Log in or Sign upMy Freemasonry - Masonic Education and Discussion ForumMy Freemasonry - Masonic Education and Discussion Forum13 Virtues of Brother Benjamin FranklinFranklin sought to cultivate his character by a plan of thirteen virtues, which he developed at age 20 (in 1726) and continued to practice in some form for the rest of his life. His autobiography lists his thirteen virtues as:"TEMPERANCE. Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation." "SILENCE. Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversation." "ORDER. Let all your things have their places; let each part of your business have its time." "RESOLUTION. Resolve to perform what you ought; perform without fail what you resolve." "FRUGALITY. Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself; i.e., waste nothing." "INDUSTRY. Lose no time; be always employ'd in something useful; cut off all unnecessary actions."...Blake BowdenOct 21, 2015Read MoreReplies: 3What is the Ahiman Rezon?The first Masonic book published in America was printed in Philadelphia by Brother BENJAMIN FRANKLIN in 1734. It was a reprint of what is known as "Anderson's Constitutions," which was published in 1723 under the authority of the Grand Lodge of England, and entitled: "The Constitutions of the Freemasons, Containing the History, Charges, Regulations, &c., of that Most Ancient and Right Worshipful Fraternity. For the use of the Lodges," and was compiled by Brother James Anderson, D.D. This reprint is now very scarce. A copy of it is in the Library of the Grand Lodge.The "Ahiman Rezon; or, A Help to a Brother," was prepared in 1756 by Brother Laurence Dermott, Grand Secretary of the GRAND LODGE OF ENGLAND ACCORDING TO THE OLD INSTITUTIONS, once called the "Ancients."...Blake BowdenOct 21, 2015Read MoreReplies: 10Don't Expect PerfectionDon't expect perfection in a man because he is a Freemason. If you do, you will be disappointed. Masonry makes a man better, but no human agency can make him perfect.If he is a Mason, you have a right to presume he is a good man, but do not condemn Masonry even if a few Masons turn out bad. Even the Great Teacher Himself had a Judas.The aim and purpose of Masonry is to receive none but good men, keep them good and make them better. Judge the institution not by a few failures, but by the average of its successes...Blake BowdenOct 19, 2015Read MoreReplies: 7The Rest of the Masonic StoryBro. Bill was initiated into Freemasonry some 3 months before his 21st birthday. And only five years later, he was elected Master of his Lodge. It didn't take long for Bro. Bill to become dissatisfied with the lack of Masonic education and the poor ritual work in his Lodge. And he took it upon himself to do something about it. He decided he would become a competent Master on the subject of Freemasonry. In doing so, he would speak with the most experie