Men who are Masons get a lot out of their Fraternity. They get a
chance to make new friends, do worthwhile things in their community
and improve themselves as human beings. They have opportunities for
ethical, moral and spiritual growth. They have a support system in
times of trouble, and they have a chance to be with other men and do
things together and to talk and share their ideas and goals.
But our families get a lot out of Masonry, too. You may not be aware
of all those benefits, but it's good to know them. Sometimes they
can really make a difference!
First of all, there are lodge activities for the family
We know that a Mason's family is the most important thing in his
life. We wouldn't respect him as a Brother if it weren't. So lodges
plan activities in which the entire family can participate. There
are picnics, dinner, dances and social events of all kinds. The
types of activities vary from lodge to lodge as the needs and
interests of the people vary, but all lodges share a common
commitment to the family. It's good for everyone for families to do
things together and with their friends.
Then there are the Masonic youth organizations
The pressures on young people today are immense - far greater than
those when most of us grew up. Drugs, crime, violence, AIDS -- none
of these were major problems twenty years ago. Oh, most of them
existed, but the vast majority of the young never encountered them
on a day-to-day basis. Now, they are very real threats in the every
day lives of most young people. Young men and women today live in a
tough time with many temptations and unbelievable peer pressure.
Organizations for young people sponsored by Masons give your
children al alternative; an opportunity to belong to a group which
teaches leadership skills, social skills, and self-respect. For
boys, there's the ORDER OF DEMOLAY. For girls, THE ORDER OF THE
RAINBOW, and for girls from Masonic families, JOB'S DAUGHTERS. All
three organizations teach the highest ideals of honor and respect
for truth and charity. When the drug dealers are on the streets or
around the playground, it's good to know that there are Masonic
organizations promoting healthy ideals and goals.
There are organizations for wives too
The Order of the Eastern Star provides the same kinds of experiences
for women as Masonry does for men. So does Amaranth, the Social
Order of the Beauceant, and the White Shrine of Jerusalem. Not all
are organized in every state and province, but at least one is there
waiting to serve women who want to join with other women and share
similar ideas and values.
And if you ever need help
In a strange town or in a foreign city, help is as close as the
nearest Mason. All you have to do is find one. Look for the Square
and Compasses - you'll find one at the back of this brochure (and at
the top of this page) - on a ring or pin, or look up the number
of the lodge in the telephone book. Make yourself known as the wife,
son or daughter of a Mason, and you'll get all the help you need.
Masons from the Arctic Circle to the South Pole have all promised to
give you that help.
Your own town benefits too
Masons do many things to make their own communities better places in
which to live. It takes many pages of computer printout to list the
local projects in even one state or province in which Masons are
involved. Such things as highway and street cleanup programs,
Christmas baskets for the needy, eyeglasses for those who cannot
afford them, support of anti-drug and anti-alcohol programs in the
schools, buying supplies for teachers and classrooms, giving
volunteer time to services for the elderly . . . the lists do on and
on. But all these things make your town a better place for you to
live. Masons care!
That's the key - Masons care
We care about our own development as men and Masons. We care about
our country. We care about our individual faiths. We care about the
poor, the sick, the helpless and the hopeless.
And, especially, we care about our families. We care about our wives
as independent, equal partners in life. We care about our children,
not only because they represent hope for tomorrow but as growing,
developing individuals who must be given every possible chance to be
everything they can be.
Yes, Masons get a lot out of Masonry....
Brotherhood
Growth
Support
Strength
Faith and
Mutual Help
... and so will you!
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We thank the Masonic Renewal Committee of North America for this
brochure
