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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
3Representatives wish to recognize the 300th anniversary of the
4founding of modern Freemasonry; and
 
5    WHEREAS, The specific milestone celebrates the gathering
6in 1717 of four London lodges at the Goose and Gridiron Tavern
7to declare themselves a Grand Lodge and elect their Grand
8Master; on that date, the actions of those Brethren began the
9current form of speculative freemasonry that still exists
10today; and
 
11    WHEREAS, The origins of Freemasonry are veiled in mystery;
12some feel it dates back to the Roman Empire; others say it had
13its beginning in ancient Egypt or that it began with the
14building of the First Temple by King Solomon; others find that
15the Knights Templar were the backbone of Freemasonry after
16escaping from mainland Europe to Scotland and England; and
 
17    WHEREAS, What is known is that the first Grand Lodge was
18formed in London in 1717; its successor, the United Grand Lodge
19of England, survives today, having sired other Grand Lodges
20throughout the world; and
 
21    WHEREAS, The oldest known Past Master's Symbol consists of

 

 

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1the Compass, Sun, Square, and Quadrant; this is the most
2popular Past Master's Jewel used in the United States; this
3symbol includes the Square as a reminder that it is "By the
4Square" that the wearer governed his lodge as Master; and
 
5    WHEREAS, The Quadrant shows what angle the Compass is
6opened at; this is appropriate for the symbol of a Past Master
7because it is "By the Compass" that the Freemason keeps himself
8within due bounds of all mankind; it also generally shows that
9the Compass is opened to the angle of 60 degrees; this is
10significant because 60 degrees is the angle of an equilateral
11triangle; the equilateral triangle represents perfect balance
12as all sides are of equal length and the triangle appears the
13same from all directions; it therefore teaches that the man who
14wears this jewel has learned the lessons of Freemasonry and
15lives a balanced life; it also shows that the wearer of this
16jewel has served equally in the South, the West, and the East;
17the Sun is used in this symbol to represent that the wearer has
18observed the sun at: its meridian height in the South, its
19setting in the West, and its rising in the East; the Sun also
20represents light; and, it is understood that the Past Master of
21a Craft Lodge is a source of Masonic Light to his brothers; it
22is also appropriate to say that the Sun represents perfect
23light; and
 
24    WHEREAS, Illinois has over 460 lodges and approximately

 

 

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160,000 Masons, and represent a significant collection of
2talents, knowledge, skills, and abilities; members are
3fathers, husbands, and sons from various financial, racial, and
4religious backgrounds; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Illinois Masons closely follow their vision and
6mission statement: Commitment, Civility, and Charity; and
 
7    WHEREAS, The Illinois Masonic Outreach Services helps
8fellow Master Masons and their families through the toughest of
9times; the Illinois Child Identification Program puts together
10everything parents need to help the authorities find their lost
11child; Coins for Children Program is a program that is designed
12to assist lodges expand and extend their charitable efforts in
13their communities; the Illinois Masonic Student Assistance
14Program is a school-based early intervention approach for
15schools to help students who are having difficulty being
16successful in school; and
 
17    WHEREAS, The Illinois Masonic Academic Bowl is an academic
18knowledge competition between Illinois high school scholastic
19bowl teams; this is an annual tournament sponsored by the
20Masons of Illinois and is coordinated through the Grand Lodge
21of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of the State of Illinois;
22and
 

 

 

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1    WHEREAS, On June 24, 2017, Masons around the world will
2join together to recognize and celebrate this anniversary;
3therefore, be it
 
4    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
5HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we
6recognize the 300th anniversary of the founding of modern
7Freemasonry, and we wish them many more successful years; and
8be it further
 
9    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
10presented to the Grand Lodge of Illinois Ancient Free and
11Accepted Masons.