A Fraternal Organization - With a Strong Social Purpose
Whose Members Have High Moral Standards and Work to the Benefit of Others
Freemasonry is the science by which morality is taught through the visible symbols
and instructive traditions associated with the erection of King Solomon's Temple some
3,000 years ago. Like every science and permanent institution, Freemasonry is built on
certain conceded principles. These include a belief in the one living and true God, a
revelation of His Will, the resurrection of the body, and the immortality of the soul.
When we say "one God," we refer to whatever Supreme and Benevolent Being in which a
man places his ultimate trust. We are a non-denominational institution accepting men of
all faiths. Freemasonry is the ardent supporter of every religion. It denies to no man his
particular theological or secular beliefs, but rather complements and fulfills those beliefs.
Without an expressed belief in these principles, no man can ever become a Freemason.
Acceptance of the Fatherhood of God is the very foundation of the Masonic Institution;
from this Fatherhood logically flows the Brotherhood of Man.
The Masonic Fraternity stands before the world today, not merely as a marvelous
monument of antiquity, older, larger and more widely spread than any other human
institution, but as having maintained for so many centuries the essentials of its primary
organization. It has long outlived the circumstances which gave it birth. Originally an
association of operative stonemasons and builders, whose monuments of rare skill still
adorn almost every part of the old world, the hands of time have brought those operative
labors to a close. The Everlasting Principles, however, upon which our beloved Craft
was founded, are as intact today as they were when it emerged from the very shadows of
prehistory. Thus, over the centuries, as the demand for builders of physical temples has
subsided, Freemasons have transitioned their efforts to building "spiritual temples" in the
hearts of men.
Our ancient Brethren sought to erect temples fit for worship. Freemasonry's great
mission today is, and forever shall be, to make those who worship fit to enter those
temples.
Since its founding, dynasties have come and gone, nations have been born and buried,
and countless orders and societies have been organized and passed into obscurity. Our
Order alone has maintained its ancient organization, teaching its lessons of love, peace on
earth, goodwill toward man, and is today greater and stronger than it has ever been.
Freemasonry is a broad system of Morals and Ethics. That is, a science of human
duties, whose principals are accepted by all religions as essential to human excellence.
The cornerstone of these principles rests upon the recognition of a Divine Truth that
mankind has a common origin and a common destiny; and that God is the Creator and
Father of all of us. Out of that relationship with Deity grows the Brotherhood of Man.
Freemasonry?s great purpose is to intensify that relationship. Thus, Freemasonry teaches
Love, Faith, and Duty, unites man in the strong embrace of fraternal fellowship, and
induces emulation of who can best work and best agree. Freemasonry thus becomes a
system of spiritual education wherein is taught not only the virtues, but also the useful
lessons of everyday life.
The Temple of King Solomon signifies to us the Temple of our bodies, that is, our
Inner Spiritual Temple. The tools and implements used in the building of Solomon's
Temple signify to us the cultivation of the virtues to be practiced in the erection of the
inner spiritual temple of man. The traditions associated with Solomon's Temple serve as
worthy examples for our imitation, and to inspire in us a love of all that is good and true.
Freemasonry teaches us that the most important part of life lies in the discharge of our
duties toward God and our fellow man. That eminent patron of Freemasonry, St. John
the Evangelist, when so old that he had to be carried in the arms of his friends into an
assembly of children, lifted himself up and said: "Little children, love one another."
When asked, "Have you nothing else to tell us?" he replied, "I say this again and again,
because if you do this, nothing more is needed." That, dear reader, is the foundation of
Freemasonry.
Freemasonry is not a mere pastime; not a mere amusement. It is an active, living
principle. Its ritual, its symbolism, and its drama are not empty ceremonies. Formed and
perfected over the centuries, they serve to exemplify and impart important truths for
mankind. Freemasonry adapts its theories, its ethical thought, and its teachings to the
practical relations of life.
There are no dogmas in Freemasonry. Its so-called "secrecy" is confined to simple
means of communication and methods of recognition. Its tenets are universally
approved. What Freemasonry condemns no good man upholds. The essence of
Freemasonry is character. A man is what he does. The Mason's manhood and worth is
not measured by wealth, fame or fortune, but by faithful, consistent and unselfish service.
In like manner, the measure and worth of any institution is the effect it has upon the
individual and society.
What has Freemasonry given to mankind and society? It paved the way for freedom
of speech. It has ever been the enemy of any power that suppressed free thought and the
enslavement of the mind. It rejects the bigotry and superstition that erected inquisitions
and persecution of all types; and the ignorance and fanaticism that invented instruments
of torture and deprivation. It points out to man that free thought and free speech, and the
study of the sciences, are necessary for mankind's mental and intellectual emancipation;
that the study of nature brings man's soul nearer to his Creator; and that knowledge drives
out ignorance and superstition. It has taught mankind that, after he has emancipated
himself from the vices that tyrannize and oppress, he must learn to govern himself wisely
by practicing the Cardinal Virtues of Freemasonry: Temperance, Fortitude, Prudence,
and Justice.
Man is a social creature. As such, our nature compels us to seek the companionship of
others. We, therefore, see our Brothers and their families, animated by the same noble
purpose, meeting in the Lodge where they can feel the hearty touch of the hand, hear
words of inspiration and encouragement, and enjoy the pleasure, entertainment, and
fellowship of this time-honored institution. While gathered in these great assemblies, we
confer our ceremonial degrees, provide relief to the indigent, assistance to the worthy,
and administer systems of care to those who are less fortunate. Freemasonry is all of this
and much, much more. Beneath and beyond all of these is the deep, permanent passion
for the betterment of the Brotherhood of Man. Freemasonry, as the ardent supporter of
religion, benevolence, and morality places before man the incentives to goodness through
the contemplation of the Holy Principles of Divine Truth.
The tenets our Ancient Order are Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth - and first among
them is Brotherly Love. It is the very cement which holds together the social edifice of
this world. No one can measure the extent of human sympathy or brotherly love, but we
know it to be one of the mightiest social forces of all time, and that without it, life would
be a merciless and cruel existence. We know that when there is an unselfish love in the
hearts of men, the better nature within each of us responds in kind. It is this kindly spirit
of Brotherhood, the gentle touch of the hand, and the sympathetic word that brings forth a
harvest of good deeds, noble thoughts, and the highest aspirations of mankind.
Freemasonry has ever been the patron of learning. Its votaries long ago discovered
that ignorance was the mother of nearly all of the evils and dangerous environments that
afflicted humanity; that education dispelled this evil, set free the victims of its influence,
and put a smile where terror and despair had planted sorrow. In its unending efforts to
eliminate such human afflictions, Freemasonry has perhaps performed its greatest labor,
breaking down the walls of religious hatred and intolerance that for too long divided men
into opposing sects and hostile camps. The great religious ecumenical councils of today,
and the religious tolerance and mutual understanding they endeavor to convey, has been
the foundation and practice of Freemasonry since time immemorial. The Freemason is
thus prepared through ceremonies, ritual and moral lessons to undertake his grand
mission to teach, by precept and example, all that is beautiful and useful in this life, and
to prepare for life hereafter.
After all of the great lectures on philosophy have been delivered, when the wisest
statesmen shall have done their utmost to alleviate what is harsh and cruel in social
conditions, and science shall have unraveled the mysteries of the universe, there will still
be the necessity for a kindly smile, a helping hand, a cup of cool water, and a quiet word
of encouragement. It is because Freemasonry has ever given the cup of cool water,
extended a hand to one who has fallen, and spoken the words of comfort and cheer, that
millions of good men of every religion and culture, and from every corner of the world
have knelt at its altar.
It is these same men, Brothers in spirit and deed, with eyes uplifted and hearts
responsive to the needs of those who are journeying through life with them, that form the
Masonic Fraternity throughout the world. It is the good and true men of this Brotherhood
that live with the great satisfaction which comes only from relieving suffering, dispensing
happiness, and to aid the unification of mankind.
Our charitable efforts today are many. The Masonic family encompasses many
different organizations. Men's organizations include the Blue Lodges, the Scottish and
York Rites, the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, the Grotto, and
the Knights Templar. Ladies organizations include the Order of the Eastern Star, which
also includes men who are Freemasons. Youth organizations include The Daughters of
Job and Rainbow for Girls for our young women, and the Order of DeMolay for our
young men. Each of these organizations has its own unique ceremonies, and supports
charitable and philanthropic causes. Every day the Masonic Family is responsible for
contributing literally millions of dollars in charitable donations, and thousands of
volunteer hours to worthwhile causes of every kind.
This, my friends, is Freemasonry. May it live on through us for countless ages, and
may we be ever worthy to spread Masonic Light for the generations yet to come.
To these, our principal beliefs and poetic truths, we say as our forefathers did before
us: "So mote it be."
We hope that men of a higher character who seek to share in our Brotherly Love, who
wish to contribute to the relief of others less fortunate, and who use Divine Truth as the
cornerstone of all their endeavors will consider joining the oldest, largest, and most
prestigious fraternal organization in the world ----
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Freemasonry
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