Far North Lodge
No. 199 AF&AM
Inuvik, NWT

What Is Freemasonry?

The answer given in the ritual written 250 years ago is "a system of morality, veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols".

A more modern answer to the question given by Grand Lodge is "An ancient, voluntary association of men who believe in high moral and spiritual values, and believe in the betterment of mankind in general".

A more basic answer is a spare time activity - but above all it is fun! Some may join in purely on moral grounds but for the majority it is a pleasant way of joining with friends, having a meeting, a drink, dinner, and making lasting friendships. It is, however, not a club.

Why then are there such misconceptions about Freemasonry? Much of this is our fault because we have not explained ourselves. But much is also the fault of people who judge us as they wish to see us, not as we are.

We do not admit women but equally the Order of Women Freemasons does not admit men. They are quite separate orders with no connection. The reason for the separation is purely historical as is much in masonry.

There are two different theories for the formation of Freemasonry:

The first theory is that operative stonemasons who built the great cathedrals and castles, had Lodges in which they discussed trade affairs. They had simple Initiations for Apprentices and Fellows and, as there were no City and Guilds certificates, dues cards or trade union membership cards, they adopted secret signs and words so that they could demonstrate they were trained masons when they moved from site to site. In the 1600s these operative Lodges began to accept non-operatives as 'gentlemen masons' who gradually changed these lodges into 'free' or 'accepted' Lodges.

The second theory is that the group who formed Freemasonry (in the late 1500s and early 1600s) were a group who were interested in the promotion of religious and political tolerance in an age of great intolerance, when differences of opinion on matters of religion and politics were to lead to bloody civil war. What they were trying to do was to make better men and build a better world. As the means of teaching in those days was by allegory and symbolism they took the idea of building as the central allegory on which to form their system. The main source of allegory was the Bible, the contents of which were known to everyone, described even if they could not read, and the only building described in detail in the Bible was King Solomon's Temple, which became the basis of the ritual. The old trade guilds provided them with their basic administration of a Master, Wardens, Treasurer and Secretary, and the operative mason's tools provided them with a wealth of symbols to moralise upon.

It is quite possible that the origins of Freemasonry, as we know it today, is a mixture of both of these theories. The earliest record of the 'Making of a Mason' was of Elias Ashmole (who founded the Ashmolean Museum) on 16th October 1646. Organised Freemasonry began with the founding of the Grand Lodge of England on 24th June 1717, the first Grand Lodge in the world. Ireland followed in 1725 and Scotland in 1736. All the regular Grand Lodges in the world trace themselves back to one or a combination of the British Grand Lodges.

In 1751 a group of Irish Freemasons in London formed a rival Grand Lodge claiming that the original or premier Grand Lodge had made changes to the ceremonial. This rival Grand Lodge claimed that they were true to the old traditions and called themselves 'Antients' calling the original Grand Lodge 'Moderns'. The 'Antients' Lodges were also known as 'Atholl Lodges', after their first Grand Master, the Duke of Athol.

During the first few years of the nineteenth century the two Grand Lodges were working towards a reconciliation and amalgamation which finally happened in December 1813 when the one United Grand Lodge was convened under H.R.H. The Duke of Sussex as Grand Master.

Freemasonry as a non-religious organisation is rare in that it requires from Candidates a belief in religion. A Candidate must express a belief in a Supreme Being and the ceremonies do contain prayers. But this does not make Freemasonry a religion. Freemasonry offers no sacraments or salvation any more than daily prayers in the House of Commons do. If you want religion you must go to Church or Synagogue or Temple or whatever. Freemasonry will not give you this. What it will do is encourage Freemasons to do better - a better Christian, Jew, Muslim, or whatever one's faith is.

We refer to the Bible as the Volume of the Sacred Law. To the majority of British Freemasons the VSL is the Bible. There are many in Freemasonry, however, who are not Christian and to them the Bible is not their sacred book. They will therefore take their Obligation on the book that is regarded as sacred to their religion. Thus when the VSL is referred to in ceremonies, to a Christian it will always be the Bible and to a non-Christian it will be the holy book of his own religion. It is interesting to note that in Lodge Raffles in Singapore, the Master's pedestal has on it five different VSLs.

Another point is that because Freemasonry embraces all men who believe in a Supreme Being it could cause disharmony if we specifically referred to God, so a number of variations are used such as the Great Architect. The Great Architect is neither a Masonic god nor an attempt to combine all gods into one. To the Christian the Great Architect is the Trinitarian God of his faith, to the Jew, Hindu, Sikh, Moslem etc. the Great Architect is the God of his religion. Using such terms enables men of differing religions to pray together without offence being given to any of them. In order to maintain harmony in the Lodge, one of the basic principles of Freemasonry is that the Lodge shall not discuss religion or
politics. Grand Lodge will not have friendly association with a foreign Grand Lodge if they tolerate such discussion.

The principles of Freemasonry are common to all great religions but Freemasonry does not try to replace religion or be a substitute for it. Every Candidate is exhorted to practice his religion and to regard its Holy Book as the unerring standard of truth. But Freemasonry does not instruct its Members in what their religious beliefs should be. Freemasonry deals in relations between men, religion deals in a man's relationship with his God. Incidentally, we do not say "Amen" at the end of prayers but "So must it be". In fact we use the old English "So mote it be".

For Many Years Freemasons Have Followed Three Great Principles:

'Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth'

Otherwise described as

'Friendship, Compassion and Integrity'.

Brotherly Love:

Every true Freemason will show tolerance and respect for the opinions of others and behave with kindness and understanding to his fellow creatures.

Relief:

Freemasons are taught to practice charity, and to care, not only for their own, but also for the community as a whole, both by charitable giving, and by voluntary efforts and works as individuals.

Truth:

Freemasons strive for truth, requiring high moral standards and aiming to achieve them in their own lives.

Education and Information Officer
Provincial Grand Lodge of Sussex