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:
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 Plumbis 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 someaspects 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 themore 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!