As in any association, there is a certain amount of administrative procedure - minutes of last meeting, proposing and balloting for new Members, discussing and voting on financial matters, election of Officers, news and correspondence.

Then there are the ceremonies for making new masons and the annual Installation of the Master and appointment of Officers. Each of the three ceremonies of making a new Mason involve dramatic instruction in the principles and lessons taught in the Craft, followed by a lecture or a charge in which the Candidate's various duties are spelled out. The method of teaching is by a series of short plays based on ancient stories and stonemasons customs.

To mention but one aspect of the making of a Mason, Freemasonry is very much about Charity. The Candidate therefore in the story comes into the Lodge as a poor man in rags. In the last century the Candidate did actually change into a suit of rags. Now it is symbolised by rolling up one sleeve and one trouser leg. Taken out of context this could appear humiliating or silly but it has a genuine and sincere purpose. It does not matter who the Candidate is or how important - Prince or pauper, rich man or poor man - each must go through the same ritual. No matter what the differences outside masonry, inside everyone is equal and everyone must pass through the same historic ceremony that has remained essentially the same for hundreds of years. The ritual is a shared experience that binds the members together. Its use of drama, allegory and symbolism impresses the principles and teachings more firmly in the mind of each Candidate than if they were simply passed on to him in matter-of-fact modern language.

After the Ceremony is completed, more administrative matters may take place before the meeting comes to a close.

It is customary after a meeting to have 'Festive Board' which, although a continuation of the meeting, is a relaxed meal among friends. Formal toasts are made to the Queen, the Craft, distinguished Brethren, and to the Worshipful Master and Officers of the Lodge. A collection and raffle are common, with proceeds going to Lodge charities.

 

 

The ceremonies during which the different modes of recognition are given teach how we should behave to each other and the world at large. Masonry teaches its members that their first duty is to their families and its connections, that they should be honest, friendly, and proper in their conduct to everyone. They are urged to be good citizens, obey the law, and maintain the good order of society. Members who fail to live up to those high standards may in appropriate cases be asked to resign or be expelled.

Freemasonry is a multicultural organisation. Members of all races are welcome to join. Members of all faiths are welcome. It requires of its members that they should believe in a deity and no man can become a mason unless he does so. He will be required to take certain obligations with his hand upon his religion's sacred book. Freemasonry does not concern itself which religion a member follows, but urges a member to follow its teachings. It is a requirement that topics of religion should not be discussed in Lodge nor should politics. English Freemasons do not associate with some foreign Masonic organisations which permit such discussions in a Lodge.

Freemasonry is not a benefit society. It offers no pecuniary advantage or reward, nor does it require its members to support one another in business or employment. The organisation does have charities for those Freemasons and their families who were once self supporting, but now through misfortune are unable to do so. It also has a Charity which supports other charitable causes unconnected with its membership. Money paid to these charities are from private donations from its members. Freemasonry does not solicit donations from members of the public.

No one should join Freemasonry unless he can afford to pay the expenses involved without affecting his ability to support his family and those who have a claim upon his resources. These expenses include the joining fee, the annual subscription and a regular donation to charity. In addition most meetings are followed by a dinner or supper. The actual amounts differ from Lodge to Lodge. He should have discussed the prospect of his becoming a Freemason with his wife or partner and be satisfied that she is supportive of his wish to become a Freemason. He should not put at risk his employment by becoming a Freemason.

Anyone contemplating becoming a Freemason should be satisfied in his own mind that he desires the intellectual and moral improvement of himself and his fellow citizens; that he is willing to devote part of his time and money to promoting fellowship, charity and integrity and be able to afford it without adversely affecting himself or his family's responsibilities and that he seeks no commercial social or pecuniary advantage by wishing to become a member.

Freemasonry is a voluntary organisation and, consequently, it is for a would-be member to ask to be considered for membership. It is not improper for a member, once only, to suggest to a man whom he considers could be a good member, that perhaps he might give some thought to the idea.

 

Entered Apprentice

Fellow Craft

Master Mason

...completed by the Royal Arch degree (also known as Chapter).

There are many other Masonic degrees and Orders which are called 'additional' because they add to the basis of the Craft and Royal Arch. They are not basic to Freemasonry, but add to it by further expounding and illustrating the principles stated in the Craft and Royal Arch.

Some of these additional degrees are numerically superior to the third degree, but this does not affect the fact that they are additional to and not in anyway superior to or higher than the Craft. The ranks that these additional degrees carry have no standing with the Craft or Royal Arch.

Secrecy The secrets of Freemasonry are concerned with its traditional modes of recognition which are used solely as a test of membership, e.g. when visiting a Lodge where you are not known. This is an allusion to the ancient stonemasons usage of signs, tokens, and words to identify qualified craftsmen at construction sites throughout the land. Freemasonry is not a secret society, since all members are free to acknowledge their membership and will do so in response to enquiries for respectable reasons. Its constitutions and rules are available to the public, and there is no secret about any of its aims and principles. Like many other societies, it regards some of its internal affairs as private matters for its members. It is acknowledged that Freemasonry went underground during the Second World War due to anti-Masonic propaganda and persecution For this reason, Freemasons understandably adopted an attitude of secrecy in order to secure their own lives and the continuation of Freemasonry itself.

 

It must have been lawfully established by a regular Grand Lodge or by three or more private Lodges, each warranted by a regular Grand Lodge

It must be truly independent and self-governing, with undisputed authority over Craft - or basic - Freemasonry (i.e. the symbolic degrees of Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft and Master Mason) within its jurisdiction and not subject in any other way to or sharing power with any other Masonic body

Freemasons under its jurisdiction must be men, and it and its Lodges must have no Masonic contact with Lodges which admit women to membership

Freemasons under its jurisdiction must believe in a Supreme Being

All Freemasons under its jurisdiction must take their Obligations on or in full view of the Volume of the Sacred Law (i.e. the Bible) or the book held sacred by the man concerned

The three 'Great Lights' of Freemasonry, (i.e. the Volume of the Sacred Law, the square and the Compasses) must be on display when the Grand Lodge or its subordinate Lodges are open

The discussion of religion and politics within its Lodges must be prohibited

It must adhere to the established principles and tenets (the 'Ancient Landmarks') and customs of the Craft, and insist on their being observed within its Lodges

There are some Grand Lodges and other apparently Masonic bodies that do not meet these standards, e.g. that do not require a belief in a Supreme Being, or that allow or encourage their members to participate as such in political matters. These Grand Lodges and bodies are not recognised by the United Grand Lodge of England as being regular, and Masonic contact with them is forbidden.