Freemasonry on Trial.pdf - Crowhealingnetwork.net

Pages 61-62
THE SECRET TEACHINGS OF THE MASONIC LODGE
by John Ankerberg and John Weldon
<strong>Freemasonry</strong> On Trial – Part Two
The First Duty of the Mason is to Masonry
When Masonic secrets or vital interests are at stake, the rights of Masonry are apparently placed above
duty to country, family, church, and possibly even law. The Mentor's Manual of Masonry admits,
"The obligation is the heart of the degree, for when it is assumed by the candidate, he has solemnly
bound himself to <strong>Freemasonry</strong> and assumed certain duties which are his for the rest of his life." In his
covenant with Masonry, the candidate solemnly promises that he "will forever conceal and never
reveal" the secrets of Masonry. According to Past Master Edmond Ronayne, page 196 of "Webb's
Monitor" reads that, "The first duty of the reader of this synopsis is to obey the edicts of his Grand
Lodge. Right or wrong, his very existence as a Mason hangs upon obedience to the powers
immediately set above him. The one unpardonable crime in a Mason is contumacy or disobedience."
The ritual of the 17 th Degree of the Scottish Rite divulges that, "a Mason should not hesitate to spill his
blood for the support of Masonry." This ritual discusses the symbolic meaning of certain items:
The bow, arrows and crown signify that the orders of this respectable Council should be
executed with as much quickness as the arrow flies from the bow, and be received with
as much submission as if it came from a crowned head of a chief of a nation. The
sword [signifies] that the Council is always armed to punish the guilty.… The skull is
the image of a brother who is excluded from a lodge or Council. The cloth stained with
blood, that we should not hesitate to spill ours for the good of Masonry.
Masons are sworn to protect fellow Masons, right or wrong. The Georgia Monitor teaches, "Secrecy is
an essential element of <strong>Freemasonry</strong>, and every Mason is bound by irrevocable ties to keep inviolate
its private ceremonies, signs, words, the business of the lodge, and (excepting treason and murder)
never to divulge any secret that may be confided by a brother if accepted as such." The Tennessee
Monitor states that a secret communication from a brother Mason, "when communicated to and
received by you specifically as such, are to be kept by you sacred and inviolable under all
circumstances unless he voluntarily releases you."
Page 71
Masonry uses Humanitarian Activities to Further Covert Goals
Masons, particularly groups like the Shrine, are known primarily for their humanitarian activities (i.e.
children's hospitals). Certainly we can all be thankful for such activities on behalf of these children
and all needy persons. But, unfortunately, this is not the whole issue, and a number of sources have
questioned the use of funds donated for such causes.
The Southaven, Michigan, Daily Tribune of April 24, 1987, revealed that even though the Shrine is the
richest charity in the nation, it gave its twenty-two hospitals for children less than one-third of the total
amount collected from the public in 1984. The remainder was spent on travel, entertainment, fraternal
ceremonies, fund-raising, food, and so on. In other words, the Shriners allegedly kept 71 percent of
$21.7 million raised.
30