|
| |
Brethren, I said in my article for the
Cornerstone Society which was published
in the last edition of MQthat I thought our
members should be encouraged to talk
about the good things they are taught in our
rituals to prove to the world the happy and
beneficial effects of our Antient Institution.
There are many virtues in Freemasonry,
but one which I think we should use to
promote our Order is tolerance. There
can be few other organisations in the world
today who practice the degree of tolerance
that we find in the Craft – accepting all
men of good faith.
Freemasonry is a system founded on
morality which aims to make the individual
a better person, and thereby able to lead
a more fulfilling life and be of more use
to his fellow man.
We are not concerned with a candidate’s
nationality, colour or class, nor with his
religious or political persuasion; we care
only that he has a belief in a Supreme Being,
has a general desire for knowledge and wants
to be of service to others.
Furthermore, Masonry requires of him
a perfect freedom of inclination – an open
mind is a prerequisite for joining an Order
which develops an open heart.
The second Masonic characteristic
I think we should be emphasising to
potential candidates and others is trust.
It is linked to our first Grand Principle,
Brotherly love, is one of the lessons of our
Third Degree story and is the mortar with
which the trowel binds us together.
You do not have to be a Mason for
very long before you learn first hand the
importance of trusting and being trusted.
As we climb symbolically Jacob’s ladder our
perception of truth changes in proportion
to our capacity for discrimination.
Developing qualities of tolerance, trust
and discrimination leads us eventually to
wisdom and Truth. Truth, our third Grand
Principle, is at once the first rung on the
Masonic ladder when it is solely concerned
with morality, and the last rung when it is
considered as an aspect of Divinity. Truth
depends on our sense of what is true for
us personally and for that we must listen
to our conscience, the voice of nature.
The principles and virtues of Freemasonry
as taught in our rituals have much to offer
a society in need of tolerance and trust.
|
Announcements
The MW The Grand Master has made the
following appointments: W Bro Eric Stuart-Bamford PJGD to be Provincial Master
for, and Grand Superintendent in and over
Surrey, in succession to RW Bro Denis
Phipps, who retires on 25 April 2006. Bro
Stuart-Bamford is due to be installed on
24 May 2006.
W Bro Derek Richmond PSGD to be
Provincial Grand Master for, and Grand
Superintendent in and over Durham, in
succession to RW Bro Dr Alan Davison,
who is to retire on 30 April 2006. Bro
Richmond is due to be installed on
5 May 2006.
In his capacity as First Grand Principal,
he has appointed E Comp Kenneth
Leslie Benford PGSwdB to be Grand
Superintendent in and over Berkshire,
in succession to E Comp Robert Faulkner,
who retired on 31 December 2005.
Comp Benford is due to be installed
on 30 January 2006.
|
|
Copyright 2002-2007
MQ Magazine
Web site created by Mark Griffin
|
|
Next Page
