What is Masonry

My Journey from Darkness to Light.

FEB 1998 - I married my wife Zara in Ft Lauderdale, Florida. At that time I knew that her father Balty was a Mason but I had no concept what a Mason actually was. I asked my own father and he said that he knew very little but he did know that my Uncle Adolph was a 33rd degree Mason but Adolph never shared his experiences with any other family members. My father continued to say that he thought that Masonry was a secret society with code words and handshakes and involved Christianity. Unfortunately, my father-in-law Balty lives in the Philippines and my uncle Adolph passed away several years ago so I did not have anyone near me who could answer my questions. One thing I did know for sure, however, is that Uncle Adolph and Balty are both great men whose families love and respect dearly. Although intrigued, I never pursued Masonry because I was put off by my misconceptions that Masons were hard drinking Christian old men that practice some weird form of religion.

APR 2002 - Years later I was visiting the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard on a business trip. Ross Colson, the fellow who was my business contact, was wearing a ring which bore the ubiquitous square and compasses. I asked him what the Masons were all about. He took me aside during a break and with great passion described a wonderful fraternity of men whose ultimate purpose was 'to make a good man better'. Well his enthusiasm made an impact on me and I decided to give Masonry a shot. Ross said that all I needed to do was contact my local lodge in Portsmouth, NH and tell them that I would like to petition them for the degrees of Freemasonry. I spoke with the lodge secretary and was told that the petition was available on-line (this is the site: St John's Lodge #1 Petition). I was anxious to see the lodge so I invited myself over and a lodge member, who was cooking beans for an event, willfully showed me around. I was quite impressed by the cases of regalia and the lodge room whose decor was obviously influenced by tradition and ritual.

I quickly learned that there are three degrees of Masonry. Once you complete the 3rd degree you can call yourself a Master Mason. Once you become a Master Mason you can fully participate in Lodge meetings. It is also when you can proudly wear Masonic jewelry or sport one of those cool decals on your car. You can not become a Mason overnight, unfortunately for those of us who love instant gratification. Masonic tradition, which is virtually unchanged since the 1700's, dictates the minimum time periods between examination and degrees. I was told that some appointed lodge members would need to "interview" me after my petition was read.

MAY 2002 - The lodge meets on the first Wednesday of every month. At this meeting my petition was read. Every member in attendance needed to approve my petition or I would not be allowed to proceed. Luckily for me, I was approved. Soon after the meeting, my investigation or interview was scheduled. I was given the choice of having the interviewers visit my home or meet with me at the lodge. I chose the latter because I was afraid that my cat might bother them. I was a bit afraid of the interview. I thought that they may ask questions like "Have you ever smoked Marijuana?" or "Did you ever engage in pre-marital sex?". I was definitely being paranoid. The interview went quite smoothly. It was more like a long friendly conversation. The only question that threw me for a loop was "Do you believe in one God?". Masonic brothers are brothers under the same Supreme Being (no matter what you call it, God, Allah, etc.). Although I possess a non-traditional belief which could not be classified as Christian, Jewish, or Hindu, I felt quite comfortable referring to the "supreme being" as the Grand Architect of the Universe. This Masonic term allowed for my personal viewpoint to be legitimate. I learned that although the roots of Masonry are deeply religious, discussion of one's own religious views was forbidden in the lodge. The foundation of Freemasonry revolves around a combination of the biblical story of Solomon's Temple and an allegorical event that took place at that time period.

JUNE - JULY 2002 - I waited patiently for a call or email indicating when the 1st degree would take place. I was finally contacted and learned that all three dates were scheduled for me. They would all be on Wednesdays but not on the first Wednesday of the month because that would conflict with the regular lodge meetings. The degrees are spaced out time wise in accordance to tradition. The master of the lodge chose August 21st, September 18th, and October 16th for the three degrees. I assume I had to wait so long because other petitioners were to also go through the ceremony with me.

While waiting for the degrees to begin I read multiple books on Masonry. I really enjoyed Born in Blood and The Hiram Key. Understanding the rich history of Masonry really added to my excitement of becoming a Freemason. My father-in-law Balty and I began to communicate long distance from the Philippines on a regular basis. Balty provided most of the answers I needed during this curious state. He was quite careful, however, not to reveal any 'secrets' that may spoil the ritualistic events in which I would soon partake.

While still waiting for August 21st to come I was invited to dinners held by the Masons. These dinners preceded the monthly meetings held on the first Wednesday of every month. I showed up in a shirt and tie which was definitely appropriate dress. Dinners normally cost a few bucks but were complimentary for the "new guys". The food was quite good and I got to meet a lot of people. I was impressed by the fact the I was served a 'kosher' meal the first time I had dinner with the brothers. The Master of the Lodge was not sure if I adhered to the Jewish dietary restrictions and wanted to ensure that I was accommodated.

There was a lot of gray hair at the dinner table but I, being a baby at 31 years old, don't mind that. I like older people. I appreciate their experience and wisdom.

AUGUST - 2002 This is the month! I was invited to dinner on the 7th. I met some other petitioners. Both were close in age to me. I was happy to hear that their purpose for pursuing Masonry was similar to mine. Essentially, we wanted to become better husbands, fathers, friends, etc. After the dinner, we were naturally asked to leave so the Master Masons could have their lodge meeting. I stayed with another petitioner so we could get to know each other a bit more. We talked until the lodge meeting was over. I was told by one of the Masons to show up for my 1st degree without any jewelry. I wonder what that's about?

I made it through the 1st degree. It was very ritualistic and intense. I don't want to ruin the experience for someone else so I wont go into detail about what happened.

At the end of the 1st degree I was given a ciphered book which I was told I needed to learn in order to complete my next degree. I was assigned a mentor who has been teaching me, page by page, what the coded text means. I learned that this book of encryptions was actually all about the ritual I had just experienced when entering as an Entered Apprentice, or 1st degree of Masonry. Therefore, memorizing the contents of the book would not be so difficult since I had just "acted out" most of what was contained within.

SEPTEMBER - 2002 I have spent several hours a week working on memorizing the Entered Apprentice Lesson. Two Brothers from my Lodge came with me to witness an Entered Apprentice degree at another lodge in the neighborhood. This helped reinforce what I had learned from my own ceremony. A few days before being passed to the degree of Fellow Craft I was required to prove my proficiency in the lesson of an Entered Apprentice. I passed with no problem and was given approval to take the next degree of Fellow Craft. That degree ceremony was ritually similar to the Entered Apprentice degree but its content was quite different. Although it was shorter than my first degree the content was deeper and in my opinion more interesting.

Similarly to my last degree I was given a book of codes which I was required to memorize before being allowed to progress (or be raised to) my next degree of Master Mason. I am finding it much easier to memorize the content of this book because the word patterns and language style is similar to the Entered Apprentice book This book contains much of what I had experienced during my passing to the Fellow Craft degree.

Due to my old age of 31 I find it quite challenging to memorize all of the contents of these books. A Mason that I met while my wife was with me said to her that she's "become a Mason's widow" because of all the time she spends alone while I'm studying in private.

My zeal for this endeavor has taken me to London where I have just visited the Grand Lodge of England in Covent Garden (photos). There I was able to visit an impressive museum and library which contained some fascinating Masonic artifacts. I was lucky to be there at a time when the public could enter the main lodge room. I felt like I was standing within a work of art.
One thing I noticed in England was that the Masons do not generally wear any jewelry which identifies them as Masons. The Scottish are even more inconspicuous. The Scots are the most strict of Masons while the Americans are the most liberal. The Brits are somewhere in the middle.

Grand Temple at Freemasons' Hall, the headquarters of the United Grand Lodge of England (click to enlarge)

Me outside of the Freemasons Arms pub. Covent Garden, London, England. (click to enlarge)

One real fun thing that I did was go on a "Masonic Pub Crawl". I started at the Freemasons Arms which is diagonally across the street from Freemasons Hall. This was the geographic site of one of the earlier Covent Garden grand lodges. I don't quite remember where I ended up but I know I worked my way down Drury Lane and went to Wellington (where The Lion King is now playing). I used an essay by W. Bro. Trevor Jenkins, P.M. to help guide me through the historical locations in Covent Garden.

I also visited a store in Covent Garden that is dedicated to the sales of Masonic regalia called Central Regalia. I bought several books there that Amazon.com said were 'out of print'.

OCTOBER - 2002

Oct 3. This is the big month for me. On October 16th I will be raised to the 3rd degree of Master Mason. Before this can take place I will need to prove my proficiency in the previous degree of Fellow Craft. I have been working hard at memorizing the catechism for the Fellow Craft degree and have found it much easier than the first. The first reason is it's shorter. The second being that a lot of the material is similar if not identical to that of the first degree of Entered Apprentice.

Oct. 8. I sat with my mentor and showed off my stuff. He was convinced of my proficiency and was pleased to let me know that there was no more memorization required for me to become a Master Mason. He also informed me that after my raising, I could join the Scottish Rite. He gave me an application which I was to hand to him on my big night. I'll document that experience as well! He also lent me a great book by John J. Robinson called A Pilgrim's Path. This is a much easier read than Born in Blood and is quite suitable for the new Mason and also for his wife. I read the first 70 pages already and have learned more from this book than from any other.

Oct. 15. I had my 32nd birthday. This event was completely eclipsed by the excitement about tomorrow. What's the big deal about 32 anyway? My age and my waist size are the same...big deal.

Oct. 16. I showed up at the lodge at 6:00 pm. The other candidate and I had a delicious brisket dinner with about 45 other Masons. This was Past Masters night which meant that all of the ceremonial parts were to be played by men who have once served as Master of the Lodge. After dinner, we (the two candidates) were asked to change into ritualistic clothing as we have done before. We were lead into the lodge as we have done before and partook in a ceremony similar to the one's in the previous degree. We then got dressed up in our suits and ties and returned to the lodge. This is where the fun really began. The 2nd part the Master Mason ceremony was certainly unique. I will say as little as possible so I don't spoil the fun for anyone else. I'll just say that the symbolism of the drama in which I was a part of was too meaningful for me to comprehend that evening. There are many interpretations of the Degrees. But most essentially, it is a drama of the immortality of the soul, setting forth the truth that, while a man withers away and perishes, there is that in him which perishes not.

After the completion of the event the candidates were awarded some gifts. We received a token coin from out lodge's 250th birthday, a pin with our lodge name on it, a lapel clip shaped as a trowel (a working tool of a Master Mason), a lambskin apron, and some supporting literature. We were also given a Steward's jewel which they hoped would remind us of our new positions in the lodge next year. (Did I volunteer for that position? I don't remember).

Oct. 17. I woke up and I saw angels and heard the voice of God....just kidding. I watched the morning news and went to work as I have always done. But this day was different because I wore a ring (bought for me by my mother) which bore the well recognizable square and compasses. I was a Mason! I was a member of a fraternity which dates back further than I can comprehend. I have made thousands of friends that I have yet to meet. No matter where I travel on this earth I can find brothers of mine who seek the same light as I.

I spoke with my father-in-law Balty, who was the first Mason I actually knew. He just about shed a tear of joy when he heard my voice as one of a Master Mason's. The fact that he is now my 'brother' as well as my father-in-law bonds us together independently of our mutual relationship with his daughter. He told me that the fun is just beginning. I'll keep you updated!

November 28th, 2002 - I ordered a book called Three Centuries of Freemasonry in New Hampshire last week. It was written in the early 70's by a member of my lodge. It includes a fascinating account of New Hampshire history from a Masonic perspective. Some famous Masons from New Hampshire include:

William Whipple - Signer of the Declaration of Independence.
Nicholas Gilman - Signer of the Federal Constitution.
John Paul Jones - Captain of the sloop-of-war Ranger. First to show US flag to Europeans.
Major General John Stark - Coined NH Motto "Live Free or Die". Stark changed the entire course of the Revolutionary War by a victories at Bennington, Beamis Heights and Saratoga causing the surrender of British General Burgoyne and 5000 of his men in 1777.
Colonel Joseph Cilley - Revolutionary War here and president of the Order of Cincinnati.
John Sullivan - Former NH president (governor) and fist judge of the Federal District Court (appointed by George Washington)
Levi Woodbury - Secretary of the Navy, Secretary of the Treasury under President Van Buren.
Henry Hubbard - Former NH Senator and Governor.
Admiral David G. Farragut - First admiral of the US Navy.
Frank Fuller - Friend of Abe Lincoln, former dentist, promoted his friend Mark Twain to success.
Charles F. Hall & Nathaniel Coffin - North Pole expeditioners circa 1871.

Unfortunately, many Masonic books such as the one I've cited have gone out of print. You may still find such books at www.abebooks.com.

For a comprehensive list of famous Masons you may check out: The Lodge Room

December 7th, 2002 - I will be installed as the Senior Steward of St John's Lodge for 2003. I have already been sitting in this position since October. I am not required to memorize any words but there is a fair amount of choreographed steps that I need to perform.

December 18, 2002 - I visited my family in Florida. While I was there I decided to do my first visitation. I witnessed the raising of a Master Mason at the Boca/Delray lodge. The majority of the members were Jewish. One even wore a yarmulke. I noticed that there were multiple differences between the New Hampshire and Florida ritual. Unlike New Hampshire, for example, the Floridians wore their aprons on the inside of their suits. The stewards had speaking parts and no prayer was said before the meal. The ritual sounded different but the essence was the same. Regardless, I was treated as a brother.

January 15, 2003 - My friend and neighbor, Dan Stolworthy, was passed to the degree of Fellow Craft. I was the steward for the degree. Dan (who is referred as D2 since we share the same first name) Dan heard that I was pursuing Masonry, something with which he was always intrigued since his grandfather was a Mason and a fine individual. Dan will be my first 'first line signer' which means that I will be credited for his joining the fraternity. I don't get a commission but I do get intrinsic satisfaction that I helped facilitate something joyful in someone else's life. Dan will be a Mason Mason in the end of March. We're both very proactive and concerned about charity so I expect that we'll use our Masonic affiliation to make a difference in the community.

January 25, 2003 - Our lodge organized a group of guys to clean out a room on the third floor of our lodge so we can begin to use it as a recreation room. In the process, we found hundreds of books dating back to 1818. To my dismay most of the books were refused by our library and were consequently disposed of. I kept as much as I wife would let me. One thing that I found that I will always cherish is a ripped up ritual book from 1894. Believe it or not I was able to easily read the ritual. I will use this book to show those I am mentoring that the words that being memorized have not changes for a very long time.

February 13, 2003 - I have been really enjoying my position as a Senior Steward. I have been lucky enough to have participated in degree work as well as stated communications. The Master of the Lodge has requested that I learn the part of the Junior Deacon. I hope to have it perfected by the end of the year.

May 25, 2003 - The third floor of the Masonic temple where our lodge meets is completely done and now serves as our rec room. We have a 53 inch TV, 2 beautiful oak pool tables, card tables and a piano. After lodge meetings, the brothers go upstairs and shoot a few rounds of pool. I'd like to say that we have been watching sports on the new TV but lately we've been hooked on American Idol.
The Tortoise & the Square road race team has really turned out to be a success. We've run four races as of today and plan on completing six more before the end of the season. I've received a lot of positive feedback about the team from the lodge officers and was told I should attend the next Master & Wardens meeting. At this meeting I will inform other lodges in the district about the team in the hopes that it will expand beyond our lodge next year. I will also suggest that the lodges of the First Masonic District collaborate on an effort to organize a 5K road race next year to benefit a charity. I hope that a Masonic road race will also intrigue good men to pursue this great craft. - In my short tenure as a Master Mason I have seen more men pass away than I have seen raised to the sublime degree. I truly feel that Freemasonry is in desperate need for good young men and that many districts are unsure how to boost membership without explicit solicitation. My personal belief is that we should entice by example. There should be a Masonic presence in as many facets of the community as possible. Hopefully, a Mason sponsored road race will help with that effort. We'll see how it goes.

September 5, 2003 - The The Tortoise & the Square road race team is now up to seven races this season. Other local runners are recognizing us by the team logo on our shirts that we wear for every race. Our enthusiasm for running has finally lead to us organizing a road race that will be sponsored by the lodges in the First Masonic District of NH. I presented the idea at a recent Master & Wardens meeting and I was given support and the authority to proceed with the planning of the race. The Out-Of-Hibernation 5K will take place on April 24th, 2004 and will benefit Masonic Charities.

December, 2003 - I was installed as the Junior Deacon. I came to the realization that I must gain a better comprehension about the Blue Lodge (the first three degrees) before I can truly appreciate the Scottish and York rites. I have therefore not attended many meetings outside of the Blue Lodge.

December, 2004 - I was installed as the Junior Warden. At this point I am just beginning to comprehend why I am a Mason. My guess is that less than 1% of newly made Master Masons have any clue about what their degree ritual really meant. A speculative Master Mason should really be thought of as a 'Tyro' Mason. Although a new Master Mason can easily recite pages of ritual from memory, the day of raising (becoming a Master Mason) only begins the process of learning to relate the symbolism of the degrees to the actions of his life.

April 24th, 2004 - Today was the Out of Hibernation 5K Road Race for charity. Members from all ten lodges in the First Masonic District joined together and helped make the race a success. Several thousand dollars were raised from the event and distributed equally to the ten lodges. Several of the lodges were eligible for matching funds from the Grand Lodge. Our lodge contributed our share of the raised funds to the Freedom Alliance Scholarship Fund. We will not hold this race again next year because it was exceedingly expensive and logistically challenging to host in Portsmouth. There was much too much red tape and just the Police detail (which was required) cost over $1000.

December, 2005 - I was installed as the Junior Warden again. I returned to school for a year and decided not to take on the burden of learning the Senior Wardens part at the same time. The Junior Wardens chair, because of its midway location between the Master and Senior Warden, has been a great place for me to watch and learn the ritual without having a big part. In fact, the Senior Deacon's part is MUCH bigger than the Junior Warden's despite the fact that the Wardens are higher on the Masonic food chain.

I have also had the time to research and discuss the meanings of all the rituals I have experienced on my path to becoming a Master Mason. It always seems that once I think I comprehend a topic, there's a whole new dimension, interpretation, metaphor, or symbolism for what I know. I plan on reading Born in Blood again now that I have a base knowledge of Masonry.

Dan Stolworthy, who was raised more recently than me, was installed as Worshipful Master.

May 19th 2006 - I watched the History Channel productions of Mysteries of the Freemasons. It was a pleasure to see Freemasonry portrayed in a positive light. I hope this inspires more good men to join.

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