Alaskan Mason the brother,
Eagle River, Alaska

The Asking, the Search, the Knock, the Travel ... "Remember"

I am not ashamed of the gospel and support all who would be truthful to a well found faith. A guiding thought of mine, "behold how good and pleasant it is for brethern to dwell together in unity," should be more than words. Character is key for a civil society to maintain existence! How can we all reflect our Lords message as men of God. Remember our obligation when we heard with a clap:

God said, Let there be light; he willed it, and at once there was light. Oh, the strength within of the word of God! And in the new creation, the first thing that is wrought in the soul is light: the blessed Spirit works upon the will and affections by enlightening the understanding.

The Modern Appeal of An Ancient Craft

The initial appeal of the Ancient Craft is as strong to-day as it has ever been. Freemasonry attracts as good men now as in the past. But in the absence of a concerted effort to teach quickly what in a more leisurely age could be spread over many years, the Institution often fails to hold the interest of the new brother against the many attractions of modern life. Habits of lodge attendance and interest in the Fraternity should be created while the first enthusiasm is high; moreover, every candidate has an inherent right to understand the reality of our rites, the meaning of our mysteries, the truth of our tenets, and the significance of our symbols.

Masonry is a brotherhood extending throughout the world, and never is a Mason truly alone, fitting our minds as "living stones"for that spiritual building, during our travels to that undiscovered country, that house not made with hands, eternal in the Heavens. One who is dedicated, recognizing a need for justice, truth, charity, freedom, and true moral integrity to his Living God and with all aspects of mankind more especially a brother.

An Message of Hope

To define our craft, a well found truth..."we admit that it is not in the power of any man, or body of men, to make innovations in the body of Masonry."

Emmanuel, "God with us," delivers to the mind a few verses in Matthew (28:17-20): When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

To define our craft, a well found truth..."masons should admit that it is not in the power of any man, or body of men, to make innovations in the body of Masonry."

The Mysteries

These Mysteries were formerly taught, we are told, "on the highest hills and in the lowest vales," which is for saying, first, that they have been taught in circumstances of the greatest seclusion and secrecy, and secondly, that these have been taught in both advanced and simple forms according to the understanding of the crafts disciples. This is common knowledge that great secret systems of the Mysteries as "noble orders of architecture," of soul-building amongst the Hebrews.

Understanding as the Great Master of Truth enjoined, until it be risen from the grave in our hearts we are to tell the vision of faith to all man whilst following the same instruction, Masonry directs us to guard our secrets in the heart’s safe and sacred repository of a faithful breast.

Yet what has been said may perhaps suffice to indicate something of the valuable light and wisdom trusted without doubt within our rule and guide of a well found faith.

Since there is nothing hid which shall not be revealed in due course and to the properly prepared, we may regard the increasing anxiety of so many Brethren to-day to realise more fully the true content and purpose of our Order, as a sign that at last, after a long period of darkness and perversity, the Light of the Center is gradually breaking over the Craft and restoring, to at least the more faithful and zealous of its members, the knowledge of the lost but genuine understanding of their being.

I hope I shall always possess firmness and virtue enough to maintain what I consider the most enviable of all titles, the character of an honest man

― Brother George Washington

Be sure your wisest words are those you do not say.

― Brother Robert W Service

Education is that whole system of human training within and without the school walls, which molds and develops men.

― Brother W.E.B. Du Bois

I was fortunate to be born into a family of Masons. Indeed, my older sister was Grand Matron of the Order of Eastern Star in Illinois. My DeMolay experience came very naturally because of my father and brothers. This was my youth enhanced.

― Brother Burl Ives

Freemasonry embraces the highest moral laws and will bear the test of any system of ethics or philosophy ever promulgated for the uplift of man.

― Brother Douglas MacArthur

There is no doubt in my mind that Masonry is the cornerstone of America.

― Brother Dave Thomas

Freemasonry is ‘veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols’ because these are the surest way by which moral and ethical truths may be taught. It is not only with the brain and with the mind that the initiate must take Freemasonry but also with the heart.

― Brother C. H. Claudy

Real hope for this life and beyond...

This scripture has a direct bearing on our future, not only in this life, but also beyond this temporary, physical existence. As the apostle Paul declared, “13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. ” (Romans 15:13). Proverbs 14:32 states, “When calamity comes, the wicked are brought down, but even in death the righteous seek refuge in God.""

As Job said: “If a man dies, shall he live again? All the days of my hard service I will wait, till my change comes. You shall call, and I will answer You; You shall desire the work of Your hands” (Job 14:14-15). Job understood that death is not final, but that in some future time he would be in the presence of his Creator. “For I know that my Redeemer lives, and He shall stand at last [in the latter day] on the earth; and after my skin is destroyed, this I know, that in my flesh I shall see God” (Job 19:25-26).

The apostle Paul also referred to this “change” in 1 Corinthians 15:51: “Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed”. He was clearly referring to the resurrection of the dead and the transformation of living Christians at Christ’s return (verses 53-54). These and many other verses explain that man is not some evolutionary accident. There is a reason God has placed us on the earth.

Principles and Moral Obligation

Freemasonry, a moral and ethical conduct which imparts virtues and fosters a sacred bond of brotherly love, relief, and truth. Many a masons tenets have endured since man turned the first pages of civilization at the garden. Our craft embodies the understanding by which man can transcend ordinary experience and build “a house not made with hands” in harmony with our Creator, the Supreme Architect of the Universe.

Strength of Freemasonry being a sacred fraternal brotherhood encourages a good man pointing him towards a way to ask, seek, and knock at the door, internally as well as externally, a steadfast citizen of his community and country, a loving husband and father to his children, a sincere friend, brother, and co-worker to all he spends time with.