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Dear Mason's Lady,
A man in your family is now,
or may be considering becoming,
a member of the Masonic Fraternity. He is, or may become, a Mason and you are now,
or will be, a
Mason's Lady. Marion Lodge No. 130 would like to take this opportunity to
extend its first greeting to you. While you personally have not joined
our organization, there are certain things that might be helpful for you
to know in the future. At the same time, there are matters of general
interest about your Mason and his new Fraternity that we think you would
like to know.
When and Where did Masonry begin?
The Fraternity of Ancient
Free and Accepted Masons (A.F.& A.M.) is the oldest and most widely
known fraternal organization in the world. It has its roots in antiquity
and is directly descended from the association of "operative masons,"
the cathedral builders of the Middle Ages, who traveled through Europe
employing the skills of their craft. The organization, as we know it
today, began in 1717 in England where the cathedral building was on the
decline and the "operative masons," or "free masons" as they were known,
started to accept members who were not members of the mason's craft,
calling them "speculative masons" or "accepted masons."
Freemasonry was brought to
the United States by our early settlers. Through out the world there are
approximately five million Freemasons. Nearly three million of them
reside in the United States.
What is the Purpose of Freemasonry?
The basic purpose is to make
"better men out of good men", better fathers, better husbands, better
brothers and better sons. We try to place emphasis on the individual man
by strengthening his character, improving his moral and spiritual
outlook and broadening his mental horizons. We try to build a better
world . . . by building better men to work in our communities.
Membership in Illinois
is limited to adult males, 18 years of age or older, who can meet
recognized qualifications and standards of character and reputation.
Is Freemasonry a Secret Organization or
a Religion?
The answer is NO. A secret
organization is one which conceals its membership, has secret meeting
places and of which the public has little knowledge regarding its
organization or its principles. This does not fit the Masonic Fraternity
at all. Our secrets are a very few in number and deal with methods of
personal recognition, some details of our degrees and the privacy of
each member's ballot.
Freemasonry is not a
religion, although it is religious in character. Every applicant for the
degrees in Freemasonry must express a belief and a trust in a Supreme
Being. Masonry does not take the place of religion, but stresses
personal commitment, and involvement in the individual's faith
community.
The Masonic fraternity
encourages every member to attend and support the religion of his own
choice.
What are the Degrees?
Lessons in Masonry are
taught in three separate stages or degrees in our Masonic Lodges. The
degrees, in order are Entered Apprentice (First Degree), Fellow Craft
(Second Degree), and Master Mason (Third Degree). Each degree blends
Masonic moral philosophy in a unique lesson that is intended to have a
serious impact and influence on the man who receives it.
What are Masonic Aprons?
An apron was worn by
Operative Masons to protect themselves from rough stones and tools.
Presently, it is a badge of fraternal distinction. During his first
degree, each Mason is given a plain white leather apron, it represents
the white lambskin, a symbol of innocence. Here in Illinois, at
least, it is Masonic tradition that after a man has completed his three
degrees, he no longer wears that apron to lodge meetings. Instead he
carefully puts it away and wears one of the cloth aprons each lodge
supplies for its members and visitors. The white leather apron becomes a
keepsake throughout his life and finally, at his passing, he wears it in
death as an eternal symbol of hope. Every Mason should tell his wife and
family where he keeps his apron.
What Do Masonic Symbols Mean?
The most widely recognized
symbol of the Fraternity is the Square and Compass with the letter "G"
in the Center.
Members wear it to remind
themselves of their obligation to the lessons learned in their Lodges,
and to identify their membership to other Masons and all people. Masonic
symbols have wide meanings, some directly related to the tools used by
actual Operative Masons and some, represent the need for order and
direction in life. The letter "G" represents Geometry and also it is the
initial of God, the Supreme Architect of the Universe.
When are Meetings Held?
Lodges meet in regular
monthly sessions and on such other days as are necessary to conduct its
business and ritualistic work. Every Mason's attendance is earnestly
solicited, it is not intended that a Lodge should interfere with one's
regular vocation or duty to family, God, or country.
Your Mason, and you, have invested time
and money in his joining our Fraternity. He can best receive all that he
should by frequently participating in its deliberations and events. We
hope that you will approve and encourage him to attend regularly, and we
hope also, that you, too, will join us whenever possible for the guest
activities at the Lodge.
Should I Contact Anyone when My Mason
is Ill or Hospitalized?
In the event a member
becomes ill, his Lodge would appreciate knowing. You may call the
Master, Wardens or Secretary of the Lodge. (The lodge's monthly notice
has the phone numbers of the Master, Wardens and Secretary printed on
the front cover). Your Mason has joined an organization which wants to
assist him and you when in need, and we need your help to do that.
What Can Your Involvement Be?
Countless opportunities
abound through active participation and membership in any of the
numerous Masonic-related ladies' organizations. You are encouraged to
share in many social activities, parties, dinners, dances, tours, civic
events, and charitable efforts of the Lodge. Many full family activities
are regularly scheduled. Non-Masonic friends and families may also take
part in many Masonic programs.
We hope you will be proud that
your man has chosen to become a member of the world's oldest fraternity.
We welcome you as a "Mason's Lady."
Sincerely yours,
Member of Marion Lodge No.
130, A.F.& A.M.
300 South
Broadway,
Salem, Illinois 62881 |
