Brethren:

I recently had the opportunity to see the movie National Treasure. This conspiracy adventure contains a fictional plot purporting that Benjamin Franklin, one of our Masonic forefathers, helped the Nights Templar Society to hide the location of the ancient NightsTemplar treasures from the invading British Armies during our Nation's war of independence from England. Upon leaving the theatre, I began to wonder if people in today's highly informed American society really believe that the mysteries of our ancient Fraternity are intended to hide the conspiracies of our founders.

It became apparent to me upon further thought that it is my obligation as an informed Mason to dispel any misinformation that exists today or which may have existed in the past, in order to preserve the true intent of our Fraternity. As Freemasons we are dedicated to making the world a better place for all people regardless of race, religion, country, sect, opinion, or membership in our Fraternity. The secret modes of recognition that we present to those being initiated in our Fraternity can be obtained freely with a cursory search on the Internet or in the halls of any public library, yet we ask our newly initiated members to keep those secrets as a demonstration of their fidelity to our tenants of brotherly love, relief, truth, and the practice of the cardinal virtues of temperance, fortitude, prudence and justice in their daily relations with all people.

The first duty of a newly initiated Entered Apprentice Mason is to keep secret everything entrusted to him during his initiation while considering the volume of the Holy Writings as the unerring standard of truth and justice in regulating his actions in the world outside the Lodge. His burden is to practice brotherly love, relief and truth. His responsibilities are to conduct himself with proper decorum and to diligently work to learn his proficiency and as much about our Craft as soon as possible.

In further dispelling the most commonly misunderstood fact about Freemasonry portrayed in the movie, I strongly suggest that those who believe the eye in the pyramid seen on the dollar bill is a Masonic symbol should read a short talk bulletin written by S. Brent Morris in September 1995. He presents proper evidence based on historical fact rather than hysterical fiction that there is no tie between the eye in the pyramid symbol and the Great Seal of the United States with Freemasonry. The latest printing of this essay published by the Masonic Service Association of the United States is on page 27 of the November 2004 issue of the Scottish Rite Northern Light magazine. To read the essay in its entirety for your own reading pleasure, CLICK HERE.

Fraternally Yours,

Marco Romey, PM
Senior Warden