What Is Freemasonry? Freemasonry is a fraternal organization comprised of men who are looking for something more in their life. They’re looking for friendship, camaraderie, intellectual stimulation, social opportunities, fun, a bit of laughter, and above all, brotherhood.
All walks of life and all ethnic, social and religious backgrounds. They come in all ages and sizes. They are men who want to be better for themselves, but also better husbands, fathers, sons, friends, and members of their community. They want to offer meaningful contributions to society, in big ways and small.
Freemasonry is a brotherhood of men who believe that only by working together and learning from each other can humanity achieve a state of harmony and perfection. Freemasonry is not for all men, but for all men who are looking for something more in their life, it most certainly can be.
To be eligible for membership in the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of British Columbia and Yukon an applicant must satisfy the following qualifications: 1) The ability to read and write in English.
2) Have resided in British Columbia or the Yukon for the previous six months.
3) Have resided within the jurisdiction of the constituent lodge for the previous six months.
4) "shall be a man, of the full age of 21 years, free born and capable of supporting himself and those dependent upon him."
5) Be, in clear conscience, able to answer the following questions in the affirmative:
a) Do you seriously and upon your honour declare that uninfluenced by mercenary or other unworthy motives, and unbiased by the improper solicitations of friends, you freely and voluntarily offer yourself a candidate for the mysteries of Freemasonry?
b) Do you seriously and upon your honour declare that you are prompted to solicit the privileges of Freemasonry by a favorable opinion conceived of the Institution and a desire for knowledge?
c) Do you believe in the existence of a Supreme Being?
Landmark Lodge No 128
Sponsored By University Lodge No 91
Instituted April 26, 1946
Constituted September 21, 1946
Landmark Lodge was the first lodge in this Jurisdiction to be instituted and constituted following WWII.
A large group of Past Masters and RWBs came together with the knowledge that a significant number of brethren who used the Canadian Work had moved from Ontario, Quebec and the east coast of Canada. They lived or worked near University Lodge No. 91 in Vancouver, but had no place to practise their craft using the ritual in which they had been obligated.
The brethren refused to affiliate with lodges that practised other rituals, but they needed a local sponsor which would support a lodge that used the Canadian Ritual, so University Lodge was approached.
Landmark Lodge No 128 was thus formed, with the name chosen considered fitting given the history of the area and the famous explorers who had once visited this part of North America. The petition for a new lodge was submitted to the Grand Lodge of British Columbia, and Landmark Lodge was instituted as lodge No. 128 on the Grand Registry of this jurisdiction on April 26, 1946. The lodge was then constituted on September 21 of the same year. During the period of its formation, the lodge decided it wanted an emblem to represent it that was unique to the lodge, and which represented many of the principles of Freemasonry, including enlightenment, philosophical meaning, contemplation of moral values and worth, and the goal of improving themselves and their brethren by advancing society.
A monument located on Northwest Marine Drive at the University of British Columbia was chosen because it honoured the meeting of Captain George Vancouver and the Spanish explorers Dionisio Alcalà Galiano and Cayetano Valdés. These three men were explorers and cartographers who, though nominally enemies because of their respective nationalities, worked together to further exploration around what would eventually become Vancouver Island. A plaque on the monument reads: “Past Conflicts were forgotten, mutual confidence established, and they agreed to continue their exploration together for the common good."
Masonic Poems
Brother mine, well met at the pillars, journey’s start For we must travel the road east to west seeking that which was lost; separate journeys but with a common purpose We will search for truth, life’s greatest treasure; each man’s worth to be gauged. We shall be tempted by false prophets and waylaid by cowans, but fear not. Place your trust in the Great Architect. In Him alone is the answer we seek; the light that blasts holes in the darkness. Yes, I have seen the temple and climbed the fifteen steps to the sanctum sanctorum but still I cannot enter; faith and comprehension only will allow me to pass into there some day. I shall take one road to complete the circle and you another, and should our paths cross again we will rejoice as only brothers of a common parent can. But forget not the goal and remember that only he who keeps to the path of virtue, brotherly love and truth will return. At the pillars we part but we do not forget; and we will return better men.
I will clasp your hand in fellowship Stand fast in your defence I will come to soothe your sorrow And ne’er reveal your secrets regardless of pretense I will suffer none to slander you These five pledges I have vowed For I have seen the light my brother My courage shall ne’er more be cowed Yes I have walked the valley dark And now I strive towards the east To return to His celestial abode Where truth and knowledge are the feast Brotherly love, relief and truth I’ve loved I’ve squared my life and made it plumb For I have seen my death my brother And know it can be overcome
I am a son of the widow Fully squared, all level and plumb For honour and truth I toil through the day And each evening I surely become A brother to all who believe as I do That brotherly love and relief have merit That justice and mercy can best be attained With the compasses, mallet and skerritt I am a son of the widow Three vows have I taken to show That morality and virtue are key to my life And each evening all surely shall know I’m a brother to all who believe as I do That wisdom and strength are displayed And beauty shines forth from our work When square, chisel and trowel are the aide I am a son of the widow By knowledge and wisdom I’m moved For happiness is the key to my world And each evening I’ll surely be proved A brother to all who believe as I do That ignorance and fear must despair And hate shall finally be banished forever When the Mason’s tools are all brought to bear