Masonic Roll Call

El Sapo

El Sapo

Bevo's BFF
I've always been curious how many Masons there are on HornFans. You can simply respond with 'here', and if you'd like, please include the lodge where you were raised as well as any appendant bodies you're a member of. Also, please mention any progress you've made through the chairs if you'd like. Naturally, the more you reveal the more likely it becomes that someone could discern your identity here on the internet.. so say whatever feels comfortable.

Kerrville, Texas #697
Scottish Rite 32°
 
It'a just a fraternity of sorts that doesn't make you drink until you puke or do incredibly stupid ****. It's a way of "connecting". I can't imagine the truth in the stuff that is said about them (like they are some evil cult). They are just a bunch of guys who want a tiny slice of their lives to be their own.
 
Actually, Masons can talk about most of the fundamental principles that the fraternity is built around and teaches. At its base it's a system of morality that is conveyed through allegory and allusion that benefits any good man who wants to become better. In terms of 'secrecy' it's the specific oral traditions and floor work that can't be repeated. Those things aside, I would say that in terms of understanding the world's oldest fraternity and the intentions of it, the vast majority of the lessons conveyed in Freemasonry are transparent and can be expressed by any thoughtful and well informed Master Mason (which all should be). The principles of Freemasonry are timeless and good. They are as true today as they were when George Washington embraced them and swore to them.. and even in those days they were already ancient.
 
As we like to say...



To become a Mason you must ask one. Masons are prohibited from soliciting new members into joining the fraternity. A lot of times men are brought into the fraternity under the recommendation of their fathers, grandfathers, or other relatives but this is not always the case nor does it have to be. I've seen friends and coworkers bring each other to the craft and I, personally, joined my lodge by literally walking through the front door without knowing any Masons at all. A man does need to get at least three members of the lodge where he is petitioning to join to sign off on his initial application and vouch that he's a good man.

Once you have a completed application with the required signatures, three 'investigators' will be assigned to meet with you. Your investigators will all be Master Masons from the lodge you're petitioning and they will each want to meet with you in separate interviews. Typically this will be in your own home, if possible, and if you're married or otherwise joined at the hip they'll ask that your spouse or significant other be there as well in case they have any questions about this new fraternity you're seeking to join.

The purpose of the investigation is to make sure that you're a good man and that you meet the basic requirements of becoming a Freemason. It's also a time for you to ask questions about The Craft and to get to know the men that you'll be bonded to in a worldwide brotherhood. Some things that are not the purpose of your interview are assessing the opulence of your home, making appraisals of your income or education, and most other worldly things. It's what's in your heart that counts.

After you've been investigated, your admission is voted on by the entire lodge and if the result is favorable you are invited to come in and be initiated. You'll be initiated in the same ceremony that Stephen F. Austin, George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, and a long line of great men before you went through. And so the journey begins...
 
Before my father died he took my son to a lodge with the intent of recommending him. Turned out he was too young, I think 18 at the time. It was a surprise to all of us when Dad made the attempt because prior to that he had never mentioned anything, ever, about his even being a member. My mother was the only one who knew about it. We learned he had ceased his activity because she had been very discouraging of it. Interesting that when he passed they called her - offered condolences and asked if there was anything they could do for her, this after no contact that we knew of for over 50 years.
 
@ Dionysus

"The Craft" is only a nickname of sorts that some might use to refer to the practice of being a Freemason. As an example, often times I refer to The University of Texas football team as "The Horns". It's kind of the same thing. In terms of skills and requirements to join, there are none.. save that you are not an atheist, you were born free and not under any form of bondage (which, even in this day of credit cards and a mortgage.. we all are still born free
wink.gif
) and that you requested to join the lodge in a clear mental state and of your own will and accordance. In terms of esoteric meanings behind the terminology used in Freemasonry, you're on target. As I said, the lessons of Freemasonry are taught through allegory and allusion. In this way, you could interpret the steps, tools, skill of various worker classes, and processes of building a master edifice into a different context as they pertain to building a man who is a master of himself. If a certain tool, for example, assisted Masons in building the temples of old.. how could that same tool be used metaphorically to enrich our lives today? Those kinds of allegories and allusions, as they pertained to master craftsmanship in antiquity, are the heart of Masonic teachings.

In terms of the initiation ceremony, the details of it fall into that minority category of Masonic dealings that cannot be discussed with anyone who is not themselves a Mason. I can tell you that the ceremony commands respect and that what is in your heart will emerge for all to see. As a Mason you'll only go through it once but you'll see it countless times. It will mean something to you until the day you die.

In terms of what Freemasons "do" on a day to day basis, all level of involvement is solely at the discretion of each brother in the craft. Each lodge will hold stated meetings once per month. Most of what is covered in a stated meeting includes the general day to day workings of the lodge... new candidates, new degrees being granted, bookkeeping, minutes and general business, fundraising and philanthropy of the lodge, orders and initiatives from the governing Grand Lodge.. things like that.

Other forays in Masonry include study groups of Masonic teaching, practicing and reflection of Masonic material with teachers and fellow brothers, becoming a teacher yourself, becoming an officer in the lodge and moving through the requirements of 'the chairs', and also the practice and rehearsal of ceremonies and the conferring of degrees (being a member of a degree team). Also, there are the other teachings and personal advancements offered by appendant bodies such as The Scottish Rite, The Shrine, Chapter and Council, participation in Eastern Star , The Knights of St. Andrew, Grotto, kids groups such as Rainbow Girls and DeMolay , and so on. As a Mason, you're given enough information in your first 3-4 months to keep you contemplative and busy trying to unravel it all for a lifetime.. and that's just a drop in the bucket depending on how far you want to go.

@nashorn

That's powerful, and at the same time, comes as no surprise at all. Masons are obligated to do exactly what they did for your family, and the family of a fellow brother, and whether they knew your grandmother was instrumental in his lack of activity or not... it wouldn't have mattered one bit. They would have still done exactly what they did. That kind of sincerity and outreach to a member of our own is the signature of Freemasonry. It's who we are.

The age requirements vary between 18 and 21 depending on where you are. I'm not an expert on this level of nuance but I know that variation does exists between lodges / jurisdictions. If your dad wanted your son to join I would encourage your son to speak with members of your father's lodge when he is of age. They'll get him on his way, if it's something he desires, and your son will be in the best of hands.
 
Freemasonry is an organization whose members are concerned with moral and spiritual values, self-improvement, and helping their communities with charitable endeavors. Masons (synonymous with Freemasons) take oaths to be good to their Brothers in Masonry, their families, and all people. We are taught that we are part of the brotherhood of man, under the fatherhood of God.
Contrary to popular opinion, Freemasonry is not a secret society. Its aims, principles, activities, and rules are open to the public and its members are at perfect liberty to tell anyone that they are Masons and what the “Fraternity” or “Craft” does. The only secrets are the exact details of the ritual of the degrees and the opening and closing of meetings, and even these secrets have been exposed in books since the beginning of Freemasonry. Still, good Masons will not disclose these secrets because they are taught that keeping some things secret is a sign of good character.
Freemasonry also includes the “Scottish Rite,” the “York Rite,” the “Shrine,” Philalethes Society and other groups whose membership is open only to Masons.
 
Despite two well-known religious groups equating Freemasonry with the devil, I think the Masons are overall a very fine group.

Their recruitment strategy, however, rankes right up there with the Shakers.
 
I know very little about the Masons other than this, Scottish Rite Hospital in Dallas. None of the living members of my family is a Mason, yet what this hospital has done for my young nephew is absolutely awe inspiring. I won't go into it all out of respect for my family's privacy, but just know that no matter what a movie or book might say that reflects negatively upon this group, their actions through this one hospital absolutely absolves them of damn near anything in my book.

An anonymous and heart felt "thank you" from me to any and all Masons out there for what you have done for a very dear and sweet little boy. Hook 'em!
 
I am not a Mason (obviously) but I am past matron of Belton Chapter No. 589, Order of the Eastern Star.
 
I know a mason and he recruited me. I really wasn't interested but I thought this guy was a real dick because he would talk about the so called secret stuff but I never paid much attention because it was far less interesting than the books/movies. I remember some saying about his "wretched soul rotting" for him talking so openly. He was a shriner as well. He even got me some paperwork to fill out - I think it was still the screening process - but this guy was such an *** that I was way turned off by all of it.
 
Major guess here but I'd bet a huge majority of them are Christian.

Of course they would be. That's not much of a guess at all.
 
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