Is Freemasonry a religion or has it a religion?
The answer to both questions is no. “A” religion connotes some particular religion. Freemasonry is nonsectarian. Before its Altar, Christian, Jew, Mohammedan, Buddhist, Gentile or Confucian may kneel together. If the question be phrased, “Is Freemasonry religious?” then the obvious answer is that an institution “erected to God” which begins its ceremonies and ends it meetings with prayer; which has a Holy Book upon its Altar; which preaches the fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man, of course, has a religious character, although, let it be emphasized again, wholly nonsectarian.
All Grand Lodges require their initiates to express a belief and trust in God. No atheist can be made a Mason. [One Hundred One Questions About Freemasonry, #6, The Masonic Service Association, 2003]
Something for Everyone
The Harmony Lodge jewelry cabinet is OPEN FOR BUSINESS. From bumper stickers to lapel pins and anything in-between, all you have to do is ask your Senior Warden. Cash, check or money order, they’re all good. If you don’t see it, ask and it shall be rendered unto you via catalog order or a quick look in a box or under something else. We have Blue Lodge, Scottish Rite, York Rite and Eastern Star paraphernalia and prices are reflective of current inflationary spirals, unfortunately.
Fraternally,
Howard R. Harris
Senior Warden & NewsLetter Editor
Brethren,
While walking down the hall at my church a couple of weeks ago, a fellow church member asked me the nature of the pin I was wearing on my lapel. It was the Junior Warden pin, represented by the Plumb. I explained to her I was a Mason and the pin was a symbol of my office within the organization. I could see the distressed look on her face and she began to question me on the secrecy of our Fraternity. Fortunately, I had another church member who was familiar with Masonry, as her father was a Master Mason, intervene and begin to explain her views on Masonry. Her intervention allowed me to graciously remove myself from some unfounded inquisition, but it did beg the question. Are there really people out there who think Masonry is a secret society of evildoers plotting for their own selfish ends?
As I began to research the matter on the internet, I found a revealing piece. Apparently, people have been suspicious of Masonry since its inception, using fear, and fear alone, as an argument against Masonry and its members. The insert below from United Grand Lodge of London is the oldest known Anti-Masonic document.
Having thought it needful to warn you of the Mischiefs and Evils practiced in the sight of God by those called Freed Masons, I say take care lest their Ceremonies and secret swearings take hold of you: and be wary that none cause you to err from Godliness. For this devlish Sect of Men are Meeters in Secret which swear against all without their following. They are the Anti-Christ which was to come leading Men from their Fear of God. For how should Men meet in Secret Places and with secret Signes taking Care that none observe them to do the Work of God: are not these the ways of Evildoers? Knowing how that God observest privilly them that sit in Darkness they shall be smitten, and the Secrets of their Hearts layed bare. Mingle not among this corrupt People lest you be found so at the World’s Conflagration.
Fraternally,
Christian Sherbert
Junior Warden
Note: Your newsletter editor needs your correct/updated email address; please send it to him at 843-524-0981 (home) or 843-441-8317 (mobile) or howardharris@hargray.com.
From Home Page WEB Manager
Dear Brethern,
Here is the calendar for April 2012, updated on the 4th April. Apologies of proffered by the Editorial Department of the Harmony Lodge Newsletter.
(A copy in Adobe PDF form is here for easy printing and reading) PUT THIS CALENDAR ON YOUR REFRIGERATOR AS A REMINDER.
Wit & Wisdom
“Climate is what you expect, weather is what you get.”
-- Robert Heinlein
“Sacred cows make the best hamburger.”
-- Mark Twain
“There is nothing so powerful as truth – and often nothing so strange.”
-- Daniel Webster
“It’s a funny thing about life; if you refuse to accept anything but the best, you very often get it.”
-- PW. Somerset Maugham
“Ignorance is a voluntary misfortune.”
-- Nicholas Ling
“Never ruin an apology with an excuse.”
-- Kimberly Johnson
“Life is not long, and too much of it should not be spent in idle deliberation how it shall be spent.”
-- Samuel Johnson
“Life is tough. It’s even tougher if you’re stupid.”
-- John Wayne
Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday Dear Brothers, Happy Birthday to you!
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04.02 James
Seaborn Locke
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04.16 T. Gillard
Pickney
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04.04 Harry
Harley Mills
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04.24 Harry
Exley Carr, Jr.
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04.06 John
Gary Harvey
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04.25 William
Andrew Lancaster
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04.08 Anthony
Forest Howard
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04.27 Samuel
Martin Heuertz
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04.11 James
Watson Bradin
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04.28 Millard
J. Morgan
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04.12 Paul
Randolph Bazemore
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04.29 William
F. Martin, II.
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04.14 Charles
John Winscott
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04.29 Michael
D. Smith
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Education WEB page information links is always "under construction", there is so much available for us to learn.
Pictures WEB page is always..."under construction" as we add new pictures.
South Carolina Grand Lodge Official Web Site.
South Carolina Masonic Research Society Official Web Site.
Harmony Lodge history, 1756 to 1983.
Update to Harmony Lodge history from 1983 to 2000.
Most current Update to Harmony Lodge history from 1984 to 2009. - Under construction
Masonic information, "What's A Mason?"
Trestleboard Articles and Lodge News Letters 2012.
March 2012 Harmony Masonic Lodge No.22 A.F.M. News Letter.
February 2012 Harmony Masonic Lodge No.22 A.F.M. News Letter.
January 2012 Harmony Masonic Lodge No.22 A.F.M. News Letter.
Trestleboard Articles and Lodge News Letters 2011.
December 2011 Harmony Masonic Lodge No.22 A.F.M. News Letter.
November 2011 Harmony Masonic Lodge No.22 A.F.M. News Letter.
October 2011 Harmony Masonic Lodge No.22 A.F.M. News Letter.
September 2011 Harmony Masonic Lodge No.22 A.F.M. News Letter.
August 2011 Harmony Masonic Lodge No.22 A.F.M. News Letter.
July 2011 Harmony Masonic Lodge No.22 A.F.M. News Letter.
June 2011 Harmony Masonic Lodge No.22 A.F.M. News Letter.
May 2011 Harmony Masonic Lodge No.22 A.F.M. News Letter.
April 2011 Harmony Masonic Lodge No.22 A.F.M. News Letter.
March 2011 Harmony Masonic Lodge No.22 A.F.M. News Letter.
February 2011 Harmony Masonic Lodge No.22 A.F.M. News Letter.
January 2011 Harmony Masonic Lodge No.22 A.F.M. News Letter.
Trestleboard Articles and Lodge News Letters 2010
Trestleboard Articles
for 2010.
Trestleboard Articles and Lodge News Letters 2009
Trestleboard Articles
for 2009.
Trestleboard Articles and Lodge News Letters 2008
Trestleboard Articles
for 2008.
Trestleboard Articles and Lodge News Letters 2007
Trestleboard Articles
for 2007.
Trestleboard Articles and Lodge News Letters 2006
Trestleboard Articles
for 2006.
Trestleboard Articles and Lodge News Letters 2005
Trestleboard Articles
for 2005.
Trestleboard Articles and Lodge News Letters 2004
Trestleboard Articles
for 2004.
Trestleboard and Lodge News Letters 2003
Trestleboard Articles
for 2003.
Trestleboard Articles 2002
Trestleboard Articles
for 2002.
Trestleboard Articles 2001
Trestleboard Articles
for 2001.
Trestleboard Articles 2000
Trestleboard Articles
for 2000.
Dear Brethren,
Harmony Lodge By-Laws "are under construction" and are formated for WEB page presentation only. For an EXACT copy as published and approved by the Grand Lodge, please read the "By-Laws" in Adobe PDF format that you can print from the following link:
Here is the exact By-Laws in .PDF format.
(A copy in Adobe PDF form is here for easy printing and reading).
Masonic Paraphernalia Display your pride in membership in the Masonic fraternity and Harmony Lodge.
South Carolina Masonic WEB Site rules.
To
E-mail the Harmony Lodge HomePage WEB Manager.
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