"The trouble with most of us is that we would rather be ruined by praise than saved by criticism." – Norman Vincent Peale.

Dear Brethren:

In order to be a Mason, you must be aware of the changes that have taken place and the changes that will take place in the future. Change is constant and new discoveries are made daily.

As we study Freemasonry, we find that it does not remain static. Were you made a Mason in the same way and manner as Masons in the early 1700’s? I know that we have evolved over the years – for instance, the Master Mason degree was not a part of Freemasonry until sometime between 1725 and 1738. All business was conducted in the First Degree and it should be noted that in Great Britain it still is done in this manner. We in the United States do all business in the Master Mason or Third Degree.

The Square and Compasses – the “Symbol of Freemasonry” has been recognized and accepted as the Masonic emblem from the beginning of the 18th Century. In 1873, a flour manufacturer proposed to the United States Patent Office to use our symbol as a part of their logo. The people at the patent office recognized our symbol and denied the patent. Shortly after this event, the letter “G” was added to our emblem. Today, to an American Mason, the emblem is not complete without this letter. In other countries, this is not true, as God is not spelled with the letter “G”; neither is Geometry.

Are we a “Blue” lodge or simply a “Lodge”? While the aprons for our officers have blue trim, and purple is usually the trim color selected for officers of the Grand Lodge and Past Masters, actually no one color can be used to describe Freemasonry. We are a “Lodge” and we need no color or adjective to describe it.

Anyone who would criticize our fraternity obviously does not know us and yet, criticism has helped us to become better. The more you learn about us, the more you will praise us.

Fraternally,
John Lacki, Jr.
Worshipful Master