Freemasonry in General
By Peter Dowling. written Nov 2005.
I was Initiated into Freemasonry in the Lodge of Unity No 98, under the Grand Lodge of Spain in November 2004. I Passed to the Fellowcraft Degree in March 2005 and was raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason in November 2005.
When I first petitioned to join Freemasonry, I did not know a lot about the organisation except that it did things for charity and made you a better man.
I did no research or background history on Freemasonry. I know this seems silly to join something you know nothing about but something felt right about it and my instincts said “go for it!”
So I did, I jumped right in both feet first and it is the best thing I have ever done. The only regret I have is that I didn’t join earlier.
I love Freemasonry and try to attend all the Lodge of Instruction and Lodge of Rehearsal and very rarely miss a Lodge Meeting. I also try to study or read books on Freemasonry at least 1 hour a day.
The Internet has been a great tool to find out information on any subject on Freemasonry. I am a member of a few discussion forums where we discuss on a daily basis topics from “What can be done to improve Freemasonry” to “Book and film reviews” along with “General interest and discussion forums” to “Hands across the sea” where Masons from all over the Globe can discuss topics and relate experiences from their homeland. I have used the experience and sometimes the words from members of these forums to help me compose this article.
I take my oaths in Freemasonry very seriously and would never reveal any of the secrets entrusted to me! The Brethren on these sites have the same attitude to this issue and it has been a topic for discussion on many occasions.
The following is an extract from the MQ magazine issue 15, these are the words of the Marques of Northampton, the Pro Grand Master. He notes that the views expressed here are his own and not necessarily those of Grand Lodge.
“It is now generally acknowledged that the ‘secrets’ of Masonry are only the modes of recognition without which you cannot witness our ceremonies – the grips, tokens and words of the three Degrees. They have been exposed on numerous occasions, but all Masons promise not to reveal them to the uninitiated, in part to keep cowans and intruders out of our ceremonies, but also to show that we can be trusted to keep a promise.
The ‘mysteries’, which we also promise not to disclose, are something completely different. Any member of the public can buy a copy of the Emulation ritual book and tens of thousands of lady Masons have done so over many years. The vast majority of the ceremonies are there in full for all to read, the main exception being those words which relate to the modes of recognition and the preparation of the candidate. So, if anyone wants to know what we get up to in our ceremonies, why not suggest they buy the ritual book and read it for themselves.
Before anyone accuses me of betraying the brotherhood, let me stress that you cannot discover the mysteries of Freemasonry by reading the ritual book. You have to go through the process of initiation to realise and unlock the mystery, because it is a felt experience. You can not understand it in any other way than by doing it – just as you cannot learn to swim by reading a manual of how to do it.”
As I mentioned previously, the Internet is a great tool for gathering information but it is only a tool, not the salvation of Freemasonry or a replacement for everything that is being done. It can not replace the experience, tradition and knowledge you gain from attending Lodge meetings. The internet is a powerful tool and can be utilised to do great things for mankind and Freemasonry in general. Some people are afraid of change and new technology but the world is changing fast and we should use the technological advancement to our advantage. Consider this, do the quarry workers today still cut and move stone in the same manner as the Fellow Craft under Hiram Abiff? Absolutely not.
We should use the most modern tools to help us shape the spiritual buildings.
When first looking for information on Freemasonry you should use the search engines to find specific regulated Freemason web sites and not just type in “Freemasonry”, or you might as well ask a thousand members of the public to write what they know about Freemasonry on a piece of paper, put them in a hat and then draw one out, it would be like a lucky dip. Most Grand Lodges including the Grand Lodge of England have Official websites which contain everything from research material to online book information. There are many Masonic Forums which can lead you to many recommended websites. Also there are Freemason magazines that are printed several times a year and have further research topics and can point you in the right direction. Many Freemasons also have their own web sites with links to several others.
Masons today are keen to learn, some carry out additional study, some follow the path through Masonry picking up information on the way. Whichever way they choose is the choice of each individual as long as we endeavour to make a daily advancement in Masonic knowledge.
Lodge of Instruction is a must for all Masons, as we all still have something to learn and are seeking the Truth, although Lodge of Instruction is rarely attended by Entered Apprentices or Fellowcrafts.
While we are all keen to learn, in general, there are only a few who are willing to teach. The W.M. informs the initiate that there are several degrees, with peculiar secrets restricted to each, which are not communicated indiscriminately but conferred according to merit and ability. Why then are some candidates passed and raised without reference to merit and ability?
There have been times when candidates that have not attended Lodge from one degree to another, arrive in Lodge for their following degree and do not know the answers to a few set questions and then have to be prompted in their replies. Also where some of the answers are somewhat obscure, requiring at the least, a certain amount of explanation, nobody ever bothers to explain what those answers mean, so that the candidates (unless they are really eager and inquisitive ) has just memorised a meaningless sentence of words. It should be Obligatory for the candidate to attend at least one rehearsal of the questions and answers at lodge of Instruction.
Personally, I think if a Lodge of Instruction is actually a Lodge of Rehearsal, then one or more of the senior Brethren should share his wealth of experience and knowledge in working on a “one to one” basis with the Entered Apprentice or Fellowcraft (who has had to retire from the Lodge) in answering general questions, rehearsing the questions and answers for his next degree and explaining those questions and answers.
There seems to be an importance in bringing in new members into Freemasonry to bump up numbers. Whilst numbers are important, we do not want more members, we want more Freemasons. This is why I say that we should encourage all Entered Apprentices and Fellowcrafts to attend Lodge on a regular basis and not just for meetings. Most Lodges inform Brethren below the rank of Master Mason not to turn up because they will have to retire for most of the time. The most amusing thing is, many of the people we hear bemoaning the state of Freemasonry can often be seen telling prospective candidates and new initiates "you only get out of Freemasonry what you put in".
What is Freemasonry? Freemasonry is a traditional initiatic order. While it has taken its Speculative form, its traditions, symbols and lessons reach back to operative Masonry many centuries ago. Being part of the initiatic tradition is what distinguishes Freemasonry from purely charitable or social organisations. The initiatic work and purpose of Freemasonry, put simply, is to provide an environment where good men can unite together to assist one another in self improvement and realization of their true potential. One of main principles of this initiatic tradition is the belief that if only one individual becomes a better person the whole world benefits by it.
When at the beginning of our Masonic journey, upon our first experience in a lodge at our Initiation we pledge ourselves to further our knowledge in Freemasonry and use that knowledge to help others. Freemasonry's singular purpose is to make good men better and its bonds of friendship, compassion and brotherly love have survived even the most troublesome political, military and religious conflicts through the centuries.
As Freemasons we take on the Principles of Brotherly love, relief and truth. These Grand principles have been used in Freemasonry for many generations. They adhere to give fraternal love and help to the needy in communities around the world and the journey in search of the truth.
These are basic principles that are not hard to follow or use in everyday life, 24 hours a day, whether at home, at work or out in the public. As Freemasons we should seek to use these principles to the best of our abilities.
Freemasonry stretches out to all nations of the Globe and Freemasons are everywhere.
Freemasons are of all different races and religions. Freemasons are politicians and judges, lawyers and solicitors, policemen and fireman, army and navy, carpenters, plumbers and electricians, factory workers, shop floor workers, blue and white collar workers, employed, unemployed and retired to name but a few.
In fact, (and I will end on this thought) one of the most fascinating aspects of Freemasonry (and an obvious source of irritation for those who thrive on the seeds of discontent) has always been: how so many men, from so many different walks of life, can meet together in peace, ignoring political or religious debates, to conduct their affairs in harmony and friendship and to call each other "Brother!”
1 comment:
Amiable brief and this enter helped me alot in my college assignement. Thank you seeking your information.
Post a Comment