The making of a Freemason consists in a continued course of education, training and character forming. While it may be accepted that it is an innermost desire, followed by obligations, that makes one a member of the Craft, yet in a truer sense, a man is not a Freemason unless he lives up to his obligations.

The deeper the research about Freemasonry and the more extensive the knowledge of its hidden art and mysteries, the more highly it is appreciated. The philosophy of Freemasonry, when discovered and then accepted and practiced, provides simple but profound solutions to the problems of human relationships. Freemasonry is a way of living to the Master Mason who is interested enough to appraise and value the wealth that is his by virtue of his Masonic Membership.

The best informed Master Mason is the Master Mason who reads and studies about the Craft. To assist in this regard, the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania has one of the finest Masonic Libraries in the world, located at the Masonic Temple in Philadelphia. The Library consists of approximately 70,000 volumes. Many of its books are rare and very valuable.

In the early part of 1951, the Librarian was instructed to prepare a plan for conducting a Circulating Library. This was submitted to the Committee on Library and Museum, and in September 1951, the Grand Lodge adopted a resolution authorizing and directing the Committee to create a Circulating Library, and to loan books to the Members of the Masonic Fraternity in Pennsylvania, under such conditions as the Committee might determine.

Members, who wish to secure books from this source, may write to the Librarian and Curator, Masonic Temple, One North Broad Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107. A copy of the rules and regulations will be sent immediately, together with a list of the books available. No fee is charged. The primary obligation is to return books thus borrowed in good condition within the specified time limit.

For anyone who might want more detailed and specific information on Freemasonry, a small personal library consisting of the following is suggested:

Holy Bible (Masonic Edition) - This Great Light in Freemasonry is recommended for all Freemasons to read and study. (Masonic Edition) - This Great Light in Freemasonry is recommended for all Freemasons to read and study. Holy Bible (Masonic Edition) - This Great Light in Freemasonry is recommended for all Freemasons to read and study.

The Builders, by Joseph Fort Newton - A story and study of Freemasonry., by Joseph Fort Newton - A story and study of Freemasonry.The Builders, by Joseph Fort Newton - A story and study of Freemasonry.

Sword and Trowel, by John Black Vrooman and Allen E. Roberts The story of Traveling and Military Lodges. by John Black Vrooman and Allen E. Roberts The story of Traveling and Military Lodges. Sword and Trowel, by John Black Vrooman and Allen E. Roberts The story of Traveling and Military Lodges.

Coil's Masonic Encyclopedia - An excellent reference book devoted to new and comprehensive Masonic data. - An excellent reference book devoted to new and comprehensive Masonic data. Coil's Masonic Encyclopedia - An excellent reference book devoted to new and comprehensive Masonic data.

Mackey's Revised Encyclopedia (3 Vols.) - One of the most widely used Masonic reference works in the world. (3 Vols.) - One of the most widely used Masonic reference works in the world. Mackey's Revised Encyclopedia (3 Vols.) - One of the most widely used Masonic reference works in the world.

Freemasons' Guide and Compendium, by Bernard E. Jones A presentation of Freemasonry in general. by Bernard E. Jones A presentation of Freemasonry in general. Freemasons' Guide and Compendium, by Bernard E. Jones A presentation of Freemasonry in general.

The Great Teachings of Masonry, by H.L. Haywood - A clear and concise statement of the general beliefs and purposes of Freemasonry. by H.L. Haywood - A clear and concise statement of the general beliefs and purposes of Freemasonry. The Great Teachings of Masonry, by H.L. Haywood - A clear and concise statement of the general beliefs and purposes of Freemasonry.

Foreign Countries, by Carl H. Claudy - An interesting excursion into the "foreign lands" of being Entered, Passed and Raised. by Carl H. Claudy - An interesting excursion into the "foreign lands" of being Entered, Passed and Raised. Foreign Countries, by Carl H. Claudy - An interesting excursion into the "foreign lands" of being Entered, Passed and Raised.

Freemasonry Through Six Centuries (2 Vols.), by Henry Wilson Legend and tradition presented in an analytical yet interesting manner. (2 Vols.), by Henry Wilson Legend and tradition presented in an analytical yet interesting manner. Freemasonry Through Six Centuries (2 Vols.), by Henry Wilson Legend and tradition presented in an analytical yet interesting manner.

These books, and many others, may be purchased at special prices through your Grand Lodge Library.

The man who has been raised to the Sublime Degree of a Master Mason must understand that there is nothing higher and nothing superior to him in Masonry. When he has become a Master Mason, he has become as much a Mason as he will ever be.

From the Symbolic Lodge, one may join other Masonic groups such as the York Rite and the Scottish Rite. The former is composed of Chapters of Royal Arch Masons, Councils of Royal and Select Masters and Commanderies of Knights Templar. The latter is composed of Lodges of Perfection, Councils of Princes of Jerusalem, Chapters of Rose Croix and Consistories. These are sometimes called "higher degrees." They are higher only in the sense that they have higher numbers and that some of them are prerequisite for others. However, there is nothing higher and nothing superior to the degree of Master Mason.

There are certain other organizations, the best known of which are perhaps the Shrine and the Grotto, which are not Masonic bodies, but organizations which require Masonic membership as a prerequisite for joining them. These organizations, in other words, draw their membership exclusively from the Masonic Fraternity, but they are not a part of it.

Thus, the man who has received the three degrees in the Symbolic Lodge is a Master Mason. The Master Mason Degree is the climax of Freemasonry, the mountaintop, like the summit of Mt. Moriah. Thus, it is the sublime degree, and is supreme and unexcelled.

Freemasonry is not a religion even though it is religious in character. It does not pretend to take the place of religion nor serve as a substitute for the religious beliefs of its Members. Freemasonry accepts men, found to be worthy, regardless of religious convictions. An essential requirement is a belief in the existence of a Supreme Being.

Freemasonry is not an insurance or beneficial society. It is not organized for profit. However, the charity and services rendered are beyond measure. It teaches the Golden Rule. It seeks to make good men better through its firm belief in the Fatherhood of God, the Brotherhood of Man and the Immortality of the Soul.

The tenets of Freemasonry are ethical principles that are acceptable to all good men. It teaches tolerance toward all mankind. It is known throughout the world, even behind the Iron Curtain where Masonry does not exist. Freemasonry proudly proclaims that it consists of men bound together by bonds of Brotherly Love and Affection. It dictates to no man as to his beliefs, either religious or secular. It seeks no advantage for its Members through business or politics. Freemasonry is not a forum for discussions on partisan affairs.