Freemasonry is a fraternal organization that
arose from obscure origins in the late 16th to early 17th
centuries probably in the stonemason guilds of Scotland.
Freemasonry exists in various forms all over the world, with
a membership estimated at around three million (including
approx. 480,000 in Great Britain and under two million in
the United States). At its heart, Freemasonry is a
self-improvement organization. Through three initiation
rituals, lectures and other ceremonies, combined with social
and charitable activities, Freemasons seek to improve
themselves as they improve the communities in which they
live. To join, one must believe in a Supreme Being, be
upright, moral and honest in character, and be recommended
by a Mason.
Freemasonry employs the tools and instruments of
stonemasonry to teach a system of morality, friendship and
brotherly love, hence, the standard emblem of Freemasonry is
the square and compasses. In the United States, Freemasonry
is organized locally into lodges and supervised by Grand
Lodges. There are fifty-two Grand Lodges in the United
States (one for each state plus the District of Columbia and
Puerto Rico) and more than 10,000 local lodges. There are
numerous Appendant and affiliate Masonic organizations such
as the Order of the Eastern Star, Scottish Rite, York Rite
and the Shrine. Each of these organizations has its own
leadership but all ultimately subordinate to the state Grand
Lodges.
Freemasonry is kindness in the home; honesty in business;
courtesy toward others; dependability in ones work;
compassion for the unfortunate; resistance to evil; help for
the weak; concern for good government; support for public
education; and above all, a life-practicing reverence for
God and love of fellow man. Through the influence of good
men such as George Washington, Freemasonry and its ideals
continue to thrive around the world. |