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This was a comment I saw earlier, to which I had planned to respond, but was distracted away from it by all the sidetrackers.(Me) So since when do your ideas pre-empt what Jesus says? It was Jesus, after all, who said the most important commandment was to love God with heart, soul, mind, and strength, and that the second was "like it," to love your neighbor as yourself. "On these," He said, "HANG ALL THE LAW AND THE PROPHETS."
(Mike) But Wayne the problem is, in your defense of Freemasonry, you place more emphasis on the Second than on the First and Greatest Commandment.
And that does not even begin to cover all the places where it CURRENTLY appears in Masonry, which are so numerous I could not list them here.Supreme Architect of the universe, accept our humble praises for the many mercies and blessings which thy bounty has conferred on us, and especially for this friendly and social intercourse. Pardon, we beseech thee, whatever thou hast seen amiss in us since we have been together; and continue to us thy presence, protection, and blessing. Make us sensible of the renewed obligations we are under to love thee supremely, and to be friendly to each other. May all our irregular passions be subdued, and may we daily increase in Faith, Hope, and Charity; but more especially in that Charity, which is the bond of peace, and the perfection of every virtue May we so practice thy precepts, that, through the merits of the Redeemer, we may finally obtain thy promises, and find an entrance through the gates into the temple and city of our God. So mote it be. Amen.
(Closing Prayer, Ahiman Rezon, 2003, p. 56-57. The prayer also appears in this same exact form in Jeremy Ladd Cross, The True Masonic Chart: Or Hieroglyphic Monitor, New York, Robert B. Collins, 1851, p. 16-17. So not only is this teaching present in Masonry, it has been there unchanged for over 150 years. The same closing prayer may also be found in Andrew J. Utley, The Master Mason’s Guide, 1865, p. 14-15; it is also used in the closing of a lodge of Past Masters, as presented in Albert Mackey’s monitor on Mark, Past, & Most Excellent Masters, p. 61)
But what establishes this even more is the common appearance of the expression which Masonry uses, at the very heart of Christian expression as found in Christian devotional and theological writings contemporary with its first appearance in Masonry:This material and human investiture of sectarian dogmas changes with the times and seasons; but that religion, in the light of which all Masons, whatever their particular creed, desire to walk—that religion, sent forth into the world with the awful sanction of the DEITY upon it, which, as an Ancient says, " is to visit the widow and the fatherless in their afflictions, and keep one's self unspotted from the world"—that religion, the essence of which is to love God supremely and our neighbors as we love ourselves, can never change; being absolute, it can never pass away, and it may be taught, with all its obligations, duties and hopes, and all its beautiful applications to life, without being trammeled by any sectarian dogmas whatever. About religion, in its absoluteness, neither men nor sects ever dispute or quarrel. No; it shines over the human soul clear and bright, like the eternal stars, visible to all; and always, and everywhere, has her voice been heard, consoling the sorrowful, fortifying the weak, and bidding the souls of men aspire to a celestial communion. Such is the Masonic idea of religion. Freemasonry recognizes God as immanent in all created things, working in each blade of grass, and swelling bud, and opening flower, and looks upon all the sciences as so many divine methods through which the Infinite Artist reveals his mysteries to man. Should any Masonic brother, or any other, think that we are claiming too much for Freemasonry in this respect, we have only to ask him to turn to the " charges" and " lectures" published in our books, to find abundant proofs of what we assert There we read: " The universe is the temple of the Deity whom we serve: Wisdom, Strength and Beauty are around his throne, as pillars of his works; for his wisdom is infinite, his strength is omnipotent, and his beauty shines forth through all his creation." Ancient Freemasonry invariably united all the sciences to the religious sentiment. Of Arithmetic it says: "All the works of the Almighty are made in number, weight, measure, and, therefore, to understand them rightly, we ought to understand arithmetical calculations, and be thereby led to a more comprehensive knowledge of our great Creator." " Astronomy," it says, " is that sublime science which inspires the contemplative mind to soar aloft and read the wisdom and beauty of the Creator in the heavens. How nobly eloquent of God is the celestial hemisphere, spangled with the most magnificent symbology of his infinite glory." Discoursing of Geometry, it says, " By it we discover the power, wisdom and goodness of the Grand Artificer, and view with delight the order and beauty of his works and the proportions which connect all parts of his immense universe." Freemasonry, therefore, in the spirit of true reverence, consecrates all to God— the worlds with their sublime mysteries, and the human mind with its mighty powers and the sciences which it has discovered and explained.
(Macoy, A Dictionary of Freemasonry, p. 324-25)
O blessed Being! Thou infinite Father-Spirit and Mother-Spirit of all Life! Help me to love thee supremely for thou art supremely lovely, and help me to feel and care for thy dear human children, that they may become better and happier for my living.
Edwin Dwight Babbitt, Religion as Revealed by the Material and Spiritual Universe, 1881, p. 71)
Fix our eyes on the true, the right, the good, and the holy, till we love them, and therein love thee supremely. May we be blameless in our daily life, and heroic in our conduct, not mistaking the commandments of men for the law of God.
(Sylvan Stanley Hunting, Christian Liturgy, 1873, p. 100)
I love thee supremely, desiring to honour thee aud to obey thee in life and until death. I hold thee, thou Covenant Angel, and I will not let thee go. Dear friends! make this the mark of your life, that you hold him and will not let him go.
(Charles Haddon Spurgeon, The Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit: Sermons, 1873, p. 91)
Help us to love thee supremely, and our neighbors as ourselves. Give us our daily bread, and something for those who lack.
(God’s Minute: A Book of 365 Daily Prayers Sixty Seconds Long for Home Worship, 1923, p. 156)
Thou art Faithfulness, and I trust in the performance of thy promises. Thou art the supreme God, and I desire to love thee supremely now and for ever.
(James Stonhouse, Every Man’s Assistant, and the Sick Man’s Friend, 1819, p. 82)
Believe me, these were only a sample of the 10 pages or so that pulled up with a search of this phrase. There's a simple reason Masonry would contain a phrase so commonly found in Christianity of the same time frame, just as there is a simple reason Albert Mackey and other well-known Masons are found citing well-known theological treatises from their time and earlier. Masonry is and has always been made up primarily of Christian believers, and in its earliest times, of only Christian believers. Small surprise to find so much Christian expression within it.The Lord alone "changes not." Mal. iii. 6. Father in Heaven, help us to love thee supremely, so that we may have an enduring treasure left, when the vines that cluster in beauty and fragrance around our heads, wither like Jonah's gourd from the gnawing of the worm at the root.
(Daniel Harvey Hill, A Consideration of the Sermon on the Mount, 1858, p. 100)
bluemarkus,
Your photo of the sign that says "GOD LESS AMERICA" . . . . . .
Pardon me for utting in here, ut did anyody esides me notice that apparently a letter was missing? There IS a pretty ig gap, after all, leaving an indentation of the word "less" while oth of the other letters are flush with the edge of the anner.Clearly, those who posted the sign did not intend it to be a negative message.
Of course they do. It takes time, after all, for me to respond to all this persistent ignorance--you know, things like making points of non-issues about disabled Masons and banners with missing letters.no wonder your threads always get such a long tail...
George the 3rd said:Well, Mike, you have heard from all three, care to make either a retraction or apology, or both?
O.F.F. said:. . .have you ever seen or heard of a wheelchaired, handicap man accepted for initiation as an Entered Apprentice?
Apparently this is a repeat of this question?have you ever seen or heard of a wheelchaired, handicap man accepted for initiation as an Entered Apprentice?
I'm not talking about something as simple as one walking with a "TUBALCAIN." Oops, I meant a cane. Nor am I referring to a Mason in the military who loss his legs in Iraq or other recent war. Most interesting to know, would be, have you ever seen or heard of a wheelchaired, handicap man accepted for initiation as an Entered Apprentice? In other words, would your lodge accept a quadripilegic, "free-born" of lawful age, and well recommended, knowing that he could never give a "token" or render a "due guard" or "sign?"
So apparently this means you are looking for "Grand Lodge documentation" for what someone observes in the local lodge?Official Grand Lodge documentation to support such findings would suffice.
You don't seem to be interested in doing anything but presenting questions that can't be answered without accusation, in true Pharisaical style. All you have just said with this comment is, "I don't really care what you answer, because I'm going to ignore the answer and make more accusations anyway."If each of you can show adequate proof of this, then I will gladly apologize. But please note that such an apology would not exonerate Freemasonry from being incompatible with biblical Christianity. It would only mean that they made better accommodations to deceive more men into believing their heretical teachings.
And for the other question of whether we had ever "seen or heard of" a wheelchaired, handicapped man being accepted for initiation as an EA:A Mason must be of sound mind and body, which does not mean that you cannot be physically handicapped, many Masons are. (KY GL webpage)
So there you go.My mother lodge is Steppingstone Lodge No. 1141 F.& A.M. in the Grand Lodge of New York. In late 1960 the lodge received a petition from Mr. David Roy Rubin, Esquire. And upon reading it we learned that he was almost totally paralyzed. We were unable to proceed with his investigation until we had a dispensation from Grand Lodge allowing us to give the degrees to one so handicapped.
The reply that we received shocked the membership of this six year old lodge. It said that the lodge could make this man a Mason providing the Lodge send them a letter stating that this candidate would never be a ward of his Grand Lodge. Thus it would be the sole responsibility of his lodge for any Masonic relief. We wrote the letter and it was signed by EVERY member of the lodge. We were able to get over 200 signatures as an indication to Grand Lodge that we were Masons and were prepared to support a brother in distress even if our Grand Lodge was only interested in their possible financial burden.
In order to carry out his bodily functions, Bro. Rubin had a manservant to assist him; he also had a wife and two daughters. He was a successful lawyer who had put himself through law school by being a newspaper reporter.
In a wheelchair, his servant brought him into the candidate's room and properly clothed him and then had to leave. I became his conductor (guide) and pushed his wheelchair around the lodge room and I was the one who arranged his feet and arms when required and I was also his mentor for learning his proficiency.
http://www.freemasoninformation.com/bryce/truemasonrytruestoriespart3.htm
18. Can physically handicapped people become Freemasons?
Yes, they can, provided that their handicap does not prevent them from participating in the meetings, for otherwise Masonry will be of no help whatsoever to them.
If one becomes handicapped after having acquired the quality of a Freemason, one remains a Freemason and the Brethren find a way to pursue the relationship.
http://glrb.org/Efaq.htm#18.
Luther, Martin.—The great Reformer was a Freemason. We give Luther's own statement regarding it, as given to his son, Martin Gotlieb, Christmas Eve, in 1536,at his home in Wittenberg, who requested him to sing "that strange song" which he had learned when he got his medal. It was the "Mark Master's song." (From the Nat. Freemason.) "
During the night of Christmas, 1520, when I had just fifteen days before publicly burued the Pope's Bull, I sat in my study weary and heavy laden. For the bold act, while it drew my stanch friends closer around me, alienated also at the same time the more timid multitude, and I was left to a certain degree alone. Melancholy and a certain sad feeling crept over me, as the twilight passed away and darkness threw a still greater gloom over the study. But at last I aroused myself, and said, 'A helper will be raised up for me—I will have faith in this my darkest hour.' Hardly had I come to this conclusion when there came a rap at the door, and three men entered, and congratulated me upon the bold steps I had taken that day. The eldest inquired of me whether I had considered the danger and risk I ran in thus bidding defiance to the whole papal power. I replied that I did not stop to consider the probable peril in my way as long as I knew myself in the path of duty.
"'Well said, Brother Martin,' replied Hans Stauffenacher, who had until then stood behind his companions; ' well said! The Guild has long thought that in thee we have found a kindred spirit, and is now ready therefore to throw its protection around thee. What sayest, art willing to become one of us ?' "
I answered, 'But I am not skilled in the using of the implements of thy calling; how can I then become one of you ?'"
A quiet smile played around Hans's mouth, as he said, 'Ah! there are other implements we use than thou wot'st of, implements which thou wilt find that thou canst handle with a master's hand. In the mean time, for thy satisfaction, thou mayest know that many honorable knights and princes have been made free of the but a master, in carrying out the great principles of true and untrammeled religion. It is therefore ready to extend to thee its privileges and help.'
After a few seconds of hesitation I answered, ' Hans, I have known thee for many years, and am fully convinced that thou wouldst not lead me into any place where, in consistence with my calling, I ought not to go. But thy coming to-night seems to have been a special providence, for only a few minutes ago did I feel cast down in my soul, when the thought that God would raise me up help strengthened me. I am ready, therefore; lead on, I'll follow.'"
My three companions then conducted me to the Guildhall, where I was, with many and ancient ceremonies, introduced among the brethren of the Mystic Tie. Judge my delight and surprise when the first thing I beheld in the room was a beautiful copy of the Holy Bible, the book which I ever acknowledged the rule for our faith. I was then told that that volume lies ever open in the hall, to be consulted by the brethren.
"Rapidly was I advanced that night from step to step, until I reached the grade which entitled me to wear this medal, and know the meaning of its mystic inscription. That night I learned, too, the beautiful song which you seem to like so much.
(Augustus Row, Masonic Biography and Dictionary, 1868, p. 173-74)
The article doesn't say how old the son was in 1536, but he would have had to be 223 years + whatever that age was. Of course, it could always have been either a misprint or a mis-statement."I, too, will join the Guild when I shall be big enough."
exclaimed little Martin Gotlieb.
In 1759 was buried in Dresden, Martin Gotlieb Luther,
a lawyer, and worthy member and P. M. of the Guild, and the silver Mark was placed in his coffin, in accordance with his last request.
I had considered whether perhaps the 1759 date of death was perhaps a descendant who bore the same name and perhaps that might explain the apparent anachronism. But this note has the "Martin Gottlieb Luther" dying in the same year, 1759; yet it also lists his ancestor as Paul, Martin's youngest son. Since the story clearly is about a "son" by that name, and yet also carries a notice of his death in 1759, I'd have to take the story as bogus, unless there is other information on which to base the attribution of his membership.The descendants of Paul Luther, the youngest son of the Reformator, are explored widely. The descendants of the male family line are, unlike the eldest son Johannes, died out probably with the brother of Chritiana Sophie, Martin Gottlieb Luther, in the year 1759.
"Banter" is simply good-natured teasing, and it appears Wesley was not saying anything negative; yet someone seems to think the comment was a negative one. If Wesley were knocking Freemasonry, he would have made more than this one comment; and he surely would have said something stronger about it than to remark upon its good-naturedness.British Methodism has been less favorably inclined toward Freemasonry, perhaps reflecting John Wesley's observation about the lodge: "What an amazing banter on all mankind is Freemasonry."
Now there's a REAL wonder for you: a "direct descendant" of a man who had no children.Joining members of the Lodge have included Bro John Wesley, a direct descendant of the founder of Methodism.
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