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Enjoyment of Freemasonry By: Jeff Winters Numerous books and papers are written on Freemasonry dealing with the origins, history, mysticism, and symbolism of this great Fraternity; there is nothing significant written about the enjoyment it has afforded the millions of past and present members. A question raised in research pursuing stories about Freemasonry is “Why do Freemasons go to meeting after meeting, year in and year out? One very senior Mason when asked this question had to think for a while and eventually replied “It must be because we enjoy it”. Why do we get so much enjoyment out of Freemasonry? Possibly the most powerful source of enjoyment is the warmth of fellowship, the bonding or fellow-feeling which comes, from having been through the same ceremony at the receiving end, from getting to know each other, and for most of us either from having conducted part of a ceremony or from being likely to do so in the future. A noteworthy expression of this brotherly fellowship occurs when mistakes are made in the words or actions of the ritual; as one Mason put it – “What is so marvellous is that the Brethren laugh with you, not at you, when you make a mistake”. Some may say enjoyment is derived because of the order which prevails in our meetings; others may enjoy the dramatic representation of mystical biblical teachings, yet another may relish the escape from the totally female company in his family life for those few hours spent in Brotherly companionship. In summation, there is a broad reasoning given by Brethren for their enjoyment of our activities. Each member receives the pleasure they find desiring of themselves, there are numerous rationale for finding enjoyment. Each member has a different background and set of interests, but all derive enjoyment from reasons which may include fellowship, hard work, light hearted relaxation, service to others through Masonic and non-Masonic charities, and applying the principles of Freemasonry in our lives.
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