What is Freemasonry

What is Freemasonry?

The Origins of Freemasonry date back some 600 years to the period known as the Middle Ages. In those days, industry and commerce were carried out mainly by associations called Guilds. These consisted of various crafts, of Carpenters, Weavers, and Stone Masons. The Guild of Masons consisted of those who were skilled in the construction of stone buildings, such as Cathedrals. These men are now referred to as operative Masons. They were the ones who designed the buildings, dressed the stone, and raised the pillars and columns. They had great knowledge about the application of geometry and Engineering, as well as skill in Stone masonry. The beauty of their Church’s and Castles testifies to their patience and craftsmanship. They were truly the great artists of their time.

The masons involved in these projects were organized into Lodges, so named after the lodge hut in which they planned their work and kept their tools and instruments and rested. The pre-requisites for membership were experience and proven skill. These were operative Masons but, with the ever-changing World, the demand for those Gothic style buildings ceased to exist. The result was the general decrease in numbers of operative Masons. In order that they were able to maintain their Lodges. They permitted non-operative Masons into membership, and these men were said to be “Accepted” into the Lodge. Today, we are referred to as “Free and Accepted Masons.”

The beginning of Modern Freemasonry

In 1717, four such Lodges, in London, England, established themselves under one “Grand Master”.
This was the origin of the first Grand Lodge of England, from which “Modern Freemasonry” has spread over the entire Globe. It is now known as Speculative Masonry, or Symbolic Masonry. Thus, the lineage of modern Freemasonry can be traced back to the builders of the early Middle Ages. Whereas the Masons of those far off days erected buildings, today the Freemason is dedicated to building men of “good standing – Sound judgement – and strict morals.” The tools once used for building have now been transformed into emblems of moral and spiritual laws.

Masonry is not a Secret Society, (as it is sometimes referred to) but it is a Society with Secrets. Freemasonry is not a Religion, but a non-believer or atheist, cannot be admitted to our membership. Freemasonry admits members from every Race and Creed and, each and every Religion.
Masonry is not a Benevolent society or Social club. It supports benevolence to those who are less secure or fortunate than others, and to many charitable and benevolent causes and Projects. No monetary rewards are promised or can be expected by its members. Masonry has no policy of evangelism or reformation, and it does not strive to convert or rehabilitate immoral men. In fact, it strives to ensure they do not enter its ranks. It does seek to make good men better, and: encourages charity in Act – Deed – and Thought.

Allegories and Symbols

Freemasonry is often defined as being a system of Morality, veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols.
This basically means that ethical principles are taught by means of allegorical stories, and symbolic characteristics. Masonry Is founded on the purest principles of piety and virtue.
It is a system of teaching friendship, Charity, and Morality.

Masonry is a noble science, that can provide a spiritual awakening into an order and quality of life previously unexperienced. It is designed to teach self-knowledge, and the true meaning of the Order of Freemasonry is found in its greater system of spiritual doctrine, and the strength and understanding to which its application leads the Mason. There is much more to Masonry than a society with secrets, teaching elementary morality. A Mason, is at all times, expected to be loyal to family, home, country, and the Craft of Freemasonry.
He must champion the cause of the widow., the fatherless., the weak, and the distressed. He must cultivate humility., patience., charity, and gentleness. He should have a general desire for Intellectual, moral, spiritual improvement, and: a sincere wish to be of service to his fellow men.

We are constantly re-examining our goals and values, as we seek to relate them to this changing world. In Freemasonry, you will find men of good will and high ideals. Men who believe in the existence of a Supreme Being, and who endeavour to live in a spirit of universal brotherhood. The principles which they believe, are proven and tested. A Masonic Lodge is one place in which all can work together in harmony and unanimity.
Freemasonry is striving to build a better World by building better men to live in it.

What Freemasonry is not

Freemasonry is not a mutual benefit or insurance society. It offers no material benefits or gain to any of its members, though it teaches charity and tolerance towards all men. Thus, the needy and unfortunate have received help from it in many quiet ways. It is not an organization for social enjoyment only, although we treasure the pleasures of fellowship. It is not a “secret society”, but there are certain parts of our ceremonies which we keep to ourselves, since they can be understood only by those who have participated in them. No member hides the fact that he is a Freemason, and our meeting places are openly marked.

What is Freemasonry?

Freemasonry is an organization which, throughout its many years of existence, has maintained a consistent set of principles that are in parallel with and complement those of all major religions of the world, while at the same time promoting the simple but important objectives of helping mankind to live happy lives.

Is Freemasonry a religion, or some substitute for religion?

Freemasonry is not a religion. Freemasonry does seek as members only men who believe in the existence of a Supreme Being, but in no way does it promote one form of religious conviction over another. Freemasonry recognizes each individual’s right to his own beliefs, and prohibits discussion of a religious nature in lodge. As such, it is not a substitute for religion. Each member seeks the way to pursue his religious convictions in the manner best suited to him.

If Freemasonry is not a religion, or religiously focused, why does the Bible play such central part of the lodge activities?

The Bible, which Masons refer to as the Volume of the Sacred Law since it may be substituted by the Holy Writings of another religion should the candidate be a follower of a religion not based on the Bible, is used for new members to declare their faith in a Supreme Being, and is always open during lodge meetings. Masons are taught to regard the Volume of the Sacred Law with reverence and to acknowledge it as the inspired revelation of the mind and will of God. They are urged to read the Bible (or Book of their faith) and to regulate their lives and actions by its teachings.
Furthermore, the Ritual has a religious aura and Biblical events and personalities, especially from the Old Testament, are part of that Ritual. Quotations from the Bible are used for a specific and sometimes illustrative purpose.

Is Freemasonry a Secret Society?

No. If membership in Freemasonry required secrecy, members would not wear or display insignia indicating their association with the fraternity. This is not to say that Freemasonry does not have secrets, but those secrets are almost exclusively related to ritual and modes of recognition, and permit strangers who share membership in the fraternity to sit together in a lodge anywhere in the world and enjoy each other’s fellowship.

How long has Freemasonry existed?

As with anything with its roots in antiquity, a definitive answer to the specific origins of Freemasonry is not possible. Several hypotheses have been advanced. The one considered most viable is that it began with the stonemasons who erected the great Gothic stone cathedrals of Britain, beginning some 650 years ago, and to the guilds they created. These operative Masons were engaged for years on end constructing the mighty castles, abbeys and monasteries away from the major cities and towns. They formed themselves into lodges, in imitation of the town guilds, to provide some form of self-government while away from other forms of control. Modern Freemasonry was founded in England when four lodges banded together in the year 1717 to form the first Grand Lodge.

Why are Masons called “Masons”?

Today’s Free and Accepted Masons take their name from the builders of the great Gothic Cathedrals that were erected many centuries ago in England and Europe. Because they were highly skilled, ancient Operative Masons were permitted freedoms during an era when most citizens were bonded to the land as serfs. The experience of being able to enjoy the privileges of a rare Middle Class in that era caused Masons to realize that they had duties, obligations and responsibilities to each other and to their Society. To preserve those ideals for the benefit of future ages to come, these original Masons adopted their working tools as symbols to teach the importance of just, upright and moral living and to impress upon the mind realizations that can lead to higher achievement and nobler deeds in life. These symbols are still used in lodges today, and the lessons they teach are practised by Masons throughout the world.

Since Freemasonry does not admit women, what would my wife do if I became a Mason?

While membership in Freemasonry is restricted to males 21 years of age or older, of good moral character who believe in the existence of a Supreme Being, there are several organizations, including the Order of the Eastern Star and the White Shrine of Jerusalem, in which Masons can participate along with their ladies. There are also youth organizations recognized by the Masonic Order, including DeMolay for boys and Job’s Daughters and Rainbow for Girls.

How much time would it take to be a good Mason?

Each Lodge has one regular meeting every month, often with the exception of the summer months. Other meetings may be called from time to time for special purposes. Masons are also encouraged to visit other lodges, so a Mason can be as active as he wishes. Freemasonry, however, recognizes that each member has obligations to his family, his work, his religious beliefs, his community and himself.
These must take priority, and Freemasonry does not interfere with his ability to meet these obligations.

How does one become a Mason?

Because tradition requires every Mason to come free of any coercion, Freemasonry does not solicit for members. An interested man must ask. If he meets the age and moral requirements, he need only ask a mason and submit an application signed by two members of the lodge as sponsors.

A Way of Life

Freemasonry Is kindness in the home; honesty in business; courtesy towards others; dependability in work; compassion and concern for the unfortunate; resistance to evil; help for the weak; forgiveness for the penitent; love for one another; and, above all, reverence and love for The Supreme Being.

Freemasonry is many things, but above all it is a
WAY OF LIFE.

Have you ever considered becoming a Mason?
To Be One – Ask One

Success – is in the way you walk the paths of life each day; it’s in the little things you do and in the things you say.

Success – is not in getting rich or rising high to fame; it’s not alone in winning goals which all men hope to claim.

Success – is being big of heart and clean and broad of mind; it’s being faithful to your friends and to the stranger, kindness. It’s in the children whom you love and all they learn from you.

Success – depends on character and everything you do.