The Principles of Freemasonry
Freemasonry is a fraternal organization dedicated to Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth.
Brotherly Love: How a man chooses to practice his personal religious beliefs is left entirely up to him, but Freemasonry
recognizes the strong bond which unites all people under One Creator. Our members include men from a wide range of
religious backgrounds, but each of them shares a commitment to this important principle.
Relief: Because of our strong bond of Brotherly Love, Masons provide Relief to help those who are in need. This includes
the notion of charity, and Masons provide much assistance to worthy charities, but it also means offering a helping hand, in
other ways, to people that need assistance.
Truth: As Masons, we are committed to being honest and truthful with other people. The Masonic Fraternity teaches a man
to be faithful to his responsibilities to God, his Country, his fellow man, his family and himself. The Masonic principle of
Truth also teaches a man to search for wisdom and understanding. For only in this way can he grow and become a better
person. The pursuit of knowledge is at the very heart of our purpose.
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN ON FREEMASONRY:
Freemasonry has tenets peculiar to itself. They serve as testimonials of character and qualifications, which are only
conferred after due course of instruction and examination. These are of no small value; they speak a universal language,
and act as a passport to the attentions and support of the initiated in all parts of the world. They cannot be lost as long as
memory retains its power. Let the possessor of them be expatriated, shipwrecked or imprisoned, let him be stripped of
everything he has got in the world, still those credentials remain, and are available for use as circumstances require. The
good effects they have produced are established by the most incontestable facts of history. They have stayed the uplifted
hand of the destroyer; they have softened the asperities of the tyrant; they have mitigated the horrors of captivity; they
have subdued the rancor of malevolence; and broken down the barriers of political animosity and sectarian alienation. On
the field of battle, in the solitudes of the uncultivated forest, or in the busy haunts of the crowded city, they have made men
of the most hostile feelings, the most distant regions, and diversified conditions, rush to the aid of each other, and feel a
special joy and satisfaction that they have been able to afford relief to a Brother Mason.
Benjamin Franklin
Freemasonry is a fraternal organization dedicated to Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth.
Brotherly Love: How a man chooses to practice his personal religious beliefs is left entirely up to him, but Freemasonry
recognizes the strong bond which unites all people under One Creator. Our members include men from a wide range of
religious backgrounds, but each of them shares a commitment to this important principle.
Relief: Because of our strong bond of Brotherly Love, Masons provide Relief to help those who are in need. This includes
the notion of charity, and Masons provide much assistance to worthy charities, but it also means offering a helping hand, in
other ways, to people that need assistance.
Truth: As Masons, we are committed to being honest and truthful with other people. The Masonic Fraternity teaches a man
to be faithful to his responsibilities to God, his Country, his fellow man, his family and himself. The Masonic principle of
Truth also teaches a man to search for wisdom and understanding. For only in this way can he grow and become a better
person. The pursuit of knowledge is at the very heart of our purpose.
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN ON FREEMASONRY:
Freemasonry has tenets peculiar to itself. They serve as testimonials of character and qualifications, which are only
conferred after due course of instruction and examination. These are of no small value; they speak a universal language,
and act as a passport to the attentions and support of the initiated in all parts of the world. They cannot be lost as long as
memory retains its power. Let the possessor of them be expatriated, shipwrecked or imprisoned, let him be stripped of
everything he has got in the world, still those credentials remain, and are available for use as circumstances require. The
good effects they have produced are established by the most incontestable facts of history. They have stayed the uplifted
hand of the destroyer; they have softened the asperities of the tyrant; they have mitigated the horrors of captivity; they
have subdued the rancor of malevolence; and broken down the barriers of political animosity and sectarian alienation. On
the field of battle, in the solitudes of the uncultivated forest, or in the busy haunts of the crowded city, they have made men
of the most hostile feelings, the most distant regions, and diversified conditions, rush to the aid of each other, and feel a
special joy and satisfaction that they have been able to afford relief to a Brother Mason.
Benjamin Franklin
How Can We Distinguish a Real Freemason?
"A real Freemason is distinguished from the rest of Mankind by the uniform unrestricted rectitude of his conduct. Other men are
honest in fear of punishment which the law might inflict; they are religious in expectation of being rewarded, or in dread of the
devil in the next world. A Freemason would be just if there were no laws, human or divine except those written in his heart by
the finger of his Creator. In every climate, under every system of religion, he is the same. He kneels before the Universal
Throne of God in gratitude for the blessing he has received and humble solicitation for his future protection. He venerates the
good men of all religions. He gives no offense, because he does not choose to be offended. He contracts no debts which he is
certain he cannot discharge, because he is honest upon principle."
(The Farmers Almanac, 1823--Author Unknown)
"A real Freemason is distinguished from the rest of Mankind by the uniform unrestricted rectitude of his conduct. Other men are
honest in fear of punishment which the law might inflict; they are religious in expectation of being rewarded, or in dread of the
devil in the next world. A Freemason would be just if there were no laws, human or divine except those written in his heart by
the finger of his Creator. In every climate, under every system of religion, he is the same. He kneels before the Universal
Throne of God in gratitude for the blessing he has received and humble solicitation for his future protection. He venerates the
good men of all religions. He gives no offense, because he does not choose to be offended. He contracts no debts which he is
certain he cannot discharge, because he is honest upon principle."
(The Farmers Almanac, 1823--Author Unknown)
The Origins of Freemasonry
Here is the answer from the United Grand
Lodge of England, the oldest Grand Lodge
of Freemasons in the world:
Lodge of England, the oldest Grand Lodge
of Freemasons in the world:
The historical dictionary definition
of "freemason" may help:
of "freemason" may help:
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