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TOWER of LEBANON
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What is Freemasonry?
Information for those thinking of joining the Masonic Order
According to the legends that form part of the tradition
of Freemasonry, the fraternity dates back to the time of the construction of
King Solomon's temple. The construction of this enormous structure required
a highly organised workforce and this led to stonemasons, architects and others
being formed into various guilds or grades each with their own responsibilities.
Towards the end of the 19th century while excavating in the Libyan Desert the
British Archaeologist Sir William Petrie unearthed papyrus records dating from
around 2000 b.c. describing secret meetings of such a guild. These records described
not only such matters as working hours, wages and rules for their labour but
also the relief and assistance for workers in distress and widows and orphans.
One of the earliest mentions of the term "Freemason" is in a City of London
Manuscript dated 1375 which includes references to regulations for society duties
to God church and country and many references to brotherhood.
What is a lodge of Freemasons?
The lodge is an individual group of Freemasons that meet under the jurisdiction
of a Grand Lodge which is the governing body of freemasonry within a specific
geographical area.
What happens at Lodge meetings?
As with any meeting the meeting is called to order by the Chairman (known in freemasonry
as the Worshipful Master) and the ceremony of opening the Lodge takes place. This
is quite formal and serves to remind the members (or Brethren) of the virtues
and values they seek to live by.
Once the Lodge is open (or at labour) minutes and correspondence are read, projects
are planned and any other business that there may be is dealt with much like any
other organisation.
When new members are joining the lodge (or being received into the Lodge) or are
being advanced through the degrees of Craft Masonry formal ceremonies are used
to teach Freemasons moral lessons.
Following the closing of the lodge it is usual for a there to be some form of
social event to take place for example supper.
Why do Freemasons dress up for meeting and have secret handshakes and signs?
The different forms of dress based on ceremonial aprons collars and gauntlets
are to distinguish rank and derive form and reflect the protective garments worn
by the original stonemasons. In olden times the apron would have been made from
leather and tied around the waist to protect the mason as he handled the stone.
The ceremonial aprons become more ornate as the mason progresses through the three
degrees of craft freemasonry. The most identifiable symbols would be the common
tools of ancient stonemasons - the gavel, the rule, the level, the square and
the compass. Individual degrees and offices are associated with individual tools
as symbols.
The various levels of freemasonry
At the basic level known as "craft freemasonry" there are three levels or degrees
beginning with the entered apprentice representing the apprentice to the working
mason during which time the apprentice learn the basics of the craft. After serving
the appropriate time as an entered apprentice he advises to Fellow (of the) Craft
and finally to the rank of Master Mason.
Religion and Politics
Perhaps the most frequently asked questions about freemasonry is the relationships
between Freemasonry and religion and politics.
It is an absolute requirement of Freemasonry that a mason must believe in a Supreme
Being. Every lodge of Irish Freemasonry must have the bible (known within freemasonry
as the Volume of the Sacred Law) in evidence the volume of the sacred law may
well be the Old Testament with in a Jewish lodge for the Muslin the Koran and
so on.
Freemasonry regards a man's relationship with God as a personal matter and the
order does not lay down any rules or regulations about religion save that 1. All
masons must believe in God however they may address him and 2. No discussion on
religious matters shall take place at Masonic gatherings.
The ruling on Politics is much the same. Freemasonry has no political attitudes
except to require its member to be law abiding and peaceable citizens regardless
of their political opinions. Discussion on political matters is also prohibited
in Masonic assemblies.
Membership and Secrecy
Masonry is not a secret society. Rather it is a society with a few secrets Very
few in fact and these are all to do with recognition and like other aspects of
Masonry these are traditional.
The membership, meeting places and activities are readily accessible by anyone
interested enough to enquire. The Laws and Constitution of the Order are published
and there are many books available from any good public library.
The old pal's factor
Freemasonry demands that its members respect the law of the land in which they
reside (and any other they may visit). Its principles do not in any way conflict
with a mason's duty as a good citizen. Freemasonry never demands that a mason
should put the order before the interests of friends or family and it condemns
the use of his membership to promote his own or anyone else's business or personal
interests. It insists that a Mason's duty to society should always prevail and
a member may never attempt to shield another Freemason who has acted dishonourably
or dishonestly.
Cost and time of membership
Most lodges meet monthly eight or nine times a year and members are encouraged
to attend regularly. In addition most lodges run social events to bolster Lodge
funds or to raise funds for specific charities and so on.
How do I join?
Most of the members come to freemasonry through contact and friendship with
existing Freemasons. As with most other clubs and societies each application
will be considered by a membership committee which will meet with the candidate
to ensure that he has been properly and adequately informed about the Order.
Applicants are not pressurised into joining. If you join it is because you want
to and not because you have been persuaded by us to join. Membership is a commitment
to live with integrity and honour, to care for others to trust each other and
to place ones ultimate trust in god.
This page was last updated on
Tuesday July 25, 2006
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