{"id":2875,"date":"2017-03-21T11:53:28","date_gmt":"2017-03-21T18:53:28","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/theeduca.mywhc.ca\/?p=2875"},"modified":"2017-03-21T11:53:28","modified_gmt":"2017-03-21T18:53:28","slug":"advice-potential-candidate","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ashlarcollege.ca\/ashlar-archived\/advice-potential-candidate\/","title":{"rendered":"Advice to a Potential Candidate"},"content":{"rendered":"

ADVICE TO A POTENTIAL CANDIDATE<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

Taken from “A Masonic Minute” & written by the late M.W. Bro. Raymond Daniels (2014)<\/u><\/p>\n

A Personal Note to a Potential Candidate from an Old Past Master<\/em><\/p>\n

I understand that you would like to explore your interest in Freemasonry.\u00a0 I was hoping that we might arrange a personal chat, but time and circumstances seem to make that a long-term goal.\u00a0 And so I will revert to this means.\u00a0 First let me hope that you are settling in after graduation to life in the real world using the skill and ability that you possess in such ample form.\u00a0 Above all, that you are enjoying life.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Like many serious-minded, well-educated, well-read young men of your generation, many have expressed a curiosity and an interest in what Freemasonry is all about.\u00a0 I expect that you have explored some of the vast amount of information posted on the World Wide Web \u2013 both positive and negative \u2013 and probably discussed it with your friends.\u00a0 It is a matter not to be entered into lightly.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Being a thoughtful young man with superior intelligence, you will have many questions.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 That fact, in itself, qualifies you as a potential candidate.<\/p>\n

When I am asked what Freemasonry is about, the best answer I can give in simple terms is that it is a global fraternity \u2013 the oldest and largest in the world \u2013 an ancient institution rooted in tradition with modern relevance.\u00a0 In this sense it is a gentleman\u2019s philosophical society based on high standards of ethical behaviour and moral conduct.\u00a0 It provides a means of self-discovery through self-discipline: self-examination, self-analysis, self-realization, and self-fulfillment.\u00a0 As such it is personal and individual for every man engaged in his own quest for knowledge, wisdom, and understanding.<\/p>\n

What do young men in the twenty-first century find attractive that draws them to the fraternity?\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Each year about 1300 candidates are initiated in Ontario.\u00a0 Having the privilege of meeting and talking with many of them, I have discovered that their motivation takes many forms, but falls into a relatively few categories: providing stability in a changing world, continuity in the midst of uncertainty, intellectual and spiritual stimulation, and male bonding I feel certain that you would find many like-minded kindred spirits among the members of a Masonic lodge.<\/p>\n

In our formative years we all need role models to inspire our own hopes and dreams.\u00a0 In modern society, these have become rather few and far between.\u00a0 There is scandal in government and business, sports figures are sullied by allegations of drug abuse or sexual indiscretion, respect for leaders in the church has been reduced by unacceptable moral behaviour, the family unit has disintegrated in the \u201cme first<\/em>\u201d hedonistic atmosphere.\u00a0 Freemasons make serious promises to act according to the principles of virtue and morality that the Fraternity is based upon.\u00a0 No, none of us are gods or heroes, but there are role models among us worthy of emulation as men in society.<\/p>\n

One of the first serious questions that concerns most young men is about religious belief.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 One of the great glories of Freemasonry is its universality. It professes no dogma, neither does it demand conformity to the specific belief of any religion.\u00a0 It does require what we term \u201ca belief in a<\/em> supreme being<\/em>\u201d \u2013 in other words, a greater power than mere mortals possess.\u00a0 This is left to each individual to define for himself.\u00a0 There are religious aspects to our Rites and Ceremonies, but the emphasis is on the spiritual rather than any established religion. Unlike the established religions, each of which is based upon a prescribed body of dogmatic beliefs, which makes them exclusive, we are inclusive.<\/em>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The language of Freemasonry is careful to avoid a definition of God \u2013 preferring to use descriptive attributes: \u201cSupreme Being,\u201d<\/em> \u201cGreat Architect<\/em>,\u201d \u201cGrand Geometrician<\/em>,\u201d \u201cMost High<\/em>\u201d.\u00a0 All discussion of sectarian religion and party politics is strictly forbidden in the lodge.<\/p>\n

If you happened to read Dan Brown\u2019s latest novel, The Secret Symbol<\/u><\/strong>, he makes the point: \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u201cIn a world where people are killing each other over whose definition of God is better, perhaps the Masons have it right<\/em>.\u201d\u00a0 Brown is not a Freemason, but it could not have been said better.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Our members include Jews, Christians, Muslims,\u00a0 and every other degree and shade of belief, respecting each other in the universal brotherhood of man.<\/p>\n

There is a long term commitment required to realize the benefits I have outlined.\u00a0 Freemasonry is known as a \u2018progressive science<\/em>.\u2019\u00a0 It\u2019s principal purpose is \u2018the cultivation and improvement of the human mind.\u2019\u00a0 That is a life-long process<\/em>.\u00a0 There are also certain financial obligations \u2013 initiation fee and annual dues. Members of the lodge are required to observe a dress code, usually a dark business suit.\u00a0 Formal dress is worn by the officers. Having said all this, and based on a lifetime of involvement, and despite giving many speeches and writing many articles on the subject, I must admit that mere words cannot really explain the profound meaning of Masonry.\u00a0 It must be experienced to be understood and appreciated fully.\u00a0 Obviously, I would encourage you to pursue your interest, and I would feel privileged to discuss further any questions you might have.<\/p>\n

Freemasonry has played a major role in my life.\u00a0 I truly believe that, with all my inadequacies as a person, it has contributed to making me a better man than I would otherwise have been.\u00a0 I have learned so much from the fraternal affection and example of the good and great men in the fraternity that I have been associated with now for more than a half century. I look forward to hearing from you.\u00a0 I wish health, happiness, and satisfaction.<\/p>\n

Comment\u00a0 <\/u><\/strong>Looking at the fact that we, as Freemasons, are cautioned not to solicit, we must therefore look for opportunities to welcome questions and be prepared to offer an explanation as to who & what we are in a clear and concise manner. In my opinion this paper meets and exceeds that task.<\/p>\n

Have a wonderful Day & God Bless\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Norm<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

ADVICE TO A POTENTIAL CANDIDATE Taken from “A Masonic Minute” & written by the late M.W. Bro. Raymond Daniels (2014) A Personal Note to a Potential Candidate from an Old…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":76,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[56],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2875","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-the-educator"],"rttpg_featured_image_url":null,"rttpg_author":{"display_name":"MasterMason","author_link":"https:\/\/ashlarcollege.ca\/ashlar-archived\/author\/mastermason\/"},"rttpg_comment":0,"rttpg_category":"The Educator<\/a>","rttpg_excerpt":"ADVICE TO A POTENTIAL CANDIDATE Taken from “A Masonic Minute” & written by the late M.W. Bro. Raymond Daniels (2014) A Personal Note to a Potential Candidate from an Old…","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ashlarcollege.ca\/ashlar-archived\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2875","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ashlarcollege.ca\/ashlar-archived\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ashlarcollege.ca\/ashlar-archived\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ashlarcollege.ca\/ashlar-archived\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/76"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ashlarcollege.ca\/ashlar-archived\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2875"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/ashlarcollege.ca\/ashlar-archived\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2875\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ashlarcollege.ca\/ashlar-archived\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2875"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ashlarcollege.ca\/ashlar-archived\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2875"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ashlarcollege.ca\/ashlar-archived\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2875"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}