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IS FREEMASONRY?
What is Freemasonry?
There is every possibility that you may have come into possession of information about Freemasonry from a variety of sources, some of which might not be too well-informed, and which is at best erroneous; this may have left you with misconceptions which must be corrected at once.
- Freemasonry IS NOT a religion, and no member should consider it as such.
Religion can exist without Freemasonry, but Freemasonry cannot exist without religion. It is, however, so far relative to religion as to put its members under an obligation to pay homage and respect to their own God as the Creator and Preserver of the universe. It belongs to no particular religion, but accepts all the Great Truths of each. As it is unsectarian in principle, it embraces amongst its millions of members men of nearly every religion, sect, denomination and opinion, reserving to each and every one the right to his own religious faith.
- Freemasonry IS NOT an Insurance Society.
No man should seek admission into Freemasonry with the idea of making provision against adversity or misfortune. Some might seek admission to ensure provision for their family in case of their own premature decease, but such ideas are foreign to the doctrines of the Fraternity and alien to its best interests. To make provision for sickness, misfortune and old age is the duty of all men, but it should be done in other ways, and should never be the reason for a man seeking admission into Freemasonry. In short, a candidate’s intentions should never be mercenary; he should approach it from a higher plane.
- Freemasonry IS NOT a reformatory institution.
Freemasonry requires that its candidates should be men of honour, integrity, and of good report. It has no room for the outcasts of society, and no message to give them. Men broken in character, battered and bruised in life, must look elsewhere and not to Freemasonry for those regenerating forces which can create life anew. Such men need help, and must be helped, but Freemasonry does not assume to provide or create the opportunity for such needful restorations.
- Freemasonry IS NOT a political society, for Freemasonry recognises no form of politics.
It encourages its members to be loyal to their country of origin, to be obedient to its laws, and cheerfully to submit to the Government under which they reside. In our constitution, the discussion of political issues is strictly forbidden at any of our Lodge meetings. It is very gratifying to know that in every Lodge there are members whose political opinions are poles apart, but in their fraternal relations, one could not detect any difference of political opinion. It is the predominantly moral and religious aspects of Freemasonry, and the absence of the political, which gives Freemasonry its strength and ensures its stability and permanence.
- Freemasonry IS NOT a charitable institution, but charity is a virtue which the Fraternity never fails to encourage and instil.
When sorrow strikes the heart and human ties are severed one by one, it is wonderful how Freemasonry steps in and expresses charity in terms of tender regard for a member’s welfare, or that of his surviving family, and making the future care and welfare of the distressed the responsibility of the present survivors. Whilst Freemasonry was not established as a charitable institution, the cry of distress from any quarter does not pass unheeded.
Those points set out very briefly what Freemasonry IS NOT; what then IS Freemasonry?
Freemasonry requires a man to conquer his passions; to work so as to merit the regard and respect of his fellow members; to be obedient to the laws and regulations which govern us; to be a good son, a good husband, a good father, a faithful and discreet friend, a generous and obliging citizen; to conduct himself at all times with decency; to be humble and modest, sober and temperate; to do kindly acts; to see in all men the elements of goodness; to help others when in need, to instruct them when in ignorance, and to edify them by an example of good conduct; in short, to avoid all that can tend to engender disapproval from others, and to do all that can render himself useful to, and an ornament of, society in general.
Where is the man who, thoroughly penetrated with these ideals and conscious of the moral advantages of a virtuous life, would not feel himself highly honoured to become a member of Freemasonry?
TO ANYONE SEEKING ADMISSION INTO FREEMASONRY
You would be seeking admission into a very ancient and honourable Fraternity, and to ensure that only worthy and qualified men are admitted, the strictest precautions have to be taken.
In the first place it will be necessary for you to find two members of a Lodge who will sponsor your application. Great responsibility rests on these two members, for they must not only be in the position to satisfy their fellow members that your character, in all its aspects, reaches the very high standard insisted upon for membership of Freemasonry, but also to help, guide and advise you, especially in the early years of your membership.
To be able to vouch for your suitability, they must have known you for a reasonable length of time and have observed your general conduct and demeanour. They must also be conversant with your home life, which is of great importance, for unless a man is happy in his home life, he is unlikely to be happy in Freemasonry. To be able to do this you must be frank and truthful with your sponsors, and they will reciprocate by answering any reasonable questions you might ask to satisfy yourself that, if your application to join is successful, you will indeed find happiness and friendship in our company.
There are several essential requirements necessary before your application can be considered. Give these matters your serious consideration and, if necessary, you can seek further enlightenment from your sponsors:
- Do you honestly and sincerely believe in the existence of a Supreme Being, whom in English speaking Lodges we recognise as God, the Creator and Preserver of the Universe?
- Have you consulted with your wife/partner, and is she in complete agreement with you joining Freemasonry?
- Are you both agreed that your membership will not be detrimental to your family life, bearing in mind the financial aspects of a joining fee, annual subscriptions, and donations to charity, and the commitment of time?
- Are you willing to reserve as far as possible every Tuesday evening, excluding in the month of August, for our meetings.
- Have you made a previous application to join a Masonic Lodge? If so, when and where?
If you decide to apply to join us, your sponsors will arrange for you to attend an interview when any questions you may have will be answered as far as possible, and when we will satisfy ourselves that your joining would be appropriate. An application form is then completed by you and your sponsors and submitted to your chosen Lodge, after which it may take some months before you are actually admitted.