The Fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons is the oldest and largest fraternal organization the world. Literally thousands of books have been written about Freemasonry, yet, to many, Freemasonry remains a mystery.
This pamphlet, therefore, has been prepared to present correct information for everyone and thereby dispel incorrect beliefs.
Freemasonry is not a club, nor a mutual benefit, nor an insurance society. It is not an organization or a forum for political or social reform, and profit is not one of its motives; although members of the Fraternity do share in the many services and charity that are afforded them.
HISTORY
Freemasonry is directly descended from associations of operative stone masons, the cathedral builders of the Middle Ages, who travelled throughout Europe employing the secrets and skills of their craft.
In the 17th century when cathedral building was on the decline, many guilds of stone-masons, known as "Operative Masons", or "Free Masons", started to accept as members those who were not members of the masons' craft, calling them "Speculative Masons", or "Accepted Masons".
It was from these groups comprised mostly of "adopted" or "accepted Masons" that Symbolic Masonry or Freemasonry, as we know it today, had its beginning.
GRAND LODGES
IN 1717 four lodges of Freemasons meeting in London, England, formed the first Grand Lodge in the world. This original Grand Lodge chartered Masonic Lodges and Provincial Grand Lodges in many countries, including Canada and the United States.
Today, there are more than 150 Grand Lodges in free countries of the world with a membership in the millions. A Grand Lodge is the administrative authority in its territory and is known as a "jurisdiction". Each province in Canada has its own Grand Lodge. There is no "Supreme" Grand Lodge, that is, no central governing body with administrative authority over all other Grand Lodges. Each is "supreme" within its jurisdiction.
MASONIC LODGE
The basic unit of all Grand Lodges is the Masonic Lodge, often referred to as the Symbolic Lodge, Blue Lodge, or Craft Lodge. This is where Masonry operates on a local level under the jurisdiction of its Grand Lodge. It is here that the Masonic Lodge receives and acts on petitions for membership in Freemasonry and confers the three Symbolic degrees known as Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft and Master Mason degrees. New Brunswick has 49 symbolic or blue lodges located throughout the Province with a membership of over 4,000 Masons.
MEMBERSHIPS
Membership is limited to adult males without regard to race, color, or creed, who are of good character and reputation. A man becomes a Freemason through his own volition. No one is ever solicited to join its ranks. When a man seeks admission to a Symbolic Lodge, it is of his own free will and accord. The choice is his.
One of the Antient landmarks of Freemasonry is that Masons cannot solicit members. One seeking admission must have a desire and request an application form from one whom he believes to be a Mason. The applicant must be recommended by two members of the symbolic or Blue Lodge to which he is seeking admission.
MASONIC SECRECY
Freemasonry is not a secret society. It has no secrets, except some of the methods of symbolic instruction and certain manners whereby one member may recognize another. Freemasonry makes no attempt to conceal its existence, its principles, its purposes or its aims. Its members proudly declare their affiliation. Masonic buildings are publicly located and clearly identified. Its Constitutions are printed for any to see, and its rules and regulations are available for inspection.
FREEMASONRY AND RELIGION
Freemasonry is not a religion even though it is religious in character.
It does not pretend to take the place of religion, nor serve as a substitute for the religious beliefs of the its members. It fosters belief in a "Supreme Being", this being a prerequisite for membership. Freemasonry accepts good men who are found to be worthy, regardless of their religious convictions, and strives to make better men of them by emphasizing a firm belief in the Fatherhood of God, the Brotherhood of Man and the Immortality of the Soul. Religious men go to church, not to their Lodge, to worship God. They go to their Masonic Lodge to learn moral truths and how to apply them to their everyday home and business lives.
TENETS OF FREEMASONRY
The teachings of Freemasonry are based on ethical principles that are acceptable to all good men. Freemasonry teaches understanding and charity for all mankind.
Freemasonry proudly proclaims that it consists of men who are obligated to extend Brotherly Love and affection to all men everywhere.
It dictates to no man as to his beliefs, either religious or secular. It seeks no advantages for its members through business or politics. As a matter of fact, Freemasonry is not a forum for discussions on partisan affairs.
A WAY OF LIFE
Freemasonry is kindness in the home, honesty in business, courtesy in society, fairness in works, pity and concern for the unfortunate, resistance toward evil, help for the weak, forgiveness for the penitent, love for one another and above all, reverence and love for God.
Freemasonry is many things, but most of all, Freemasonry is A Way of Life.