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2007 Masonic Educational
Programs
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| November Program |
The Ballot, Secrecy, and Responsibility ~ Within the Fraternity of Freemasons, there must be matters which are very private and the election of new members represents one of the most important instances of the combination of freedom and responsibility for the Brethren. |
| October Program |
The Compasses ~ the compass is an instrument used for drawing circles, erecting perpendiculars, and measuring distances. Along with the straight edge, the compass is used to discover and verify many basic theorems dealing with properties of circles, triangles, and figures in the plane. |
| September Program |
Masonic Wages ~ Wages in the Masonic sense are different than wages earned for your livelyhood, and the lessons of the Craft teach us they should reflect a progression from lower skill, such as the apprentice; to a higher skill, such as fellow-craft; and finally to the highest skill, being that of a master. |
| August Program |
Plumb and Plumb-line ~ As one of the earliest and simplest instruments used in construction, the plumb and its line were an essential tool of the stone mason. |
| July Program |
Illustrated by Symbols ~ Early in their Entered Apprentice preparation each initiate is told that "Freemasonry is … a beautiful and profound system of morality, veiled in allegories and illustrated by symbols", and with this introduction, the initiate begins his journey seeking Masonic knowledge and Light. |
| June Program |
Ancient Landmarks ~ Within the Master's Charge is found that "The ancient landmarks of the order, entrusted to your care, you are carefully to preserve; and never suffer them to be infringed, or countenance a deviation from the established usages and customs of the fraternity", but further monitorial references to the "ancient landmarks" are lacking. As with the symbols and allegories, here lies an area for personal thought and reflection. |
| May Program |
A Look at Allegory and Symbols ~ In this day and time there are many avenues to inform the non-Mason about the Craft, from handout cards to written articles to various web sites on the internet. Some are very informative and very open, while others are patently hostile. Rather than looking at these, let us examine our "system of morality ... " definition more closely. |
| April Program |
Arts, Sciences and the Fellow Craft ~ As Masonry shifted from operative to speculative forms, Freemasons were desirous to advance the Craft beyond an operative art and drew upon the developments occurring in education at universities. The emergence of science and the Age of Reason with an emphasis on the Seven Liberal Arts were an apt model for the Craft |
| March Program |
Avouchment and Visitation ~ Brethren are encouraged to visit other Lodges and extend Brotherly affection, along with learning the lessons of Freemasonry. But visitation is different than attending one’s Lodge and Brothers should review carefully the material found in “Chapter 6 – Title III – Visitors” of the Grand Lodge Law and understand the expectations of a visitor. |
| February Program |
The Just Mason ~ Justice is that quality of being just, maintaining impartiality, or being fair. It is conforming to what is morally upright and good, regardless of the circumstances. |
| January Program |
Language and the Mason ~ For one entering Masonry there are many challenges, but none more immediate than learning a catechism couched in a language rooted in the Middle Ages. There are lessons within these challenges that are most important to being a Mason. |
| December 2006 Program |
Circumspection and Silence ~ It is the practice of keeping secrets or maintaining privacy that is to distinguish the Mason in his dealings with his Brothers and frequently leads to confusion in the outer world. |
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© The Grand Lodge of Texas, A.F. & A.M. 2003-2008 |
