|
What is Masonry? A Strategic Vision Masonry believes that all men, irrespective of the amount of training and education that they are exposed to, are essentially unfinished products. As a result, their life is spent in the pursuit of becoming completed. Masonry exists to help men in meeting this life-time challenge. That is the notion underlying our motto that "Masonry makes good men better." Masonry help to make good men better by teaching them the importance of: > Ethics: A good man is an ethical man, a man who lives within the due bounds of the ethical system in which they live. > Education: A good man is a person who understands the importance of education, both for himself and for the community. A good man is always learning; a good man always supports the educational efforts of others; a good man encourages and supports the educational efforts of the community in which he lives. > Obligations: A good man understands that he lives within a system based on obligations. These obligations bind him to his family, his place of employment, his community, his country, mankind as a whole, and his God. A man's worth and value is defined by the manner in which these obligations are recognized and fulfilled. > Legacy: A good man understands that he has an obligation to leave a legacy to his family, community, and country. The Elements of Masonry Masonry helps men to recognize the preceding issues and to prepare them to meet the demands that these preceding issues contain. Masonry does so by drawing on the following elements: > Ritual; Masonry has developed a body of ritual that is over 250 years old. The truths contained within this ritual has proven its value by withstanding the tests of time. What this ritual teaches are critical lessons about the tenets and beliefs that every good man should try to incorporate and follow, the keys to living a better life, and those trait that make a man a true asset to himself, his family, his place of employment, his community, and his country. These truths are taught through analogies and allegories contained within the ritual. The truths are somewhat hidden, which is important since it is the premise of Masonry that what is important is not always self-evident. It must be uncovered, which requires the man to develop time and effort to contemplating the rituals and the lessons contained therein. >Fellowship: Masonry regards the Lodge as the fundamental building block. It is the Lodge that teaches the man, as brother, the lessons of masonry. It is also the Lodge that introduces men to other men of similar interests. The result is that friendships lasting a lifetime are made. The result is also that men are introduced to others from a wide range of paths and life experiences. By meeting in a setting where no man is better or worse than the rest, we learn to value diversity, appreciate fellowship and understand the need to view people on their own merits. >Commitment: Masonry teaches that men must make a difference, that they must be a positive force within their families, companies, communities, and countries. To this end, masonry provides a number of charities that meet real needs and that can and do make a difference. Tenets and Beliefs of Masonry These basic principles of Freemasonry are taken from the Pilgrim's Path (page 146) which was written by John Robinson. The following are the major principles of freemasonry: >Every freemason asserts his belief in God, and in the immorality of the soul. A Freemason believes that how he worships God is his own business, and how every mason worships God is his own business. Accordingly, masons believe fervently in freedom of religion. Freemasonry offers no pathway to salvation. That must be sought and found in a Mason's own place of worship, which he is encouraged to attend and to support. >Because religion and politics are so often used to drive men apart, they may not be discussed in any Masonic Lodge. Freemasonry seeks to give men of all creeds a way to meet in brotherhood and mutual respect, to join together in common causes to benefit those in need. > If a Mason's own religious beliefs require of him a voluntary life of caring and sharing, of attention to the needs of the less fortunate, Freemasonry offers a variety of charitable outlets to satisfy his compassion. To that extent, Masonry strives to be the ideal partner of any moral religion. >A Mason must never put his duties and responsibilities to Masonry ahead of his duties and responsibilities to his family, to his God, to his job, neighbors or to his country. These principles of Freemasonry are embedded in our belief structure which emphasizes a respect for knowledge, learning and education, a recognition of the need to help others less fortunate, the need to treat everyone as an equal and the importance of our obligations. These are very difficult requirements to meet. Many strive but few succeed. They become the foundations on which each Mason spends the rest of his life building his personal, social and moral life. They define what a Mason is. Who Does Masonry Serve? Masonry recognizes that it has a number of distinct customers. These include: the individual man or brother; the families of the brother; the community; and, the country. The needs of each group must be recognized and met within the framework of Freemasonry. What Does Masonry Demand? Masonry defines a life that is more proactive than reactive. It introduces men to a life characterized by: >Learning: This is learning at the personal level. A mason is committed to a life of learning. >Helping: Masons understand that they are committed to a life of helping others. They must be willing to help even when the need is not expressed or requested. It is the need that is critical. > Growing: Masons are committed to life of growing internally. >Caring: Masons are bound to care about their families, their communities, and their country. Freemasonry seeks to give men of all creeds a way to meet in brotherhood and mutual respect, to join together in common causes to benefit those in need. If a Mason's own religious beliefs require of him a voluntary life of caring and sharing, of attention to the needs of the less fortunate, Freemasonry offers a variety of charitable outlets to satisfy his compassion. To that extent, Masonry strives to be the ideal partner of any moral religion. >A Mason must never put his duties and responsibilities to Masonry ahead of his duties and responsibilities to his family, to his God, to his job, neighbors or to his country. These principles of Freemasonry are embedded in our belief structure which emphasizes a respect for knowledge, learning and education, a recognition of the need to help others less fortunate, the need to treat everyone as an equal and the importance of our obligations. These are very difficult requirements to meet. Many strive but few succeed. They become the foundations on which each Mason spends the rest of his life building his personal, social and moral life. Underlying these traits is the notion of visibility. In contrast to the past of Masonry where our craft was generally hidden and low-keyed, the community must understand that Masonry is present, that Masonry is an asset, and that Masonry does help people and the community. What if We Don't Adopt These Issues? This vision and strategy defines a very proactive view of Masonry -- a vision designed to take Masonry into 21st Century. To some within this gentle craft" may object to this vision as being too radical. However, it is important to recognize that we are now in a new era. This is an era where there are numerous demands place on the time of our target market -- men in the 25 to 50 year group. This is a group that is highly goal driven and very outcome minded. This is a group that carefully selects how and where it will be spending its time. It will join those groups where they perceive the costs of belonging as being less than the costs of not belonging. It is imperative that we attract people from this group. The old messages and methods making men from this group aware about Masonry and its benefits is no longer adequate. The most important piece of evidence that this past vision is not longer effective comes from membership trends. At present, we are shrinking, as the rate at which we are losing members through death is far greater than the rate at which we are recruiting their replacements. In addition, there is the issue of Lodge attendance. At present, our Lodges are experiencing attendance rates of between 5 to 10%. These are indicators that somehow we are currently not meeting or serving the needs of our customer, both current and targeted. Unless something is done in the next two to five years, we run the risk of becoming irrelevant in today's world. If that occurs, we will cease to play an important role in today's world. As a result, the wonderful and important lessons of Masonry will be lost -- much to the determent of society. Concluding Comments This note is asking for a rethinking of Masonry. This is not unusual. In today's world, firms are continuously reinventing themselves. They realize that, if they are to exist, then they must change how they present themselves and their messages. Change is required for survival. Remember the words of Deming, one of the founders of the Total Quality Management movement, who once noted, when asked why the managers had to change, that: "You don't have to change. Survival is not mandatory!!!" Steven A. Melnyk Professor of Operations Management Department of Marketing & Supply Chain Management Michigan State University East Lansing, MI 48824-1122 melnyk@pilot.msu.ed Date: Fri, 08 May 1998 13:34:56 -0700 From: "George W. Eaton" To: canmas@northroute.net, freemasonry-list@Masonic.ORG, philalethes@pyx.net Subject: PSOC: Mostly Masonic Websites A A&ASR NORTHERN JURISDICTION http://world.std.com/~sysmgr A&ASR SOUTHERN JURISDICTION http://www.smason-sj.org http://www.user.aol.com/jabron/mason.htm Acacia Jewelry 1997-09-01 http://www.acaciajewel.com/acamsn.htm AFAM http://www.freemason.com ALBERTA Beacon #190 1998-04-23 http://www.telusplanet.net/public/glassewe/Beacon.htm Alberta Beacon 190 http://www.telusplanet.net/public/glassewe/Beacon.htm Alexei Tsarevich (by John Kendrick) http://www.npsnet.com/tsarevich_alexei Allied Masonic Bodies 1998-02-15 http://www.geocities.com/Athens/1799/amb98.html Allied Masonic Degrees 1998-02-19 http://members.aol.com/VAYORKRT/DCAMD.html AMD 1997-09-12 www.trellis.net/users/alhart/AMD/ AMD Britannia 303 Los Altos, CA 1997-09-21 http://www.padrak.com/bc_303/ Anderson Wayne http://Www1.kingston.net/~wanderso/masonl.htm Anti-Masonic 1998-04-02 http://www.ephesians5-11.org/ Anti-masonic U of Michigan 1998-04-23 http://www.si.umich.edu/~rlm/masonry.html ANTI-MASONRY Occult, Evil Empire 1998-04-25 http://www.execpc.com/~amerisub/chapt-04/chapt-04.html ANTI-MASONRY proven Occultic 1998-04-25 http://www.cuttingedge.org/n1084.html ANTI-MASONRY secret doctrines 1998-04-25 http://ts1.cdsnet.net/~rkhaeske/html/illuminati_-_2b.htm ANYBODY http://www.worldpages.com Astrology http://www.tq.com Australia Canberra http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/5796/caled1.htm Australia NSW Forbes http://www.lisp.com.au/~jrcooper Australia South http://www.ozemail.com.au/~matt2/freemaso.htm B BC Masonic Trestleboard 1998-04-23 http://www.bc-freemasonry.com/Trestleboard/Trestleboard.html Bergman Andrew http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Acropolis/1362 Bessel Paul (PH recognition) http://www.geocities.com/Athens/1799/pha.html BLUE 142 AFM 1997-08-31 http://members.wbs.net/homepages/b/l/u/blue142afm.html Books 1998-04-23 http://www.ul.cs.cmu.edu/gutenberg/ Brazil http://www.mason.com.br/ Britannia Council No. 303 AMD Los Altos, CA http://www.padrak.com/bc_303/ British Columbia 117 Kerrisdale http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Acropolis/2800 British Columbia 130 Mt Elphinstone http://www.sunshine.net/www/100/sn0145/elph.html British Columbia 161 Goldstream http://www.ampsc.com/~mason British Columbia M I L E R http://island.net/~nryder/milerhom.html C California 334 Covina http://www.flash.net/~cml334/ California S C R L http://international.com/hiram/scrl/scrl.html Carolina South http://www.scsn.net/~barton/scafm Carpenter George http://members.tripod.com/~becca6/cydoc.htm Charlton Gordon http://www.charlton.demon.co.uk/ CHICAGO A&ASR 1998-04-23 http://www.aasrvoc.com Christmas cards 1997-11-23 http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Hills/7792/PostCardPageIndex.html Civil War Lodge of Research http://www.geocities.com/Athens/1799/cwlr.html Co-Freemasonry 1998-04-23 http://www.droit-humain.org Co-Masonry - SEE - Le Droit Humain Co-Masonry - SEE - Freemasonry For Women Co-Freemasonry 1998-04-23 http://www.comasonic.org Cornwallis Lodge No.1107 (UGLE)1998-04-23 http://www.btinternet.com/~squaremile.tours/Lodge.html Court Decisions 1998-04-23 http://www.courtinfo.ca.gov/opinions/ Crawford Matthew E. Jr. http://www.netcom.com/~matthram/mason.html D DC Grand Royal Arch Chapter Clipart 1998-04-23 http://www.geocities.com/Athens/1799/dcra.html Delaware 031 Wilmington Ionic http://www.erols.com/wwhjr/ionic31.htm DeMolay http://www.demolay.org DeMolay Chapter http://www.demolay.com Donald M. Robey, PGM of Virginia recognition charts 1998-04-23 http://www.geocities.com/Athens/1799/usrecog.html e-M@son 1998-04-23 http://freemasonry.org e-m@son Regular Freemasonry 1997-09-08 http://freemasonry.org E Emblems Automobile http://www.cyberspace.com/~robfrat/fratrnl.html England UGLE 1998-04-23 http://www.grand-lodge.org/ F FAQ'S (232???) 1997-09-01 http://www2.southwind.net/~crashd/mason.html Finland http://www.sci.fi/ttg/masonry.html FIRESTONE: Robison's article 1998-04-23 http://www.cacr.caltech.edu/~rfire/masonry/robison.html Firestone Roger http://www.cacr.caltech.edu/~rfire/masonry/penalties.html Firestone Roger http://www.cacr.caltech.edu/~rfire/masonry/ Firestone, Roger M 1997-11-03 http://www.cacr.caltech.edu/~rfire/masonry/robison.html Flint Masonic Temple Association http://www.gl-mi.org/lodges/flintmta/ Florida District 26 http://www.sitesurfer.com/F&AM-FL-D26 Florida District 27 1997-09-01 http://www.trowel.com/flamason/ Freemasonry for Women 1997-09-03 http://www.luckymojo.com/CoMasonry.html Freemasonry Network 1998-04-23 http://www.freemasonry.net/ Freemasons' Bookshop (UK) 1997-09-01 http://www.traders.co.uk/gds/masonic2.htm Freemasons and Eastern Stars http://www.radiks.net/rek G GC RAM California 1997-09-09 http://www.freemason.org/gcram GC VIRGINIA Grand Chapter Royal Arch Masons 1997-11-14 http://members.aol.com/GCRAMVA/HomePage.html Georgia Duluth #480 1997-09-01 http://www.freemason-ga.org/ Georgia Masonic & Related Bodies http://www.freemason-ga.org/ GL ? 1997-10-02 http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/eva GL ? 1997-10-02 http://www.pacific-online.com/bc-freemasonry GL ? 1997-10-02 http://grandlodge.ns.ca/gl.html GL ? 1997-10-02 http://enterprise.newcomm.net/masonic/volume1.htm GL ? 1997-10-02 http://www.cyberspc.mb.ca/~bobgalbr/index.html GL ? 1997-10-02 http://www.hookup.net/~glcanada/ GL ? 1997-10-02 http://www.connect.ab.ca/~ddgmnl/gloa.htm GL ? 1997-10-02 http://enterprise.newcomm.net/masonic/ GL Alabama http://www.alagl.org/ GL Alaska http://www.polarnet.com/users/chaffin/gl_aka_hp.htm GL Alaska http://www.mosquitonet.com/~masonic/gl_aka_hp.htm GL Alberta http://www.connect.ab.ca/~ddgmnl/ GL ALBERTA 1998-04-23 http://www.freemasons.ab.ca/ GL Arizona http://www.cei.net/~khat/ GL Australia Queensland 1997-09-01 http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Meadows/3645/ GL Australia South 1998-01-26 http://www.digital.net.au/mason.html GL B GL British Columbia 1998-01-12 http://www.bc-freemasonry.com GL California http://www.freemason.org/ GL Canada in the Province of Ontario http://www.hookup.net/~glcanada/ GL Connecticut http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/6631/ GL Delaware http://freemasonry.org/gl-de/ GL District of Columbia http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/3278/ GL E GL ENGLAND UGLE History http://www.charlton.demon.co.uk/UGLE/history/ GL Florida http://www.glflamason.org/ GL Georgia http://www.glofga.org/ GL HawaiiI http://www.pixi.com/~masonsgl/ GL Illinois http://www.ilmasons.org/index.htm GL Indiana http://www.indianamasons.org/ GL Iowa http://www.freemasonry.org/gl-ia/ GL Japan http://www.iac.co.jp/~masonic/ GL Kansas http://www.inlandnet.net/~n0ku/glks1.html GL Louisana http://www2.linknet.net/mig/ GL M GL Maine http://www.nlbbs.com/~masonry/ GL Manitoba http://www.cyberspc.mb.ca/~bobgalbr/fm4.html GL Maryland GL & A&ASR 1998-04-23 http://freemasonry.org/maryland GL Massachusetts http://www.glmasons-mass.org GL Michigan http://www.gl-mi.org/ GL Minnesota http://www.mn-mason.org/ GL Missouri http://freemasonry.org/gl-mo/ GL Montana http://www.ixi.net/glofmt/ GL N GL Nevada http://coyote.accessnv.com/cards/ GL New Brunswick http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/eva/ GL New Jersey http://members.aol.com/glofnj/index.html GL New Mexico http://204.134.124.1/leon/gl.htm GL New York http://www.vcomm.net/~amorgan GL New York - Leadership http://www.vcomm.net/~amorgan/mason.html GL New York Library http://www.rpi.edu/~nichot3/masonry/library/index.html GL Newfoundland & Labrador 1997-09-01 http://enterprise.newcomm.net/masonic/volume1.htm GL North Carolina http://www.grandlodge-nc.org/ GL Nova Scotia http://www.grandlodge.ns.ca/gl.html GL Nova Scotia Freemason Journal 1997-09-01 http://or.psychology.dal.ca/gl/nsfm.html GL O GL Ohio http://www.freemason.com/ GL ONTARIO GL Canada, Province 1998-04-23 http://www.grandlodge.on.ca GL Oregon http://www.aracnet.com/~hiramor/ GL Pennsylvania http://www.icubed.com/users/blulodge/blulodge.html GL Rhode Island http://www.freemason-ri.org/masons/home.htm GL Scotland (??? 1998-04-25) http://freemasonry.org/links GL Scotland 1998-04-25 http://www.grandlodgescotland.com GL South Dakota http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Delphi/7594/ GL Sweden (in English) http://www.frimurarorden.se/eng.htm GL Tennessee http://www.korrnet.org/f&am/gl-.htm GL Texas http://www.gltexas.com GL Tennessee http://www.korrnet.org/f&am/gl-.htm GL Texas http://www.gltexas.com GL Utah http://www.utahmason.org/ GL Vermont http://www.vtfreemasons.org/glv/index.html GL VICTORIA UGL of 1998-04-23 http://www.freemasonsvic.net.au GL Virginia http://www.gslink.com/~gcanard/ GL Washington http://www.telebyte.com/masons/wagl.html GL Wisconsin http://userpages.itis.com/camelot6/grandlw/index.htm GL Yugoslavia http://www.geocities.com/Athens/5020/NEWRGLY.htm GLG United Grand Lodges of Germany http://www.freimaurer.org/ GLNF Prov. GL of Occitanie 1997-10-02 http://www.jovenet.fr/glnfoc/index.html GLNF Provincial GL d'Occitanie (in French) http://www.jovenet.fr/glnfoc GLOBAL PHOENIX 1997-09-02 http://www.mastermason.com/phoenix.htm Global Phoenix 1998-05-08 http://www.mastermason.com/phoenix/ GLP JERSEY Provincial GL of 1998-04-23 http://user.itl.net/~crgoss/jersey.htm GLP Sussex Provincial Grand Lodge of 1998-04-23 http://www.freemasonry.net/sussex/ GO Brazil Grand Orient of (1997-08-27) http://www.geocities.com/RainForest/8527/hist.html GO France (in French) http://www.godf.org Graphics http://www.southwind.net:80/~btalbott/mucovers.html Graphics http://www.novia.net/~jdenney/masonic.html Graphics http://167.217.91.135/graphics/home.htm Greenbaum David http://www.imperium.net/~dgree186/index.html Greenberg Ed (Austria) 1997-09-01 http://www.greenberg.org/masonry/travguid/austria.htm Greenbergs Ed http://www.greenberg.org H Hawaii Pearl Harbor L http://www.pixi.com/~johnnick Heinno (Finnish) 1997-09-01 http://www.ttg.sci.fi/heino/main.html Heraldik & Rittertum http://www.tripod.com/userland/B/Baron91/index.html Herczeg Uwe http://www.unterland.de History of the Shrine in North America http://www.jovenet.fr/glnfoc/shrine.html Hong Kong http://www.sky.air.com.hk/masonic Hultland Karl-Gunnar (English) http://home.bd.edu.amu.se/~dixie/mason.htm Hultland Karl-Gunnar (English) http://www.dxisoft.se/kgh/ Hunt Greg (links to PHA) http://www.netcom.com/~ghuntnyc I Ingersoll Roger http://www.chrysalis.org/masonry/ International Lunchtimers' Network [970806] http://sykuta.business.pitt.edu/ILN/ Internet Lodge 1998-01-30 http://internet.lodge.org.uk Iowa 060 Camanche http://www.clinton.net/~rsampson/mason/mason.htm Italy 1997-09-01 http://www.magicflash.it Italy 1997-09-01 http://www.magicflash.it/page15.html Italy 1997-09-01 http://www.magicflash.it/page22.html Italy 1997-09-01 http://www.magicflash.it/page21.html J Jack the Ripper's Story http://www.jovenet.fr/glnfoc/ripper.html James Dick http://www.netins.net/showcase/tommiles/ramblin1.html Job's Daughters http://167.217.91.135/bethel107/home.html K Keizer's new mixed obedience http://members.aol.com/GMTHG/alexinst.html Kentucky 218 Philip Swigert http://www.ka.net/doninky/ Kessinger Publishing, LLC 1998-04-26 http://www.kessingerpub.com KING, Nelson - papers 1998-04-23 http://freemasonry.org/nking KING Nelson letter to Christian 1998-04-23 http://freemasonry.org/nking L Lapel Pins & More 1997-09-12 http://tucson.com/pins/ Le Droit Humain (English-language) http://www.altern.com/dh/ukindex.htm Leichhardt Lodge of Research #225 1998-04-23 http://members.tripod.com/~jomastes/leichhardt_lodge/info.html Leuwen Roel van http://www.enternet.co.nz/client/personal/rvanl/ Los Altos 712 CA 1997-09-21 http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Delphi/4254/ M Macoy Publishing & Masonic Supply Co., Inc. 1997-08-31 http://www.macoy.com Manitoba Thompson http://netra.mysterynet.mb.ca/masons Marracci Temple #13 Shrine PHA Detroit MI http://www.htc-mall.com/marracci.html Marshall Jeff http://www.infocomm.net/~jeff/magan/hirammyth.html Masonic Information Net http://www.gslink.com/~gcanard/ Masonic Internet Learning Center http://www.indirect.com/www/beauty/masonry Masonic Leadership Center http://freemasonry.org/mlc/ Masonic Leadership Center http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/2903 Masonic Universal http://coyote.accessnv.com/cards/mu.html Masonic Universal http://coyote.accesnv.com/cards/others.html Masonic Universal ASCII http://www.southwind.net:80/~btalbott/mucovers.html Masonic Universal Magazine http://www.gryffin.com/mu Masonic Writings(570!) 1997-09-03 http://www.kena.org Melvin http://sales.dolg.com/private/masonic Michigan 172 Dearborn http://www.gl-mi.org/lodges/dearborn-172 Michigan 174 Genesee http://www.gl-mi.org/lodges/genesee-174/ Michigan GC R&SM http://www.rsm-mi.org/ Michigan Grand Council R&SM http://www.rsm-mi.org/ Missouri 260 Mechanicsville http://www.geocities.com/Athens/9042/ Missouri 636 Algabil-Freedom http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Plains/9946/ Montana 003 Helena http://www.ixi.net/~helena3/ Mutual 53 GLSA 1997-08-31 http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Acropolis/1151 N New York Thousand Islands http://www.northnet.org/thousand-island-masonic/ Newfoundland http://enterprise.newcomm.net/masonic/ Newfoundland (Scottish Constitution) http://www.firstcity.net/~freemasonry/ NON-MASONIC 1998-01-11 http://kumite.com/myths/myths/mirabils.htm O OBITUARIES http://www.memorial-site.com Ontario Toronto District 3 http://www.yesic.com/~tordist3 Ottinger Ken http://www.neta.com/~kottinge/masonry.html P Pannell John http://www.netcom.com/~jpannell/masony.html Philalethes Society http://www.freemasonry.org/psoc Philip Swigert #218 F. & A.M. 1997-08-31 http://www.ka.net/doninky/ Prince Hal Affiliation 1997-09-03 http://www.geocities.com/Athens/1799/pha.html Prince Hall Freemasonry 1997-09-04 http://freemasonry.org/phylaxis Proctorville 550 F&AM,Ohio 1997-09-08 http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Delphi/9776/ R Ritual Differences http://www.clinton.net/~rsampson/mason/ritual1.htm Ron Blue's ^ÑMasonic Topics' http://www.jovenet.fr/glnfoc/ac1.html Rosicrucians, Masonic (MSRICF) 1997-11-04 http://members.aol.com/YorkRiteFM/MSRICF.html Rusty Nail Degree Ritual http://www.jovenet.fr/glnfoc/rusty.html S Sacred Landscape 1997-09-03 http://www.luckymojo.com/sacredland.html Sandstrom Mark R California http://www.jps.net/marksand/ Saskatchewan 026 Swift Current http://www.t2.net/masonry Saskatchewan 026 Swift Current http://www.t2.net/masonry Search engine http://www.yahoo.com/ Singapore 1997-09-01 http://web.singnet.com.sg/~masonry/eastarch.htm Skidmore 237 http://www.geocities.com/Athens/1799/skidmore.html Spain http://www.geocities.com/athens/7999 St. John's Lodge No. 1, Portsmouth, New Hampshire, USA 1997-09-12 http://members.aol.com/GlenGordon/St.JohnsLodge.html St John the Baptist 184 http://www.datasys.net/users/per/stjohnbap/index.html Stanfield http://denton.computek.net/masonic/ Struve Rick (Soda Pop) http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/3558/ Swedish brother (English) http://www.netti.fi/~leifholm/freemasonry.html Swedish brother (Swedish) http://www.algonet.se/~hfalk/svehere.htm Swift Current Lodge No. 26 1997-10-01 http://www.t2.net/masonry Sykuta Michael http://www.pitt.edu/~msykuta/masonic/clayton.htm Sykuta Michael Lunchmasters http://www.pitt.edu/~msykuta/iln/iln.html T Tahlequah Telecommunications http://www.tq.com/ Texas 1002 Sour Lake http://home1.gte.net/wiljen/sllodge.htm Tracing Board picture 1998-04-23 http://www.cadvision.com/linshaw/tboard.html Trei Peter http://www.zipnet.net/users/trei/masonurl.html U-4 http://www.freemasonry.org/mu/ U U-7 http://linknet.net/masonic V Virus notice 1998-04-23 http://www.kumite.com/myths/ W WA Daylight Lodge #232 1998-04-23 http://www.eskimo.com/~daylight Washington 232 Daylight http://www.eskimo.com/~daylight/daylight.html Washington DC http://www.geocities.com/Athens/1799/dc9612.html Wilson Alfred http://www.newcomm.net/masonic Y Yates John clip art for sale 1997-09-01 http://www.wf.net/~jyates/mason.html Yronwode Catherine http://www.luckymojo.com/CoMasonry.html Z http://www.jovenet.fr/glnfoc/ac4.html The Tenets by Nelson King, FPS We have all heard our distinguished Junior Warden conclude the Entered Apprentice Lecture by stating that the tenets or fundamental principles of Ancient Freemasonry are Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth. What is a tenet? A tenet is a teaching that is so obviously true and so universally accepted, that we believe it without question. Freemasonry considers Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth to be teachings of this kind, true in the sense that no man can question them; they are self providing, axiomatic. It is not uncommon for men to consider Brotherly Love, while highly desirable, as not practicable, and therefore but a vision to be dreamed of but never possessed. It is challenging for Freemasonry to call these "tenets," thus stating that they are both obviously and necessarily true. Unless you grasp this, and see that the principles of Freemasonry are self evident realities, not visionary ideals, you will never understand Masonic teachings. For Freemasonry does not tell us that the principles of Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth ought to be true, that it would be better for us all if they were true--she tells that they are true. They are tremendous realities in human life, and it is as impossible to question their validity as to question the ground under our feet or sun over our heads. Our problem is not whether to believe them, but what are we going to do with them? What is Brotherly Love? Manifestly, it means the we place on another man the highest possible valuation as a friend, a companion, an associate, a neighbor. By the exercise of Brotherly Love, we are taught to regard the whole human species as one family. We do not ask that from our relationship we shall achieve and selfish gain. Our relationship with a Brother is its own justification, its own reward. Brotherly Love is one of the supreme values without which life is lonesome, unhappy and unfulfilled. Brotherly Love is not a hope or a dream, but a fact. Freemasonry builds on that fact, provides opportunities for us to have such fellowship, encourages us to understand and to practice it and to make it one of the laws of our existence, one of the tenets or fundamental principles of our Beloved Craft. Relief is one of the forms of charity. We often think of charity as relief from poverty. To care for the helpless or unemployed is deemed usually a responsibility resting on the general public. As a rule the public discharges that responsibility through some form of organized charity, financed by general subscriptions, or out of public funds. Masonic conception of relief is broader and deeper than this. We fully recognize the emergency demands made by physical and economic distress; but we likewise understand that the cashing of a check is not necessarily a complete solution of the difficulty. There sometimes enters the problem or readjustment, of rehabilitation, of keeping a family together, of children's education, and various other matters vital to the spiritual comfort, for the assurance of a sincere and continuing interest and friendship, which is the real translation of our first Tenet: Brotherly Love. Masonic Relief takes it for granted that any man, no matter how industrious and frugal he may be, through sudden misfortune or other conditions over which he has not control, may be in temporary need of a helping hand. To extend it is not what is generally described as charity, but is one of the natural and inevitable acts of Brotherhood. Any conception of Brotherhood must include this willingness to give necessary aid. Therefore Relief, is Masonically speaking a tenet. By Truth, the last of the fundamental principles or Tenets, is meant something more than the search for truths in the intellectual sense, thought that is included. Truth is a divine attribute and the foundation of every virtue. To be good and true is the first lesson we are taught in Masonry. In any permanent brotherhood, members must be truthful in character and habits, dependable, men of honor, on whom we can rely to be faithful fellows and loyal friends. Truth is a vital requirement if a brotherhood to endure and we therefore accept it as such. Thus Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth are the fundamental principles or Tenets of Ancient Freemasonry. There are other Tenets, also; teaching so obvious that argument is never necessary to sustain them. With this in mind I urge you to ponder the Tenets of this our Beloved Craft, study them well, not as abstract teachings, but as living applications in our daily lives. You may not find them novel, but novelty is unimportant in the light of the knowledge that the truths upon which Freemasonry is founded are eternal. The freshness of immortality is on them because they never die; in them is a ceaseless inspiration and an inexhaustible appeal. They are the tenets of Freemasonry because always and everywhere they have been the tenets of successful human life. For ritual alone cannot make us a good Masons, it is the everyday applications of its teachings that will broaden our powers of understanding. Learn well the tenets of Freemasonry, and, above all, practice them constantly, both within the confines of the Lodge and in your daily life. Author's Note: The Junior Warden Lecture is part of Emulation Ritual. This file is copyright The Philalethes Society and all rights including any redistribution rights are reserved by the copyright holder. Permission to quote from, redistribute or to otherwise use these materials must be obtained from the copyright holder directly by contacting The Philalethes, Nelson King, FPS, Editor, 2 Knockbolt Crescent, Agincourt Ontario Canada, M1S 2P6. Tel: 416-293-8071 Fax: 416-293-8634 or nking@freemasonry.org Date: Mon, 4 May 1998 07:26:55 -0400 From: Dan Weatherington To: PSOC Subject: PSOC: Quandry A point of discussion. A S/D volunteers to coordinate lodge suppers. He does so for two years, and repeatedly claims that he does it for "love of the lodge" and "it's not like he's making any money". Yet, the prices of the meals escalate and the Secretary discovers that the man is doubling the costs of the meals and pocketing the difference. This is not something from "Les Miserables", the man is not in desperate need. When the Secretary confronts the man with the evidence he says "Yea, so what?" and refuses to talk about it. The Secretary meets with the Master and a couple of PM's and reports what he has found. The Master and one of the PM's say they should ignore it, because Masons shouldn't "speak evil of a brother" and the other PM and Secretary feel the findings should be reported to the lodge, especially because the man is now S/W and will probably be elected Master at the next election. This story is not hypothetical. It is true. Here are some of the questions that faced the lodge: what do you think? 1. Was the man actually stealing from the lodge? 2. Should the lodge be
informed? 3. If so, How? 4. If so, should any further action be taken?
5. Is reporting the evidence "speaking evil of a brother?" Dan Weatherington
PM From: "Michael L.Segall (FR)" In many cases the situation was identical, didn't nead the money, but
was in a position where is was easy to get, so took it. This always happens
when a system permits it, so the real fault is with the system your using
to collect for the meals. If you put temptation in front of a weak person
the system must carry a good part of the blame.<<<
Accusing the system in order to excuse thieves and even criminals is
a very old saw which, when applied, has always resulted in impunity for
wrongdoers and an ensuing increase in criminality. Men are responsible
for their acts. Honest men do not steal just because they are tempted.
Dishonest men steal whether they are tempted or not. And we are not talking
just about anybody, we are talking about Masons. Masons are supposed to
be honest, if "trust" and "truth" are still to have any meaning.
The very first of our Old Charges says that we are supposed to be "good
Men and true, or Men of Honour and Honesty". We painstakingly investigate
candidates to ascertain that they are good men, capable of being made
better. That they are not morally weak. Sometimes we fail and admit some,
but morally weak or dishonest men are maybe fit to walk the streets of
our current "system" but have no place in a Masonic lodge, and we are
duty-bound towards our other, true, honorable, honest Brethren not to
keep them there. Fraternally, Mike Date: Mon, 11 May 1998 11:35:42 -0400
From: "Michael L.Segall (FR)" Subject: PSOC: Truth: Facts vs. Politics Dear Bob & Ken, >>>>>>Could
it be that we here in North America have generally allowed our "gentle
Craft" to evolve into a cake and ice cream social club?? Could it be that
the caliber of our membership today can not truthfully face the issues
of the day?? Then is it not also true that the struggling Masters of our
weakened lodges take the easy path and avoid all discussion under the
pretence of maintaining "Harmony"??<<<
>>>It's my experience that the "cake and ice cream social club" is the
RESULT not the CAUSE of a weakened Lodge.<<<<<< Yes. And yes. And you
are actually both saying the same thing. Now, acknowledging the situation
which results in a 3% average annual decline in membership since 1959
is a good thing. Identifying the obvious reasons is even better. The problem
however is what to do. As I have been mentioning for six years now on
different fora, there are a few Masonic bodies which grow rather than
decline.
Some lodges in the USA have tried their recipe and it works. An additional
recipe is, as you well say, to stop being hypnotized with the don't-s
accumulated for over two centuries into 2.5 in. thick books of regulations,
and start putting into application some of the do-s. No Subject: Re: PSOC: Infinities (was: Re: PSOC: Absolute Truth) Dear Bro.
Tony, >>>What is wrong with trying to synthesize belief and empirical
knowledge?<<< Because they function differently. One only requires faith,
the other needs proof, evidence and repeatability. Apples and oranges.
But there is no prohibition against a man eating apples and oranges at
the same time, as long as he is aware of the differences --and the difference
in handling-- the two require.
>>>Couldn't the fragmentation of belief and science explain a lot of
problems that humanity faces, at least as much as the problems arising
from their being joined? This is a sincere question, I'm not being rhetorical.<<<
I deplored, in many publications and lectures, what I called the "divorce"
which occured in the 18th century between science and philosophy (including
faith). While, again, science and philosophy are distinct processes, I
have always considered that a familiarity with both --and a deep understanding
of what makes them different-- was essential if we ever were to understand
the Universe.
There is a common habit of calling the 18th century "the Age of Enlightenment",
a habit which I always fought. There was no enlightenment, only the birth
of a materialism divorced from the spiritual, of a humanism divorced from
the Divine, the price of which our society is still paying more than two
centuries later. Fraternally, Mike Source: Time Magazine
http://www.pathfinder.com/time/magazine/1998/dom/980525/society.endangered_c
onsp2.html MAY 25, 1998 VOL. 151 NO. 20 Endangered Conspirators Freemasons,
who used to be blamed for everything, now seem almost quaint. Can a youth
movement rescue them? By DAVID VAN BIEMA Nostalgically, Bill Feingold
intones the excruciating litany. "Having your tongue torn out, and your
throat cut across," he rumbles, recalling words memorized on a New York
City rooftop 38 years ago. "And buried in the sands of the sea, where
the tide ebbs and flows twice in every 24 hours--if you should reveal
the secrets belonging to the degree of first-degree Mason.
The second degree is to have your breast torn open and left prey to the
vultures of the air. The third degree..." If he wonders whether anyone
really cares what happens when you reveal the secrets of a third-degree
Mason, Feingold doesn't let on. First degree, third degree. Ceremonial
apron and secret handshake; the Square and the Compass; the letter G for
the Grand Architect himself. There was a time when America was dying to
know and no one was telling.
Freemasonry, which claims to be the world's oldest fraternal society,
has been called the civil religion of the American Revolution. As recently
as 1959, its U.S. branch constituted an earnest and convivial army of
4.1 million. Yet today those ranks are decimated. True, the group is still
a philanthropic presence, donating some $750 million a year to charities.
But its 2.1 million national membership, notes Richard Fletcher of the
Masonic Information Center in Silver Spring, Md., is "the lowest it's
been in some time." By which he means since around 1888.
And it will plummet further, since the average brother is pushing 70.
To baby boomers the Masons are a fusty memory. To the boomers' children,
well, it's a philosophical conundrum: if a million-member secret society
dies quietly, does anybody notice--or care? Feingold does. It has come
so far: he is the secret society's flak. His opening gambit is to invite
a reporter to a gathering of worldwide Masonic grand masters at the New
York Grand Lodge.
And the event is grandly international: 75 delegations in Masonic aprons
of every color and design, Lebanese hobnobbing with Cote d'Ivoirans and
multitudinous Brazilians, engaged for the first time (although the cabal-obsessed
may dispute this) in establishing an international Masonic coordination.
Still Feingold can't forgo bragging about the domestic organization. "Fourteen
Presidents have been Masons," he says; "nine signers of the Declaration
of Independence ..." And on and on, through such current luminaries as
John Glenn, William Bratton and Wendy's founder Dave Thomas.
Freemasonry probably began formally in the 1600s as an English gentleman's
club, but by 1717 had evolved into an engine of the European Enlightenment.
Its members were committed to egalitarianism, civic participation and
other ideals expressed through tropes of the stoneworkers trade: the square
for straightforward virtue; the compass to circumscribe one's passions;
the plumb line to stay upright.
There was little religion but much ritual, which enraged churchmen and
engaged conspiracy theorists, who still flood the Web with Masonic villainies,
but it posed no problem for the Deists, who frequented the Continental
Congress. Benjamin Franklin joined in Philadelphia and later guided Voltaire
through the order's mysteries. Colonial lodges, says Masonic historian
William Moore, offered "a civil space in which to play with self-rule
in a world where democracy was not yet a fact." The brotherhood helped
unite the squabbling colonies and primed them for that quintessential
Enlightenment political enterprise, the Revolution. Grand master George
Washington eventually set the Capitol cornerstone attired in his ceremonial
apron.
The group has had its ups and downs since. By 1830 its members' near
monopoly on government positions--and a scandal over the mysterious disappearance
of a brother who broke secrecy--provoked the birth of American single-issue
politics: the Anti-Masonic Party nearly wiped the group out. The Masons
eventually bounced back as the preferred club of the country's merchant
class--the Strauss family reportedly built Masonic columns into New York
City's Macy's--and again as political incubator.
The two Roosevelts, Tom Dewey and Harry Truman all belonged. After World
War II, G.I.s who had enjoyed its patriotic but egalitarian flavor abroad
returned to swell the lodges. The 1960s and '70s were a different matter.
John Wayne was a Mason, which meant the protest generation wasn't. Nor
did '80s antiestablishmentarians-turned-entrepreneurs feel much affinity
toward a group of admitted joiners who perceived squareness as a virtue.
That left the war veterans and youngsters like Feingold, now 62, who
was taken under the wing of a brother in his Queens neighborhood in 1960.
The man was a stickler for ritual and dragged Feingold up onto a Forest
Hills roof at night so that he could recite in secret. But the then-apprentice
has no regrets. He remains awed that "a man could walk up to another man
and say, 'I need a thousand dollars to pay my rent,' and the brother would
give him a check and say, 'Give it back when you have it.'" He still believes
in the group's pledge to "take good men and make them better."
He eventually joined the Shriners, the fez-headed Masonic subgroup with
a philanthropic specialty and more recently undertook the hyping of a
dying colossus. "We're in a very strong rebuilding program," he insists.
"Young people are starting to show a dramatic interest." Actually there
is a glimmer of hope there. The uptick among young initiates has not offset
the deaths of the old soldiers, but it is visible. New York's venerable
Independent Royal Arch Lodge No. 2 boasts an average member age of about
50 and an unusual concentration of college-educated men.
There are brokers, lawyers and journalists with interests running from
martial arts to organ music to the Masonic references of James Joyce,
explored in black tie over wine and cigars. Says John Chang, 39, a lawyer
active in local Democratic politics: "Maybe now that my generation is
getting a little bit more established with families, they're getting interested
in organizations that are beholden to certain moral values." Lodge 2,
he says proudly, is simply "a good body of men." Adds his lodge brother
John Hilliard, 52:
"This elusive male bonding that people try to recover sitting in sweat
lodges and drumming, the Masons have had it for generations. They never
lost it." Lodge 2 may be too good to be true; New York is anomalous in
so many ways. But it's a thought worth playing with. Are you attracted
to club chairs and Montecristos but find the swingers' scene a bit weak
on moral discourse?
Are you tempted by the camaraderie of Promise Keepers but put off by
the catharsis? If one must dabble in male-only culture, why not try something
with a pedigree and an established philanthropic track record? Think of
it as an experiment: Can the secret handshake ever be made hip again?
|