Freemasonry

1. Freemasonry Information for the Non-Mason

2. Interested in Joining Freemasonry? • You must be a man, at least 18 years old. • You must have resided in the state of Texas for at least one full year. • You must have a belief in a Supreme Being of any faith. (No particular religion or faith is required or excluded; all are welcome.) • You should be someone who does, or wants to learn to, enjoy the company of other men from all different social classes, faiths, backgrounds, races, countries, etc. Masonry is universal in its ideals.

3. Interested in Joining Freemasonry? • You should be coming to Masonry "of your own free will and accord", to learn to improve yourself and to enjoy the company of other good people, not because someone keeps pestering you to join or because you think it will help you "get ahead" in business. • You must be loyal to our country, a law abiding citizen and of good character. • You must ask to join. Many Masons whom you may come in contact with, may think you'd make a good Mason, but they will NOT ask you to join, you must ASK them.

4. Masonry considers that your family obligations come FIRST, so you must be sure that: • You have the time to participate. This is usually two or three evenings per month at first for meetings and instruction and thereafter, we encourage members to attend at least one meeting per month --- more often if you get involved in lodge activities. • You can afford the initiation fees and the annual dues without hardship to yourself or your family.

5. What is Freemasonry? Freemasonry is the oldest, largest Fraternity in the world. It's members have included Kings, Presidents, Prime Ministers, Statesmen, Generals, Admirals, Supreme Court Chief Justices, corporate CEOs, opera stars, movie stars, and probably, your next door neighbor. And Masonry is always ready to welcome good men into the Fraternity. It's ready to welcome YOU, if in your heart you can answer "yes" to a few questions.

6. Do you believe that there is such a thing as honor, and that a man has a responsibility to act with honor in everything he does? Masons teach that principle. We believe that a life not founded on honor is hollow and empty - that a man who acts without honor is less than a man.

7. Do you believe in God? No atheist can be a Mason. Masons do not care what your individual faith is - that is a question between you and your God - but we do require that a man believe in a Supreme Being.

8. Are you willing to allow others the same right to their own beliefs that you insist on yourself? Masonry insists on toleration - on the right of each person to think for himself in religious, social and political matters.

9. Do you believe that you have a responsibility to leave the world a better place than you found it? Masonry teaches that each man has a duty not only to himself but to others. We must do what we can to make the world a better place. Whether that means cleaning up the environment, working on civic projects, or helping children to walk or read or see - the world should be a better place because we have passed through it.

10. Do you believe that it is not only more blessed to give than to receive, but it's also more fun? Masons are involved with the problems and needs of others because we know it gives each of us a good feeling - unlike any other - to help. Much of our help is given anonymously. We're not after gratitude, we're more than rewarded by that feeling which comes from knowing we have helped another person overcome some adversity, so that their life can go on.

11. Are you willing to give help to your Brothers when they need it, and to accept their help when you need it? Masonry is mutual help. Not just financial help (although that's there too) but help in the sense of being there when needed, giving support, lending a sympathetic ear.

12. Do you feel that there's something more to life than just financial success? Masons know that self-development is more precious than money in the bank or social position or political power. Those things often accompany self-development, but they are no substitute for it. Masons work at building their lives and character, just as a carpenter works at building a house.

13. Do you believe that a person should strive to be a good citizen and that we have a moral duty to be true to the country in which we live? Masons believe that a country is strong so long as freedom, equality, and the opportunity for human development is afforded to all. A Mason is true to his government and its ideals. He supports its laws and authority when both are just and equitably applied. We uphold and maintain the principles of good government, and oppose every influence that would divide it in a degrading manner.

14. Do you agree that man should show compassion for others, that goodness of heart is among the most important of human values? Masons do. We believe in a certain reverence for living things, a tenderness toward people who suffer. A loving kindness for our fellow man, and a desire to do right because it is right. Masonry teaches that although all men are fallible and capable of much wrong, when they discover the goodness of heart, they have found the true essence of virtue. Masonry helps men see their potential for deep goodness and virtue.

15. Do you believe that men should strive to live a brotherly life? Masons see brotherhood as a form of wisdom, a sort of bond that holds men together - a private friendship that tells us we owe it to each other to be just in our dealings and to refuse to speak evil of each other. Masons believe a man should maintain an attitude of good will, and promote unity and harmony in his relations with one another, his family, and his community. Masons call this way of life believing in the Brotherhood of Man. It really means that every Mason makes it his duty to follow the golden rule. This is why Masonry has been called one the of greatest forces for good in the world.

16. If You answered "YES", to these questions, you should consider becoming a MASON. Freemasonry offers much to its members - the opportunity to grow, the chance to make a difference, to build a better world for our children. It offers the chance to be with and work with men who have the same values and ideals, men who have answered "YES" to these questions. It's easy to find out more. Just find a Mason and ask him about Masonry.

17. You probably know several Masons. Perhaps you've seen the Square and Compasses on a pin or tie tack or bumper sticker. If you know where the lodge is in your community, stop by or look up the number of your local Masonic lodge in the phone book and ask for the secretary of the lodge. He'll be happy to help you. Have you ever considered becoming a Mason? We'd like a chance to talk with you.

18. WHO ARE THE MASONS? The fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons is the oldest and largest fraternal organization in the world. Many men have wondered just what the Masonic Lodge is all about and what it means to be a member of the Masonic Fraternity. Masonry is an organization of men bound together with a philosophy of moral standards, mutual understanding and a brotherhood in which all men are on a level and equal.

19. HISTORY Freemasonry traces its ancestry to the operative craftsmen, primarily cathedral builders, of the Middle Ages. These men, because of their special knowledge and skills, were permitted special travel privileges from country to country. They developed means of recognition and identification of their work. In the 17th and 18th centuries, as cathedral building came to an end, some of the operative Masonic Lodges accepted into membership men who were not operative craftsmen. Gradually, the Lodges came to be composed entirely of philosophical or speculative Masons. From these groups, Freemasonry of today had its beginnings.

20. GRAND LODGES In the year 1717, four such lodges that had been meeting regularly in London decided to unite in forming a "Grand Lodge" and elect a "Grand Master" as their head. As more Lodges were established in England, they looked to this Grand Lodge for guidance and unity. Thus, over the years, regulations were set up to govern the Craft, a constitution was adopted, and the simple ceremonies of the earlier years were elaborated until finally they became the three steps or degrees of today.

21. MEMBERSHIP Membership is limited to adult males, 18 years of age or older, who are of good character and reputation. A man becomes a Freemason of his own volition. No one is solicited to membership. He must seek admission of his own free will. One seeking admission must have a desire, and ask one whom he knows to be a Mason. He must be recommended by two members of the Masonic Lodge to which he is seeking admission and obtain its unanimous favorable ballot for acceptance.

22. TENETS OF FREEMASONRY The teachings of Freemasonry are based on ethical principals that are acceptable to all good men. Freemasonry teaches understanding and charity for all mankind. It proudly proclaims that it consists of men who are obligated to extend Brotherly Love and Affection to all men everywhere. It dictates to no man as to his beliefs, either religious or secular. It seeks no advantage for its members through business or politics. As a matter of fact, neither religion nor politics may be discussed in the Lodge room. Freemasonry is kindness in the home, honesty in business, courtesy in society, fairness in work, pity and concern for the unfortunate, resistance toward evil, help for the weak, forgiveness for the penitent, love for one another and, above all, reverence and love for God.

23. MASONIC SECRECY Freemasonry is not a secret society. It does not hide its existence nor its membership. There has been no attempt to conceal the purposes, aims and principles of Freemasonry. It is an organization which has as its principal teachings Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth. As is true with other fraternities and organizations there is certain privileged information known only to the members.

24. NOT A RELIGION Freemasonry is not a religion even though it is religious in character. It does not pretend to take the place of religion nor serve as a substitute for the religious beliefs of its members. Members of the Christian and Jewish faiths, as well as Hindus, Zoroasters, Mohammedans and Buddhists have found nothing in Masonry which is incompatible with their own religious beliefs. One essential requirement of an applicant for Freemasonry is a belief in a Supreme Being.

25. WHAT FREEMASONS DO Freemasons meet regularly for the transaction of business, for fellowship and for the discussion of matters of Masonic interest. They are pledged to preserve the moral fiber and quality of life and to act in a spirit of helpfulness toward all mankind. They are taught to make charity and benevolence distinguishing characteristics of their lives. They are encouraged, as individuals, to fulfill the demands of good citizenship.

26. USE OF SYMBOLS To assist in communicating truths and principles, Masons make use of symbols. Masonic ceremonies reach back to the usages of the old "Operative Guilds" of the cathedral builders of the Middle Ages. Many of the tools and implements used by those builders are now employed as symbols to convey moral truth. The Square and Compasses, for instance, are generally recognized as the "trademark" of the Masonic Fraternity.

27. Freemasonry's ceremonies are associated with the Biblical account of the building of King Solomon's Temple at Jerusalem. The Masonic ritual is based on the facts and legends of that famous ancient structure, as presented symbolically. Also, some other Masonic symbols have come down from very ancient times. This means that such symbols portray moral truth, and such representations have been adopted to illustrate Masonic lessons. Masonry makes no claim that its organization existed in those ancient times. Neither does it regard these symbols as having any magic or occult powers. It simply uses symbols to help men to understand and remember.

28. To Be One, Ask One If you, or someone you know, is interested in becoming a Mason. Please contact a person whom you know to be a Mason, or a Masonic Lodge near you. Sam B. Crawford Lodge & Grand Lodge of Texas Chartered , 1967Meets First and Third Tuesdays at 20625 Lodge Road, New Caney, TX 77357Dinner: 6:30 PM, Stated Meeting: 7:30 PMLodge Phone: (281) 689-5511Chartered under the Grand Lodge of Texas