What is
Freemasonry
Freemasonry
is the oldest and largest worldwide fraternity dedicated to the
Brotherhood of Man under the Fatherhood of a Supreme being. Although of a
religious nature, Freemasonry is not a religion. It urges its members,
however, to be faithful and devoted to their own religious beliefs. The
organization of Freemasonry is based on a system of Grand Lodges, each
sovereign within its own territory. There is no central authority
governing all Grand Lodges. However. To be acknowledged by others,
acceptable traditions, standards and practices must be maintained. In our
Province the governing body is called the
Grand Lodge of Canada in the
Province of Ontario.
It is under the leadership of a Grand master ( M. W. Bro. Terence Shand ).
He presides over the 80,000 masons who belong to one or more of the 648
Lodges in our jurisdiction. Each of these Lodges is under the direction of
a Master.
WHAT IT DOES
As a fraternity, Freemasonry
provides an opportunity for men to meet and enjoy friendly companionship.
In the spirit of helpfulness and brotherly love and guided by strict moral
principals it encourages goodwill towards all mankind. Freemasonry is of a
personal nature in its private ceremonies. Its ritual dramatizes a
philosophy of life based on morality. It promotes self-improvement. The
tools of operative Masons are used to symbolize and teach the basic
principles of brotherly love, charity and truth which Masons are
encouraged to practice in their daily lives. Charity is tangible way in
which Masons help those whose circumstances in life fairly warrant it. The
fraternity does not conceal its existence, purpose, aims or principles.
Masonic halls bearing the Lodge name and emblem are familiar sights in
towns and cities throughout Ontario. Many members proudly wear masonic
insignia or rings and pins.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
Our traditions can be traced directly to the
associations of operative masons. They were men of outstanding character
and high ideals, who built the cathedrals, abbeys and castles of the
Middle Ages. With the decline of cathedral buildings in the
17th
Century, many guilds of stonemasons,
called "Operative" masons, started to accept into their membership those
who were not members of the masons' craft and called them "Speculative" or
"Accepted" masons. It was in these groups called lodges, comprised mainly
of "Accepted" masons that Freemasonry, as we know it today, has its
beginning. In 1717, four such lodges, which had been meeting regularly in
London, united to form the first Grand Lodge of England under the
direction of a grand master. From that first Grand Lodge, Freemasonry has
spread throughout the world. Today, some 150 Grand Lodges have a total
membership of approximately four million masons.
MEMBERSHIP
One of Freemasonry's customs is not to solicit
members. However, anyone should feel free to approach any Mason to seek
further
information about the craft. Membership
is for men, 21 years of age or older, who meet the qualifications and
standards of character and reputation, who are of good moral character,
and who believe in the existence of a Supreme Being. A man who wants to
join a lodge must be recommended by two members of that lodge. He must
understand that his character will be investigated. After approval by the
members of that lodge, he will be accepted as an applicant for membership
in Freemasonry. The doors of Freemasonry are open to men who seek harmony
with their fellow man, feel the need for self-improvement and wish to
participate in making this world a better place in which to live. Any man
who becomes a mason is taught a pattern for living - reverence, mortality,
kindness, honesty, dependability and compassion. He must be prepared to
honour his country, uphold its laws and respect those in authority. He
must be prepared to maintain honourable relations with others and be
willing to share in masonic activities.
