Freemasonry
WHAT IS FREEMASONRY?
There have been a great number of definitions of Freemasonry. Perhaps
the best, and certainly the simplest, is, "Freemasonry is a system
of morality, veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols."
The idea of teaching by allegories and symbols is not new. All great
teachers have, more or less, followed this method.
The system of morality to which we have referred as Freemasonry is
that which every Freemason is bound to profess and practise. If it
includes principles with which he was familiar before his entrance
into Freemasonry, he will nevertheless find these presented in new
ways and in forms different from those with which he was previously
familiar. If he finds in Masonic teachings nothing startlingly new,
he must remember that, in some respects at least, there is "nothing
new under the sun" and that the essence of morality is to be
found in the utter simplicity (though not the ease) of its requirements.
The elementary principles of Freemasonry, are exemplified in the three
degrees worked in every regular Masonic Lodge throughout the world.
Nearly every community of any size in the British Isles has one or
more Masonic Lodges in it. The same is true in many other parts of
the world, notably in the English speaking countries.
Each Lodge has its own Office-bearers, headed by a Master, its own
Committees and, in some cases, its own property. On the other hand,
each Lodge is subject to the authority of the Grand Lodge of the country
or state under which it holds its Charter. The three British Grand
Lodges have also many Lodges in countries overseas - particularly
in countries of the Commonwealth, and many of the Commonwealth countries
have Grand Lodges of their own. In becoming a member of a Lodge under
the Scottish Constitution you become subject not only to the general
customs and usage's of the Craft, but also the Laws and Regulations
of the Grand Lodge of Scotland, as well as to the Bye-Laws of the
particular Lodge which you join. However, Freemasonry will never require
of you anything which might conflict with your duty to God, to your
country, to your neighbour or to your family.
In your progress through Freemasonry, which may well take many weeks
or even months, you will be "initiated" as an Entered Apprentice;
"passed" as a Fellow Craft and "raised" as a Master
Mason. There is a ritualistic ceremony of a most serious character
appropriate to each stage in your progress. You will be asked, too,
to give a most solemn and binding promise never to disclose the nature
of these ceremonies under any circumstances. Bearing in mind what
has been said in the previous paragraph, you will not be asked to
promise anything which will conflict with your religious, civil or
other duties. Your first duty is to approach each ceremony calmly
and solemnly, with mind and spirit attentive to the lessons which
will be imparted.
WHAT FREEMASONRY IS NOT
So that you may not have a mistaken idea of what Freemasonry
is, it may well be to point out some of the which Freemasonry is NOT,
and which it has never claimed to be.
1. Freemasonry is NOT a religion nor a substitute for
a religion. It has a philosophy of its own which it believes to be
compatible with the teachings of the Church and other similar religious
institutions. The teachings of Freemasonry transcend all denominational
and sectarian divisions. In the field of human conduct it is complementary
to religion, but religious topics may not be discussed in any Lodge.
2. Contrary to the opinion held by many, Freemasonry
is not a charitable institution, as such. It is true that one of the
fundamental principles of Freemasonry is the practise of relief, and
a Freemason will necessarily minister to the "widows and fatherless
in their affliction". But these and other similar modes of conduct
must proceed from that "purity of life and conduct" which
is one of the great objectives of all Masonic teachings.
3. Freemasonry does not insure its members against
the vicissitudes of old age; provides no sick benefits as such; issues
no insurance policies on the lives of its members and pays no death
benefits of any kind. Not that Freemasonry disbelieves in these and
other means by which modern civilisation undertakes to reduce suffering
and privation - quite the contrary. But it confines the matter of
individual relief to those cases where such relief becomes necessary,
in spite of all the efforts of a Brother or his family to maintain
their economic independence. Your part of this work is far more likely
to be that of a contributor than a beneficiary, except in the larger
sense, in which every man benefits from the fact that "it is
more blessed to give than to receive".
4. Freemasonry does not lend itself to the promoting
of selfish or mercenary interests. Any underlying purpose of such
a nature in your mind will eventually become apparent to your Brethren
and you will inevitably suffer the loss of their respect. A Freemason
may support any good cause that he will, but he may not persuade or
try to persuade his Lodge to lend their support to his chosen charitable
work.
5. Freemasonry is not connected in any way with a political
creed. A Freemason's political views are his own and a Lodge may well
have members belonging to many different political parties. For that
reason, no discussion of political matters is permitted in a Lodge.
A Brother may not seek to persuade his Brethren in Lodge to adopt
this or that view in matters of government - local, national or international.
WHO MAY BECOME A FREEMASON?
Not every man can fulfil the requirements that Freemasonry
asks of its aspirants. The primary requirement is, of course, moral
character. One whose reputation in the community is in ant way questionable
cannot expect to become a Mason. But there are other requirements
which the petitioner must have, such as:-
He must be a believer in God, the Supreme Being.
He must be a loyal citizen, willing to discharge his
duties to God, to his neighbour and to himself.
He must be at least twenty-one years of age (unless
his father is or was a Freemason when the age of admission may be
reduced, at the discretion of the Lodge, to eighteen).
He must be in such financial circumstances that he
can maintain himself as a member of his Lodge, meeting the monetary
obligations imposed by being a member, without detriment to his family
or himself.
You, as a potential Freemason, and like Masons in all
ages before you, must come of your own accord to knock at the door
of the Craft. Two Brethren must recommend you, indeed they must do
more - they will have to vouch for your character and the sincerity
of your motives. In a very real sense they are your Masonic sponsors.
You, for your part, have the responsibility of seeing that they and
others who have accepted their assurances will not be disappointed.
WHAT FREEMASONRY EXPECTS OF YOU
The privileges of being a Freemason are no greater
than the responsibilities of its members. Your obligations will not
conflict with those you have already assumed by virtue of your membership
in modern society. On the contrary, Freemasonry reiterates, reinforces
and re-emphasises them.
Thus, in asking Freemasonry to share with you its past,
its present and its future and all the privileges of its Brotherhood,
you must bear in mind the fact that the relationship is a reciprocal
one and that certain things are expected of you. Remember always :-
The calling of a Freemason is a high one and you should
never suffer yourself to depart from it.
Loyalty to home, to country and to the Craft is expected
of you at all times.
Patriotism is a bounden duty and you must not countenance
disloyalty or rebellion.
That Freemasonry recognises that all men, whether Masons
or not, are Brothers by birth, endowed with the same nature, and sharing
the same hopes.
That Freemasonry champions the cause of the widow,
the fatherless, the weak and the distressed.
That the time honoured virtues cherished by our forefathers
are still to be observed among Masons and that humility, patience,
charity and gentleness are among the hallmarks of purity and integrity
of character.