Monroe Lodge #22 F&AM

by Eric T. Schmitz, PM, KOTN

My Brother: You have now experienced the three degrees of Craft Masonryi. You have been presented with much in the way of symbolism and allegory. We hope that those symbols and stories have, or will come to have, a profound meaning for you.

Now, we make one final presentation to you: a "Volume of Sacred Law." But understand, my Brother, that we are not giving you a religion. Freemasonry seeks not to prescribe any particular faith, but rather to strengthen the faith of each Brother, and, no matter what his understanding of faith may be, to encourage the pursuit and growth of that understanding.

Eric T. Schmitz, PM, KOTN
31 May 2006

What is meant by the Masonic principle of universality?

According to the Preston-Webb ritual used in Masonic jurisdictions such as Indiana, the principle of universality is mentioned by name only twice during the course of the Work and the Lectures. For such a fundamental principle, it receives little coverage beyond this, and seems to be absent, as often by intent as by mere accident, in many Masonic Lodges and gatherings. In other words, the principle of universality is, sadly, not universal in practice among Masons and Lodges.

Universality, in Masonic practice, means that Freemasonry is open not only to those of any religion, but also of any race, political affiliation, or social status. It should not be confused with the theology known as "universalism," which holds that all human beings are "saved" regardless of their religious convictions. Universalists are as welcome in Freemasonry as anyone else, but Freemasonry does not take any position for or against that theology or any other.

"[You are not] to suffer your zeal for the institution to lead you into argument with those who, through ignorance, may ridicule it."
-From the Entered Apprenticei Charge

With the above in mind, I will spend very little time and effort on the (usually futile) treatment of this issue. I do not expect pre-conceived notions to be altered, nor already-closed minds to be moved.

One of the most common complaints about the Craft raised by non- or "former" Freemasons is that of not being allowed to pray specifically in the name of their own God (usually Jesus Christ) within the Lodge room or during Lodge activities. Because Masons of many different faiths are often found working together in Lodge, we allow no sectarian prayer or discussion (including prayer in the name of Jesus or any other named Deity) during such times. Our detractors say that this proscription is "anti-Christian." Freemasons claim this policy to be merely "non-sectarian," and assert that the Masonic Lodge is no more a proper forum for sectarian discussions than, say, one's place of employment. The uncommitted reader must, then, decide (or not decide) which, if either, of these assertions is to be accepted.

Taken from Goodly Heritage Indiana Freemason, Fall 1996

On October 3 [1946], a meeting was held in a county courthouse of a small Northwestern Georgia town. At this meeting, Brother Milton L. Borden, PM Monroe No. 22, returned a fragile copy of Webb's Freemason Monitor to Quitman Lodge No. 106, Ringgold Georgia, which had been removed from the Ringgold Lodge by a Union soldier. Following is the interesting Masonic story of this monitor's travels.

General Sherman's troops entered the town of Ringgold in November or 1863. Troops were ordered to destroy everything of importance in the town except the brick court house. The third floor of this building housed the Masonic lodge. General Sherman, after inspecting the floor and satisfying himself that it was indeed the Masonic lodge, placed a guard and ordered that it not be disturbed.

Freemasonryi made its first formal appearence in the frontier settlement of Bloomington less than five years after the founding of the town and four years after the organization of the Grand Lodge of Indiana. On June 25, 1822, Grand Master John Sheets issued a dispensation for Bloomington Lodge, U.D., designating as Worshipful Master, Charles I. Hand, later Master of Centre Lodge No. 23 in Indianapolis in 1827. The Senior Warden was the young Bloomington lawyer, James Whitcomb, later Governor of Indiana. John Robinson was Junior Warden. The charter was issued in Grand Lodge on October 7, 1823, and on the next day Brother Hand was installed as Worshipful Master and elected Junior Grand Deacon. William Hardin was the first Secretary. The Lodge began with nine members and had eighteen by 1825. In 1826 the famous "Morgan Incident" occurred in New York and a wave of anti-Masonry swept the country. The Bloomington area was not exempt and for several years the Lodge met in secret. The last attendance of a representative of Bloomington Lodge No. 22 at Grand Lodge was in 1829 and thereafter their Grand Lodge dues fell into arrears. At the Grand Lodge it was reported unofficially that no meetings had been held in Bloomington for three years and the charter was arrested with the understanding that the members would apply for a dispensation for a new Lodge when they deemed the moment propitious.