Freemasonry is
the oldest and largest worldwide fraternity dedicated to the Brotherhood of Man under the Fatherhood of a Supreme being.
Although of a religious nature, Freemasonry is not a religion.
It urges its members, however, to be faithful and devoted to their own religious beliefs.
The organization of Freemasonry is based on a system of Grand Lodges, each sovereign within its own territory.
There is no central authority governing all Grand Lodges.
However. To be acknowledged by others, acceptable traditions, standards and practices must be maintained.
Freemasonry is one of the world's oldest secular fraternal societies.
Freemasonry is a society of men concerned with moral and spiritual values.
The essential qualification for admission into and continuing membership is a belief in a Supreme Being.
Membership is open to men of any race or religion who can fulfill this essential qualification and are of good repute.
Every true freemason will show tolerance and respect for the opinions of others and behave with kindness and understanding to his fellow creatures. Freemasons strive for truth, requiring high moral standards and aiming to achieve in their own lives. Freemasons believe that these principles represent a way of achieving higher standards in life.
The secrets of freemasonry are concerned with its traditional modes of recognition.
It is not a secret society, since all members are free to acknowledge their membership and will do so in response to inquiries for respectable reasons.
Its constitutions and rules are available to the public. There is no secret about any of its aims and principles.
Like many other societies, it regards some of its internal affairs as private matters for its members.
Freemasonry is non-political, and the discussion of politics at Masonic meetings is forbidden.
A freemason is encouraged to do his duty first to God through his faith and religious practice; and then, without detriment to his family and those dependent on him, to his neighbor through charity and service. None of these ideas is exclusively Masonic, but all should be universally acceptable. Freemasons are expected to follow them.
Le sage donne son principal soin a la racine (Confucius)
As a fraternity,
Freemasonry provides an opportunity for men to meet and enjoy friendly companionship, In the spirit of helpfulness and brotherly love and guided by strict moral principals it encourages goodwill towards all mankinds.
Freemasonry is of a personal nature in its private ceremonies.
Its ritual dramatizes a philosophy of life based on morality. It promotes self-improvement. The tools of operative Masons are used to symbolize and teach the basic principles of brotherly love, charity and truth, which Masons are encouraged to practice in their daily lives.
Charity is tangible way in which Masons help those circumstances in life fairly warrant it.
The fraternity does not conceal its existence, purpose, aims or principles. Masonic halls bearing the Lodge name and emblem are familiar sights in towns and cities. Many members proudly wear Masonic insignia or rings and pins.
Freemasonry is a fraternal order whose basic tenants are brotherly love, relief and truth.
We strive to enjoy the company of our brothers Masons, assist them in times of personal troubles, and reinforce essential moral values.
There is an old adage that Masonry " takes good men and makes them better", which is our goal.
It has often observed that men are the products of everything they come into contact with during their lifetime.
Masonry offers a man an opportunity to come into regular, enjoyable contact with men of good character, thus reinforcing his own personal moral development.
Of course, Masonry is also meant to be enjoyed by its membership, so the order should not be viewed simply as a philosophical club, but rather a vibrant fellowship of men who seek to enjoy each other's company, a fraternity.
While there probably are some actual stone-workers who are Masons, Masonry does not teach its membership the literal techniques of stonework.
Rather, it takes the actual "operative" of Medieval Masons and uses it as an allegory for moral development.
Thus, the symbols of Masonry are the common tools that were used by medieval stonemasons: the gavel, the rules, the compass, the square, the level, etc.
Each of this has a symbolic meaning in Masonry. There are a host of other activities that Masons engage in within the fraternity.
Charitable work is often done, in the form of fundraisers; community volunteers work, etc.
And there are also a great many things done for the simple pleasure of company: monthly breakfasts or dinners, picnics, card/chess matches, lectures on Masonic history, you name it.
Masonry is fraternity, and its membership seeks to have fun.
Our traditions
can be traced directly to the associations of operative masons.
They were men of outstanding character and high ideals, who built the cathedrals, abbeys and castles of the Middle Ages.
With the decline of cathedral buildings in the 17th Century, many guilds of stonemasons, called "Operative" masons, started to accept into their membership those who were not members of the masons' craft and called them "Speculative" or "Accepted" masons.
It was in these groups called lodges, comprised mainly of "Accepted" masons that Freemasonry, as we know it today, has its beginning.
In 1717, four such lodges, which had been meeting regularly in London, united to form the first Grand Lodge of England under the direction of a grand master. From that first Grand Lodge, Freemasonry has spread throughout the world. Today, One of Freemasonry's customs is not to solicit members. However, anyone should feel free to approach any Mason to seek further information about the craft.
Membership is
for men, 21 years of age or older, who meet the qualifications and standards of character and reputation, who are of good moral character, and who believe in the existence of a Supreme Being.
Two members of that lodge must recommend a man who wants to join a lodge. He must understand that his character will be investigated. After approval by the members of that lodge, he will be accepted as an applicant for membership in Freemasonry.
The doors of Freemasonry are open to men who seek harmony with their fellow man, feel the need for self-improvement and wish to participate in making this world a better place in which to live.
Any man who becomes a mason is taught a pattern for living - reverence mortality, kindness, honesty, dependability and compassion.
He must be prepared to honor his country, uphold its laws and respect those in authority. He must be prepared to maintain honorable relations with others and be willing to share in Masonic activities.
The great principles of Freemasonry
For many years Freemasons have followed three great principles:
Brotherly love:
Every true Freemason will show tolerance and respect for the opinions of others and behave with kindness and understanding to his fellow creatures.
Relief:
Freemasons are taught to practice charity, and to care, not only for their own but also for the community as a whole, both by charitable giving, and by voluntary efforts and works as individuals.
Truth:
Freemasons strive for truth, requiring high moral standards and aiming to achieve them in their own lives. Freemasons believe that these principles represent a way of achieving higher standards in life.