Freemasons host open house

Much has been made of the secrecy behind the Mason Lodge movement, but the Prince George club would like to make a lot less of it. They are holding an open house today at their downtown headquarters so anyone with curiosities came come in, ask questions, and look around the place.

Mysteries, adventure stories and political thrillers have all centred on aspects of the centuries-old Freemasons movement. The DaVinci Code, National Treasure, tales of the Knights Templar and others have all put fictional twists on this, but in the nonfiction realm it is just a group of people dedicated to community charity and personal development, said spokesman Rod Holmes.

"Years ago the local lodge had an open house on an annual basis but that faded at some point. We thought it would be a good idea to bring it back," Holmes said. "Come in, have a look, bring your whole family, there are no secrets here."

There is confidentiality, though, he clarified. The members of the lodge are in the process of bettering themselves, and that is a personal process that is steadfastly respected by the other members, so the meetings are always in-camera. They are called Freemasons, Holmes explained, because raw stone is a metaphor for the hewing, chiseling and polishing of the self in the pursuit of being a better person.

"We don't go out and solicit membership, but we do approach people the members have seen exhibiting some of the characteristics that would make a good member. Just, being a good person. We are also open to hearing from people who would like to be members, and we guide them if we can."

There are Freemason groups in Burns Lake, Mackenzie, Vanderhoof, Quesnel, 100 Mile, and even Barkerville. Holmes pointed out that there are only two privately held buildings within the Barkerville National Historic Site: the iconic Anglican Church and the Mason's Lodge, both established there in the town's heyday.

There are also many other service clubs associated directly to the Freemansons: Shriners, Job's Daughters for female youth, Order of the Eastern Star for women, and many others all over the world. Everything done within these groups is set to be in non-conflict with religious interests, political interests or family.

Holmes explained that the capital G in the Freemason's logo, bordered by tools of the geometric trade, had two meanings. Both were centred on inclusiveness for all who desired to improve the self and the community at the same time. "The G represents geometry which was one of the seven great sciences (Grammar, Rhetoric, Logic, Arithmetic, Geometry, Music, and Astronomy) and the one used most often in the masonry trade. The G also stands for God because we, as a group, believe in a supreme being but that is not defined. You can be a Christian member, a Buddhist member, an Islamic member, as long as your beliefs include a supreme being."

Former BC Freemason's provincial chair Bill Cave will be at the open house. He and other guest speakers will give short speeches about aspects of the Freemasons and answer any of the public's questions. The event runs from 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. today at the building located at the corner of 4th Avenue and Vancouver Street.