by Guest Contributor Steven A. McBeth
Four score and seven years ago . . . Wait a minute . . . Stop, stop, stop the plagiarism! Let’s all just take a minute to rewind and start over, Abe take ten please.
The year is now 2012. Thinking back, though I can't pinpoint the exact date with any surety, I would estimate that my knowledge of the Freemasons' existence came to me sometime between the years 2000 and 2003. What I am able to attest to is that it was indeed a Freemason, a friend of mine and my fire chief at the time, Bro. N. Greenwell who introduced me to the Fraternity by showing me his Masonic ring-- which was passed down to him from his grandfather. Thinking about it now I am certain that Bro. Greenwell did not produce his ring or mention Freemasonry to me until he knew me well enough and trusted in my character enough to do so. Looking back, I feel honored he held me in high enough esteem to introduce me to his cherished Grandfathers ring and the Fraternity as a whole,all be it, he really did nothing more then ask me if I was familiar with Freemasonry.

I had to find out more about this Freemasonry thing. What was it all about? Why did it exist? What were the benefits? So it really began when I typed “Freemasonry” into an internet search engine, and there it was--the first link of the rest of my life. It was a website I am sure is no longer in existence today, none the less a website that went on to describe the rudimentary history and goals of the society, which I would come to find out in later days was more secret than not.
The history I will leave for the reader to research on his or her own, or not, it’s main aim, on the other hand though I hear very little of today, I feel obliged to share and attempt to keep alive, as it has greatly applied to my Masonic journey. The fundamental Masonic aim from what I discovered that day was that of supporting, promoting, and providing a higher education, and if I am not mistaken, fund and aid in constructing the very institutions in which this higher education would be take place. That was about it; about all I could expediently and conveniently find on the subject in that day. That half hour study session on Freemasonry may have been enough for me that day, at least until my good friend and partner at the time, decided that he had better warn me about this organization, to paraphrase it went a little something like this, “Be careful with those Freemasons, I have been told they are an evil organization.”

Naturally I had to find out. This rebel, freethinker and seeker of truth would settle for nothing less. My studies would ensue erratically over the next decade, often going on Masonic benders for months on end, vast amounts of knowledge and understanding accumulated. Some key points kept me coming back for more.
First: Freemasonry by its very design and nature is to my understanding , to first positively affect the initiate, then hopefully the people immediate to him, friends and/or family, continuing to work outwards from there with the outcome being an altruistic, amelioration of yourself and all of your communal surroundings within one’s influence. Something that was conveyed to me sincerely and wholeheartedly by Bro. N. Greenwell, who by my witness did everything in his power without surrender, to achieve this. Three words; Lead, By, Example! Second: Freemasonry has no upper or lower levels by which brethren of certain stature or degree meet, it has none of these, but only one level on which all the Brethren meet no matter race, religion, or creed! We are all equals! Third: The vast amounts of well thought out and articulately written papers, historicaly factual, and philosophical have managed to keep me easily entertained and involved, often times taking me well over an hour to be able to fully translate and understand what the author is conveying to the reader. Fourth: Though not having any immediate effect on my character, Masonic literature, also while reading and decoding it’s indubitable meaning always instilled in me the desire to want to be a better man, it enticed me to strive to become more worthy of its ranks, moreover, though unable to attest to it at this very moment, all of its hidden mysteries were in plain sight, just waiting to be plucked by any and all who prove themselves worthy by means of hard work, study, courage and dedication, none of which I care to give away or explain, but trust me any who lack courage will fall short.
First: Freemasonry by its very design and nature is to my understanding , to first positively affect the initiate, then hopefully the people immediate to him, friends and/or family, continuing to work outwards from there with the outcome being an altruistic, amelioration of yourself and all of your communal surroundings within one’s influence. Something that was conveyed to me sincerely and wholeheartedly by Bro. N. Greenwell, who by my witness did everything in his power without surrender, to achieve this. Three words; Lead, By, Example! Second: Freemasonry has no upper or lower levels by which brethren of certain stature or degree meet, it has none of these, but only one level on which all the Brethren meet no matter race, religion, or creed! We are all equals! Third: The vast amounts of well thought out and articulately written papers, historicaly factual, and philosophical have managed to keep me easily entertained and involved, often times taking me well over an hour to be able to fully translate and understand what the author is conveying to the reader. Fourth: Though not having any immediate effect on my character, Masonic literature, also while reading and decoding it’s indubitable meaning always instilled in me the desire to want to be a better man, it enticed me to strive to become more worthy of its ranks, moreover, though unable to attest to it at this very moment, all of its hidden mysteries were in plain sight, just waiting to be plucked by any and all who prove themselves worthy by means of hard work, study, courage and dedication, none of which I care to give away or explain, but trust me any who lack courage will fall short.

The Universe unfolded just as it was meant to that day, for if anything had been added or omitted during my search, or by my friend and business partner, I assure you things would not be as they are today for all of which I am eternally grateful.
Steven A. McBeth is a Fellowcraft Canadian Freemason from Prince George Nechako Lodge No.86 with over 10 years of study on the subject. He is also a Truth seeking theologian and a philosophical writer. "Let not your outer voice, rather your inner Light be the guide."
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