Freemasonry recognizes men of many faiths, backgrounds and races; after all we are a “Brotherhood of man under the Fatherhood of God”.  When one takes the lessons that are obtained from Masonry by “practicing outside of Lodge what he has learned within” he has the opportunity to become a better man.  These two aspects of …

The room was nearly silent, Save the scratching of his quill. As a lone white taper flickered, From atop the window sill.   Slowly he filled the parchment, As each new thought would pass. Occasionally gazing outside, Beyond the frosted glass.   He’d made a new discovery, On that chilly winter’s night. He’d set out …

(A version of this article was originally published in the September 2012 edition of Living Stone Magazine) Charity is the first great lesson taught to newly made E.A.’s, as we awkwardly stand destitute before our brethren. Under the banner of this first great lesson venerable masonic institutions, programs, orphanages, retirement homes, and even hospitals and …

Bro. Charles M. Harper, Sr. is a well respected Masonic author and speaker.  He is a regular contributor to Living Stones Magazine and has had numerous articles published in various Illinois and national Masonic publications. His personal journey in Freemasonry is one that is unfortunately not unique, but also not widely known.  After petitioning a irregular lodge in 2004 and …

We hail from ancient hallowed halls, where the voices of long departed brethren still call, in order to beckon us to pick up the working tools. Here we are instructed in the use of these tools, and taught sublime lessons, which might seem simple or trivial, but only to fools. The craft teaches the ancient …

The Laudable Pursuit recommends Lodge Veritas No. 556’s Anthology, which has just been issued for publication. This collection contains 78 original pieces of Masonic education, toasts, poetry, prayers, and music, and weighs in at 3.5 pounds! This is an excellent educational resource for a Lodge that is looking to jumpstart or supplement its education and/or social program, or …

  The following is an email that I recently sent to a large group of Masons that I thought was worthy of posting here as well.   Brother, I hope that this email finds you doing well and enjoying your summer.  I wanted to share some thoughts around the current state of the Craft. Many, …

In Colonial America, the majority of the people lived along the coastlines for simple reasons; these were the areas where there was a greater chance for employment with the ports being located there. With the most of the population being located in and around port cities it was obviously an area where there were more …