|
|
|
|
Freemasonry is the largest and most highly respected Fraternal Order in the World. We hope that
after reading this exciting brochure, you will be much more familiar with our organization -- who
we are, where we came from, what we've done in the past, and what we're doing now to make this
place a better and brighter world.
|
| |
|
| |
|
Freemasonry is kindness in the home; honesty in business; courtesy toward others; dependability
in one's work; compassion for the unfortunate; resistance to evil; help for the weak; concern for
good government; support for public education; and above all, a life-practicing reverence for God
and love of fellow man.
It encourages good citizenship and political expression but is not a political organization. Its
charitable activities are manifold, yet, it is not a welfare or benefit organization.
Fifty years ago, a prominent Freemason referred to our Gentle Craft as "an organized
association of men, symbolically applying the principles of operative Masonry and architecture to
the science and art of character building." That observance was true in 1937 -- it is just as true
today.
For the most relevant definition of our Fraternity, it is suggested that you consider the
personal attributes of your Masonic friend who has made this brochure available to you.
|
| |
|
| |
|
The background of today's Masonry is found deep in the time when men built the cathedrals, abbeys,
and castles of medieval Europe. The stonemasons who constructed these awe-inspiring Gothic
structures formed craft guilds to protect the secrets of their building trade and to pass on their
knowledge to the worthy and deserving apprentices. By the time the need for this type of "Operative"
mason declined in the Seventeenth Century, the practices and customs of the operative craft had left
such an impression that men who had no inclination of being operative builders sought membership. These
speculative builders were learned and well-thinking men, men of integrity and good will. With their
admission, "speculative Masonry" evolved. This speculative Fraternity of Freemasons used the symbols
(tools) which the operative Masons used in Cathedral building as symbols in character building.
The two
principal tools were the Square and Compass -- which together form the most familiar Masonic "trademark"
in the world to this day. The letter "G," in the very center of this emblem, reflects the true Masonic
belief that God is the very center of ALL life.
|
| |
|
| |
|
Twenty-two words describe the most important prerequisite to becoming a Mason. "...we receive none,
knowingly, into our ranks who are not moral and upright before God and of good repute before the
world..."
Under Indiana Masonic law, a person seeking admission must be a man, at least 18 years of
age and a resident of Indiana for at least one year immediately prior to petitioning.
Further, he
must profess his belief in the existence of a Supreme Being, by whatever name he may be known.
Membership in the Fraternity must be of one's own free will and accord.
A man possessing these
qualifications and being desirous of becoming a Freemason need only ask his Masonic friend for a
membership petition. The petition having been completed and signed by two members of the Lodge
petitioned, is read at a meeting of the Lodge. A committee of three is appointed to call on and visit
with the petitioner and his family that they might become acquainted with the organization and its
activities. After the committee reports back to the Lodge, the petition is voted on by the members
and, if accepted, the aspirant begins the process of becoming a Mason.
|
| |
|
| |
|
No! Hopefully, if the concepts and principles of Masonry as enumerated in
this folder interest you, you will not need to be asked to join. You must ask to
become a Freemason. Unfortunately, many men who would like to become Masons never do because
they are unaware of the aforementioned requirement (that it be of your own free will and accord, and
you must ask to join the Fraternity). If you desire to learn more about Masonic membership, feel free
to contact a Mason to satisfy yourself concerning Freemasonry. As Freemasons, we believe that membership
in an organization such as ours must come from a "sincere wish of being serviceable to your fellow
creatures" and not because of coaxing, coercement, or of any promise of material gain of any kind.
|
| |
|
| |
|
An applicant, whose petition has been accepted by the Lodge, is advised of the date his Entered
Apprentice Degree has been scheduled. On that date, following a brief ritualistic opening, the
petitioner is properly prepared and introduced to the Lodge. The solemn process is an enlightening
experience and the candidate need not worry that embarrassing or compromising situations will arise
during this (or any other) degree -- they will not! After receiving the
Entered Apprentice Degree, you will be expected to memorize several key passages of the Ritual and
help will be extended in the teaching/learning process.
Having learned the required Ritualistic work and satisfying the Lodge of that proficiency, you will be
asked to return for the conferral of your Fellow Craft Degree. Following a proficiency examination
on that Degree, you will advance to the "last and highest grade of Ancient Craft Masonry -- the Sublime
Degree of a Master Mason."
Only after completing these three symbolic degrees will you truly understand the oft-quoted statement,
"Freemasonry builds its Temples in the Hearts of Men."
|
| |
|
| |
|
No! Religion can best teach a man faith, hope, and charity. Freemasonry
only endeavors to reinforce those teachings. Masonry is not a religion -- nor is it a substitute for
or a rival of any doctrine. It is an aid to religious development in that it builds character and
stresses righteousness. It is significant that many clergymen are active members of the Fraternity. A
Mason respects and is tolerant of that which is sacred to his brother, be he Christian, Muslim, Jew, or
of some other faith in God.
The Fraternity is essentially an institution providing moral instruction, and the rules of proper conduct
a member must follow are acceptable to all religions.
|
| |
|
| |
|
The basic premise of Freemasonry is "The Brotherhood of Man -- under the Fatherhood of God." With
that thought uppermost in mind, Masons strive to learn how better to serve that "brotherhood of man"
-- charitably -- not just with money (although a recent survey revealed that over two million Masonic
dollars are contributed EVERY DAY to philanthropies) but also through actions and deeds. The over 100,000
Masons of Indiana own and operate one of the finest Masonic Homes in the world, which over the past
three-quarters of a century has extended the hand of brotherly love and concern to thousands of men, women,
and children.
At the other end of the spectrum, Masons help, believe in, and support our young people through scholarship
and student loan programs, sponsored by the Grand Lodge, the Grand Commandery, and the Scottish Rite Valleys
in Indiana. Each year the Grand Lodge of Indiana alone awards over $500,000 in college
scholarships to deserving children and grandchildren of Indiana Masons.
|
|
| Copyright © 2008, Austin Lodge #128. Contact the Webmaster.
|
|
|
