What Is Masonry?

 

"Masonry is Simplicity." It has preserved, in all their purity, the cardinal tenets of the old primitive faith, which underlie and are the foundation of all religions.

 

"Masonry is Positive." We look for the positive and not the negative. Our advantage is in the strength of our unity, not in the weakness of someone else’s division; in the correctness of our philosophy, not in the error of another.

 

"Masonry is Integrity." Integrity and character are brothers. Integrity is simple loyalty to the best in one’s self. The great American, General Douglas MacArthur, put it bluntly when he said, “Do what is right, no matter what the cost.”

 

"Masonry is Democratic." We make no demands. We use no propaganda to impress our listeners. We try to instruct, to incite, and to inspire. We hope to preach better sermons with our lives than with our lips.

                                                                                       

One Response to “What is Masonry?”

 

  While little men argue over their rights to grow beards and wear long hair, and to disregard laws not to their liking, and great men expound on what they call the complicated problems of peace, we, as Masons, still hold fast to the simple principles of Justice, Truth, Mercy, and Love.

 

What Can I Tell My Non-Masonic Friends?

 

  Masons, by tradition and practice, are circumspect when it comes to discussing the Craft with non-Masons. Many members are so careful that they fear to even mention things that everyone knows about the Craft, possibly because they believe that Freemasonry is a “secret society”, and that it is forbidden to talk about its principles with non-Masons. This is a mistaken idea. There are many things that Masons can tell their non-Masonic friends.

 

  Most often the question asked by a non-Mason is – “What is Freemasonry?” There are diverse answers – colored by the interest of the individual Mason in its teachings, philosophy, charities, ritual, or ceremonies. Sometimes, Freemasonry is described as a "peculiar system of morality, veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols". It may also be described thus: “Freemasonry is a fraternal organization, religious in character, based on the principle of the Fatherhood of God, the Brotherhood of Man, and the immortality of the soul. It does charitable work among its members and in the community. Through its teachings and ceremonies it seeks to make good men better and thereby make a better world. With the open “Book of Law” (Bible, Torah, Koran) on the altar, and the National Emblem in its appointed place of honor, love of God and country is stressed by obligation to the ordinances of civil and religious society.

 

  Freemasonry is a “voluntary” association in that no one is “invited” to become a member. As a matter of fact, you should clarify for yourself and your less informed Brothers as to what the Masonic Law in your jurisdiction states regarding this matter, so as not to cross into areas that are in conflict with Masonic code.  You must understand that it is essential that each prospective member come to Freemasonry of his own free will and accord, for only then will a man truly appreciate all that Masonry has to offer. With that said, it should be the high regard a man has for the Craft and his impression of the upright behavior and conduct of Masons as men, that should draw each to Freemasonry in his own due time.

 

  You can make it clear that Freemasonry is not a religion, although the unknowing sometimes make this erroneous statement. You can explain to your non-Masonic friends that Masons know their organization is neither a religion nor a church. Masonry is religious in that one cannot become a Mason unless he believes in a Supreme Being. Most Masons belong to an established church. Masons worship (each according to his own faith), when each goes to the church of his choice. There is no religious test applied, nor is one required to subscribe to any particular religious tenet or dogma. You can state that it is forbidden to discuss religion or politics in a Lodge meeting.

 

  You can state that Freemasonry is NOT a “secret society”. A secret society is one that keeps its existence a secret, and whose members hide affiliation therewith. Freemasonry is NOT a secret society because it does not hide its existence or members their membership. On the contrary, the organization meets in buildings situated on public streets, lists the telephone numbers of its Lodges in public directories, announces its meetings in public media, and engraves the words “Masonic Temple” on many of its buildings and publishes periodicals for public perusal. It maintains homes for orphans and the aged, supports blood banks and engages in academic research for the benefit of humanity. Like most fraternities and large corporations, it has its “secrets”, but it is not a secret society.

 

  You cannot, of course, discuss the ritual, the passwords, or other confidential matters. But you can discuss the subject matter printed in our Monitors and publications. You can even go so far as to tell that the unitiated that the degrees of Masonry consist of ceremonies strictly serious in nature, without horseplay, which teach basic moral truths in an impressive and solemn manner. You can tell them that the ritual contains a philosophy of life which provides something upon which to build for a blessed immortality.

 

  Sometimes, a questioner wants to know about the ceremony of initiation. He may even ask specific questions. You can tell him that each candidate participates in a ceremony of initiation and then is advanced to the second and third degrees, dependent upon his learning certain things relating to the ethics and philosophy of Masonry. You certainly can tell him that no man ever took the degrees without becoming a better man. The basic ethical principles presented are accepted by all good men. The lessons are based on the Golden Rule, tolerance, respect for family, charity, and being true to one's God. We should ever proclaim to the world that we are an organization of serious, mature men.

 

You can tell your non-Masonic friend that the tools of an operative Mason are used symbolically in the Craft to teach basic moral truths.

 

  The outside world often wonders and comments upon the close bond that exists between Masons; yet, how simple is the Truth! Masons are bound together because each Mason has accepted certain high ethical standards of conduct for his faith and practice, insuring a bond of faith, honor, and confidence.

 

  Thousands of books written on the subject of Freemasonry and the men in the Craft  are testament to the truths. Lend, to your questioning friend, some of the books recommended by the Grand Lodge, and/or Grand Chapter, Grand Council, or Grand Commandery. He will thank you. When your non-Masonic friend is the type of man who belongs in Masonry and indicates interest, show him that it is a great world organization and a steadying influence in the solution of many problems. Do not hesitate. When a man is ready, he will understand that to be called a Man and a Mason is an accolade.

 

Another Response to “What is Masonry?”

 

A question that is frequently asked is, “When a friend inquires, ‘What is Masonry, and why should I want to belong?’ What can or should I tell him?” In the past, many of our members have been reluctant to answer this question. We have in far to many cases, labored under the mistaken belief that Masonry is, and ever was a secret society; but is not and never was. A secret society is one where the members are known only to themselves. But we as Masons are not afraid or ashamed to proclaim our membership in this Fraternity. We proudly wear our emblems on our lapels or rings; we place signs above the doors of our Lodge halls so that all may know where we meet; time of our meetings, and our lists of membership are easily available to all who might desire to inspect them.

 

Masonry is a society with secrets – but really far fewer than one might suspect. Our obligations are secret, as are our means of recognition by certain signs and grips – but beyond these, the secrets of Masonry are few and hard to find.

 

It is said that the purpose of Masonry is to take good men and to make them better – and this is true – but in doing so we have an even loftier goal. We as Masons are engaged in a Search for Truth – and we know somewhere in the shouting and tumult around us there is Truth. We know too, that others also seek Truth with equal sincerity, and that we must examine what each offers on its merits, for we find Truth in strange places.