NEWS & NOTES

>>The Masonic Center has a low power information radio transmitter installed and operating on 1620 AM for passerby's to tune in. The radio gives out information about who meets in the building and other pertinent facts about the Fraternity.

>> Online Calendar with the building schedule.

>> We have a security camera system consisting of eight cameras; three cameras cover the back entrance door, the emergency exit, and parking lot; a camera covers the kitchen; a camera covers the social hall; 2 cameras cover the first floor hallway and stairway, the front door and hallway; a camera covers the side entrance. All of these cameras are high definition and have night vision and are on 24/7. Those coming in and out of the building will be recorded.

>> CBS Sunday Morning presents an inside look at Freemasonry click here to view the video.

FREE & ACCEPTED - the origin of this Masonic phrase

The origin of these terms, descriptive of Speculative Freemasons, goes back into the very beginnings of the history of the Order; indeed, behind the history of the building Craft in Europe.

But it is only in keeping with the antiquity of the teachings of Freemasonry. Many of our symbols and their meanings go back to the very childhood of the race. Through these a direct relationship may be traced in mind, heart and ideal; if not in written document, to such diverse ages and places as China four thousand years ago, the priesthood of ancient Egypt and the Jews of the Captivity.

For purposes of understanding the genesis of the word “Free” as coupled with Mason, it will suffice to begin with the Roman “Collegia”, orders or associations of men engaged in similar pursuits. Doubtless their formation was caused partly by the universal desire for fellowship and association, particularly strong in Rome, in which the individual was so largely submerged for the good of the Empire, and partly by economic necessity, just as labor unions are formed today.

These “Collegia” speedily became so prominent and powerful that Roman Emperors attempted to abolish the right of free association. In spite of edicts and persecutions, however, the “Collegia” continued to exist.

When is a man a true Mason?

Answer: When he can look out over the rivers, the hills and the far horizons with a profound sense of his own littleness in the vast scheme of things, and yet have faith, hope, charity and courage. When he knows that down in his heart every man is as noble, as vile, as divine, as diabolic, and as lonely as himself, and seeks to know, to forgive and to love his fellowmen.

When he knows how to sympathize with men in their sorrows, yea, even in their sins- knowing that each man fights a hard and lonely battle against many odds. When he has learned how to make friends and to keep them and above all how to keep friends with himself. When he loves flowers, can hunt the birds without a gun and feels the thrill of an old forgotten joy when he hears the laugh of a little child. When he can be happy and high-minded amid the meaner drudgeries of life. When the star-crowned trees and the sun-kissed mountains and the glint of sunlight on flowing waters subdue him like the thought of one much loved and long dead. When no voice of distress reaches his ears in vain and no hand seeks his aid without response. When he helps the weak, relieves the distressed and assists the struggling and industrious among his Fellows in the craft and even in the outside world to the utmost of his power and ability. When he finds good in every faith that helps any man to lay hold of higher things and to see majestic meaning in the humble beginnings of life. When he knows how to pray, how to love, how to hope. When he has kept faith with himself, with his fellowmen and with his God; in his hand a sword for evil, in his heart a bit of a song-- glad to live, but not afraid to die !

In the hands of such a man, be he rich or poor, scholarly or unlearned, famous or obscure, Masonry has wrought her sweet ministration and the future of Freemasonry is assured.