“Freemasonry is far removed from all that is trivial, selfish and ungodly. Its ceremonies are by no means of a light or trifling character, but are of profound significance and deep solemnity. They have existed without material changes from remote antiquity. Its structure rests upon the indestructible foundation of the Fatherhood of God, the Brotherhood of Man, and the Immortality of the Soul.
Our ancient and honorable fraternity welcomes to its doors, and admits to its privileges, worthy men of all faiths and creeds who possess the indispensable qualifications. Freemasonry is, in one of its major aspects, a beautiful and profound system of morality, veiled in allegories and illustrated by symbols. Its grand purposes are, to diffuse light; to banish ignorance; to promote peace and happiness among mankind; to relieve distress; to protect the widows and orphans of our brethren; to inculcate a wider knowledge concerning the existence of the Grand Architect of the Universe, and of the arts and sciences connected with His Divine laws. In fine, the design is to make its members wiser, freer, better and consequently happier men.”
JEWEL P. LIGHTFOOT, Past Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Texas, A. F. & A. M.
Taken from Lightfoot’s Manual of the Lodge (1934)
The Grand Master's Message in the Texas Freemason Magazine is insightful, and I believe the most powerful statement it contains is, "To those Brethren who accept the challenge and responsibility to serve as a Lodge Officer, we owe an extra measure of respect and gratitude."
To all the new officers, you have my greatest esteem and respect and my deepest gratitude. I look forward to supporting you for the remainder of my term.
Sincerely and fraternally,
Gilbert T. Swift, Jr.
DDGM Dist. 14-B
