Now That I Am A Freemason

Short Papers Competition 2009 © 2010 Internet Lodge and the author Paper 31/2009 Title Now That I Am a Freemason Author Bro Gladstone Michael Fisher – Jamaica I am a freemason. What next?
Freemasonry teaches us our ob ligations to God, to mankind, to our family and to our selves. The three degrees work together to form a system of morality, even though veiled in allegory. These ceremonies work in harmony to make you a mason; yet they are finite. Becoming a freemason is a lifelong process. How do I become a Mason? How do I contribute to my lodge and to freemasonry in general? Keep it fun . Freemasonry makes you a better man only while it plays a role in your life. Keep that role active by finding in freemasonry what interests you. Freemasonry has a depth and breadth that can satisfy just about any interest. Seek out and enjoy those aspects that excite you. It is during the process of discovering freemasonry that you will find your individual path to becoming a mason. Get to know your brothers ; from all the lodges within your ability to visit. Your shared brotherhood makes that first step easier, but friends hips of any kind require effort. Make the effort . You will develop friendships that will last a lifetime. Be interested; be interesting. Freemasonry is ultimately a fraternity! Share in the charitable work . There are outreach programmes and f und raisers that can always use another helping hand, especially one with a fresh energy level. Offer to help your almoner. What better way to understand your lodge than to get to know the older brethren and widows? The stories you will hear and share will be eagerly listened to by active brot hers. Find a brother in a service club and join his. Your mutual fraternity adds another dimension to the service club experience. Study the ritual work . Hearing it, knowing it and memorising it each give a progressively clearer understanding of the symbols and allegory. Giving of your best in the ritual work is how you give back to those who follow behind you. It shows respect for those who did it for you before they even knew you! Offer to lead a special project that is suited to your unique set of talents and experiences. We all have something to share and we can all contribute in ways that we enjoy. Progress in your masonry; through the craft chairs and into the appendant bodies. Royal Arch, Rose Croix and Mark masonry help to develop your Masonic knowledge.
Educate yourself; in freemasonry and otherwise. Bros. Harry Carr and Carl Claudy make understanding freemasonry easier. The Prestonian Lectures and the AQC Transactions make comprehending freemasonry challenging and exciting. Learn how to dr aw a sixty degree angle us ing only a compass and ruler. Discover the complexities of philosophy. Im prove your knowledge of the world around you and above all; understand how to answer in an engaging way the profane question: What is Masonry?
When you can answer that in less than thirty seconds, you are well on your way to becoming a mason. I am a freemason. I enjoy it. Why would I leave?