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e Masonic Ritual in our jurisdiction sends the It provides a background upon which the candidate
individual Master Mason on a journey towards the may build his personality and character. e ritual is a
“center from which he cannot err.” Freemasonry guardian of tradition and lays before every candidate
exists primarily to transform men. When we open the absolute truths of Masonic philosophy. e general
the West Gate, we are o ering a path of personal meaning of the ritual can be sensed in the feeling and
transformation. Each of us has an important role ow of the words. e task is not simply to teach the
to play because the Strategic Plan stresses the vital ritual, but to encourage members to want to learn it
importance of mentoring individual craftsmen on understand it.
their journey from rough to the perfect ashlar.
Masonry deals with ethics: right and wrong conduct
As a Mason, we regard the V.O.S.L. as the great in today’s world. e intent of the Masonic ritual is to
light of Masonry. It is an unerring standard of truth bring a man into the brotherhood of men who believe in
and justice. Charity is one of the great cornerstones right thinking and right action. An individual Mason
of Masonry. Charity is the ultimate act of con dence, should undertake the study of the ritual and learn
for it recognizes the needs of others, the desire to about Masonic philosophy. at study enables him to
assist them, one’s own surplus, and trusts in God to make a daily advancement in Masonic knowledge.
replenish what has been given. It is the physical act of
an inner state of positivism, con dence in the future We are most fortunate in this Grand Jurisdiction that
— sel essness, and when possible anonymity, and puts the Grand Lodge has made available excellent quality
others before oneself. By starting with our own Lodge material. We either choose to use those working tools,
brethren, and extending the idea of charity, awakening or we leave them to lie unused.
the heart we realize our fundamental oneness with
everyone and everything is fundamental unity is
expressed through the trowel, the tool that spreads
the mortar of brotherly love and a ection to all.
It is the true act of Master Mason. e key to life is
not accumulation but contribution, not building up
material goods, but service to others.

I began this paper with the idea that Freemasonry
is a Principle-Centered Fraternity. A principle-
centered organization provides the opportunity for
principle-centered leadership at all levels. Principle-
centered leadership usually display the following
characteristics:

1. ey are continually learning something about
Freemasonry.
2. ey are service oriented. (Life is a mission.) Reprinted from the, Ontario Mason Magazine Spring
3. ey radiate positive energy. 2019.
4. ey believe on other people.
5. ey lead balanced lives.
6. ey see life in Freemasonry as an adventure.
7. ey are synergistic.
8. ey invest time and energy in self-renewal.

Most the list of characteristics is what is needed to
carry the Strategic Plan, Strengthening the West Gate
in to place in a local Lodge. ese characteristics will
help us build on the solid foundation set in place by the
V.O.S.L., the ritual, the strategic, and our constitution,
which includes the Preamble.

e ritual has a greater signi cance than to be
regarded as a document for the admission of members.
Montana Freemason Page 25 July 2019 Volume 95 No. 5