A Masonic Lodge is: 1. A place where you can confidently trust every person and trust your family them also. 2. A place where, within moral and civil guidelines; free thought, free speaking and the spiritual growth of a man, can grow into its fullest potential. 3. A place to meet outstanding individuals from all works of life that a person would not otherwise have had the opportunity to know and call brother. 4. A place to be part of an organization which has for its principal tenets – Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth. 5. A place that provides self-development opportunities, leadership training and experience, and to improve public speaking skills. 6. A place you can go to seek support as well as give it. 7. A place where moral virtues are taught and through these teachings a regular reinforcement of the moral virtues is experienced. 8. A place to spend time with a group of brothers, who by acting as good men, make me want to become a better man. Not better than others, but better than I would be otherwise been. 9. A place to become better equipped to serve church and community. 10. A place to meet with established members of the community and to become part of the community.
Masons (also known as Freemasons) belong to the oldest and largest fraternal organization in the world. Today, there are more than two million Freemasons in North America. Masons represent virtually every occupation and profession, yet within the Fraternity, all meet as equals. Masons come from diverse political ideologies, yet meet as friends. Masons come from varied religious beliefs and creeds, yet all believe in one God. Many of North America's early patriots were Freemasons. Thirteen signers of the Constitution and fourteen Presidents’ of the United States, including George Washington, were Masons. In Canada, the Father of the Confederation, Sir John A. MacDonald, was a Mason, as were other early Canadian and American leaders. One of the most fascinating aspects of Freemasonry is how so many men, from so many different walks of life, can meet together in peace, always conducting their affairs in harmony and friendship and calling each other " Brother."
What Is Freemasonry?
Freemasonry (or Masonry) is dedicated to the Brotherhood of Man under the Fatherhood of God. It uses the tools and implements of ancient architectural craftsmen symbolically in a system of instruction designed to build character and moral values in its members. Its singular purpose is to make good men better. Its bonds of friendship, compassion, and brotherly love have survived even the most divisive political, military, and religious conflicts through the centuries. Freemasonry is a fraternity that encourages its members to practice the faith of their personal acceptance. Masonry teaches that each person, through self-improvement and helping others, has an obligation to make a difference for good in the world.
Where Did Freemasonry Begin?
No one knows just how old Freemasonry is because the actual origins have been lost in time. Most scholars believe Masonry rose from the guilds of stonemasons who built the majestic castles and cathedrals of the middle ages. In 1717, Masonry created a formal organization when four Lodges in London joined in forming England's first Grand Lodge. By 1731, when Benjamin Franklin joined the Fraternity, there were already several Lodges in the Colonies, and in Canada the first Lodge was established in 1738.
Today, Masonic Lodges are found in almost every community throughout North America, and in large cities there are usually several Lodges. A Mason can travel to almost any country in the world and a Masonic Lodge where he will be welcomed as a "Brother."
What Do Freemasons Do?
The Masonic experience encourages members to become better men, better husbands, better fathers, and better citizens. The fraternal bonds formed in the Lodge help build lifelong friendships among men with similar goals and values. Beyond its focus on individual development and growth, Masonry is deeply involved in helping people. The Freemasons of North America contribute over two million dollars a day to charitable causes. The philanthropy represents an unparalleled example of the humanitarian commitment of this great and honorable Fraternity. Much of that assistance goes to people who are not Masons. Some of these charities are vast projects. The Shrine Masons (Shriners) operate the largest network of hospitals for burned and orthropaedically impaired children in the country, and there is never a fee for treatment. The Scottish Rite Masons maintain a nationwide network of over 150 Childhood Language Disorder Clinics, Centers, and Programs. Many other Masonic organizations sponsor a variety of philanthropies, including scholarship programs for students, and perform public service activities in their communities. Masons also enjoy the fellowship of each other and their families in social and recreational activities.
Several Masonic Principles Are:
Faith must be the center of our lives. All men and women are the children of God. No one has the right to tell another person what he or she must think or believe. Each person has a responsibility to be a good citizen, obeying the law. It is important to work to make the world a better place for all. Honor and integrity are keys to a meaningful life.
What Is The Masonic Lodge?
The word "Lodge" means both a group of Masons meeting together as well as the room or building in which they meet. Masonic buildings are sometimes called " temples" because the original meaning of the term was " place of knowledge" and Masonry encourages the advancement of knowledge. Most Masonic Lodges usually meet once or twice a month to conduct regular business, vote upon petitions for membership, and bring new Masons into the Fraternity through three ceremonies called degrees. Howard Lodge meets every Monday. In the Lodge room Masons share in a variety of programs. Here the bonds of friendship and fellowship are formed and strengthen.
Who Can Qualify To Join?
Applicants must be men of good character who believe in a Supreme Being. To become a Mason one must petition a particular Lodge. The Master of the Lodge appoints a committee to visit the applicant prior to the Lodge balloting upon his petition.
So Who Are The Masons?
Masons are men of good character who strive to improve themselves and make the world a better place. They belong to the oldest and most honorable fraternity known to man. If you think you may be interested in becoming a member, you can begin by contacting a Lodge in your area or speaking to a Mason.
Fraternally, Matthew D. Suit WebMaster
Thanks goes out to Brother Nick Marks of Florence Lodge No. 87 in Woodbury, NJ for supplying information for this article
In the early years Howard Lodge was of very small membership and remained so until after the turn of the century. The Brethren selected for their use the Hall of the Triumphant, Division No. 38, Sons of Temperance. In 1893 the Lodge was informed that the Sons of Temperance building was for sale. A board of trustees was elected by the Lodge to purchase the building, and it was purchased at a cost of $1,200.00. They continued to meet there until after the turn of the century, when they felt that they needed a larger and more commodious temple. They purchased a lot on Levering Avenue in Elkridge and started to erect a temple, and in 1904 they laid the cornerstone for the present temple. The temple was completed and dedicated in 1905, on the exact fiftieth anniversary of its being chartered. When the temple was completed, the outstanding dept amounted to only $1,000.00, secured by two $500.00 notes held by two of the Brethren of Howard Lodge. These two notes were subsequently retired, and the building was left debt free. When the temple was built, the brethren at that time envisaged a growth to a total membership of 100 members. The Lodge continually grew very slowly up until the late 1930’s, when the surrounding territories turned from principally farming country to urban communities. The growth since then has been phenomenal, and now approximates a membership of 619. Our brethren built on a firm foundation, and built well, for after 101 years of continuous use and two recent floods the temple still remains in excellent condition.
Reprinted from: History of Howard Lodge No. 101 Worshipful Master Charles H. Schuhart, Jr.
