What is at the core of Freemasonry? Beyond the answer of it being a Fraternity of men who meet together monthly, Freemasonry is a system of allegory and symbol arranged in peculiar fashion to convey a unique message. Some condemn Freemasonry by saying is a religion, when it does act to bring a tradition forward like a religion, but in fact practices no particular faith. The uniting idea is a faith in the divine founded in the certitude in something greater than the self. This section delves into these aspects of the fraternity and more as it explores the symbols, tools, organization, and ideas of the Ancient Fraternity of Freemasonry.
1st Degree Tracing Board |
2nd Degree Tracing Board |
3rd Degree Tracing Board |
Laudable Pursuit:
A
21st Century Response to Dwight Smith by The Knights of
the North
Written as a response to the Masonic corpus of the 21st Century, the body of wisdom and message conveyed is relevant and important to every Freemason today. Read with an eye towards the future, the text will speak volumes to the younger members, and should ring a clarion call to all of the membership.
Grand Lodges
A list of Grand Lodges for the U.S. and internationally
Curious Masonic Words
THE SHORT TALK BULLETIN The Masonic Service Association of the United States
VOL. 31 August 1953 NO. 8
Freemasonry has many curiosities, and indeed, many mysteries as yet unsolved. Among the former are several often-misunderstood words with odd or involved meanings...
Memento Mori - Birthday Reflections
Every life, beginning with every birth, is a death foretold. Forgive me for talking about such a morbid subject; death is hardly a topic to be brought up in polite company.
A Brief Compendium of the Family of Freemasonry
Masonry is composed of several layers of membership. At its base are the three degrees of craft or "Blue Lodge" Freemasonry. The fraternity looks to these three degrees as being the highest attainable, as all of the lessons of the fraternity can be found within them.
What does Freemasonry Offer the World?
While Freemasonry in its present form has existed less than 300 years, there have always been associations resembling this great Fraternity. Such groups were formed at various times and in many places because man is fundamentally a social creature; he has an inherent need for friendship, love, and association with others.
Ritual Differences
An experience in Freemasonry usually upsetting to the newly-Raised brother is his first visit to a Lodge in another Jurisdiction than his own. Having carefully been taught a certain ritual, in all probability with positive emphasis upon the necessity of being "letter perfect", he learns with a distinct shock that the ritual in other States differs from his own, and that these differ each from the other.
What is a Freemason?
A Freemason is a man who, in searching for life’s ineffable questions, finds his way into the company of fellow seekers. Comprised of men from every nation, races, social and economic level, all hold similar ideals and beliefs. The uniting idea is a faith in the divine founded in the certitude in an afterlife. This “belief” is grounded by certain landmark tenants and virtues which ultimately lead in exploration of those invisible questions, leading ultimately to the betterment of all mankind.
Oath or Obligation
Few words are more wrongly used, at least in Masonic circles, than oath.
Masonic Manners
Much conduct in lodge is governed by tradition, Custom, and usage, with no force of law to enforce or penalty for infringement. Masonic manners, like those of civilized society, are rooted in the dictum that conduct which makes for the comfort and pleasure of others is good.
Masonic Poetry
A small collection of Masonic Poetry submitted by brothers with an
adept hand at crafting such prose. This is, however, only the start to
a wider
collection of works.
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