THE REAL
SECRET OF
FREEMASONRY
MAKING GOOD MEN BETTER
The Blue Lodge is the
bed-rock of the Masonic family, yet there are several appendant organizations
which a Mason's family members 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 Ladies
Oriental Shrine.
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 Rainbow for Girls, the Order of Job's Daughters for
young women, and the Order of DeMolay for young men.
With many opportunities for growth and friendship, these family-centered groups
typically develop active social calendars, so the "Masonic family"
truly is a family affair.
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 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, principle Masonic
activities.
Easily the best-known
is the world's largest single charitable institution, the Shiners Hospitals for
Crippled Children and Burns Institutes, which are located throughout
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 support 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.
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 a 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 the dramatic
arts.
Whether their
commitments are to Masonic ritual, 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 900s 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 freemason began to accept as speculative masons those
educated men who were attracted by the elegance of Masonic traditions for their
philosophic expression. In time they were passed through 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 Blue Lodges were soon established though out the world.
The first Lodge in the
Colonies was chartered in
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 priests,
ministers, or rabbis; many serve in lay capacities; and, others have no
affiliation. With origins in post-Reformation
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,
traditions, craft, and proceedings are widely available to the public.