The Society of Free and Accepted Masons is a worldwide men's fraternal club that meets primarily for social purposes, and stresses the importance of civic, patriotic, and charitable activities among its members. MAsons, as they are commonly called, differ from fraternal bodies in that (1) a belief in a Supreme Being or God is a necessary qualification for admission, and (2) great emphasis is placed upon members maintaining the highest moral standards and constantly endeavoring to improve themselves spiritually. The Society of Free and Accepted Masons was founded in the seventeenth century in England. The Founders were "gentlemen", not laborers such as stone cutters or carvers as commonly believed. These men formed clubs called Lodges, not only for social purposes, but to discuss and advance their knowledge in the liberal arts and in science (which was in its infancy at that fime).
The union of the local lodges was made in 1717, when four London lodges formed the first "Grand Lodge." Grand Lodges were subsequently formed in Scotland and Ireland, and Freemasonry quickly spread from the British Isles throughout the world, with over 4 million members, 3 million in the United States. The Eastern Star, composed of female relatives of Masons, is the world's largest women's fraternity. Many prominent figures in world history were Masons, including George Washington, John Hancock, Benjamin Franklin, John Paul Jones, Charles Lindbergh, Henry Ford, Rudyard Kipling, David Crockett, and Norman Vincent Peale. Many English Kings and thirteen U.S. Presidents have been Masons, including, recently, Truman and Ford.
The seventeeth century founders of Freemasonry, having formed their Lodges in imitation of actual operative lodges of masons, decided that they would illustrate the teachings of Freemasonry by the use of the working tools of the operative masons. An example: "The Plumb is an instrument made use of by the operative Masons to try perpendicular; the Square, to square their work, adn the level to provide horizontals; but we, as Free and Accepted Masons, are taught to make use of them for more noble and glorious purposes. The Plumb admonishes us to walk uprightly in our several stations before God and man, squaring our actions by the Square of virtue, adn ever remembering that we are traveling upon the Level of time to 'that undiscovered country from whose bourn no traveler returns.'"
Masons advance in what are called "degrees" within the fraternity. In the first degree, a canidate learns the first principle tenet of Freemasonry, which is Brotherly Love. A candidate for membership is asked to memorize the following: "By the exercise of Brotherly Love we are taught to regard the whole human species as one family, the high and the low, the rich and the poor, who, as created by one almight parent, and inhabitants of the same planet, are to aid, support and protect each other. On this principle MAsonry united men of every country, sect, and opinion; and causes true friendship to exist among those who might otherwise have remained at a perpetual distance." In the United States, meetings are opened by repeating the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag (which was written by a Mason), and reciting a non-demoninational prayer. Much of the Activities conducted by Masons focuses on charitable causes, such as support of youth organizations, public schools, and hospitals.
(taken from: The Spiritual Seeker's Guide - Steven S. Sadleir)