Lodge 264 Officers
2007
Worshipful Master ....Steve Foote (812)208-1948
Senior Warden...Wesley "Gene" Okulovich PM (812)443-1013
Junior Warden...William Hybarger, PM
Senior Deacon...Russell Church,PM
Junior Deacon...Everett Burkhart, PM
Senior Steward...Michael Foote.
Junior Steward...William Sonnefield, PM
Secretary... Martin Pavelka, PM
Treasurer..Mark Cooper, PM (812)448-8469
Chaplain... Stephen Lutes , PM (812)448-2769
Tyler...Harry Kirton
FREE MASONRY WHAT IS IT? AND HOW DID IT START?
For you whom may not be a Mason and you are wondering "Just What Is A Masonry?" Masonry is defined as consisting of a course of moral instruction, illustrated by types, emblems and allegorical figures. The old English Constitutions state it in this manner , "a system of morality veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols." ...Webster says says an allegory "represents by suggestive resemblance"; and a symbol is "a visible sign or representation of a idea."
Where did Masonry start? "The background of today's Masonry is found in the time when (Operative) Masons built the cathedrals, abbeys, and castles of medieval Europe. The stonemasons who created these Gothic structures formed craft guilds to protect the secrets of their building trade and to pass on their knowledge to and worthy deserving apprentices. By the time the need for this type of (Operative) Mason declined in the Seventeenth Century, the practices and customs of the operative craft had left such an impression that men who had no inclination of being operative builders sought membership. These speculative builders were learned and well-thinking men, men of integrity and good will. With their admission, [Speculative Masonry] evolved. This speculative Fraternity of Freemasons used the symbols (tools) which the operative Masons used in Cathedral building as symbols in character building."
Many years ago a Masonic Scholar said the following words about the Fraternity, "Freemasonry is an organized society of men symbolically applying the principles of operative masonry and architecture to the science and art of character building." This distinguishes our Fraternity from all other organizations which teach any system; of the one thing needed in these times and times to come; morality. Freemasonry is a charitable and educational society, dedicated to morality, mutual aid, leadership, religious toleration and freedom.
Freemasonry is not a religion. It has no theology and does not teach any route to salvation. A belief in God, however, is an essential requirement for membership and Freemasonry encourages its members to be active in their own religions as well as in society at large.
Although every lodge meeting is opened and closed with a prayer and its ceremonies reflect the truths and morals common to many of the world's great religions, no discussion of religion is ever permitted in lodge meetings.
Would you like to become a Mason? In order to become a Mason a man first must already have faith and express his belief in God, and believe he has a immortal soul. Masonry does not make a man good, but is designed to make a good man better! No atheist can be made a Mason.
Are you of good character, firm in your belief in a Supreme Being ? You think Masonry would be a good Fraternity to join! Some men are surprised that no one has ever asked them to become a Mason. They may even feel that the Masons in their town don't think they are "good enough" to join. But it doesn't work that way. For hundreds of years, Masons have been forbidden to ask others to join the fraternity. We can talk to friends about Masonry. We can tell them about what Masonry does. We can tell them why we enjoy it. But In Indiana we can now suggest " have you ever thought about joining a Masonic Lodge" to open the door, but none are pressured to join. There's a good reason for that. It isn't that we're trying to be exclusive. But becoming a Mason is a serious thing. Joining Masonry is making a permanent life commitment to live in certain ways. To live with honor and integrity, to be willing to share with and care about others, to trust each other, and to place ultimate trust in God. Joining is a serious undertaking!
When a man decides he wants to
become a Mason, he asks a Mason for a petition or application. He fills
it out and gives it to the Mason, and that Mason takes it to the local
lodge. The Master of the lodge will appoint a committee to visit with the
man and his family, find out a little about him and why he wants to be
a Mason, tell him and his family about Masonry, and answer their questions.
The committee reports to the lodge, and the lodge votes on the petition.
If the vote is affirmative -- and it usually is -- the lodge will
contact the man to set the date for the Entered Apprentice Degree. The
first of three Degrees. When the person has completed all three degrees,
he is a Master Mason and a full member of the fraternity.
For more information email Secretary Martin Pavelka
Stated Meetings Held 2nd Tuesday Of Every Month 7:30 PM
Visiting Brethren In Good Standing Welcome!
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since 8/28/01
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