Basic Principles: Freemasonry is not a religion, not is it a substitute for religion. It requires of its members belief in God as part of the obligation of every responsible adult, but advocates no sectarian faith or practice. Masonic ceremonies include prayers, both traditional and extempore, to reaffirm each individual's dependence on God and to seek divine guidance. Free masonry is open to men of any faith, but religion may not be discussed at Masonic meetings.
The Supreme Being: Masons believe that there is one god and that people employ many different ways to see, and to express what the know, God. Masonry primarily uses the appellation, "Grand Architect of the Universe," and other non-sectarian titles, to address Deity. In this way, persons of different faiths may join together in prayer, concentrating on God, rather than differences among themselves. Masonry believes in religious freedom and that the relationship between the individual and God is personal, private and sacred.
Volume of the Sacred Law: An open volume of the Sacred Law, "the rule and guide of life," is an essential part of every Masonic meeting. The Volume of the Sacred Law in the Judeo / Christian tradition is the Bible; To Masons of other faiths, it is the book held holy by them.
The Oath of Freemasonry: The obligations taken by Freemasons are sworn on the Volume of the Sacred Law. The are undertakings to follow the principles of Freemasonry and to keep confidential a Freemason's means of recognition. The much discussed 'penalties," judicial remnants from an earlier era, are symbolic, not literal. They refer only to the pain any honest man should feel at the thought of violating his word.
Freemasonry Compared with Religion: Freemasonry lacks the basic elements of religion:
(a) It has no dogma or theology, no wish tor means to enforce religious orthodoxy.
(b) It offers no sacraments.
(c) It does not claim to lead to salvation by works, by secret knowledge, or by any other means. The secrets of Freemasonry are concerned with modes of recognition, not with the means of salvation.
Freemasonry Supports Religion: Freemasonry is far from indifferent toward religion. Without interfering in religious practice, it expects expects each member to follow his own faith and to place his Duty to God above all other duties. its moral teachings are acceptable to all religions.
(Prepared by the Masonic Information Center 12/93 - Revised 9/98)
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Jackson #45 Visits Pleasant Green #291
On Saturday October 23, 2010 five members of Jackson Lodge #45 visited Pleasant Green Lodge #291 of Trezevant, TN to observe and participate in a Master Mason Degree that morning.
Brother Ray Sanders and the Brothers of Pleasant Green Lodge hosted a tasty full country breakfast prior to the conferring of the Degree. All enjoyed the fraternity and food and an excellent Degree was conferred.
Members of Jackson Lodge #45 attending were: Mike Stanton, WM; Marty Amick, Chaplin, PM; Rod Gutierrez, SD; Jimmy Owen, Treasurer; & Mike Winslow, Secretary.
Standing upper right is Ray Sanders, Worshipful Master of Pleasant Green # 291.
Brother Ray Sanders and the Brothers of Pleasant Green Lodge hosted a tasty full country breakfast prior to the conferring of the Degree. All enjoyed the fraternity and food and an excellent Degree was conferred.
Standing upper right is Ray Sanders, Worshipful Master of Pleasant Green # 291.
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Civil War Fellow Craft Degree At Corinth Lodge #116
On Friday evening, September 17, 2010 history was made between two Southern Masonic Lodges.
Members of Jackson Lodge #45 of Jackson, TN, official Dispensation and Charter in hand, traveled to Corinth, MS at the invitation of Corinth Lodge #116, to perform a Tennessee Fellow Craft Degree, in Civil War era dress, on one of our own Entered Apprentices. This was in conjunction with a large and established Civil War battle re-enactment held in Corinth, MS each year.
Upon arrival, members of Corinth Lodge #116 greeted our travelers and treated us with their most generous hospitality providing most welcomed refreshments and meal.
The historic nature of this event is such that it was the first time Jackson Lodge #45 has taken its Charter out of the state of Tennessee and the first time a Civil War era degree had been performed at either Lodge. Just as in the Civil War, soldiers (re-enactors) of the Confederacy and Union Armies laid down their arms to join in a period of Masonic Brotherhood, despite being in a state of war. Blue Coats and Gray Coats joined together to Pass a worthy and well qualified Entered Apprentice to the Degree of Fellow Craft in his quest for more light.
The setting was the beautifully crafted Scottish Rite Theater in Corinth. While some re-modeling is still underway, the pride and care of the members of the Scottish Rite and Corinth Lodge #116 is evident.
The Jackson #45 Charter displayed and Dispensations from the Grand Lodge of Mississippi the Grand Lodge of Tennessee read, Worshipful Master Michael Stanton of Jackson Lodge #45 opened, in due and ancient form, a Tennessee Fellow Craft Lodge in the Scottish Rite Theater, home of Corinth Lodge #116 in Corinth, Mississippi. Masons from Mississippi, Tennessee and Alabama were in attendance at this unique and historic event.
Many Masonic thanks to The Grand Lodge of Mississippi, The Grand Lodge of Tennessee, The Scottish Rite and Corinth Lodge #116 and members of Jackson Lodge #45 and Pleasant Green #291 for making this event possible.
Upon arrival, members of Corinth Lodge #116 greeted our travelers and treated us with their most generous hospitality providing most welcomed refreshments and meal.
The historic nature of this event is such that it was the first time Jackson Lodge #45 has taken its Charter out of the state of Tennessee and the first time a Civil War era degree had been performed at either Lodge. Just as in the Civil War, soldiers (re-enactors) of the Confederacy and Union Armies laid down their arms to join in a period of Masonic Brotherhood, despite being in a state of war. Blue Coats and Gray Coats joined together to Pass a worthy and well qualified Entered Apprentice to the Degree of Fellow Craft in his quest for more light.
The setting was the beautifully crafted Scottish Rite Theater in Corinth. While some re-modeling is still underway, the pride and care of the members of the Scottish Rite and Corinth Lodge #116 is evident.
The Jackson #45 Charter displayed and Dispensations from the Grand Lodge of Mississippi the Grand Lodge of Tennessee read, Worshipful Master Michael Stanton of Jackson Lodge #45 opened, in due and ancient form, a Tennessee Fellow Craft Lodge in the Scottish Rite Theater, home of Corinth Lodge #116 in Corinth, Mississippi. Masons from Mississippi, Tennessee and Alabama were in attendance at this unique and historic event.
Many Masonic thanks to The Grand Lodge of Mississippi, The Grand Lodge of Tennessee, The Scottish Rite and Corinth Lodge #116 and members of Jackson Lodge #45 and Pleasant Green #291 for making this event possible.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Masons Come to Aid of Masonic Family
On April 26th 2010, Masons from Jackson Lodge #45 and Pleasant Green Lodge #291 of Trezvant assembled at the home of Ms. Evie Frantz to make repairs to the back stairs leading down from an upper floor.
M. Franz’s Grandfather, James V. Rush (deceased 1969) and an uncle, Robert Rush (deceased 1992) were members of Jackson Masonic Lodge #45 of Jackson, TN. Jackson Lodge #45 was contacted, via our website, by Patricia Anne Justice (Job’s Daughters) of Utah concerning her niece, Ms. Frantz. It was explained to us that Ms. Frantz had recently fallen down these stairs being in bad repair, and suffered multiple broken bones resulting in her disability. It was asked if our Lodge could possibly help Ms. Frantz with repairs.
This message was received via email by Brother Mike Winslow, Secretary of Lodge #45 while attending a fish-fry hosted by Pleasant Green Lodge #291 with several Brothers from Lodge #45. The timing could not have been better. Within a few minutes, cooperative plans were being made to come to the assistance Ms. Frantz with Ray Sanders, WM of Lodge #291 and Mike Stanton, WM of Lodge #45.
Brothers Ray Sanders, Kethan Miller of Lodge #291 and their friend Jeff Smith affected the necessary repairs in short order with WM Mike Stanton doing a lot of pointing (see photo). I took photos and did my best to stay out of the way; not being allowed to have tools for reasons of public safety.
Ms. Frantz was very appreciative of the help received and asked that the Masonic memorabilia she had from her uncle to be placed in the archives of Lodge #45. We gratefully accepted.
As stated in the Charge to a Master Mason, “Charity and benevolence are always to be inculcated. Charity is one of the main pillars of our Order and he who is destitute of that noble feeling is unworthy the name of Mason.” These Masons are definitely worthy of the name.
Monday, March 15, 2010
Rose Upon The Altar Masonic Play
The Memphis Scottish Rite players will present this play, open to the public and free of charge, at 7 pm following a dinner at 6 pm. A donation of $5.00 for the dinner will help support Masonic charities that are supported by Jackson Lodge #45.
The play and dinner will be held at Jackson Masonic Lodge #45; 2911 Hwy 45 Bypass; Jackson, TN 38305.
"A ROSE UPON THE ALTAR"
The Memphis Scottish Rite Bodies proudly sponsor and present this beautiful and inspiring Masonic play by Carl Claudy. Brother Claudy gave the Masonic Service Association a number of his plays and permission for this and all performances is granted by that body. We are deeply indebted to Bro. Claudy for his love of our great fraternity.
The cast is made up of Scottish Rite Ritualists and contains some of the finest performers in the State of Tennessee.
The play is made available without charge to any Masonic affiliated group desiring it. This is just one of our ways of cooperating with Blue Lodge Masonry in the advancement of our beloved Fraternity.
If you have not been attending your Blue Lodge, let us urge you to give them your whole-hearted support. They need you and you need them!
THE SCOTTISH RITE PLAYERS
The group was formed in 1970 for the purpose of presenting this play to our brethren. The name "Scottish Rite Players" was given them by Dr. Joseph C. Mobley, 33o and Past Grand Master, who was one of their most ardent boosters.
The cast has changed a number of times over the more than thirty five years and has performed the play more than 300 times. Ill. Jim E. McDaniel was the play director almost from the beginning and is currently Director Emeritus.
This play is performed for three reasons:
1. To promote Freemasonry in general!
2. To assist in securing petitions for the Scottish Rite.
3. To inform everyone of the charitable endeavors of the Scottish Rite for the children.
A donation will be collected at the conclusion of the play to support the Scottish Rite Childhood Language Disorder Clinic at the University of Tennessee - Memphis.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
“A Vacation From My Destiny”
The following was shared by Brother Tom Lewis, now living in So. Carolina.
“A Vacation From My Destiny”
I’ve heard a lot of brothers say why they don’t like to go to Grand Lodge – the sniping, politicking, styling and profiling, etc. And it is a little expensive with the travel and accommodations, eating out and all. But for me it’s priceless for the chance to see brothers in other Lodges that I wouldn’t ordinarily see all together in one place. Especially when I go back to Tennessee and see people I knew when I was a young man and Mason that I never see otherwise now that I live in another state. Sharing time with men who showed me how to live as a man and Mason, and sharing accomplishments that they made possible through their mentoring is one of the gifts Masonry offers. And it does my heart good once a year to hear the ritual done he way I remember it done in my home Lodge 30 years ago, so when “Tennessee Ritual” supplants “South Carolina Ritual” in my South Carolina Lodge recitations, at least it’s correct “Tennessee Ritual” that’s creeping in.
At Grand Lodge you get to share opinions and ideas with like-minded men in peace and harmony. You get to spend time with brothers that are just as “deep into” Masonry as you are who make you feel you may not be quite as odd as some of the brothers back home (and your wife) think. You get to sit down and share meals with brothers you never would’ve met otherwise. Sometimes someone gets elected Junior Grand Warden that you shared a table at dinner with the night before, who because of the shared time is someone you know instead of some well-connected brother you can barely see from the back of the hall. You hear stories of dedication to the craft and local successes – of men who’ve been their Lodge secretary for over 50 years and donations of large amounts of money to worthy charities. And sometimes, in the midst of all the reports of sundry committees, you get to hear a story that grabs you and brings into focus why many of us do Masonry. Such is the story of Brother Charles:
The Grand Master started the story, but was overcome with emotion and asked the Secretary of the Johnson City Lodge involved to take up the story. Charles had been in the military and when he got out, he decided to pursue two goals: to become a nurse and become a Mason. He petitioned a Lodge and took his Entered Apprentice degree in California, and started his nursing training which brought him to Johnson City Tennessee. He had already applied and gotten permission for the Lodge in Johnson City to put on his Fellowcraft and Master Mason degrees as “courtesy work”. Then life threw Charles a 90 mph curve ball. It was discovered Charles had prostate cancer that had already metastasized into his bone marrow. His chances of survival were nil. Charles was out of options and out of time. His greatest wish was to die a Master Mason and to have a Masonic funeral, but his condition precluded the normal process. He simply didn’t have 28 days to wait between the remaining degrees. Added to that, the pain medication just didn’t leave Charles the clarity of mind necessary to retain the memory work. That’s when the Tennessee Grand Lodge entered the story.
The Grand Master of Tennessee got with the Grand Master of California to get Charles a demit from the Lodge in California. The timing was right and the Lodge in California voted that night at their business meeting to grant the demit, and faxed the necessary paperwork to Tennessee. The Lodge in Johnson City voted two nights later to accept Charles by affiliation into their Lodge. Then Most Worshipful Grand Master Jerry Hanson traveled across the far corners of the state of Tennessee from Memphis to Johnson City to make Charles a “Mason at Sight” – one of the ageless prerogatives reserved for Grand Masters.
A conference room at the VA Hospital in Johnson City was secured and while a hall-full of Masons and other well-wishers in wheelchairs waited outside the room, the Grand Master conferred the Fellowcraft and Master Mason degrees on Charles. There wasn’t a dry eye in the room. Brother Charles was presented with his white lambskin apron as well as a Masonic ring, both of which Charles requested to be buried wearing. Charles also requested that the Master of the Johnson City Lodge perform his Masonic funeral. Charles told the Grand Master:” You’ve given me a vacation from my destiny.” Thirteen days later Brother Charles’s feet too soon reached the end of life’s toilsome journey, and from his nerveless grasp dropped forever the working tools of life. But thanks to his brothers going the extra mile (or 400 miles) he had his dying wish fulfilled to stand before the throne of God as a Mason.
It’s true there is a certain amount of tedium in every meeting of every Grand Lodge. For me it is a small price to pay to hear from the participants stories that remind us why we’re proud to be Masons. Like that of Brother Charles.
“A Vacation From My Destiny”
I’ve heard a lot of brothers say why they don’t like to go to Grand Lodge – the sniping, politicking, styling and profiling, etc. And it is a little expensive with the travel and accommodations, eating out and all. But for me it’s priceless for the chance to see brothers in other Lodges that I wouldn’t ordinarily see all together in one place. Especially when I go back to Tennessee and see people I knew when I was a young man and Mason that I never see otherwise now that I live in another state. Sharing time with men who showed me how to live as a man and Mason, and sharing accomplishments that they made possible through their mentoring is one of the gifts Masonry offers. And it does my heart good once a year to hear the ritual done he way I remember it done in my home Lodge 30 years ago, so when “Tennessee Ritual” supplants “South Carolina Ritual” in my South Carolina Lodge recitations, at least it’s correct “Tennessee Ritual” that’s creeping in.
At Grand Lodge you get to share opinions and ideas with like-minded men in peace and harmony. You get to spend time with brothers that are just as “deep into” Masonry as you are who make you feel you may not be quite as odd as some of the brothers back home (and your wife) think. You get to sit down and share meals with brothers you never would’ve met otherwise. Sometimes someone gets elected Junior Grand Warden that you shared a table at dinner with the night before, who because of the shared time is someone you know instead of some well-connected brother you can barely see from the back of the hall. You hear stories of dedication to the craft and local successes – of men who’ve been their Lodge secretary for over 50 years and donations of large amounts of money to worthy charities. And sometimes, in the midst of all the reports of sundry committees, you get to hear a story that grabs you and brings into focus why many of us do Masonry. Such is the story of Brother Charles:
The Grand Master started the story, but was overcome with emotion and asked the Secretary of the Johnson City Lodge involved to take up the story. Charles had been in the military and when he got out, he decided to pursue two goals: to become a nurse and become a Mason. He petitioned a Lodge and took his Entered Apprentice degree in California, and started his nursing training which brought him to Johnson City Tennessee. He had already applied and gotten permission for the Lodge in Johnson City to put on his Fellowcraft and Master Mason degrees as “courtesy work”. Then life threw Charles a 90 mph curve ball. It was discovered Charles had prostate cancer that had already metastasized into his bone marrow. His chances of survival were nil. Charles was out of options and out of time. His greatest wish was to die a Master Mason and to have a Masonic funeral, but his condition precluded the normal process. He simply didn’t have 28 days to wait between the remaining degrees. Added to that, the pain medication just didn’t leave Charles the clarity of mind necessary to retain the memory work. That’s when the Tennessee Grand Lodge entered the story.
The Grand Master of Tennessee got with the Grand Master of California to get Charles a demit from the Lodge in California. The timing was right and the Lodge in California voted that night at their business meeting to grant the demit, and faxed the necessary paperwork to Tennessee. The Lodge in Johnson City voted two nights later to accept Charles by affiliation into their Lodge. Then Most Worshipful Grand Master Jerry Hanson traveled across the far corners of the state of Tennessee from Memphis to Johnson City to make Charles a “Mason at Sight” – one of the ageless prerogatives reserved for Grand Masters.
A conference room at the VA Hospital in Johnson City was secured and while a hall-full of Masons and other well-wishers in wheelchairs waited outside the room, the Grand Master conferred the Fellowcraft and Master Mason degrees on Charles. There wasn’t a dry eye in the room. Brother Charles was presented with his white lambskin apron as well as a Masonic ring, both of which Charles requested to be buried wearing. Charles also requested that the Master of the Johnson City Lodge perform his Masonic funeral. Charles told the Grand Master:” You’ve given me a vacation from my destiny.” Thirteen days later Brother Charles’s feet too soon reached the end of life’s toilsome journey, and from his nerveless grasp dropped forever the working tools of life. But thanks to his brothers going the extra mile (or 400 miles) he had his dying wish fulfilled to stand before the throne of God as a Mason.
It’s true there is a certain amount of tedium in every meeting of every Grand Lodge. For me it is a small price to pay to hear from the participants stories that remind us why we’re proud to be Masons. Like that of Brother Charles.
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