MASONIC EDUCATION CORNER “The First Instructions” As candidates, we received our first instructions whereon to erect our future moral and Masonic edifice in a particular part of the Lodge, because on our initiation, we commenced the great task, which we are never in our future Masonic life to be discontinued, of erecting in our hearts a spiritual temple for the indwelling of God, of which the great material Temple at Jerusalem was but a symbol. Each new duty which we learn, and each new virtue we practice, becomes a living stone in that temple. Therefore, it is proper that we respect the whole system of symbolism as we begin the labor of erecting a spiritual temple just as the operative mason would commence the construction of his material temple. By first laying the cornerstone on which the future edifice is to arise, great care must be taken. Our first instruction constitutes that cornerstone and on it, when laid in its proper place, we construct the moral and Masonic temple of our life. Let us look at a few of the statements and words in our first instructions. “Our future moral and Masonic edifice.” Moral: upright, honest, straightforward, open, virtuous, honorable, integrity, standards, morality. Edifice: a building, especially one of large size or imposing appearance. We all agree Freemasonry is a splendid Fraternity steeped in
tradition numbering many great men of the past and present as its members; that it has a beautiful ritual and it is indeed a great honor to be a Freemason. Our Lodge is not just a room. It is not merely a place in which to enjoy fraternal fellowship. It is not an organization which replaces the church. It is not the means of promoting one’s self in business. Our Lodge really is a group of men, a group of Brothers, who have dedicated themselves to a common task, and that is to build. A Freemason is a builder; a builder of character; a builder of a better community; a better nation; a better world in which to live; a builder of an Eternal Temple for the indwelling of God. As we build this spiritual temple not made with hands, we are building this temple for the indwelling of God. King Solomon’s Temple was also built to serve and worship God. Only the best materials were to be used in the building of King Solomon’s Temple. This Temple has long crumbled into dust, but we as Masons are taught that we should build another in our hearts. We must also build this temple with the finest material and use the plans upon the trestle board of the Supreme Master which must be found in the Great Light of Masonry. The Edifice of character or character building for a Master Mason is clear. Character is what we are, and not to be confused with reputation, which is what others think of us. If our character be sound, be good, be true, then reputation can take care of itself. If we build this temple upon a solid foundation by laying the cornerstone and using the materials we know to be true, plumb, and square, then our temple will have the correct foundation. Then as we commence the lifelong task without discontinuing our first instructions, our efforts will not be in vain and our spiritual temple will not crumble and will stand the test of time. However, in the final analysis, the future of Freemasonry depends not only on these things, but on the influence it exerts in the life of each one of us. If society is to be successful and everlasting, it must live and breathe the principles on which it is founded. It must be workable, and this means that the individual members must live in the spirit of real Brotherhood, we must be a doer of the Word, not just a hearer only. To assume obligations of friendship, morality, and brotherly love; to reaffirm love for the dependence on an Eternal Father, are but empty words lost forever in the restless air if they are not practiced in our daily life. In this sense, we as present-day Masons, could very well classify ourselves as “Operative Masons.” Such should be the real meaning of Freemasonry to each of us. If not, we should re-dedicate our lives right now to those principles of Freemasonry to which we have obligated ourselves to accept, to learn, to keep and to exemplify. We are brought to Light in order that we may let our Light so shine before our fellowmen, that they may see our good works and join us in glorifying The Great Architect of the Universe. Word of the month: Fidelity – strict observance of promise, duties, etc. loyalty Thought of the month: Start where you are, apply what you have, and do what you can to improve every day. “Our Best Is the Least We Owe Each Other”
Steven D. Hames,
Senior Grand Warden
Chairman, Masonic Education Committee
tradition numbering many great men of the past and present as its members; that it has a beautiful ritual and it is indeed a great honor to be a Freemason. Our Lodge is not just a room. It is not merely a place in which to enjoy fraternal fellowship. It is not an organization which replaces the church. It is not the means of promoting one’s self in business. Our Lodge really is a group of men, a group of Brothers, who have dedicated themselves to a common task, and that is to build. A Freemason is a builder; a builder of character; a builder of a better community; a better nation; a better world in which to live; a builder of an Eternal Temple for the indwelling of God. As we build this spiritual temple not made with hands, we are building this temple for the indwelling of God. King Solomon’s Temple was also built to serve and worship God. Only the best materials were to be used in the building of King Solomon’s Temple. This Temple has long crumbled into dust, but we as Masons are taught that we should build another in our hearts. We must also build this temple with the finest material and use the plans upon the trestle board of the Supreme Master which must be found in the Great Light of Masonry. The Edifice of character or character building for a Master Mason is clear. Character is what we are, and not to be confused with reputation, which is what others think of us. If our character be sound, be good, be true, then reputation can take care of itself. If we build this temple upon a solid foundation by laying the cornerstone and using the materials we know to be true, plumb, and square, then our temple will have the correct foundation. Then as we commence the lifelong task without discontinuing our first instructions, our efforts will not be in vain and our spiritual temple will not crumble and will stand the test of time. However, in the final analysis, the future of Freemasonry depends not only on these things, but on the influence it exerts in the life of each one of us. If society is to be successful and everlasting, it must live and breathe the principles on which it is founded. It must be workable, and this means that the individual members must live in the spirit of real Brotherhood, we must be a doer of the Word, not just a hearer only. To assume obligations of friendship, morality, and brotherly love; to reaffirm love for the dependence on an Eternal Father, are but empty words lost forever in the restless air if they are not practiced in our daily life. In this sense, we as present-day Masons, could very well classify ourselves as “Operative Masons.” Such should be the real meaning of Freemasonry to each of us. If not, we should re-dedicate our lives right now to those principles of Freemasonry to which we have obligated ourselves to accept, to learn, to keep and to exemplify. We are brought to Light in order that we may let our Light so shine before our fellowmen, that they may see our good works and join us in glorifying The Great Architect of the Universe. Word of the month: Fidelity – strict observance of promise, duties, etc. loyalty Thought of the month: Start where you are, apply what you have, and do what you can to improve every day. “Our Best Is the Least We Owe Each Other”
Steven D. Hames,
Senior Grand Warden
Chairman, Masonic Education Committee
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