What is a Mason?

My name is Richard M. Barnett Jr. and I am a Past Master of Hibbard Lodge. I am offering this page for the preservation of the Masonic Lodges in America, AF&AM.

The main problem that the lodges have in today's society is that the membership has been steadily decreasing over the past 50 years. The public does not see the lodge for what it truly is. We as masons are not a Satanic Cult, nor are we White Supremists. We stand for the betterment of the community, for Faith, Hope, and Charity. The Masonic Order is a Brotherhood of men with the same interests that have committed themselves to uphold the law and serve the community.

Mostly everyone in America adores the Shriner's and the work that they do for the Children. What most people do not realize is that all Shriners are Masons, and if it was not for the foundation of the Blue Lodge, the Shrine would not exist.

The Lodge is not a religion. Yes, we do have a Bible on the alter at every meeting and have a prayer before and after the meeting, but the reason for this is so that the obligations that we make to the lodge as well as ourselves can be held as binding to us. In other countries that practice different religions other "Holy Books of Scriptures" are used. I am a Christian myself, and have been raised in church, and I will always hold God as my first priority. For those of you that think that a lodge is a Church, or that we are Satanists, then you have missed the point of stewardship. I will agree that there are a great many me in masonry that will attend lodge and not church, does that mean that we are to give up on them and let them suffer a sinners fate. The answer is NO! We are called to be witnesses for the Almighty and I can't see a better way to witness to a group of men who might be "riding the pine" so to speak, then to join them and give them a positive influence. If your church had all Christians in attendance, that would be a great achievement, but the church would not grow. The purpose of the church is to educate sinners of the joys of knowing Christ.

I have been in the Masonic Lodge for a few years and I have tried to get active in the Fraternity. If anyone would have any questions about the lodge or any of the Masonic Sponsored Affiliations that we have, E-Mail me at dmlydad2001@aol.com and I will be happy to try to answer your questions.

Everyone who belongs to the Fraternity has heard the phrase:

"To be one ask one"

or as seen on some Bumper Stickers

"2B1ASK1"

That is all it takes to join the lodge and to take a part in all of it's mysteries.