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The
Real Secret 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 Canada, the
United States, and Mexico. Other Masonic bodies support their own
statewide and national foundations for research, teaching, and treatment
for rehabilitation services for children with learning or speech
disorders, cancer, visual problems, and need of dental restoration. Masons everywhere assist distressed brother
Masons and their families. They also sponsor or support local projects
ranging from the recognition of the achievements of others to scholarship
programs. 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 raised to the "sublime degree"
of Master Mason in his "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. 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 sacramental 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 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, modern speculative Freemasonry was founded more recently
upon the structure, ceremonies, and symbolism of the lodge of operative or
working freemen stonemasons, who built the magnificent Medieval Gothic
structures throughout much of Europe and England. 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 Boston in 1733, and the first Lodge in New Jersey, St. Johns #1, was
chartered on July 3, 1787. 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 Order of the Golden Chain. 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, International Order of Jobs Daughters, 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 Freemasonry 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 that 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 twenty-one years of age of
older and of good moral Two Important Questions Is Freemasonry a religion? No. Neither is Freemasonry 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 England, Freemasonry's allegories and
rituals are rooted in Judeo-Christian tradition. They exemplify mankind's
universal experience and inculcate an admired moral and ethical value
system. With respect to religion, Freemasonry simply teaches the
"Fatherhood of God" and the "Brotherhood of Man". 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.
Courtesy of
Grand
Lodge of Ohio |
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