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Masonic Briefs: Chapter 3 – Making the Lodge Experience Meaningful
By: W. John Barling – Secretary of Hyde Park Lodge 370 Now that we’ve talked about how to engage in Freemasonry and the vital importance of guarding the West Gate, it’s time to turn our attention to something just as critical: making sure that once a man joins, he stays, and not just stays, but…
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Masonic Briefs: Chapter 2 – Guarding the West Gate
By: W. John Barling – Secretary of Hyde Park Lodge 370 Best Practices for Preserving the Integrity of Florida Freemasonry One of the most sacred responsibilities we, as Florida Masons, hold is to ensure that only worthy men are admitted into our Craft. The phrase “Guarding the West Gate” refers to this solemn duty, its…
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Entrepreneurial Masonry: Building Financial Independence Through Asset Ownership
For generations, Masonic lodges have relied on a simple financial model: member dues. As membership numbers have steadily declined since the 1960s, this model has created a troubling cycle. Fewer members lead to higher dues, which can discourage potential new members, further accelerating the decline. Many lodges now face insolvency, forcing difficult choices between maintaining…
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An Expanded Symbolism of the Square and Compasses
Perhaps no symbols are as deeply engrained in the mind of a young man as he approaches the alter of Freemasonry as are the Square and Compasses. Besides being the obvious ‘logo’ of the fraternity that adorns our mantles, polo shirts, lapel pins, and bumpers, it carries an obvious weight of esoteric mystery that is…
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The Esoteric Nature of Duality and Balance in Freemasonry
Introduction The esoteric nature of Freemasonry, steeped in symbolism and allegorical teachings, offers its members a journey of self-discovery, transformation, and enlightenment. Within the rich tapestry of Masonic ritual and symbolism lies a myriad of hidden meanings, often overlooked or misunderstood by initiates as they navigate their path through the degrees. One of the most…
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Masonic Briefs: Chapter 1: How to Engage in Freemasonry to Get the Most Out of It.
By: W:. John Barling – Secretary of Hyde Park Lodge 370 Todays Topic: How to Engage in Freemasonry to Get the Most Out of It I was sitting in my office with a former District Instructor after a recent School of Instruction. As often happens, we began reflecting on the Craft and how transformative Freemasonry…
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A Deeper Dive Into The Florida Masonic Digest : Part 1: Landmarks and Principles
By W.: John Barling, Secretary of Hyde Park Lodge 370 In Freemasonry, some things can evolve over time, rituals may vary slightly from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, and local customs can shape how Lodges operate. But then there are the Landmarks which are the essential, unchanging elements of the Craft. These Landmarks are like bedrock. Without…
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The Seven Deadly Sins and the Seven Cardinal Virtues: A Masonic Reflection
By: W.: John Barling – Secretary of Hyde Park Lodge 370 It is often said that the journey of a Mason is one of self-improvement, discipline, and moral fortitude. As we labor in the quarries of virtue, we must remain vigilant against the opposing forces that threaten our moral progress. This evening, I invite you…
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The Pursuit of Light: How Freemasonry Enlightens and Transforms Those Who Seek It
By: W.: John Barling – Secretary of Hyde Park Lodge 370 Freemasonry, an ancient and honored fraternity, has long been associated with thepursuit of wisdom, moral integrity, and personal transformation. At its heart, the Craft is centered around the search for “light”—a rich metaphor encompassing knowledge,spiritual understanding, and the inner awakening that leads one to…
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Masonic Haiku: Green Beans
Open my wallet My heart beats within my chest Masonic Green Beans