What is Freemasonry?
Freemasonry is among the oldest non-religious fraternal societies in the world. It is a society of men who are concerned with moral and spiritual values. It encourages men to live a better lives, to discipline themselves and to consider their relationships with others. Because it is a basic and essential requirement that every member profess to maintain a belief in a Supreme Being, it has a spiritual basis. However, it is not a religion, nor should it ever be regarded as a substitute for any form of religious faith. In fact, Freemasons are strictly forbidden to discuss matters of religion in the Masonic environment. The Bible (known by Freemasons as ‘The Volume of the Sacred Law’) is always open when Lodges meet. Obligations are sworn on, or involve the Volume of the Sacred or whichever holy book is held sacred by the man concerned.
Freemasons attempt to follow three great principles which represent a way of achieving higher standards in life:
Brotherly Love – tolerance and respect for the opinions of others and kindly, understanding, behaviour towards fellow creatures.
Relief – practicing charity, not only for other Freemasons, but also for the whole community. Freemasonry has always been concerned with education of young people and the care of orphans, the sick and the aged, and continues this work. Large sums are regularly given to national and local charities – more of this later.
Truth – Freemasons always strive for truth, demanding high moral standards and aiming to achieve them in their own lives.
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We are pleased that you have expressed an interest in becoming a Freemason and, in particular, a member of
the Lodge you have chosen. There are various steps you must take before that can happen, but, before you finally decide, it is very important that you read this pamphlet carefully and that you thoroughly understand the nature of Freemasonry, what you can expect from being a Freemason and what Freemasonry has a right to expect from you.
Freemasonry is not a ‘Secret Society’. It is a society which has private methods of recognition i.e. of proving membership. These methods may have been derived from those used by operative stonemasons in the Middle Ages to protect the secrets of their craft. They are now similarly used to preserve Freemasonry’s method of teaching morality. All Freemasons are totally free to acknowledge their membership and are encouraged to do so when asked by someone whose reasons are genuine and not merely to denigrate.
Freemasonry. There is no secret about its aims and principles but, like many other societies – clubs churches, military etc. – it regards some of its internal affairs as being of no concern to other people. The meeting places of Freemasons are not secret – indeed some are open to the public. The aims have often been published in the Press and the rule book (Book of Constitutions) is available for any member of the public to see. You would not expect your golf club or your church to publicise the list of its members. Likewise Freemasonry regards its list of members as a matter which rest between the individual Freemason, his Lodge and Grand Lodge. Indeed, the Data Protection Act now restricts the use of such lists for anything but internal purposes if kept, as is now often the case, on computers etc.
Freemasons are expected to be as open and frank about Freemasonry and their membership of it as their situation in life allows them to be.
Freemasons gain from Freemasonry only as much as they are prepared to put into it by way of commitment to the ideals mentioned above. Thereby they experience a friendship which can only be felt from within the organisation and a spiritual and moral uplift which is very real but is hard to explain.
The first of the ‘Antient Changes’ from the ‘Book of Constitutions’, shown at the end of this pamphlet, states admirably what Freemasonry is meant to be.
What kind of men are Freemasons?
Men of all ages, races, colours, religions, politics or financial or social standing. We have members who are part of the Royal family, professions trades, skills, arts, sciences, businesses, manual occupations – both the employed and self-employed and, sadly, in these days, the unemployed.
When admitted a man becomes known as a ‘brother’ and remains so for the rest of his Masonic career. It is also pointed out to candidates that in Freemasonry all Brethren are ‘on the level’.
Although financial standing is not a bar to becoming a Freemason, it must be appreciated that you should be able to afford the minimum obligations of membership.
Conditions for admission.
There are, however, certain preconditions of membership of any Masonic Lodge.
1) You must believe in a Supreme Being.
2) You must be at least 18 years of age.
3) You must not engage in discussion on matters of religion or politics on Masonic occasions.
4) You must profess allegiance to the Sovereign of your country and all that the Sovereign represents.
5) You must be prepared to take an oath to preserve the private aspects of Freemasonry.
6) You must be willing to strictly observe the Laws, Regulations and Constitutions of Freemasonry.
7) You must be of good character and be prepared to uphold the Civil and Criminal Laws of any country in which you may reside, either temporarily or permanently.
8) You must have full support of your partner and family.
Society, family and your job.
A Freemason’s duty to society as a citizen must always prevail over any obligation to other Freemasons.
Freemasonry will severely censure and probably expel any Freemason who attempts to shield another Freemason who has acted dishonourably or unlawful.
Freemasonry must never be allowed to harm a mans family or other connections by talking too much of his time or his money causing him to act in any other way against their interests.
If it is ever proved that a Freemason has gained an unfair advantage over another person because of his membership of the Order a serious view will be taken. Members must never use any sort of Masonic certificate or evidence of membership to advertise a business or other enterprise nor use any sort of Masonic devise or description on stationary etc.
Freemasonry is compatible with any form of occupation whatsoever, but all Freemasons must be careful not to compromise their living and the living of their dependants.
The principles of Freemasonry should, at all times, strengthen a man in fulfilling his public and private responsibilities.
HOW IS FREEMASONRY ORGANISED?
Lodges
Freemasons meet in Private Lodges. (This is what you will be joining if you become a member of your chosen Lodge). Each one has a unique number on the roll of the United Grand Lodge of England. At the time of writing there are some 7.7 thousand lodges in England and new lodges are added each year. Of course there are many thousand of other lodges in almost every country of the world. A lodge can have a membership from about 20 to several hundreds. In England alone approximately 8000 men become Freemasons every year.
English Private Lodges outside London are grouped into Provincial Grand Lodges. The lodge you wish to join is probably part of a Provincial Grand Lodge. Provincial Grand Lodges administer Freemasonry for the lodges in their areas and appoint the more senior and experienced Masons from Private Lodges for this purpose as well as a small number of paid staff.
In England the Private Lodges (under their Provincial Grand Lodge) form part of the United Grand Lodge of England which is administered from its premises at Freemason’s Hall, Great Queens Street. London.
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