 Rev. Dr. Norman Vincent Peale 33, Grand Cross 1030 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY  10028-0136

One of America's most outstanding ministers and Masons explains how
Freemasonry adds "another dimension to living" while not
conflicting with religion.

I RECENTLY received a letter in which the writer asked: "Why are
you a Freemason?" The question caused me to think and reaffirm my
feelings about Masonry.

        At first I thought about my own forebears. My grandfather
was a Mason for 50 years, my father for 50 years, and I have been a
Mason for over 60 years. This means that my tie with Freemasonry
extends back to 1869 when my grandfather joined the Masons.

        My feelings on my first entrance into a Masonic Lodge are
very clear in memory. I was a young man, and it was a great thrill
to kneel before the altar of the Lodge to become a Freemason. This
must have been the same feeling my father and grandfather
experienced before me. And it must have been identical to the one
that many great leaders of America and the world felt as they
became Masons. Prominent among this select group are George
Washington, Harry Truman, and 12 other presidents as well as
countless statesmen and benefactors of humanity.

        So I found myself thinking: "What does Freemasonry mean to
me?" Of course Masons say that Freemasonry actually begins in each
individual Mason's heart. I take this to mean a response to
brotherhood and the highest ideals. I recall the story of a man who
came to me once and said: "I see that you are a Freemason. So am
I." As we talked, he told me of an experience he had years ago. It
seems that he joined the Masonic Fraternity shortly after he became
21 years old. When he was stationed in the militar ecided to attend
various Lodge meetings. On his first visit to a Lodge in a strange
city, he was a bit nervous. One thought was constantly in his mind;
could he pass the examination to show that he was a Mason?

        As the committee was carefully examining his credentials,
one of the members looked him squarely in the eye and said:
"Obviously you know the Ritual, so you can enter our Lodge as a
Brother Mason. But I have one more question. Where were you made a
Mason?" With that he told the young visitor to think about it
because when he knew the answer, the examiner would not have to
hear it. He would see it in his eyes. My friend told me that after
a couple of minutes a big smile came to his face, and he looke e
examiner, who said, "That's right, in your heart."

        Freemasonry is not a religion though, in my experience,
Masons have predominantly been religious men and, for the most
part, of the Christian faith. Through Freemasonry, however, I have
had the opportunity to break bread with good men of other than my
own Christian faith. Freemasonry does not promote any one religious
creed. All Masons believe in the Deity without reservation.
However, Masonry makes no demands as to how a member thinks of the
Great Architect of the Universe. Freemasonry is, for all bers, a
supplement to good living which has enhanced the lives of millions
who have entered its doors. Though it is not a religion, as such,
it supplements faith in God the Creator. It is supporting of
morality and virtue.

        Freemasonry has no dogma or theology. It offers no
sacraments. It teaches that it is important for every man to have a
religion of his own choice and to be faithful to it in thought and
action. As a result, men of different religions meet in fellowship
and brotherhood under the fatherhood of God. I think  a good Mason
is made even more faithful to the tenets of his faith by his
membership in the Lodge.

        Freemasonry is much more than a social organization.
Through Masonic teachings, good men practice love and charity. As a
Fraternity they spend millions of dollars to support hospitals,
childhood language disorders clinics, and research into problems
that plague man's physical and mental being. Whenever I visit a
Masonic hospital, of which there are many, my eyes fill with tears.
As I see a youngster who could not walk, now able to get from one
end of the corridor to the other with the aid of an arti leg, I am
thrilled. For a young person to have the opportunity to become
whole and productive is to me exciting and wonderful. And this
opportunity is given at no cost to his or her family or the state.
Living is beautiful, but sometimes life can be harsh and cruel.
Whenever or wherever people are in need, Masons are there to help.
From large undertakings to the smallest of needs, Masons are always
there, caring and serving.

        I have always been interested as to why Masons devote so
much time to their Fraternity. A good answer to this question came
from a Grand Master who told me he enjoys his involvement because
it gives him another dimension to living. The same answer is echoed
by Brethren as they meet in Lodge rooms from one end of our country
to the other and around the world. Many of my best friends,
associates and fellow Christians are Freemasons and good churchmen
as well.

        In my travels at home and abroad a goodly number of
Freemasons notice my Masonic ring, which I always wear. With pride
they say: "I, too, am a Freemason."

        To me, Freemasonry is one form of dedication to God and
service to humanity. I too was a Freemason in my heart and so I
will remain. I am proud of my involvement. I am proud to walk in
fraternal fellowship with my Brethren. Why am I a Freemason? Simply
because I am proud to be a man who wants to keep the moral
standards of life at high level and leave something behind so
others will benefit. Only as I, personally, become better, can I
help others to do the same.    s

Norman Vincent Peale is  known worldwide for his milestone book The
Power of  Positive Thinking and for founding, with Ruth Stafford
Peale, the Peale Center for Christian Living in Pauling, New York.
Ordained a Methodist  minister in 1922, Dr. Peale has served 60
years as Senior Minister of New York City's Marble Collegiate
Church and is well known as a speaker, broadcaster, humanitarian,
and publisher of Guideposts magazine. He is a member of Midwood
Lodge No. 1062, Brooklyn, NY, and has served as Grand Ch aplain of
the Grand Lodge of New York and Imperial Grand Chaplain of the
Shrine.

