Free Masons

I’ve commented a couple of times earlier but never gave my particulars; I went through the 3 degrees and am a PM of Triluminar Lodge 117 in Middleway, Jefferson county WVA.

I’m currently a member of Stump Sound Lodge in Sneads Ferry NC. Where I rotate being Tyler or Chaplain.
 
So here is my question.

I am interested in joining, I also want to know if there is any value in the membership? Meaning personal, professional networking. I am not looking to get off on a murder case here, but from your all experiences are the members of your lodge worth knowing?

A example, I was a member of the local VFW. That was a drinking fest with 60 + year old retired men all telling war and fish stories. For me in my 30's at the time, I needed more then that.

What do you say about the networking / friend development / brotherhood "a real one?"
 
JBoyette said:
So here is my question.

I am interested in joining, I also want to know if there is any value in the membership? Meaning personal, professional networking. I am not looking to get off on a murder case here, but from your all experiences are the members of your lodge worth knowing?

A example, I was a member of the local VFW. That was a drinking fest with 60 + year old retired men all telling war and fish stories. For me in my 30's at the time, I needed more then that.

What do you say about the networking / friend development / brotherhood "a real one?"
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I understand that freemasonry is a selective brotherhood where they watch out for each other. The deeper you get in the more you are in. For business people it is networking.

During the Civil war, one of my relatives was a Yankee undertaker and a Freemason.
One of our family stories is that because he was a Freemason he was allowed to go behind the lines and retrieve the bodies of Freemasons without harassment.

As for VFW…old retired men drinking, telling war and fish stories etc., remembering old friends and not letting our veterans be forgotten is what it is about. I like the line in Taking Chance where one of the vets said “Without a witness they just disappear.“ You would have done well to listen!
 
nhusa said:
As for VFW…old retired men drinking, telling war and fish stories etc., remembering old friends and not letting our veterans be forgotten is what it is about. I like the line in Taking Chance where one of the vets said “Without a witness they just disappear.“ You would have done well to listen!
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True, but it gets old after a while. Keep in mind to be in the VFW, you got stories too....
 
Always been intrigued by it, but know nothing about it. How do they feel about blue collar, blessed, Appalachian Americans (rednecks)?
I need another group to impress....it's getting boring impressing all of y'all. :)

BTW My grandpa joined the Moose Lodge....They said a prayer and then went to the next room where the bar was....grandpa quit!.....LOL!
 
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Snal~ said:
Always been intrigued by it, but know nothing about it. How do they feel about blue collar, blessed, Appalachian Americans (rednecks)?
I need another group to impress....it's getting boring impressing all of y'all. :)

BTW My grandpa joined the Moose Lodge....They said a prayer and then went to the next room where the bar was....grandpa quit!.....LOL!
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As long as youre a Believer, a man, a good man, youre welcome.
Making good men better men.

As far as drinking - no drinking in the lodge, but Im likely one of the few who dont drink at all.
 
Alabamacoastie said:
No drinking in the lodge?

I changed my mind.

I'm out...
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It's something that's not allowed as part of a 'lodge event,' from what Ive understood. But Im new, so who knows man.
But, surely, youre in jest, hopefully one would not be pushed away from something simply due to not being able to drink for a couple hours
 
HMP said:
It's something that's not allowed as part of a 'lodge event,' from what Ive understood. But Im new, so who knows man.
But, surely, youre in jest, hopefully one would not be pushed away from something simply due to not being able to drink for a couple hours
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This is something that used to come up every year at the Annual Communication. I think it may have changed. In the past, there was no alcohol on the premises, period. I think now, if the lodge is rented for a function and alcohol is there it’s ok, but that only applies to parts of the building other than the lodge room. But as far as any masonic function having booze, I’m pretty sure thats still a no no.
 
dlee12 said:
This is something that used to come up every year at the Annual Communication. I think it may have changed. In the past, there was no alcohol on the premises, period. I think now, if the lodge is rented for a function and alcohol is there it’s ok, but that only applies to parts of the building other than the lodge room. But as far as any masonic function having booze, I’m pretty sure thats still a no no.
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That's my understanding, too. Though Ive not heard of our lodge being rented since Ive been in ha
 
I know absolutely zero about the Freemasons, but in my line of work, I’ve been exposed to them enough times that I learned how to “see” things that non Freemasons normally wouldn’t pay any attention too, but this is all superficial and meaningless in terms of the happenings of the organization, but having the honor to view 150-200 years worth of Freemason items just in one home alone got me to start paying attention, stuff like paintings, the sash/apron things (no clue what they’re actually called) and symbols that are “hidden” literally on plain sight and everywhere you can imagine has always fascinated me, and I’ve seen a number of homes who’s owners have been Freemasons for generations so I picked up a lot just through observation, once you know what to look for, a Washington DC visit is mind blowing to say the least.
 
Tarowah said:
I know absolutely zero about the Freemasons, but in my line of work, I’ve been exposed to them enough times that I learned how to “see” things that non Freemasons normally wouldn’t pay any attention too, but this is all superficial and meaningless in terms of the happenings of the organization, but having the honor to view 150-200 years worth of Freemason items just in one home alone got me to start paying attention, stuff like paintings, the sash/apron things (no clue what they’re actually called) and symbols that are “hidden” literally on plain sight and everywhere you can imagine has always fascinated me, and I’ve seen a number of homes who’s owners have been Freemasons for generations so I picked up a lot just through observation, once you know what to look for, a Washington DC visit is mind blowing to say the least.
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If I get a decoder ring, I will give you a call.

John
 
HMP said:
As long as youre a Believer, a man, a good man, youre welcome.
Making good men better men.

As far as drinking - no drinking in the lodge, but Im likely one of the few who dont drink at all.
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I might have missed some things up thread, but when I lived in SC I knew a lot of Shriners and was invited to the Shrine Club for events.

I’ll fast forward past the TL/DR part, but drinking was absolutely a part of that whole culture.

Are they that much different from Free Masons?
 
fieldgrade said:
I might have missed some things up thread, but when I lived in SC I knew a lot of Shriners and was invited to the Shrine Club for events.

I’ll fast forward past the TL/DR part, but drinking was absolutely a part of that whole culture.

Are they that much different from Free Masons?
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I cant say, Im sorry, I do not know.
 
The potentate for the Jamil Shrine in Columbia SC was a big customer of mine a lifetime ago. I worked for Sylvania (lightbulbs,) and he owned an electrical wholesale distributor who bought truckloads of lightbulbs from me.

He once told the joke, “ You know how many Shriners it takes to change a lightbulb? Five. Three to hold the drinks, and one to hold the ladder."

It was a drinking crowd. But they do one heck of a good work. I posted up thread about the miracles I’ve seen come out of that hospital for crippled children in Greenville SC.
 
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fieldgrade said:
I might have missed some things up thread, but when I lived in SC I knew a lot of Shriners and was invited to the Shrine Club for events.

I’ll fast forward past the TL/DR part, but drinking was absolutely a part of that whole culture.

Are they that much different from Free Masons?
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The Shrine, Scottish Rite (this is where you hear about 33 dg Masons), York Rite and other appendant bodies require you to be a Master Mason before you can join their organization. Each of these organizations set their own rules when it comes to alcohol and drinking at their functions. They have their own charities i.e. Shrine Hospitals, Speech disabilities, Masonic Home for Children, and others. You do not have to join any of these appendant bodies but they are available to all Master Masons in good standing.
 
Never been a joiner.
One of the many flaws I have.
Unless you satanist devil worshippers are killing children, then I’m glad I didn’t join.

But seriously, the Mafia seems way more profitable.
 
Snal~ said:
Always been intrigued by it, but know nothing about it. How do they feel about blue collar, blessed, Appalachian Americans (rednecks)?
I need another group to impress....it's getting boring impressing all of y'all. :)

BTW My grandpa joined the Moose Lodge....They said a prayer and then went to the next room where the bar was....grandpa quit!.....LOL!
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My whole lodge is Appalachian rednecks.... but true Travelers, every single one.
 
MikeS. said:
I’ve commented a couple of times earlier but never gave my particulars; I went through the 3 degrees and am a PM of Triluminar Lodge 117 in Middleway, Jefferson county WVA.
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Are you from Charlestown ?
 
Update- I was raised last month. Thinking about multiple membership at a nearby small lodge that's doing some great work.

I suspect I'ma get roped into a chair soon. Baptism by fire. Lol! It's all good, just means I've got some studying to do.

Is it worthwhile? I think so. I find it rewarding, at any rate.
 
Crazy Carl said:
Update- I was raised last month. Thinking about multiple membership at a nearby small lodge that's doing some great work.

I suspect I'ma get roped into a chair soon. Baptism by fire. Lol! It's all good, just means I've got some studying to do.

Is it worthwhile? I think so. I find it rewarding, at any rate.
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Good for you.

I stalled my process for now
 
These pictures are family heirlooms.
We believe that they were painted by an ancestor named Herbert Washburn that lived in Taunton Mass during the civil war.
The portrait was found in a dusty attic and according to my mom it is his self portrait. We put it in a box to keep it from further damage.
The other is also a self portrait of him driving his team of horses along the Taunton River. I first saw on the wall in my grandfather’s home in the “sitting room” and later in my mom‘s “parlor”. He was an undertaker.

We now have both pictures with us in NC.

Your probably asking yourself what this has to do with this thread …
Here goes —
He was a Mason and was allowed to transport bodies of Masons across the battle lines.
He took the bodies of many Southern and Northern Masons back to their families for a proper burial.
He might have brought the body of one of your kin home..

We flew the MIA POW flag every day when in NH (don’t currently because we are renting in Raleigh) and know that “leave no brother behind“ is deeply ingrained in us.
FD0A5C5B-4BB2-4CA2-A298-9332EB9866C4.jpegD4FC5FB5-1D78-467E-8B48-11EFB92BF4C4.jpeg
 
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surrealone said:
As a reminder, Freemasons have been persecuted multiple times in our history. Given that our craft originates with the building of King Solomon's Temple, I'll point out 'recent' persecutions within the history of Freemasonry, such as: the rounding up, arrest, and tortue of templars in France in 1307, culminating in the burning of the templar grand master, Jacques de Molay, (for whom DeMolay, the masonic youth group is named) upon a scaffold in front of Notre Dame in 1314 (all because the French king didn't want to pay back his loans received from the Templars and it was cheaper to just have the puppet Pope label them heretics); repeated denunciation and arrest/tortue of masonic lodge members by the Spanish inquisition in the mid-1700's; forced closure of German masonic lodges and the seizure of their assets by the Nazi party commencing in 1934 culminating in complete [official] dissolution of all such lodges per Nazi decree in 1935 -- in fact, a special section of the SS Security Service [Sicherheitsdienst; SD], Section II/111, was created specifically to deal with Freemasonry.

Plainly put, we know we have something worthwhile, and we know how to guard it carefully. The arrest of one lodge member can betray and harm that many others. Countless arrests, tortures, and persecutions of brethren who have come before us have taught us that we have good reason to keep certain things to ourselves ... and given us cause to come up with practical means to discern a true master mason from a faker in the darkness as well as in the light. We have always guarded against those who should not be listening to things that do not concern them ... and certain ritualized precautions were necessarily developed as a means of self-preservation long, long ago.
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I would never join a group that would allow someone like me to be a member.

With that said...a Mason that loves history would absolutely love this book. Highly recommended. He has a follow up book that is great as well.

Screenshot_20220811-124919_Amazon Shopping.jpg
 
Crazy Carl said:
Update- I was raised last month. Thinking about multiple membership at a nearby small lodge that's doing some great work.

I suspect I'ma get roped into a chair soon. Baptism by fire. Lol! It's all good, just means I've got some studying to do.

Is it worthwhile? I think so. I find it rewarding, at any rate.
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Congrats Brother.

As far as a chair goes - do you have the time to give? Im in a chair, 'easy' position, no speaking at all required, but I enjoy it
But do keep in mind the time obligation
 
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I found this book from 1917 among my grandfather's belongings. I do not know whether he was a mason or not. I have not read the book but am interested to know whether it is something a person like me who is not a mason should be reading or whether it is suitable for reading by the general public.
 
Just kidding.
Be careful… you might learn the secret code to destroying the world if you read it.

But you might also learn how to save the World from Biden and the democrats.

Quick. Read it…. We don’t have much time left..
 
Charlie said:
I found this book from 1917 among my grandfather's belongings. I do not know whether he was a mason or not. I have not read the book but am interested to know whether it is something a person like me who is not a mason should be reading or whether it is suitable for reading by the general public.
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It is suitable for anyone who is inclined to read it.
 
HMP said:
Congrats Brother.

As far as a chair goes - do you have the time to give? Im in a chair, 'easy' position, no speaking at all required, but I enjoy it
But do keep in mind the time obligation
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Thank you, Brother.

Time's a non issue, so no worries there. Secretary's possible, as his wife has health issues, but JW or JD is more likely. 'N that's okay. More studying/reading/talking, but also more helpful to the other lodge.
 
Crazy Carl said:
Thank you, Brother.

Time's a non issue, so no worries there. Secretary's possible, as his wife has health issues, but JW or JD is more likely. 'N that's okay. More studying/reading/talking, but also more helpful to the other lodge.
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Dad's been in every chair, as has my uncle. Both of them have been Secretary for at least 40 years, but with Dad's essential tremors acting up he can no longer write...

But both are still very active....

Me? I am the worlds worst Mason when it comes to attendance... but I go when I can.
 
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