By Clanton N Dawson

It is our understanding that the founders of the Scottish Rite intended that the membership be composed of masons that have distinguished themselves in their communities as being dedicated to truth, good citizenship, loyalty to their families and country; and, are likewise determined to eradicate selfishness and greed; and, more firmly, establish the Fatherhood of God in the brotherhood of mankind.

Confirming these principles, the Scottish Rite seeks to enrich, and disseminate the basic teachings of the philosophy of Symbolic Freemasonry. Just as the two Great Commandments, proclaimed in two short verses in the New Testament, are there elaborated by sermon, by parable, by poetry, and, indeed, by all rhetorical forms; so the AA.S.R. teaches the philosophy of Symbolic Freemasonry. It appeals to the eye as well as to the ear. That philosophy is based, first, upon love and worship of the only true arid ever-living God; and, second, upon the promotion of the brotherhood of man.

The A.A.S.R. seeks, also, to give clarity and definite effect, by example, to the somewhat esoteric lessons of Symbolic Freemasonry. Among those lessons may be found the practice of benevolence, the formation of friendships, the enjoyment of fellowship, and the importance of work and labor. We seek, also, to clarify and emphasize Freemasonry's opposition to totalitarian rule over man's-body or intellect or affections or manner of worshiping his God. It makes clear how civilization depends upon the freedom of mat; - his freedoms - civil, religious, and intellectual.

The Scottish Rite has no creed and no dogma other than monotheism to which it adds the inculcation and promotion of the brotherhood of man. It in no way trespasses upon the dogmas of any church. It deals only with the cultivation of morality from birth until death, leaving science and the church to teach, as they may, the origin of life and how persistence of personality, ordinarily called "immortality," functions after death. Thus, while it is religious, it is not 'a religion.

The frater who really wants to understand Freemasonry and has found ~he fundamentals of its teaching in the Symbolic Lodge, may continue in Scottish Rite Freemasonry to study that teaching as one builds upon the foundations laid in secondary schools when he enters college or a university. And so the Scottish Rite is truly considered the University of Freemasonry.

The writing of history is always a process of simplification. I have endeavored to resist the temptation of being too philosophical and have, I hope, presented the information in this report in a clear, concise and simple manner.

Clanton N. Dawson
SOVEREIGN GRAND INSPECTOR GENERAL