Clearing Greek letters (founding)

[AlphaSigOU]

Originally posted by Dfran
Yes, I've traveled from West to East by way of the North. Temecula Catalina Island Lodge No. 524. Also Valley of San Diego, Orient of California. Wouldn't you agree, that the symbols (especially in the Second Degree) played a large part in the experience?

Brother David... definitely agree on that. The Fellowcraft degree as done by the Grand Lodge of Oklahoma (I hold dual membership in both Texas and Oklahoma lodges) is probably one of the most symbolic and beautiful degrees performed. Their 'Eulogy to Mother' is probably one of the most moving in any of the three degrees. (It's monitorial, so there's no problem publishing it here.) :

"After the Almighty Creator had thus made man and provided for his wants He saw that it was not good for man to be alone, so as His last and best gift to him, He created woman. She was so lovely and so winsome that what before had seemed to him most fair, now seemed to him but mean, in ministry so soft and tender, in loyalty so kind and true, she has ever fulfilled her mission, and helped to mend his faults and mold him into virtue. My brother, Masonry teaches many beautiful lessons, but none of more importance than true respect for womanhood.

"As we stand here, were I to draw for you a picture of love divine, it would not be that of a stately angel with a form that is full of grace, but a bent and toil-worn woman with a grave and tender face; no golden rings would enfold her, nor rosy her cheeks nor fair, but the face of an angel of pity framed in snow white hair; her hands are not white and slender, but roughened with work and woe, by bearing other's burdens and soothing the tears that flow; no halo of light surrounds her, no wondrous power she hath, but many and many a blessing is spoken along her path; others may paint their angels with white robed forms of grace, but my sweet angel of pity has my mother's care-worn face.

"But why endeavor to convey to you an ideal, which is already enshrined within your heart, for deep down, safely locked within that secret chamber, you keep that cherished ideal sacred and holy - it is your mother. It was she alone, all alone, who went down into the valley of the shadow of death to receive your trembling soul at the gates of life - it was she who pillowed your baby head within the elbow of her bended arm - it was from her tender breast you drew the life-giving fluid that sustained you in your helpless years; it was she who first taught your lisping tongue to frame that God given prayer, "Our Father, who art in heaven," in which all races, sects and kind may join. There is no man so vile, so base, so low but who in his sin-stained soul, keeps pure and apart a little place for his mother's memory. And when, in the silent watches of the night his mind turns back to pure and happy childhood hours, he remembers that mother and is drawn closer to God."

I'm also Scottish Rite, Valley of Tulsa, OK and a Shriner (Akdar Shrine, Tulsa), as well as York Rite (in Texas).

Have you ever been to The George Washington Masonic Memorial Museum, or the House of the Temple, 1733 16th St. NW Washington DC? They are both very impressive, especially the libraries.

Not yet... gimme an excuse to fly up to Washington and I'll make sure to visit them! Used to live in the Northern Virginia area some years ago, but that was before I was a Mason.