Freemasonry is kindness in the home;
honesty in business; courtesy toward others; dependability in one's work;
compassion for the unfortunate; resistance to evil; help for the weak; concern for
good government; support for public education; and above all, a life-practicing
reverence for God and love of fellow man.
It encourages good
citizenship and political expression but is not a political organization. Its charitable
activities are manifold, yet, it is not a welfare or benefit organization.
Fifty years ago, a prominent Freemason referred to our Gentle Craft as "an
organized association of men, symbolically applying the principles of operative
Masonry and architecture to the science and art of character building."
That observance was true in l937 as it is just as true today.
For the most relevant definition of our Fraternity, it is suggested that you
consider the personal attributes of your Masonic friend who has made this
brochure available to you.
WHERE DID IT START?
The background of today's Masonry is found deep in the time when men built the
cathedrals, abbeys, and castles of medieval Europe. The stonemasons who created
these awe-inspiring Gothic structures formed craft guilds to protect the
secrets of their building trade and to pass on their knowledge to worthy and
deserving apprentices. By the time the need for this type of
"Operative" Mason declined in the Seventeenth Century, the practices
and customs of the operative craft had left such an impression that men who had
no inclination of being operative builders sought membership. These speculative
builders were learned and well-thinking men, men of integrity and good will.
With their admission, "speculative Masonry" evolved. This speculative
Fraternity of Freemasons used the symbols (tools) which the operative Masons
used in Cathedral building as symbols in character building.
The two principal tools were the Square and Compass-which together form the
most familiar Masonic "trademark" in the world to this day. The
letter "G", in the very center of this emblem, reflects the true
Masonic belief that God is the very center of ALL life.
WHAT ARE THE
REQUIREMENTS FOR MEMBERSHIP?
Twenty-two words establish the most important prerequisite to becoming a Mason.
" . . . We receive none, knowingly, into our ranks who are not moral and
upright before God and of good repute before the world . . .
To
Be One . . . .
Ask One!
For information about
petitioning for membership, contact us at the Jackson Masonic Lodge #45.