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Post by leonardo on Feb 20, 2005 9:59:14 GMT
I've always been intrigued as to why some people become Freemasons. And reading through the many wonderful posts that exist on this forum and elsewhere one cannot help but notice the genuine passion that many Freemasons feel about being part of such a distinguished Brotherhood.
I'm hoping that some of you will write a little about why you joined the Craft; about your expectations, and: Have those expectations been met?
I look forward to your responses.
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Post by Mikepm on Feb 20, 2005 11:02:21 GMT
Hi Leonardo, i will be brief. My Grandfather was a Freemason in London for over 50 years from approx 1924 to 1982 and as far as memory serves, was always helping others. i beleive the Sunday school i attended recevied help from his lodge. When he fell ill they looked after him and my Nan. The Historical side of Freemasonry, ( i'm going to visit the Rosslyn Chapel) as well as other Historical sites. Friendship, everyone i have met face to face or on websites have been friendly, and helpful. Charity work, and especialy smaller & local charities, and just helping others. And hopfully to see you initiated this year, regards Mike.
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Post by leonardo on Feb 20, 2005 16:30:42 GMT
Thank you Mike for that brief but moving explanation.
One of the things that has kept me motivated despite my recently well publicised setback is the many wonderful posts I read on this forum (Like yours) and in the e-mails I receive on a fairly regular basis from Freemasons who have genuine compassion for their brothers and the Craft in their hearts.
I have always felt that Freemasonry is far greater than any individual or even any individual lodge. These views are being strengthened constantly.
I thank you for your comments and pray that the latter part of them will eventually be made to come true.
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Post by taylorsman on Feb 20, 2005 17:19:54 GMT
Oh dear, I hope I can keep this short as I could "write a book" on this question.
I first took an interest in Freemasonry in my early teens in Scotland. Unlike England, Masonry has always been quite open in Scotland, men would quite freely mention that they were Masons and Masonic Halls are common , I can think of several in the Glasgow Area off the top of my head . Announcements of the Names, Meetings, even the Degree work they would be doing of the various Lodges were published in the local papers each week. So I was well aware of the existance of Freemasonry.
In my teens a relative by marriage died suddenly. This man had been a Mason and the Brethren of the Lodge were a great help to his widow and family in the immediate aftermath of his death and thereafter. Now unlike Mike IPM, I do NOT come from a Masonic Family, my father indeed is somewhat anti and is unaware that I am a Freemason, far less so deeply involved. The incident with this relation impressed me greatly and I started to read up about Freemasonry .
Nothing then happened until I came down to England in 1972. In those days of course I was poorly paid and only 18 and thus too young in any event but met many Brethren through other connections and those who were prepared to discuss such matters increased my interest and knowledge. I read up even more about Freemasonry.
However ,it was not until I moved to Brighton and in early 1988 that I was approached by two Brethren who were Local Councillors as I was then myself and giving them a positive response was invited to their Lodge's Ladies Night with my then wife. Following from that and a further chatt about such matters I was invited to the Interview by the Lodge Committee and was approved by them and on Monday 12th December 1988 I was Initiated.
Much has happened since then , culminating in my achieving to me the Keystone of the Arch when I entered Royal Order of Scotland yesterday just over 16 years since my Initiation.
I have always had a great interest in the Symbolical, Ritualistic and Esoteric aspects of Life and Freemasonry, especially in the Higher Degrees has given me great satisfaction in that regard.
I hope this in some small way answers your question Leo and that you too will one day kneel where I and so many others who post here have knelt and with your hand on the VSL swear your Obligation and arise a "Newly Obligated Brother Amongst Masons" and by the Grace of God I hope to be there to see you do so!
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Post by mrmason on Feb 20, 2005 18:06:44 GMT
I joined approx 15 years ago out of wanting to belong to something that was unique. I have always had an interest in history particularly Scottish history. On researching/reading history I was amazed to find out that the masonic order played an important part of our social history. The whole history/secret, type of myth interested me so much that I applied to join. It eventually snowballed from there with me constantly telling my wife "just one more order and thats it". 7 orders later with another 2 applied for I just can't get enough. I also find it great socially, particularly with my job as I travel around the country. There is nothing worse than staying 5 nights in a strange place with nothing to do at night. I have made some great friends and contacts throughout the years and will hopefully continue to do so. I was the first in my family to join with my brother following me a few years later however he has now slipped by the way side and doesn't go anymore.
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Post by middlepillar on Feb 20, 2005 18:47:53 GMT
OK Leo You asked for it! I will try like Steve to keep it short! Mine is a story of 'enlightenment' you will have to get to the end to see what I mean Back in 88 I used to have a cleaning contract at 'Snoops' Toy shop in Covent Garden, we used go their fortnightly on a Mon evening, and every Mon eve at 7.30 my partner used to disappear for a couple of hours saying he had a bit of business! eventually I asked him where he wag going and he told me he was a Mason and he was going to L.O.I. and was I interested? I recoiled in horror and said not bl..dy likely. About a week later I was talking to my Bro and said "A funny thing happened to me last week, I was invited to join the Masons!" To my great surprise he said to me "Join and as soon as your in get me in" (He was a Fireman at the time and he was convinced it would be a good career move). Anyway I spoke to my partner had my interview and was initiated, I was then Passed and Raised and I then went back to my Brother and said I can now propose you. He then told me things had changed and his wife was under the impression that freemasonry was Anti-Church and she did not want him to join! I then spent about 3 Months talking with my Sister-in-law and managed to convince her Freemasonry was in fact totally compatable with the Church and she agreed to let my brother join! So thats the story in a nutshell!. But of course I now have to add the following.... All these years later, I have learned what a responsibility it is for someone to propose you, so I would never want to let my proposer down. I went through the Chair in 94 and have gone through the Craft chair twice, Royal Arch (2) Mark (4) RAM (2) R & S (1) Allied (1) HOM (1). I think I learned what Freemasonry really has to offer. My Brother shortly after being Raised told me what a crock of crap it was that he would get on by being on the Square, he found out only 1 of the senior officers he was convinced were masons actually was (It must of been beacause they were actually better at thier job than he was) He has been secretary of my Mother Lodge for seven years now. But most of all Leo, I have learned so much about good people, and I can only reiterate what others have said, you are a good man and you will be an exceptional Mason! I need a cup of tea, I feel exposed
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Post by leonardo on Feb 20, 2005 19:47:25 GMT
Steve/Bob/Chris
Thank you so much for those comments. It's always interesting to read how people first became acquainted with Freemasonry and their reasons for taking those all-important first steps. Reading through these posts it becomes fairly obvious that there is no secret formula for making a person interested in becoming a Freemason. Sometimes a set of apparently unconnected circumstances can be all that it takes to plant those initial first seeds.
Thank you for sharing some of those circumstances on this forum.
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Post by a on Feb 20, 2005 19:59:20 GMT
Sometimes a set of apparently unconnected circumstances can be all that it takes to plant those initial first seeds. As you say Leo, apparently unconnected.
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Agent J
Member
On a Mission from God...
Posts: 127
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Post by Agent J on Feb 21, 2005 10:25:24 GMT
I desperately wanted to join from the age of 18, having had many conversations with the father of my girlfriend at that time. I'm sure had we stayed together that I would have joined at 21, but unfortunately that relationship was not to be and it took me 11 years to find another Mason! As for the reason why I wanted to join - huge respect for my nearly father-in-law (if you're reading this, you lived in Bexleyheath), and wanting to know what the "secret" was. But the reasons you stay are often very different. Many Masons would say that through their Faith, they discovered Freemasonry. With me it was the other way round.
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staffs
Administrator
Staffs
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Post by staffs on Feb 21, 2005 18:33:55 GMT
i was approached by my future proposer some five years ago and it was suggested that i should maybe consider it.A few more suggestions followed shortly and i dismissed the idea as i thought it was for the upper class and that you had to be quite wealthy and that it would cost you a lot of money.However i saw this person on several more occassions and nothing more was mentioned and i thought i had missed the boat.
But driving back down the motorway to Brighton one afternoon i received a call from this person who had just passed me and offered to buy me a cup of tea at the next service station.I now realise how lucky i was as it is quite a rarity for him to buy a drink. ;D
A further suggestion of joining the craft was mentioned with a short description of what it was about.i know felt quite priveleged and told that if i was interested then i should call him which of course i did the following day.A meeting was arranged and a few lodge members met me in the pub and i could not believe that these were just ordinary people just like myself but what came over most was the unbelievable feeling of a belonging and brotherhood. I called my proposer the following day and could not wait to join which happened just 3 months later. I now wish i had done it five years ago but maybe then i was not ready for the journey to begin.Now its started i dont want it to stop.
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Post by leonardo on Feb 21, 2005 19:14:58 GMT
Agent J and Lee,
Every account so far have been so wonderfully diverse and so refreshing in their own way that it proves yet again that Freemasonry appeals to all, regardless of their background. I am now even more eager than ever to become a part of this magnificent family.
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staffs
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Staffs
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Post by staffs on Feb 21, 2005 19:22:40 GMT
Leo,
I think you will find there will be quite a few people there from this forum when you do.Myself being one of them.
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Post by leonardo on Feb 21, 2005 19:27:33 GMT
Lee, It will be an honour for me to have you and others from this forum present
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staffs
Administrator
Staffs
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Post by staffs on Feb 21, 2005 19:40:47 GMT
Leo,it will be an honour for us to be there.
but dont forget to give plenty of notice as nowdays everyone leads such a busy life they need to know such things well in advance.
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Post by leonardo on Feb 21, 2005 19:45:33 GMT
Leo,it will be an honour for us to be there. but dont forget to give plenty of notice as nowdays everyone leads such a busy life they need to know such things well in advance. Indeed I will. It just would not be the same without certain members off this forum being present. So, I will make sure there's pleanty of notice.
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Post by Mikepm on Feb 21, 2005 23:45:54 GMT
Leo, i also had my wedding reception at the Masonic Hall, Redhill, Surrey (where my lodge meets) and i know that my wife was impressed by the helpfullness of the centre manager and of his staff, so when i asked him about joining freemasonry she was already onside with me joining.
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Post by forester on Feb 22, 2005 9:05:01 GMT
Hi Leo, I've had an interest in Masonry since my days in the RAF when I read books on the craft during long night shifts! . When I left the service and joined the police, knowing my interest in Masonry I was asked to a ladies evening, that was back in 2002. I was initiated in 2003 and recently (Jan 2005) raised. I really enjoy the lodge evenings and spend a lot of my spare time researching the craft via forums etc. I hope to get up to Roslyn one day - just to see what the fuss is all about ;D. In April I am moving into Mark - which I am told is a most enjoyable degree. Anyways for what it's worth that is my little story.
Leo I hope you enjoy your Masonic journey, I certainly do s&f
Chas
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Agent J
Member
On a Mission from God...
Posts: 127
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Post by Agent J on Feb 22, 2005 9:30:40 GMT
Leo Stick me down for that as well mate. Hope to see you soon.
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Post by leonardo on Feb 22, 2005 9:38:59 GMT
Leo Stick me down for that as well mate. Hope to see you soon. Ajent J, Will do. Looking forward to that. Forester, Congratulations on you recent Rising. Mike, Lovely story about the wedding. Is you wife also in FM?
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bod
Member
UGLE - MM (London), MMM RAM(Middx), OSM (London)
Posts: 1,296
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Post by bod on Feb 23, 2005 7:35:05 GMT
I've always been intrigued as to why some people become Freemasons. 'Cos you meet some really really nice people! It's like the old AA advert - 'Hes a very nice man' 'Very nice man' 'Lovely man' etc....
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