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Lodge Bridge Of Fellowship No. 929 Hannover
Masters
Message:
FREEMASONRY
A WAY OF LIFE
The
making of a Freemason consists in a continued course of education,
training and character forming. While it may be accepted that it is
an innermost desire, followed by obligations, that makes one a member
of the Craft, yet in a truer sense, a man is not a Freemason unless he
lives up to his obligations.
 Keeping
this in mind, you have to realise that as an organisation
Freemasonry has "Members" and it has "Masons" and the two
are not the
same.
The Mason goes into deeper research about Freemasonry and the more
extensive knowledge of its hidden art and mysteries. The philosophy
of Freemasonry, when discovered and then accepted and practised,
provides simple but profound solutions to the problems of human
relationships. Freemasonry is a way of living to the Mason who is
interested enough to appraise and value the wealth that is his by
virtue of his Masonic Membership.
The best-informed Master Mason is the Master Mason who reads and
studies about the Craft. He reads and learns to understand the
"Volume of the Sacred Law" of his religion and he also should read and
study the "Volume of the Sacred Laws" of other religions. For to
be
able to have some understanding of what others believe, you have to
have some knowledge of what it is that they believe. It is with this
knowledge and understanding that a Mason is able to find common
grounds to come together with others, in Love, Peace, and Unity for
the good of all mankind with any good man of any race, creed, or religion.
MAKING MASONRY MEANINGFUL
Freemasonry is not a religion even though it is religious in
character. It does not pretend to take the place of religion nor
serve as a substitute for the religious beliefs of its Members.
Freemasonry accepts men, found to be worthy, regardless of religious
convictions. An essential requirement is a belief in the existence of
a Supreme Being.
Freemasonry is not an insurance or beneficial society. It is not
organised for profit. However, the charity and services rendered are
beyond measure. It teaches the Golden Rule. It seeks to make good
men better through its firm belief in the Fatherhood of God, the
Brotherhood of Man and the Immortality of the Soul.
The tenets of Freemasonry are ethical principles that are acceptable
to all good men. It teaches tolerance toward all mankind. It is known
throughout the world. Freemasonry proudly proclaims that it consists
of men bound together by bonds of Brotherly Love and Affection. It
dictates to no man as to his beliefs, either religious or secular. It
seeks no advantage for its Members through business or politics.
Freemasonry is not a forum for discussions on partisan affairs.
At our Altars, without any vanity or pretence, we assemble for work
and fellowship and to learn to love and cherish one another. By so
doing, we bring light out of darkness, beauty out of drabness,
exaltation out of despair--to the end that every Brother's life may
become more radiant and meaningful.
A Mason believes that Faith is the foundation of justice, the bond of
amity, and the chief support of society. He lives by Faith: he walks
by Faith; by Faith he has a continued hope in the acknowledgement of a
Supreme Being; by Faith he believes he will be justified, accepted and
finally saved.
A Mason believes that Hope is the anchor of the soul, both sure and
steadfast, and center into that within the veil; let a firm reliance
on the Almighty's faithfulness animate his endeavours, and teach him to
fix his Hopes within the limits of His promises.
A Mason believes that Charity is the brightest gem that can adorn his
Masonic profession. Happy is the man who has sowed in his breast the
seeds of benevolence; the produce thereof is love and peace. The
objects of true charity among Masons are merit and virtue in distress,
persons who are incapable of extricating themselves from misfortunes
in their journey through life, industrious men who, from unavoidable
accidents, have fallen into ruin. Widows left destitute by lack of
husbands' support. Orphans in tender years, needing a father's care.
The aged, whose strength is exhausted, and who are thereby rendered
unable to procure for themselves that substance necessary to nourish
their declining years. This is CHARITY, the keystone of our mystic
institution.
THE PRINCIPAL TENETS
The principal tenets of our profession are threefold, including the
inculcation and practice of those truly commendable virtues, Brotherly
Love, Relief, and Truth.
By the exercise of Brotherly Love a Mason learns to regard the whole
human race as one family the high, the low, the rich, the poor who,
being created by one Almighty Parent, and inhabitants of the same
planet, ought to aid, support, and protect each other. On this
principle Masonry unites men of every Country, sect, and opinion, and
conciliates true friendship among those who might other wise have
remained at a perpetual distance.
To relieve the Distressed is a duty incumbent on all men, but
particularly on Masons, who are linked together by an indissoluble
chain of sincere affection. To soothe the unhappy, to sympathise with
them in their misfortunes, to compassionate their miseries, and to
restore peace to their troubled minds is the great aim we have in
view. On this basis we form our friendships and establish our
connections.
Truth is a divine attribute and the foundation of every virtue. To be
good men and true is the first lesson we are taught in Freemasonry.
On this theme we contemplate, and by its dictates endeavour to regulate
our conduct. Hence, while influenced by this principle, hypocrisy and
deceit are unknown among us, sincerity and plain-dealing distinguish
us, and the heart and the tongue join in promoting each other's
welfare and rejoicing in each other's prosperity.
SUMMING IT UP
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A member is hopefully a future Mason. No one came into this world as an adult
and no one comes
into Masonry as a Mason. It is the hope of every Mason that by his
example he will lead the Members around him to also advance in Masonry
to become the future Masons of our Order.
If all of us are not what you think we should be, just remember that,
"God is not through with us yet", and that someday all of us will be
just what, "God wants us to be".
No man can live according to the principles and teachings of Ancient
Craft Masonry and do anything, knowingly and willingly, that is
contrary to moral and upright principles. Freemasonry frowns on every
wrongful act and admonishes the right actions between each of us and
the world at large. Freemasonry is and should always be a guide to
our actions.
Freemasonry is kindness in the home, honesty in business, courtesy in
society, fairness in work, pity and concern for the unfortunate,
resistance toward evil, help for the weak, forgiveness for the
penitent, love for one another and, above all, reverence and love for
God. Freemasonry is many things but, most of all:
FREEMASONRY IS A WAY OF LIFE.
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Copyright
© 2005 