HR0477 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0477 LRB100 12935 MST 27358 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to recognize the 300th anniversary of the founding of modern Freemasonry; and

WHEREAS, The specific milestone celebrates the gathering in 1717 of four London lodges at the Goose and Gridiron Tavern to declare themselves a Grand Lodge and elect their Grand Master; on that date, the actions of those Brethren began the current form of speculative freemasonry that still exists today; and

WHEREAS, The origins of Freemasonry are veiled in mystery; some feel it dates back to the Roman Empire; others say it had its beginning in ancient Egypt or that it began with the building of the First Temple by King Solomon; others find that the Knights Templar were the backbone of Freemasonry after escaping from mainland Europe to Scotland and England; and

WHEREAS, What is known is that the first Grand Lodge was formed in London in 1717; its successor, the United Grand Lodge of England, survives today, having sired other Grand Lodges throughout the world; and

WHEREAS, The oldest known Past Master's Symbol consists of the Compass, Sun, Square, and Quadrant; this is the most popular Past Master's Jewel used in the United States; this symbol includes the Square as a reminder that it is "By the Square" that the wearer governed his lodge as Master; and

WHEREAS, The Quadrant shows what angle the Compass is opened at; this is appropriate for the symbol of a Past Master because it is "By the Compass" that the Freemason keeps himself within due bounds of all mankind; it also generally shows that the Compass is opened to the angle of 60 degrees; this is significant because 60 degrees is the angle of an equilateral triangle; the equilateral triangle represents perfect balance as all sides are of equal length and the triangle appears the same from all directions; it therefore teaches that the man who wears this jewel has learned the lessons of Freemasonry and lives a balanced life; it also shows that the wearer of this jewel has served equally in the South, the West, and the East; the Sun is used in this symbol to represent that the wearer has observed the sun at: its meridian height in the South, its setting in the West, and its rising in the East; the Sun also represents light; and, it is understood that the Past Master of a Craft Lodge is a source of Masonic Light to his brothers; it is also appropriate to say that the Sun represents perfect light; and

WHEREAS, Illinois has over 460 lodges and approximately 60,000 Masons, and represent a significant collection of talents, knowledge, skills, and abilities; members are fathers, husbands, and sons from various financial, racial, and religious backgrounds; and

WHEREAS, Illinois Masons closely follow their vision and mission statement: Commitment, Civility, and Charity; and

WHEREAS, The Illinois Masonic Outreach Services helps fellow Master Masons and their families through the toughest of times; the Illinois Child Identification Program puts together everything parents need to help the authorities find their lost child; Coins for Children Program is a program that is designed to assist lodges expand and extend their charitable efforts in their communities; the Illinois Masonic Student Assistance Program is a school-based early intervention approach for schools to help students who are having difficulty being successful in school; and

WHEREAS, The Illinois Masonic Academic Bowl is an academic knowledge competition between Illinois high school scholastic bowl teams; this is an annual tournament sponsored by the Masons of Illinois and is coordinated through the Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of the State of Illinois; and

WHEREAS, On June 24, 2017, Masons around the world will join together to recognize and celebrate this anniversary; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we recognize the 300th anniversary of the founding of modern Freemasonry, and we wish them many more successful years; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the Grand Lodge of Illinois Ancient Free and Accepted Masons.