WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A MASON

Membership in the brotherhood of Masons means many things. It means being part of an unbroken tradition that stretches back over 500 years to a time when guilds of freemasons traveled throughout Europe laying the stones of the great Gothic cathedrals. It means sharing the values of our nation's founding fathers; the ideals of men who believed in the brotherhood of man, ideals which are firmly rooted in the Constitution of the United States and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. It means becoming a better person while helping to improve the quality of life for others. It means forming deep and lasting friendships that transcend the boundaries of race, religion, age and culture, as well as those of geography. But most of all, being a Mason means the kind of deep satisfaction that comes only from selfless giving; from doing for others without asking, or expecting anything in return.

Sharing the Traditions of Our Founding Fathers

Masons were active in Massachusetts even before 1733, the year Henry Price formally organized the year the first Provincial Grand Lodge of Masons. Today the Grand Lodge in Boston remains the oldest continuously operating Masonic organization in the Western Hemisphere. In its early years, Masonry numbered among its members some of the nation's most influential citizens - among them George Washington, Henry Knox, Benjamin Franklin, John Hancock and Paul Revere. In Massachusetts, many of those who participated in the Battle of Lexington and Concord and the Battle of Bunker Hill were Masons. Many of the patriots who participated in the Boston Tea Party were believed to be Masons and others, such as Dr. Joseph Warren, who was a Grand Master, sacrificed their lives in the struggle for independence from British rule. The values that were important then - loyalty, patriotism, liberty, courage and faith - are just as important to Masons today. The principles upon which this country was founded are deeply embedded in Masonry.

 

Improving yourself and those Around You

Basic to most of the world's great religions is the belief in what some might call the "old fashioned values," honesty, fair play and unselfishness in dealing with others. Freemasonry shares many of the same beliefs; and, through its traditions and teachings, attempts to instill in its members both the desire and the means to improve themselves and the lives of others that come into contact with them. However, while it may adhere to many of the same values associated with a religious faith, Masonry is not a religion. Masonry is a fraternal brotherhood of men from every country, sect, and opinion, joined together in a common effort to make themselves better men, to ease the suffering of others, and to make the world a better place. Some in the public are not aware of this true purpose of universal brotherhood. To achieve a goal of understanding in our modern world of many distractions and to dispel unreasoning mythological misconceptions concerning our ancient fraternal order, Masonry has brought itself into the information age. We promote understanding and possible membership using this web page, television programs and openly invited participation in Masonic Awareness meetings. All this provides Non-Masons a means to learn about good men performing good works and living moral lives.