                                STB-MR99
                                    
                           FREEMASONRY DEFINED

                         By: Jeffrey 0. Nations
                                   and
                             Phillip G. Elam

Bro. Nations is a Past Grand Master of Missouri and Bro. Elam is a Past Master
of Algabil-Freedom Lodge #636, St. Louis, Missouri. 
Together they authored "Freemasonry Defined" to give a clear and consise
overview of the Masonic Fraternity. The picture of Freemasonry painted in this
STB should be in the hearts of all Freemasons.

Editor

Freemasonry is the science by which morality is taught through the visible
symbols and instructive traditions associated with the erection of King Solomon's
Temple some 3,000 years ago. Like every science and permanent institution,
Freemasonry is built on certain conceded principles. These include a belief in the
one living and true God, a revelation of His Will, the resurrection of the body,
and the immortality of the soul. When we say, "one God," we refer to the supreme
and benevolent being in which a man places his ultimate trust. We are a non-

denominational institution accepting men of all faiths. Freemasonry is however,
supportive of every religion believing in one God. It denies to no man his
particular theological or secular beliefs, but rather complements those beliefs.

Without an expressed belief in these principles, no man can ever become a
Freemason. Acceptance of the Fatherhood of God is the very foundation of the
Masonic Institution. From the Fatherhood of God logically flows the Brotherhood
of Man.

The Masonic Fraternity stands before the world today, not merely as a marvelous
monument of antiquity, but older, larger, and more widely spread than almost any
other human institution, having maintained for so many centuries the essentials of
its primary organization. It has long outlived the circumstances which gave it
birth. The necessities which called Freemasonry into being have long ago ceased
to exist. Originally a company of stonemasons and builders whose monuments of
rare skill now adorn almost every part of the old world, the hand of time has
brought those operative labors to a close. But the everlasting principles upon
which our Beloved Ancient Craft was founded are as intact today as when they
emerged from the very shadows of history. Since its founding, dynasties have
come and gone, nations have been born and buried, and countless orders and
societies have been organized and passed into obscurity. Our Order has
maintained its ancient organization, teaching its lessons of love, peace on earth,
good will toward men, and is today a great and strong organization. It is true that
our Fraternity no longer has cathedrals and monuments of stone to build, but it
has even more noble work to perform than ever before.

Freemasonry is a broad system of ethics, a science of human duties, and a system
of morals accepted by all religions as essential to human excellence based upon
the recognition of Divine Truth, that mankind has a common origin and a
common destiny; that God is the Creator and Father of all of us. Out of that
relationship with Deity grows the Brotherhood of Man. Freemasonry's great
purpose is to intensify that relationship. Freemasonry teaches love, faith, and
duty; unites man in the strong embrace of fraternal fellowship, and induces
emulation of who can best work and best agree. Freemasonry thus becomes a
school wherein are taught not only the virtues, but the useful lessons of everyday
life.

The Temple of King Solomon signifies to us the Temple of our bodies, that is, our
Inner Spiritual Temple. The tools and implements used in the building of
Solomon's Temple signify to us the cultivation of the virtues to be practiced in the
erection of the inner spiritual temple of man. The traditions associated with
Solomon's Temple serve as worthy examples for our imitation, and inspire in us a
love of what is good and true.

Freemasonry teaches us that the most important part of life lies in the discharge of
our duties toward God and our fellow man. That eminent patron of Freemasonry,
St. John the Evangelist, so old that he had to be carried in the arms of his friends
into an assembly of children, lifted himself up and said, "Little children, love one 
another." When asked, "Have you nothing else to tell us?" he replied, "I say this
again and again, because if you do this, nothing more is needed." That is the
foundation of Freemasonry.

Freemasonry is not a mere pastime; nor a mere amusement. It is an active, living
principle. Its ritual, its symbolism, and its drama are not empty ceremonies. They
serve to exemplify and impart important truths for mankind. Freemasonry adapts
its theories, its ethical thought and its teachings to the practical relations of life.

There are no dogmas in Freemasonry. Its so called "secrecy" is confined to simple
means of communication and methods of recognition. Its tenets are universally
approved. What Freemasonry condemns no good man upholds. The essence of
Freemasonry is character. A man is what he does. The Mason's life and worth is
not measured by wealth, fame, or fortune, but by faithful, consistent, and
unselfish service. In like manner, the measure and worth of any institution is the
effect it has upon the individual and society.

What has Freemasonry given to mankind and society? It helped pave the way for
freedom of speech. It has ever been the enemy of any power that suppressed free
thought and the enslavement of the mind. It rejects bigotry, superstition, and
persecution of all types; and the ignorance and fanaticism that invented
instruments of torture and deprivation. It points out to man that free thought and
free speech, and the study of the sciences, are necessary for mankind's mental and
intellectual emancipation; that the study of nature brings man's soul nearer to his
Creator; and that knowledge drives out ignorance and superstition. It has taught
mankind that, after he has emancipated himself from the vices that tyrannize and
oppress, he must learn to govern himself wisely by practicing the Cardinal Virtues
of Freemasonry: Temperance, Fortitude, Prudence, and Justice.

Man is a social creature. As such, our nature compels us to seek the
companionship of others. We, therefore, see our Brothers and their families,
animated by the same noble purpose, meeting in the Lodge where they can feel
the hearty touch of the hand, hear words of inspiration and encouragement, and
enjoy the pleasure, entertainment, and fellowship of this time-honored institution.
While gathered in assemblies, we confer our ceremonial degrees, provide relief to
the indigent, assistance to the worthy, and administer systems of care to those
who are less fortunate. Freemasonry is all of this and much, much more. Beneath
and beyond all of these is the deep, permanent passion for the betterment of the
Brotherhood of Man. Freemasonry, ever supportive of religion, benevolence, and
morality, places before man the incentives to goodness through the contemplation
of the Holy Principles of Divine Truth.
The tenets of our Ancient Order are Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth-and first
among them is Brotherly Love. It is the very cement which holds together the
social edifice of this world. No one can measure the extent of human sympathy or
brotherly love, but we know it to be one of the mightiest social forces of all time,
and that without it, life would be a merciless and cruel existence. We know that
when there is an unselfish love in the hearts of men, the better nature within each
of us responds in kind. It is this kindly spirit of brotherhood, the gentle touch of
the hand, and the sympathetic word that brings forth a harvest of good deeds,
noble thoughts, and the highest aspirations of mankind.
Freemasonry has ever been the patron of learning. Its votaries long ago
discovered that ignorance was the cause of nearly all of the evils and dangerous
environments that afflict humanity; that education dispelled this evil, set free the
victims of its influence, and put a smile where terror and despair had planted
sorrow. In its unending efforts to eliminate such human afflictions, Freemasonry
has perhaps performed its greatest labor, in helping to break down the walls of
religious hatred and intolerance that for too long divided men into opposing sects
and hostile camps. The great religious ecumenical councils of today, and the
religious tolerance and mutual understanding they endeavor to convey, have been
the foundation and practice of Freemasonry since time immemorial. The
Freemason is thus prepared through ceremonies, ritual and moral lessons to
undertake his Grand Mission to teach, by precept and example, all that is
beautiful and useful in this life.

After all of the great lectures on philosophy have been delivered, when the wisest
statesmen shall have done their utmost to alleviate what is harsh and cruel in
social conditions, and science shall have unraveled the mysteries of the universe,
there will still be the necessity for a kindly smile, a helping hand, a cup of water,
and a quiet word of encouragement. It is because Freemasonry has ever given the
cup of water, extended a hand to one who has fallen, and spoken words of
comfort and cheer, that millions of good men of every religion and culture, and
from every comer of the world have knelt at its altar.
It is these same men, Brothers in spirit and deed, with eyes uplifted and hearts
responsive to the needs of those who are journeying through life with them, that
form the Masonic Fraternity throughout the world. It is the good and true men of
this Brotherhood that live with the great satisfaction which comes only from
relieving suffering, dispensing happiness, and to aid the unification of mankind.
The structure of Freemasonry includes many organizations which we call our
"Masonic Family." Just to name a few; Masonic organizations include (in part)
the Blue Lodges, the Scottish and York Rite, and the Ancient Arabic Order of the
Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. Ladies organizations include the Order of the
Eastern Star, and the Amaranth, with membership open to men who are '
Freemasons. Youth organizations include Job's Daughters and Rainbow for Girls
for young women, and the Order of DeMolay for young men.

Each of these organizations has its own unique ceremonies, and supports
charitable and philanthropic causes. Every day the Masonic Family is responsible
for contributing, literally, millions of dollars in charitable donations, and
thousands of volunteer hours to worthwhile causes of every kind.

This, my Brethren, is Freemasonry. May it live on, through us, for countless ages,
and may we be ever worthy to spread Masonic Light for the generations yet to
come. To these, our principal beliefs and poetic truths, we say as our forefathers
did before us:

                              So Mote It Be
