I read this on Masonic Matrix and I just wanted to share it with you all, it's from "The Builders"
When is a man a Mason? When he can look out over the rivers, the hills, and the far horizon with a profound sense of his own littleness in the vast scheme of things, and yet have faith, hope and courage — which is the root of every virtue.
When he knows that down in his heart every man is as noble, as vile, as devine, as diabolic, and as lonely as himself, and seeks to know, to forgive, and to love his fellow man. When he knows how to sympathize with men in their sorrows, yea, even in their sins — knowing that each man fights a hard battle against many odds.
When he has learned how to make friends and keep them, and above all how to keep friends with himself. When he loves flowers, can hunt the birds without a gun, and feels the thrill of an old forgotten joy when he hears the laugh of a little child. When he can be happy and high-minded amid the meaner drudgeries of life. When star-crowned trees, and the glint of sunlight of flowing waters, subdue him like the thought of one much loved and long dead. When no voice of distress reaches his ears in vain, and no hand seeks his aid without response.
When he finds good in every faith that helps any man to lay hold of devine things and sees majestic meanings in life, whatever the name of that faith may be. When he can look into a wayside puddle and see something beyond mud, and into the face of the most forlorn fellow mortal and see something beyond sin.
When he knows how to pray, how to love, how to hope. When he has kept faith with himself, with his fellow man, with his God; in his hand a sword for evil, in his heart a bit of song — glad to live, but not afraid to die! Such a man has found the only real secret of Masonry, and the one which it is trying to give all the world.
– Joseph Fort Newton – THE BUILDERS
Sunday, 10 July 2011
Monday, 27 June 2011
After The Knock Pt II
So now that the excitment and rush of my initiation had settled down a little I was trying to decide where I wanted to go with this blog. I think for now I will just talk alittle about what I am doing with Freemasonry.
Lately I have been chomping at the bit with wanting to learn more, about the EA degree the symbols etc, but am not too sure where to go for that. I picked up a copy of Bro. Hodapps Freemasons For Dummies book, partly because i've wanted to read it for a while now but swore off reading anything that would have anything to do with ritual etc in it. (I skipped over the parts that talk about the F.C degree and the M.M degree) and partly because I wanted to give my mom something that would be easy to read and understand that will explain just exactly what Freemasonry is.
I have to say, his book so far is very informative. I've found it easy to read, not boring and a very good beginners tool to have.
Between reading Freemasons For Dummies and my family duties i've spent about an hour every other night learning my obligation and am happy to say that I have about 3 quarters of it solidly in my head. I hope i'm not going to fast and forget it by October, when I will be proving up. That is still quite a few months away.
In the mean time if anyone knows of any more supplemental reading I might be able to look into, please let me know in the comments. I would like to learn as much as I can about the E.A degree, symbols, ritual etc before I move on, so as to make sure I can take out as much of it as I can!
Until next time light be with you all!
Fraternally, Bro. R.S (I love being able to say that!)
Lately I have been chomping at the bit with wanting to learn more, about the EA degree the symbols etc, but am not too sure where to go for that. I picked up a copy of Bro. Hodapps Freemasons For Dummies book, partly because i've wanted to read it for a while now but swore off reading anything that would have anything to do with ritual etc in it. (I skipped over the parts that talk about the F.C degree and the M.M degree) and partly because I wanted to give my mom something that would be easy to read and understand that will explain just exactly what Freemasonry is.
I have to say, his book so far is very informative. I've found it easy to read, not boring and a very good beginners tool to have.
Between reading Freemasons For Dummies and my family duties i've spent about an hour every other night learning my obligation and am happy to say that I have about 3 quarters of it solidly in my head. I hope i'm not going to fast and forget it by October, when I will be proving up. That is still quite a few months away.
In the mean time if anyone knows of any more supplemental reading I might be able to look into, please let me know in the comments. I would like to learn as much as I can about the E.A degree, symbols, ritual etc before I move on, so as to make sure I can take out as much of it as I can!
Until next time light be with you all!
Fraternally, Bro. R.S (I love being able to say that!)
Tuesday, 21 June 2011
After The Knock
Wow what an amazing, overwhleming, nerve wracking, enlightening, fellowing, brotherly night it was! It is now 11:21 here and I am exhausted. I just wanted to say thanks for all the well wishes, and messages of congratulations i've recieved from all the Brothers who have been following my blog, and following on twitter! Tonight a path ended at the west gate, and a new road beyond that gate to the east lies. I am so very excited! Once again thanks for all the fraternal love and kindness that has been shown! Now to start that memory work!!
Monday, 20 June 2011
A Knock On The Flipside.
Well everyone, tomorrow marks the end of one journey that will bring me to a gate at 7:30pm tomorrow to knock. Words cannot say how excited I am, to finally see whats on the other side! I just wanted to say good night, and the next time you all read I will officially be a brother. Wish me luck tomorrow!!!
Tuesday, 14 June 2011
Fellowship
Before I get into this post, I just want to apologize to my readers for the late response. I've been waiting this long to post for a couple reasons. One being that I wanted to end my history story closer to the date of my initiation and two because there was an issue with my DSL line so I had limited access to the Internet (ie: I really didn't want to have to do a blog post on my blackberry) So that being said "I'm Sorry" and without further ado ill get into this!
After hearing that my ballot was affirmative I was pleasantly surprised that the members of the lodge started to welcome me in to readily. Not that I was surprised at being welcome, but that out of the blue, people I hadn't met would come up to me in introduce themselves.
One such incident comes to mind readily. One evening after work I had to run to the grocery store for some buns. I had my young daughter with me because she likes shopping with her dad (Usually ends up in a treat for her) When we walked into the store a man walked up out of the blue and introduced himself to me, told me he was a member of the lodge, that he was excited to have me join and was looking forward to getting to know me. He asked me about my daughter, talked a little with her (She's not even 2) and we parted ways. I had always known the Masons were good, friendly people, but was still pleasantly surprised at how readily this man approached me and talked to me, and how genuinely excited he was to have me become a member. Not that I needed more affirmation of my decision to petition, but I left this parting even happier with the decision. It's so hard in today's society to find people so willing to extend an olive branch, and it totally excites me that I get to become a part of a fraternity that, that is one of its core practices; the olive branch of brotherhood.
The service award night quickly came, and the W.M of the lodge came over to pick me and my wife up. The evening was fantastic! I got to meet a good portion of the brethren and all of them were extremely excited about meeting me and having my upcoming initiation (though some of them that were going to have parts jokingly cursed me for making them brush up on their work) We got to have a wonderful meal and enjoy the fellowship of the brothers and their families.
I was amazed at the dedication of the brothers of the lodge. One member (who hadn't attended lodge for 25 years, age related) but kept his dues current, received his 65 year service pin. He was initiated into the very lodge we were in, in 1945! I was so touched by the fact that even though he hadn't attended lodge for 25 years, Freemasonry meant enough to him that he kept his membership up to date.
Needless to say, I am sitting here exactly one week from my initiation, (this time next week I will officially be able to be called a brother) Totally excited for what the future has in store. Over the last two months, I've been allowed to share a story with you all that I hold dear to my heart, so I would like to thank you all for listening to me. I'm all caught up to the present day, and so the next post you will get from me will be next week after I knock at the gate. Thanks again and good night!
After hearing that my ballot was affirmative I was pleasantly surprised that the members of the lodge started to welcome me in to readily. Not that I was surprised at being welcome, but that out of the blue, people I hadn't met would come up to me in introduce themselves.
One such incident comes to mind readily. One evening after work I had to run to the grocery store for some buns. I had my young daughter with me because she likes shopping with her dad (Usually ends up in a treat for her) When we walked into the store a man walked up out of the blue and introduced himself to me, told me he was a member of the lodge, that he was excited to have me join and was looking forward to getting to know me. He asked me about my daughter, talked a little with her (She's not even 2) and we parted ways. I had always known the Masons were good, friendly people, but was still pleasantly surprised at how readily this man approached me and talked to me, and how genuinely excited he was to have me become a member. Not that I needed more affirmation of my decision to petition, but I left this parting even happier with the decision. It's so hard in today's society to find people so willing to extend an olive branch, and it totally excites me that I get to become a part of a fraternity that, that is one of its core practices; the olive branch of brotherhood.
The service award night quickly came, and the W.M of the lodge came over to pick me and my wife up. The evening was fantastic! I got to meet a good portion of the brethren and all of them were extremely excited about meeting me and having my upcoming initiation (though some of them that were going to have parts jokingly cursed me for making them brush up on their work) We got to have a wonderful meal and enjoy the fellowship of the brothers and their families.
I was amazed at the dedication of the brothers of the lodge. One member (who hadn't attended lodge for 25 years, age related) but kept his dues current, received his 65 year service pin. He was initiated into the very lodge we were in, in 1945! I was so touched by the fact that even though he hadn't attended lodge for 25 years, Freemasonry meant enough to him that he kept his membership up to date.
Needless to say, I am sitting here exactly one week from my initiation, (this time next week I will officially be able to be called a brother) Totally excited for what the future has in store. Over the last two months, I've been allowed to share a story with you all that I hold dear to my heart, so I would like to thank you all for listening to me. I'm all caught up to the present day, and so the next post you will get from me will be next week after I knock at the gate. Thanks again and good night!
Sunday, 29 May 2011
The Door In
I wasn't too sure what to expect or think of this Investigation committee. Three strangers coming into my home to talk to me and my family. What would they think of me? My life? My home? I was nervous.
It was kind of funny my wife quipped that I was not even as nervous about our wedding! I just explained to her that this was a long time coming, and that I just did not know what to expect.
Before the investigation committee came I went against my nature and tried to prepare by looking up on the web what to expect from an "Investigation Committee". Like the Internet often does all it did was instill more nervousness because all my results ranged from "Nothing to worry about" to "Expect to be grilled."
What I found instead was a group of three Brothers that simply wanted to get an unbiased feel for me, to make sure I didn't have any concerns, and most importantly to make sure that my wife did not have any questions or concerns about this group of men that would be taking some of my time away.
We chatted about my background. A little about what would be expected of me. Reaffirmation that it was what I really wanted. That it would be a lot of work, but worth it. And reaffirmed that I believe in a supreme being.
After about a 45 minute meeting they said thank you, told me that if their report was in favour they would ballot on my petition and told me that I would hear from someone at the lodge, and took their leave.
I felt quite good about the meeting, that it went well, but still in the back of my mind I had a lingering concern "What if one of them didn't like me?"
I knew when the lodge meetings were in my town, and a week after the meeting with still no phone call I started to get worried that maybe they weren't in favor of me joining. Did they find I was not worthy of the mysteries of Freemasonry?
As it turned out, I was informed by my bowling teammate (who is the current worshipful master of the lodge) that there was simply a clerical error made because he and most of the officers were new, that my petition hadn't been posted in the monthly notice to inform the brethren of the ballot, so they could not ballot on my petition that month, but would be at their next meeting.
Phew! I thought it was far worse than that!
Next months meeting came, and the very next day I was contacted by the W.M at my work! He told me that my ballot was in the affirmative, and told me that I was to report to the lodge in two months (June 21st 2011) for my initiation. But that my wife and I were invited to their annual pin award supper. I was absolutely elated!
I will end my story here for tonight as we are rapidly catching up to present day. I will really only have one more post before June 21st, which will highlight that awards night supper. Thanks for reading and good night!
It was kind of funny my wife quipped that I was not even as nervous about our wedding! I just explained to her that this was a long time coming, and that I just did not know what to expect.
Before the investigation committee came I went against my nature and tried to prepare by looking up on the web what to expect from an "Investigation Committee". Like the Internet often does all it did was instill more nervousness because all my results ranged from "Nothing to worry about" to "Expect to be grilled."
What I found instead was a group of three Brothers that simply wanted to get an unbiased feel for me, to make sure I didn't have any concerns, and most importantly to make sure that my wife did not have any questions or concerns about this group of men that would be taking some of my time away.
We chatted about my background. A little about what would be expected of me. Reaffirmation that it was what I really wanted. That it would be a lot of work, but worth it. And reaffirmed that I believe in a supreme being.
After about a 45 minute meeting they said thank you, told me that if their report was in favour they would ballot on my petition and told me that I would hear from someone at the lodge, and took their leave.
I felt quite good about the meeting, that it went well, but still in the back of my mind I had a lingering concern "What if one of them didn't like me?"
I knew when the lodge meetings were in my town, and a week after the meeting with still no phone call I started to get worried that maybe they weren't in favor of me joining. Did they find I was not worthy of the mysteries of Freemasonry?
As it turned out, I was informed by my bowling teammate (who is the current worshipful master of the lodge) that there was simply a clerical error made because he and most of the officers were new, that my petition hadn't been posted in the monthly notice to inform the brethren of the ballot, so they could not ballot on my petition that month, but would be at their next meeting.
Phew! I thought it was far worse than that!
Next months meeting came, and the very next day I was contacted by the W.M at my work! He told me that my ballot was in the affirmative, and told me that I was to report to the lodge in two months (June 21st 2011) for my initiation. But that my wife and I were invited to their annual pin award supper. I was absolutely elated!
I will end my story here for tonight as we are rapidly catching up to present day. I will really only have one more post before June 21st, which will highlight that awards night supper. Thanks for reading and good night!
Wednesday, 25 May 2011
Steps To The Temple Gate
Last fall my wife and I decided we needed something for the two of us to do that was social and adult. Options being what they were in a small town (curling and bowling) it lead to us joining the local bowling league. Because we weren't on a team, or knew of a team to join we were placed on a team that had two open spot available. It turned out to be a great fit and we quickly became friends with our teammates, and league mates. As the league progressed we got to know everyone a little better but to my surprise on the night of the information night I learned a surprise about one of my team mates.
That team mate was the up and coming W.M of the local lodge! This was a pleasant surprise for me as I was expecting to know no one at the information night! Turns out I knew and was friends with two members of the local lodge! This made it a lot simpler to have two signatures on my petition.
The funny thing about the whole situation is that, I had gone on for a while thinking all throughout the fall that I did not know any lodge members, and was extremely nervous about having to get to know the members, as, I would say, I'm probably not the typical candidate that comes to a small town lodge (27 years old, visible tattoo's, ears pierced etc.) and was kind of expecting prejudgment.
That preconceived notion I had could not have been further from the truth. All the brothers of the local lodge welcomed me in excitedly and did not hesitate one bit to introduce themselves and get to know me a little. It turned out that I had a common acquaintance with most of the lodge members and that acquaintance was Ross. I was touched by how fondly everyone there spoke about Ross and what he did for Freemasonry in Saskatchewan, and how many people knew him!
The last thing the representative from the grand lodge said before he ended his speech about Freemasonry was that "All they could do was give us information on the fraternity and a little about what it is about, the rest is left to us. To leave the lodge and think a little about it, and if and when we were ready to ask for a petition."
I though about it good and hard for about a month and a half after the information night. Not that I wasn't sure that I wanted to petition, but to make absolutely sure I was petitioning for the right reasons.
Just before Christmas of 2010, I asked that team member of mine for a petition, he eagerly gave it to me the next week, with a warning that the process can take time... "Masonic Time". I chuckled and told him that this had been a long time coming, and what was a few more months in the 6 years it had taken to get to here.
When I got home I eagerly filled out my petition, but I ended out catching a winter bug in January and did not get my petition in until February.
The February meeting came, and I was informed that my petition had been read in lodge, and I should be expecting to be contacted sometime before the next months meeting by a very ominous sounding "investigation committee". But that's a story for another night.
That team mate was the up and coming W.M of the local lodge! This was a pleasant surprise for me as I was expecting to know no one at the information night! Turns out I knew and was friends with two members of the local lodge! This made it a lot simpler to have two signatures on my petition.
The funny thing about the whole situation is that, I had gone on for a while thinking all throughout the fall that I did not know any lodge members, and was extremely nervous about having to get to know the members, as, I would say, I'm probably not the typical candidate that comes to a small town lodge (27 years old, visible tattoo's, ears pierced etc.) and was kind of expecting prejudgment.
That preconceived notion I had could not have been further from the truth. All the brothers of the local lodge welcomed me in excitedly and did not hesitate one bit to introduce themselves and get to know me a little. It turned out that I had a common acquaintance with most of the lodge members and that acquaintance was Ross. I was touched by how fondly everyone there spoke about Ross and what he did for Freemasonry in Saskatchewan, and how many people knew him!
The last thing the representative from the grand lodge said before he ended his speech about Freemasonry was that "All they could do was give us information on the fraternity and a little about what it is about, the rest is left to us. To leave the lodge and think a little about it, and if and when we were ready to ask for a petition."
I though about it good and hard for about a month and a half after the information night. Not that I wasn't sure that I wanted to petition, but to make absolutely sure I was petitioning for the right reasons.
Just before Christmas of 2010, I asked that team member of mine for a petition, he eagerly gave it to me the next week, with a warning that the process can take time... "Masonic Time". I chuckled and told him that this had been a long time coming, and what was a few more months in the 6 years it had taken to get to here.
When I got home I eagerly filled out my petition, but I ended out catching a winter bug in January and did not get my petition in until February.
The February meeting came, and I was informed that my petition had been read in lodge, and I should be expecting to be contacted sometime before the next months meeting by a very ominous sounding "investigation committee". But that's a story for another night.
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