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1. How
old is Freemasonry ?
(A) The question is not answerable unless Freemasonry is
defined. A form of organization of builders, according to the oldest Masonic
document, the "Regius Poem," existed as early as A.D. 926.
Freemasonry, as distinguished from any of the other organizations of
practical builders, probably began among the Cathedral builders of the Middle-Ages --
Tenth or the Eleventh Century. The first Grand Lodge of England came into
existence in 1717. Freemasonry in the United States of America, definitely
from 1730 and probably even earlier. 2.
What is the Regius Poem ?
(A) Sometimes called the "Halliwell Document"
it is, loosely speaking, the oldest of the known "Manuscript Constitutions" of
Freemasonry. Dated approximately A.D. 1390, it is in Old Chaucerian English,
difficult to read without translation. It is preserved in the British Museum.
It is not accurately speaking, a Constitution, although, it has within it
much that is found in manuscripts. It is a document about Masonry, rather than
for Masons. It is discursive, rambling, very wordy and parts of it are copies
of contemporary documents, notably "Urbanitatis" and "Instructions to a
Parish Priest." Within the "Regius" thirty-eight lines are
devoted to "The Four Crowned Martyrs," who are not referred to in any of the
"Manuscript Constitutions."
It is important to Masonic students for many reasons.
To the average Mason, its most salient feature may be that it ends with what
are, so far as is known, the oldest words in the Masonic Ritual.
3. Why do we use the words "So Mote It
Be" instead of "Amen" ?
(A) "So Mote It Be" are the final words in the
"Regius Poem." "Mote" is Olde English for "May."
Masons have used the phrase since the beginning of the written history of the
Craft. Freemasonry includes many other words, now obsolete, which brings the
sanctity of age and the continuity of Ritual from ancient days to modern times.
4. Who discovered, designed or invented
Masonry ?
(A) No one man, any more than any one person
discovered, designed or invented democracy, philosophy, science, or any one Government.
Freemasonry is the result of growth. Many Masons had a part in
it. It has taken, to itself, teachings from many religions., philosophies,
systems of knowledge and symbols. The most generally accepted orthodox belief
as to those who "began" Freemasonry, is that the Craft is a direct descendant of
Operative Masons. These Operatives, inherited from an unknown beginning, of
which there may have been several and probably many practices, and some form of ritual.
Many of these Speculative principles could have been
taught by the use of symbols as old as mankind, and therefore universal, and not be the
product of any one people or time.
5. Is Freemasonry a Religion or has it
a Religion ?
(A) No to both questions. "A
Religion" connotes some particular Religion, while Freemasonry is Non-Sectarian.
Before its Altar, Christian, Jew., Mohammedan., Buddist., Gentile of
Confucian may kneel together. If the question be phrased "Is Freemasonry
religious" then the obvious answer is that no Institution which begins its ceremonies
and ends a meeting with prayer., which has a Holy Book upon its Altar., preaches the
Fatherhood of God and the Brotherhood of man, of course has a religious character,
although let it be emphasized once again, is wholly non-sectarian.
All Grand Lodges require their Initiates to express a
belief and trust in a Supreme Being. No Athiest can become a Freemason.
6. Why is the Masonry of today called
"Speculative" ?
(A) The word is used in the sense that the Masonry of
today is theoretical, not practical building, that it is a pursuit of knowledge rather
than the construction of edifices. Speculative Masonry began with the practice
of admitting membership in operative Lodges, men who were not practical builders,
stonecutters, architects etc., but who were interested in the moral, ethical
and philosophical teachings of the Fraternity.
7. Why does Freemsonry forbid
"Solicitation" of a person to join ?
(A) One of the fundemental concepts of Freemasonry is
that application for membership must be a wholly voluntary act. A man
must seek for himself and join "Of his own free will and accord."
Under no other formula can men unite brethren of a thousand religions reeds and political
beliefs. Under no more constricting act could Freemasonry accomplish the
building of character among men. Those men who become members of a Masonic
Lodge for any other reason than their own desires, can neither receive or give to others
the advantage of a voluntary association. Freemasonry id much larger than any
man., the man must seek its blessings., it never seeks the man.
8. Is Masonry a Secret Society ?
(A) Masonry is not "a Secret Society" but it
is "a Society with Secrets." A secret society is one of which the
memberships aims and ideals are unknown to the general populace. There is no
secret about who is a Freemason. Lodges publish the list of their members, and
Grand Lodges publish the names of their members in Annual Proceedings. The
world at large should know that the aims and ideals of Freemasonry are charitable,
friendly and fraternal.
9. What discussion of Freemasonry is proper
in the presence of Non-Masons ?
(A) As little as possible, unless in answer to a direct
and respectful question, the answer to which is not secret. Such questions as
"How may I become a Mason ?" or "When does the Masonic Lodge in this town
meet ?" or "What is the expense in becoming a Mason ?" of course are
answerable questions. No argument should ever be held with anyone regarding
Freemasonry. Neither are you to suffer for your zeal of the Craft to be
ridiculed by those who would do so through ignorance. Freemasonry needs no
defense from anyone.
"The attentive ear receives only the sound from an instructive
tongue."
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