What is a Freemason?
A man who has taken an obligation to make of himself the best he can, for himself, his family, and his community. A mason is a man and brother whose trust is in God. He meets you on the level and acts upon the square. Truth is his compass and he is ever plumb. He has a true grip on all that is rite. He is loyal to his order and whatever his degree, he is a master of himself. In the lodge of life he wears unstained the white lamb skin of innocence. From his initiation as an entered apprentice he travels east toward the light of wisdom until he receives the final _
the divine ineffable presence of the eternal Supreme Grand Master of the Universe.
What is Freemasonry?
A fraternity designed to teach morality and ethics, and train good men to make themselves of service to themselves, their families and their communities. Freemasonry is not a religion, but it teaches its members to be active in their chosen faith. Freemasonry has no politics, but it teaches its members to be active in civic concerns.
Freemasonry is not a charity; although it promotes charity in its members. In North America, masons contribute some two and a half million dollars a day to operate children's hospitals, cancer clinics, burn wards, senior's homes and other such facilities.
The United States of America was founded on many Masonic principals, owing to the fact that so many of the founding fathers were Freemasons. There is symbolic reference to Masonry in the public buildings and monuments of our country. Even our currency has symbolic reference to Masonry. Many presidents of our country were masons, starting with the father of our country, George Washington.
Fifty-six signers of the Declaration of Independence were Freemasons. Thirty-nine were signers of the U.S. Consitution, and 74 were generals in the Continental Army.
One of the ancient landmarks of the fraternity is that it does not solicit new members. Many good men over the years have had their feelings hurt because close friends whom they knew to be Masons never invited them to join Freemasonry. They did not know, of course, that these close friends were prohibited by Masonic law from issuing such invitations. A man must seek Masonic membership of his own free will and accord.
This circumstance has, as noted, caused some hurt feelings and, in some instances, even hard feelings. It can cause difficulty for Mason and non-Mason alike. It is naturally hard for a man to understand why his father, or his brother, or his very best friend, has never asked him to become a Freemason. On the other hand, a Mason can ache to urge Masonic membership upon someone particularly close to him, someone he knows would be a credit to the fraternity, but he is hemmed in by the Masonic law. So it could be reasonably asked why Freemasonry imposes this prohibition, why it will not permit its members to invite others to join them in Masonic membership.
• Keep skid chains on your tongue, always say less than you think, cultivate a low persuasive voice.
• Make promises sparingly and keep them faithfully. No matter what it costs you.
• Praise good work done no matter who did it. If criticism is merited, criticize helpfully, never spitefully.
•Preserve an open mind on all debatable questions. Discuss but don't argue. It is the mark of superior minds to disagree and yet be friendly.
