STB-MR99
Music by Brother J. L. F. Mendelssohn.
FREEMASONRY DEFINED
By: Jeffrey 0. Nations
and
Phillip G. Elam
Bro. Nations is a Past Grand Master of Missouri and Bro. Elam
is a Past Master of Algabil-Freedom Lodge #636, St. Louis,
Missouri.
Together they authored "Freemasonry Defined" to give a clear
and consise overview of the Masonic Fraternity. The picture of
Freemasonry painted in this STB should be in the hearts of all
Freemasons.
Editor
Freemasonry is the science by which morality is taught through
the visible symbols and instructive traditions associated with the
erection of King Solomon's Temple some 3,000 years ago. Like
every science and permanent institution, Freemasonry is built on
certain conceded principles. These include a belief in the one
living and true God, a revelation of His Will, the resurrection of
the body, and the immortality of the soul. When we say, "one
God," we refer to the supreme and benevolent being in which a
man places his ultimate trust. We are a nondenominational
institution accepting men of all faiths. Freemasonry is however,
supportive of every religion believing in one God. It denies to
no man his particular theological or secular beliefs, but rather
complements those beliefs.
Without an expressed belief in these principles, no man can ever
become a Freemason. Acceptance of the Fatherhood of God is
the very foundation of the Masonic Institution. From the
Fatherhood of God logically flows the Brotherhood of Man.
The Masonic Fraternity stands before the world today, not
merely as a marvelous monument of antiquity, but older, larger,
and more widely spread than almost any other human
institution, having maintained for so many centuries the
essentials of its primary organization. It has long outlived the
circumstances which gave it birth. The necessities which called
Freemasonry into being have long ago ceased to exist.
Originally a company of stonemasons and builders whose
monuments of rare skill now adorn almost every part of the old
world, the hand of time has brought those operative labors to a
close. But the everlasting principles upon which our Beloved
Ancient Craft was founded are as intact today as when they
emerged from the very shadows of history. Since its founding,
dynasties have come and gone, nations have been born and
buried, and countless orders and societies have been organized
and passed into obscurity. Our Order has maintained its ancient
organization, teaching its lessons of love, peace on earth, good
will toward men, and is today a great and strong organization. It
is true that our Fraternity no longer has cathedrals and
monuments of stone to build, but it has even more noble work to
perform than ever before.
Freemasonry is a broad system of ethics, a science of human
duties, and a system of morals accepted by all religions as
essential to human excellence based upon the recognition of
Divine Truth, that mankind has a common origin and a common
destiny; that God is the Creator and Father of all of us. Out of
that relationship with Deity grows the Brotherhood of Man.
Freemasonry's great purpose is to intensify that relationship.
Freemasonry teaches love, faith, and duty; unites man in the
strong embrace of fraternal fellowship, and induces emulation of
who can best work and best agree. Freemasonry thus becomes a
school wherein are taught not only the virtues, but the useful
lessons of everyday life.
The Temple of King Solomon signifies to us the Temple of our
bodies, that is, our Inner Spiritual Temple. The tools and
implements used in the building of Solomon's Temple signify to
us the cultivation of the virtues to be practiced in the erection of
the inner spiritual temple of man. The traditions associated with
Solomon's Temple serve as worthy examples for our imitation,
and inspire in us a love of what is good and true.
Freemasonry teaches us that the most important part of life lies
in the discharge of our duties toward God and our fellow man.
That eminent patron of Freemasonry, St. John the Evangelist, so
old that he had to be carried in the arms of his friends into an
assembly of children, lifted himself up and said, "Little children,
love one another." When asked, "Have you nothing else to tell
us?" he replied, "I say this again and again, because if you do
this, nothing more is needed." That is the foundation of
Freemasonry.
Freemasonry is not a mere pastime; nor a mere amusement. It is
an active, living principle. Its ritual, its symbolism, and its
drama are not empty ceremonies. They serve to exemplify and
impart important truths for mankind. Freemasonry adapts its
theories, its ethical thought and its teachings to the practical
relations of life.
There are no dogmas in Freemasonry. Its so called "secrecy" is
confined to simple means of communication and methods of
recognition. Its tenets are universally approved. What
Freemasonry condemns no good man upholds. The essence of
Freemasonry is character. A man is what he does. The Mason's
life and worth is not measured by wealth, fame, or fortune, but
by faithful, consistent, and unselfish service. In like manner, the
measure and worth of any institution is the effect it has upon the
individual and society.
What has Freemasonry given to mankind and society? It helped
pave the way for freedom of speech. It has ever been the enemy
of any power that suppressed free thought and the enslavement
of the mind. It rejects bigotry, superstition, and persecution of
all types; and the ignorance and fanaticism that invented
instruments of torture and deprivation. It points out to man that
free thought and free speech, and the study of the sciences, are
necessary for mankind's mental and intellectual emancipation;
that the study of nature brings man's soul nearer to his Creator;
and that knowledge drives out ignorance and superstition. It has
taught mankind that, after he has emancipated himself from the
vices that tyrannize and oppress, he must learn to govern
himself wisely by practicing the Cardinal Virtues of
Freemasonry: Temperance, Fortitude, Prudence, and Justice.
Man is a social creature. As such, our nature compels us to seek
the companionship of others. We, therefore, see our Brothers
and their families, animated by the same noble purpose, meeting
in the Lodge where they can feel the hearty touch of the hand,
hear words of inspiration and encouragement, and enjoy the
pleasure, entertainment, and fellowship of this time-honored
institution. While gathered in assemblies, we confer our
ceremonial degrees, provide relief to the indigent, assistance to
the worthy, and administer systems of care to those who are less
fortunate. Freemasonry is all of this and much, much more.
Beneath and beyond all of these is the deep, permanent passion
for the betterment of the Brotherhood of Man. Freemasonry,
ever supportive of religion, benevolence, and morality, places
before man the incentives to goodness through the
contemplation of the Holy Principles of Divine Truth.
The tenets of our Ancient Order are Brotherly Love, Relief and
Truth-and first among them is Brotherly Love. It is the very
cement which holds together the social edifice of this world. No
one can measure the extent of human sympathy or brotherly
love, but we know it to be one of the mightiest social forces of
all time, and that without it, life would be a merciless and cruel
existence. We know that when there is an unselfish love in the
hearts of men, the better nature within each of us responds in
kind. It is this kindly spirit of brotherhood, the gentle touch of
the hand, and the sympathetic word that brings forth a harvest of
good deeds, noble thoughts, and the highest aspirations of
mankind.
Freemasonry has ever been the patron of learning. Its votaries
long ago discovered that ignorance was the cause of nearly all of
the evils and dangerous environments that afflict humanity; that
education dispelled this evil, set free the victims of its influence,
and put a smile where terror and despair had planted sorrow. In
its unending efforts to eliminate such human afflictions,
Freemasonry has perhaps performed its greatest labor, in
helping to break down the walls of religious hatred and
intolerance that for too long divided men into opposing sects
and hostile camps. The great religious ecumenical councils of
today, and the religious tolerance and mutual understanding they
endeavor to convey, have been the foundation and practice of
Freemasonry since time immemorial. The Freemason is thus
prepared through ceremonies, ritual and moral lessons to
undertake his Grand Mission to teach, by precept and example,
all that is beautiful and useful in this life.
After all of the great lectures on philosophy have been
delivered, when the wisest statesmen shall have done their
utmost to alleviate what is harsh and cruel in social conditions,
and science shall have unraveled the mysteries of the universe,
there will still be the necessity for a kindly smile, a helping
hand, a cup of water, and a quiet word of encouragement. It is
because Freemasonry has ever given the cup of water, extended
a hand to one who has fallen, and spoken words of comfort and
cheer, that millions of good men of every religion and culture,
and from every comer of the world have knelt at its altar.
It is these same men, Brothers in spirit and deed, with eyes
uplifted and hearts responsive to the needs of those who are
journeying through life with them, that form the Masonic
Fraternity throughout the world. It is the good and true men of
this Brotherhood that live with the great satisfaction which
comes only from relieving suffering, dispensing happiness, and
to aid the unification of mankind.
The structure of Freemasonry includes many organizations
which we call our "Masonic Family." Just to name a few;
Masonic organizations include (in part) the Blue Lodges, the
Scottish and York Rite, and the Ancient Arabic Order of the
Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. Ladies organizations include the
Order of the Eastern Star, and the Amaranth, with membership
open to men who are ' Freemasons. Youth organizations include
Job's Daughters and Rainbow for Girls for young women, and
the Order of DeMolay for young men.
Each of these organizations has its own unique ceremonies, and
supports charitable and philanthropic causes. Every day the
Masonic Family is responsible for contributing, literally,
millions of dollars in charitable donations, and thousands of
volunteer hours to worthwhile causes of every kind.
This, my Brethren, is Freemasonry. May it live on, through us,
for countless ages, and may we be ever worthy to spread
Masonic Light for the generations yet to come. To these, our
principal beliefs and poetic truths, we say as our forefathers did
before us:
So Mote It Be
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