GETTING TO KNOW ABOUT FREEMASONRY
Foreword
To many non-masons the mention of ‘The Freemasons’ conjures up a certain amount of mystery and curiosity as to what it is all about and why are so many people part of it. For the non-mason to find out more about what it stands for what it does, why is it popular amongst all classes of the population (even including Royalty); the moral lessons and the rituals performed is a somewhat difficult task for him to undertake. Much has been written about masonry and its activities, but for the non-mason, where does he start? Usually, he makes contact with a friend who is known to be a mason, who will then assist him to start his journey into Freemasonry. But even that friend or a future proposer and seconder may find it difficult to give a full explanation of what is needed to be known. The purpose of this introduction, is to give the interested non-mason, a “one stop” source of information, to enable him to better understand the qualification and commitment needed for his future Masonic journey, therefore hopefully ensuring that he will be better informed to decide whether or not he wishes to join the fraternity. The subject manner contained here is derived from many sources, from the United Grand Lodge of England (Grand Lodge), to the many publications and websites which abound these days.
An Introduction To Freemasonry
Freemasonry is one of the world’s oldest secular fraternal societies.
Its members develop moral and spiritual values by a series of ritual dramas, which follow ancient forms and use stonemasons tools and practices as symbolic and allegorical guides. Its members believe that these values represent a way of enabling Freemasons to make a better contribution to the ethics and welfare of the community.
Freemasonry therefore, offers intellectual and social challenges. It brings people together and creates lasting friendships among those who might otherwise have remained apart. Its key focus is charity, which enables it to care for its own, as well as for the wider community.
Freemasonry demands a respect for the law of any country in which its members live and work.
In ordinary conversation there is very little about Freemasonry which may not be discussed. Freemasonry extends across the world. A mason can be a member of more than one lodge, in more than one country. Every member has the opportunity to take office in his Lodge and become its Master.
English Freemasonry’s home is at Freemasons Hall (United Grand Lodge of England- UGLE) in London. The library, museum and permanent exhibition are all open to the public and receive about 50,000 visitors annually. More information on the Grand Lodge website; www.ugle.org.uk
Lodges generally meet five or six times a year, some more, some less. Most meet on a weekday evening but some are held during the day. A lodge meeting is usually followed by a formal lunch or dinner.
At meetings, members of the fraternity call each other ‘brother’. The title of ‘Worshipful Brother’ denotes that a member has been the Master of a lodge. The title ‘Grand’ denotes an officer of Grand Lodge or Provincial Grand Lodge.
An important aspect of Freemasonry is its support for Charities – both Masonic and non-Masonic. The annual sum raised is about £25m. Charitable giving operates at three levels;
• From individual Lodges;
• At Provincial level, where Hampshire has established a special fund to support local charities;
• At national level operated by Grand Lodge.
Masonic funds are generated by masons alone. Freemasonry does not raise money by public appeal and only a small proportion comes from fund raising activities.
The current Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of England is his Royal Highness the Duke of Kent.
There are about 300,000 Freemasons in England who belong to one or more of nearly 8000 lodges