how free masons work

8/14/2019 How Free Masons Work

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How Freemasons Work

by Stephanie Watson

Inside This Article1.Introduction to How Freemasons Work

2.Modern Freemasonry

3.The Question of Religion and the Brotherhood

4.Masonic Traditions

5.Anti-Masonic Fervor

6.Lots More Information

7.See all Culture articles
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George Washington was one. So were BenjaminFranklin, Paul Revere and Henry Ford. All of theseillustrious and influential men were Freemasons (orMasons) -- privileged membersof the worlds oldestand largest fraternity.Though it boasts 5 million members worldwide, the

Freemasons are an enigmatic society. Freemasons saythey are nothing more than a brotherhood of like-minded individuals who meet regularly for spiritual andintellectual enlightenment. Conspiracy theorists seethem as a secretive underground movement bent onworld domination.In this article, well take a look inside the world of theFreemasons. Well discover where they originated,separate the truth from the conspiracy theories andfind out what really goes on during their rituals.Legends of Knights and KingsAsk five different people for the origins of the Freemasons and you may get fivedifferent explanations. Some say they descended from the ancient Druids. Others link

them to the Isis-Osiris cult in ancient Egypt. Still others claim they were an order ofJewish monks called the Essenes, who formed in the 2nd century B.C.According to some Masonic scholars, the Freemasons trace their roots to the buildingof King Solomons Temple in Jerusalem in 967 B.C., an event which was described inthe biblical Book of Kings. In the story, the builders of the temple were the originalstonemasons, and the forefathers of todays Freemasons. The legend centers on themaster buildera man named Hiram Abiffwho claimed to know the secret of thetemple. One day, three men kidnapped Abiff and threatened to kill him if he didntreveal that secret. When he refused to talk, Abiff was murdered. After learning of thekilling, King Solomon ordered a group of Masons to search for Abiffs body and bringback the secret of the temple. The men wereunsuccessful, so the King established a new

Masonic secret. His secret is believed to be theword Mahabone, meaning the Grand Lodgedoor opened, which is now the password usedto enter the third degree of Masonry.The Freemasons also have been connected with amysterious order called the Knights Templar. Theseknights were monks who took up arms in 1118 A.D.in order to protect Christian pilgrims traveling fromJaffa (a port city in Israel) to Jerusalem. Accordingto legend, the Knights Templar discovered thegreatest treasure in history buried in the ruins ofKing Solomons temple. The Knights became richso rich, in fact, that they were the targets of envy

and suspicion. In 1307, King Philip IV of Francehad all of the Knights Templar arrested so that hecould take possession of their great wealth. Whathappened to the Knights after their imprisonmentremains a mystery, but some say they went intohiding and continued their work in secret, only toreemerge in Europe during the 1700s as the modernFreemasons. (There is even a theory that the Knights, in

Photo courtesy ofCollege of Liberal Arts andSciences, University of Florida

George Washington intraditional Masonic dress.

Photo courtesy ofThe Roman Breviary

King Solomon

Public Domain

A Knight Templar
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their desire to seek vengeance on King Philip IV, had a hand in starting the FrenchRevolution.)These stories lend a dramatic flair to the Freemasons history, but a more credibleexplanation for the brotherhoods birth can be found in the Middle Ages. At that time, Masonswere stone workers hired by kings and churches in England, Scotland and France to buildgreat castles and cathedrals. Two kinds of Masons existed at the timethose who worked

with ordinary stone were called rough masons. Those who carved more intricate designsinto softer stone, called freestone, were named freestone masons or free masons (thetwo words were later combined to form the title, Freemason). The Freemasons enjoyed amonopoly of sorts because of their special skill, and wanted to keep it that way. Theyestablished trade guilds to discuss their craft and fair wages. They founded lodges wherethey would eat and keep their tools. And they developed secret handshakes, code words andother signs to distinguish one another from the rough masons.

Modern Freemasonry

By the 1700s, the Freemasons had evolved from a trade guild into an organization of men

with a very distinct philosophy. They favored religious tolerance over the strict dictates of theCatholic Church, and they enjoyed intellectual discourse with their brothers. Freemasonrywas becoming highly fashionable, and its membership was changing. While at first onlyoperative, or working Masons could join the organization, aristocrats and artists, calledspeculative Freemasons, were starting to gain entry. They were turning the Freemasonsinto something of a gentlemans club.

The modern Freemasons were born in 1717, when four Freemason lodges in London,England combined to form the first Grand Lodge, which had authority over all other lodges inthat country. Grand Lodges soon followed in Ireland, Scotland and Italy, and by the 1730sthey had popped up throughout Europe. In 1723, a Scottish Freemason named Dr. JamesAnderson wrote the Constitutions of the Freemasons, the first official set of bylaws andrituals for the group. Some men believed that the Freemason rituals held the secrets of theuniverse, passed down directly from God.

PublicDomain

Masonic Lodge in Aylesbury,England.

Photo courtesyPlymouth Lodge - A.F & A.M.

Old Masonic Grand Lodge,Boston 1895.
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Although the Freemasons were very pleased with the society they had created, not everyoneshared their enthusiasm. Both the government and the church were suspicious of theorganizations secrecy and liberal religious beliefs. In 1737, King Louis XV banned the

Freemasons in France. A year later, Pope Clement XII forbade Catholics from becomingFreemasons on penalty of excommunication, and the Portuguese government madeFreemasonry punishable by death.Freemasons Arrive in the New WorldWith all of the controversy surrounding the Freemasons in Europe, it was no surprise thatthey would want to seek out friendlier shores. In the 1700s, the Freemasons came toAmerica and set up lodges in Boston and Philadelphia (although they remained under thecontrol of an English Provincial Grand Master). In 1731, Benjamin Franklin joined thePhiladelphia lodge, and he became its Master three years later. George Washington wasinitiated as a Freemason in 1752.As the fledgling nation was preparing to throw off the shackles of British rule, theFreemasons were reportedly stirring the fire of revolt. A story exists that Freemasons wereamong the dozens of men who, dressed as Native Americans, boarded three British ships in

Boston Harbor on December 16, 1773 and dumped hundreds of crates of tea into the water,setting off the American Revolution. Whether Freemasons actually were involved in theBoston Tea Party is a matter of some speculation, but there is no doubt that they wereamong the signers of both the Declaration of Independence and the United StatesConstitution.

Photo courtesy ofThe Digital Cultures Project: A University of California Multi-CampusResearch Group

The Boston Tea Party

After the Revolution, the American Freemason lodges broke from their British forebears andreorganized under state Grand Lodges. Although these lodges were never centralized underany formal authority, they recognized each other as mutual fraternities. Two different forms ofMasonry came to exist in Americathe Scottish Rite (following English traditions), and theYork Rite (following French traditions).
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The Question of Religion and theBrotherhood

Many people wonder whether the Freemasons are a religious organization. Although theyclaim to be no more religious than any Rotary Club or other social organization, their ritualsdo have strong spiritual overtones.

Photo courtesy ofYork Rite

The Book of Sacred Law on display.

People of all religions are free to join the Freemasons, and religion is never overtlydiscussed during meetings. However, every member must profess a belief in a universalSupreme Being, whom the Freemasons refer to as the Great Architect of the Universe. Asis the case with most religions, Masons are expected to be morally upright individuals.
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Members swear oaths to the Book of the Sacred Law, which, depending on the Lodge, canbe the Jewish Old Testament, the Christian New Testament or even the Islamic Koran.

Freemasons and the ChurchDespite their belief in a Supreme Being and their staunch morals,the Freemasons have never held favor with the Catholic Church,most likely because they rejected Catholic teachings. A number ofPopes condemned the practice and excommunicated any Catholicwho entered the brotherhood. In 1884, Pope Leo XII referred toFreemasonry as the kingdom of Satan.

Entering the BrotherhoodGiven the clandestine nature of the Freemasons, its not surprising that they give careful

consideration before admitting new members. To join, a man must fill out a petition andobtain two sponsors within the Lodge. He will then be voted in by secret ballot. Potential newmembers are asked whether they believe in God, and they must answer yes to beadmitted. Although they dont have to be wealthy, members must have enough money to paymembership fees and to make the regular charitable donations that are expected of allFreemasons.

Women in the FreemasonsThe Freemasons refer to themselves as a brotherhood, and forgood reason -- women are not allowed to join. Women wereexcluded from the group in the 1700s, in part because theFreemasons were afraid the fairer sex would distract them from the

tasks at hand and would reveal their secrets. There are a fewincidences in which women were admitted, such as ElizabethAldworth, who in the early 1700s was inducted into a lodge inEngland after she was caught eavesdropping on a meeting. Today,there are a few womens groups that are connected to theFreemasons, such as the Order of the Eastern Star.

New Freemasons start out as Entered Apprentices. During the initiation ceremony, theFreemasons recount the building of King Solomons Temple and the murder of Hiram Abiff.The new member is blindfolded and confronted by three men, who order him to reveal theFreemasons secrets. He swears he will not tell, and then pretends to die and be resurrectedinto Masonry.Freemasons must then rise through two more degrees, Freecraft Mason and Master Mason,after they have become proficient in the lessons of the previous degree. As a member risesthrough the degrees, he becomes privy to more and more of the Freemasons secrets.After completing the Master Mason degree, a member can reach the Supreme Order of theHoly Royal Arch, at which time the name of the Great Architect of the Universe is finallyrevealed to him. The name is reportedly JahbulonJah for Jahweh, the God of the Hebrews;Bul for Baal, the ancient Canaanite fertility god who was considered evil for competing withJahweh for the Israelites allegiance; and On for Osiris, the ancient Egyptian god of theunderworld.


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Photo courtesy ofJahrundert

Freemason initiation ceremony, 18th century.

Freemasons at each level swear never to reveal the Freemasons secrets. The punishmentsfor doing so become progressively more severe with each successive level. An ApprenticeMasons tongue is torn out; a Freecraft Masons heart is torn out; a Master Masons bowelsare burned; and a Royal Arch has the top of his skull sliced off (many Masons dispute thisclaim, however, saying that their rites are nowhere near this sinister).Although most Freemasons never progress past level three, there are 33 degrees in total(the York Rite includes only the first 13 of these levels):

33 Degrees of the Freemasons

1. EnteredApprentice

12. Grand MasterArchitect

23. Chief of theTabernacle

2. FellowCraft 13. Royal Arch of Enoch

24. Prince of theTabernacle

3. MasterMason

14. Scottish Knight ofPerfection

25. King of the BrazenSerpent

4. SecretMaster

15. Knight of the Sword,or of the East

26. Prince of Mercy

5. PerfectMaster

16. Prince of Jerusalem27. Commander of theTemple

6. IntimateSecretary

17. Knight of the Eastand West

28. Knight of the Sun

7. Provostand Judge

18. Knight of the Pelican

and Eagle and SovereignPrince Rose Croix ofHeredom

29. Knight of St. Andrew

8. Intendant ofthe Building

19. Grand Pontiff30. Grand Elected KnightKadosh, Knight of theBlack and White Eagle

9. Elect ofNine

20. Venerable GrandMaster

31. Grand InspectorInquisitor Commander
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10. Elect ofFifteen

21. Patriarch Noachite32. Sublime Prince of theRoyal Secret

11. SublimeElect

22. Prince of Libanus33. Grand InspectorGeneral

Masonic Traditions

The foundations of Freemasonry are the ideals of liberty, equality and fraternity. Membersare expected to believe in God, engage in morality, practice philanthropy and abide by thelaws of the country in which they live. Although the purpose of their meetings is forintellectual discussion, any mention of politics or religion is prohibited.

The Freemasons are composed of groups called Lodges, which swear their allegiance to aGrand Lodge or Grand Orient (there is usually one in each state). Each Lodge must beofficially chartered by the Grand Lodge, and receive a name, number and title. IndividualLodges maintain their own set of bylaws. Members of each Lodge have their own secretpasswords, handshakes and signs to recognize one another.

Photo courtesy ofRaleigh Lodge 770-Memphis

An inside look at a Masonic Lodge
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Officers of the Lodge include a Master (referred to as Worshipful Master), a Senior Warden(who helps the Master with his duties and takes over when the Master is away), a JuniorWarden (who ensures that visiting Masons have the correct credentials), a Treasurer (whocollects dues and pays the Lodges bills), a Secretary (who records meeting minutes andhandles other administrative duties), a Senior Deacon (who guides visitors and new

members into the Lodge), and a Junior Deacon (who serves as messenger of the lodge).Depending on the Lodge, there also may be an Inner Guard (who guards the door), Chaplain(who leads prayers), Director of Ceremonies (who ensures that the rituals are beingperformed appropriately), and Organist. The Master, who is elected via ballot vote, mustensure that the Lodge is abiding by its bylaws.The icons of Freemasonry are highly symbolic. The primary symbol is the square andcompass surrounding the letter G. The G represents God (or, alternately the sacredgeometry of the original operative Masons), the square encourages members to square theiractions with all men, and the compass stands for creating boundaries in life. TheFreemasons wear a distinctive apron decorated with these emblems of the organization.

Anti-Masonic FervorGiven the secretive nature of the Freemasons, its no surprise that numerous conspiracytheories about the group have emerged over the years. Theorists have accused the Masonsof everything from satanic worship to playing a role in the assassination of President John F.Kennedy. Some claim that the lower ranks of the organization are just a front for the highest-order Freemasons, who they say are involved in plots to control the worlds governments andfinancial institutions.

Throughout their history, the Freemasons have been the object of suspicion. They werethought to have provoked both the French and American Revolutions (in conjunction with theIlluminati), and were accused of having committed several murders.

Freemasons and the IlluminatiThe Freemasons have been confused with many mysterious sectsover the years, from witches to the Rosicrucians (a spiritual groupthat arose during the 17th century). But perhaps the strongestassociation that has been made was with a secret society calledthe Illuminati. Founded by German professor Adam Weishauptduring the 1700s, the Illuminati believed that both religions andgovernments were corrupt. They wanted to abolish both institutionsto create a New World Order. To accomplish this mission,

Weishaupt joined up with the Freemasons in Bavaria. Although thetwo groups shared liberal religious views, the Freemasons did notsupport Weishaupts radical plot. Eventually, the Bavariangovernment forced the Illuminati to disband, but membersreportedly carried on as part of other organizations, and somebelieve they continue to pursue their mission with the Freemasonstoday.


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Anti-Masonic fervor reached its peak in the UnitedStates in 1826, when a former Freemason namedWilliam Morgan wrote a book entitled FreemasonryExposed. The book reportedly revealed many secretsabout the group. In response, three Freemasonsabducted Morgan and took him to the Canadian

border. What happened next is a matter of debate.One story tells the abductors drowned Morgan in theNiagara River. Another claims he escaped across theborder to live the remainder of his life in Canada.Despite the lack of clear evidence in the case, theevent sparked great anger against the Freemasons,whom many Americans viewed as murderers. Anational anti-Masonic movement took root, completewith its own newspapers and political party. TheFreemasons suffered great membership losses as aresult. The number of Lodges in New York droppedfrom 480 in 1825 to 75 just 10 years later. A similardecline in membership echoed throughout the country.

It wasnt until the nation became preoccupied with the Civil War that the Freemasons onceagain began to gain popularity.In reality, there is no real factual basis to any of the conspiracy theories against theFreemasonsfrom the suggestion that the Masons designed the Washington, D.C. streetgrid in the shape of a pentagram (a sign of the occult), to the idea that they were somehowinvolved with the Jack the Ripper murders in 19th century London. But as long as theFreemasons continue to cloak themselves in a veil of secrecy, the questions -- andaccusations -- about them will likely continue.For lots more information on Freemasons and other related topics, check out the links on thenext page.

Photo courtesy ofGrand Lodge of British Columbia andYukon

Willie Morgan, author of "FreemasonryExposed."
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Famous FreemasonsSome of the most powerful and influential men in history have beenFreemasons. Here are just a few of them:

George Washington, Theodore Roosevelt, Harry S. Truman,

Ronald Reagan (conferred title of "Honorary Scottish Rite Mason")- U.S. Presidents

Benjamin Franklin - United States founding father and inventor

Paul Revere - American patriot

Winston Churchill - British Prime Minister

John Jacob Astor - Financier

Henry Ford, Walter P. Chrysler, Ransom E. Olds - Car

manufacturers

James C. Penney - Founder of JC Penney department stores

David Sarnoff - Radio and TV executive

Louis B. Meyer, Darryl F. Zanuck - Film studio heads

W.C. Fields, Douglas Fairbanks, Sr., Clark Gable, Oliver Hardy,

John Wayne - Actors

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, John Philip Sousa, Irving Berlin,

George M. Cohen - Composers

Harry Houdini - Magician

Charles Lindbergh - Aviator

John Glenn - Astronaut

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