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From: Peter Trei <ptrei@mitre.org>
Subject: Masonic Pamphlet: Should I ask?
What follows the <FF> is a public booklet about Masonry. Between this and
the other one I will post, most of the questions and mis-conceptions about
Masonry should be answered. ;-)
This is from a booklet called "Should I Ask?", published by Supreme
Council Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, Northern Masonic Jurisdiction.
THE MASONIC COMMITTMENT TO CHARACTER
Many years ago, the famous Dr. Albert Schweitzer wrote these magnificent
words,
It is not enough merely to exist.... Every man has to seek in
his own way to make his own self more noble and to realize his
own true worth.
Those words capture the meaning of Freemasonry. As the world's oldest and
largest fraternity, our goal is to build a man's most valuable
possession--his character.
We believe that the strength of the family, the church, the community and
our country rests with men of strong conviction, firm ethical and moral
values and a devotion to our democratic system of government. As Masons,
we help each other intensify our devotion to these enduring values.
In a day when it seems that few people really care about rising to the
highest and best in life, it is good to know that there is a group where a
man can work to really improve himself.
In lodge meetings, there is no talk of politics, no discussion of
religious issues, even though every Mason must affirm a belief--according
to his own understanding--in deity and devotion to his country.
Masons are concerned with developing their minds and enlarging their scope
of knowledge. In a word, Masons are dedicated to becoming better men.
Because a man's personal desire to build his own character is at the heart
of being a Mason, you must ask to join. You must make the request.
Men of every walk of life belong to Masonic Lodges. They are proud of
their centuries of tradition, their belief in brotherhood, country and the
many Masonic acts of charity and compassion.
THE FOUNDING OF FREEMASONRY
The origins of Masonry reach back to Medieval times when the great
cathedrals of Europe were built. The stonemasons who created these
awe-inspiring Gothic structures formed craft guilds to protect the secrets
of their trade and to pass on their knowledge to worthy apprentices.
In 17th century England, these guilds began accepting honorary members,
men of learning and position. These new members were not working
stonemasons or even associated with the building trades. As "accepted
Masons," they eventually grew into a separate organization called
Freemasonry, a moral and ethical society that taught the 18th century
ideals of equality and the importance of education in freeing mankind from
prejudice, superstition and social injustice.
MASONRY TODAY
Masons continue to use the simple tools of the ancient stonemasons--the
square and compasses, the trowel, plumb and level--as symbols to teach
their ideals. A Mason is oath-bound to build his life and character with
the same care and precision that stonemasons used to construct the
cathedrals and temples centuries ago.
Today, there are almost five-million Masons in the world, with the United
States claiming about three and one half million of the total membership.
MASONIC CONCERN FOR OTHERS
Freemasonry has an outstanding record for helping others. Along with
scholarships and loan funds to assist young people in furthering their
education. Masons support important research projects aimed at finding
answers to many devastating diseases. Retirement homes and hospitals for
the elderly provide care for those who can no longer care for themselves.
One of Masonry's associated groups operates institutes for the severely
burned, along with the famous hospitals for crippled children, while
another sponsers an eye foundation responsible for restoring sight to many
youngsters and adults.
One of the nation's most prestigious schizophrenia research programs is
sponsered by Scottish Rite Masons. Nearly $8,000,000 has been contributed
since 1934 to finding the causes of this widespread and devastating form
of mental illness.
Scottish Rite Masons also sponsor extensive programs to understand and aid
children suffering from aphasia. These youngsters have serious difficulty
in learning to speak. Other aphasic children have an inability to read,
write and communicate in other ways.
The Scottish Rite Masonic Museum of Our National Heritage in Lexington,
Massachusetts, expresses the strong Masonic committment to our country, as
this vigorous institution tells the story of America to thousands of
visitors. It fosters a feeling of patriotism and a dedication to
principles which have made this country great.
THE IMPROVEMENT OF LIFE
Yes, Masons are members of a fraternity that has its secrets, but the many
charitable and character-building activities of Freemasonry indicate that
it is far from a secret organization. Masons are active in their
dedication to improve life. Always ready to undertake a difficult task in
a quiet, dignified way, today's Masons go about the job of extending the
hand of brotherhood.
It should not be surprising that so many famous men have been proud to be
called Masons. George Washington and thirteen other Presidents have been
Masons. Other countries honor such names as Simon Bolivar, Benito Juarez,
Bernardo O'Higgins, Jose' de San Martin, Francisco de Paula Santander,
Jose' Rizal, Jose' Marti, Pandit Nehru, Lajos Kossuth, Jonas Furrer,
Guiseppe Mazzini, Eduard Benes, John A. MacDonald, Edmund Burke and
Winston Churchill.
But is is perhaps not as well known that many leaders in the professions,
arts and sciences and other human endeavors benefiting the world at large
have been members of the Masonic Fraternity. A few names that come to
mind are such writers as Walter Scott, Robert Burns, Rudyard Kipling and
Mark Twain; poets-playwrights--Wassily I. Maikow, Heinrich Heine, Jean
P.C. de Florian, Leopoldo Lugoner and Antonio de Castro Alves;
musicians--Wolfgang Mozart, Jean Sibelius, Franz von Liszt, Josef Hayden;
philosophers--Johann Wolfgang Goethe, Gottholf E. Lessing and Francois
Voltaire; medicine--Drs. Alexander Fleming, Jules Bordet, Antoine DePage,
Edward Jenner, Charles and William Mayo and Karl and William Menninger;
sculptor--Gutzon Borglum; artists--Charles W. Peale and Alfons M. Mucha;
scientists--Hans C. Orsted, Jons Jakob Frk. von Berzelius, Alfred Edmund
Brehm, Luther Burbank, Johan Ernst Gunnerus, Albert Abraham Michelson,
Gaspard Monge, C.F.S. Hahnemann and Pedro N. Arata; labor--Samuel
Gompers; industrialists and commerce leaders--Henry Ford, Walter P.
Chrysler, John Wanamaker, S.S. Kresge and J.C. Penney.
Many others prominent yesterday and today in these and other fields, such
as the law, religion, space exploration, news media, sports and
entertainment, have a common bond to Freemasonry.
THE FIRST STEP
For the man who is looking for deeper meaning in life and who wants to be
part of a fraternity committed to his growth and improvement, Masonry is
filled with marvelous opportunities and limitless possibilities.
The first step in Masonry is one a man must take for himself. He must say
"I want to become a Mason." What follows will be a thrilling, exciting and
extremely worthwhile.
"Should I ask?" That is the one important question. The answer is up to
you.