WHAT IS FREEMASONRY?
It is a most happy association of friends which provides interest, a discipline of life, many social activities for men and their families and has a long history of Charitable support for the less fortunate members of our society. All this is combined with a fascinating history going back almost three hundred years. To be more specific:
Freemasonry is open to men of good reputation, irrespective of race or creed, provided they believe in a Supreme Being. This belief is an essential qualification for admission and continued membership.
Freemasonry teaches moral lessons and self-knowledge through participation in a progression of allegorical two-part plays, which are learnt by heart and performed within each Lodge.
Freemasonry offers its members an approach to life which seeks to reinforce thoughtfulness for others, kindness in the community, honesty in business, courtesy in society and fairness in all things. Members are urged to regard the interests of the family as paramount but importantly Freemasonry also teaches and practises concern for people, care for the less fortunate and help for those in need.
SECRECY
Freemasonry is not a secret society. Members are perfectly free to acknowledge their membership and will do so in answer to any reasonable enquiry. There is no secret about the aims and principles of the Order.
The Constitutions and rules are freely available. The local Public Library holds many fully descriptive Masonic books, available on inquiry. The Internet has hundreds of web pages of information from all over the world.
Lodge meetings, like meetings of many other social and professional associations, are private occasions open only to members. Freemasons are encouraged to speak openly about their membership while remembering that they undertake not to use their membership for their own or anyone else’s advancement.
Freemasonry is emphatically not a religion.
Freemasonry requires a belief in God and its principles are common to many of the world’s great religions. Freemasonry does not try to replace religion or substitute for it. Every candidate is exhorted to practise his religion and to regard its holy book as the unerring standard of truth. Freemasonry does not instruct its members in what their religious beliefs should be, nor does it offer sacraments.
Thus, Freemasonry brings men of different faiths together in a unique way to share a happy and rewarding fellowship with one another.
On his entry into Freemasonry each candidate states unequivocally that he expects no material gain from his membership. At various stages during the three ceremonies of his admission he is forcefully reminded that attempts to gain preferment or material gain for himself or others is a misuse of membership which will not be tolerated. Abuse of membership can result in penalties varying from temporary suspension to expulsion. Nor may Freemasonry ever be used to protect a fellow Freemason, or anyone else, who has behaved dishonestly or unlawfully.
Freemasonry is wholly unconcerned with political matters. Discussion of politics or religion is expressly forbidden at Lodge meetings. The organising body of Freemasonry refuses to express any opinion, one way or the other, about domestic or foreign State Policy.
From its earliest days, Freemasonry has been involved in charitable activities, and since its inception it has provided support for many widows and orphans of Freemasons as well as others within the community.
All monies raised for charity are drawn from amongst Freemasons, their families and friends, while grants and donations are made to Masonic and non-Masonic charities alike.
Over the past five years alone Freemasonry has raised more than £75m for a wide range of charitable purposes including those involved in medical research, community care, education and work with young people.
Freemasonry is fun as well as having its more serious side. It provides a wonderfully happy social life for its members and their families with a wide variety of events run by local Lodges as well as larger events bringing many people together. Very many enduring friendships are made.
Thus, being a Freemason becomes a very comfortable, happy and satisfying experience with great opportunities to become involved, while catering for a wide variety of talents and interests.
Lodges meet monthly, usually for eight or nine months of the year; meetings are followed by a supper and by a banquet once a year following the annual meeting. Membership allows a Mason to visit Lodges in all parts of the country and abroad, provided the Lodge is recognised by our own Grand Lodge, thus providing great opportunities for social contact.
If you have a friend who is a Freemason, ask him to tell you more about it. Alternatively, you can obtain more information from your local Masonic Hall, from our Provincial website at:
www.westlancsfreemasons.org.uk
or from
The Provincial Grand Secretary
The Masonic Hall, 22 Hope Street, Liverpool L1 9BY
Tel: 0151 709 2458 Fax: 0151 709 6864
E-mail: admin@westlancsfreemasons.org.uk
It was around the year 1850, as the Fylde population began to grow to the substantial numbers who now live in the area, that local Freemasonry started to develop. It was not long before men with like minds and high ideals established the Fylde family of lodges. Today, in the six meeting places between Fleetwood and Lytham St Annes, around 2,500 men meet regularly in sixty-seven lodges.
Lodge meetings are held each month between September and May at the six Masonic centres, which are situated: on the Esplanade in Fleetwood; on West Drive in Cleveleys; at the Imperial Hotel, Blackpool; in Adelaide Street, Blackpool; in the Square at Poulton-le-Fylde and at the Palace, Garden Street, St Annes on Sea.
Each lodge, presided over by a Master and two Wardens, has, between thirty and sixty members. All lodges are connected by a regulatory body for the Province of West Lancashire and meet under the auspices of the United Grand Lodge of England. For administrative purposes the lodges are divided into the four Fylde Groups.
There are many social occasions organised by the Groups and the lodges within them at which wives, families and friends enjoy meeting and creating long-lasting friendships. These occasions range from the formal Annual Ball at the Marine Hall, Fleetwood, hosted by the North Fylde Group; countless ladies nights and social gatherings, to informal activities designed to raise funds for Charity, such as the annual sponsored walk from Adelaide Street into the heart of the Fylde countryside. Our wives and families are an essential ingredient in our enjoyment of Freemasonry. Similarly, care is taken to provide continuity of friendships through the Masonic Fellowships of which there are two on the Fylde; at Cleveleys and Poulton. These Fellowships meet regularly and cater for our widows, relatives and retired Freemasons, their wives and anybody with Masonic connections. The regular meetings have proved extremely popular, are very well supported and are a real opportunity for friendship and support.
Charitable fund-raising is an intrinsic element in Freemasonry and, in addition to supporting Masonic Charities, the lodges of the area have a tradition of substantial support for projects such as the Trinity Hospice and the development plans of the Blackpool Victoria Hospital.
If a friend has handed you this leaflet, it is because he enjoys being a Freemason and feels that you deserve the opportunity to know more about it. He cannot properly do much more, though he will readily respond if you express interest. Anyone knowing a Mason can ask him for more information. He will give it willingly.
on 01253 737816
To return to the Home Page click below