells us it is a promise from Jesus that prayer will be answered; Jesus’ followers, (as are Freemasons through this example in our degree work,) are urged to keep on asking, keep on seeking, and keep on knocking. This impresses the lesson and importance of persistent and consistent prayer in life. It is only through prayer that a man can stay in contact with God. And one thing is for sure; Prayer is a very important part of Freemasonry.
I possibly should comment here that I refer to the Holy Bible as the Great Light of Masonry. I do this because in my jurisdiction it is, but others will say that there are other volumes of Sacred Law that are the Great Light in other parts of the world, and possibly there Grand Lodges that place a Volume of Sacred Law as The Great Light on the altar instead of the Holy Bible. Nevertheless, I still maintain that the Holy Bible should always be the Great Light of Masonry no matter what country or what religion is prevalent there; this is because the degrees of Masonry are based on stories and allegories found in the Holy Bible and nowhere else. However, because it is generally acknowledged and true that since Freemasonry is open to all men who have a sincere belief and trust in a supreme being, and who meet certain other qualifications; there can and should be other Volumes of Sacred Law placed on the altar along with the Three Great Lights when there are other than Christian members present.
One Bible commentator suggests that the verse we are talking about can be memorized: “This wonderful verse is easily memorized by aid of the acronym formed by the letters A-S-K. – A – ask, and ye shall receive ... S – seek, and ye shall find ... K – knock, and it shall be opened ...” Brother C.C. Hunt in his Masonic Concordance of the Holy Bible says that the three words Ask, Seek, and Knock “include the three Masonic ideas; ‘want, loss, and earnestness;’ you ask for acceptance, you seek for light, [and] you knock for initiation.” Further study in the Masonic Concordance gives us more to think about: “The knocks in Masonry have different (though related) meanings according to the time and place they are given: In the First Degree they mean, ask, seek, and find: In the Second, the three Jewels of a Fellow Craft: In the Third, Brotherly Love, Relief, and truth.”
“The three words (ask, seek, knock) combine to emphasize the truth that those who bring their needs to God can trust that they will be satisfied. All three are metaphors for praying. Sometimes God does not answer our prayers immediately; sometimes we must keep on knocking, awaiting answers to our prayer.
The Masonic Student knows that the charge of not acknowledging Jesus simply isn’t true, and he knows not praying in Jesus’ name is no different than a prayer many a Christian Clergy will offer up for a prayer at an interfaith gathering.
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10 Guides for Freemasons
Author Unknown
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1. I am the representative of my Lodge and of all Free and Accepted Masons. Whatever I do or say reflects directly upon myself, and my fellow Freemasons everywhere and our good works.
2. I am responsible for what my Lodge and Freemasonry represent. They can be no more than what my fellow Freemasons and I make them.
3. I should not criticize what my fellow Freemasons do for Freemasonry unless I have a better suggestion and I am prepared to do it myself.
4. I must remember that the fact that I bear the name, Master Mason or Freemason, is not enough. I must continue to be worthy.
5. My fellow members and I are our Lodge and Freemasonry. Without our active support they cease to exist.
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6. My Lodge does me a favor by calling upon me. I am not doing the Lodge a favor by serving. It is both an obligation and a privilege to help the Lodge and Freemasonry
7. I should treat my fellow Freemasons with the same respect, honor, and understanding that I would like to receive from them.
8. It is not a right to be a Freemason; it is an honor. I should respect that honor by abiding by all of the precepts of my Lodge, my Grand Lodge, and Freemasonry as a whole.
9. Whatever differences my fellow Freemasons and I may have, we are all bound together by the bonds of our loyalty to The GAOTU, our families, the Lodge, and Freemasonry.
10. The willing Master Mason and his understanding family are the lifeblood of the Lodge and Freemasonry.
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By Ed Halpaus
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“Wherever there is strife and hatred among the brethren, there is no Masonry; for Masonry is Peace, and Brotherly Love and Concord.” Albert Pike
Have you noticed that there are some Lodges where some of the Masons in the Lodge just don’t like each other? Sometimes it seems to go beyond a simple dislike. It seems that many Lodges suffer from having members of the Lodge being at odds with each other. Unfortunately, this is not anything new; it has been an unfortunate part of Masonry for a very long time. In fact, in a way, Brother Albert Pike wrote about that problem in Morals and Dogma.[i] Here is a small portion of what Brother Pike wrote:[ii]
“Masons must be kind and affectionate one to another. Frequenting the same temples, kneeling at the same altars, they should feel that respect and that kindness for each other, which their common relation and common approach to one God should inspire. There needs to be much more of the spirit of the ancient fellow-ship among us; more tenderness for each other's faults, more forgiveness, more solicitude for each other's improvement and good fortune; somewhat of brotherly feeling, that it be not shame to use the word ‘brother.’
“Nothing should be allowed to interfere with that kindness and affection: neither the spirit of business, absorbing, eager, and overreaching, ungenerous and hard in its dealings, keen and bitter in its competitions, low and sordid in its purposes; nor that of ambition, selfish, mercenary, restless, circumventing, living only in the opinion of others, envious of the good fortune of others, miserably vain of its own success, unjust, unscrupulous, and slanderous.”
Anger between people sometimes stems from a threatened loss of power, and or, a lack of tolerance. The threatened loss of power can be a perceived loss, or it can be an actual threat. Intolerance can be a part of our character, or it could stem from a man acting out-of his character.
Some time ago I wrote an article on tolerance. One of the email responses I received on that article questioned about teaching Masons to be so tolerant that we should accept and condone everything that another might do or say. Condoning everything in life is not what I understand tolerance to be about. Nor do I think Freemasonry means or intends us to condone anything and everything in order for us to be tolerant of others.
When we look in the dictionary for the word Tolerance, and other similar words we find the meaning of it: Tolerance; the disposition to be patient and indulgent toward those whose opinions or practices differ from one’s own; freedom from bigotry or severity in judging the opinions or conduct of others: Tolerant; showing forbearance; one who tolerates opinions or practices differing from his own, one who is free from bigotry: Tolerate; to bear, support, endure, and sustain: Toleration; allowing of what is not actually approved, recognition of the right of private judgment in matters of faith and worship.
Forgiveness is also a part of being tolerant. To forgive is not to forget, but it is to forgive and move on. Again the dictionary is helpful: Forgive; to grant free pardon for, or remission of an offense, debt etc., to cease to feel resentment against another, to pardon the offense of an offender: Forgiveness; the disposition or willingness to forgive.
For many Masons, tolerance means we should be ready to accept the fact that others have a right to their opinions as much as we do, and to understand that while we may deem their opinions to be incorrect, so might ours also be at times.
Remember the old saying ‘I’ve been rich and I’ve been poor – rich is better.’ To paraphrase it for this article; ‘I’ve been tolerant and I’ve been intolerant – being tolerant is better;’ being tolerant is a part of a Mason’s character.
The word ‘character’ alludes to a part of us that is constant and predictable about our behavior. “Character is not something that we can turn off and on by simply choosing to do so,”[iii] it is something that is formed by years of training; both before and after we became Freemasons. That could be one of the reasons we say ‘we take in good men – and make them better.’ That also could be why when a Mason acts out-of character he is uncomfortable, and embarrassed.
Character training is a gift we receive from others, such as our parents, our other relatives, our clergy, our Masonic brethren, and others we have learned from over the years. Character is developed through mentoring.
A Man’s character is made up of virtues and vices; some of the vices are: Selfishness; cowardice; mean-spiritedness; thoughtlessness; rudeness; malevolence; dishonesty; and infidelity. These vices are offset by their opposite virtues: generosity; courage; kindness; thoughtfulness; politeness; benevolence; honesty; and loyalty.[iv] The virtues are ‘good character traits’ that make for happiness; Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle agreed that “a life without virtue is an unhappy life.”[v]
To improve our character, and thus our happiness, both within and without Freemasonry, we could minimize the vices and maximize the virtues: Sometimes we need help from others to do this effectively, and sometimes we might be able to help others do it for themselves; this is mentoring a Brother.
Men are known and judged by the company they keep, so it makes sense to keep company with good people: one of the best places to keep company with other good men is in Freemasonry.
“The generous man cannot but regret to see dissentions and disputes among his brethren.” Brother Albert Pike
From the Great Light of Masonry: “Yes, and I ask you, loyal yokefellow, help these women who have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.” Philippians 4:3 NIV
[i] Morals and Dogma 6° Intimate Secretary Pages 119-125 (MD)
[ii] Ibid - page 122
[iii] The Complete idiot’s Guide to Understanding Ethics: David Bruce Ingram Ph.D. & Jennifer A. Parks, Ph.D. (UE) Page 106
[iv] Ibid Page 103
[v] Ibid page 104