The first two below are booklets are published by the Grand Lodge of Scotland
Scottish Freemasonry - An Introduction
Aims and Relationships of the Craft
Freemasonry -
An Introduction
What is Freemasonry?
A simple, but accurate, description is that Freemasonry is two things:
A Way of Life and a Moral Education.
A Way of Life
There are now about 4 million Freemasons under more than 100 "regular" Grand Lodges worldwide. Membership of the Craft is open to every respectable man who believes in his personal Supreme Being - usually known in Masonic terms as the Great Architect of the Universe, Grand Geometrician of the Universe or the Most High. These descriptive names show the importance the Freemason places on his Supreme Being in the order of things in life.
Principles
Three great but simple principles, Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth, unite Freemasons of every colour and many creeds. Non-Freemasons often unfairly criticize not knowing that members of the Craft are guided by such honourable objectives. The good Freemason builds these principles into his daily life as a law abiding Man and Citizen of the world.
BROTHERLY LOVE is the concern which each Freemason has for his Brother, which is readily shown by tolerance and respect for the beliefs, opinions and practices of his fellows and his willingness to care for his Brother and that Brother's dependants.
RELIEF the Freemason is by nature and teaching a charitable man. He will cheerfully and kindly assist those less fortunate (whether Freemasons or not!). He will care for and support his community - local, national and international.
TRUTH the Freemason believes in Truth in all things in honesty and integrity in his personal, business and public life, in fair dealings and in firm standards of decency and morality.
An Education
As every Man progresses in Life by education so every Freemason is taught how he can be a better Man. This is done by a series of degrees - each degree educates him and answers some questions but leaves a door beyond. When a candidate has grasped the teaching of one degree, the door is opened by his progress to the next degree. Freemasonry is believed to have begun its evolution 500 or more years ago among the bands of working, skilled builders know as "masons". The traditional framework into which most Masonic degrees are woven is the story and symbolism of King Solomon's Temple. The connection of Masonic teachings to the building of that great edifice comprises a system of education related to the traditional craft of masons and interesting to the candidate - and therefore more likely to be effective in his development.
Freemasonry and Religion
A man's religion is precious and personal to him. Discussion on matters of religion often causes arguments and many wars have been fought ostensibly to impose or defend one religion against another. As he loves all his fellows, understandably Religion is a topic which the Freemason, in that capacity, is just not allowed to discuss - nor would he want to.
Freemasonry is most certainly not a Religion. It has no "Masonic" God. When Freemasons pray together, as they do in their Lodges, each is addressing his personal Supreme Being. So Freemasons of many creeds can in love and fellowship meet and pray together, irrespective or their individual religions. The Holy Book (known as the Volume of the Sacred Law) of each religion represented in the Lodge is open during meetings. It is common for 5 or 6 different V.S.L.'s to lie open during Lodge meetings abroad.
Freemasonry and Politics
For much the same reasons as above the discussion of political matters among Freemasons is absolutely prohibited. A man's politics are his own concern and the Craft, being completely non-political, will never interfere in the world of Politics nor will the Grand Lodge of Scotland express any views on political ideology or theories.
Freemasonry and Secrecy
It is wrongly stated that Freemasonry is a Secret Society. There are many thousands of books on Freemasonry openly available in libraries everywhere. The Masonic Temple is usually a fairly conspicuous building in most communities. In Scotland many Lodges advertise and publish details of their meetings in the local press. The Museum and Library of the Grand Lodge of Scotland are open to - and used by - members of the public, who are not Freemasons. Are these the hallmarks of a Secret Society?
The truth is that the principles and many of the practices of Freemasonry are anything but secret. Members are perfectly free to make it known that they are Freemasons. The only Masonic "secrets" are just those methods which members of various degrees throughout the world use to recognise and greet each other. It's as simple as that!
Summary
Freemasonry is an ancient and honourable Society. Its principles are just steady standards of life and conduct in a changing world. The practice by the Freemason of Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth and the other principles of the Craft will go along way to making a good man better.
The Grand Lodge of Scotland
Scotland has the oldest Lodges in the world and has many lodges at home and abroad. In Scotland, Grand Lodge has arranged its lodges in Provinces; abroad they are arranged in Districts. The Grand Lodge of Scotland is one of the oldest in the world and works in harmony with all other "regular" Grand Lodges - i.e. those whose members follow the same basic principles and practices as the Scottish Freemason.
What
is Freemasonry?
There
have been a great number of definitions of Freemasonry. Perhaps the best, and
certainly the simplest, is “Freemasonry is a system of morality, veiled in
allegory and illustrated by symbols”. The idea of teaching by allegories and
symbols is not new. All great teachers have, more or less, followed this method.
The
system of morality to which we have referred as Freemasonry is that which every
Freemason is bound to profess and practise. If it includes principles with which
he was familiar before his entrance into Freemasonry, he will nevertheless find
these presented in new ways and in forms different from those with which he was
previously familiar. If he finds in Masonic teachings nothing startlingly new,
he must remember that, in some respects at least, there is “nothing new under
the sun” and that the essence of morality is to be found in the utter
simplicity
(though not the ease) of its requirements.
The
elementary principles of Freemasonry are exemplified in the three degrees worked
in every regular Masonic Lodge throughout the world. Nearly every community of
any size in the British Isles has one or more Masonic Lodges in it. The same is
true in many other parts of the world, notably in the English-speaking
countries.
Each
Lodge has its own Office-bearers, headed by a Master; its own Committees and, in
some cases, its own property. On the other hand, each Lodge is subject to the
authority of the Grand Lodge of the Country or State under which it holds its
Charter. The three British Grand Lodges have also many Lodges in countries
overseas -
particularly in countries of the
Commonwealth, and many of the Commonwealth countries have Grand Lodges of their
own. In becoming a member of a Lodge under the Scottish Constitution you become
subject not only to the general customs and usages of the Craft, but also to the
Laws and Regulations of the Grand Lodge of Scotland, as well as to the Bye-Laws
of the particular Lodge which you join. However, Freemasonry will never require
of you anything which might conflict with your duty to God, to your Country, to
your neighbour or to your family.
In
your progress through Freemasonry, which may well take many weeks or even
months, you will be “initiated” as an Entered Apprentice; “passed” as a
Fellow Craft and “raised” as a Master Mason.
WHAT
FREEMASONRY IS NOT
So
that you may not have a mistaken idea of what Freemasonry is, it may be well to
point out some of the things which Freemasonry is NOT, and which it has never
claimed to be.
1.
Freemasonry is NOT
a religion
nor a substitute for religion. It has a philosophy of its own which it believes
to be compatible with the teachings of the Church and other similar religious
institutions. The teachings of Freemasonry transcend all denominational and
sectarian divisions. In the field of human conduct it is complementary to
religion, but religious topics may not be discussed in any Lodge.
2.
Contrary to the opinion held by many, Freemasonry is not a charitable
institution, as such. It is true that one of the fundamental principles of
Freemasonry
is the practice of relief, and a Freemason will necessarily minister to the
“widows and fatherless in their affliction”. But these and other similar
modes of conduct must proceed from that “purity of life and conduct” which
is one of the great objectives of all Masonic teachings.
3.
Freemasonry does not insure its members against the vicissitudes of old
age; provides no sick benefits as such; issues no insurance policies on the
lives of its members and pays no death benefits of any kind. Not that
Freemasonry disbelieves in these and other means by which modern civilisation
undertakes to reduce suffering and privation quite the contrary. But it confines
the matter of individual relief to those cases where such relief becomes
necessary, in spite of all the efforts of a Brother or his family to maintain
their economic independence. Your part in this work is far more likely to be
that of a contributor than a beneficiary, except in the larger sense, in which
every man benefits from the fact that “it is more blessed to give than to
receive”.
4.
Freemasonry does not lend itself to the promoting of selfish or mercenary
interests. Any underlying purpose of such a nature in your mind will
eventually become apparent to your Brethren and you will inevitably suffer the
loss of their respect. A Freemason may support any good cause that he will, but
he may not persuade or try to persuade his Lodge to lend their support to his
chosen charitable work.
5.
Freemasonry
is not connected in any way with a political creed. A Freemason’s political
views are his own and a Lodge may well have members belonging to many different
political parties. For that reason, no discussion of political matters is
permitted in a Lodge. A Brother may not seek to persuade his Brethren in Lodge
to adopt this or that view in matters of government -local, national or
international.
WHO
MAY BECOME A FREEMASON?
Not
every man can fulfil the requirements that Freemasonry asks of her aspirants.
The primary requirement is, of course, moral character. One whose reputation in
the Community is in any way questionable cannot expect to become a Mason. But
there are other requirements which the petitioner must have, such as:
He
must be a believer in God, The Supreme Being.
He
must be a loyal citizen, willing to discharge his duties to God, to his
neighbour and to himself.
He
must be at least twenty-one years of age (unless his father is or was a
Freemason when the age of admission may be reduced, at the discretion of the
Lodge, to eighteen).
He
must be in such financial circumstances that he can maintain himself as a Member
of his Lodge, meeting the monetary obligations imposed by being a member,
without detriment to his family or himself.
You,
as a potential Freemason, and like Masons in all ages before you, must come of
your own accord to knock at the door of the Craft. Two Brethren must recommend
you; indeed they must do more - they will have to vouch for your character and
the sincerity of your motives. In a very real sense they are your Masonic
sponsors. You, for your part, have the responsibility of seeing that they and
others who have accepted their assurances will not be disappointed.
WHAT
FREEMASONRY EXPECTS OF YOU
The
privileges of Freemasonry are no greater than the responsibilities of its
members. Your obligations will not conflict with those you have already assumed
by virtue of your membership in modem society. On the contrary, Freemasonry
reiterates, reinforces and re-emphasises them.
Thus,
in asking Freemasonry to share with you its past, its present and its future and
all the privileges of its Brotherhood, you must bear in mind the fact that the
relationship is a reciprocal one and that certain things are expected of you.
Remember always :--
The
calling of a Freemason is a high one and you should never suffer yourself to
depart from it.
Loyalty
to home, to country and to the Craft is expected of you at all times.
Patriotism
is a bounden duty and you must not countenance disloyalty or rebellion.
That
Freemasonry recognises that all men, whether Masons or not, are Brothers by
birth, endowed with the same nature, and sharing the same hopes.
That
Freemasonry champions the cause of the widow, the fatherless, the weak,
and the distressed.
That
the time-honoured virtues cherished by our forefathers are still to be observed
among Masons and that humility, patience, charity and gentleness are among the
hallmarks of purity and integrity of character.
THE
LODGE
The
Lodge to which you have applied for admittance is one of the working
units which form the Grand Lodge of Scotland and also of the Craft
as a world-wide institution.
It
dispenses charity, encourages and contributes, through its members, to the moral
and spiritual uplift of the community in which it is located. Thus your
Lodge deserves your loyal co-operation in all its activities. There is always
work for the new member and his punctual and regular attendance at its meetings
is one of his first duties. Through these means, as well as through a
study of Masonic
While
each Lodge is, as has already been said, an integral part of the Grand
Lodge of Scotland, it is
In
your Masonic career you should take advantage of opportunities of rendering
such service as you can, though never in a forward, aggressive or unseemly
manner. Visit other Lodges whenever possible, always being ready and prepared to
prove your identity as a Mason in whatever degree you may have reached. In these
ways not only will you enable Freemasonry to mean much to you but you will
broaden your Masonic experience and fit yourself to make a real contribution
to the Craft, of which you should form a vital part.
THE
GRAND LODGE OF SCOTLAND
The
Grand Lodge of Scotland was formed in the year 1736 by some thirty-three
Lodges then working in Scotland. Some of these thirty-three Lodges were
old at that time - at least three of them were at work in 1598. There are now
over one thousand Lodges on the Roll of the Grand Lodge of Scotland
and nearly as many which used to be under the Grand Lodge of Scotland now
form part of other Grand Lodges all over the world.
The
Grand Lodge of Scotland is composed of the Grand Master Mason, its
Office-bearers and the Master and Wardens of every Lodge under its
authority. It is the supreme Masonic authority, legislative, executive and
judicial within Scotland and has exclusive jurisdiction over the degrees of Entered
Apprentice, Fellow Craft (including the Mark) and Master Mason.
The
presiding Officer in our Grand Lodge is the Grand Master Mason. He is assisted
by Grand Wardens and other Grand Office-bearers. Like every Lodge, Grand Lodge
has its Committees and Benevolent Funds. The day-to-day administration of Grand
Lodge is carried out by the Grand Secretary and his staff. The headquarters of
Grand Lodge are in Edinburgh, and four Meetings (called Quarterly
Communications) are held every year. While only members of Grand Lodge can speak
or vote at a meeting, visitors are always welcome and once you have been
admitted to the degree of Master Mason you will be free to attend Grand Lodge as
a Visitor.
PROVINCIAL
AND DISTRICT GRAND LODGES
Grand
Lodge delegates certain powers to Provincial and District Grand Lodges. Fuller
details
CONCLUSION
As
you progress in your Lodge you will find that there are many more things for you
to learn; these
Aims and Relationships of the Craft
This Statement, approved by Grand Lodge on 4th August 1949, is required to be read aloud at the Annual Installation Meeting of every Lodge holding of the Grand Lodge of Scotland.
In
August 1938 the Grand Lodges of England, Ireland and Scotland each agreed upon
and issued a statement identical in terms except that the name of the issuing
Grand Lodge appeared throughout. This statement, which was entitled "Aims
and Relationships of the Craft", was in the following terms:-
From time to
time the Grand Lodge of Scotland has deemed it desirable to set forth in
precise form the aims of Freemasonry as consistently practised under its
jurisdiction since it came into being as an organised body in 1736, and also
to define the principles governing its relations with those other Grand
Lodges with which it is in fraternal accord.
In view of
representations which have been received, and of statements recently issued
which have distorted or obscured the true objects of Freemasonry, it is once
again considered necessary to emphasise certain fundamental principles of
the Order.
The first
condition of admission into, and membership of, the Order is a belief in the
Supreme Being. This is essential and admits of no compromise.
The Bible,
referred to by Freemasons as the Volume of the Sacred Law, is always open in
the Lodges. Every candidate is required to take his obligation on that Book,
or on the Volume which is held by his particular Creed to impart sanctity to
an oath or promise taken upon it.
Everyone who
enters Freemasonry is, at the outset, strictly forbidden to countenance any
act which may have a tendency to subvert the peace and good order of
society, he must pay due obedience to the law of any state in which he
resides or which may afford him protection, and he must never be remiss in
the allegiance due to the Sovereign of his native land.
While
Scottish Freemasonry inculcates in each of its members the duties of loyalty
and citizenship, it reserves to the individual the right to hold his own
opinion with regard to public affairs. But neither in any Lodge nor at any
time in his capacity as a Freemason is he permitted to discuss or to advance
his views on theological or political questions.
The Grand
Lodge has a1ways consistently refused to express any opinion on questions of
foreign or domestic state policy either at home or abroad, and it will not
allow its name to be associated with an action however humanitarian it may
appear to be, which infringes its unalterable policy of standing aloof from
every question affecting the relations between one Government and another,
or between political parties, or questions as to rival theories of
Government.
The Grand
Lodge is aware that there do exist bodies styling themselves Freemasons,
which do not adhere to these principles, and while that attitude exists the
Grand Lodge of Scotland refuses absolutely to have any relations with such
bodies or to regard them as Freemasons.
The Grand
Lodge of Scotland is a sovereign and independent body practising Freemasonry
only within the three Degrees and only within the limits defined in its
Constitution. It does not recognise or admit the existence of any superior
Masonic authority however styled.
On more than
one occasion the Grand Lodge has refused, and it will continue to refuse, to
participate in conferences with so-called International Associations
claiming to represent Freemasonry, which admit to membership bodies failing
to conform strictly to the principles upon which the Grand Lodge of Scotland
is founded. The Grand Lodge does not admit any such claim, nor can its views
be represented by any such Association.
There is no secret with regard to any of the basic principles of Freemasonry, some of which have been stated above. The Grand Lodge will always consider the recognition of those Grand Lodges which profess and practise and can show that they have consistently professed and practised, those established and unaltered principles, but in no circumstances will it enter into discussion with a view to any new or varied interpretation of them. They must be accepted and practised wholeheartedly and in their entirety by those who desire to be recognised as Freemasons by the Grand Lodge of Scotland.
To become a Freemason you must:
Be a man of at least 21 years of age, or if the son of a Master Mason (in Good
Standing) 18 years
Be of good moral character
Have a personal belief in a Supreme Being (the definition of a Supreme Being is a personal matter for each individual)
Decide to become a Mason of "your own free will and accord" without expectation of any material gain or benefits
Be loyal to your country
Be dedicated to providing for your own family
Have a sincere determination to conduct yourself in a manner that will earn the respect and trust of others
Possess a desire to
help others through community service and universal benevolence
TO PURSUE YOUR
INTEREST IN BECOMING A MEMBER follow these steps:
Talk with someone
you know who is a Freemason, remember Masons do not solicit for members. You'll
need to express your personal interest in joining Freemasonry, 2BE1ASK1.
If you know a Freemason, simply ask him about joining, knowing a Mason can
simplify your application for membership (from your perspective) in as much as
you require two members (Master Masons) of the Lodge you wish to join, one to
propose and one to second your application, and please remember that your
proposer and seconder are not simply putting their names to your application,
they are vouching for your good character and motives.
If you do not know
anyone who is a Mason, all is certainly not lost, but it may well take longer as
the Members of the Lodge you are interested in joining must, by necessity, be
given the opportunity to get to know you and be able to gauge your character and
motives. Contact a Lodge in your neighbourhood, they will usually be found in a
local newspaper, advertising meetings, failing this, contact the Grand Lodge of
Scotland at www.grandlodgeofscotland.com
they will be able to direct you and give contact information for Lodges in your
area. Once you make contact with a Lodge, you may be invited to meet with the
Lodge Committee or selected Members to discuss your application and to answer
your questions. You may also be invited to some of our social functions so that
we can get to know you and be able to gauge your character, as being someone
wishing to become a member of our Order .
Subject to you being
considered eligible and properly motivated and also having two Master Masons,
willing to propose and second your application, you will be asked to complete an
application for membership and return it to your local Lodge Secretary
Your application will be read out at a regular Lodge Meeting and after a
prescribed period of time, a committee of enquiry will convene, to which you,
your proposer and seconder will be invited to attend, to answer any relevant
questions the Members of the committee will put to you and also to give you the
chance to ask questions of them. If this committee of enquiry is satisfied, they
will then present their report to a regular Meeting of the Lodge. and if the
report is favourable, a date will be set for a ballot, which must be advertised
and in which all qualified Members would be entitled to vote on your suitability
as a member of our Order. You would then be notified of the result of the ballot
and if found clear, you would also then, in due course, be invited to attend a
regular Lodge Meeting for your Initiation Ceremony into membership of our
Masonic Fraternity.