What is Freemasonry?
This is the text of a leaflet published by by the Board of General Purposes of the United Grand Lodge of England in 1984. The U.G.L.E. is a sister grand lodge to the Grand Lodge of Minnesota. One grand lodge does not speak for, or make policy for another, but this excellent essay describes Masonry in universal terms that are as applicable in Minnesota as they are in England.
Introduction
Freemasonry is one of the world's oldest secular fraternal societies. This leaflet is intended to explain Freemasonry as it is practiced under the United Grand Lodge of England, which administers Lodges of Freemasons in England and Wales and in many places overseas. The explanation may correct some misconceptions. Freemasonry is a society of men concerned with moral and spiritual values. Its members are taught its precepts by a series of ritual dramas, which follow ancient forms and use stonemasons' customs and tools as allegorical guides.
The Essential Qualification for Membership
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.
Freemasonry and Religion
Freemasonry is not a religion, nor is it a substitute for religion. Its essential qualification opens it to men of many religions and it expects them to continue to follow their own faith. It does not allow religion to be discussed at its meetings.
The Three Great Principles
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 believe that these principles represent a way of achieving higher standards in life. 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.
Charity
From its earliest days, Freemasonry has been concerned with the care of orphans, the sick and the aged. This work continues today. In addition, large sums are given to national and local charities.
Freemasonry and Society
Freemasonry demands from its members a respect for the law of the country in which a man works and lives. Its principles do not in ay way conflict with its members' duties as citizens, but should strengthen them in fulfilling their private and public responsibilities. The use by a Freemason of their membership to promote his own or anyone else's business, professional or personal interests is condemned, and is contrary to the conditions on which he sought admission to Freemasonry. His duty as a citizen must always prevail over any obligation to other Freemasons, and any attempt to shield a Freemason who has acted dishonorably or unlawfully is contrary to this prime duty.
Secrecy
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 and politics
Freemasonry is non-political, and the discussion of politics at Masonic meetings is forbidden.
Other Masonic Bodies
Freemasonry is practiced under many independent Grand Lodges with standards similar to those set by the United Grand Lodge of England. There are some Grand Lodges and other apparently masonic bodies which do not meet these standards, e.g. which do not require a belief in a Supreme Being, or which allow or encourage their members to participate in political matters. These Grand Lodges and bodies are not recognized by the United Grand Lodge of England as being Masonically regular, and masonic contact with them is forbidden.
Conclusion
A Freemason is encouraged to do his duty first to God (by whatever name he is known) 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.
Being A Mason
What is a Mason?
A mason is a member of the world’s largest fraternal organization . He can enjoy the friendship of the other Masons in his community, and he will be welcomed as a “brother” by Masons anywhere in the world.
A Mason shares the aspirations and obligation of men of good will who seek to make themselves better than they are – not better than the others.
A Mason worships in his own fashion according to this own religious faith whether he be Christian, Jew or Moslem, Protestant or Roman Catholic, Buddhist or Hindu, but free of regimentation by society of the state.
A Mason holds that the brotherhood of the man is an imperative, and it is the bond that unites him to other men.
A mason endeavors to grow in things spiritual through the exercise of sobriety, truth, justice charity, and faith in God.
A Mason insists that every man has the right to freedom of worship and freedom of expression , the right to vote according to his conscience, and the right to a public school education.
A Mason honors other men by respecting each man’s inherent dignity , by assisting a brother Mason or any man in need, by devotion to the welfare of his community state and nation.
Why is he called a Mason?
For many centuries, the ancient craft of builders – masons , who worked in stone erecting temples, cathedrals, the public works – shared high standards of workmanship and conduct. The brotherhood of such mason worked in imperishable stone and gave rise to the crafts of Apprentices, Fellows and Master Masons. The tools of their trade were the square , compass, plumbline, level, trowel and other instruments of precision workmanship.
Over two hundred years ago, the great principles of operating masons were adopted by countless others who did not necessarily work in stone. Every since , still others have joined voluntarily in thousands of local groups called “lodges” that are dedicated to the same principles of brotherhood, character, sobriety, charity and motivated by a common dedication to the high ethical and spiritual purposes.
Employing the words and titles of the ancient craft of masonry symbolically , Mason today band together to build , no structures of stone but men of character. There is a dynamic force in the ancient institution of the “lodge” that continually gives fresh vigor to a man’s individual striving.
Masons Today
What do Mason do today?
In Public Life
Charity in the larges sense is a fundamental precept of modern Masonry and evident in every community in its support of socially necessary institutions. In some state it’s a hospitals for cancer or other malignant disease, or for crippled children. In others, it is homes for the aged of institutions for geriatrics, or youth guidance. In some countries, all of this is shown by the acts and conduct of individual Masons sponsoring and fostering socially beneficial legislation. The world over, Masonry ministers to the poor, the handicapped, the displaced, the derelict.
Masonry moves quietly to retrieve human suffering and increase the stature of men and women as children of God. Creeds have their rightful function in every land. Yet it is action, no creed , that Masonry emphasizes. Masonry supports the good works of all religions in community service. Men of all faith wear the “square and compass” of this fraternity.
No Mason will wittingly permit another Mason – or any man –to go hungry, to suffer indignity, to be a slave, or to lose his high position as a creation of God.
In Personal Life
Masonry employs symbolism in its teaching in the “lodge” to illustrate moral and spiritual values. Derived from man’s historical development, it is on these values that man’s very existence today and in the future depends.
In the family of nations – the honoring of these values and their practice would materially aid in solving today’s grievous conflicts.
Courage is one of these values. Citing the bravery of great men of past centuries who stood firm – often alone – against oppression, tyranny, fanaticism, misuse of power and intolerance, masonry inspires men today to stand firm against similar evils – from whatever source – that threaten our freedoms.
Masonry emphasizes personal responsibility for one’s own conduct and for that of his family as another of these moral values. By example, a Mason extends the sphere of influence of the moral values to his own community and nation.
The Mason employs the tools by which the ancient stone craftsman – the operative mason – gauged the accuracy of his building. The ancient mason used a level, a square and a plumbline. With these symbols, a Mason tries to live “on the level” and “act upon the square” in all his dealings with other men.
For centuries the plumbline has been used and is still used in construction to erect perpendiculars in a building. Similarly, the plumbline has a moral significance in Masonry that affords a gauge of upright conduct. Moronically, the gauge serve not a static guide but sits a standard of behavior to which every Mason must aspire.
Becoming a Mason
Masons do not put on drives for membership. No man is asked or invited to join the fraternity. But a voluntary request for membership is simple to make. Upon a man’s request, a member for a Masonic Lodge may give him and application for membership in the local Lodge in his community.
The application form, called “petition for Degrees”, requests information about a man’s character, personal history, and his family status. Please download an application.
The applicant signs the petition form, and two Masons sign it as recommending him for membership. Obviously, the Mason who sign as sponsors should by well acquainted with the petitioner.
Each Lodge has an established membership fee. Part of the fee accompanies the petition, and the balance is paid as each of the three Degrees is conferred.
The applicant gives the petition to his Masonic friend who turns it in to the Master or Secretary of the Lodge. The petition is read in the Lodge, after which men if the membership committee will interview the applicant. Following their report the members of the lodge will act upon the petition.
Following election by the Lodge the candidate will be informed by the master of the lodge, who will send him a booklet explaining further steps in becoming a Mason.
The basic tenets of Masonry are taught in three Degrees: Entered Apprentice; Fellowcraft; Master Mason. They consist of ceremonies of serious nature in which each candidate takes part with dignity and solemnity.
When a man has been raised to the Degree of Master Mason he will enjoy the friendship of a fine group of men in his community and be recognized all over the world as a “brother”. Moreover, he can participate in the activities and fellowship and social events in every Lodge in his own state, in the nation and in fact all over the world.
If you are seriously interested in the possibility of joining the Masonic Fraternity, we suggest that you ask a Mason for additional information or visit our Lodge.