WHERE DID IT START?The background of today's Masonry is found deep in the time when men built the cathedrals, abbeys, and castles of medieval Europe. The stonemasons who created these awe-inspiring Gothic structures formed craft guilds to protect the secrets of their building trade and to pass on their knowledge to worthy and deserving apprentices. By the time the need for this type of "Operative" Mason declined in the Seventeenth Century, the practices and customs of the operative craft had left such an impression that men who had no inclination of being operative builders sought membership. These speculative builders were learned and well-thinking men, men of integrity and good will. With their admission, "speculative Masonry" evolved. This speculative Fraternity of Freemasons used the symbols (tools) which the operative Masons used in Cathedral building as symbols in character building. The two principal tools were the Square and Compass-which together form the most familiar Masonic "trademark" in the world to this day. The letter "G", in the very center of this emblem, reflects the true Masonic belief that God is the very center of ALL life. WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS FOR MEMBERSHIP?Twenty-two words establish the most important prerequisite to becoming a Mason. " . . . We receive none, knowingly, into our ranks who are not moral and upright before God and of good repute before the world . . . A BRIEF MASONIC HISTORY
Speculation that Freemasonry originated with the very beginning of civilization is interesting, but there is no basis for such a belief. The word "Mason" means "Builder," and Freemasonry, as we know it today came into being some 800 years ago. In its operative form it lasted nearly 400 years while Masons built the hundreds of Gothic structures in western Europe. Many of these structures still stand today as a memorial to the past. During the Cathedral Age the Masons formed themselves in workmen's Guilds; each Guild forming a Lodge with regular officers and with three degrees of Membership. The first group were apprentices or bearers of burdens, the second were craftsmen or skilled workmen on the Temples and the third were Masters or superintendents of the structures being built. Each Guild member had to develop certain proficiencies in his work to advance to a higher status, and during this advancement each member was also taught certain attributes of moral conduct. It was these Guild Lodges which actually gave birth to the modern Masonic Lodges and present-day Freemasonry. During this operative era a worker was a Freemason because he was not born a slave, he was free to travel in foreign countries and work where he would, he worked in freestone or he was free of certain restrictions when he had advanced to be a Master of the Craft. In some instances he was free from paying taxes - but he was probably known as a Freemason because of his skill, ability and knowledge, all attributes which set him apart from those of lesser abilities in the Cathedral Building Age. Guild Masons were "Operatives Mason" because they actual]v built the Gothic Cathedrals. Then during the 16th Century when these Gothic structures were completed, the demand for their talents declined. Without a place to work these Guild Lodges struggled for their very existence for 200 years, and to preserve their organization some Lodges began accepting other members. To maintain their membership they accepted men of high moral Character even though these men were not members of the builder's trade. These were referred to as "Accepted Masons" and later as "Speculative Masons." Thus the Guild Lodges came to be known as "Speculative Lodges." Today each Lodge belongs to, and is governed by, a Grand Lodge which is also constrained to a certain geographical area. In the continental United States there is a Grand Lodge in each State and one in the District of Columbia, making a total of 51 Grand Lodges. Each Grand Lodge is the supreme authority in its own jurisdiction or State, and owes no allegiance to any higher authority. Each Grand Lodge complies to the Ancient Masonic usages and Landmarks which have come from past ages, it adopts it's own laws and ritual, sets it's own standards of operation, and governs the Lodges and Masons within its own jurisdiction. It being a world-wide Fraternity, some wonder how it maintains a desired standard without a Supreme world authority. While the ritual and regulations may vary slightly from one jurisdiction to another, the doctrines and principles are the same through out the world, with every Mason receiving the same basic teachings. Because of its very nature, there is no way to change Freemasonry to suit the tastes, opinions, or prejudices of each candidate or member; if such were possible there would soon be no basic Masonic principles or doctrines, and Freemasonry would become just another organization. Since it is a proven system of self-improvement, each candidate must accept its doctrines and principles, and comply with its laws and regulations. How well he can conform and how much he improves himself, is for each to learn for himself. WILL I BE ASKED TO JOIN?NO! Hopefully, if the concepts and principles of Masonry as enumerated in this folder interest you, you will not need to be asked to join. You must ask to become a Freemason. Unfortunately, many men who would like to become Masons never do because they are unaware of the above-mentioned requirement (that it be of your own free will and accord, and you must ask to join the Fraternity). If you desire to learn more about Masonic membership, feel free to contact a Mason to satisfy yourself concerning Freemasonry. As Freemasons, we believe that membership in an organization as worthy as ours must come from a "sincere wish of being serviceable to your fellow creatures" and not because of coaxing, coercement, or of any promise of material gain of any kind. WHAT HAPPENS AT THE INITIATION?An applicant, whose petition has been accepted by the lodge, is advised of the date his Entered Apprentice Degree has been scheduled. On that date, following a brief Ritualistic opening, the petitioner is properly prepared and introduced to the lodge. The solemn process is an enlightening experience and the candidate need never worry that embarrassing or compromising situations will arise during this (or any other degree)-THEY WILL NOT! After receiving the Entered Apprentice Degree, you will be expected to memorize several key passages of the Ritual and help will be extended in the teaching/learning process. Having learned the required Ritualistic work and satisfying the lodge of that proficiency, you will be asked to return for the conferral of your Fellow Craft Degree. Following a proficiency examination on that Degree, you will advance to the "last and highest grade of Ancient Craft Masonry-the Sublime Degree of a Master Mason." Only after having completed these three symbolic degrees will you truly understand the oft-quoted statement, "Freemasonry Builds Its Temples in the Hearts of Men." IS FREEMASONRY A RELIGION?NO! Religion can best teach a man faith, hope, and charity. Freemasonry only endeavors to reinforce these teachings. Masonry is not a religion nor is it a substitute for or a rival of any doctrine. It is an aid to religious development in that it builds character and stresses righteousness. It is significant that many clergymen are active members of the Fraternity. A Mason respects and is tolerant of that which is sacred to his brother, be he Christian, Mohammedan, Jew, or of some other faith in God. The Fraternity is essentially an institution providing moral instruction and the rules of right conduct a member must follow are acceptable to all religions. HOW DO MASONS HELP OTHERS?The basic premise of Freemasonry is "The Brotherhood of Man under the Fatherhood of God." With that thought uppermost in mind, Masons strive to learn how better to serve that "brotherhood of man"-charitably-not just with money (although a recent survey revealed that over two million Masonic dollars are contributed EVERY DAY to philanthropies) but also through actions and deeds.
From http://www.gwmemorial.org |
Freemasonry is one of the world's oldest and largest fraternal organizations but where did it come from? Its history is most interesting and romantic.