From The East

The history of Masonry dates back to the time before the Christian era. In the middle of the Seventeenth Century, a group of skilled architects banded together for the protection of their craft and the prosperity of their skills. They were the first “Master Masons”, creators of the magnificent edifices of the medieval period of Cathedral building in Europe. They worked under their own government, traveling from place to place as work required.
Some years later, in 1702, a London, England, lodge decided to open the doors of Masonry to men unskilled in architecture. As the demand for operative skill decreased, the lofty moral principles, noble deeds and manly virtues of those who were already members, attracted to this society men of prominence in Church and State, whose higher character and fine attainments had made them distinguished. This is the origin of Free Masonry as we know it today.
Persecuted by Church and State because of its successful effort to promote free thinking and lofty ideals, its history pages are smeared with the blood of martyrs who gave their lives that this Order survive. Its history also has many gilded pages covered with the records of deeds well done, of bonded men set free, and of mercy and good-will to all mankind.
A writer of authority on the subject of Masonry tells us that the great secret of this Order is that it makes men aware of the divine within them. A Mason’s whole life takes its beauty and meaning form this diving spark and inspires him to follow and obey it. This same writer says, “a man is a Mason, when he can look out over the rivers, the hills, and the far horizon with a profound sense of his own littleness in the vast scheme of things, and yet have faith, hope and courage which is the root of every virtue.”
This quotation form “The Veil of Isis” by Winwood Reade, is a revelation of the high ideals of this great Masonic Order that we revere and honor.
“The doctrines of Masonry are the most beautiful that are possible to imagine. They breathe the simplicity of the earliest ages, animated by the love of a martyred God. That word which Puritans translated charity, but which is really love, is the keystone which supports the entire edifice of this mystic science. Love one another, teach one another, help one another. This is all our doctrine, all our science, all our law. We have no narrow-minded prejudices; we do not debar form our society this sect or that sect’ it is sufficient for us that man worships God no matter under what name or in what manner. It is impossible to be a good Mason without being a good man.”