About Freemasonry
What is Freemasonry?
Masonry is not a secret society. Its members do not hide their membership. Its Temples or Lodges are well-known to the public, and most Masonic organizations take pride in the appearance of their buildings, making their identity known to all by the Square and Compass emblem on the outside. The ancient Masons who built the old cathedrals of Europe put their Masonic marks upon the stones of those edifices. Modern Masons proudly wears Masonic emblems, representing membership in the ancient and honorable fraternity. In the past two centuries some of the brightest stars in history were members of our Fraternity, and the story of our great American Republic was written largely by patriots who were members of the Craft.
Freemasons in America
George Washington was the first President and first of 15 Masons to serve in that high office. Thirty-one of the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence, 23 of the 39 signers of the Constitution, more than 33 of the Justices of the Supreme Court, and many others comprise the Masonic Roll of Honor. Lafayette and James Monroe both visited Washington's Mother-Lodge at Fredericksburg, Virginia, and this Lodge furnished five other men who became generals in the army with Washington.
General MacArthur said: "Masonry embraces the highest moral laws and will bear the test of any system of ethics or philosophy ever promulgated for the uplift of man. Its requirements are the things that are right, and its restraints are from the things that are wrong. Inculcating doctrines of patriotism and brotherly love, enjoying sentiments of exalted benevolence, encouraging all that is good, kind, and charitable, reprobating all that is cruel and oppressive, its observance will uplift anyone under its influence."
Masonry: Morality and a Way of Life
Masonry has many definitions, all explanatory of its nature. We shall use this: it is a system of morality and a way of life, based on the fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man. Don't be misled by this definition into thinking that Masonry is a religion. It is not a religion and does not offer a plan of personal salvation. Therefore, Masonry cannot take the place of the church. It never has and never will. Yet, it is true and axiomatic that if a Mason practices the lessons taught him, he will be a better man in all respects: a better church member, a better father, a better husband, a better citizen, and a better neighbor.
It is strange, and yet a commentary on human nature, that Masonry has been accused by some detractors as being atheistic; at the same time, others accuse it of being a religion. The first charge evolves from the fact that Masonry teaches religious liberty, will not give preference to any specific religious denomination, and refuses to interfere with a Mason's religious duties. The second charge, that of being a religion, is equally ridiculous. It is true, however, that we often call our buildings "Temples" or "Masonic Temples." It is true that all regular Lodges have altars upon which the Holy Bible is displayed. In countries where the members are not Christians or Jews, the appropriate "Book of the Law" is displayed. It is also a fact that Masonic meetings are always opened and closed with prayer. However, Masonry is not a religion, and any member who states otherwise is mistaken. The presence of the Bible in the courtroom or the offering of prayer at any public gathering does not make churches of those places. There is only one religious test for a man to become a Mason: he must believe in a Supreme Being.