MasterMason

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

Ian M. Donald, Colonel (KY)
PM. Hillcrest Ldg. #594 GRC.
Edited by V.W. Bro. Norman McEvoy for use in The Educator.

Freemasonry has often been described as a school which teaches men a way of life which has met the test of time. We do not have a monopoly on the teaching of moral Truths, but we do have a special way of teaching which is both interesting and effective.
Freemasonry teaches its members all the cardinal virtues which are designed to make its members better men, This presentation will deal with only three = Temperance; Fortitude and Prudence.

TEMPERANCE
The word “temperance” has acquired an unfortunate connotation in modern times.
It is frequently associated with the movement to eliminate the use of alcoholic beverages.
But the word has a much broader meaning. The Masonic definition of Temperance may be stated briefly as follows:
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.

Every Mason is told that Temperance should be the constant practice of every Mason, as he is taught to avoid excess in all things, such as contracting any licentious or vicious habit, the indulgence of which might lead him to suffer, or to lose his health, or cause him to lose his reputation.

In a general sense it means that one must exercise a degree of self-restraint and self control at all times, in all the activities of life, including both words and deeds. The key idea is “moderation in all things.”
The idea is well illustrated in the old statement: “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.”
It does not mean abstinence except in matters which are inherently bad or harmful.

The word “temperance” comes to us from the Latin, which means to temper or harden according to the use intended. As a consequence, we must recognize that there cannot be hard and fast rules in this subject. Each person must decide for himself how much restraint and self-control must be exercised in a particular situation. For example, I like to eat apple pie; one small piece is adequate to satisfy my desire after a hearty meal.
My neighbor might not eat as hearty a meal, but might desire a larger piece of apple pie. Both of us by the exercise of self-control and by being temperate refrain from having a second helping.

There was a time when smoking cigarettes was considered just a bad habit. During this period the temperate use of cigarettes meant that one should smoke only a moderate number each day. Recent research has indicated that smoking cigarettes is closely connected with the development of cancer. Freemasonry takes no specific position in the matter of whether its members should smoke or not smoke; each member is taught to make his own decision. If he believes that smoking is bad because it is likely to bring on cancer, he should abstain from smoking. If he is in doubt, he should at least be moderate in responding to his desire for a smoke, thus reducing the hazard. Temperance also requires him to abstain from smoking in the presence of those who find it distasteful or harmful.

FORTITUDE
The second principle under consideration is that of “fortitude”. It is closely related to “temperance” because very often the use of fortitude is necessary to being temperate in a specific situation.

In Freemasonry fortitude is defined as that noble and steady purpose of the mind whereby we are enabled to undergo any pain, peril or danger, when prudentially deemed expedient. The word is related to the word “fort,” which originally denoted a structure built around something for protection. It is a word that comes to us from the Latin and indicated not so much a moral attitude, but rather the true quality of manhood, as is implied that one had strength and courage.

Fortitude, therefore, is that quality of character which gives, a person, strength to withstand temptation and to bear all suffering in silence. Fortitude is a virtue, for it permits one to do his duty undisturbed by evil distractions. It is in great measure a frame of mind to regulate one’s words and deeds with courage and with determination. It is both a positive and a negative quality in that it creates courage to do what is right and also creates strength or character to withstand intemperance. Above all else, it also creates the mental attitude to bear one’s burden bravely when all other remedies fail.

PRUDENCE
The third basic principle, “prudence”, is closely related to both “temperance and fortitude”, for it is the type of yardstick which is to be used in determining what constitutes temperance in a specific situation and to what
extent fortitude should be applied.

Freemasonry defines prudence as that principle which teaches us to regulate our lives and actions agreeably to the dictates of reason, and is that habit by which we wisely judge, and prudently determine, the effect of all things relative to our present as well as our future happiness.

The application of prudence to our everyday life means that we will use discretion in our acts and words; that we will use good judgment in what we say and do; and that we will use self-control and foresight in all such matters. It also means that we will act intelligently and with conscious regard of what the consequences will be.

I mentioned that I like to eat apple pie. By the use of prudence I realize that if I have had an ample meal, it is best that I have only a small piece of apple pie for dessert. Using prudence helped me to realize that if I have
a large piece of apple pie, and then have a second helping, I will feel stuffed and suffer physical discomfort. So I decide to be temperate in eating apple pie. I realize the possible consequences and with the use of Fortitude I refrain from having a second helping. Prudence teaches me to build a fort against my desire to satisfy unduly my desire and taste for a second helping and that it is best that I be temperate and have only one small piece.

Many years ago I developed the habit of smoking two packs of cigarettes a day. One day I discovered that I could no longer run up two flights of stairs without puffing like a steam engine. When I was told by my doctor that this was probably due to my excessive smoking, by the use of prudence I decided to quit. But I needed more than just the decision to quit smoking; I needed to realize that this was the occasion not merely to be temperate by reducing the number of cigarettes I smoked each day, but to abstain completely. This was forcibly impressed upon my mind because the smoking was hurting me. In order to succeed in breaking the habit I had first to convince myself that the smoking was doing me harm; this then brought me to the principle of Prudence, which urged me to stop. And then I had to use fortitude to accomplish the result. It took courage and determination. And now, twenty-five years later, I have not returned to smoking cigarettes in spite of the alluring television commercials we were formerly deluged with.

Sometimes it is easy to abstain or to be temperate. I am reminded of the familiar witticism of the elderly Brother who said, “I have finally learned to subdue my passions. Mother Nature has taken care of that.”

In conclusion, we would do well to remember the words of Voltaire, a Mason, when he said:
“The richest endowments of the mind are “temperance, prudence, and fortitude”

Prudence is a universal virtue, which enters into the composition of all the rest; and where she is not, fortitude loses its name and nature.”

Fraternally Norm

Author Unknown

For those of you with kids, grandkids, or step-kids,
or if you are debating the idea of having kids, here is a great read!
I have seen repeatedly the breakdown of the cost of raising a child,
but this is the first time I have seen the rewards listed this way.

It’s nice, really nice!

The government recently calculated the cost of raising a child
From birth to 18 and came up with $160,140.00 for a middle income
family. Talk about sticker shock! That doesn’t even touch college tuition.

But $160,140 isn’t so bad if you ! break it down.

It translates into: $8,896 a year, $741.38 a month, or
$171.08 a week.
That’s a mere $24.24 a day!
Just over a dollar an hour.

Still, you might think the best financial advice says don’t have children if you want to be “rich.”
It is just the opposite.

What do your get for your $160,140?
Naming rights — First, middle, and last!
Glimpses of God everyday.
Giggles under the covers every night.
More love than your heart can hold.
Butterfly kisses and Velcro hugs.
Endless wonder over rocks, ants, clouds, and warm cookies.
A hand to hold, usually covered with jam.
A partner for blowing bubbles, flying kites, building sand castles,
and skipping down the sidewalk in the pouring rain.
Someone to laugh yourself silly with no matter what the boss said or
how your stocks performed that day.

For $160,140, you never have to grow up.

You get to finger-paint, carve pumpkins, play hide-and-seek,
Catch lightning bugs, and never stop believing in Santa Claus.
You have an excuse to keep reading the adventures of Piglet and Pooh,
watching Saturday morning cartoons, going to Disney World, and
wishing on stars.
You get to frame rainbows, hearts, and flowers under refrigerator
magnets and collect spray painted noodle wreaths for Christmas, hand
set in clay for Mother’s Day, and cards with backward letters for Father’s
Day.

For $160,140, there is no greater bang for your buck.

You get to be a hero just for retrieving a Frisbee off the garage
roof, taking the training wheels off the bike, removing a splinter,
filling a wading pool, coaxing a wad of gum out of bangs,
and coaching a baseball team that never wins but always gets treated
to ice cream regardless.

You get a front row seat to witness history happening.. the first step, first
word, first bra, first date, and first time behind the wheel. You get to be
immortal.

You get another branch added to your family tree, and if you’re
lucky, a long list of limbs in your obituary called grandchildren.

You get an education in psychology, nursing, criminal justice,
communications, and human sexuality that no college can match.

In the eyes of a child, you rank right up there with God.

You have all the power to heal a boo-boo, scare away the monsters
under the bed, patch a broken heart, police a slumber party, ground them
forever, and love them without limits, so one day they will, like you, love
without counting the cost.

ENJOY YOUR KIDS AND GRANDKIDS

Peace is seeing a sunset.. and knowing whom to thank!

Comment
This is a bit unusual for a Masonic paper, however, a great percentage of usare fathers & grand fathers & hopefully it will bring forward a lot of memories
and good times.

Have a wonderful Day & God Bless
Norm (Grandpa)

Origin Unknown

IN THE BEGINNING

A study of man’s evolution, especially in relation to the development of his thought and speech concurrently with his growing awareness of things beyond his day to day existence, reveals an intimate connection with the development of Freemasonry.

Having achieved an ability to eke out a frugal subsistence within their natural environment, the primitive hunter gatherers then turned their thoughts to improving their personal comfort. With the erection of their first rudimentary shelters, the seeds of masonry were sown, heralding the imminent birth of speculative freemasonry. Articulate speech became an ever more pressing necessity, as man sought to communicate his thoughts and wishes to others and his mind strived to fathom the significance of his mortal existence. From its earliest Stone Age beginnings, operative masonry and its speculative counterpart have mirrored man’s physical and intellectual progress, as well as the development of his spiritual conception.

As primitive man strives to comprehend his place and purpose in the universe, the spiritual aspects of his existence began to exercise his mind. He progressively evolved his perception of a creator, a supreme being, the controlling force from which all things emanated and upon which they depended for their continuing existence. In an endeavour to express his thoughts, man drew on the experiences of his physical existence. When explaining the concepts he was developing, masonry provided him with many useful examples, with which he could portray his unfolding appreciation of the spiritual elements of his life and illustrate the moral principles he was formulating. The speculative aspects of masonry became a natural extension of man’s vocabulary, enabling him to expound his moral precepts simply and graphically.

THE FIRST PRINCIPLE

First and foremost among the precepts of Freemasonry is a belief in a divine creator, the one true God. This belief is the foundation of all masonic teaching, the cornerstone of every branch of Freemasonry and the keystone which unites its many component parts. It is the first principle of Freemasonry, from which all else derives. Thus it is that no man can be accepted into freemasonry unless he has freely expressed a belief in God.

Whilst a man’s religion is immaterial to his acceptance into Freemasonry, being only a factor of his upbringing or a matter of personal choice, nevertheless his belief in God is of paramount importance.

Every degree in Freemasonry acknowledges the existence of a supreme being, whose blessing is supplicated at the opening and closing of all proceedings. As in all religions and the ancient mysteries, the various titles used for God in masonic rituals reflect those of His attributes relevant to the particular ceremonial.

An essential element of the faith embodied in this first principle is that a man’s spirit does not perish with his mortal frame but, as so eloquently expressed by the preacher in Ecclesiastes: when “the dust shall return to the earth as it was, the spirit shall return to God who gave it”.

The Freemason is exhorted to contemplate this aspect of his ultimate destiny and to regulate his life and actions according to God’s will, so that at the end of this transitory mortal life he may confidently hope to be raised to those “immortal mansions, eternal in the heavens”. Although various moral issues are expounded in the three degrees of craft freemasonry, the fundamental substance of their teachings concerns the immortality of the soul and its ultimate return to the divine creator.

As did the neophyte in all ancient mysteries, so also in masonry does the apprentice enter the lodge in a state of indigence, being reminded of his defenseless condition and of his absolute dependence upon his creator.

Symbolically he is reborn into freemasonry and is exhorted to lead a just and upright life henceforth.

As a fellow of the craft, the Freemason is taught that labour is the lot of man, but that every good and faithful servant in due course will receive his just reward.

The master mason obtains a fleeting glimpse of the promised reward, but is told that he must continue his search for the ultimate truth. A closely related theme is the important concept that all men are equal in the sight of God.

BEHAVIOUR AND RESPONSIBILITY

The crucial importance of obeying God’s commands is a central theme in the teachings of Freemasonry, of such importance that it is introduced to the apprentice. The theme continues with the Fellow of the Craft and is expanded in the degree of Mark Master Mason.

Strict obedience, the exercise of skill and ability, careful attention to detail and the importance of being responsible for one’s own actions are impressed on the mark master mason in a practical example of the operative free mason’s work. The candidate is taught that he alone is responsible for his own actions, but that he will receive his just reward in the hereafter if he lives in strict accordance with the divine commands.

Obedience to God’s commands is of such vital importance and so closely allied to the belief in the immortality of the soul, that it merits being ranked as second among the precepts of Freemasonry.

SOCIAL CONDUCT

It will be evident from the foregoing discussions that the fundamental precepts of Freemasonry are so closely interwoven that they cannot be subdivided into distinct and separable compartments.

Nevertheless, brotherly love, relief and truth must be regarded as third among the important precepts of freemasonry, being closely interrelated with the principle that all men are equal in the sight of God.

Indeed, we are taught that brotherly love, relief and truth are the grand principles on which freemasonry is founded.

In this context the teachings are based on concepts established by the operative free masons, who were charged with the responsibility of caring for the members of their fraternity, especially if they were out of work or suffering indigent circumstances, as well as to respect and protect all members of the families of their brethren.

They also were enjoined to regard their employers with due deference and to serve them well, in return for which they were promised regular employment and adequate recompense.

Brotherly love, relief and truth are described as the grand principles on which Freemasonry is founded. They are said to shine with greater splendour than any other masonic emblems.

The concept is introduced to the apprentice in his impoverished state, when his principles are in some measure put to the test. He is then admonished to practice brotherly love and relief cheerfully as a virtue, should a distressed brother fairly claim his assistance.

However, it is not until he is a master mason that the full implications of the virtue are clarified in the old operative terms , partly in the obligation and partly under the five points of fellowship which, in operative days, were imparted to fellows of the craft.

INTEGRITY

Closely allied with truth is integrity, which depends upon truth for its fulfilment. Integrity and rectitude imply a rigorous compliance with a code of ethics, based on an undeviating honesty that ascribes virtue to the subject.

Rectitude also signifies a strict adherence to the rules of right and justice that strongly suggests self-discipline. Both integrity and rectitude are distinctive features of goodness that also have a close affinity with morality, righteousness, purity and virtue.

None of these attributes can be considered alone, because each influences the other. Even benevolence, generosity, good will and kindness, which relate more specifically to brotherly love and relief, have a bearing on integrity. Thus there can be no doubt that integrity merits its high standing among the precepts of freemasonry.

THE MORAL VIRTUES

Of the many moral virtues fostered by Freemasonry, the three principle ones are said to be faith, hope and charity.

Faith has been defined as the evidence of things not seen, the substance of things hoped for. Faith is the pillar of civilized society, being the bond of amity and the foundation of justice. Hope has been defined as an anchor for the soul, which enters into that which is within the veil, suggesting that we may look forward to a positive and favourable outcome to our lives and actions, if carried out in accordance with God’s commands.

Charity is described as the brightest ornament that can adorn masonry, because it is lovely in itself and also the best test and surest proof of sincerity.

Charity, or brotherly love in its truest sense, is said to comprehend all of the virtues. The principles illustrated in these moral virtues are essential elements of brotherly love, relief, truth and integrity and are important precepts that should always activate a Freemason’s heart in his relations with others.

THE SOCIAL VIRTUES

Temperance, Fortitude, Prudence and Justice are described as the four cardinal virtues of Freemasonry. Their close relationship with the three moral virtues would justify their inclusion among the important precepts of Freemasonry, but some further comments are worth making.

In its correct usage, temperance indicates a wise moderation in the indulgence of personal pleasures, though it is often used to signify their complete rejection. Temperance is the appropriate restraint of our passions and affections that will ensure proper self control and overcome immoderate temptation.

This virtue ought to be the constant practice of every mason, enabling him to resist worldly temptation and to avoid excess. Temperance is an essential element in the exercise of true justice.

Fortitude signifies that firmness and strength of mind which will enable obstacles and ordeals to be faced courageously, with a brave and unswerving resourcefulness that is neither rash nor cowardly. Fortitude is closely allied with prudence,

which suggests that any action that is taken has due regard to wisdom gained by experience.

Prudence enables us to regulate our lives and actions with due regard to the dictates of reason. Fortitude and prudence are both essential elements in the exercise of justice, complementing that impartiality, rightness, integrity and mercy signified by “justice”, all of which must be maintained when determining what is due in a particular set of circumstances.

The principles of Masonic behaviour are unmistakably reflected in the four cardinal virtues.

THE INTELLECTUAL VIRTUES

The three great pillars that symbolically support a Freemason’s lodge are called:- wisdom, strength and beauty.

Wisdom denotes those mental qualities that enable us to understand situations, anticipate their consequences and make sound decisions. Wisdom implies the highest and noblest exercise of all the faculties of the moral nature and the intellect, suggesting a combination of discretion, maturity, keenness of intellect, broad experience, extensive learning, profound thought and compassionate understanding.

Strength signifies power, might, force, solidity, toughness, fortitude, courage and many other things.

Beauty signifies elegance, grace, symmetry, seemliness, fairness and a wide range of related attributes. The Freemason is exhorted to apply wisdom in all his undertakings, to bring strength of character to bear when in difficulties and to adorn his inward self with beauty. These precepts provide a fitting conclusion to this study.

This paper is part of a larger set believed to have originated from The Grand Lodge of England.

Comment

In my opinion this paper provides one of the very best, if not the best, explanations of Freemasonry

that I have had the pleasure to read and share.

Have a wonderful Day & God Bless

Norm