The following short educational program is part of the Masonic Education Committee of the Grand Lodge of LA. It was intended to make a short educational program available monthly to each lodge. Some programs will deal with the meaning of various words, some with Masonic Law and some will be simply a short educational talk. It may be used as a lodge educational program by simply giving the word and let participants give a definition of the word. Continue until all the different meanings of the word have been brought out. It works better when it can be entertaining. About ten words is enough for one program. Individuals may simply read the word, give their answer, then read the answer.

ACACIA: A genus of woody plants. There are some 500 species, mostly trees. They show bipinnate leaves(having leaflets growing in pairs) often with thorns. In Freemasonry it is considered as an emblem of immortality. In ancient times it was planted on graves to keep people from walking on the grave.

ALAS: "LAS" is latin meaning Wretched or weary. Alas then means "Ah wretched (thatI am). It expresses grief, pity or concern.

ATHEIST: One who does not believe in God--period.

AGNOSTIC: An Agnostic is one who doubts there is a God, or that nothing can be known about God,a skeptic..

INFIDEL: MAY AN INFIDEL BE A MASON? Yes! An infidel is a person professing a belief other than the one you profess. For example, a Hindu, a Moslem, or a Buddhist would be an infidel to most American Masons. Since they believe in God they can become Masons. Remember that to a Hindu or Moslem member of our fraternity you are an infidel.

LIBERTINE: A Libertine is "a free thinker", one dissolute in his sexual conduct, one with loose morals, one who scoffs at religion.

CABLE TOW: Originally it was an hour's journey or about 3 miles. It has been changed gradually until now it corresponds with 1/10 of a nautical mile or 608 feet. In Freemasonry it means "The scope of a man's reasonable ability."

INCULCATE: From the E A charge--means to teach something , impress upon the mind, by constant repetition and emphasis.

COMPASSES: An instrument used to draw circles or arcs. It is not "Square and Compass." It is Square and Compasses. A compass is a magnetic device to tell direction. Compasses are like trousers or scissors, always plural. Incidentally, the compasses on a PM ring or emblem is opened at 60owith a quadrant which is a part of a circle.

OBLIGATION: The word is from the latin which means to bind. An obligation is not an oath. An obligation is a binding agreement or moral responsibility. Incidentally, raising the right hand is a throwback to ancient times when a man could lose his right hand if he broke a vow.

PAR-A-PHER-NAL'-IA: Miscellaneous personal belongings or equipment of the lodge. Other words with similar meanings are: apparatus, gear, equipment, belongings or property.

FRATERNITY: The state of being brothers. A private social group for males. A brotherhood.

Used in ________________________Lodge No. ____on ________