A common question in Freemasonry is one of its beginnings: where, when and how did it originate? It's a difficult question to answer because while the Masonic fraternity may have a traceable lineage, the teachings of Freemasonry are as ancient as man's first speculative thought. Still, just because an answer is elusive doesn't mean the search isn't worthwhile.

ORIGIN OF FREEMASONRY -- The origin of Freemasonry is all but lost in the mists of Antiquity. The legends of the fraternity state that the lodge was organized by King Solomon in the 10th century B.C. during the building of his famous temple on Mount Moriah. There are no historical facts to corroborate this legend.

Some believe the fraternity evolved from the Medieval Guilds who incorporated many design elements as well as the layout of cathedrals to communicate secret knowledge. In his book “Illustrated History of the Once Secret Order”, Jack Driver describes the building trade as nothing short of magical, stating “To understand how something as seemingly uninspiring to our modern minds as the building trade became involved with a set of secret teachings necessitates an appreciation of the function of public building to the pre-modern mind."

In an age of widespread illiteracy, ideas about the nature of the Universe were incorporated into the fabric of Gothic and Romanesque cathedrals. In many ways, man was said to be made according to the same principles as the Universe and this fourfold level of existence was mapped in the way the cathedral was laid out.

• The Nave represented the limitations of the physical world, which included man’s material existence, the incarnate side of his existence.
• The Choir represented the realm of the psyche or soul, which in medieval times included the abode of souls awaiting birth and judgment after death.
• Further in still was the Sanctuary, the world of the Spirit and Archangels.
• In the Tabernacle the Divinity was present through the miracle of the Eucharist.

To go further back in time, the masons working on the temples in classical Greece and ancient Rome, and the architects of the pyramids of ancient Egypt would have been very comfortable with the use of sacred Geometry, whereby principles of ratio and harmony that were so beautiful and universal in their applications as to appear divine, were used to focus the mind and inspire both devotion and awe.

Others believe that the allegories and symbolism can only be attributed to the mystery schools of philosophy found throughout history. It is known that for many centuries previous to that time the acolytes of the Egyptian priesthood were perhaps the world’s first mathematicians, architects, and philosophers, and the veneration of the arts and sciences connected with these progressions is reflected in the teachings of many succeeding societies.

Freemasonry continues to this day to use many teachings from the Egyptians, Chaldeans, Greeks, Gnostics, Rosicrucian’s, Alchemist, and Templars. Whether these represent a continuous “underground stream of knowledge” or the emulation and borrowing of traditions the contribution to the symbolism by religions, philosophies, mythologies and occult mysteries of the past lie upon its surface for all to see (Dr. Rex Hutchens). The true answer probably lies somewhere in the middle.

Fraternally yours,

Tim Couch

(Source content from the Missouri Handbook of Freemasonry, Fourth Edition 2010.)

Now, on with the news........................

Monday, March 19, 2012: Monett Lodge No. 129 will meet in Special Communication for work in the 2nd Degree of Freemasonry. Two candidates will be presented for advancement to the degree of Fellow Craft. Snacks will be provided at 6:00 PM and Lodge will be duly Opened at 6:30 PM. All Fellow Crafts are invited in.

Monday, March 19, 2012: Past Masters Night at United Lodge No. 5. You are cordially invited to a celebration of Past Masters. Come for the fried chicken dinner and stay for the stated meeting of the Lodge. Family and friends are invited to dinner at 6:00 and Lodge will be duly Opened at 7:00 PM.

Tuesday, March 20, 2012: Solomon Lodge No. 271 will meet in Special Communication for work in the 1st Degree of Freemasonry. Three duly elected candidates will be presented for initiation into the mysteries of the Craft. Lodge will be duly Opened at 6:00 PM. All assistance is requested and greatly appreciated.

Tuesday, March 20, 2012: The Buckeye Ritual Club will meet at Mt. Vernon Lodge No. 99, 201 S. Market Street, Mt. Vernon, MO, at 6:30 PM for fun, fellowship and education on our beautiful Missouri Masonic Ritual. This month's education will focus on Opening on the 2nd Degree, lost password, late arrival, Brother who leaves early, and Closing the Lodge.
The Buckeye Ritual Club is centered in the 44th Masonic District of Missouri, but of course all Master Masons are welcome. The club will meet on the 3rd Tuesday of each month and will travel to differing lodges within the 44th District. Click here to see the 2012 schedule. Mark your calendar and plan on coming out to have some fun with your Brethren.
The Buckeye Ritual Club is also on Facebook. Click here for the Buckeye Ritual Club Facebook page.

Wednesday, March 21, 2012: Solomon Lodge No. 271 will meet in Special Communication for work in the 2nd Degree of Freemasonry. Five candidates will be presented for advancement to the degree of Fellow Craft. Lodge will be duly Opened at 6:00 PM, and all assistance, attendance and participation is greatly appreciated.

Saturday, March 24, 2012: It's time once again for the famous and fabulous Annual Masonic Fish Fry hosted by Billings Lodge No. 379. This fun filled event will take place from Noon to 6:00 PM at American Legion Post No. 639 located at 2660 South Scenic in Springfield, MO. Fried fish with all the trimmings is just $8.00 for adults and $4.00 for kids under 12 years, and will be served from Noon to 6:00 PM, or until it's all gone.
"Bad Habit" will be playing live from 4:00 to 6:00 PM and you know you don't want to miss them.
And if that's not enough, there will be a $200 cash giveaway and you need not be present to win.
Everyone is invited and all are welcome.

Saturday, March 24, 2012: O'Sullivan Lodge No. 7, in Walnut Grove, MO, will host a Concealed Carry Firearms class today, and a few openings are still available. For more information contact Rocky Stehlik at 417-861-3931. Cost is $75 which includes lunch.

Saturday March 31, 2012: The Annual Pancake and Sausage Supper hosted by California Masonic Lodge No. 183 will be held from 4:00 to 7:00 PM.
All you care to eat ... Pancakes, sausage, coffee, milk, tea, and lemonade will be served at the Masonic Hall located at 200 N. East Street in California, Missouri

• Adults - $5.00
• Kids 6-12 years - $3.00
• 5 years and under - Free

Saturday, March 31, 2012: O'Sullivan Lodge No. 7, in Walnut Grove, MO, will host a Concealed Carry Weapons class today. For more information contact Rocky Stehlik at 417-861-3931. Cost is $75 which includes lunch.

Tuesday, April 10, 2012: Friend Lodge No.352 will meet in Special Communication at the lodge hall in Sparta, MO for work in the 2nd Degree of Freemasonry. Brother Rob Turrentine will be presented for advancement to the degree of Fellow Craft. Dinner at 6:30 and Lodge will be duly Opened at 7:00 PM.

Saturday, April 14, 2012: Friend Lodge No. 352 will meet in Special Communication at the lodge hall in Sparta, MO for work in the 1st Degree of Freemasonry. Dean Jenks, who has been duly elected, will be presented for initiation into the mysteries of Freemasonry. Lunch at 12:30 and Lodge will be duly Opened at 1:00 PM.

Saturday, April 21, 2012: Solomon Lodge No. 271, in Springfield, MO, will host a Concealed Carry Firearms class beginning at 9:00 AM at the lodge building, 1930 West Catalpa Street in Springfield, MO.

• Cost for the class is a minimal donation of $75.
• Participants must be 21 years of age
• A Missouri resident
• And, a U.S. citizen.
• Each class member will need a minimum of seventy each of revolver and semi-automatic rounds.
• You do not need to qualify using the weapon that you intend to carry concealed.
• A limited number of weapons will be available to rent.
• Class size is limited so a reservation is recommended.

Saturday, April 28th, 2012: An Evening with The United Grand Lodge of England (UGLE)
Saint Louis Missouri Lodge No. 1 is honored to present The Degree Team of The United Grand Lodge of England. All Master Masons are invited to attend this Special Communication. The event will be held at Tuscan Masonic Temple located at 5015 Westminster Place, Saint Louis, Missouri 63108. There is a $40 per person registration fee which includes a catered dinner. Dinner will be at 7:00 and the program will commence at 8:00 PM. A suit and tie is requested. Some additional notes:

• This is an electronically ticketed event with very limited seating, and is open only to Master Masons.
• Each reservation must be listed separately to allow for verification of membership.
• Please note that Tuscan Masonic Temple has several flights of exterior and interior steps, which are not serviced by elevators or other lifting devices, and might limit accessibility.
• When you have completed your on-line registration you will receive an electronic confirmation.
• Your credentialing packet will be mailed to you on or before April 15th.
• Parking for this event is outstanding, and directions with additional information will be included with your credentialing packet.
• For more information and to purchase tickets visit STLMasons.org

Saturday, April 28, 2012: Solomon Lodge No. 271 will host a MoCHIP (Missouri Child Identification & Protection) Event from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM at the Masonic York Rite Temple, 1930 West Catalpa Street in Springfield, MO. At least 30 volunteers are needed to work this event.
For more information you may call the Lodge Secretary at (417) 425-0083. All volunteers must be signed up at least 12 days prior to the event.
For more information about MoCHIP please visit www.MoCHIP.org.

As you can see there's lots of Masonry going on in Missouri. See the links below to keep up with the latest or to submit information for your upcoming meeting.

For more news of upcoming events and special communications visit the Upcoming Masonic Events page on Masonsmart.com

For a calendar of Stated meetings for many of the Lodges and Masonic bodies visit the Masonic Calendar page on Masonsmart.com

For help locating a lodge building visit the Missouri Masonic Lodge Map page on Masonsmart.com

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