History of Corinthian Lodge No 96
History
of Corinthian Lodge No. 96
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Corinthian Lodge was
organized on May 27, 1858, by the following Master Masons as Charter
Members: Brothers Charles Bourne Chalmers, Hewett Bernard, James Houston, Henry Fraser, Charles Partridge, Alexander Boyd
McPhee, John Wilke,
Jacob Jacobs and John Boon. This was just five years after Barrie became a
municipality.
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W. Bro. McPhee was
the last summoned to appear before the Great Architect of the Universe, on
August 20, 1906.
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Corinthian became the
third Masonic Lodge in the County of Simcoe, the others being Simcoe #79,
Bradford, and Manito #90, Collingwood.
Masonic Historical
Background
Our traditions can be traced
directly to the associations of operative masons. They were men of
outstanding character and high ideals who built the cathedrals, abbeys and
castles of the Middle Ages.
With the decline of cathedral
building in the 17th Century many Guilds of stonemasons called "operative"
masons started to accept into their membership those that were not
members of the masons' craft and called them "Speculative" or "Accepted"
Masons.
It was in these groups, called
lodges, comprised of "accepted" masons that Freemasonry as we know it
today had its beginning.
In 1717, four such lodges, which
had been meeting regularly in London, united to form the first Grand Lodge
of England under the direction of a Grand Master. From that first Grand
Lodge, Freemasonry has spread over the face of the habitable world. Today
some 650 Grand Lodges have a total membership of approximately five
million Masons.
Membership
One of Freemasonry's customs is
not to solicit members. However anyone should feel free to approach any
Mason to seek further information about the Craft.
Membership is for Men, 21 years of
age or older who meet the qualifications and standards of character and
reputation; who are of good moral character and who believe in the
existence of a Supreme Being.
A man who wants to join a lodge
must be recommended by two members of the lodge. He must understand that
his character will be investigated. After approval by the members of
the lodge he will be accepted as an applicant for membership in
Freemasonry.
The doors of Freemasonry are open
to men who seek harmony with their fellow man, feel the need for self
improvement and wish to participate in making this world a better place to
live in.
Any man who becomes a Mason is
taught a pattern of living - reverence, morality, kindness, honesty,
dependability and compassion.. He must be prepared to honour his country,
uphold his laws and respect those in authority. He must be prepared to
maintain honourable relations with others and be willing to share in
Masonic activates.
