The Real
Secret of
Freemasonry
Making Good
Men Better
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
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. Ohio Freemasons also support the Ohio
Special Olympics.
Masons everywhere assist distressed brother Masons
and their families, including the support of their own Ohio Masonic Home.
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 attaining the degree of
Master Mason in his symbolic or "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 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
Though its heritage in antiquity
is unmistakable, modem speculative Freemasonry was founded more recently upon
the structure, ceremonies, and symbolism of the lodges of operative or
working freeman stonemasons, who built the magnificent Medieval
Gothic structures throughout much of
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 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 chartered in
A Family
Affair
The Blue Lodge is the bedrock 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 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 nineteen 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. Freemasonry is neither 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.
For more information, contact any Freemason or Masonic Lodge in your community or
telephone 1-800-292-6092.
Published by The Grand Lodge of F.&A.M.
of Ohio under authority of The Grand Lodge A.F.&A.M. of Oregon ® 1990.
The Grand Lodge of F.&A.M. of