Everything I Needed to Know About Freemasonry

By Stephen Dafoe

There are many lessons of vast importance contained in the Entered Apprentice Degree of Freemasonry. These lessons are so important to the author of this book that he has been so bold as to title the book, Everything I needed to know about Freemasonry; I learned as an apprentice. Worshipful Brother Stephen Dafoe is not a Freemason who takes his craft lightly. He is often fond of saying, "We do not need more men in Masonry, but more Masonry in men." Every page of this book reflects that expression. The book is one man's reflection on the lessons learned in that first degree and is a thorough examination of the philosophy taught with each step, pace and gesture. In so doing, Dafoe has not created a dry account of the first degree, but rather a book that will inspire all Freemasons to get back to the basics.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Mar 28, 2011
• ISBN: 9781257162888

Book preview

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Introduction

One Mason’s Reflections On Initiation

We Never Really Understand Fine Things Until We Have Gone The Same Steps As The Author.

Keats

When I first knelt at the altar of Freemasonry, I took upon myself never to divulge the secrets of Freemasonry. Yet how is it possible to write a book such as the following one and not divulge that which should be left unsaid? While many older Brethren would disagree with me, it is my belief that the only secrets of Freemasonry are the modes of recognition, which are those grips, words and gestures that identify one Freemason to another. While these modes of recognition are readily available in most public libraries and by the click of the mouse on the Internet, I remain true to my vow never to reveal them. But aside from that, it is my belief that everything else is fair game with respect to Freemasonry. I do not believe that the Mason should hide his light, let alone the light of Freemasonry, beneath a bushel.

If I am to successfully explain the first degree of Freemasonry, it stands to reason that I must retrace my steps through the ceremony of my initiation, following the ritual that we all went through. To my American Brethren reading this book, much of the ritual discussed herein will be as foreign to you as a language first heard; as there are great differences between the American and Canadian Rites. Yet the moral truths and philosophical lessons herein contained will be anything but foreign to you. I hope you will enjoy the ritual as I make my retrospective journey through that most important of degrees, once again.

To that end, a major portion of the following book is autobiographical in nature. It is not my intent to present a pretentious account of my life in Freemasonry. As a Freemason of only a dozen years experience and a professional writer of half that length of time, it is far too soon to even contemplate composing my life story. Indeed in the twilight of my life, it may still be to soon. The autobiographical nature of this text is intended to put a framework on the lessons intended in the book, which is subtitled, One Mason’s Reflections On Initiation and nothing more. It is written from the perspective of one man, one Master Mason, and one average craftsman toiling in the labor of life and lodge. I am that one person; for in reality it is the only way that I can relate to the lessons of Freemasonry. It is how each Mason must learn from the craft, by taking away that which is deemed important to him. Much of what you will read in this book will, I hope, strike a cord with you the reader.

Having entered the craft only twelve years ago, I feel extremely fortunate to have had many Masonic experiences ranging from my initiation in the craft one December’s evening in 1992 to being appointed Grand Historian for all of Canada for the Sovereign Great Priory (Knights Templar) for two terms. I have had the privilege to be interviewed, largely as a result of my Internet presence, for three televised documentaries on Freemasonry and Knights Templarism. These things and $1.25 will allow me the opportunity to purchase a cup of coffee in most restaurants in North America. For we all meet on the level with respect to Freemasonry.

While I place myself at no higher station with regard to Freemasonry than being a Master Mason, I have, through my various articles, books and essays, had the opportunity to research our craft to a larger extent than many of my Brethren. These Brethren, who due to the toils of their private and public avocations, may not have had the time or means to put the hours of study into their Freemasonry that I have been fortunate enough to be able to do. Perhaps they have not had the time to travel to the extent, which I have been able to do. It is my hope that the reader will be able to live vicariously through my own travels, understanding and interpretations of the Entered Apprentice Degree.

It is my hope that this small book will allow the reader to enjoy their Freemasonry to a greater extent than they have heretofore by having a deeper understanding of its first initiatic offering. If I succeed in my goal then the book you are reading will be well worth the read. If I fall short of the mark, then I hope that some portion of it will be deemed worthy of the reading and your further consideration.

For the last several years I have used a quote, which for the longest time was of unknown authorship. These words sum up everything I believe about Freemasonry, We do not need more men in Masonry, but more Masonry in men.

The origin of the quotation seems to point to Most Worshipful Brother Charles H. Johnson, Past Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of New York. Our Most Worshipful Brother once said, Never should the Master lose sight of the fact that the chief purpose of the organization is not merely to get more men into Masonry, but rather to get more Masonry into Men.

It is my sincerest hope that this book lives up to the words once penned by this very wise Brother Mason.

Sincerely and fraternally,

W. Brother Stephen Dafoe

POTS

March 21st, 2004

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Chapter One

Where Were You First Prepared To Be Made A Mason?

"Everyone should carefully observe which way his heart draws him, and then choose that way with all his strength.

Hasidic Saying

In the First Degree of Freemasonry the candidate learns that, prior to his preparation to be made a Mason in the anteroom of the lodge, he is first made a Mason in his heart. I suppose that with regard to my own situation this is true, as it is with all of those who seek membership in our fraternity, if their motivations for joining are