WHAT SHALL MASONS READ?

W.O. JUNBINS, M. D., GREENLAND, N. H.

The Voice of Masonry 1880

ENTHUSIASTIC neophytes, after listening to the work and

admonitions of Freemasonry, are confronted with the

question: "What shall we read to thoroughly acquaint

ourselves with the ethics of the Fraternity?" They look

around, make inquiries of the Craft, especially of senior

members, and sometimes get the desired information, but

too often are told that the Manual of the Lodge is the only

literature they have ever seen bearing upon the subject. Or

they are told that Brother A. or B. is thoroughly posted in the

ritual, and they had better take lessons of him. Meeting with

such obstacles on every hand, in their researches after hid-

den treasures, they are soon disconcerted, and too often

their embryotic enthusiasm is "nipped in the bud" by a

premature frost, and the sunshine of future development is

unable to resuscitate it.

Young Masonic minds are in an active condition; better

qualified, more apt and willing to receive instruction than

weary operators, fatigued and exhausted by delving in the

quarries, where they have borne the sunshine and heat of

the day, therefore, they should promptly receive proper

assistance in discovering and obtaining the " beacon lights"

of Masonic literature. The wheat must be sifted from the

chaff that no deleterious particles may take root and develop

into unprofitable plants.

Every lodge should possess a library, selected by competent

brethren, and kept under the supervision of a trusty

Librarian.

The Master's admonition to the newly-made brother to be a

lover of the arts and sciences should go further, and advise

him to give attention to moral and religious science, so that

he may attain and possess all the virtues which tend to make

men valuable members of society. It should impress upon

his understanding the landmarks of the Fraternity, and imbue

it with divine teachings, so that his mind, unfolding in

manliness, shall be actuated to extend its researches far into

the realms of history, science, and philosophy.

The Masonic magazines and papers published in this

country contain nourishing dainties, worthy of the most

exacting intellectual epicures. Lodges, as well as brethren,

should subscribe for them, that they may be within the reach

of all. The Masonic reader becomes a better member of

society, his brain and heart thus receiving a stimulant which

makes man shine with a divine light.

I would admonish the young Mason not to adopt the custom

of studying the Ritual to the exclusion of all other Masonic

teachings. I am aware that there are many Masters of lodges

who stand in need of this admonition, as they never have

studied anything Masonic beyond the Ritual, the

Trestleboard, and the Constitution and Regulations of the

Grand Lodge, and are not even thorough in them. No Mason

should accept of the responsible position of Master of a

lodge, unless his reading has been extensive and his mind

thoroughly cultured in moral and religious lore, that his

admonitions may be heeded and productive of good.

The Bible - the noblest gift of GOD to man - should be

mental and spiritual food for us by day and night, for in its

pages we are taught the great principles of Freemasonry,

and if we obey its precepts we will become living examples

of what GOD intended we should be. Let us not despise nor

neglect the Holy Writings, for the golden truths taught therein

make them the greatest of Masonic works, and the best

attester of the divine origin of the Fraternity.

The arts and sciences should be studied. Geometry, that

science which treats of the "relation of properties, and

measurement of solids, surfaces, lines, and angles," should

be diligently studied, that we may be able to 'work and

receive Master's wages. The pages of ancient history have

recorded much, pointing directly to societies having like

secrets and requirements to those of Freemasonry, while

Mythology, ever ready with its mysteries, shows us various

scenic representations of mythical legends, pointing directly

to societies and religious institutions of the Middle Ages.

Every Craftsman should possess an Encyclopedia of

Freemasonry, which should contain a complete synopsis of

Masonic literature. Such a. work is indispensable, and, as a

work of reference, has no equal.

In conclusion, I would admonish every neophyte to cultivate

a love of literature; to visit Masonic libraries; to purchase

those Masonic books best suited to his taste and thoroughly

study them, as thereby he will enrich his mind with

knowledge that will be beneficial in all his subsequent life.