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What is Masonry?
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This is Masonry
by
Anonymous
Freemasonry is a fraternity of men bound
together by vows of morality in public and private life, who
believe in God and the constitutional rights of members to free
choice of religion and political persuasion.
Masonry strives to make good men better --
to teach its members to be "better than themselves." It
accepts only men of high moral character.
The Fraternity of Freemasonry endorses free
public education, encourages self-improvement, promotes
patriotism and respect for the Constitution, sanctions equal
rights under law, practices god will towards all men, and
contributes generously to philanthropies.
Masonry is a benevolent, and educational
society. Its basic tenets are Brotherly Love, Relief,
(philanthropy), and Truth.
Through the improvement and strengthening of
the character of the individual, Freemasonry seeks to improve the
community.
Masonry is not a benefit society, or a
charitable institution. It assists members by many means through
times of hardship, but it is not an insurance society with
sickness, death, disability or old age benefits.
Masonry is not a secret society. It is a
well-known, nation-wide fraternity whose members proudly declare
their membership. Masons meet in buildings plainly identified as
Masonic Temples, and public announcements of their meetings are
published in daily and community publications. There is no
attempt to hide the names of community leaders who are Masons.
Masons often consider Masonic ritual as
having been the most moving experience of their lives. Employing
the tools of the stone mason as symbols of basic moral truths,
Masonic ritual dramatizes a philosophy of life based on morality.
Masonry is voluntary! Masonic law forbids a
Mason to invite a friend to join. The friend must voluntarily
seek membership by contacting a Mason and announce his desire to
join. If you are a male, age 21 older, and wish to become a
member of El Campo Lodge #918, A. F. & A. M., you can contact
the Web Master of this site for information on how to acquire a
Petition for Membership. If you desire to join any Masonic Lodge
in Texas, please contact the Web Master of this site, and he will
put you into contact with the people you need to see.
Masons of the Blue Lodge, or any appendant
body, may participate in varied activities. Degree presentations
require ritualists and persons with dramatic abilities, musicians
for orchestras, vocalists for choirs, stage crews, make-up men
and service committees of all kinds.
Masons take part in an active social life
that includes their families and friends.
Besides national philanthropic activity,
such as scholarships and medical research, Masons maintain many
types of local charitable projects.
Non-Masons observe the social, civic and
philanthropic activity of Masons and frequently comment on the
close bond that exists among Masons and the obvious belief that
they are their brothers' keepers. They notice that Masons are
quick to assist their fellows in misfortune with encouragement,
kindness and tangible assistance.
The bond of faith and confidence among
Masons is largely the result of the common knowledge that all,
having experienced the memorable rituals, accept the high ethical
standards as guides to their conduct.
Within a Masonic Temple, Masons do not
discuss religion, or political matters, or any other subject
likely to excite personal animosities. Masonry teaches men to be
religious without advocating a particular doctrine, or creed. It
requires its members to be good citizens, but free to choose
their medium of political expression.
Masons support free schools. Throughout the
history of North America the Masonic fraternity has supported
free public schools in all possible unofficial and non-political
ways ... as an expression of good citizenship "Let there be
light" is a famous Masonic motto in support of this
philosophy. In Texas, Masons are great defenders of the Public
School System. Texas Masons visit the different schools in their
towns and cities and educate the children there about the Masonic
involvement in the creation of the Texas Public School System.
Masonry with its dedication to education,
morality, brotherly love, non-sectarianism in religion and
politics and equal rights is a steadying influence that balances
and consolidates the social, religious and political life of
America.
WHAT IS THE BLUE LODGE?
The Blue Lodge (Symbolic Masonry) confers
the first three degrees - Entered Apprentice (first degree),
Fellowcraft (second degree), and Master Mason (third degree).
Promotion depends upon a Mason's proficiency
in learning certain things about Freemasonry, its ethics, and its
philosophy.
There is no higher degree in Masonry than
Master Mason. However, a Master Mason may enter the Scottish
Rite, or York Rite, to elaborate upon basic Masonic principles.
WHAT IS THE YORK RITE?
The York Rite consists of nine degrees in
addition to Blue Lodge degrees.
Ancient York Rite Masonry is considered by
Masonic historians to have been "original" Masonry. It
is not practiced in its original form anywhere today. In the
United States, the term York Rite has come to be applied to a
number of degrees conferred only in this country.
York Rite degrees are divided into Capitular
Degrees of the Mark Master, Past Master, Most Excellent Master
and Royal Arch Mason; the Cryptic Degrees are the Royal Master
and Select Master, and the Chivalric Orders of the Commandery of
Knights Templar, are the Order of the Red Cross, Order of Malta
and the Order of The Temple.
Any Master Mason in good standing may ask a
York Rite friend for a petition form, or may obtain one from a
York Rite secretary. He must be judged to be of good moral
character, and be elected by the members.
In the El Campo Lodge, we have as two
appendant organizations, both a Council of Royal and Select
Masters and a Chapter of Royal Arch Masons.
We do not have a Commandery, the
organization of Knights Templar. Most of our York Rite Masons,
who are Knights Templar, belong to St. John Commandery #101 in
Victoria, Texas.
WHAT IS THE SCOTTISH RITE?
The Scottish Rite confers the 4th through
32nd degrees in degree-conferring meetings. The degree work may
be, but is not necessarily, completed at one time.
Any Master Mason in good standing may ask a
Scottish Rite friend for a petition form, or may obtain one from
a Scottish Rite secretary. He must be judged to be of good moral
character, and be elected by the members. Most of our members who
are members of the Scottish Rite are members of the Scottish Rite
in Houston, Texas.
This is Masonry
Date Last Modified: 01/26/2000