Freemasonry
Freemasonry is the largest
and most widely established fraternal order in the world. The masons' guilds
were originally restricted to stonecutters, but with the completion of
the building of the cathedrals in the 17th century, and especially in England
during the Reformation, they admitted as members men of wealth or social
status. The guilds thus became societies devoted to general ideals, such
as fraternity, equality, and peace, and their meetings became social rather
than business occasions. Four or more such guilds, called lodges, united
in London on June 24, 1717, to form a grand lodge for London and Westminster,
which, within six years, became the Grand Lodge of England. This body is
the "mother" grand lodge of Freemasons in the world, and from it all recognized
grand lodges have been derived. The Grand Lodge of All England was formed
at York in 1725, that of Ireland at least by June of the same year, and
of Scotland, in 1736. The York body came under the jurisdiction of the
Grand Lodge at London later in the century.
As a result of the patronage of the order by
members of the nobility, the rising British mercantile class looked upon
Freemasonry as an adjunct to social success, and the order became popular.
The Masonic ideals of religious toleration and the basic equality of all
people were in keeping with the growing spirit of liberalism during the
18th century. One of the basic tenets of the Masonic orders throughout
the English-speaking world has been that religion is the concern solely
of the individual. Opposition on the part of the Roman Catholic church
has been chiefly on the grounds that Freemasonry, with its binding principles
and religious nature, has usurped the prerogatives of the church. As a
result, the Freemasons have never been permitted in some strictly Roman
Catholic countries, such as Spain. In France, however, following the atheistic
and Protestant trend of the French Revolution, the order flourished.
Freemasons in America
The earliest of the U.S. lodges, founded by authority
of the Grand Lodge of England, were the First Lodge of Boston, established
in 1733, and one in Philadelphia, established about the same time. By the
time of the American Revolution, about 150 lodges existed in colonial America.
American Freemasons today make up about three-fourths of the total number
of all members throughout the world; world membership exceeds 6 million.
Major Systems
Scores of Masonic rites have sprung up since the
17th century, but only five of any great consequence survive today. Two
Masonic systems are called the York Rite and the Scottish Rite. Neither
has any connection, historically or otherwise, with York, England, or Scotland.
The York Rite was formed in the late 18th century and is called Capitular
and the members Royal Arch Masons (4 degrees); the next step is Cryptic
and the members Royal and Select Masons (3 degrees); and the final step
is Chivalric and the members Knights Templar (3 orders).The Scottish Rite
was formed in Charleston, South Carolina, in 1801 (33 degrees including
three Symbolic Lodge Degrees).
In many other groups, loosely attached in some way
to the York Rite, members are usually selected but sometimes are elected.
They are interested in special aspects of Masonry, including Masonic research.
One might say they are offshoots of the main stem. Among them are the Royal
Order of Scotland, the Allied Masonic Degrees, the Red Cross of Constantine,
the Masonic Rosicrucian Society (SRICF), the Rite of Strict Observance
(CBCS), the Grand College of Rites, Knight Masons, Order of Corks, the
York Cross of Honour, the Blue Friars, and the Holy Royal Arch Knights
Templar Priests. There are also what might be called "fun degrees," such
as the Shrine, the Grotto, and the Tall Cedars of Lebanon, many of which
are of considerable size. In addition some very small groups cater to students
of special aspects of the Craft.
Functions
In most English-speaking countries, the charitable and protective features
of the fraternity have been responsible for the establishment of Masonic
homes for the care of dependent aged Masons and their widows and orphanages
and schools for the children of members. The Mason is instructed that his
fraternal obligations involving aid to members are to be subordinated to
the duty he owes to God, his country, and his family, with full recognition
of the duty he owes to humanity. The Masonic fraternity differs radically
from the other private benevolent societies, and from the Independent Order
of Odd Fellows, the next largest private, international, fraternal association,
in that the relief or charity extended among members is purely voluntary,
dependent on the need in each individual case. It is in no way part of
a contract or other understanding that the distress of a brother shall
call for specific financial recognition or care. Freemasonry is essentially
an educational society, attempting to teach its members a moral philosophy
of life.
Reviewed by: General Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons
Information extracted from Encarta Encyclopedia CD version