By Jim Sanford • Special to the MVN • September 17, 2010 RGJ.com
Ever wondered who the Masonic Lodge in the local community is and what it does? Now is your chance to find out.
The community is invited to the "On the Level," a Masonic information program and open house at the Hope Lodge #22 in Yerington on Saturday, October 9, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
The event is open to men and their families who would like to know more about Masonry, or who are interested in membership. Refreshments will be served.
Masonic Lodges throughout the state will hold the open house, opening their doors and lodge rooms to the public, conducting tours and answering questions. The public is invited to attend to visit with Masons and learn about fraternity.
Freemasonry is the world's oldest and largest fraternity. Thirteen signers of the U.S. Declaration of Independence and 14 presidents of the United States, including George Washington, were Freemasons.
Today, there are more than 1.4 million Freemasons in North America alone, 4,000 of whom are Nevada Freemasons.
Origins of Freemasonry are rooted in the guilds of stonemasons who built the castles and cathedrals in Europe during the middle ages. The tools and objects used by these stonemasons have been adapted as symbols and the ceremonies of modern Freemasonry, known worldwide as a symbol of character, charity and friendship. The square and the compass design is the emblem of every Masonic Lodge.
Today, Freemasonry is a fraternity that brings together men of various political, social, ethnic, and religious backgrounds to work to improve themselves in the community and in the spirit of brotherly love, relief and truth.
Who are the Masons?
People wanting to know more about the Freemasons are invited to this open house, and here is just a little bit of information about the lodge and its individual members:
Operative Masons lay stones and bricks--in 926 AD, the Stone Masons joined with the Knights in guilds called Freemasons. In 1717, the first speculative Grand Lodge of Freemasons was formed in York, England.
A Mason is a man who believes in a Supreme Being. Freemasonry is not a religion. Freemasons are Catholics, Protestants, Jewish, Islamic, or whichever religion they choose. Religion and politics are forbidden topics for discussion in the Lodge room.
General information about Masons of Nevada is available at www.nvmasons.org or call 775-786-5261.
No comments:
Post a Comment