Monroe Lodge #22 F&AM

A common problem in Freemasonry today is the low cost of dues. Using an inflation calculator shows that if we paid just $10 for dues in 1900 (I am not sure how much Monroe 22 charged for dues in 1900, this is just a random figure) the current dues should be $220.

However our current dues are about $75. We once had a great Lodge building right downtown where people could notice us. However, we lost that building because we did not keep it up. Imagine if our dues would have increased with inflation, would we have been able to keep up our building then? It seems very likely that we could have. We can't go back and fix that problem, but we can deal with the problem today for the future of our Lodge and Freemasonry in Bloomington.

The Volume of Sacred Law

W:.M:., Wardens, and brethren,

Upon the altar of Freemasonry resides three great lights. Of these three, one is considered the “Greatest Light of Freemasonry”. In Indiana ritual this is referred to as the Holy Bible. In many other jurisdictions it is referred to simply as the Volume of Sacred Law. It is a symbol only, and not the religious text of Freemasonry.

Freemasonry is nonsectarian. It does not, and should not attempt to provide a religion to its candidates, nor promote one religion or another. While many anti-masons claim otherwise, Freemasonry is not a religion, nor a substitute for religion. While the anti-mason quickly points to the Holy Bible, or Volume of Sacred Law which rests upon our altar, and claims that it is proof of our fraternity’s religious nature, it is merely a misunderstanding of the uninitiated. To the initiate it should be clear that the book that rests upon our altar, whatever it might be, is a symbol only.

Ok, many people have probably stumbled upon anti-masonry. I will quickly demonstrate here its tactics...

There is a list on a certain anti-masonic website about Freemasons who talk about Satan. It misquotes passages and takes things way out of context. For instance this:

'Illustrious' Manley Palmer Hall 33°
The Secret Teachings of All Ages

"I hereby promise the Great Spirit Lucifer, Prince of Demons, that each year I will bring unto him a human soul to do with as as it may please him, and in return Lucifer promises to bestow upon me the treasures of the earth and fulfil my every desire for the length of my natural life. If I fail to bring him each year the offering specified above, then my own soul shall be forfeit to him. Signed..... { Invocant signs pact with his own blood } " page CIV

Here is a Masonic Education Link from our Brothers in California.

http://www.calodges.org/no194/Masonic_Education.htm

Check it out,

Rick P.

Hey,
here are some books that I think are seriously good works dealing with Freemasonry...

The Meaning of Masonry by W.L. Wilmshurst

Symbols of Freemasonry (this book is a part of a "Symbols of" series by Barnes and Noble... written by a French brother)

Freemasonry by W. Kirk Macnulty

Turning the Hiram Key (note: not The Hiram Key) by Robert Lomas

Let me know of any others that I should get my hands on.

fraternally,
Rick

Hey,
I realize that someone might find this website looking for information on joining our Lodge. If this is you then give us a call and let us know you are interested. Our phone number can be found under the "when and where" section on this website. For information on the requirements for joining, see the Grand Lodge of Indiana website; a link can be found on the lower right of this website.

If you know a Freemason ask him for a petition (2B1 Ask1), if not we can send someone out to meet you, and then you can ask him for a petition.

good luck,
R.P.

The best book I have read on Freemasonry is "The Meaning of Masonry" by W.L. Wilmshurst. If you would like to understand what the point is to our ritual, then read it. You can buy it cheap, or go to:

http://www.freemasons-freemasonry.com/wilmshurst_intro.html

Push through it, if it is a dry read for you... it is worth it!!!

fraternally,

Rick P.

p.s. I picked up a copy at B&N in the discount section for $5.

This is a Gospel which is not included in the bible. It has been mentioned in early letters and acknowledged, but there were no known surviving copies of it in it's entirety prior to 1945. It is just sayings of Jesus, it is not in story form like the other gospels... but, some familiar parables are given, and some are given new light. These sayings take a lot of thought, and it offers a new picture of the teachings of Jesus. As the Gospel was discovered with Gnostic scrolls it has been widely frowned upon... but, many experts believe this could be more authentic, and perhaps even the source of, the canonical Gospels.