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The Language of Freemasonry
It is the same in the sense that we all receive the same ritual work in this jurisdiction; hopefully the same, or similar, training with the Mentor Program and the Wardens Seminars; and we attend meetings that are reasonably the same jurisdiction-wide. It is different though in its impact upon each one of us as an individual. The booklet contained with this issue of The Pennsylvania Freemason is just the beginning of your telling us what our Fraternity means to others. We encourage you to take the time to read the booklet and subsequent articles in The Pennsylvania Freemason. This concept of "same, but different" also was made extremely apparent to me, Deputy Grand Master Marvin A. Cunningham, Sr., and our Past Grand Secretary Thomas W. Jackson, when we attended the World Conference of Grand Lodges in Madrid, Spain, of which Bro. Jackson is the Executive Director. Seventy-five Grand Lodges were present at that conference and, while we talked the "language of Freemasonry," no matter what our native tongue may have been, it was at the very least interesting, if not startling, to see the application of that "language" in other parts of the world. In some respects, it was almost as if we were visiting a gathering of leaders at the time of the formation of our own governmental system with its attendant discussions of separation of church and state, the power of the central government, the power of the states, and the power of the individual. There was one common thread, though, to which we all could agree that Freemasonry is the greatest force for individual development and the greatest non-governmental force for the perpetuation of freedom in the world. All of this is made more impressive when you consider that we cannot, and do not, discuss religion or politics within our meetings, nor become involved in them as an organized force. It truly shows the "genius" that each one of us can have if we choose to use it. One of our members who had that "genius" will be recognized on Aug. 18, when we travel to South Williamsport to participate in a historic day for Freemasonry in Pennsylvania. As we previously told you, on that day, we will lay the date stone for a new stadium at the Little League World Series. We will unveil a scoreboard for that stadium marked with Masonic symbols that is part of a larger donation we have made to Little League. And, most importantly, we will present a statue recognizing that member who was a special "genius," Bro. Carl Stotz (click here for the related story). We hope and believe that in his creation of Little League Baseball, Bro. Stotz not only wanted to provide a positive experience for his nephews, but an experience that benefits youth and is based on principles of equality and fair play in dealing with others. Sound familiar? We hope that you and your family will attend this momentous event. We want to show the world the positive experience of Freemasonry. Please support Freemasonry in Pennsylvania by your attendance. So mote it be.
Sincerely and fraternally,
Robert L. Dluge, Jr., |
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"THE VALUES OF BROTHERHOOD!" That's a phrase we have been emphasizing the last several months. It is meant to make you more aware of just what our Fraternity is and what it does. We say that "Freemasonry makes the man" by the impact of its teachings and philosophies on the individual. We hope that our members will then use those concepts to improve not only their lives, but the lives of others as well. As part of that program, we also seek to know from you any personal experiences of how the Fraternity may have impacted on you in some special way. I am delighted that your response to this request has been outstanding! More than 900 brethren replied, providing stories ranging from heart-warming to heart-rending but all from the heart. It is impossible to categorize, quantify, or qualify those testimonials, other than to say, FREEMASONRY IS TRULY A PERSONAL EXPERIENCE THAT POSITIVELY IMPACTS UPON HUMAN LIFE. While it is the same for all of us, it is also different. 
