Why does Freemasonry forbid brethren to ask their friends to become Masons?
One of the fundamental concepts of Freemasonry is that application for membership must be wholly a voluntary
act. A man must seek for himself and join “of my own free will and accord.” Under no other formula
can men unite brethren of a thousand religious and political beliefs. Under no more constricting act could Freemasonry
accomplish her only end, the building of character among men. Men who become members of a
Masonic lodge for any other reason than their own desires can neither receive nor give to others the advantages
of a wholly voluntary association. Freemasonry is bigger than any man; the man must seek its blessings; it never
seeks the man. [One Hundred One Questions About Freemasonry, The Masonic Service Association, 2003]
Something for Everyone
Advertise your fraternal affiliation proudly! 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, unfortunately, are reflective of current inflationary spirals.
Fraternally,
Howard R. Harris
Senior Warden & NewsLetter Editor
Brethren,
I recently stumbled across and interesting history of pre-masonry. This particular item is taken from “The
History of Masonry” at Carnaval.com and prescribes that Masonry was an evolution of existing higher guild
Many of you have no doubt noticed the “Happy Birthday” table near the end of the newsletter. If you do
not see your birthday listed and would like to see it so listed, there is ONE thing you can do: contact your
Senior Warden/Newsletter Editor via telephone or email and give him your birthday in the following format:
MM/DD. For example, my birthday is 11/05, and I will list it in November. Don’t be embarrassed. I am not
interested in the year of your birth, only in the month and day. Thank you.
structures from Ancient Egypt, Persia and Rome. Specific credit for the foundation and evolution of Masonry is
placed on the Egyptian priesthood and the Roman Collegia.
Mithraism was a religion that is considered a precursor to Masonry. It had no dogma, no revelation, no
history of miracles; was totally tolerant, stressing benevolence, possessed ranks as [secret] initiation rites of
consecrated Mithraism -- and barred women.
Masonry is the preservation of an ancient system of esoteric knowledge with four principle ideas: belief in
one God, a teaching of immortality, a symbolic idea of building and a seeking after something which was lost.
Indeed, these characteristics in Masonry are found not just in the Mysteries of Mithras but also among the
Ancient Egyptians in the Mysteries of Osiris, where it is said Moses was initiated into the solemn rites by the
powerful priesthood which antedated the return of the chosen people of God; within the old Persian Mysteries of
Mithras as administered by the Magi, the concepts of rebirth and life after death are strong within the Dionysian
Mysteries of Greece, which were practiced throughout the Mediterranean and probably carried by the workmen
of Tyre into Jerusalem when Solomon’s temple was built on Mount Moriah. We also find these four characteristics
in the mysteries of Bacchus in early Rome; later in the Roman Collegia of Builders; and in the teachings of
the peaceful Essenes along the Jordan, who played a dominant role in the ideas of John the Baptist and Jesus.
Author Unknown
Fraternally,
Christian Sherbert
Junior Warden
Good day my Brothers, ,
I certainly hope that this newsletter finds each of you in good health and spirit. Our Lodge building is not in
as favorable health as we would like. We find ourselves in need of replacing our HVAC system and this will be
an expensive undertaking. The financial health of our lodge will be negatively affected by this project. I would
ask that each of you make sure you have paid your dues by checking your dues card to be sure you are current.
Of possible interest to our craft are some membership statistics. We currently have approximately 180
members. 55 are Life Members (40 dues paying years) and no longer pay dues. 53 are Perpetual Life Members
and we receive a portion of the interest earned on their investment each and every year in perpetuity. Based on
these figures it leaves us with 72 regular dues paying members. These statistics are not exact, and include Life
Members who also purchased a Perpetual Life Membership.
On a positive note, we have 8 candidates actively pursuing their Masonic journey at Harmony Lodge. Our
work is some of the best I remember in years and I am pleased each time our Worshipful Master puts on a
degree.
Please come out and participate in some of our upcoming events, Regular or Special Communications and
bring your ladies when appropriate.
See you at the Lodge!
Respectfully and Fraternally,
Kevin V. Ennis, PDDGM
Secretary
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 May 2012.
(A copy in Adobe PDF form is here for easy printing and reading) PUT THIS CALENDAR ON YOUR REFRIGERATOR AS A REMINDER.
Wit & Wisdom
“Those who are not looking for happiness are the most likely to find it, because those who are searching forget
the surest way to be happy is to seek happiness for others.”
-- Martin Luther King
“One cannot live a meaningful life unless there is something one is prepared to give it up for.”
-- Educator Anthony Kronman
“Sex is like money; only too much is enough.”
-- John Updike
“Modesty is the only sure bait when you angle for praise.”
-- British Statesman Philip Stanhope
“Things turn out best for the people who make the best out of the way things turn out.”
-- Art Linkletter
“There is no instance of a nation benefiting from prolonged warfare.”
-- Sun Tzu, author of The Art of War
“Be sincere, be brief, be seated.”
-- Franklin D. Roosevelt
Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday Dear Brothers, Happy Birthday to you!
|
05.01 Kevin
Usif Ennis
|
05.06 Walter
Bernard Rattray II
|
|
05.02 Laron
Hubert Cain
|
05.07 Tony
DeJesus Genao
|
|
05.02 Raymond
Carrol Fletcher
|
05.07 Richard
G. Hall
|
|
05.02 Percy
Alan Rowland
|
05.20 Daryl
Bruce Rhoads, Jr.
|
|
05.02 Chance
Edward Vann
|
05.22 Scott
William Robinson
|
|
05.25 Michael
James Liberty
|
05.04 Robert
Clayton Heck
|
05.28 Melvin
Schoenberg
|
05.06 Elbert
C. Jackson, Jr.
|
05.30 Charlie
Wilder Dempsey
|
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.
April 2012 Harmony Masonic Lodge No.22 A.F.M. News Letter.
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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website. All rights reserved.
