Valley of Portland

If you ask us, “What is the most frustrating thing Freemasons have to deal with?” many of us will reply, “All the myths and misinformation out there about Freemasonry.” The fact is, ever since Freemasonry was formally founded at the Grand Lodge of England in 1717, Masons have had to deal with a host of falsehoods—sometimes even slanders—told about us. To set the record straight, here are 5 common myths about Freemasons, and the truth about each:

Myth #1:  When Freemasons meet, they discuss religion and/or politics

False. In fact, most lodges let it be known that certain subjects of conversation are not welcome within the lodge, and “politics” and “religion” pretty much top the list. One of the world’s leading experts on Freemasonry, UCLA history professor Margaret Jacob, confirmed this to CBS News when she said that Freemasons may occasionally—and informally—discuss current events at the lodge. “But they don’t say, ‘Well, I’m a Democrat and therefore I think …’ Or, ‘I’m a Republican and therefore I think’? …  They just don’t.”

Myth #2:  Freemasonry is a religion

False. In Freemasonry, Professor Jacob says, “Everybody’s their own thinker.” And while Freemasons must believe in a Supreme Being (sometimes called the “Grand Architect of the Universe”) in order to join, Freemasonry has no priests, no ministers, no rabbis, no systematic theology of any kind.

Myth # 3:  Therefore atheists and agnostics are welcome  

False. As Brent Morris, Masonic historian and former editor of the Scottish Rite Journal pointed out, even though Freemasonry is not a religion, per se, agnostics or atheists cannot belong. “When Freemasonry started on a formal basis in 1717, many historians believe that it was trying to bridge the gap between the religious civil wars that had been going on in England at the time …. So when the Freemasons were formed, they said, ‘Here’s a group of men who agree that God is central in their lives; they can even agree that God compels them to do good in the community. Then they can shut up after that.”

Myth #4:  Freemasonry is somehow wacky and out of the mainstream

False:  If this claim were true, would 14 U.S. presidents—including George Washington—have been Freemasons? Would NFL Hall of Famer John Elway be one? How about music greats Louis Armstrong and Brad Paisley?

Myth # 5:  There are secret Masonic symbols on the U.S. dollar bill

False. Because the back of the dollar bill features an incomplete pyramid with an eye on top of it, many people—including some Freemasons—have said it’s a Masonic symbol. But as Professor Jacob points out, these symbols have been used by many different groups, including Masons, throughout history. Or as Brent Morris said, “The ‘Eye of God’ is a common icon for God looking over the affairs of man.” In fact, “it’s an icon that appears in cultures across the centuries.”

Want to Learn More About the Valley of Portland?

Additional information about the Valley of Portland can be found on the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction Scottish Rite website and on our membership page. Interested in learning more about local events? Subscribe to our newsletter to stay up-to-date and informed about upcoming events.

New brothers interested in joining the Valley of Portland can do so by completing this online application.

It’s a pretty amazing historical fact: Even though our U.S. presidents came from very different backgrounds and stations in life, nearly 1 out of 3 of them shared one important thing in common: they were Freemasons.

What drew these outstanding American leaders—these 15 presidents—to Freemasonry? What values did they embrace as Freemasons that empowered their rise to the heights of American political power?

Shared Values & Leadership

Richard Fletcher, a Past Masonic Grandmaster of Vermont, argued in an online Voice of America article that it is no coincidence that numerous U.S. presidents—including early presidents George Washington and James Monroe—were Freemasons.

“Freemasons were deeply involved in the creation of this country because a great underpinning of Freemasonry is the right of people to choose their own leaders, the right of people to think for themselves, [and] the right of people to vote,” Mr. Fletcher wrote.

A Thirst for Education & Human Rights

Freemasons had also long embraced public education—the right of people to learn irrespective of one’s income level or background—and this became a foundational value of many of America’s Founding Fathers who also were Freemasons. As Mr. Fletcher wrote: “You do not have to become a Freemason to become a good president, but I believe some of our great presidents have been Freemasons. And I think there is more than coincidence to this. They were men who believed in freedom. They were men who believed in human rights. They were men who believed in education. They were men who believed you could think for yourself.”

A Passion for Service

Freemasons are drawn to opportunities for leadership because of many of our core values, including integrity, responsibility, compassion, and a commitment to self-improvement. These values are also key elements of effective leadership more generally, both in service to our local community and to our nation more broadly. Freemasonry also places a strong emphasis on ethical conduct and moral principles like truth, justice, and charity, which are crucial for building trust and making sound decisions as a political leader. Self-reflection and growth are also strongly encouraged within Freemasonry, and these values help members develop their personal character and leadership abilities—key qualities recognized in all great U.S. presidents.

A Final Word from George Washington

Of all the 15 U.S. presidents who were Freemasons, probably George Washington best articulated what he viewed as the connection between his Freemason membership and his role as president of the United States. In 1790 he wrote: “Being persuaded that a just application of the principles on which the Masonic Fraternity is founded must be promotive of private virtue and public prosperity, I shall always be happy to advance the interests of the Society, and to be considered by them as a deserving brother.”

Want to Learn More About the Valley of Portland?

Additional information about the Valley of Portland can be found on the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction Scottish Rite website and on our membership page. Interested in learning more about local events? Subscribe to our newsletter to stay up-to-date and informed about upcoming events.

New brothers interested in joining the Valley of Portland can do so by completing this online application.

Here’s a quick, one-question Pop Quiz for you:  In the U.S., which state is the “oldest” in terms of the median age of its citizens? If you guessed “Maine,” give yourself an A+. Because the median age of folks in Maine is 45.1 years, and more than 1 in 5 of us is 65 or older. But these aren’t just statistics. They represent an incredible opportunity for Freemasons to engage in the kind of service to seniors that can make a huge, uplifting difference in an older person’s life.

Here are a few simple yet extremely helpful ways that Freemasons can provide service to seniors:

Check-in Regularly / Help Battle Loneliness

If you don’t already know the person or persons, take a few minutes to introduce yourself and ask if there are any ways you might occasionally help them. Ask if they would like to give you their contact information so they can quickly get in touch with you if a need arises. A national poll recently reported that 37 percent of older adults in the U.S. (aged 50-80 years) commonly experience loneliness, and 34 percent reported feeling socially isolated. Simply calling your older neighbor on a regular basis can make a big difference in helping them feel less lonely and isolated.

Run Errands & Offer Rides

Before you leave to go to the supermarket or run other errands, call your older neighbor and ask if they might need, for example, food items from the market. Also regularly ask them if they need you to provide rides to doctor or dentist appointments or to other local destinations. Many older people like to minimize driving, especially in the winter, so offering rides to them will be extremely helpful and appreciated.

Senior Support During the Winter

As folks grow older, the Maine winter poses more and more of a challenge to them. So think of how you can offer service to seniors in the form of snow removal. If your older neighbor’s car is parked outside, could you brush the snow off it for them? Or could you shovel, salt, and sand their driveway or walkway? These things will not only free your older neighbors from having to do these things themselves, but also make the outside areas around their house or apartment less slippery and thus much safer for them.

Other Ways to Offer Service to Seniors

If you do the things mentioned above, you’ll be going a long way toward being a good neighbor and a genuine blessing to older folks around you. Here are a few other ways you might offer assistance, as well:

• Help with Pet Care: Walk their dog or offer to feed their dog or cat if they travel;
    
• Home Maintenance Assistance: If you’re handy in this way, offer to help with anything from changing lightbulbs to putting in window AC units to cleaning garages or basements;
       
• Tech Assistance: Teach them how to use new technology such as smartphones or tablets;
    
• Invite Them to Events: Include them in neighborhood activities or social gatherings.

Want to Learn More About the Valley of Portland?

Additional information about the Valley of Portland can be found on the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction Scottish Rite website and on our membership page. Interested in learning more about local events? Subscribe to our newsletter to stay up-to-date and informed about upcoming events.

New brothers interested in joining the Valley of Portland can do so by completing this online application.

We hear these questions all the time: Is Freemasonry a religion? Is it somehow related to Christianity? How do Freemasons view Christmas?

If you are reading this Valley of Portland blog, you likely know that no, Freemasonry is not a religion. We warmly welcome men of many different faiths and beliefs into our Brotherhood. We only ask that you believe in a Supreme Being, which some Masons call “The Grand Architect of the Universe.” But that doesn’t mean Christmas isn’t very important to many of us.

What Christmas Celebrates

From ancient times, people have celebrated this time of year—the time around the Winter Solstice—as a time of hope, as we slowly move from the darkest day of the year toward days that are longer and brighter. Symbolically, this marks the death and rebirth of the Sun.

In a similar way, we Freemasons view Christmas as the celebration of Jesus of Nazareth and his deeply compassionate teachings, which empower humankind to move from darkness into light. Jesus spoke movingly and unforgettably of such things as mercy, tolerance, kindness, and love. His love and light changed the world.

The Christmas Spirit, Year-Round

Many of the life-changing lessons and values embodied by and taught by Jesus of Nazareth are taught and embraced by Freemasons. Because of this, we can truly say that Freemasons embody the idea of Christmas—and its powerful message—year-round.

Throughout our lodges and other Masonic organizations, we—every single day of the year—plan and carry out acts designed to assist and uplift our local communities. We teach our Masonic brothers to deal honestly and fairly with others, without regard to their race, religion, or political affiliation. We are united in compassionate, humanitarian service to others as Jesus was to those he encountered. We look to him—and to other great spiritual leaders, as well—as we strive each day to make our world a brighter, more loving place.

From Our Lodge Meeting to the World

The positive, uplifting energy that permeates our Masonic lodges at Christmas—and year-round—powerfully radiates out to the community as a whole, through the acts of our individual Brothers and our groups. Learning the lessons of tolerance, love, and hope in our meetings and Masonic activities—lessons that are the heart of the Christmas spirit—we instinctively act in the same way as we move through our southern Maine communities and the wider world.

So if you ask what Christmas means to Freemasons, we won’t just tell you. We’ll show you. Because to us it means working to make the world a better place, one day and one footstep at a time. It means taking the Christmas Spirit—which has so much in common with the Masonic spirit—and using it to make the world just that much better by being in a Brotherhood that uplifts so many others. Because that’s what Freemasonry is all about.

Want to Learn More About the Valley of Portland?

Additional information about the Valley of Portland can be found on the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction Scottish Rite website and on our membership page. Interested in learning more about local events? Subscribe to our newsletter to stay up-to-date and informed about upcoming events.

New brothers interested in joining the Valley of Portland can do so by completing this online application.

When you think of Thanksgiving, do you think immediately of Freemasonry?  Maybe not? Well, it turns out you should! Because two Freemasons—including U.S. President and Freemason George Washington—had a huge impact on the American version of the Thanksgiving holiday we celebrate today. In fact, President Washington and one of his Brothers in Freemasonry, Brother Elias Boudinot, worked together to create the holiday as a very special way to give thanks and express gratitude to our families, friends, and communities. 

Freemasonry Spurs a “Day of Thanks”

You may be thinking, “What about the Pilgrims and Native Americans? Didn’t the holiday start with them?” Yes, in a more informal way, it did. In 1621, settlers from The Mayflower, along with members of the Wampanoag tribe in Plymouth, Massachusetts, held a celebration to thank the Creator for the harvest and for the many blessings of life. Thereafter, for the next 160-plus years, the holiday was celebrated as an informal tradition among many Americans, but not as a formal national holiday.

That changed dramatically on September 25, 1789, when Freemason and Congressman Elias Boudinot of Burlington, New Jersey stood up in the U.S. House of Representatives with a legislative proposal. Brother Boudinot requested that the federal government create a committee to persuade President /Freemason George Washington to declare a national day of thanks and prayer. Historians say that, without Brother Boudinot’s powerful connection to Freemasonry and its values, he likely would not have been inclined to rally for this national day of thanks.

The Freemason President Delivers
the Proclamation

Later that same year, President George Washington delivered the Proclamation of 1789 that formally assigned November 26 as the National Holiday of Thanksgiving. Importantly, the proclamation also served as a symbolic gesture to our former monarchical rulers in Great Britain that the colonies were a self-governing, legitimate state. In his remarks regarding the holiday, President Washington stated: “Both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness.”

Masonic Values That Spurred a Holiday

When we look back on that important historical moment, we see clearly that our national American Thanksgiving holiday would not have been established without the values of Freemasonry and the critical work of two Masonic Brothers, Elias Boudinot and George Washington. This should further encourage us, as Freemasons, to reflect on and express gratitude for our fellow Brothers and for all the others in our lives who enrich us each day with such profound blessings.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Want to Learn More About the Valley of Portland?

Additional information about the Valley of Portland can be found on the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction Scottish Rite website and on our membership page. Interested in learning more about local events? Subscribe to our newsletter to stay up-to-date and informed about upcoming events.

New brothers interested in joining the Valley of Portland can do so by completing this online application.

You’ve probably heard it your entire life: “Man up,” people say. Or “Act like a man.” Statements like these reflect a “Guy Code” that society often imposes on men, reflecting unspoken rules you are supposed to follow. But how much do these “rules” reflect healthy masculinity—as opposed to the “toxic” kind? And how can Freemasons reflect more deeply on this issue?

How Men Learn About Masculinity   

Almost always, young males learn what a “real man” is from their family, other children, or schoolmates. Starting from early childhood, boys are often called out for behavior that doesn’t match society’s definition of manhood. They might be called “sissy” or “wimp” … or told they “throw like a girl.” And sometimes it gets even worse: They might be forced to deal with bullying or even assault. This forces boys, as they age, to face a choice: Go along with male stereotypes, or face the heat of “going against the grain.”

Stereotypes vs. What Men Actually Think

Research shows most men don’t personally agree with society’s “real man” stereotypes—especially if they tend to lead to “toxic male” behaviors that Freemasons and many other men recoil from. Some might go along with expected attitudes and behaviors because they are afraid of condemnation. But most Freemasons and other men are more attracted to—and want to embrace—a more healthy masculinity that supports a fuller range of human emotions and behaviors.

Key Ways to Live a “Healthy Masculinity”

Historically, society has put certain positive qualities in “the Masculine Box.” These include leadership, strength, and courage. But by putting those qualities in that box, society has not only implied that those qualities are not feminine, but also that qualities that are stereotypically feminine—such as nurturing, compassion, and caring—are not masculine. By having the strength and courage to rid ourselves of rigid rules about human qualities, Freemasons can achieve a healthy masculinity that affirms a broad range of positive human qualities.

What Healthy Masculinity “Looks Like”

When Freemasons embrace healthy masculinity for themselves and others, they can more positively affirm their true selves. They are not rejecting masculinity, but rather are moving into a better, healthier version of it.  One in which they:

• Address disrespect by having the courage to call it out;

• Allow themselves and other men to express a wide range of human emotions;

• Embrace mentoring, nurturing, compassion, and caring behavior toward themselves and others;

• Create openings for Freemason brothers and other men to share their experiences and feelings, especially if you sense there’s a problem;

• Check in with those you know or suspect are hurting;

• Have the courage to ask for help if you are struggling.

Want to Learn More About the Valley of Portland?

Additional information about the Valley of Portland can be found on the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction Scottish Rite website and on our membership page. Interested in learning more about local events? Subscribe to our newsletter to stay up-to-date and informed about upcoming events.

New brothers interested in joining the Valley of Portland can do so by completing this online application.

It’s a fascinating question: What is the connection of music and musicians to personal character and values? And why have there been so many great American musicians who were also great Freemason musicians? Let’s take a moment to shine the concert spotlight on this intriguing and rarely explored topic.

The Musician  / Mason Connection

Psychologists have long noted that musicians often have common personal values. These often include (1.) A “People First Approach,” which prioritizes the value of serving people over profits; (2.) Love of Truth and Freedom, which empowers musicians to express their true selves and embrace democracy; and (3.) Valuing Relationships and Community, which leads musicians to consider their relationships with others as essential and which leads them to favor friendly and mutually-supportive environments.

Great American Freemason Musicians       

When you consider the personal values mentioned above, you begin to see quite clearly why so many of America’s greatest and most beloved musicians have been Freemasons. Just like musicians generally, Freemasons ardently embrace Brotherly Love, Tolerance, Charity, and Truth. So it’s no wonder that music and Freemasonry are core to the lives of artists such as …

Louis “Satchmo” Armstrong
(1901 – 1971)

Louis was a member of Montgomery Lodge No.18 PHA in New York City. Known for his personal kindness and big, warm smile, he affirmed his Freemason values, in part, by founding and funding the Louis Armstrong Foundation. The foundation’s core mission is to support musicians, jazz education, performances, and programming. Like a true Mason, Louis said of his charitable work, “I want to give back some of the goodness I received.”

Brad Paisley
(Born 1972)

A member of Hiram Lodge No. 7 in Franklin, Tennessee, Brad, along with his actress-wife Kimberly Williams-Paisley, founded The Store, whose motto is “Uniting for a Hunger-Free Community.” Offering “traditional food aid and more,” The Store’s compassionate mission is to offer comprehensive solutions to hunger and poverty throughout Middle Tennessee.

Nat King Cole

(1919 – 1965)

Nat used his enormous popularity with black and white audiences alike by actively embracing the Masonic value of Brotherhood in the form of the Civil Rights movement. A member of his local NAACP branch, he was one of the noteworthy celebrities who participated in the 1963 March on Washington, at which Dr. Martin Luther King delivered his famous “I Have a Dream” speech. Nat was a member of Thomas Waller Lodge No. 49 PHA in Los Angeles, California.

Tom DeLonge (Blink 182)
(Born 1975)

A member of Widow’s Sons Lodge No. 17 PHA in Kansas City, Missouri, Tom is a founding member of one of the world’s most famous “pop-punk” bands, Blink 182. Tom’s charitable work with his band has included donating generous percentages of concert-tour proceeds to cancer research and performing shows that helped raise funds for those impacted by natural disasters.

Want to Learn More About the Valley of Portland?

Additional information about the Valley of Portland can be found on the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction Scottish Rite website and on our membership page. Interested in learning more about local events? Subscribe to our newsletter to stay up-to-date and informed about upcoming events.

New brothers interested in joining the Valley of Portland can do so by completing this online application.

If you’re like most American men, you probably remember that very important life lesson you learned from your dad. The lesson about Truth. Your dad likely said something like, “Be truthful, son. Don’t lie. A man’s word should be as good as his bond.” In this way, you learned that Truth is foundational to personal character, to deeply held personal values, to the degree to which you are seen as “an upstanding man,” as trustworthy and reliable. Let’s explore why Freemasons find this topic so critical.

A Core Masonic Value

The value of Truth—of being a truthful, trustworthy man—is so core to Freemasonry that it’s spotlighted right in our Mission Statement. The statement reads, in part, that our mission at The Valley of Portland and, more broadly, is “improve [our] members and enhance the communities in which they live by teaching and emulating the principles of Brotherly Love, Tolerance, Charity, and Truth.”

This reveals that Truth is something more important—and more profound—than just “getting your facts straight” or arming yourself against disinformation (although those things have become increasingly important). It means that embracing Truth—and the quest for it—should be core to your own personal mission as a man and Mason.

Truth and Community

To strive every day to be a good and truthful man is so crucial that it’s one of the first lessons we are taught as Freemasons. In fact, unless you have a reputation for being truthful, you are not normally qualified to become a member of our order. That’s because—while truthfulness is essential in its own right—it’s also a fundamental requirement of good citizenship, both in our local communities and in our “American community” writ large. Without a commitment to truth, it becomes more and more difficult for citizens and their leaders to work together, to progress, to strive to build what Abraham Lincoln described as “a more perfect union.” Personal character and embracing Truth as your “North Star” are absolutely foundational to building trust, enhancing fellowship, nurturing personal relationships, and sustaining the American Dream for ourselves and future generations.

Your Personal “Truth Mission”

Freemasonry’s Motto is “Let There Be Light.” This “light” is another crucial aspect of Truth: the pursuit of knowledge. As Masons, we embrace a never-ending search for information because that mission brings us closer to gaining knowledge and using that knowledge to be more authentic—more truthful—men. And as we better ourselves in that way, we are more and more empowered to better our communities and the world at large.

Want to Learn More About the Valley of Portland?

Additional information about the Valley of Portland can be found on the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction Scottish Rite website and on our membership page. Interested in learning more about local events? Subscribe to our newsletter to stay up-to-date and informed about upcoming events.

New brothers interested in joining the Valley of Portland can do so by completing this online application.

Some things just go together naturally. Take, for example, the state motto of Maine (“Dirigo”) and Freemasonry. “Dirigo” is a Latin word meaning “I lead.” And being an honorable leader—someone who steps up for your family and community—is a core part of being a Mason.

So how did Maine and Freemasonry first come together? Where were the first Masonic lodges in Maine, and who were some of the great early members of the brotherhood here? Let’s take a moment to explore this.

The Grand Lodge of Maine is Born

As you’ll remember from your history classes, Maine was part of Massachusetts until 1820. In that year, as part of The Missouri Compromise, Maine entered the Union as the 23rd state. Shortly thereafter, “The Grand Lodge of Maine”—explicitly named that—was born. But the roots of Freemasonry in Maine actually predated that by decades. The first Lodge in Maine (then Massachusetts) was chartered in 1762 in Portland. Other Lodges were soon formed in Machias in 1778, in Wiscasset in 1792, in Castine in 1794, and in Hallowell in 1796. In fact, by the time “The Grand Lodge of Maine” was founded shortly after Maine statehood, there were 31 Lodges across the state. By 1870, there were 154 Lodges and more than 14,000 members.

Early Freemason Leaders in Maine

 During the 18th and early 19th centuries, there were many great Mainer Masons, but three are especially noteworthy. The first was William King (1768–1852), who was not only the first Governor of Maine but also its first Grand Master in 1820. Prior to serving as Governor, King had been a tireless advocate for Maine statehood.

The second great early Maine Mason of note is Simon Greenleaf (1783–1853), who became known as “The Father of Maine Masonry.” Thanks to Greenleaf, the Grand Lodge was founded. He served under William King as Deputy Grand Master and later Grand Master, while also helping to establish Harvard University’s School of Law, where he served as a distinguished professor for many years. The Grand Lodge of Maine’s second highest award for “Unusual Contribution to Masonry,” is named in Greenleaf’s honor.

Congressman, House Speaker, Grand Master

Finally, there is Maine Congressman and Maine Speaker of the House, Josiah Hayden Drummond (1827–1902), who served as the 21st Grand Master from 1860–1862. During his time as Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Correspondence from 1865 to 1902, Drummond’s writing became known “most potent in shaping the policy of Masonry throughout the world.” Today, The Josiah Hayden Drummond Award—the highest Masonic award given by the Grand Lodge of Maine for “Outstanding Proficiency in the Knowledge of Freemasonry and Distinguished Service”—pays tribute to Drummond’s exemplary leadership in the brotherhood.

Want to Learn More About the Valley of Portland?

Additional information about the Valley of Portland can be found on the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction Scottish Rite website and on our membership page. Interested in learning more about local events? Subscribe to our newsletter to stay up-to-date and informed about upcoming events.

New brothers interested in joining the Valley of Portland can do so by completing this online application.