How Did Freemasonry Begin?
The history of Freemasonry, or Masonry as it’s often called, spans thousands of years into the ancient world. The exact origins of our fraternity are uncertain, but it’s a widely accepted idea that our beginnings arose from the stonemasons’ guilds during the Middle Ages. These “Operative” Masons established a series of handshakes, passwords, and other secret symbols to protect their trade secrets and prove their credentials. From there, many of the early Masons organized themselves into “lodges” to take care of each other and their families in case of injury or death. This formation of lodges represents an early attempt at developing a safety net program for its membership.
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The earliest document referencing our fraternity is the Regius Poem and it was printed in 1390. By the 17th century, many of these lodges had transformed from groups of literal stonemasons into what we call “Speculative” Masons. Members of these lodges, often called Freemasons, assembled to learn a series of moral teachings.
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In 1717, four Speculative Mason lodges in London came together to form the worlds first “grand lodge.” The formation of grand lodges eventually spread into Ireland, Scotland, and the rest of Europe until its eventual establishment around the world.
Our fraternity grew rapidly in the 19th and early 20th century. With no government safety nets at the time, Masonic traditions of founding orphanages and homes for widows and the elderly provided essential security for many people.
"So far as I am acquainted with the principles and doctrines of Freemasonry, I conceive it to be founded in benevolence and to be exercised only for the good of mankind."
Brother George Washington
What Are Some Traditions in Masonry?
Masonry is often called a secret organization by unfamiliar outsiders when we are, in fact, just an organization with secrets. Masonry is a social fraternity, and like any other fraternity (Greek, honors, professional, etc.), we have secrets that we keep within our membership. These secrets include our ritual used to admit and progress candidates; again, like any other fraternity.
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Some things we are public about is our rich history and tradition that extends back more than 300 years. Some of our traditions include the laying of a cornerstone of a new civic building or the honoring of a deceased brother during a Masonic funeral.
Within each lodge, you will notice an array of similarities that binds us to our roots. Each lodge elects’ officers for one-year terms and they hold titles that derives from the ancient stonemasons’ guilds, including the master (highest-ranking officer), wardens, and a tiler. Masons wear a white apron during meetings and may also wear special aprons, collars, jewels, and gloves that correspond to their station in the lodge. Lastly, each lodge has a lodge room where official meetings and ceremonies take place. This room is often filled with specific Masonic symbols, to include the typical checkerboard flooring to the seating arrangement.
"For centuries had Freemasonry existed before modern political controversies were ever heard of, and when the topics which now agitate society were not known, but were all united in brotherhood and affection. I know the institution to be founded on the great principles of charity, philanthropy and brotherly love."
Brother Edward Bulwer-Lytton
What is the Structure of Freemasonry?
To those unfamiliar with Freemasonry, the rank and structure of our fraternity might seem complex, overwhelming, and mysterious. Our lodge practices Craft Masonry and is the ‘Cornerstone’ of all Masonry in what is often called a Blue Lodge, or a Symbolic Lodge. Within Craft Masonry, there only exists three degrees. There is the First Degree of an Entered Apprentice, the Second Degree of a Fellowcraft, and the Third Degree of a Master Mason with the Master being the highest rank.
Once a man has earned his Third Degree, he is then able to join any Masonic Organization known as an appendant body. While there are several different appendant bodies, the three most common are the York Rite, Scottish Rite, and the Shriners. Each appendant body has their own degrees in addition to their own structure, terminologies, rituals, and traditions.
"Freemasonry is an institution calculated to benefit mankind." Brother Andrew Jackson
Who Are Some Famous Freemasons?
Freemasons share a common desire to make the world a better place. While most Masons are ordinary men, it should come as no surprise that, because of our ancient and trusted values, the list of prominent Freemasons is long and varied. Here are just a few Masons you might recognize:
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Founding fathers like George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, and John Hancock
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Civil rights leaders including Booker T. Washington, Medger Evers, and John Lewis
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Explorers Davey Crockett, Charles Lindbergh, and Buzz Aldrin
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Tennesseeans John Sevier, Winfield Dunn, Andrew Johnson, and Andrew Jackson
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Musicians Johann Sebastian Bach, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and William “Count” Basie
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Writers Oscar Wilde, Mark Twain, and Ernest Hemingway
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Athletes “Sugar” Ray Robinson, Jack Dempsey, and Scottie Pippin
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Entertainers and actors including John Wayne, Harry Houdini, and Brad Paisley
