Thanks for the kind words Nathan! It is kind of harsh to get these kind of comments when I am a person of integrity. It was not what I expected, but some show the serious of the matter and that makes me even more interested!
"Whence came the idea that a man - almost any man - has an inherent right to become a Freemason? Is it not a privilege to be conferred upon the worthy?"
Quote from
Asleep at the West Gate
By W. Bro. Stephen Dafoe
He is (Loring) is already reading a critical look at the state of Masonry without even being one yet. I wish some of our Brothers would read or consider some of "Asleep at the West Gate."
Andrew, the harshness expressed is one of protection of a beloved Fraternity. If you are a good man, wanting to be a better man, and wanting to associate with other good men, Freemasonry will be a lifelong journey.
I study the game of checkers and the game of chess and there is a famous quote about the difference between the two:
"Playing chess is like looking out over a limitless ocean; playing checkers is like looking into a bottomless well." Marion Tinsley, World checkers champion.
I think you may find that Masonry is both. You can look out at the broad spectrum of the Fraternity (history, famous Masons, philosophy, symbolism, ritualistic lessons, appendant bodies) and never grow tired of learning new things. You can also look deeply into the bottomless well (the meaning of one symbol, the life of one Brother, one role in the ritual) and never get bored.
We are fortunate in this day and age to be able to find much of this written material at the tips of our fingertips.
We are also fortunate in this day and age to be able to reach out to a brother who will help us as much as we want.
Tim