It seems like a weird cult group with secret handshakes. One of my co-workers is one. He's weird. What's the deal with these guys?

its spelled Manson

It's another word for bricklayer.

The stormtroopers are on their way. Run.

He brings the basin.

Hasten Mason
bring the basin.
Urrp slop,
Oops too late,
bring the mop.

Mason - A small town in the Texas Hill Country near Llano and Burnett. They grow some pretty good deer and watermelons there.

do you mean the Freemasons? They were in the movie "From Hell"

http://www.tlio.demon.co.uk/masons.htm

[This message has been edited by Jerm1998 (edited 7/15/2004 11:02a).]

I thought it was a jar.



***************************************************

I'd rather have a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy

Masons are the group that Shriners are associated with, you must believe in God and they are a charitable orginization.

The Free Masons are a fraternal service organization. Most people join as a way of getting connected in a community and developing friends. They do have closed meetings and are secretive about some of their ceremonies but mostly out of tradition and not because they are hiding anything.

There are a lot of conspiracy theories but mostly those come from people who would rather tear down anything that isn't exactly like them.


[This message has been edited by CT'97 (edited 7/15/2004 11:10a).]

^
What he said.

Then, there's that cool song:

Who controls the British crown
Who keeps the metric system down
We do!
We do!

Who leaves Atlantis off the maps
Who keeps the Martians under wraps
We do!
We do!

Who holds back the electric car
Who makes Steve Guttenberg a star
We do!
We do!

Who robs the cave fish of their sight
Who rigs every Oscar night
We do!
We do!

Freemasonry is the world's oldest and largest Fraternity. While its traditions look back to earliest history, Masonry in its current form appeared when its public events were noticed by the residents of London, England in 1717. Although Masonry - particularly in its earliest days - had some elements of secrecy, the first 'exposure' of the supposedly highly-secret Masonic ritual actually appeared in 1696! Since that time, there have been tens of thousands of books published about this 'secret organization'. And for over three hundred years, despite the good works done by its members, Freemasonry has continually suffered the slings and arrows of those who seek to use it's quiet nature against it.

Freemasonry's singular purpose is to make good men better and its bonds of friendship, compassion and brotherly love have survived even the most divisive political, military and religious conflicts through the centuries. Freemasonry is neither a forum nor a place of worship. It is not a religion nor does it teach a religious philosophy. For nearly three hundred years it has attracted men of high moral character who support the tenets of temperance, fortitude, prudence and justice.

Today, the more than four million Freemasons around the world come from virtually every occupation and profession. Within the Fraternity, however, all meet as equals. In fact, one of the most fascinating aspects of Freemasonry (and an obvious source of irritation for those who thrive on the seeds of discontent) has always been: how so many men, from so many different walks of life, can meet together in peace, ignoring political or religious debates, to conduct their affairs in harmony and friendship and to call each other "Brother!"

Freemasons are taught to conform to the moral laws of society and to abide by the laws of the government under which they live. They are men of charity and good works and they engage in charitable works which have made them "the World's greatest philanthropy!" Their services to mankind represent an unparalleled example of the humanitarian commitment and concern of this unique and honorable Fraternity.

As this site is about Texas A&M and thus under the Grand Jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Texas, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, if you want more information, go to this site: http://www.grandlodgeoftexas.org/

You could also call the Masonic Center/Museum in College Station or if you are in a larger city the Scottish Rite. Most Lodges only meet a few times a month and no one is there during the day, but they usually have an answering machine.

J. Robert Dennis III '75
WM
Triune Lodge #15, MWGL of Texas AF&AM
San Antonio, Texas

http://www.grandlodgeoftexas.org

Brazos Valley Masonic Library and Museum
http://sulross.org/directions.htm

For those of you who are Masons, please consider the Wardens' Retreats for either yourself or the Wardens in your Lodge.

http://www.grandlodgeoftexas.org/2004wrflyer.php



[This message has been edited by Keathley (edited 7/15/2004 11:45a).]

quote:

---

all meet as equals.

---

You obviously haven’t met the Grand Worshipful Master.

many NCO's were masons

I think it is a community service group. My grandfather was a member of the Scottish Rite which is similar, or somehow connected--I think.

Scottish Rite is a sub organization of the Masons. Your grandfather was a Mason

^
|
|
mason

My friend's great-grandfather was head of the Masons in Texas in the 20's or 30's. Something like a 24th level.

Masons are all fun and games at the lower levels....but when you advance up the ladder apparently gets a little weird. My friend claimed his great grandpaw could levitate and had telekinetic powers. Don't jack with the masons...they are but a part of the secret society called the Illuminati set to control the world.

Win At Life
<<You obviously haven’t met the Grand Worshipful Master.>>

What is a "Grand Worshipful Master"? No such position or title in Texas.

MGs55 <<many NCO's were masons>>

Officers, Warrant Officers and Senior NCOs (top 3 grades) who are Master Masons can join National Sojourners, Inc. I am a Past President of Ft. Sam Houston Chapt #13. There is a very active Sojourner Chapter in Brazos County.

Apache, all the names, pictures of the Grand Masters of Texas are available. What was your friends Grandfather's name. (realizing of course that Grand Masters only serve one year). There are only 3 Degrees in Freemasonry. The Degrees in the Scottish Rite are not "higher" than the Master Masons (3d Degree) nor are the Degrees or Orders of the York Rite higher than the Master Masons Degree. BTW, I am 32d Degree Scottish Rite and have gone through the York Rite to Knights Templar. (Also was in Eastern Star and hold the Grand Cross of Color, International Order of the Rainbow for Girls)

I don't know what his great-grandfather's name was.....I'll have to ask him.

Keathley,
your link to sulross.org is down.

Speaking of the illuminati...

www.illuminati.org

Kinda freaky

I'm a Mason. So's my dad and mom.

My wife became a Mason after she married me. We just had a Mason boy.

We're all just one big Mason family.

There was a sitcom about them in the 60's. There was Herman and them some weird Uncle.

ddp

[This message has been edited by Don Dada (edited 7/15/2004 3:19p).]

Who controls the British Crown?
Who keeps the metric system down?
We do. We do.
Who keeps Atlantis off the maps?
Who keeps the Martians under wraps?
We do. We do.
Who holds back the electric car?
Who makes Steve Guttenberg a star?
We do. We do.
Who robs cave fish of their sight?
Who rigs every Oscar night?
We do. We do.

http://www.grandlodgeoftexas.org/pgm-nanny.php

“In 1984 he became the youngest Worshipful Master at the time”

I met the #1 Worshipful Master of the Texas Masons (at an Aggie function, BTW) and he introduced himself as either the Most Worshipful Master or the Grand Worshipful Master. Then they proceed to tell you it’s just a title that doesn’t really mean anything, but try to get them to drop the title and you will find how much the title really means to them.

So how does the handshake go? finger wiggle? Special grip? Why is it secret?

Win At Life <<http://www.grandlodgeoftexas.org/pgm-nanny.php

“In 1984 he became the youngest Worshipful Master at the time”>>

Worshipful Master is the title of the presiding Officer of a Lodge. Mike Nanny was the youngest man to serve as the Master of Grey Lodge # 329, in it's 131 years as a Lodge.

<<I met the #1 Worshipful Master of the Texas Masons (at an Aggie function, BTW) >>

Mike Nanny was a Non-Reg and was active in the MSC when he was at A&M.

<<and he introduced himself as either the Most Worshipful Master or the Grand Worshipful Master.>>

Knowing Nanny, he said "Grand Master", the correct title.

<<Then they proceed to tell you it’s just a title that doesn’t really mean anything, but try to get them to drop the title and you will find how much the title really means to them.>>

Knowing about 20 Past Grand Masters of Texas, very few will say it means much. Most are very happy to be involved in their local Lodges in often the roles of Junior Officers. That being said, Past Grand Masters are on the various boards that run the many functions of the Grand Lodge and it's subordinate bodies, like the Scottish Rite Hospital for Children in Dallas, the Masonic Home and School, the Scottish Rite Dorm in Austin and so on.

Past Grand Master of Missouri, Harry S. Truman, preferred to be addressed as Past Grand Master rather than Mr. President.

I have sat in lodge with Nanny, real friendly guy, Bob have you ever met G.M. Reese Harrison?

My grandfather is a mason - the most no-nonsense person I've ever met. If he felt like it was a sacreligous cult in his 50+ years of membership, he would have left.

FYI some famous Texas Freemasons from the past:

Sul Ross(Since this is Texags he first on the list)
Sam Houston
William B. Travis
James Bowie
David Crockett
James Bonham
Ben Milam
David G. Burnet
James Fannin
Mirabeau B. Lamar
Anson Jones
Lorenzo De Zavala
Edward Burleson
Jose Navarro
Thomas Rusk
Robert M. Williamson
Juan Seguin
J. Pinckney Henderson
John H. Reagan
Richard Coke
R.E.B. Baylor
Thomas Lubbock
Jack Hays
Ben McCulloch
Charles Goodnight
Pat Neff

Also 94 Counties in Texas were named after masons