Obligation Renewal Night

The purpose of Obligation Renewal Night is to promote Harmony throughout our Great Fraternity and to return our hearts and thoughts to the most valuable tenets of Freemasonry, which are Friendship, Morality and Brotherly Love.

By the exercise of Brotherly Love, we are taught to regard the whole human race as one family- the high, the low, the rich, the poor- who, being created by one Almighty Parent, and inhabitants of the same planet, ought to aid, support, and protect each other. On this principle, Masonry unites men of every country, sect and opinion, and conciliates true friendship among those who might otherwise have remained at a perpetual distance.

"From the commencement of the world we may trace the foundation of masonry. Ever since symmetry began, and harmony displayed her charms, our Order has had a being. During many ages, and in many different countries, it has flourished. no art, no science preceded it. in the dark periods of antiquity, when literature was in a low state, the rude manners of our forefathers withheld from them that knowledge we now so amply share, Masonry diffused its influence. Thus science unveiled, arts arose, civilization took place, and the progress of knowledge and philosophy gradually dispelled the gloom of ignorance and barbarism. Government being settled, authority was given to laws, and the assemblies of the Fraternity acquired the patronage of the great and the good, while the tenets of the profession disseminated unbounded philanthropy.

Abstracted from the pure pleasures which arise from friendship so wisely constituted as that which subsists among Masons, and which it is scarcely possible that any circumstance or occurrence can erase, Masonry is a science confined to no particular country, but extends over the whole terrestrial globe. Wherever the arts flourish, there it flourishes too. Add to this, that by secret and inviolable signs, carefully preserved among the Fraternity, it becomes a universal language. Hence many advantages are gained; the distant Chinese, the wild Arab, and the American savage will embrace a brother Briton, and know that, besides the common ties of humanity, there is still a stronger obligation to induce him to kind and friendly offices. The spirit of the fulminating priest will be tamed, and a moral Brother, tough of a different persuasion, engage his esteem; for mutual toleration in religious opinions is one of the most distinguishing and valuable characteristics of the Craft. As all religions teach morality, if a Brother be found to act the part of a truly honest man, his private speculative opinions are left to God and himself. Thus, through the influence of Masonry, which is reconcilable to the best policy, all those disputes which embitter life and sour the tempers of men are avoided, while the common good, the general object, is zealously pursued.

From this view of our system, its utility must be sufficiently obvious. The universal principles of the Art unite, in one indissoluble bond of affection, men of the most opposite tenets, of the most distant countries, and of the most contradictory opinions; so that in every nation a Mason may find a friend and in every climate a home.

Such is the nature of our institution, that in the Lodge, which is confined to no particular spot, union is cemented by sincere attachment, and pleasure reciprocally communicated in the cheerful observance of every obliging office. Virtue, the grand object in view, luminous as the meridian sun, shines refulgent on the mind, enlivens the heart and heightens cool approbation into warm sympathy and cordial attention." (Preston)

(The Worshipful Master will call up the Craft by three raps of his gavel.)

Brother Chaplain, lead us in prayer.

(The Chaplain will recite the Prayer at Raising, pg. 109 of the Florida Monitor.)

Brother Senior Deacon, it would greatly honor me for you to place yourself in due form at our Sacred Altar to renew your obligation. (The Senior Deacon obliges.) Brethren, please form semi-circles West of the Altar and extend your hands in front of you.

My Brethren, in order for us to revert back to the basic teachings of Freemasonry and to truly re obligate ourselves to the most valuable tenets of the Fraternity, say "I," pronounce your name in full, and repeat after me...

(The Worshipful Master will step down from his podium and recite the Obligation from the Altar as he would in the Master Mason Degree Ritual.)

My Brothers, as you know the working tools of a Master Mason are all of the implements of Masonry, indiscriminately, more especially the Trowel. The trowel is an instrument made use of by operative masons to spread the cement which unites the building into one common mass; but we as Free and Accepted Masons are taught to use it for the more noble and glorious purpose of spreading the cement of Brotherly Love and Affection; that cement which unites us into one sacred band, or society of friends and brothers, among whom no contention should ever exist, but that noble contention, or rather emulation, of whom best can work and best agree.

(The Worshipful Master returns to his podium and then raps the Craft down.)

A DEDICATION

"You're a Mason"

"Last Night I Knelt Where Hiram Knelt"

Thank you Brothers and remember Freemasonry is more than just a fraternal organization...it's a way of life!