October 2021

One of the main objects of Masonry is to bring together persons who accept certain principles and ideals and are willing to co-operate with one another in a spirit of brotherhood and friendliness.
There maybe other various objects but this one is obvious from the beginning by the very nature of Masonry.

Freemasonry teaches men their duty to Almighty God; to act as becomes the creature of his Creator; to be amenable to HIS dispensations and in all cases of emergency to seek the aid of His wisdom and strength by prayer and supplication.

It instructs men in their duty to their neighbor; to apply the Golden Rule in all their dealings; to act with justice and impartiality; to stifle all enmity, wrath and dissention; to nourish peace, love, friendship and every social virtue; to seek happiness in the bestowment of happiness and to love their neighbors as themselves. It informs men that they are children of our great Father God that man’s earthly life is short and passes away as a shadow; that he is hastening to that goal where the trappings of pride will be no more; where human titles and distinctions have no value and where virtue alone will have pre-eminence.

Freemasonry teaches also that love for humanity is the soul of religion; that Freemasonry instructs men to be true to themselves; to be models of virtue; to set bounds to their desires; to curb their sensual appetites and to walk uprightly; to stretch forth the hand of relief to their neighbor’s necessity and if he be in danger to run to his help and to comfort him when neglected.

Masonry teaches us the wonderful doctrines of Charity which is one of the characteristics of a Mason. In order to exercise this virtue both in the character of Masons and in common life with propriety we must forget every obligation but affection, for otherwise it would confound charity with duty.

The feelings of the heart ought to direct the hand of charity.
To this purpose we should be divested of every idea of superiority and estimate ourselves as being of equality.

In this disposition of mind we may be susceptible to those sentiments which charity delights in; to feel the woes and miseries of others with a true and genuine sympathy of soul. Compassion is of heavenly birth; it is one of the first characteristics of humanity.
He whose bosom is locked up against compassion is a barbarian.

It should be broadcast in all directions that Masonry is ever striving to build men up in virtue, integrity, kindness and fraternal goodness.

The whole of its symbolism though simple, is nevertheless sublime and it teaches men everywhere some of the highest truths of the kingdom of God.

All those who come within the scope of its influence in their quest for truth and satisfaction, acknowledge that they have entered into the experience of a better humanity.

They learn at the Altar of Masonry the fear of God; the sanctity of life; the joy of benevolence and the satisfaction that follows a circumspect and an upright life.

Freemasonry teaches its members to be peaceful and respectable citizens; never to countenance disloyalty nor rebellion; to be true to the Government of their country and cheerfully to conform to it in all things; never to put Masonry before their business and professional duties; to restrain and subordinate their passions to the highest impulses of the soul and never to recommend anyone for initiation into the Craft unless they are convinced that their candidate will bring honour and credit to the fraternity.

Lodges are made up of Brethren who may differ from each other in politics, religion and many other important points. Here, in Masonry, they find a meeting place where all differences are subordinated.

We show the world that there are points of agreement between man and man, more important than the questions about which they quarrel and in times like the present, when the religion and political atmosphere is charged with excitement, we present the world with a very valuable object lesson.

Courage, tolerance, a wide and objective judgment, a concern for new solutions aimed at general progress, a sense of responsibility – these are the things that a Freemason should strive to acquire and develop.

Comment

My only comment is that the standards quoted above are extensive but very worth
aiming at in our daily lives.

Have a wonderful day & God Bless
Norm

It had been some time since Jack had seen the old man. College, girls, career,
and life itself got the way.
In fact, Jack moved clear across the country in pursuit of his dreams.
There, in the rush of his busy life, Jack had little time to think about the past and often no time to spend with his wife and son.
He was working on his future, and nothing could stop him.
Over the phone, his mother told him, “Mr. Belser died last night. The funeral is Wednesday.”
Memories flashed through his mind like an old newsreel as he sat quietly remembering his childhood days.

”Jack, did you hear me?”

Oh, sorry, Mom. Yes, I heard you. It’s been so long since I thought of him. I’m sorry,
but I honestly thought he died years ago.
”Well, he didn’t forget you. Every time I saw him he’d ask how you were doing. He’d reminisce about the many days you spent over ‘his side of the fence’ as he put it,” Mom told him.

”I loved that old house he lived in,” Jack said.

”You know, Jack, after your father died, Mr. Belser stepped in to make sure you had a man’s influence in your life,” she said

”He’s the one who taught me carpentry,” he said.. “I wouldn’t be in this business if it weren’t for him.
He spent a lot of time teaching me things he thought were important…. Mom, I’ll be there for the funeral,” Jack said.

As busy as he was, he kept his word. Jack caught the next flight to his hometown. Mr. Belser’s funeral was small and uneventful. He had no children of his own, and most of his relatives had passed away.

The night before he had to return home, Jack and his Mom stopped by to see the old house next door one more time.

Standing in the doorway, Jack paused for a moment. It was like crossing over into another dimension, a leap through space and time. The house was exactly as he remembered. Every step held memories. Every picture, every piece of furniture….

Jack stopped suddenly.

”What’s wrong, Jack?” his Mom asked.

”The box is gone,” he said

”What box?” Mom asked.

”There was a small gold box that he kept locked on top of his desk.

I must have asked him a thousand times what was inside. All he’d ever tell me was ‘the thing I value most,’” Jack said.

It was gone. Everything about the house was exactly how Jack remembered it, except for the box.
He figured someone from the Belser family had taken it.

”Now I’ll never know what was so valuable to him,” Jack said. “I better get some sleep. I have an early flight home, Mom.”

It had been about two weeks since Mr. Belser died.

Returning home from work one day Jack discovered a note in his mailbox. “Signature required on a package. No one at home. Please stop by the main post office within the next three days,” the note read..

Early the next day Jack retrieved the package. The small box was old and looked like it had been mailed a hundred years ago. The handwriting was difficult to read, but the return address caught his attention. “Mr. Harold Belser” it read. Jack took the box out to his car and ripped open the package.
There inside was the gold box and an envelope. Jack’s hands shook as he read the note inside.

”Upon my death, please forward this box and its contents to Jack Bennett. It’s the thing I valued most in my life.”
A small key was taped to the letter. His heart racing, as tears filling his eyes, Jack carefully unlocked the box, there inside he found a beautiful gold pocket watch.

Running his fingers slowly over the finely etched casing, he unlatched the cover. Inside he found these words engraved:

”Jack, Thanks for your time! -Harold Belser.”

”The thing he valued most was…my time”

Jack held the watch for a few minutes, then called his office and cleared his appointments for the next two days. “Why?” Janet, his assistant asked.

”I need some time to spend with my son,” he said.

”Oh, by the way, Janet, thanks for your time!”

”Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take but by the moments that take our breath away,”

Think about this. You may not realize it, but it’s 100% true.

1. At least 2 people in this world love you so much they would die for you.

2. At least 15 people in this world love you in some way.

3. A smile from you can bring happiness to anyone, even if they don’t like you.

4. Every night, SOMEONE thinks about you before they go to sleep..

5. You mean the world to someone.

6. If not for you, someone may not be living.

7. You are special and unique.

8. When you think you have no chance of getting what you want, you probably won’t get it

9. When you make the biggest mistake ever, something good can still come from it.

10. When you think the world has turned its back on you, take a look: you most likely turned
your back on the World’

11. Someone that you don’t even know exists loves you.

12. Always remember the compliments you received. Forget about the rude remarks.

13. Always tell someone how you feel about them; you will feel much better when they know and appreciate.

14. You’ve a great friend, take the time to let them know that they are great.

Send this letter to all the people you care about, if you do so, you will certainly brighten someone’s day. and might change their perspective on life…for the better. To everyone I sent this to”

“Thanks for your time” S&F Norm

Before you enter this Holy of Holies, ask yourself in your innermost heart
“Am I duly and truly prepared?”

If you will listen you may hear a voice within, saying,
“It is a Brother desiring admission.”

Can you enter this sanctuary this night as, indeed, a Brother?

Have you divested yourself of garments of hate, envy, jealousy, deceit, hypocrisy, and put on the robe of Brotherly Love?

Can you stand before the Holy Altar, which recalled to your mind memories of by-gone days and, looking into the eyes of your Worshipful Master, extend a greeting to those about you, “Behold, a Brother?”

Can you enter the lodge tonight with a desire not only to receive, but to give?

Should you entertain a spirit of enmity in the slightest degree for a brother in this lodge, go in, take the hand of that brother of yours, talk it over with him in the Fraternal spirit you should, and watch the mists disappear and the sunlight of Masonic Brotherhood illuminate your heart and his.

Just try, brother, you will not be disappointed.

The noblest work of God is man, and the ancient landmarks of Freemasonry are His handiwork of man’s highest nobility.
Unless then you can claim to be a Mason, good and true, I beseech you to turn back, and do not enter.

But, if your aims and ambitions are the highest calling of the Brotherhood of Man as taught throughout the ages by the Fraternity of Freemasonry, and sanctioned in nature and revelation by the approval of the Great Architect of the Universe, enter here, for within you will find that which you seek.

Author Unknown