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*A Christian and a Mason
Sadly, some of the most frequent attacks against Masonry come from the Church. There are several denominations who believe the hatred that has been spread about us for hundreds of years. I chalk this up to simply a lack of understanding, and one that I hope I can do my part to remedy. I will proudly proclaim on this website for all to see, I am a devout Christian who lives and breathes by the Word of our LORD! I live my life from day to day in the hope of my Savior, which is Christ our Lord. I read daily from God's Word, taking in His holy teachings and I am in Church every week. Believe not what has been said about Masonry from without, for deception is the work of darker forces.
The young candidate, at the beginning of his walk in Masonry, is asked to make a declaration of faith. The first, and one of the most stirring realities of Freemasonry is that an atheist cannot be a Mason. We are a Holy Fraternity, whose origins go back in recorded history more than a thousand years, and whose legends go back to Biblical times. Because Masons are called to serve God through their craft, it would be illogical for an atheist to even consider our work. When asked in whom I placed my faith, I proudly said that it was in the Lord Jesus Christ.
I was raised in a Baptist Church in Point Pleasant, WV. In that Church, there were many wonderful men who were great role models for me in life. After I was saved, I volunteered to be one of the ushers (who in our church also took up the offertory), and soon found that several of these men, whom I had admired my whole life, were Masons. Some of the most Godly men that I knew had partaken in the mysteries of Masonry. When I started attending the Episcopal Church in late High School with a friend, I found that several of the more respected members of the congregation were Masons as well. In fact, when our new Priest came to Christ Episcopal, I was more than pleased to find out that he, himself, was a traveling man.
For those who say that the two traditions conflict, I share this aphorism from George Oliver (1782-1867), in The Book of the Lodge: "As you are a Christian Mason, you must on all occasions study to perform the duties of Christian morality, which are comprehended under the triple category of God, your neighbor and yourself." Every rite and ritual performed in the Lodge has its basis in scripture. During the degree work, the candidate finds himself nearly overwhelmed with scriptural references and verses that go along with the ideas that are being conveyed about morality, duty, and honor. The Holy Bible rests in the center of the Lodge with his pages open, and all meetings are opened and closed prayerfully, offering up blessings to the Lord our God, and asking His guidance in all our work. In fact, the G that is found at the center of the Square and Compasses stands for God and Geometry. God, for he is the Great Architect of the Universe, and our hope through His Son, and Geometry, because God has given us Geometry to understand the beauty of His creation.
Masonic work is a wonderful thing. We take part in various charities, donating millions of dollars per day between the various appendant bodies. You'll notice, however, that there is almost no publicity about our work. That has led many skeptics to wonder about what what we do in "secret." Yet, if you turn to God's Word, Mathew 6:1-4 says, " 1“Be careful not to do your ‘acts of righteousness’ before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. 2“So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 3But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." As Masons, we don't feel a desire to announce our work to the world. That would be prideful, and that is something we will not do. Masonic temperance goes beyond the body but into the mind, heart, and soul, where our strongest passions lie. It would benefit us none in this world to brag about what we do.
One of the most common misconceptions that people have about Masonry the claim that are affiliated with Lucifer. This is as far from the truth as could be possible. One of the reasons for this is the use of the term Blazing Star, as being one of the Ornaments of the Lodge in the first degree. Blazing Star is traced falsely, in this incidence, back to the rebuking of Lucifer in Isaiah. The truth is found easily, however, in the Minnesota Masonic Manual where it is expressed that the Blazing Star that is held so dear in the first degree is indeed The Star Of Bethlehem, whose light led the Magi to the infant Christ. There will always be those, however, that speak against the good works of the Lodge. It is our duty to stand firm against such assaults. As it is written in 2 Corinthians 11:12-15 “And what I do I will continue to do, in order to undermine the claim of those who would like to claim that in their boasted mission they work on the same terms as we do. For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is not strange if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.” It should be remembered that even the Devil can quote scripture for his own purpose. When he tempted Christ, he quoted Psalm 91:11-12. This is reinforced with Christ's words in Matthew 7:15 & 16: " Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits."
All my life, I've known that I've wanted to be a Mason. It is part of who I am as a person. My Christianity will always be the most important aspect of my life though. The two are not mutually exclusive though. In my heart of hearts, I feel that I express part of who I am as a Christian through who I am as a Mason. Different people serve the Lord in different ways. Some choose to do it through song, others by working with children, or by actually going into the ministry. Part of my ministry comes through being a Mason. People see the ring on my hand and ask me about it, and I take that as an opportunity to not only tell them about the fact that I am a Mason, but to also share with them about the Lord Jesus Christ.
In close, I share with you the word of a Brother. He told me that he was glad that I knew the difference between who I am and whose I am. I am a Mason. This is who I am. I belong to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Heavenly Father, speed fast my heart to serve you and your Will for my life. I praise you with all my being, Lord, as I lift up your hands to your divine joy. May I always be a builder for you. Amen.
by Bro. D. David Will, Jr. 3°
Minturn #19 - Point Pleasant, WV
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