The Alpha and the Omega of Freemasonry

Solomon's Lodge No. 3, Free and Accepted Masons of Pennsylvania, is the oldest continuously meeting Masonic Lodge in Pennsylvania, having operated without interruption of war or economic turmoil since it was chartered in 1764.

With a former Philadelphia mayor, a Right Worshipful Grand Master, several District Deputies, and other former and current dignitaries, our Lodge is rich in history of which our Members are duly proud. But greater than our pride in our past, is the pride which members of Solomon's Lodge No. 3 have instilling in its members the fact that the Blue Lodge is every Mason's core responsibility.

Norman Hall, Masonic Temple

It is a Mason's Blue Lodge that creates true and honorable Freemasons! It is the Blue Lodge which nurtures, develops, teaches, and sustains Freemasons. And it is the Blue Lodge which is home; it is the alpha and it is the omega of Freemasonry.

The agreement between a Master Mason and an accepted Masonic candidate runs deep. It is more than a lodge meeting for dinner and even more than ritual. It carries life-long responsibilities and life-long rewards.

When a true Master Mason (a man who lives by Masonry's high but fair ideals) honors a candidate by accepting him into the Fraternity, he agrees to stand by that man for as long as he lives. He agrees to nurture him and influence his development by teaching, listening, and sustaining his fraternal needs.

When a Candidate (a man who has the desire to join Freemasonry and has shown to be worthy of the honor) accepts the offer of Freemasonry, he agrees to stand by his fraternal Brother for as long as he lives. He agrees to accept the responsibility to learn, practice, and pass on the ideals of Freemasonry. This joint agreement is born and fulfilled in the Blue Lodge. It is every Mason's primary responsibility to see that the agreement to support and sustain its members is fulfilled. Support is defined by attending Lodge meetings, leading or joining committees, participating in special Lodge events, and simply being there for your fellow Members. Sustaining is defined as being current on your dues, bringing in new candidates, and learning all that you can about the Fraternity outside of the Lodge as well as within it.

Strong Freemasonry needs a strong foundation. This foundation is best built in the first Masonic year in Blue Lodge. After that, many Masons expand their experience by joining other Masonic appendant bodies. But only with a strong Blue Lodge foundation to count on can Freemasons make worthy members of these other organizations. A scheduling conflict between the Blue Lodge and another appendant body must be resolved by choosing to attend the Blue Lodge. Without Blue Lodge, there can be no Chapter, Council, Commandery, Consistory or Shrine.

So with this in mind, my Brother, ask yourself, "Have I fulfilled my responsibilities to my Blue Lodge? Have I cared enough for my brethren to wear the square and compass with honor and pride? Have I done what I have sworn to do when I received my third degree?" Only you can sincerely answer these questions, my Brother... and only you can decide to do what it takes to be a true and sincere Brother of the Craft!