Masonic Moment for 3-25-05 thru 4-9-05
THE CARDINAL VIRTUES a Four Part Series
As Reprinted from
The Manual of Work
Grand Lodge of Virginia AF&AM
THE CARDINAL VIRTUES
There are four Perfect Points and essential Cardinal Virtues
necessary to complete the lesson of instructions to every Initiate into
the Philosophy of Masonry.
TEMPERANCE
Is that due restraint upon our affections and passions, which renders
the body tame and governable, and frees the mind from the
allurements of vice. This virtue should be the constant practice of
every Mason, as he is thereby taught to avoid excess or contracting
any vicious or licentious habit, the indulgence of which he has
promised to conceal and never reveal, and which would subject him
to contempt and detestation of all good Masons.
FORTITUDE
Is that noble and steady purpose of the mind whereby we are
enabled to undergo any pain, peril, or danger, when prudentially
deemed expedient. This virtue is equally distant from cowardice and
rashness, and, like the former, should be deeply impressed upon the
mind of every Mason, as a safeguard or security against any illegal
attack that might be made by force or otherwise to extort from him
any of those valuable secrets with which he has been entrusted, and
which was emblematically represented to you upon your first
admission into the Lodge.
PRUDENCE
Teaches us to regulate our lives agreeably to the dictates of reason,
and is the habit by which we wisely judge, and prudentially determine
in all things relative to our present as well as our future happiness.
This virtue should be the peculiar characteristic of every Mason, not
only for the government of his conduct while in the Lodge, but also
when abroad in the world. It should be particularly attended to in all
strange and mixed companies, never to let fall the least expression or
hint whereby the secrets of Freemasonry might be unlawfully
obtained.
JUSTICE
Is that standard or boundary of right, which enables us to render to
every man his just due without distinction. This virtue is not only
consistent with Divine human laws, but is the very cement and
support of all civil society; and as justice in a great measure
constitutes the really good man, so should it be the invariable practice
of every Mason, never to deviate from the minutest principle thereof.
Masonic Moment for 3-20-05
Examination for Visitation
The Right of Masonic Visitation is one of the most enjoyable
aspects of Freemasonry. Visiting with other Brethren of like mind
reassures us that the conflicts of the world can be set aside, if only
briefly, and a neighbor, friend or Traveler can present to us, an
opportunity to spread the cement of Brotherly Love.
Along with the Right of Visitation comes the responsibility of
standing examination.
Producing a dues card is not the only requirement for attending a
lodge in which you may be unknown. When visiting as a sojourning
Mason you should be ready to stand examination. The master of the
Lodge or his acting representative must be informed of your
presence, that an examining committee may be formed.
Every brother should be prepared to take the Tiler’s Oath and
give the necessary signs, tokens and words as requested. The
Committee is the sole judge of the scope of the examination and it
may range from one which is brief to one which is complete.
You should also satisfy yourself that the lodge which you are
visiting is a regularly charted Lodge holden under the Grand Lodge of
the state in which it is located.
Visiting or Traveling, as it were, to other Lodges in especially
enjoyable when accomplished with a Brother. Oft times dinner is
served, further encouraging fellowship. And likewise, visiting other
Lodges encourages visitation in your own.
Source: Grand Lodge of Virginia AF&AM – Master Mason’s Degree
Booklet
For more information go to:
http://home.earthlink.net/~ole14/id19.html
Masonic Moment for 3-18-05
The Working Tools Part III
The Working Tools — The Working Tools of a Master Mason
are all of the implements of the stonemason; in the United States the
trowel is especially assigned to this Degree. By it the Master Mason
is reminded that each must cement the ties between Masons with this
instrument and spread brotherly love with it. When we examine the
instrument, we will agree that it might more properly belong to the
Fellow Craft, who in Operative Masonry puts the stones into place,
rather than the designer and overseer who would correspond to our
Master Mason.
Source: Grand Lodge of Virginia – Mentor’s Manual
Masonic Moment for 3-16-05
The Working Tools Part II
The Square is the symbol of morality, truthfulness and honesty.
The use of the word with these implications has become almost universal both within and without the Fraternity. The direction of the two
members of the square form an angle of 90° or a right angle, so
called because this is the angle which stones must have if they are to
be used to build a stable and upright wall. When brethren part upon
the square, they go in different directions but in full knowledge that
their courses will be according to the angle of the square—right—
until they meet again.
The Level is a symbol of equality. The equality expressed here
does not mean that of wealth, social distinction, civic office or service
to mankind. Masons use the term to refer to the internal and not the
external qualifications. Each is endowed with a worth and dignity
which is spiritual, and not subject to man-made distinctions. The
equality practiced in Masonry recognizes that one man may have
greater potentialities of life, service or reward than another, but
denies that any man may not aspire to the heights, no matter how
great. Thus the level dignifies labor and the man who performs it. It
also acknowledges the equality of manhood as being an equality
without regard to station.
The Plumb is a symbol of uprightness of conduct. In
Freemasonry it is associated with the plumb line which the Lord
promised Amos He would set in the midst of his people Israel,
symbolizing His standard of divine righteousness. The plumb line in
the midst of a people should mean that they will be judged by their
own sense of right and wrong and not by the standards of others.
Freemasons, understanding the Plumb, are to judge each brother by
his own standards and not those of another. When the plumb line is
thought of in this way, it becomes a symbol of an upright life and of
the conscience by which each must live.
Source: Grand Lodge of Virginia Mentors Manual
Masonic Moment for 3-14-05
The Working Tools Part I
The Working Tools presented the newly initiated candidates
are those used by the ancient operative craftsman in the erection of
the building on which he was working. To the Speculative Mason
these represent the moral habits and forces by which man shapes
and frequently reshapes the materials of his human nature, often a
stubborn and difficult task. By these symbolic tools he also fits his
own behavior to the society in which he dwells. The working tools
themselves are appropriately explained in the ritualistic ceremonies.
The Twenty-four Inch Gauge is an instrument used by
operative Masons to measure and lay out their work, but, we, as free
and accepted Masons are taught to make use of it for more noble and
glorious purposes. It being divided into twenty-four equal parts is
emblematical of the twenty-four hours of the day, which we are taught
to divide into three equal parts; whereby are found, eight for the
service of God, and the relief of a distressed worthy brother, eight for
our usual vocations and eight for refreshment and sleep.
The Common Gavel is an instrument used by operative
Masons to break off the corners of rough stones the better to fit them
for the builders use, but, we as Free and Accepted Masons, are
taught to make use of it for the more noble and glorious purpose of
divesting our hearts and consciences of all the vises and superfluities
of life thereby fitting our minds as living stones, for that spiritual
building, that house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
Source: Grand Lodge of Virginia – Mentor’s Manual & Manual of
Work
Masonic Moment for 3-10-05
The Master Builders
The Master Builders we refer to are at the center of Masonic allegory
and were in possession of the secret word of a Master Mason.
Tragedy struck and the word was lost. There is no evidence from
biblical accounts that the story of our ritual ever occurred. The deeds
credited to these Master Builders in our allegory differ from Biblical
accounts in some ways, and are yet, in some aspects the same.
Solomon, King of Israel.—Solomon was the son of David and Bath
Sheba. He was born about 997 B.C. and became king in 977 B.C,
reigning forty years, he died in 937 B.C. In the history of the Hebrew
peoples, the reign of Solomon stands out as one in which, the
greatest power, prosperity and recognition of that nation were
achieved. The name Solomon means peaceful and his reign was one
of peace.
Hiram, King of Tyre.—Hiram was a friend of King David and became
both ally and friend of King Solomon. According to the Biblical
accounts he assisted Solomon by supplying certain materials for the
construction of the Temple and in return for these received gifts from
Solomon, including twenty cities, (I Kings, 9:11). Our ritual assigns
certain duties to Hiram of Tyre, but these are purely legendary.
Hiram Abif.—Hiram Abif was the son of a man of Tyre and one of the
daughters of the Tribe of Dan, who lived in Tyre. He was sent by King
Hiram to assist King Solomon in the erection and beautification of the
Temple. Hiram Abif was a historical personage and this fact is
attested by Holy Writ, the Second Book of Chronicles carrying
testimony as to his existence and his skill in the arts and crafts of his
day. (II Chronicles 2:12-14)
Source: Grand Lodge of Virginia AF&AM – Mentors Manual
Masonic Moment for 3-8-05
Is Freemasonry a Religion?
Here the answer must be an emphatic no! We should go one step
further and say that Freemasonry is religious in its teachings. Each
man who aspires to be a Freemason is required to state that he
believes and trusts in God as the Supreme Architect of the Universe.
Belief in God is simply an expression of faith, not a theological
statement of the nature of Deity.
Freemasonry does not require church membership before a
person may petition for admission. That choice belongs to the
individual, but most active Masons are also active churchmen. Our
Fraternity has never been a part of any organized religious sect or
church. The choice of creed and church belongs to the individual and
Freemasonry does not infringe his religious prerogatives. It has no
religious dogma and is based upon tolerance, seeking only to unite
men under the common banner of brotherhood.
No Mason should attempt to substitute the teachings of our Order
or membership in a Lodge for his church. As a thinking man he has a
right to belong to or refuse membership in an established church. He
who seeks to substitute Freemasonry for religion knows little, if
anything, about either of them.
Is Freemasonry a Secret Society?
The answer to this question must be an unqualified NO! A secret
society is one which conceals its membership, has secret meeting
places, and of which the public has no knowledge either as to its
organization or its aims and principles. Freemasonry, therefore, is not
a secret society; but it is a society with secrets. These are few,
however, and deal with certain esoteric parts of the ritual of its
degrees, its obligations and modes of recognition.
The Masonic Temple in most cities is a prominent landmark,
brightly lighted at night, into which men go openly almost every
evening in the week. Men are proud to wear its emblems and in many
other ways, to indicate that they are Freemasons.
The purposes, ideals and principles of Freemasonry may be
learned by anyone who inquires. There are numerous books on these
subjects, which may be obtained and read by anyone, even those
who are not Masons. Public notices of Masonic meetings appear
frequently in the newspapers and its members are usually numbered
among the more prominent citizens of the community.
Taken from The Mentor’s Manual, Grand Lodge of Virginia AF&AM
Masonic Moment for 3-5-05
Receiving the Degrees In Masonry
Think back my Brethren, and remember how good it was when you
first sought entrance into Freemasonry.
Upon being elected to receive the Degrees in Masonry your
Instructors prepared you for advancement. You were then further
prepared by Friends who would become your Brothers. You placed
your trust in them and Him, that would guide you, and they placed
their trust in you, trusting you with the solemn secrets of Masonry.
Becoming proficient in the lessons of the First Degree, you passed to
the next degree where further light was shed on the preceding
lessons and further lessons unfolded.
Once confident in the Second Degree, and your proficiently
confirmed, you were raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason,
where still more light continues to reveal to you the many valuable
and important lessons in Masonry.
Along with that Great and Important Privilege, as with others, comes
responsibility.
Operative Masonry, in order to complete a structure, must labor
uninterrupted by disorder or dissent, until the work is completed.
Similarly, Speculative Masonry’s undertakings are not complete until
time becomes ‘eternal in the Heavens’ and entrance to the ‘House
not made with hands’ has ended our journey.
May you be blessed in your labor, brethren.
Masonic Moment for 3-3-05
The Five Points of Fellowship
The Pentalpha, or Five Pointed Star symbolizes the Five Points of
Fellowship. This geometrical figure, along with other mathematical
truths, have Operative as well as Speculative importance.
Operatively, it has been used extensively in the designs for castles
and cathedrals built throughout the ages. Speculatively, it symbolizes
true brotherhood. In this Masonic symbol, hands, clasping each other,
appear in the center of the Pentalpha and together the parts
symbolize the fidelity and readiness with which Masons should give
aid and relief to their Brethren.
Source: Grand Lodge of Virginia AF&AM – Mentors Manual
Masonic Moment for 3-1-05
Prayer at the Closing of a Master Masons Lodge
As it is that Masonry teaches that we undertake nothing without first
asking for the blessing of Deity, so to does it teach that we should ask
for that same blessing as we go out into the world. We are thankful
for what has been provided, ask for forgiveness in our trespasses,
and for the strength and wisdom to follow His will. In Virginia Lodges
the following prayer is recited at the closing of a Master Masons
Lodge.
Supreme Architect of the Universe, Accept our humble praises and
hearty thanks for the many mercies and blessings which Thy bounty
has conferred on us, and especially for this friendly and social
intercourse. Pardon, we beseech Thee, whatever Thou hast seen
amiss in us since we have been together, and continue to us Thy
presence, protection and blessing. Make us sensible of the renewed
obligations we are under to love Thee supremely, and to be friendly
to each other. May all our irregular passions be subdued, and may
we daily increase in Faith, Hope, and Charity, but more especially in
that Charity which is the bond of peace and the perfection of every
virtue. May we so practice Thy precepts in the rigid observance of the
Tenets of Freemasonry, that we may finally obtain Thy promises, and
find an entrance through the gates into the Temple and city of our
God. So Mote It Be – Amen!
Source: Grand Lodge of Virginia AF&AM – Manual of Work
Masonic Moment for 2-26-05
The Prayer at the Opening of a Lodge
Masonry teaches that no task should be undertaken without first
invoking the blessing of Deity. As such a Master Masons Lodge must
be opened with a prayer. In Virginia Lodges the following prayer is
said. We ask that His guidance be given, directing us to follow in His
ways, and that His will be done.
Most Holy And Glorious Lord God, The Great Architect of the
Universe, the giver of all good gifts and graces, Thou hast promised
where two or three are gathered together in Thy name, Thou wilt be
in the midst of them and bless them: in Thy name we assemble, most
humbly beseeching Thee to bless us in all our undertakings, that we
may know and serve Thee aright, and that all our actions may tend to
thy glory and to our advancement in knowledge and virtue. And we
beseech Thee, O Lord, to bless our present assemblage, and to
illuminate our minds with the divine precepts of Freemasonry, and
direct us so to walk in the light of Thy divine countenance, that when
the trials of our probationary state are over, we may be admitted into
the Temple not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. So Mote It
Be. – Amen!
Source Grand Lodge of Virginia AF&AM Manuak of Work
Masonic Moment for 2-23-05
Masonic Presidents
Herewith is a list of Presidents of the United States that are verified to
have been Freemasons.
George Washington 1st, James Monroe 5th, Andrew Jackson 7th,
James K. Polk 11th, James Buchanan 15th, Andrew Johnson 17th,
James A. Garfield 20th, William McKinley 25th, Theodore Roosevelt
26th, William H. Taft 27th, Warren G. Harding 29th, Franklin D.
Roosevelt 32nd, Harry S. Truman 33rd, and Gerald R. Ford 38th.
Claims have been made that Thomas Jefferson and James
Madison were Freemasons, however no documentation has ever
been produced to that end.
George Washington was raised at Fredericksburg Lodge on
August 4th, 1753 and was the first Master of Alexandria Lodge when
chartered April 28th, 1788. At the time he was also President of the
United States, and as such was and has been the only Commander
in Chief to be Worshipful Master of a Lodge while in Office. He
remained a member of his mother Lodge at Fredericksburg until his
passing.
Source: Grand Lodge of Virginia Mentor’s Manual
Masonic Moment for 2-19-05
As Monday night, February 21st, 2005 is the official visit of the District
Deputy Grand Master, The Right Worshipful Larry Dixon, today’s note
is directed to a customary salute given to officers of the Grand Lodge
of Virginia on official visits to their subordinate Lodges.
The Grand Honors
The Grand Honors are most frequently given to the distinguished
brethren on ceremonial occasions as a Masonic Salute. This salute is
given by striking the palm of the left hand with the right three times:
the palm of the right is then struck three times with the left: and the
palm of the left hand is again struck three times with the right. In
Virginia Lodges this is the salute given whenever the Brethren are
prompted by the Worshipful Master,
“and salute Him accordingly”. Most notably, these grand honors are
given upon visitation of a Lodge by a Grand Lodge Officer or
representative when received in the East by the Worshipful Master
during a Tiled Lodge.
Funeral Grand Honors are given at the graveside or evening Masonic
service; The brethren proclaiming, with appropriate gestures, that the
deceased brother’s spirit be consigned to God, his memory to their
hearts, and his body to the earth.
Source: Grand Lodge of Virginia Mentor’s Manual
Masonic Moment for 2-18-05
The Rights of a Master Mason
The rights of a Master Mason are those of Masonic Relief, Masonic
Visitation, and Masonic Burial.
Masonic Relief may be applied for by any brother, either to his own
Lodge or to an individual Master Mason. It is up to the individual
Lodge or Brother as to whether the requestor is worthy and if
assistance can be granted without material injury being inflicted.
Relief is voluntary on the part of the Lodge or individual. A brother
must be in good standing and not be suspended or expelled nor have
Masonic charges pending against him in order to be eligible for
Masonic Relief.
Masonic Visitation is granted to any Master Mason that can prove
himself in good standing in a working Lodge as long as no one at the
Lodge he wishes to visit disapproves. The visiting brother should
have his current dues card at the ready and be prepared to stand
examination to confirm his identity as a Master Mason. A member of
the visited Lodge may also vouch for a brother in order for him to gain
admittance.
The Right of Masonic Burial is a privilege reserved for Master Masons
in good standing at time of death. Masonic Funeral Services are only
performed if the decedent’s last wishes were so or at the request of
the brother’s family. There is a graveside service that is performed at
the time of interment and an ‘evening’ service, which is usually
conducted at the funeral home. Either or both services can be
performed.
Source: Grand Lodge of Virginia AF&AM Mentor’s Manual.
Remember, the more Brother Master Masons abide by and support
these rights, the stronger the building being built by Freemasonry
becomes.
Masonic Moment for 2-16-05
The Worshipful Master
Why Worshipful? This is old English word meaning worthy of respect.
Masonry has adopted Worshipful Master as a title of respect for the
officer that rules and governs the Lodge. His brethren have chosen
him as they deem him to have sufficient wisdom, integrity and
Masonic knowledge to govern the Lodge properly.
Why is the Worshipful Master’s Station in the East? The sun rising in
the East makes apparent the beauty of the Great Architect’s earthly
work. By sitting in the East the Worshipful Master becomes the
source of Masonic knowledge as the brethren travel in search of
Masonic Light.
Why does the Worshipful Master wear a hat in the Lodge? Keeping
the head covered while others are uncovered has long been a symbol
of superior rank. As a King Wears a crown as a symbol of his
leadership so the Worshipful master wears a hat while at labor.
Masonic Moment For 2-15-05
The Blue Lodge
Correctly, Lodges are known as Symbolic Lodges, however, the term
most probably used when referring to one’s Lodge in particular, and
to Masonic Lodges in general is The Blue Lodge.
It is not known for sure where or when the term Blue Lodge first
appeared and there have been several explanations put forth as to its
meaning.
Blue is generally regarded as the color of truth and fidelity, and these,
as such are the basic teachings of our Craft.
Blue has also been used to trim and ornament Masonic Aprons,
collars, and clothing.
Blue is the color used to characterize friendship, one of the jewels of
Freemasonry.
Blue is the color of the arch of the Heavens indicating that friendship
and benevolence must be as expansive as those Heavens, and also
delineates the upper dimension when referring to the dimensions of a
Lodge.
There have been other theories as to the origin of the term Blue
Lodge.
What are some others that you may know?
Masonic Moment for 2-13-05
A.F. & A.M. - Ancient Free & Accepted Masons.
The word Ancient has many connotations with Freemasonry other
than age. Its origin can be traced back to what has been called the
great schism;. A time when the Fraternity was divided into two
factions. The Antients were founded by certain Irish artisans in
London because they were refused admission to Lodges holden
under the Grand Lodge. McDermott, the first Grand Secretary of the
Antients, was believed to be the first to use the terms Antients and
Moderns. Moderns was an epithet intended to be a term of derision in
referring to the older Grand Lodge.
American Grand Lodges of today use the word Ancient simply to
signify that Freemasonry is very old. Many Grand Lodges in the U.S.
Simply use the letters F. & A.M. meaning Free and Accepted
Masons. Ancient was left out to avoid possible connection with the
Antient segment of English Freemasonry. In South Carolina the
Designations is F.A.M. meaning Free and Accepted Masons,
and in the District of Columbia Lodges are designated F.A.A.M. for
Free And Accepted Masons.
Source: Grand Lodge of VA, Mentor's Manual
Fraternally
Bro. Paul K. Little S.W.
Manchester # 14 AF&AM