|
|
|
What Masonry means to people
Their thoughts on the Meaning of Masonry
|
|
Turning The Hiram Key
Find out what Masonry means to Robert by reading his latest book,
Turning The Hiram Key.
|
|
|
|
By MM |
Cristina Gavrus,
women can most certainly join the masons, a couple of sites to point you in the right direction.
http://www.grandlodge.org.uk/
http://www.hfaf.org/
good luck! |
|
|
|
By jigar |
|
you are happy only if you think you are. |
|
|
|
By Jack |
My father was a Mason. He was Master of his Texas lodge in 1946, after having been raised many years previously, in 1928. I was six years old, the year he was a Worshipful Master. I was most curious about where he went and what he did and resentful that he was not home with me.
As the years passed, I learned practically nothing of significance about this part of his life. However, I did ask and at one point in time, he told me that if I was ever interested in becoming a Mason, he would pay for my initiation fees. I was by that time a young man, recently married and busy with making my way.
I moved on with my life, and too soon, he passed. His passing left me with many questions. Not only about that part of his life, but about the kind of man he was. He was a gentle soul, charitable, supportive of others. I knew little of his emotional side, except that he had a great capacity for love, and gentleness. I loved him, and love him still, not only that he was my father, but for the kind of man he was.
I later learned from others of his strength of character, his personal vision of charity and tolerance; a rare thing in West Texas at that time. I learned of the respect and high regard others, especially his peers, held for him. He attended our church somewhat regulary, but it did not seem to be the greatest influence on him. He gave and acted charitably toward the church, but I knew something more was there that had influenced him. Slowly I began to realize that Freemasonry had played an even larger part in the development of his character. At five foot two, he was and is the biggest man I have ever known.
As my family grew, left home and time availed itself, I too became a Mason with the assistance of a good friend. Now I too know what he found. I admire him even more to this day and know that he sits beside me in lodge, influences my thoughts and decisions, and guides me as I perform the duties of Worshipful Master of my lodge.
The effect that this philosophy has had, through the teaching of Masonry and through his actions have made me a better person, father, friend and Brother. I have enjoyed more oppotunities in Masonry than he. He never moved beyond the Blue Lodge. I have had the opportunity to become a 32 Degree Scottish Rite Mason KCCH. I want him to be as proud of me as I am of him.
I recently had the opportunity to visit his lodge for the first time as a Mason. He was Master exactly 60 years ago. There were Brothers there who remembered him, knew of his character and actions and in the manner of Masons, welcomed me home.
Masonry is all we in the present, and those of the past purport it to be. A fraternity of men, acting charitably, with brotherly love, sincere respect and tolerance for others. Freemasonry provides connections in the past, present and future with something that is more than the sum of its parts. Freemasonry is living history, living in the present and working / living for the future to be, and hopefully to help others, be better men. |
|
|
|
By Pipsqueak06 |
The turning point in my Masonic career came when I set myself the task, whilst as a Stewerd of my Lodge, of learning the "Charge to the Initiate". Initially as a test to prove to myself that I wasn't wasting my time in taking the steps of becoming Master but, as it turned out, it proved to be the one thing that changed my attitude. not only towards masonary but life in general.
Interestingly a friend has been reseaching the ritual used in his lodge in preparation for their 175th aniversary celebrations and has noted that out of all the changes to the ritual that have taken place during all those years not once has any change been made to that "advice" given a newly made Mason.
Perhaps if the rest of the world were charged to adopt the creed contained within those few minutes of prose the World would be a better place. |
|
|
|
By Kylie A |
|
My thoughts are:Secrets of ' The Craft' should remain a secret but the open attitude of Mr Coates' "Let's talk about it" should always be promoted. All information is not for all men as when something is 'given' it can't be cherished the same way that as something that is 'sought after'. I believe keeping the secrets must be character building. I am a Freemasons daughter, niece (twice), a freemason's sister and now a freemasons wife. Freemasonary must be good because these men around me are all exceptional in measurement of thier generosity, honesty and personal achievement. These men are by trade either engineers or have held Senior Management positions but all claim that Freemasonary has been thier education. |
|
|
|
By SSG Tim Walley |
As a Mason, I feel that the way you have written about Freemasonry, Is about as open you can get and I am glad you did so. I do not feel you violated any part of our obligation.
the Ritual has a spiritual meaning to me, and continues to be such every meeting. Your books have added more insight and helped me to confirm some of the thoughts and feelings I experience everytime I am in Lodge.
The first thing I felt when I was made a Mason, was that I had just begun a journey that will last a lifetime.
The most significant of all the rituals, that has played a big part in my life has been the 14th degree of the Scottish Rite. Everyday there never fails to be a situation that confronts me to "go with the flow". Everytime, I look down at my ring and it aids me when I remember the teachings in the Lodge of Perfection. It has helped me to stand fast on doing whats right and upholding the Truth at all times.
Many things of a spiritual nature cannot always be expressed. Somethings you just can not place into words but yet, you understand the concepts and its meaning for you in your life. that which can be expressed and benefit those around me, should be put into words, if not for us now, then for the future generations to come. |
|
|
|
By Carol |
|
I feel that it is most important to understand as thorougly as possible the origins of freemasonry. This follows form with the understanding of religions. Having been brought up a Christian I have always questioned the true origins of Christianity usually within a church setting and have been always very disappointed in the respnse I have received. I feel strongly that all belief should be backed up by knowledge. I have always been very uneasy with any system that deliberaely blocks knowledge and the continuing developement of knowlege. I almost feel a sence of relief after reading your books that I have been released from the constraints of dogma. Thank you! |
|
|
|
By EMM |
I am a woman, and I am also a Freemason, and have been for about 6 years. My father, grandfathers and great grandfathers were Masons, and for me there was a sense of lineage about joining (I belong to American Co-Masonry, AFHR). I am a PHQ, grew up around Masonry, and after respecting the secrecy of it for a lot of years, I finally decided that since I couldn't be one, it wouldn't hurt to read about it . . . . which is when I read The Hiram Key and some other stuff and enthusiastically wrote to Robert Lomas (who *very* kindly answered my email, thank you).
Shortly thereafter, I found Co-Masonry, and applied. For me, becoming a Mason was hardly a choice, and much more a calling. Yes, there are very much things about it which cannot be put into words. What does Masonic ritual mean to me? For me, ritual is a symbolic "road map" to finding/experiencing divinity from within the human condition. It doesn't get any better than that. |
|
|
|
By Andrew Foster |
As a "newer Freemason", only having joined the Craft in 1987, I have noticed not only my own self improvement and greater confidence in general, but also the improvement in my wife's confidence with her contact with other Freemasons and their Ladies.
I have been Master of my Lodge 3 times and we both enjoy more and greater friendships with Brethren and their Ladies that we have been involved with, and although the initial bond of friendship was our common Masonic interest, those friendships have blossomed well past that bond, and we enjoy many social outings and weekends away, as friends.
In Victoria (Australia), Masonic membership has been in decline for quite a few years.
This I attribute to several things.
1. Many older Freemasons kept their Masonic Membership secret even from their own family, and as a consequence a complete generation of Members were lost.
2. Masonry in general was kept secret by the organisation, although the square & compas symbol has always been on display on all our Lodge buildings.
3. Society has become a lot "busier" with many younger men too busy working to provide for their families.
Happily, the tide is slowly turning in Victoria, with the number of Initiates now exceeding the natural loss rate due to resignation or death.
This is due to the attitude now adopted in the Craft (encouraged by our Grand Lodge) with a more agressive approach to exposing the Craft, holding open nights which are even advertised in news papers, and by being generally "seen" in society as active and caring participants in the community.
|
|
|
|
By Robert C. Lambert |
I have been compelled to discover truth since an early age. I am not a Mason, Although I would like to join the brothers in the search for the truth. I have read "The Hiram Key" and am currently reading " The Hiram Book" I have enjoyed both beyond description. I came to learn about Freemasons by way of my thirst for knowledge of history and religion. The Knights Templar gave me an taste of what I was searching for. From there, books and articles showed me glimpses of a life that is what my soul longs for.
I am a former United States Marine. I was stationd and travled around the world. I have studied dozens of religions and have my own conclusions on the Almight Ruler. I am ready to step on to the path of enlightenment and begin another chapter in my life. If you can, please guide me toward a place where I can seek acceptance.
As for being secret, How can something with so much published be secret? I do think that the rituals, names, and grips, and other items should be secret. This is a way to show brotherhood, trust, and faith. Ignorance of the public is no reason to question wether it should be. Masons,unlike the Knights Templars, were not burned, tortured, or imprisioned. If just one person believes that by being a part of a group that does good works, cares for each other, and enjoys their company, the God is pleased that all that he has wrought has not be lost to the souls on earth.
May this opinion find you in good thought, great health, and proficient for telling the truth.
Respectfully,
Robert" Bob " Lambert |
|
|
|
|
|
