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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.
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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
What Freemasonry Is
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.
Who Freemasons Are
Many
of our nation's early patriots were Freemasons, as well as thirteen signers
of the Constitution and fourteen Presidents of the United States, beginning
with George Washington.
Today, the more than four million Freemasons
around the world come from virtually every occupation and profession. Within
the Fraternity, however, they all meet as equals. They come from diverse
political ideologies, but they meet as friends. They come from virtually
every religious belief, but they all believe in one God.
One of the most fascinating aspects of
Freemasonry has always been: how so many men, from so many different walks of
life, can meet together in peace, never have any political or religious
debates, always conduct their affairs in harmony and friendship, and call
each other "Brother!"
What Freemasons Believe In
All
Freemasons believe in one God and in respect for each other.
What Freemasons Do
Freemasons
are respectable citizens who are taught to conform to the moral laws of
society and to abide by the laws of the government under which they live.
They are men of charity and good works. They remain unchallenged as "the
world's greatest philanthropy!"
The Freemasons of America contribute more than
one million dollars every day
to charitable causes which they, alone, have established. These services to
mankind represent an unparalleled example of the humanitarian commitment and
concern of this unique and honorable Fraternity.
Qualifications
Freemasonry
is proud of its philosophy and practice of "making good men
better." Only individuals believed to be of the finest character are
favorably considered for membership. Every applicant must advocate his belief
in the existence of a Supreme Being (atheists are not accepted into the
Fraternity).
Those Who Seek Membership
Anyone
seeking membership in Freemasonry must ask a Masonic friend to recommend
him. He must sign a Petition, stating his age, occupation and place of
residence. Members of the Lodge vote by secret ballot. To be accepted, the
ballot must be unanimous.
The Masonic Lodge
The
Masonic Lodges usually meet twice a month to conduct regular business and
vote upon Petitions for membership. It is here where the bonds of friendship
and fellowship are strengthened.
The Masonic Degrees
The
Candidate attends three meetings to receive the three Masonic Degrees,
concluding with the Third (or Master Mason) Degree. The Degrees are solemn,
enlightening, and an enjoyable experience with no uncomfortable or embarrassing
moments. It is here where the principles of Freemasonry are taught and where
the new member learns that his family and his own necessary vocations are to
be considered above Freemasonry. Every Master Mason is welcomed as a
"Brother" in any of the thousands of Regular Masonic Lodges
throughout the world.
A Message From The Grand Master
The
words, "Friend to Friend" capture the essence and the spirit of
Freemasonry. Just as the operative masons built the magnificent cathedrals
centuries ago from stone to stone, Freemasonry has been built through the
centuries from friend to friend. Within this unique and honorable Fraternity
there exists a very special bond between men of all walks of life that has
survived the most divisive political, religious and military conflicts in
history.
The principles of Freemasonry consist of the
moral fiber that strengthens a society. To preserve these principles and to
enhance their practice is to make the world a better place. Freemasons do
this as a way of life.
We, as Freemasons, look with pride to
"Centuries Past" and to the positive impact we have made on the
preservation of freedom and good in society. The contributions of the famous
Masons of the past depicted on the above graphic are historic.
We look with confidence "through Centuries
to Come," knowing that the principles of Freemasonry will be as
important for the good society in the future as they are now, and as they
always have been. We know that wherever mankind may go, even into space and
beyond, Freemasons will be there, as was a very courageous lunar astronaut
and Brother Buzz Aldrin, the first Mason to walk on the moon. Brother
Aldrin's patriotism, courage and immeasurable contributions to mankind
distinguish him as one of the most famous heroes of all time, and the most
logical Freemason to symbolically represent "Friend to Friend" and
Freemasonry's hope for the future.
All Freemasons know that when we join hands in
unanimity we generally accomplish our mission. Few Freemasons, however,
because of complacency, know how serious a threat we face due to membership
losses. Analysts predict that, if the present rate of decline continues,
within just 25 years, Freemasonry will have relatively little significance in
society!
If we are to preserve this great Fraternity, we
must join hands now. There are countless numbers of men who are just as
qualified as we are to be Freemasons. Many of them know virtually nothing
about the Masonic Fraternity. That is our fault! That is complacency! To know
about Freemasonry would surely inspire many good men to want to be associated
with it.
The Friend to Friend Program has been carefully
designed to help Freemasons everywhere enlighten their friends about
Freemasonry in the most simple and effective manner. The Friend to Friend
texts online (and the brochure mailed to each Alabama Freemason) enable every
Mason to share our proud heritage while explaining in concise terms who we
are, what we believe in and what we do.
Every Freemason surely knows at least several
non-Masons who would be welcomed into the craft. It is time for each of us to
stop and think about those friends. It is time to think about membership. It
is time to change complacency into active participation. It is time to join
hands and spread the word - from Friend to Friend. If we do this now, if we
do this together, Freemasonry will come alive with a renewed spirit of
friendship, fellowship, brotherly love and camaraderie unprecedented in
modern times. We owe this to the Freemasons of the past and to the good men
who will live in centuries to come.
To be a part of "Friend to Friend" is
to be an important part of Masonic history. Decide today to join with your
Brother Freemasons all across North America and around the world to
"turn the tide" by becoming a true builder of the craft. Please
help in every way you can to demonstrate what good men can do when their
cause is just and laudable - more especially, when those men are Freemasons.
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