Laying Brick

This showed up in my inbox (again - I received an identical letter a few months back). Is this for real? Will I be blackballed for posting this?
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Dear Sir,


I am contacting you on behalf of The Harvard Lodge; the oldest Masonic
Academic Lodge in the Country. Your name was provided to our
Membership Committee by an existing member of the Lodge who considers
you to be a person of the highest caliber.

Over the summer and early next fall the Lodge will be hosting a number
of events so that we both can learn more about each other. Should you
wish to be informed of these events please respond to this e-mail so
that our membership committee can see to it, that the proper
invitations are extended.

If you do not know much about The Harvard Lodge, below is a brief
introduction.

The Harvard Lodge was founded in 1922 by the then Dean of the Law
School, Roscoe Pound. We are made up of approx. 350 members from
around the globe. We meet once a month, to discuss the business before
the Lodge, and also to instruct new members throughout the various
stages of initiation. On an annual basis, the majority of our members
return to Cambridge for our Annual Dinner.

The Lodge is a very tight knit group of people, in essence we are an
extended family, and are very cautious as to whom we consider for
membership. In addition, ultimately we will never ask you to join, you
must ask us.

Our Lodge is one of the youngest in the Country ranging in age from
18-111, with the median about 30. The Lodge has a good number of young
professionals, to share your experiences with, and have a strong sense
of camaraderie with. Do you remember that feeling during your freshman
year of college, when you could just walk down the hall and hang out and
talk to your buddies about anything.... that is the feeling here... we
are constantly on the phone with each other, and in each others
company. The longer you are out of school the more you will miss that,
and the more you will appreciate your Fraternity brothers. This I can
assure you.

I personally attend every meeting of The Harvard Lodge. I live in
Manhattan, and 5 or 6 of my buddies, who are also members of the Lodge
travel to Boston to attend the monthly meetings. We turn our trip into
a mini-vacation, and usually spend the weekend.

The Masonic Fraternity does a great deal of charity work, but we don't
seek "a pat on the back" for doing the right thing. If someone is in
need, and we can help, we do. As a whole, on a national basis, the
Fraternity donates $3.5 million a day to charity, that's well over a
Billion dollars a year.

Currently, The Harvard Lodge itself is involved in 2 major projects, the
first being the Angel Fund, which supports local Cambridge Schools.
When a child has a need, that either the parents or the school cannot
meet. We step in, and within 24 hours make sure the child is taken
care of. From wheel chairs, to musical instruments, summer camp to
winter coats, gym equipment to medical equipment. We do it all...

The next project is a bit more ambitious, and is still in the works. We
are in the early phase of planning for the entire childhood inoculation
for the country of Belize. Despite being a former British
protectorate, the country lacks the ability to properly care for
childhood diseases ... as such, we wish to take it upon ourselves, to
see what it is that we can do to help. Belize is a great place to
start. Belize is small enough country to be manageable, as well as
being an English speaking country, so communication is not a barrier.
Once we get Belize off the ground, it may be possible to expand in both
South America and Africa.

Although the actual origins of Freemasonry are clouded in the mists of
antiquity, it is widely agreed that Masonry dates back to the late
fourteenth century and flourished during the middle ages when guilds of
Masons traveled throughout Europe building the great Gothic cathedrals.
Apprentices were taken in and taught the craft by Master Masons who
passed on the secrets of the trade. As building declined, the guilds
began to accept members who were not actually stone Masons. From these
roots evolved Masonry, as we know it today.

Ritual, that is, the initiation of candidates conducted within each
lodge has been the same work that’s been done for hundreds and hundreds
of years. Every Mason, on earth, has been lead through the same
traditions and instructed in the same mysteries and secrets of
Freemasonry. But, make no mistake Freemasonry is not a secret
organization. If it were, our buildings would not be easily
identifiable and our members would not wear rings and other jewelry
with the familiar square & compasses emblem.

The principles of Freemasonry, Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth inspired
the founders of this nation. Today, we recognize these principals as the
Cornerstones of the American way of life. Early American Masons such as
George Washington, John Hancock, Paul Revere, Prince Hall, Benjamin
Franklin and many others were members of the Brotherhood of Freemasons.
Together they deliberately incorporated Masonic principles into the most
important founding documents of this country. May they long endure, for
they are our true security.


Again, if you would like to learn more, please respond to this e-mail,
and we will be in touch.



Sincerely,

The Membership Committee