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| Presented by Caldaire Lodge No. 9625 |
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| Thank you for taking your first step into Freemasonry ! |
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Myth - Freemasonry is a Secret Society
!
Truth - Freemasonry, friends, is, to put it simply, a movement which aims to make its members better
men. Freemasonry is not a religion, and so includes men of many religions and
colours of skin: Freemasonry’s concerns are with morality and ethics it
has a huge membership, spread all over the world; it has too a parallel organisations for women, and others for both
men and women. Freemasonry teaches the straightforward ideas of honesty, love and helping others which are the basis
of all religions, and it teaches to its members through the performance of a series of what might be called morality plays,
along with discussion and example: its aim is to educate, and make thinking and good men of its members, men able and willing
to help others. Freemasonry has no secrets beyond the means of recognising another
Freemason, and its concern is the wellbeing of society in freedom and in love and truth. Freemasonry
gives millions of pounds every year to charities, especially to medical research, and asks for no credit in response.
Modern Freemasonry originated in the 1600s, and it flourishes today with thousands of Lodges in England
alone, and huge further numbers of Lodges to visit abroad when on business or holidays.
Freemasonry is an organisation which provides companionship, happiness and pleasure for its members: it provides
too social events which spread that pleasure for its members to wives, partners, family and friends.
There are three Masonic Lodges in the West Riding town of Castleford,
the youngest of which is the Caldaire Lodge No. 9625 so named as Castleford lies at the junction of the rivers Aire and Calder.The
Caldaire Lodge welcomes enquiries as to the nature and activities of Freemasons from men over twenty one, and it welcomes
too enquiries from any who may wish to become members.
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| Freemasonry and its Charities, knows no boundaries. |
Myth - Freemasons only help each
other !
Truth
- Masonic charity extends beyond providing for the welfare of needy Freemasons
and their dependents to other charitable causes.
It is estimated that Freemasonry donates over £13,000,000 per year to charitable causes, at the national, regional
and local levels which corresponds to the work done by Grand Charity, by the Provinces and by Lodges. At year end November
2004 - 211 hospices alone, had received in total over £500,000 in masonic donations.
Who can become Freemasons ?
Answer - Any
person of mature age of 21 years, and subject to customery acceptance procedure.
Why would anyone want to become a Freemason
?
Answer - The best person to answer that question I suppose would be to " ask a Freemason ! " - for my
own part, I took to the principles like having discovered hidden treasure, during my 35 years as a Freemason I and my
family have met and made friends with so many wonderful people, (both Masons and non-Masons), all over the world, they
and their families have enriched our lives, had it not been for Freemasonry, we may never have met, and it's ongoing
too - moving jobs ... on holiday ... on a bus ... train ... plane ... or wherever - a Freemason may choose to be
on their own, but they are never ' alone ' and that means anywhere in the world.
Why don't Freemasons Advertise ?
Answer - Freemasonry works
' by word of mouth ' - on enquiry for acceptable reasons, Freemasons are free and will be proud to acknowledge
their own membership - in ordinary conversation there is very little about Freemasonry that may not be discussed.
I Don't Know a Freemason !
Answer -
It's surprising who is a Freemason, why not send for a FREE INTRO PACK and learn a little more ?.
| FREE INTRO PACK |
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| Masonic Hall - Powell Street - Castleford |
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What is True?
Like many groups or families, it is true that some of our members,
or their families, through no fault of their own, occasionally fall on hard times, hopefully temporarily, but some unfortunately,
not so temporary....
Trust for Boys and Girls
Freemasonry is here to help them also, we have a Masonic Trust for
Boys and Girls. The mission " To continue to relieve poverty and provide an education and preparation for life for the children
of the family of a Freemason and, where funds permit for any children, as their fathers would have done, had they been able
so to do ".
In the academic year 2003/4 the Trust supported 725 students, through the UndergradAid Scheme.
If you would like to know more : http://www.rmtgb.org
TalentAid
A scheme that helps, support, gifted or talented children of Freemasons, particularly
in the fields of sport, music, dance, drama or art. more by visiting
Educational Holidays
Since 1986, Girls and Boys under the care of the Trust have benefited from educational holidays
abroad. The children and young people selected each year are from low income families unable to arrange such visits or holidays.
Grand Charity
The Grand Charity is a registered charity constituted by a Trust Deed, whilst the objects are
very broad, the three specific areas are Masonic applicants in distressed circumstances - support to other Masonic
charities - giving to non-Masonic charities, for more info :- www.grandcharity.co.uk
Castleford
The more I think about it, the more I realise that Castleford and its people, typify Freemasonry.
The people are friendly and very caring, during the times when there were numerous pits in the area, Social
Clubs were full of Castleford Folk getting together and having great times, sharing work, holidays and free-time together.
" Generous to a Fault " - Castleford Folk will help any stranger and ask for nothing in return.
Caldaire Lodge is extremely proud and privileged to be associated with such a fine town and its people.
Masonic Hall Castleford
Freemasonry is Unique
It is true, Freemasonry
can boast as to having some rich and famous people within its ranks, even Monarchs themselves have been members. But Freemasonry
is a great leveller, all candidates come into Freemasonry the very same way and at the very same level, no
matter who they are. This course demonstarates, that all men are equal in the eyes of ones maker and
as mentioned elsewhere, Freemasonry is not a religion.
Educating the
Public
Freemasonry accepts that it has probably been a little reserved in its
dealing with and or educating of the general public in the past, as to what Freemasonry is about, unfortunately what people
don't know, there are always those who are only too willing to have a guess, to ' make-it-up, ' only when they
get it so completely wrong, does one feel the need to step in at that point, and " tell it as it really
is ".
In its defence, Freemasonry probably did not think that the general public at large would think its
story sufficiently interesting. Well ! that's all in the past now. Freemasonry today, has a variety of leaflets and
publications with a view to informing those who are sufficiently interested, together with the producton of a video.
If you are considering Freemasonry, why not ask for a FREE INTRO PACK.
In Summary
Freemasonry has changed very little over the generations - there's very little to change, we a talking
here about a set of principles that one can't really argue with or even begin to fall out with - just good basic common-sense
principles for harmonious living. Freemasonry is so uncomplicated, one can take to, and be applying its principles immediately,
those that do take to Freemasonry often spend upwards of 30 years or even the rest of their lives enjoying and being
involved with Freemasonry.
Final Word
One thing that is often overlooked or taken for granted is that - Freemasonry is FUN ! ... it is actually GOOD
FUN ! - most if not all, Lodges have a Social Secretary and it is their duty to arrange ' social
functions ' where members along with their wives, families, partners, friends, are cordially invited.
OPEN DAYS - We welcome anyone, including family and friends
to visit us on one of our
' open days '
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