ONE FAMILY PLAN
Freemasonry
“Freemasonry is an organized society of men symbolically applying the principles of operative masonry and architecture to the science and art of character building.” (Charles C. Hunt, Grand Secretary Emeritus of the Grand Lodge of Iowa, Indiana Monitor and Freemason’s Guide, 1951)
“It is a system of morality veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols… Combine the above definitions, if you will. Add to them that cosmic spark which makes of man a Temple of God; and you will be as close as mortal may ever come to defining our gentle Craft with words.” (Indiana Monitor and Freemason’s Guide, 1951)
Some say its origins pre-date the biblical flood, ascribing geometry and all other sciences to Lamech. The discoveries were hidden inside two hollow pillars, one of which survived the flood and found its way into the hands of Hermes Trismegistur, the great-grandson of Noah. He deciphered it and made its wisdom known to the Egyptians. King Nimrod set out the first rules of Masonry in the building of the Tower of Babel. With the confusing of the languages, the Masons learned to communicate by gestures, or symbols… “until the time of Solomon, who reformed the Craft during the building of his temple.” When the 80,000 masons employed in the building of the temple returned to their countries, “they took Freemasonry to the four corners of the world.” (John Michael Greer, The Element Encyclopedia of Secret Societies)
“And king Solomon sent and fetched Hiram out of Tyre. He was a widow's son of the tribe of Naphtali, and his father was a man of Tyre, a worker in brass: and he was filled with wisdom, and understanding, and cunning to work all works in brass. And he came to king Solomon, and wrought all his work.” (1 Kings 7:13-14) “And Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar trees, and carpenters, and masons: and they built David an house.” (2 Samuel 5:11)
From the legend of Solomon’s Temple comes the inspirational story of Hiram Abiff. He is identified as the Chief Architect of the Temple. Upon refusing to divulge the Master Masons’ secret password, he is killed by three Fellow Craft Masons. The story carries a lesson in keeping one’s word, and in the briefness of life. Hiram Abiff’s martyrdom is presented during the 3rd Degree of Freemasonry.
Others say Freemasonry traces back to the late medieval stonemasons’ guilds of the British Isles. Still another story was supplied by Andrew Ramsey (1686-1743), a Scottish Freemason. He proposed that Masonry originated with the Crusades, naming the Knights Hospitaller, and soon thereafter replacing it with the Knights Templar. There are numerous other Masonic origins circulating, this being the most popular. Conspiracy theorists insist that all secret societies tie in with the single ruling power of the Freemasons. One should know that “A Mason is a peaceable Subject to the Civil Powers, wherever he resides or works, and is never to be concerned in Plots and Conspiracies against the Peace and Welfare of the Nation…”
Regardless of its history’s mysteries, it is a thriving organization that promotes the oneness of mankind.
“There is under all creeds one universal religion.” (H.L. Haywood, The Great Teachings of Masonry, 99, 1971)
“This one true religion… is the very soul of Masonry.” (Joseph Fort Newton, The Builders: A Story and Study of Freemasonry, 258, 1951)
Each state has its own Grand Lodge. While there is no controlling authority over Freemasonry, no office by which we may inquire, there are commonly held beliefs among the lodges. Three basic concepts or beliefs of Freemasonry are…
The Golden Rule: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. It is brotherly love, a love for one another and for all mankind.
Relief: Charity for all peoples and aid for fellow Masons; $3 million daily in charitable contributions. They provide scholarships, relief for natural disasters, school donations and provisions for destitute families. In addition, retirement homes are provided for their own members, as well as schools and homes for orphans. Numerous community and social programs are credited to the Freemasons, such as the world renowned Shriners Hospital program for children.
Truth: A quest for answers as to the morality and salvation of the soul that only a man's individual faith can provide.
“The aims of Freemasonry are Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth achieved with Temperance, Fortitude, Prudence and Justice.”
Nothing of an offensive or defensive nature is brought into the Lodge. Masons meet “on the level” (as equals). Religious affiliations, political views, and social positions are not relevant. Differences are set aside for the sake of brotherly Love, Relief, Truth, Faith, Hope, Charity, Temperance, Fortitude, Prudence and Justice. The Freemasons purpose of gathering is to enable men to meet in harmony, to promote friendship, and to be charitable. It believes all persons are children of one God. We are all connected, related to each other, and we must serve one another. Within a system of morality, veiled in allegory, and illustrated by symbols, Freemasonry seeks to make good men better.
Religion is ONE
“The true disciple of ancient Masonry has given up forever the worship of personalities… As a Mason his religion must be universal: Christ, Buddha or Mohammed, the names mean little, for he recognizes only the Light and not the bearer.” (Manly P. Hall, The Lost Keys of Freemasonry or the Secret of Hiram Abiff, 64-65, 1976)
“It is true that Masonry is not a religion, but it is religion… religions are many; Religion is one… it brings together men of all creeds in behalf of those truths which are greater than all sects, deeper than all doctrines.” (Joseph Fort Newton, The Builders: A Story and Study of Freemasonry, 243, 1951)
“The Bible, so rich in symbolism, is itself a symbol… it teaches us to revere every book of faith… joining hands with the man of Islam… and with the Hindu… For Masonry knows what so many forget, that religions are many, but Religion is one… it invites to its altar men of all faiths knowing that, if they use different names for ‘the Nameless One of a hundred names,’ they are yet praying to the one God and Father of all; knowing, also, that while they read different volumes, they are in fact reading the same vast Book of the Faith of Man.” (Joseph Fort Newton, The Bible and Masonry, article placed in the Holy Bible [Temple Illustrated Edition], 3-4, 1968)
“Freemasonry has always been a bulwark for religious liberty. It is a supporter of all religions. Freemasonry is not a permit for a Mason to replace his church, but to enforce it. It does not supplant but supplements. It does not subvert, but supports.” (Masonic Grand Chaplain, The Pennsylvania Freemason, 1989)
As is common to the Cabala and the Occult, the ten emanations of God are considered essential in Freemasonry…
“The ten globes and twenty-two channels of the sephiroth are analogous to the thirty-two degrees of Freemasonry.” (Manly P. Hall, Secret Teaching of All Ages)
It is a fraternity…
“As a fraternity, we are always ready to be judged – severely and critically.” (Francis G. Paul, 33rd Degree Sovereign Grand Commander, The Northern Light: A Window for Freemasonry, May 1988)
Filled with symbols…
The pyramid, the all-seeing eye [of God, ever present care of the universe], the number of feathers on the eagle's spread wings, the stars above the eagle's head in the shape of the Star of David, and the mottos e pluribus unum [out of many one] and novus ordo seclorum [a new order of the ages] on the U.S. Dollar emanate from Freemasonry. Many of the founding fathers were Masons: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, Ethan Allen, John Hancock, John Paul Jones, Paul Revere, Robert Livingston, and 35 other lesser known men all signed the Declaration of Independence and/or the Constitution.
Symbols of Freemasonry are found in the tools of stonecutters and builders, such as the compass, the square, the gavel, the plumb, and the level. Within these symbols are moral and religious lessons. It is an allegorical system that promotes the brotherhood of mankind.
The Square implies virtue as we must “square our actions by the square of virtue with all mankind.” The Compass is wisdom and strength to “circumscribe our desires and keep our passions within due bounds.” As Solomon first built the Temple and then his house around it, so the Square and Compass are placed together and united with God, thus bringing peace and harmony.
“It is a science which is engaged in the search after Divine Truth, and which employs symbolism as its method of instruction… [Masonry is] that religious and mystical society whose aim is moral perfection on the basis of general equality and fraternity… All [Masons] unite in declaring it to be a system of morality, by the practice of which its members may advance their spiritual interest, and mount by the theological ladder from the Lodge on earth to the Lodge in heaven.” (Albert Mackey, Revised Encyclopedia of Freemasonry, 96, I:269)
“Freemasonry, in its broadest and most comprehensive sense, is a system of morality and social ethics, a primitive religion, and a philosophy of life… incorporating a broad humanitarianism… it is a religion without creed, being of no sect but finding truth in all… it seeks truth but does not define truth.” (96, I: 269)
Blue Lodge Degrees
1st Degree - Entered Apprentice (Symbol of Lambskin: purity of life and conduct, precursor to the Celestial Lodge above), Required pledge: “Do you seriously declare upon your honor, that you believe in a Supreme Being to whom all men are accountable?” [Answer, I do], Ceremonial Closing Prayer: “Supreme Architect of the Universe… make us sensible of our obligations to serve Thee, and may all our actions tend to Thy glory and our advancement in knowledge and virtue.” (Masonic Monitor, 7th Edition, Free and Accepted Masons of Arkansas, 1983) – God is referenced as the Almighty Father of the Universe.” (George Simmons and Robert Macoy, Standard Masonic Monitor of the Degrees of Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft, and Master Mason, 58, 1984)
2nd Degree - Fellow Craft (Symbol of the Apron: purity of mind and morals, purity of heart and conscience), Ceremonial Prayer: “Grant, O Father Almighty, to this Candidate for more light, the continuance of Thy divine favor, that he may improve in Freemasonry, and in the knowledge of Thy Word and all liberal art and science. Keep him a faithful brother among us; truly serving Thee all the days of his life.” (Harris Bullock, Masonic Manual of the Grand Lodge of Georgia, 1983) – God is referenced as “the Grand Geometrician of the Universe and the Grand Artificer of the Universe.” (George Simmons and Robert Macoy, Standard Masonic Monitor of the Degrees of Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft, and Master Mason, 82, 1984)
The oaths of Freemasonry, “…I will always hail, ever conceal, and never reveal, any of the arts, parts or points of the hidden mysteries of Ancient Free Masonry… binding myself under no less penalty than that of having my throat cut across, my tongue torn out by its roots, and my body buried in the rough sands of the sea…” of the 1st Degree, and “…binding myself, under no less penalty than that of having my body severed in two, my bowels taken from thence and burned to ashes…” of the 3rd Degree (Malcolm C. Duncan, Masonic Ritual and Monitor, New York. 34-35, 96), and so on, are difficult for most to stomach. However, when pondering the disturbing oaths of Freemasonry, consider the symbolism. It is a symbolic oath.
“The true punishments of Freemasonry affect neither life nor limb. They are expulsion and suspension only… The ritualistic penalties of Freemasonry, supposing such to be, are in the hands not of men, but of God, and are to be inflicted by God, and not by men.” (Albert G. Mackey, Mackey’s Revised Encyclopedia of Freemasonry, vol 2, 760. 1966)
It is a disgraceful thing to break the trust of a brotherhood. Often the more that is revealed to a person, the less useful it is to proclaim to the masses… recall the words of Jesus: “And he charged them that they should tell no man of him.” (Mark 8.30) The fact that no one listened, or heeded his warnings, eventually led to his crucifixion.
3rd Degree - Master Mason (upon death, he wears the Apron of the 2nd Degree and the White Linen [Lambskin] of the 1st Degree is placed on his coffin) – God is referenced as “the Supreme Grand Architect of the Universe, the Ideal Good and the Ideal Beauty, and the Master Workman of the Universe.” (Alphonse Cerza, A Masonic Reader’s Guide, vol 34, 106-108, 1980)
From there one can pursue the York Rite or the Scottish Rite.
York Rite
Chapter (Capitular Degrees): Mark Master, Past Master [virtual], Most Excellent Master, Royal Arch Mason… Council (Cryptic Degrees): Royal Master, Select Master, Super Excellent Master… Commandery (Chivalric Degrees): Order of the Red Cross, Order of the Knights of Malta, Order of Knights Templar Commandery
It is within the Royal Arch Degree of the York Rite that the Great Architect of the Universe is also termed “Jabulon [Jah-bul-on].” (Stephen Knight, The Brotherhood, 243, 1883) Interestingly, Knight asserts that Albert Pike stated… “No man or body of men can make me accept as a sacred word, as a symbol of the infinite and eternal Godhead, a mongrel word, in part composed of the name of an accursed and beastly heathen god, whose name has been for more than 2,000 years an appellation of the devil.” (pgs 236-237)
It is said to be a composite of Jehovah joined with Baal (ancient Canaanite god) and Osiris (Egyptian mystery god), denoting “that all religions are essentially the same in their ideas of the divine.” (Martin L. Wagner, Freemasonry: An Interpretation, 338-339)
“Jah, Bel, and On appear in the American ritual of the Royal Arch degree on the supposition that Jah was the Syriac name of god, Bel (Baal), the Chaldean, and On, the Egyptian.” (Henry Wilson Coil, Coil’s Masonic Encyclopedia, 516, 1961)
Scottish Rite
Lodge of Perfection: 4. Secret Master, 5. Perfect Master, 6. Intimate Secretary, 7. Provost & Judge, 8. Intendant of the Building, 9. Elu of the Nine, 10. Elu of the Fifteen, 11. Elu of the Twelve, 12. Master Architect, 13. Royal Arch of Solomon, 14. Perfect Elu…
In the 13th Degree (Royal Arch of Solomon) a human skull is placed before an altar and the candidate is warned of his obligations to Masonry and the Thrice Puissant Grand Master places the “candidate’s hand on the skull” and then “they all drink from the same cup… They all break together the bread.” (John Blanchard, Scottish Rite Masonry Illustrated: The Complete Ritual of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, vol 2, 285)
Stated of the 14th Degree (Perfect Elu) with Baalim defined as the nations’ varying concepts of God… “Masonry, around whose altars the Christian, the Hebrew, the Moslem, the Brahman, the followers of Confucius and Zoroaster, can assemble as brethren and unite in prayer to the one God who is above all the Baalim, must needs leave it to each of its Initiates to look for the foundation of his faith and hope to the written scriptures of his own religion.” (Albert Pike, Morals and Dogma of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, 226, 1906)
Chapter Rose Croix: 15. Knight of the East or Sword, 16. Prince of Jerusalem, 17. Knight of the East and West, 18. Knight Rose Croix…
In the 17th Degree of the Scottish Rite (Knight of the East and West), the candidate symbolically becomes an Essene… and referencing Christ’s opening of the seven seals of Revelation… “The Master [of the lodge] anoints him [the candidate] with oil and says, ‘You are worthy to open the book with seven seals.’” (Pike’s Liturgy of the Scottish Rite and The Magnum Opus, XVII, 9, as cited in 168:164)
In Degrees 19-30, termed the Council of Kadosh, the council seeks “to explain as clearly and as accurately as possible the nature of Deity and the relationship between Him and mankind.” (Rex R. Hutchens, A Bridge to Light, 157-158, 1988)
Concerning ‘Yah-balin,’ the second password of the 20th Degree… God’s Name…
“If correctly written, it is a compound of … Yu or Yah-u… Baal or Bal or Bel, and Om, thus combining the names of the Hebrew, Phoenician and Hindu deities, to indicate that they are in reality the same.” (Albert Pike, The Book of the Words, 151, as cited in 168:183)
In point, Jabulon, or Yah-balin, attempts to capture the essence of the Supreme Being, the Light, Nirvana, Moksha… of New Jerusalem, the Temple within…
The true “Christ” resides within all men as higher consciousness is the means to encourage man toward occult development. (Corinne Heline, Mystic Masonry and the Bible, 19, 33, 47, 90-91. 1975)
Council of Kadosh:
Initiation ceremony of the 19th Degree “the Thrice Puissant anoints the candidate with oil on the crown of his head and says: ‘Be thou a Priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek’ …After receiving the password (Emmanuel) and the sacred word (Hallelujah), he is dressed in a robe of white linen and given a cordon (a ribbon or sash of honor worn across the breast) of crimson color.” (John Blanchard, Scottish Rite Masonry Illustrated: The Complete Ritual of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, vol 2, pgs 26-27)
19. Grand Pontiff, 20. Master of the Symbolic Lodge, 21. Noachite or Prussian Knight, 22. Knight of the Royal Axe, 23. Chief of the Tabernacle, 24. Prince of the Tabernacle, 25. Knight of the Brazen Serpent, 26. Prince of Mercy, 27. Knight Commander of the Temple, 28. Knight of the Sun, 29. Knight of Saint Andrew, 30. Knight Kadosh…
Consistory: 31. Inspector Inquisitor, 32. Master of the Royal Sect, 33. (Active or Honorary)
Other orders include the Order of the Eastern Star (for the wives, daughters, and other female relatives of Master Masons), the Shriners (Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine – 32nd Degree Masons and Knights Templar are eligible), the Order of DeMolay (a boy’s fraternity), Job’s Daughters (for young women), Daughters of the Nile (for women relatives of Shriners), the Mystic Order of Veiled Prophets of the Enchanted Realm (the Grotto, a social organization), Acacia Fraternity (for collegians), and Knights of the Red Cross of Constantine (an order of 6 degrees whose members must be Royal Arch Masons).
Prince Hall Masonry was founded in 1775 by Prince Hall, a freed slave. This opened the door for freemen of African descent to assimilate into Freemasonry under the banner of African Lodge No. 1. Prince Hall’s African Lodge No. 1 was the first black-led abolitionist movement in the Republic’s earliest anti-slavery petitions of 1777 and 1778. Though it is a much debated topic today, the tenets of Freemasonry do not adhere to or condone segregation.
Freemasonry and America
The principles of Freemasonry and the founding of America are mutually binding. The American Revolution was led by numerous Freemasons, including George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, John Hancock, and Paul Revere. Of the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence at least 9 were known Freemasons, including William Ellery; Benjamin Franklin; John Hancock; Joseph Hewes; William Hooper; Robert Treat Paine; Richard Stockton; George Walton; and William Whipple. In fact, it is suggested by some sources that as many as 28 of the 40 signers of the Constitution were likely Freemasons. Regardless of the accuracy of the numbers, the Freemasons were a powerful force in the founding of America.
“The longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth, ‘That God Governs in the Affairs of Men.’ And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without his notice, it is probable that an empire can rise without His aid?” - Benjamin Franklin
The war could not have been won without the connection between Benjamin Franklin and Lafayette, both Freemasons. Lafayette was our French connection that brought arms and fighting men that laid down their lives for the founding of America. Most of the commanders of our Continental Army and most of Washington’s Generals were Freemasons. The “Green Dragon Tavern” or, rather the “Freemasons’ Arms” was the Headquarters of the Revolution. This is where the Boston Tea Party was planned. There is simply no denying the influence of Freemasonry in the founding of America.
The first President of the United States of America was sworn in by none other than Robert Livingston, the Grand Master of New York’s Masonic Lodge…
“I sincerely pray that the Great Architect of the Universe may bless you and receive you hereafter into his immortal Temple.” – George Washington, December 27, 1792
