Members of Mount Pisgah Lodge No. 443 Free and Accepted Masons of Pennsylvania opened their doors to the public during Old Home Week for an open house. Anyone able to walk to the third floor of the Tower Bank building was treated to a peek into the meeting rooms of the 141-year old Greencastle men's club. Walter Shives, secretary; Mark Eberly and Bob Brindle, trustees; conducted the tours. All are also past Masters of the chapter. The monthly meetings are held in a cavernous, stately room with red carpet, and blue-cushioned pews along the sides. At each end are high-backed chairs for the officers. A large painting of George Washington, considered to be the number one Mason in the United States, hangs on the wall. The same picture is in all grand lodges. Mount Pisgah held a similar open house at a previous OHW. Both times they welcomed visitors to see what goes on behind closed doors and to possibly attract new members. They know their reputation. "We are not a secret society," said Eberly. "We are a society of secrets. Most of it is on the Internet now." "Everything we do is based on something in the Bible," Shives added. "Every member must believe in a Supreme Being." Members advance through the ranks by memorizing material. Nothing is written down, Shives said, which perhaps adds to the mystery in the public's eyes. more Masons let the public inside - Greencastle, PA - Echo Pilot
