My Brothers, My take on Masonry is that it is a WAY OF LIFE. We all chose to enter the door on "our own free will and accord", and we all hoped to obtain the keys to Man's Secrets, which are investigated by the eternal PURSUIT OF TRUTH, and the quest to KNOW THYSELF. There are two very significant guides in our travels and investigation into these Ancient Mysteries, the Holy Bible and our Masonic Ritual, which contain lectures and charges designed to guide our lives through History, Symbolism, Numerology, Philosophy, and a bit of allegory along the way, in addition to other things.
I love the fact that the study and investigation of Masonry is there for ANY Man who seeks further LIGHT, and wishes to become a BETTER Man. However, it is not intended for EVERY MAN. I am of the opinion that we are not elitist, but should carefully scrutinize petitioners, and guard our knowledge and Bond of Brotherhood as we guard the doorways of our own homes and families. I am not ashamed to say that FREEMasonry helped me to turn my life around, and in the 5 years that I have been a FREEMason, with GOD's help, I have battled against and WON my fights against High Blood Pressure, Depression, Alcohol Abuse, Womanizing, and my adjustment of my Personal Priorities as they pertain to Faith, Family, Fitness, Fraternity, and Friends. I rededicated my life to Christ in July of 2008. As a Man with his priorities in the correct order NOW, I can appreciate Masonry that much more.
I have NO shame in putting my battle with my demons on this forum, because I know that I am among BROTHERS, who will look at me and judge me on my Internal Qualifications, not the External. I am a Man who knows fully well what Masonry can do for a Man who is in need of a POSITIVE Brotherhood and a system/guide of Morality and Life Lessons, which have assisted in making this good Man a much better Man, Husband, and more importantly, a FATHER of three. I am blessed that I found a Lodge where each of the Brothers in my Lodge are trying to become BETTER Husbands, Fathers, and Servants of GOD.
Masonry, when viewed as a "progressive science", forces the student/scientist to enhance and heighten his knowledge of himself, and when a Man is constantly striving to be a BETTER Man, he does so by using what I call the Right Triangle of LIFE-----the elevation of Mind, Body, and Spirit, and becomes a Man who allows his Spiritual, or Higher Nature to become Master over his Physical, or Lower Nature. When I made the decision to turn my life over to Christ on Sunday, July 29, 2008, GOD took all of my burdens and demons away from ME, and allowed me to fill my mind with positive influences. I found Masonry, and Masonry found ME, and helped to save my life, by simply giving me additional source material to study along with the Bible, to remain the Rule and Guide of my LIFE..........Masonry is NOT a Religion by any means, Brothers, but when studied along with the study of your particular faith, it CAN be a Positive Force in your life..........I hope Brothers can appreciate my offering and testimony about what FREEMasonry means to ME........... Bro. Vincent C. Jones, Sr., Bayou City Lodge #228, PHA, F&AM, Houston, Texas