It is a voluntary association of men, with a system of Moral conduct. It is a way of Life. It is a fraternal society. It teaches the Golden Rule, and it makes good men better men. It teaches morality through symbolism and it uses rites and ceremonies to instruct its members. Masonry is based on a firm belief in the Fatherhood of God, the Brotherhood of Man, and the Immortality of the Soul.
It does not solicit members. It is not an insurance or benefit society, neither is it a religion nor a creed, or a religious order. It is not a charity organization but makes charity a duty. It is not organized for profit, nor does it dictate to no man as to his beliefs, either religious or secular. It seeks no advantages for its members through business or politics. It is not a forum for discussion of religion, politics or other partisan affairs. Last but not least, it is not a secret society, as it does not conceal its existence or purpose.
Freemasonry is the world's oldest and largest
fraternal organization; a multinational brotherhood, with no regard to the
differences in a person's race, color, creed or station in life. Its history
and tradition date to antiquity. Its singular purpose is to make good men
better. It demonstrates its charitable nature through Brotherly Love, Relief
and Truth.
The moral philosophy of Freemasonry is founded upon religious principles.
It is not a religion nor a substitute for one. Candidates for membership
are required to be of good morals and high ethics, professing a belief
in a Supreme Being.
Masons do not solicit members. Rather, they try to exemplify in their
own lives, the teachings of the Craft, hoping others will desire to share
in their Fraternity. Masons are dedicated to serving God, family and country.
When a man asks to join a Masonic Lodge, he enters into an opportunity
for personal development and character building encouraging him to enhance
his community, strengthen his family ties and extend his involvement in
charitable causes. Any Mason will be pleased to discuss the nature and
objects of the Fraternity, explaining how membership involves the family
and community. Freemasonry is always ready to accept worthy men into its
ranks. They only need to ask a member in order to receive a petition for
membership.
While our earliest existing written masonic records date to about the
time Columbus discovered America; the Masonic Fraternity's structure and
moral symbolism are modeled on the guilds, or lodges of stone masons,
who constructed the beautiful churches, temples and cathedrals in Europe
throughout the middle ages. The skills and architectural genius of those
master craftsmen and their commitment to the highest moral and ethical
standards were universally applauded. These 'free' masons traveled freely
from country to country.
About 280 years ago, lodges of masons began to accept certain men of
prominence in society who were neither craftsmen nor stone masons. By
the end of the century these accepted masons had become predominant and
lodges began to emphasize and teach the moral philosophy rather than the
technical and operative aspects of earlier ages. Tools of stone masons
are still used today in the Lodge; but, only to symbolize moral virtues.
In 1717, four Lodges in England met and formed the first Grand Lodge
with a Grand Master as the supreme leader. Freemasonry rapidly spread
worldwide and now has about 150 Grand Lodges with a membership of about
four million.
The first Lodge in New Brunswick was called Hiram Lodge. It was formed
by a group of Loyalist masons in Saint John in 1784. The Rev. John Beardsley,
Past Junior Grand Warden of the Grand Lodge of New York, was its first
Master. Masonry in NB has spread rapidly since that time. By 1867, when
our own Grand Lodge was formed, there were 24 lodges within the province.
Back to NB Masonic Family Main Page
| You
are visitor |