Secrets of Freemasonry

The common question is why is Masonry so “secretive”?

It really isn’t “secretive,” although it sometimes has that reputation. Masons certainly don’t make a secret of the fact that they are members of the fraternity. We wear rings, lapel pins, and tie clasps with Masonic emblems like the Square and Compasses, the best known of Masonic signs which, logically, recall the fraternity’s early symbolic roots in stonemasonry. Masonic buildings are clearly marked, and are usually listed in the phone book. Lodge activities are not secret — picnics and other events are even listed in the newspapers, especially in smaller towns. Many lodges have answering machines which give the upcoming lodge activities. But there are some Masonic secrets, and they fall into two categories.

The first are the ways in which a man can identify himself as a Mason — grips and passwords. We keep those private for obvious reasons. It is not at all unknown for unscrupulous people to try to pass themselves off as Masons in order to get assistance under false pretenses.

The second group is harder to describe, but they are the ones Masons usually mean if we talk about “Masonic secrets.” They are secrets because they literally can’t be talked about, can’t be put into words.
They are the changes that happen to a man when he really accepts responsibility for his own life and, at the same time, truly decides that his real happiness is in helping others.
It’s a wonderful feeling, but it’s something you simply can’t explain to another person. That’s why we sometimes say that Masonic secrets cannot (rather than “may not”) be told. Try telling someone exactly what you feel when you see a beautiful sunset, or when you hear music, like the national anthem, which suddenly stirs old memories, and you’ll understand what we mean.
“Secret societies” became very popular in America in the late 1800s and early 1900s. There were literally hundreds of them, and most people belonged to two or three. Many of them were modeled on Masonry, and made a great point of having many “secrets.” Freemasonry got ranked with them. But if Masonry is a secret society, it’s the worst-kept secret in the world!

MD CHIP program

Members of Scouters #236 participated in the MD CHIP Program held at the Reisterstown Festival this past weekend.

Here, our Treasurer, Bro. Rick Smith, mans one of the stations:

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While our Secretary, Bro. Stephen Mintz contemplates the glorious works of creation and prepares for his upcoming wedding…

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Scouters Lodge Raffle

Hi, all!

We are having a raffle this year for an NRA firearms training course, given by Athenian Services. It is for the winner and their guest’s choice of NRA Basic Pistol – with MD HQL, or a Rifle or Shotgun course.

The pistol course is outlined here: http://www.athenianservices.com/index.php/pistol/

and the Rifle/Shotgun courses are outlined here: http://www.athenianservices.com/index.php/rifle-and-shotgun/

Raffle tickets are 1 for $3 or 3 for $5 Best part is that even if you don’t win the prize, your losing ticket still entitles you to 15% off the course price!

The drawing is to be held on November 21, 2016

Help support Scouters Lodge #236!

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Installation of Officers

Congratulations to all our new officers! Especially to our new WM, Robert Frey! The installation was impressive, with the Grand Line doing the installation.

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Eagle Ceremony

From Bro. Charles Hazard, PM:

“It was an honor and pleasure to present Eagle Scout and DeMolay, Ben Fleury, certificates of congratulations on behalf of Ionic Lodge #145 A.F.&A.M. as well as Scouter’s Lodge #236 A.F.&A.M. Congrats Ben on an honor that is most deserved and well earned.”

 

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Eagle Ceremony

Bro. Robert Frey presenting the Scouter’s Lodge Eagle Certificate to new Eagle Scout Neelesh Mupparapu of Troop 634, Reisterstown, MD:

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Officers 2015

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“Welcome our 2015 Officers!”

The membership of Scouter’s Lodge #236 is composed of brothers who were either
Scouts themselves, or adult Scouters. All degree work is performed in Class A uniform.

Scouter’s Lodge #236 was granted a Charter on November 17, 2013 at the 226th Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of Maryland, A.F. & A.M.. Scouter’s Lodge is the first lodge under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Maryland formed strictly for men with backgrounds in the Scouting program.