What Is Freemasonry?

The Tenents of Freemasonry:

  • Brotherly Love

  • Relief

  • Truth
The Cardinal Virtues of the Freemason:

  • Temperance

  • Fortitude

  • Prudence

  • Justice
Here are some definitions of Freemasonry:

  • "A regular system of morality, veiled in allegory, and illustrated by symbols."

  • "The subjugation of the human that is in man by the divine; the conquest of the appetites and passions by the moral sense and reason; a continual effort, struggle and warfare of the spiritual against the material and sensual."

  • "Freemasonry is the activity of closely united men, who, employing symbolic forms borrowed principally from the mason's trade and from architecture, work for the welfare of mankind, striving morally to ennoble themselves and others, and thereby to bring about a universal league of mankind, which they aspire to exhibit even now on a small scale."

In The Farmers Almanac for 1823 published at Andover, Mass.  the following was printed under the heading, "Character of a Freemason":

The real Freemason is distinguished from the rest of Mankind by the uniform unrestrained rectitude of his conduct.  Other men are honest in fear of punishment which the law might inflect; they are religious in expectation of being rewarded, or in dread of the devil, in the next world.  A Freemason would be just if there were no laws, human or divine except those written in his heart by the finger of his Creator.  In every climate, under every system of religion, he is the same. He kneels before the Universal Throne of God in gratitude for the blessings he has received and humble solicitation for his future protection.  He venerates the good men of all religions.  He disturbs not the religion of others.  He restrains his passions, because they cannot be indulged without injuring his neighbor or himself. He gives no offense, because he does not choose to be offended.  He contracts no debts which he is certain he cannot discharge, because he is honest upon principal.
 

Freemasonry is the world's oldest and largest Fraternity. Its history and tradition date to antiquity. Its singular purpose is to make good men better. Its bonds of friendship, compassion and brotherly love have survived even the most devise political, military and religious conflicts through the centuries. Freemasonry is neither a forum nor a place for worship. Instead, it is a friend of all religions which are based on the belief in one God.
 

A Collage of Some of Our Most Famous Mason Brothers

(left to right)

President and Brother George Washington, Brother Benjamin Franklin, Brother Jose Navarro, Brother William B. Travis,

Brother Sam Houston, Brother Lorenzo de Zavala, Brother Stephen F. Austin, President and Brother Theodore Roosevelt,

Brother Charles Lindbergh, President and Brother Franklin D. Roosevelt, Brother Will Rogers,

President and Brother Harry S. Truman, U.S. General and Brother Douglas S. MacArthur,

Brother and Rev. Norman Vincent Peale, Brother John "Duke" Wayne,

 and Lunar Astronaut and Brother Edwin E. "Buzz" Aldrin. 

This is but a small list of famous Masons.  There are many, many others.  The only requirements to become a member of this prestigious group are to profess faith in God and be willing to make a solemn obligation to adhere to the principles of Masonry.  Masonry does not make a man good, but is designed to make a good man better.  No atheist can be made a Mason.  If you are of good character, have a firm belief in the Supreme Being and the immortality of the soul, all you have to do to be one is ask one.  Masonry is open to all men irrespective of class, religion, race, or national origin.  There are also associated Masonic orgainizations for women and children.  

 

A Painting of Famous Freemasons

(left to right)

King Soloman, George Washington, Benjamin Franklin,

Confederate General Lewis Armistead being aided by Union Captain Henry Bingham,

Franklin D. Roosevelt, Harry S. Truman, Douglas MacArthur, and Buzz Aldrin

 

Copyright © Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania

Designed: Dean E. Vaughn, P.M.  Artist: Frank M. Hummel

 

 

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