Freemasonry: The
Craft
For centuries, millions of men of every race, color,
creed, and political persuasion throughout the world have found in the Symbolic
Lodges of Freemasonry the light to guide their search for answers to eternal
questions: What is the meaning of life? The nature of God and
man?
Freemasonry is a system of morality, veiled in allegory,
illustrated by symbols. Not a religion but religious in character, it is a
philosophy of ethical conduct which imparts moral and social virtues and
fosters brotherly love. Its tenets have endured since man turned the first
pages of civilization. They embody the understanding by which man can transcend
ordinary experience and build "a house not made with hands" in harmony
with the Great Architect of the universe.
Yet Freemasonry can never conflict with a man's
relationship to God or fellow man. Sectarian religious or partisan political
discussion in a lodge is strictly prohibited. Every Mason stands equal among
his brothers, regardless of walk of life, and none is turned away for financial
need.
The purpose of the ANCIENT CRAFT OF FREEMASONRY is to
unfold a message where "truth abides in fullness," invoking greater
understanding of the inward life and a spirit of fellowship in which every
Mason can also lead a better outward life.
Brotherhood at Work
Freemasonry
has been characterized as a fraternity devoted to high ideals and admirable
benevolence. Community service and
charitable work are, in fact, principal Masonic activities.
Easily
the best-known is the world’s largest single charitable institution, the Shriners Hospitals for Crippled Children and Burns
Institutes, which are located throughout Canada, the U.S., and Mexico.
Other
Masonic bodies support their own statewide and national foundations for
research, teaching, and treatment or rehabilitation services for children with
learning or speech disorders, cancer, visual problems, and need of dental
restoration.
Masons
everywhere assist distressed brother Masons and their families. They also
sponsor or support local projects ranging from the recognition of the
achievements of others to scholarship programs. Masons serve as community volunteers and quietly extend help for
countless thousands – from providing a child with shoes to assisting the
handicapped.
Altogether,
the budgets for these community services exceed two million dollars per day,
which Masons support without regard to the Masonic affiliation of their
recipients. With this spirit of working
together to serve mankind, brotherhood works well, indeed.
A Progressive Science
Once
raised to the “sublime degree” of Master Mason in his “Blue” Lodge, a Freemason
steps onto a broad vista of opportunity for fellowship and advancement.
First,
concordant bodies of the York Rite and the Scottish Rite offer ritual instruction for advanced degrees. Then, every Shriner is a Mason first… as are members of other Masonic groups, each serving a
particular need or interest.
Advancement
through these concordant bodies not only invites participation in this Masonic
network, but also promotes as more comprehensive understanding of its
sacramental system of ceremonies, doctrines, and symbols.
A
statewide Grand organization governs every Masonic body, and all but the Blue
Lodge have national governing councils as well. These offer further opportunity for growth and responsibility.
No
Mason is required to advance beyond his Blue Lodge or participate actively in
its ritual or business affairs, but those who do so find personal fulfillment
in the rewards of public speaking, teaching, community work, and even music and
dramatic arts.
Whether
their commitments are to Masonic rituals, study or organizational and
charitable work, most active Masons simply speak of the camaraderie among
trusted friends and a satisfying sense of purpose.
Ancient Traditions
Through
its heritage in antiquity is unmistakable, modern speculative Freemasonry was
founded more recently upon the structure, ceremonies, and symbolism of the
lodges of operative or working freemen stonemasons, who built the magnificent
Medieval Gothic structures throughout much of Europe and England.
Dated
in 1390 A.D., the Regius Poem details the charter of
a lodge operating in the 900’s A.D. “Masonry”
then meant architecture and encompassed most of the arts and sciences. Because lodges held knowledge as competitive
secrets, only trusted, capable companions were instructed in the craft – and then
only by degrees, orally and through symbols, because of widespread illiteracy.
In
the late Renaissance, lodges of freemasons began to accept as speculative
masons those educated men who were attracted by the elegance of Masonic traditions
for philosophic expression. In time they
were passed into the inner circles.
Thus,
the framers of speculative Freemasonry began to describe a code of conduct
through the symbolic nature of architecture and the stonemason’s craft. Signaling modern speculative Freemasonry, the
first Grand Lodge was chartered in 1717. Constituent Symbolic Lodges were soon established throughout the world.
The
first Lodge in the Colonies was charted in Boston in 1733, and the first Lodge
in New Jersey, St. Johns #1, was chartered on July 3, 1787.
A
Family Affair
The
Blue Lodge is the bed-rock of the Masonic family, yet there are several appendant organizations which a Mason’s family member can
join to share many more of their common interests and activities.
Family-oriented
activities include a range of social and entertainment programs, family
outings, and community service projects, as well as numerous occasions for
statewide or regional travel.
Among
the appendant groups for adults, both men and women
may be welcome as members, but women typically hold the principal offices. These groups include, among others, the Order
of the Eastern Star, Order of Amaranth, and Order of the Golden Chain.
Groups
for young people build self-esteem and prepare them for citizenship through
successful experience with responsibility and leadership. Masonic youth groups include the Order of the
Rainbow for girls, and the Order of De Molay for
young men.
With
many opportunities for growth and friendship, these family-centered groups
typically develop active social calendars, so that the “Masonic family” truly
is a family affair.
Ask Yourself
Among
millions of Masons, not one was lawfully invited to apply for membership. Our code of conduct prevents it. Thus, no faithful Mason can invite you. Any Mason can obtain a Petition for the
Degrees of Masonry for you, but you must ask for it – and for good reason.
You
must first ask yourself if you’re suitably prepared to enter the “gentle craft
of Masonry” … to become a brother in the world’s most exclusive fraternal
order. Few men are intellectually or
spiritually prepared to understand or appreciate even the more apparent
meanings of Masonry.
Do
you reflect on the nature of man’s existence and your obligations to God, your
family, and yourself?
If
such ethical and moral questions hold little interest for you, then you will
gain little benefit from the teachings of the Craft. But if you seek a more meaningful quality of
life – and the spirit of charity and good fellowship which flow from it – then Freemasonry
has much to offer.
We
want you to know what we believe, how we act, and what we do… and, then, should
you become a Mason, to be proud to be our Brother and to participate in our
work. Only those who desire membership
because of their favorable impression of us should seek a petition.
That’s
why you must “ask yourself.”
What We Ask of You
Any
man who is twenty-one years of age or older and of good moral character, who
comes well-recommended, and who believes in a Supreme Being may petition to
become a Freemason.
Two Important Questions
Is Freemasonry a religion?
No. Neither is Freemasonry a religion, nor does
it require a religious affiliation. However, Masons worship in congregations of
their choice. Some are ordained priest,
ministers, or rabbis; many serve in lay capacities; and, others have no
affiliation. With origins in post-Reformation England, Freemasonry’s allegories
and rituals are rooted in Judo-Christian tradition. They exemplify mankind’s universal experience
and inculcate an admired moral and ethical value system. With respect to
religion, Freemasonry simply teaches the “Fatherhood of God” and the “Brotherhood
of Man.”
Is Freemasonry a “secret” society?
No. Freemasonry is a fraternity of men who are
proud to be known as Masons. Since our
inception, the world has known of speculative Freemasonry and its work.
Freemasonry does, however, have some secrets, all extending from historic
tradition. Our modes of recognition,
opening and closing ceremonies, and rituals for conferring the Degrees of
Masonry are our only secrets. Thousands of works discussing Masonic History, tradition,
craft, and proceedings are widely available to the public.
For more
information, contact any Freemason or Masonic Lodge in your community or
telephone 1-800-792-8690