What is a Freemason?
Probably the finest definition ever devised for Freemasonry is: "it is a beautiful system of morality, veiled in allegory, and illustrated by symbols....." This system of morality, or ethics, is as old as civilization. One must penetrate the allegorical veils, with the aid of symbolical emblems, and practice the moral precepts which have been therein revealed to prepare ourselves, spiritually, "as living stones for that house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens." Freemasonry is "a Way of Life."

Freemasonry is a progressive science. A Mason can only advance by taking every step. He must acquire and apply the knowledge available to him on each level and perfect his skills so that each stone designed for that Spiritual Building might be square, level, and plumb.

Candidates for Freemasonry must come of their own free will. American Grand Lodges prohibit the solicitation of members. The applicant must have a sincere desire to unite with a fraternity dedicated to "Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth."

Many centuries ago the craft so successfully protected its trade secrets, consisting primarily of architectural and geometrical lore, that it became known as a secret society. Centuries later, when the fraternity had developed strong attachments to the precepts of Truth, Justice and Liberty, and the religious establishment instituted the "Inquisition", the Freemasons became a secret society in fact. Today this description no longer applies. What Freemasonry teaches is written out for all to read. Masonic halls are listed in local directories. The members wear emblems publicly. The only secrets of the craft today are the manner in which the degrees are conferred and the means of recognition among the members.

Freemasonry is neither a religious nor a political organization. It has been called the "handmaiden of religion" as it encourages all members to be active in the church of their choice. No theological dogmas nor creeds exist in Masonic practice, other than a reverence for God and a spiritual concern for our fellowman. While the Masonic craft does not support political candidates nor issues, it inspires each member to fulfill his civic responsibilities as an American citizen. The discussion of sectarian religion or partisan politics is prohibited in all branches of Freemasonry in the United States except the Christian Orders which are not denominational.

The annals of Freemasonry reveal two parallel lines of development; one is based upon historic fact with documentary support, and the other, an allegorical account that begins with the creation of the world. Many centuries ago the allegorical thread began to interweave with history and produced the fabric of modern Freemasonry.

Continuation: June 2000

Please be patient with this update because it has not been edited yet. We will EDIT ASAP.

While the following will be developed later in this work, it is appropriate to mention here that modern Freemasonry has grown directly from the small bands of builders who erected the first stone buildings on the continent of Europe. At a later date, expert European Masons were brought into England to construct the early castles and churches. They also brought with them the ancient legends, traditions, and charges (rules) of their trade. These small independent groups acquired the title of “lodges.” Each lodge modified the ancient legends. traditions, and charges, with which they were familiar, to suit their own purposes, with the result that no real standards existed within the craft. While no documents remain from the 10th century, we receive a glimpse of the moral aspects of the ancient craft from the Regius Poem.
 

Tiie Reglux Poem
The oldest document which refers to ancient Freemasonry is the Regius Poem, or lialliwell Manuscript. James 0. HalliwelI discovered an ancient manuscript in the archives of the British Museum in 1838. Scientists have concluded from the type of parchment, language, and lettering that this document was written in approximately 1390 AD. The poem consists of 791 lines of Old English verse and covers several subjects. most directly applicable to Freemasonry. While this manuscript was probably written in the 14th century, it refers to a period of Masonic history in England in the late 10th century. It relates the Legend of York which follows below and is the basis for the prominence the city of York has occupied in Masonie lore since the first mitlenium. Regulations for the government of the craft are included in the poem, as are fifteen articles and fifteen points dealing with ethical, moral and spiritual responsibilities of the ancient craftsmen. These are as applicable to us today as they were 1000 years ago.
 

The York I.Egvin Ii
:\ t heista n. the grand son of Al fred tht’ rca t . ruled England from 924 to 9 Ii) A I) lIe cuinpttted the sIit)Jt’ct ion of the minor kingdoms in Feelapol. h.g in h his grandfather, and has been hailed as the first King of all E ngLtnl The Rt’giii~ I ‘oem and other ancient legends relate that :~tlitktan ‘~t a~ a great patron f Ma~.onry, and that he constructed many ahltvs. n)nnasit’rit’s. ca~ile—,, and ~ lit studied Geometry and itirteil learned into in tht’~ art~ b preserve order in the work and ci,rrtt trao-grt’ssors. the king issued a (‘barter to the Masons to hold a vt’arly assembly at ‘~ork. lie is also reputed to have made many Masons. The legends proceed to relate that Athelstan appointed his brother, Edwin. as Grand Master and that the first Grand Lodge was held at York in 92ti. The ;iteoiints state that the (‘onst itutions of English Masonry were there established and were based upon a number of old documents written in Greek. Latin and other languages.

Aside from the direct implications of this Icgt’nd, it is interesting to note that the King and Prince were patrons of Masonry and as such were probably speculative, rat her than peat ~ e menihers of the craft. The fact that this concept pi’evai ted as earls a~ 1 :~~i AD.. and possibly earlier, niakt’s it easier to account ti the tact that so mans’ siitciilative menit.rs of high rank joined the craft in the 11th and l.~th centuries.
 

Masonic Calendar
ANCIENT CRAFT MASONS

commenced their era with the creation of the world, calling it ANNO LUCIUS (A.L.), 'in the year of light "
SCOTTISH RITE same as ANCIENT CRAFT, except the Jewish chronology is used, ANNO MUNDI (A. M. ),"in the year of the world.'
ROYAL ARCH MASONS date from the year the second temple was commenced by Zerubbabel, ANNO INVENTIONIS (A.I.),'in the yew of the discovery.'
ROYAL AND SELECT MASTERS date from the year in which the temple of Solomon was completed, ANNO DESPOSITIONIS (A. Dep.),'in the year of the deposit.'
KNIGHTS TEMPLARS commenced their era with the organization of their order. ANNO ORDINI (A.0.), 'in the year of the order'
ORDER OF THE MGM PRIESTHOOD dates from the year of the blessing of Abraham by the High Priest Melchizedek, ANNO BENEFACIO (A.B.). "in the year of the blessing.'
Rules for Masonic Dates

ANCIENT CRAFT MASONS add 4000 years to the common era thus: 1995 and 4000= 5995

SCOTTISH RITE add 3760 to the common era thus: 1995 and 3760=5755

ROYAL ARCH Add 530 years to the vulgar era. Thus: 1995 and 530= 2525

ROYAL AND SELECT MASTERS Add 1000 to the common era Thus 1995 and 1000= 2995.

KNIGHTS TEMPLARS From the Christian era take 1118, Thus 1118 from 1995 = 877

ORDER OF THE HIGH PRIESTHOOD To the Christian era add 1913, the Year of the Blessing. Thus: 1995 and 1913= 3908.

This information was taken from the "Constitution and Digest of the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Massachusetts. Copyright 1977.

If you have ever wondered how the date A.D.2000; A.L.6000 was arrived at or any of the other dates in Freemasonry came about - now you know. Study it carefully, we'll have quiz on it!!!!

Bill Burroughs, PM