On April 5, over 800 men were initiated, passed and raised to the degree of Master Mason in Grand Master’s Classes that were held statewide. The 20th Masonic District held their class on a subsequent Saturday due to a scheduling conflict.
The Masonic fraternity with its philosophy and symbolism has existed for nearly three hundred years, and it provides a lifetime of opportunity for learning and fellowship. No Brother is expected to learn everything there is to know by simply experiencing our ritual. There are a large number of websites and books about Freemasonry - some very good and others not so good, and it can be a challenge to determine which is which.
Brother Jose Diaz, a Past Master of York Lodge No. 563, is a librarian and professor at The Ohio State University, where he teaches a freshmen seminar on Freemasonry. He recommends the following list of resources to his class:
Basic introduction
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freemasonry
https://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2005/08/28/inside-the-masons
https://aftermathnews.wordpress.com/2008/05/18/secretive-freemasons-in-midst-of-popularity-membership-boom/
Guides/references
Christopher Hoddap, Freemasons for Dummies (For Dummies, 2005)
S. Brent. Morris, The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Freemasonry (Alpha, 2006)
Short informative history
Jay Kinney, The Masonic Myth (Harper Collins, 2009)
These resources will help any Brother to step off with the correct foot on his Masonic journey.
A Freemason will get the most out of his membership by participating in the activities of his local lodge. Most lodges meet at least once each month, and some take a break during the summer months of July and August, which provides a nice opportunity for them to hold lodge picnics and other social activities.
New members with questions about the fraternity can always contact their lodge secretary or the Grand Lodge for answers – www.freemason.com or 800-292-6092.
