Is it Difficult to Become a Freemason in Florida?

The Freemasons are a brotherhood shrouded in urban legend, mystery, and falsely labeled a secret society. The truth is that the Masons are the oldest fraternal order in the world, with a global membership of over 2 million men. Past members have been some of the most influential men in history. Understandably, there is an interest in the requirements to become a Mason and the level of difficulty that entails.

To be initiated, you must first apply or petition for acceptance. Not everyone can be a Freemason, just as everyone cannot be admitted to Harvard, M.I.T., and any Ivy League School for that matter.

Understanding what is expected of a petitioner is an important first step. The quality of its members is much more important than quantity. By being consistently selective, members will be chosen who will further the purpose, practices, and philosophies of Masonic teachings. Although there are few requirements to apply for initiation, the prerequisites are specific.

Rigorous criteria are in place concerning the conduct and expectations of both applicants and members. There may be some matters that disqualify you from being accepted. As you continue to read, this article will cover the most important requirements and what would disqualify a petitioner in the state of Florida.

Requirement 1. He must be of good morals and reputation

Disqualifier: A felony conviction

Possessing an exemplary moral character and a good reputation are basic precepts of Freemasonry. Members and petitioners alike are expected to be upstanding citizens committed to following the law of the land.

According to The Grand Lodge of Florida Digest of Masonic Law 31.03, a lodge may not accept a petition from a person who has been convicted of a felony and whose civil rights have not
been fully restored. The Lodge may, however, receive a petition for Degrees if they have evidence that the petitioners’ civil rights were fully restored (1965 Proc. 196, 200).

To clarify the definition of a full restoration of civil rights, Chapter 31 page 252 proclaims the following, “Full” civil rights means without exception, for a man who has lost his civil rights and
then had them restored, the restoration must include all civil rights. This restoration, therefore, must include “the right to bear arms.” (2009 Proc. 120).

If you have been convicted of a felony, it doesn’t necessarily disqualify you from becoming a member of the Freemasons. You can apply for membership provided your civil rights have been
fully restored as defined above.

Most jurisdictions perform a mandatory criminal background check on each candidate to ensure that only those with the requisite attributes are permitted to join. It is necessary to deny membership to any man that could compromise the honorable standing of the Masons and to preserve the integrity and reputation of the organization.

A man convicted of a felony is thought to lack the moral character to join. He has already shown an unwillingness to abide by the laws of society, which would lead the fraternity to question his willingness to adhere to the rules of the organization. Becoming an initiate to the Freemasons isn’t intended to be easy or to cast a wide net to bring in as many members as possible regardless of their merit.

Membership is a privilege bestowed upon those men that embody the principles of Freemasonry and demonstrate good moral judgment. If you have any questions about how your background may affect your ability to become a member, please contact the Lodge directly to discuss your situation.

Requirement 2. He must believe in a supreme being and the immortality of the soul.

Disqualifier: Being an atheist or communist

No atheist can become a freemason. It is impossible to satisfy one of the central tenets of Freemasonry if you are unable to believe in the existence of God or a Superior being.

It doesn’t matter what name you call that being or what religion you are affiliated with so long as you believe that there is one supreme being. You don’t need to be a practitioner of any faith
whatsoever provided you hold a genuine belief in a God. Men of all faiths and philosophies are members.

In Florida, a Communist is also disqualified from becoming a member. According to The Grand Lodge of Florida Digest of Masonic Law 31.17 “ Since Communism does not have faith in Deity
and is contrary to all that principles and purposes of Freemasonry, it is unlawful for any Lodge in this Grand Jurisdiction to accept the petition for or confer any of the Degrees of Freemasonry
upon a Communist or upon anyone actively supporting the purposes thereof.

Rejecting a petitioner based on his support for communism has nothing to do with a political agenda. The Masons do not discuss politics, endorse candidates, and are intentionally
non-political. The dogma of communism is clear in that to be a true communist (think Marx, Lenin, and Engle) you must be an atheist. If a man cannot believe in a supreme being or God,
then he cannot, in honest sincerity, fulfill the most fundamental principle required of Masons.

Requirement 3. He must be at least 18 years of age and mentally competent.

Disqualifier: Underaged or not yet 18

You must be at least 18 years old in the state of Florida to become a member of the Masons. While you may deliver a petition before you reach the minimum age, you won’t be eligible for the
ballot until you’re 18.

The Grand Lodge of Florida Digest of Masonic Law states, “ A Lodge may receive a petition for the Degrees before the candidate is full 18 years of age, but the ballot must not be spread, or
the E.A. Degree conferred, before the 18th birthday.” (2008) 31.06.

The age of law varies from jurisdiction to jurisdiction and is set by the Grand Lodge of each state. Globally, ages range from 18 to 25. If you are not in Florida, please check with your
Lodge to get the correct information regarding the minimum age requirements.

There are several reasons for a minimum age stipulation. All explanations are based on the obligations of a Freemason. The petitioner must be mature enough to comprehend the gravity of
their decision and intellectually capable of adhering to the principles, tenants, and expectations of the craft.

The prerequisite that an applicant is mentally competent goes hand and hand with the age of law. A younger or less mature man may not fully understand his duties to God, the law, and
society. He may be incapable of fully grasping and retaining the knowledge and teachings of Masonic philosophies.

The Freemasons Repository Volume 21 page 353 asserts, “The applicant must have a sound mind, must be a thinking, reasoning man, not a ninny or a simpleton. If we have not a sound mind, it would be worse than useless to reveal to him the emblems, symbols, and secrets of Freemasonry.” This expression conveys why an applicant must be of a mature enough age to share in the wisdom and benefits of Masonry while also having the ability to exercise his discretion in matters that require secrecy.

Thanks again for reading – Is it Difficult to Become a Freemason in Florida? by the Freemasonry Report

Requirement 4. He must be a freeborn man.

Disqualifier: Not a freeborn Man (Not a man, or not freeborn)

You must be a man to join the Freemasons.

Accepting only men into the fraternity has nothing to do with sexism. This mandate doesn’t imply that women cannot understand and appreciate the virtues of Masonic teachings. Quite simply, to honor the oath that all members take, only men can petition for initiation.

If you’re interested in joining an order that is open to all sexes, here are a few of the Florida affiliated organizations that do so, The Order of the Eastern Star, The Order of the Amaranth, and the Order of the White Shrine of Jerusalem. By clicking on the link, you’ll be taken to the corresponding page for that organization where you will find more information. The secondary part of the requirement that only a man may join is that he must also be freeborn.

Today, the question of a man being freeborn is largely a non-issue. This stipulation has been carried over from days past when it was not uncommon for a man to be a serf, slave, indentured servant, or under some form of bondage. All men today are considered freeborn, under the common presumption that he has mastery over his own choices and resources.

Just as the term “freeborn” has been defined for greater clarity, some jurisdictions have defined the word “man” for the same purpose. The Florida Grand Council provides the following explanation. Chapter 31 page 252 “ Just as a candidate for freemasonry must be a man, so it follows that to remain a Mason, he must not become a woman or portray himself as a woman, This portrayal may be by gender change, name change, identification, attire, or accouterment.” (2008 Proc. 106).

As linked above, there are several organizations affiliated with the Masons that women and possibly those that identify as women are welcome to join. For more information, please contact
these organizations in your area directly.

Requirement 5. He must seek admission of his own free will and accord.

Disqualifier: You were coerced into joining

If you’ve been coerced into joining the Freemasons by family, friends, or acquaintances, you should not petition for membership. Any petitioner must be sincerely interested in joining of his own free will and have a favorable view of the institution.

Masons will not have a membership drive or solicit members, this is prohibited as all applicants must inquire of their own accord. The decision to become a part of the Freemasons is an intensely personal one. Your motives for joining the Masons are an important factor in making that decision.

What do you hope to gain?

If you believe that membership will provide you with social or business advantages, you will be disappointed. If however, after familiarizing yourself as much as possible with the principles of
Masonry, you are convinced to take part in all it has to offer, you should move forward.

Freemasonry is about self-betterment as much as it is about the betterment of the community. Membership not only requires you to help others in need but to give of your time and charity not because you have to but because you genuinely believe in the merits of leaving the world a better place. As with anything else, you will get out of it what you put in. If you are willing to give of yourself in service to others and take advantage of the knowledge available to you, becoming a Freemason may be the perfect journey for you.

This quote from a reddit post summarizes the sentiment beautifully, “…. What we can do, however, is give men opportunity to change and improve themselves using moral tools and teachings in order to better implement the moral values they already had.

By doing this, a man not only changes himself, but the world immediately around him – and sometimes reaching even further than that. So, we can’t change the world on a macro scale, but we can change it many, many times on a micro scale. Masonry is an organized effort to save the world, one man at
a time. ”

So…..Is it Difficult to Become a Freemason?

That all depends on you. If you meet the requirements and value what membership entails, you will rise to the challenge.

If you’re interested, start here

The saying goes, “To be one, ask one”. Don’t be afraid to ask a Mason you know more about the fraternity. If you don’t know anyone that you can ask, simply look online for the Grand Lodge in your state to locate your nearest Lodge.

If you’re in Florida, look here.

Give them a call, send them an email or even stop by. Take your time finding the right Lodge for you and begin to familiarize yourself with it. Be aware of the residency requirements before you apply. Once you have become familiar with some of the members, you’ll need two to vouch for you to submit your petition. A Lodge representative will gladly help you find your way.

Thanks for reading – Is it Difficult to Become a Freemason in Florida? by the Freemasonry Report

Please keep up with the Freemasonry Report

The Freemasonry Report will be writing more articles to help grow the fraternity. The Freemasonry Report hopes this information was helpful to you. If you want more Freemasonry topics to read? The Freemasonry Report has good news – we have been busy creating plenty for you to enjoy! I have been spending hours creating this information, so take a moment to read each one!  Or maybe you want to find a lodge in your neck of the woods?

More good news, the Freemasonry Report is creating a complete review of each Grand Lodge – it will take time but I wanted you to have this information at your fingertips!  If you want to network with other Freemasons – check out our Facebook Group / Page now!

Is it a requirement in Freemasonry to grow a beard?

The answer is No. No Grand Lodge requires a Freemason to grow a beard nor to be clean-shaven either.  It appropriate to keep a beard neatly trimmed if a brother Freemason has a beard.  Respectful attire and cleanliness are always appropriate when attending a Freemason Meeting. Only the Worshipful Master of a Masonic Lodge can require Lodge Officers to dress in a manner to which he is satisfied with. 

Is it a requirement to have no beard while going through the degrees?

The answer is no as well. There is no rule or Masonic Law regarding beards of candidates or new brothers going thru the degrees. Keep in mind that the Worshipful Master has the ability to govern his Masonic Lodge during his term as he wishes. So it would be wise to ask if the sitting Master of the Lodge has an issue with that.

During my tenure as a Freemason, I never had a conversation about this at all. Actually, I had several Worshipful Masters that sported a beard during the term as Master of the Lodge.

What is an appropriate beard length for a Masonic Meeting?

Honestly, there is not a wrong style for your beard in a Masonic Lodge meeting. With that being said, the “Short stubble” beard is the #1 most attractive facial hair among people surveyed. It received an average rank of 2.6 with 80% ranking short stubble in the top 3, including 24% of respondents ranking short stubble as the #1 most attractive facial hairstyle.

Either way, you look at it you should always consider keeping your beard short on the sides and fuller on your chin to take advantage of your square jawline. Here a few examples to research online if you are thinking about growing a beard or just want to refresh your current beard style.

1. CIRCLE BEARD. A chin patch and a mustache that forms a circle.
2. ROYALE BEARD. A mustache anchored by a chin strip.
3. GOATEE. A small beard that elongates the chin.
4. PETITE GOATEE. A small beard that elongates the chin.
5. THE 5 O’CLOCK SHADOW. This is the stubble look, it is a classic and timeless style, and a great way to begin your beard journey.
6. SCRUFFY STYLE. Do nothing but grow your beard for 3 weeks and you have that signature wild and shaggy look.
7. BUSINESS BEARD. The corporate beard is a beard between 1/2”-1” that is evenly trimmed and well-manicured, with no flyaways.
8. FULL BEARD AU NATUREL. A long well kept beard that had been combed and has beard conditioner in it.
9. VIKING BEARD. A long beard that is full and shiny meant to keep your face warm.
10. FADED BEARD. A beard length is longer than the tapered sides on your face.
11. QUARANTINE BEARD. All bets are off, this beard has become popular for those dealing with the pandemic isolation where not much is done to it other than letting it grow and grow.

What is an appropriate beard style for a Freemason Meeting?

Honestly, wherever style of beard that makes you feel comfortable is the answer. Sometimes, men think that facial hair doesn’t suit them. But in reality, the beard just doesn’t suit the facial features. This can lead to overthinking things and asking this question for that matter. But don’t worry, your beard hairstyle just needs to match your face.  So if you wear a business suit, tuxedo, polo shirt, or some other style trend with a beard that compliments your face is the key.

Did you know that a bushy beard will draw the eye across the face? It is true, it makes your face look wider – while long, pointy styles and goatees draw the eye downwards, making the face appear slimmer and longer.

So take a moment to read the information about selecting the right type of facial hair for your specific face shape. If you already have a beard, this information should give you instant improvement in your self-confidence walking into any Masonic Lodge for the first time.

• Round Face. Bushy beards tend to make round faces look even rounder so keep the sides of the beard slightly shorter. Try beard styles that are full and long at the chin or opt for a goatee, which will help elongate the face slightly.
• Square Face. A full beard is great for softening square, angular jawlines but keep it slightly shorter in the sideburn area and let the beard around the chin and jaw do the softening. For an elongating effect shape the beard into a slight point under the chin.
• Long Face. Long faces tend to suit beards that are fuller at the sides and shorter at the chin. Grow a Gandalf and all you’ll do is make your face look even longer. Goatees are good too but, again, don’t let them grow too long at the chin.
• Oval Face.  If your face is more or less oval-shaped you’ve lucked out and can pretty much pull off any facial hairstyle – from a modest goatee to a full-on Seasick Steve.

Are there any famous Freemasons that had a beard?

Yes, there are actually quite a few famous freemasons that had a beard. Many Freemasons have sported a mustache, goatee, sideburns, short beard, or even a long beard. Here is a shortlist of Famous Freemasons that rocked a beard. Please note this is not a complete list and you can probably argue so many more famous Freemasons should be on this list.

1. ANTHONY TROLLOPE
2. JOHN PHILLIP SOUSA – An American composer and conductor, he is remembered for composing American’s “national march”, ‘The Stars and Stripes Forever’, and ‘The Liberty Bell’
3. KING EDWARD VII – King of the United Kingdom and the Colonies (1901-1910), during his reign he helped to modernize the Royal Navy and improve the medical facilities of the British Army. He was installed as Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of England in 1874.
4. SIR FREDERICK STANLEY – Appointed Governor General of Canada by Queen Victoria in 1888. A keen sportsman, he enjoyed ice hockey and originated the Stanley Cup.
5. RICHARD SEDDON – The longest-serving Prime Minister of New Zealand and a dedicated Freemason as well, Seddon served as Grand Master of New Zealand (1898–1900).
6. SIR WILLIAM S. GILBERT
7. DAVID KALAKAUA – Last reigning King of the Kingdom of Hawaii.
8. DANIEL BEARD – Founder of the Boy Scouts.
9. GUISEPPE GARIBALDI – An Italian Patriot and General during the Italian Civil War.
10. ABD-EL-KADER – An Algerian patroit and emir of Mascara.
11. RICHARD JORDAN GATLING – He invented his now-famous ‘Gatling Gun’, the world’s first practical machine gun.
12. SAMUEL COLT – A firearms inventor and manufacturer who designed the first practical revolving chambered percussion pistol.
13. RABBI RAYMOND APPLE – A Chief Rabbi in the Great Synagogue in Sydney and leading spokesman for Judaism in Australia.
14. ROBERT E LEE – He was commanding general of the Confederate Army during the American Civil War.
15. ALFRED VAN TIRPITZ– A German Admiral and Secretary of State of the German Imperial Naval Office, Tirpitz is considered to be the founder of the German Imperial Navy.
16. ALBERT PIKE – A solicitor, soldier, writer, and poet, and he wrote extensively on Masonic subjects. He re-wrote the rituals of the U.S. Southern Jurisdiction of the Scottish Rite Bodies.
17. ROB MORRIS –  A prominent American poet, and founded The Order of the Eastern Star.
18. STEVE WOZNIAK – the co-founder of Apple, Steve Wozniak, became a Freemason in 1980 in California.

How do I grow a beard?

Don’t shave. Well, we hope you have enjoyed reading this article about beards and Freemasonry.

Please keep up with the Freemasonry Report

The Freemasonry Report will be writing more articles to help grow the fraternity. The Freemasonry Report hopes this information was helpful to you. If you want more Freemasonry topics to read? The Freemasonry Report has good news – we have been busy creating plenty for you to enjoy! I have been spending hours creating this information, so take a moment to read each one!  Or maybe you want to find a lodge in your neck of the woods?

More good news, the Freemasonry Report is creating a complete review of each Grand Lodge – it will take time but I wanted you to have this information at your fingertips!  If you want to network with other Freemasons – check out our Facebook Group / Page now!

Can Both Men and Women Join Freemasonry Together?

The answer is YES and NO.  Today we are going to dig into the wild world of Freemasonry. Today, we are going to look at “Universal Co-Masonry, The American Federation of Human Rights, Inc.” also known as “The Honorable Order of Universal Co-Masonry”.  This is a masonic organization that allows men and women to become Freemasons together. We are going to learn about who they are and all about them. And yes, you are probably wondering if other Grand Lodges recognize this organization. The answer is no because most Grand Lodges only admit men or women only.  This is one of the very few Masonic fraternal organizations that are actually co-ed.

Men and Women Becoming Master Masons Together

In Universal Co-Masonry, both men and women can become Master Masons.  This Masonic fraternity is committed to serving humanity at all levels: local, national, and global. They are working diligently to increase our impact and share knowledge with all who seek it. Universal Co-Masonry believes that the true origin of Freemasonry is unknown, lost in time. There are a good number of historians with diverse opinions, each vehemently supporting his or her own belief.

Universal Co-Masonry believes they are making history every day, but their member’s effects will mostly be evident years from now. They believe that “The truth” will be colored by each perceiver. So, they can talk of some events in our history, but they never really know the underlying current that for years worked to precipitate the moment.

Here is what Co-Masonry thinks. Co-Ed Freemasonry

They believe that they must trust that there is a Plan of Evolution, and a Tracing Board, for Humanity, and that we are but a speck within the current of life – evolving and cooperating with the big scheme. They mention that since time immemorial, the symbols of Freemasonry have been passed down from the memory of those who came before us, each new generation adding or forgetting some crucial detail.

Co-Masonry openly states that Freemasonry has been distorted by the passage of time, each of the symbols (The Beehive, The Compasses, The Rough & Perfect Ashlars, and The Square) are essential to understanding the hidden mysteries of Freemasonry. Much knowledge has been lost to the Craft over the eons but with diligence and time its full stature will be restored.

Therefore, it is Co-Masonry member’s unending quest to restore the lost knowledge of the Craft so that its full splendor can be revealed. They feel that the lost the true meaning of the symbols that it preserves can be found on the pages written by the collective efforts of three Masonic authors: Manly P. Hall, Albert Mackey, and Albert Pike. These authors in their opinion help to restore their understanding of these mysterious images.

Furthermore, Universal Co-Masonry likes to highlight – Albert G. Mackey’s 33^rd Degree Scottish Rite Mason from the book: Encyclopedia of Freemasonry, where he states: ” The origin and source whence first sprang the institution of Freemasonry, such as we now have it, has given rise to more difference of opinion and discussions among Masonic scholars than any other topic in the literature of the institution.” Though Universal Co-Masonry does not endorse the conclusions of Illustrious Albert Mackey, his writings are considered scholarly and detailed.

Connecting the dots of Co-Masonry – Men & Women Sitting In A Master Mason Meeting Together

The Honorable Order of Universal Co-Masonry believes they are the heir to the ancient traditions whose wise principles, moral force, and discipline it has maintained, has preserved the rules of the past used by the first Masonic Orders.

So, therefore, this order has also maintained the signs, grips, sacred words, and passwords of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish and York Rite, employed as a means of recognition by many of the Freemasons scattered throughout the world.

All of its members of the Order form but one family of ‘Brothers’ and are part of an Institution that permits them to be recognized by Freemasons. They believe by and of whatsoever Rite and to also recognize all Freemasons throughout the world.

Their Masonic Degrees consist of the thirty-three degrees of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite plus four Royal Arch Degrees of the Ancient and Accepted York Rite. So, they contend that their membership has been reunited by the Order of Universal Co-Masonry under the structure of the Ancient and Accepted Universal Rite.

What is the “Ancient and Accepted Universal Rite”?

Well, this is a rite that they created and justify as a rite that is not a new rite. They want men and women to know that, that the Ancient and Accepted Universal Rite is not an invention or creation of Universal Co-Masonry.

It is the recombination set forth by Universal Co-Masonry, The American Federation of Human Rights, Inc. (their corporate entity) of that which has been divided and separated by time and circumstances. Further, their Supreme Council may, at any time, authorize the establishment of other Masonic bodies not currently practiced.

So, what was divided and separated you may be wondering? Well, the first three degrees, the royal arch degrees, and the Scottish Rite degrees. Universal Co-Masonry believes that all these degrees of Freemasonry form the ‘one cohesive legend’ and that each part is essential to a Freemason’s understanding of their historical and symbolic significance.

These 37 degrees make up the “Ancient and Accepted Universal Rite”. These degrees are conferred on a merit and ability basis. Some degrees in this fraternity have specific requirements, such as time and examination, which are necessary to progress, but ultimately one’s commitment to the brethren and to the Order. The Order and its brethren will decide when to grant a member access to the higher degrees.  Here are their degrees grouped and listed as follows:

First Group: Symbolic Masonry “Symbolic Degrees” – For Men and Women in Freemasonry

1 – Entered Apprentice.

2 – Fellowcraft.

3 – Master Mason.

Second Group: English Rite (or York Rite) “Chapter Degrees” – For Men & Women in Freemasonry Together

Mark Master Mason

Royal Ark Mariner

Excellent Master

Holy Royal Arch of Jerusalem

Please note that to attain the 32nd Degree in Co-Masonry, their members must be a Master Mason for at least 14 years, have been elected Master of Lodge, and must have served the Supreme Council with satisfaction.

Lodge of Perfection “Ineffable Degrees”- Women & Men in Freemasonry

4 – Secret Master

5 – Perfect Master

6 – Intimate Secretary

7 – Provost & Judge

8 – Intendant of the Building

9 – Master Elect of Nine

10 – Master Elect of Fifteen

11 – Sublime Master Elect

12 – Grand Master Architect

13 – Royal Arch of Enoch

14 – Grand Elect and Sublime Mason

Chapter Rose Croix “Historic Degrees”

15 – Knight of the East

16 – Prince of Jerusalem

17 – Knight of the East & West

18 – Knight of Rose Croix of Heredom

Council Kadosh “Philosophical and chivalric Degrees”

19 – Grand Pontiff or Sublime Scottish Knight

20 – Sovereign Prince or Master ad Vitam

21 – Noachite or Prussian Knight

22 – Prince of Lebanon or Royal Axe

23 – Chief of the Tabernacle

24 – Prince of the Tabernacle

25 – Knight of the Brazen Serpent

26 – Prince of Mercy

27 – Sovereign Commander of the Temple

28 – Knight of the Sun, Prince Adept

29 – Knight of Saint Andrew

30 – Knight Kadosh

Consistory “Official and Ceremonial Degrees”

31 – Grand Inquisitor Commanders

32 – Sublime Prince of the Royal Secret

Court of Honor “Honorary Degrees”

33 – Grand Inspector General

UNDERSTANDING THE GOVERNMENT OF THE CO-MASONRY CRAFT – THEIR MASONIC AUTHORITY STRUCTURE

The governing body of the Order is the Supreme Council of the Sovereign Grand Inspectors General of the 33rd Degree. Presided over by the Most Sovereign Grand Commander, the Council is entrusted with the expansion and growth of Co-Masonry, while maintaining and preserving the tenants of the Grand Constitution. The following explains Univeral Co-Masonry’s hierarchy of their Order, after which a brief description of each section will be given:

Supreme Council of Universal Co-Masonry

The Supreme Council is the ultimate Masonic authority of the Order. Faithful allegiance and implicit obedience are due to it from all bodies, committees, and members within its jurisdiction from the 1st to the 33rd and last degree of Freemasonry. Its functions and prerogatives are therefore of the most extensive and important nature.

Members of the Supreme Council are those few that have provided exceptional service to the Order. By merit and ability, they have earned the right to govern the Order.

Grand Council of Administration

Below the Supreme Council is the Grand Council of Administration. In essence, the steward of the Supreme Council, the duties of the Grand Council of Administration are to maintain, preserve, and expand the temporal realm of the Order. This includes all assets, properties, buildings, and other items necessary to ensure the Work of Universal Co-masonry. The members of the Grand Council are elected by the general membership.

Lodges for both Men and Women Freemasons

In each Lodge, universal suffrage is sovereign, but the sovereignty of the members of a Lodge must never be derogatory to the sovereignty of the members of another Lodge.

Members – Masonic Women and Men

All members must abide by the Grand Constitution, the Rules & Regulations of the Order, the decrees of the Supreme Council, and the Bylaws of their particular lodge. By virtue of the principle of fraternity which constitutes the foundation of Freemasonry, The Honorable Order of Universal Co-Masonry fraternally welcomes Masons of other Obedience’s which, like itself, labor for the progress of humanity along the road of material, moral, and spiritual betterment.

DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES

Co-Masonry is Laboring Under the Banner of Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth. Co-Masonry is therefore a fraternity including men and women of every race, nationality, and religion. They are wishing to do away with all cause for division and strife, it continually seeks the means which to help all human beings to unite and work together for the perfection of Humanity. Universal Co-Masonry wishes to share that they are in fact a ‘Masonic Obedience’ independent of all others, has not created a new Rite.

Understanding Co-Masonry’s Obedience.

Here is what distinguishes Co-Masonry Obedience from other existing Masonic Obedience(s) in other Grand Lodges and so on. Other Masonic Entities only admit men. The interesting news is that they have wished to completely ignore the Grand Lodges that only admit women.

Co-Masonry admits women and men on an equal footing. This organization proclaims equal rights for both sexes and absolute liberty of conscience. Thus, securing that women and men have:

• unlimited freedom in the search for truth.
• yet it demands the utmost tolerance from all its members.
• yet it demands the avoidance of political and religious discussions wherever these cannot be carried on with requisite tolerance and moderation.
• but it welcomes everyone who is upright, free, of mature age, sound judgment, and strict morals, whatever may be his or her convictions in matters of religion, philosophy, or politics.

CHARACTER OF A CO-MASONRY FREEMASON – Women + Men in Freemasonry

First, off it is important to note that Co-Masonry views its organization as female. Freemasonry is a great quest for Light, and her members are Knights and Protectors of that Light. Freemasonry instructs its members by the performance of ceremonial degrees, each with its own teachings, symbols, and message. Thus, the Freemason is taught by experience to serve God, help his fellow man (or woman), and better himself (or herself).

Co-Masonry defines a Freemason’s foundation in their Order as being founded on the principles of human solidarity, freedom of conscience, and the facts of Brotherhood. It places no restrictions on the search for Truth, and to secure that freedom, it demands the greatest tolerance from all members of the Order. A Co-Masonry’s Freemason in their opinion different because they have the freedom of thought, speech, and action belongs to all Mankind: regardless of race, religion, or gender.

Co-Masonry Freemasons assert the existence of a Supreme Power under the name of “The Great Architect of the Universe,” yet at the same time leaving Human Reason at perfect liberty to differ regarding His Attributes. Co-Masonry wishes to share it is not a religion and demands that each of its members to be tolerant to the beliefs of others no matter how different they may be.

So now that we know that the door to Co-Masonry is open to any individual, both men, and women of any race, religion, or creed, requiring only a strong moral character, a belief in a Supreme Being, and a desire to improve our world through service. Let us jump back to their declaration of principles.

BACK TO THE DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES OF COED FREEMASONRY / CO-MASONRY

Universal Co-Masonry seeks to destroy ignorance under whatever form, and its program may be explained as follows:

1. Each Co-Masonry Mason owes obedience to the Order and to the laws of his or her country; he (or she) must live honorably, practice justice, love his (or her) neighbor, work unceasingly for the true happiness of humanity, and help human beings to emancipate themselves from the thralldom of passion and ignorance.
2. From the first to the last, to whatever degree the aspirant may desire to be admitted, the first condition to be fulfilled is to have a reputation of unsullied honor and probity.
3. Members of the Co-masonry Order owe to each other help and support in all circumstances and conditions of life.
4. To think high, to speak the truth, to do well, to be tolerant to others, to search after truth, to practice liberty under law, fraternal equality, justice, and solidarity, are the duties which the Supreme Council of Universal Co-Masonry, prescribes for its members seeking to build to the Glory of the Great Architect of the Universe, to the perfection of Humanity, and to the service of the Head of All True Freemasons, the true Masonic Temple open to both men and women.

THE MISSION AND VISION OF CO-MASONRY

They really want to help advance the Evolution of Humanity and they believe to serve is the highest ideal. It is the Freemasonry Report’s understanding that this is most likely their mission statement and vision statement. This is quoted below is literally from their website ‘word for word’ from univeralfreemasonry.org.

“Unless we set for ourselves the grandest and loftiest ideals imaginable, the genius of humanity will never reach its full potential. As human beings we are engaged in a never-ending quest to achieve the unachievable, know the unknowable and explore the far reaches of existence. It is this quest that has pushed us to climb the highest mountains, dive to the bottom of the oceans, reach beyond the limits of our atmosphere and create technological wonders that push the boundaries of possibility. If ever we become content and satisfied with the mediocre, the average or the temptations of the status quo, the ingenuity of the human race will vanish.

Universal Co-Masonry recognizes this quality in human beings and has declared as its mission the quickening of human evolution. Evolution, with its slow yet steady march across millions of years, has produced extraordinary wonders and a natural world so perfect in its completeness that it is beyond comprehension. It is, however, the unique duty of those with eyes to see and hears to hear to assist in unfolding the Divine Plan that Nature has revealed to us. Within the intricate symbolism of Freemasonry there can be found a blueprint for the expansion and transformation of humanity into the free, creative beings we have always been meant to be.

It is through Masonic ritual that the potential of the human mind to contemplate, imagine and create is developed and refined. Freemasonry is not merely a system of self-improvement or self-help designed to make good people better. Self-improvement is a side effect of the true purpose of Freemasonry: service to humanity. In this service there is no rest, only the reward of a job well done and the promise of more work.

The specific service to humanity that Universal Co-Masonry has decided to undertake is to combat Ignorance in all its forms. Ignorance, along with Ambition and Fanaticism, is the greatest of the three tyrants that have oppressed humanity from time immemorial. Universal Co-Masonry envisions a day when all human beings live harmoniously in liberty and prosperity, freed from the chains of physical, mental, and spiritual poverty.

All human beings, regardless of age, sex, race, or religion, are necessary to the fulfillment of this mission. Freemasonry has no room for the petty and the arbitrary divisions that have held back humanity for centuries. All Universal Co-Masonry requires of its potential Co-Workers is a deep belief in a Supreme power and the sincere wish to do good, speak truth and live as an example to humanity so that we may one day be free from the bondage we have imposed upon ourselves.”

NOW LET US LOOK AT THEIR GRAND CONSTITUTION OF CO-MASONRY / COED FREEMASON 

Co-Masonry’s Grand Constitution is the ultimate authority in the governance of Universal Co-Masonry, also known as ‘The Order’. Through this fundamental document, members of Co-Masonry receive the principles and direction necessary to function in unity and harmony.

Their members adhere to this as well as the General Rules and Regulations is essential to the optimal functioning of Masonry, as all members, from ‘Neophyte’ to ‘Grand Inspectors General’. All in Co-Masonry must obey and respect it.

Co-Masonry gets its authority vested in the Grand Constitution that all Lodges and other Masonic bodies in the Federation Act. Therefore, Co-Masonry’s sublime manifest teaches the brothers the duties owed to the Craft and to their fellow brethren, including:

1. To live honorably, practice justice, and love their neighbors.

2. To work unceasingly for the true happiness of Humanity.

3. To think high, speak the truth, and do well.

Co-Masonry shares that it is ordained and established to promote the evolution and progress of humanity. Their Grand Constitution of Universal Co-Masonry also grants rights to its members of the Order. All members are entitled to:

1. The liberty of thought and conscience.

2. The pursuit of Happiness.

3. Equal rights without distinction of sex, religion, or creed.

4. The blessings derived from the virtues of Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth.

5. Support from the members of the Order in the circumstances and conditions of life.

6. The attainment of the highest degree of moral, intellectual, and spiritual development.

7. Unlimited freedom in the search for Truth.

In addition, their Grand Constitution grants members the ability to debate social, philosophical, political, and religious questions in Masonic, as well as, profane settings, to pursue intellectual enlightenment, a greater understanding of themselves, and fulfillment of their Freemasonic duties to Humanity and God.

HOW TO BECOME A UNIVERSAL CO-MASON? MEN & WOMEN IN FREEMASONRY TOGETHER

Co-Masonry promotes itself as Freemasonry for people who wish to improve themselves spiritually, mentally, and physically, as a parent, friend, member of their community, and ultimately as a servant of God.

Co-Masonry also mentions that through participation in a Masonic Temple, a new member can be given an opportunity to learn important truths concerning morality and spirituality, including one’s relationship with God and his fellow man. While also learning to understand the perspective of others in an atmosphere of tolerance and mutual support. Whether they be Christian, Muslim, or Jewish; black or white; male or female; rich or poor – all who gather within the doors of a Co-Masonry Temple are equals.

To become a Co-Masonry Freemason, a person merely has to find a temple building and then knock on the door then asking for membership in the Order. Aside from asking for a petition, you will also have to fulfill the following requirements to become a Co-Masonry member:

• You must be a man or woman of lawful age (21 years old).
• You must profess a belief in a Supreme Power.
• You must be willing to attend all regular Lodge meetings; emergencies excepted.

“Whenever you find yourself fighting ignorance and intolerance, you will find yourself living in the teachings of Freemasonry.” – The Very Ills. Bro. Magdalena I. Cumsille, 33^rd, The Most Sovereign Grand Commander.

TRAINING AND EDUCATION OFFERED BY CO-MASONRY – LEARNING HOW MEN AND WOMEN CAN BE IN FREEMASON LODGES TOGETHER

Co-Masonry offers several Masonic Seminars. This is a series that was started in 2019 to better inform interested persons about Universal Co-Masonry. The Seminar consists of 12 lectures which are about 1.5 hours.

The series covers the basics of Freemasonry, the background of Freemasonry within Western Esoteric Tradition, and the many different philosophical and historical aspects.  The aim of the Seminar is to give a solid foundation about Freemasonry in General and Universal Co-Masonry in particular without divulging any of the secrets or rituals of this ancient philosophy.

Each session is taught independently of the others in the series so individuals can sign up at any time in the year. The following is a list of the topics covered and when they will be offered within the calendar year.

• Seminar I – January Topic – What is Freemasonry?
• Seminar II – February Topic – Freemasonry as a Western Esoteric Tradition
• Seminar III – March Topic – Symbolism and Ritual
• Seminar IV – April Topic – Freemasonry as a Philosophy
• Seminar V – May Topic – Freemasonry as a Science
• Seminar VI – June Topic – Freemasonry as an Art
• Seminar VII – July Topic – The Three Grand Principles
• Seminar VIII – August Topic – Ethics and Morality of a Freemason
• Seminar IX – September Topic – Freemasonry as a Political Philosophy
• Seminar X – October Topic – The History of Freemasonry
• Seminar XI – November Topic – Masonic Landmarks
• Seminar XII – December Topic – Misconceptions about Freemasonry

THE DEBATE ON CO-MASONRY.

The Freemasonry Report wants to briefly discuss the debate of this topic. Most ‘regular’ Grand Lodges do not recognize this organization because of its membership standards. In the United States alone, the number of Grand Lodges is staggering from Free and Accepted Masons to Prince Hall and beyond. And each Grand Lodge has its own standards of regularity. The interesting fact of the matter is that most Grand Lodges only admit ‘Men’ and direct their members not to sit in lodges or temples where a woman is made a Mason.

With that being said, there are, ‘women only’ Grand Lodges in the world. Yet, no other Masonic entity in our research asks and/or offers other Freemasons to sit in lodge with them. This is in essence bypassing the other Grand Lodge’s By-Laws, Constitution, and/or Ruling and Decisions but most importantly its authority. Universal Co-Masonry’s practice of allowing other Masons to sit in lodge with them, which are normally called ‘irregular’;  ‘clandestine’; and/or ‘un-recognized’ causes much debate in many Masonic social groups.

Thank you for reading this blog article on Men and Women in Freemasonry together.

Please keep up with the Freemasonry Report

The Freemasonry Report will be writing more articles to help grow the fraternity. The Freemasonry Report hopes this information was helpful to you. If you want more Freemasonry topics to read? Good news, the Freemasonry Report is creating plenty for you to enjoy! I have been spending hours creating this information, so take a moment to read each one!  Or maybe you want to find a lodge in your neck of the woods? More good news, the Freemasonry Report is creating a complete review of each Grand Lodge – it will take time but I wanted you to have this information at your fingertips!  If you want to network with other Freemasons – check out our Facebook Group / Page now!

Can A Woman Be A Freemason?

So can a woman become a Freemason – yes and no.

Here is why – most grand lodges historically are men only and those grand lodges will not allow a woman to go through the 3 degrees to become a Master Mason. But there are certain Grand Lodges where being a Master Mason and woman is okay with them. That is why some grand lodges view others as being irregular in nature. So let’s take a good look at this topic in detail now.

Women That Have Family (or Good Friends) That Are Master Masons

In Freemasonry, as in all other areas of life, women do play an important role. The opportunities for women to participate in Freemasonry are widespread for most grand lodges. They are honored and help the fraternity meet a variety of needs, from social interactions to specific leadership roles in girls youth organizations inside the Freemason Family.

Did you know that there are specific ‘Orders’ for both men and women? Yes, they are called:

• The Order of the Eastern Star (the largest of these Masonic-related groups) was established in 1855
• The Order of the Amaranth in 1873
• The White Shrine of Jerusalem in 1894
• The Daughters of the Nile
• The Ladies Oriental Shrine of North America
• The Daughters of Mokanna
• The Social Order of Beauceant

These organization meet the unique needs in the “women only” Masonic-related organizations. The moral and ethical values that Freemasonry encourages are universal and not gender-based. It is true that Masonic Lodges maintain a long-standing tradition of restricting membership in Freemasonry to men. This tradition is based on the historical all male membership of stonemasons guilds. During the Middle Ages, men traveled far from home and lived in lodges while constructing great cathedrals throughout Europe. However, in the middle 1800s the fraternity took the progressive step to create ‘women only or coed’ fraternal appendant bodies in Freemasonry. These organizations thus provided an avenue for men and women (husbands and wives; mothers and sons; adult daughters and fathers and so on) could share Masonic fellowship with each other.

Further there are a few regional, national, and international Masonic-related youth organizations are for young women:

• the International Order of Job’s Daughters, founded in 1920
• the International Order of Rainbow for Girls, founded in 1922
• the Order of the Triangles (mainly based in the Northeast of the USA)
• the Constellation of Junior Stars, located in State of New York, is a nonprofit organization affiliated with freemasonry for young women between the ages of 10 and 21.

These girls or young ladies organizations are involved with local charities, community service concepts, and educational programs. They help teach their members to be good citizens, good leaders, and respectable adult women. This type of youth organization is similar to but not identical to other gender specific groups like the Girl Scouts.  They both offer social and professional growth on one’s gender to fulfill their unique interests and specific needs.

Women That Are Master Masons

Did you know that are a few female-only Grand Lodges? It is true: The Order of Women Freemasons and HFAF – Freemasonry for Women. They both follow exactly the same ceremonies and wear the same regalia as traditional men-only Master Mason Lodges.  Let’s take a closer look at these organizations.

The Order of Women Freemasons – Female Freemasons

The Order of Women Freemasons is the oldest and largest Masonic organization for women in this country and works on the lines of regular male Freemasonry. The United Grand Lodge of England (UGLE), in a statement issued in 1999, acknowledged the sincerity of women’s masonic organization. The UGLE although does do not officially recognize it and their members. Women of any race or faith can join our Order but must be 21 years or older, be of good character and believe in a Supreme Being. Being formed in 1908, they report to have about 4,000 members grouped into over 300 Craft Lodges operating in the UK and overseas. Each lodge is required to meet a minimum of four times a year. And they do call their members by the title of ‘Brother’.

Brief History of The Order of Women Freemasons – Woman Master Masons

The Honorable Fraternity of Antient Masonry (i.e. The Order of Woman Freemasons) was founded on 20 June 1908.  From a beginning with three small Lodges in 1908 they have gradually increased in membership numbers. The members had made its first Grand Master – the Reverend Dr. William Frederick Cobb. Soon after starting in 1912, all future Grand Masters have all been women. The new Order at first included both men and women, but eventually the decision was taken in the early 1920s to restrict entrance to women only. Further, they would no longer admit men as visitors. Therefore by 1935, this Grand Lodge had become an exclusively female organization and they remain so up into the present day. Another Masonic Order for women had been founded in 1913, and to avoid confusion in names we added ‘Order of Women Freemasons’ to our title in 1958. This is the name by which they are known today.   As of 2005, the order became international in its nature with the expansion abroad, in which a Lodge was opened at Fuengirola near Malaga in Spain.

Today they have currently nine Grand Masters or heads of the Order. The Grand Master’s title in their order is “Most Worshipful Brother” and further a Grand Master in their organization can serve a multi year term. Most Worshipful Brother Zuzanka Daniella Penn was installed in 2010 which currently is over a decade holding that position.

 

The Honourable Fraternity of Ancient Freemasons – Female Freemasons

The Honourable Fraternity of Ancient Freemasons  or HFAF for short is another Grand Lodge based on having women be Master Masons. It is now known as ‘Freemasonry for Women’ and it is a fraternity for women and organized by women. This Grand Lodge was founded in 1913 and membership is open to women of any race or religion, who are able to profess a belief in a Supreme Being. In the United Kingdom, there are single sex fraternities such as this one and mixed masonic fraternities too. Their values and organizational precepts are taught by a series of ceremonies. Currently, they are working in conjunction with United Grand Lodge of England, which they call ‘Masculine Freemasonry’ on an on-going project.

Brief History of HFAF – Woman Master Masons

They wish to have it be noted that Women’s Freemasonry pre-dates both the Women’s Institute founded in 1915 and also the Townswomen’s Guild which started in 1929. This maybe connected to the fact that around 1740, the ” Maçonnerie d’Adoption”, or “Adopted Masonry” was created to “allow the fair sex to take part in charity and philosophy”.    The Honourable Fraternity of Ancient Freemasons was founded in 1913 and the first Grand Master was Mrs Elizabeth Boswell-Reid who held that Office for 20 years.

The first three Lodges to be consecrated were ;

1. Stability No 1
2. Wisdom No 2 (later to change its name to Fidelity)
3. Strength No 3

HFAF growth was severely restricted by the outbreak of the World War 1 as voluntary service was needed for the war effort. After in 1916, HFAF established the Higher Degrees with the consecration of the Chapter of Hidden Splendour no 1 of the Holy Royal Arch.  Later in 1932 the Mark (Master) Degree was established when the Keystone Mark Lodge no 1 was consecrated. Soon after, the Rose Croix 18th Degree Rose of Sharon Chapter no 1 in 1935. Followed by the Ark Mariners in 1996 and the Knights Templar Degree in 2001.  HFAF went international when continued its movement in France. It did this in France along the lines of Adoptive Masonry until 1959 when the Grand Loge Féminine de France decided to work the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite. This led to the consecration of further national Grand Lodges in Belgium, Italy, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Denmark, Turkey, Germany, Canada and the Americas.

“It was in 1902 that the first lodge of Co-Masons was formed in London and that importation from France soon snowballed. But within a few years some of its members became uneasy regarding the course being taken by the governing body in Paris. They felt that their ancient forms were in jeopardy and a departure from their traditional style was taking place; history was being repeated, for it was a similar state that had arisen in regular Freemasonry in the mid-18th century. Various members resigned from the Order and formed themselves into a Society from which was to emerge the Honourable Fraternity of Antient Masonry, but still as an association for men and women. On 5 June 1908 a Grand Lodge was formed with a Reverend Brother as Grand Master. He was the first and only male Grand Master and held that office for four years before retiring through ill health. His successor commenced the continuing line of female Grand Masters. Approximately ten years later it was decided to restrict admission to women only but to allow existing male members to remain. Within a very short period the title was changed to the Order of Women Freemasons but the form of address as ‘Brother’ remained, the term ‘Sister’ having been discontinued soon after the formation in 1908 as it was deemed unfitting for members of a universal Brotherhood of Freemasons. It is also of some interest to note that history was repeated again , in that the Royal Arch became the subject of a division in their ranks, rather on the lines of the Antients and Moderns years before the Union in 1813. A group of its members wished to include the Royal Arch in the system but failed to obtain authority from their Grand Lodge , which caused them to secede and form the first Lodge of yet another Order – The Honourable Fraternity of Ancient Freemasons, two Grand Lodges running in parallel was almost a carbon copy performance, but in this case the time for a Union, similar to that which took place in 1813, is yet to come.”  Enid Scott, 1988 – Former Assistant Grand Master

Interesting Facts About Women Freemasons

The first known female speculative Mason was Elizabeth St-Leger, later Mrs. Aldworth, of Cork Ireland, who is said to have been initiated by her father in 1712, after she was caught spying on the Lodge’s proceedings. Here is what we could find about Miss Elizabeth Saint Leger of Cork, Ireland – one evening in or around the year 1710, she hid herself in a room adjoining the Lodge. She removed a brick from the wall of the lodge-room and witnessed an initiation. In leaving, she inadvertently ran into the Tyler who escorted her into the lodge room.  The brethren decided to obligate her, and one story has it that Miss St-Leger ultimately became Master of the Lodge. She even received a Masonic funeral at the time of her death.

Further during the creation of the Grand Lodge of London and the publication of Anderson’s Constitutions in 1723, women were barred from what became known as regular Free-Masonry. Mention is made of a Mrs. Bell, in 1790 in London, and a Mrs. Harvard, in Hereford, in 1770, but these are isolated cases and do not prove the presence of women in Masonic lodges.

A Women’s Lodge did exist briefly in Boston in the 1790’s. Its Worshipful Master, Hannah Mather Crocker (1763-1829) has penned a series of letters on Free-Masonry which were published in Boston in 1815. She claims she had knowledge of the craft because “… in the younger part of life, [she] did investigate some of the principles of Free-Masonry” to assuage the fears of her friends whose husbands were Masons. And she goes on: “I had the honour, some years ago, to preside as Mistress of a similar institution, consisting of females only; we held a regular lodge, founded on the original principles of true ancient freemasonry, so far as was consistent for the female character.” Another document mentions “A short address by the Mistress of St-Ann’s Lodge”.

The Women’s Grand Lodge Of Belgium is a Masonic obedience for women only which works in the first three degrees of Freemasonry. The Grande Loge Féminine de France founded its first lodge in Brussels on 20 April 1974, followed by three more in Liège, Brussels and Charleroi. The Women’s Grand Lodge Of Belgium was founded on 17 October 1981.  The three Lodges created by the Women’s Grand Lodge of Belgium. This Grand Lodge hopes to one day form the Women’s Grand Lodge of the United States.  These women’s lodges in the USA are as follows: Universalis in New York City;  Aletheia in Los Angeles; &  Emounah in Washington, DC. It is mentioned on the Alethia website that dues are $240 annually with initiation costs being $500.

WOMEN’S GRAND LODGE OF CALIFORNIA – that’s what the Freemasonry Report has found and its Grand Master is Teresita Arechiga. Not much is known about this Grand Lodge but it has held a conference by a founder of women’s Freemasonry in Huntington Park, California.  They do say that they are an all women Grand Lodge working in the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite.  We have three lodges in the Los Angeles area. LODGE ESTRELLAS DE ISIS #5 in Maywood; LODGE MINERVA #3 in  Maywood; and LODGE GAIA #1 in Santa Monica.

In the 19th Century, Albert Pike, Supreme Commander of Scottish Rite Freemasonry, created a Rite of Adoption based on the French ritual. One of the first women to be initiated in his Lodge of Adoption was the sculptor Vinnie Ream Hoxie.

So what is the Lodge of Adoption? Female Freemasons

The Rite of Adoption was a Masonic rite which appeared in France in the 18th century. Lodges of adoption were usually attached to regular craft lodges, but admitted the female relatives of Freemasons to a mixed lodge with its own ritual. The number of degrees varied over its history, but the first three bore the same names as the craft degrees, although the pass-words and themes of the ritual were quite different.  During the second half of the eighteenth century it was spreading to much of continental Europe. These lodges were declared unconstitutional by the Grand Orient de France (Grand Orient of France) early in the nineteenth century. Then about 100 years later, it revived the female only lodges in the early twentieth century. It was these lodges who later adopted the Freemasonry of their male counterparts, becoming the Grande Loge féminine de France.  The Rite of Adoption is often seen as a prototype for contemporary concordant bodies admitting the wives and daughters of Freemasons, such as the Order of the Eastern Star.

Further, it is different and specific systems of Upper Degree Masonry. These degrees were added to the three symbolic degrees for women. One of these rituals was that of the Queen of Sheba, under the name of “Princess of the Crown”, which was the highest of 10 degrees attested at the end of the 18th century.

Adoptive Masonry was officially sanctioned by the Grand Orient of France on 10 June 1774, which recognized four degrees: Female Apprentice, Craftswoman, Mistress, and Perfect Masoness. In 1817, a fifth degree was added: Female-elect Sublime Scottish Dame. These flourished in France, Germany, Holland, Italy, Poland and Russia. Being always conservative, England refused to recognize them.

Please keep up with the Freemasonry Report

The Freemasonry Report will be writing more articles to help grow the fraternity. The Freemasonry Report hopes this information was helpful to you. If you want more Freemasonry topics to read? Good news, the Freemasonry Report is creating plenty for you to enjoy! I have been spending hours creating this information, so take a moment to read each one!  Or maybe you want to find a lodge in your neck of the woods? More good news, the Freemasonry Report is creating a complete review of each Grand Lodge – it will take time but I wanted you to have this information at your fingertips!  If you want to network with other Freemasons – check out our Facebook Group / Page now!

Famous Freemason Quotes – Mark Twain

Who is Mark Twain and what is his Masonic Story? Let’s start at the beginning Mark Twain was a ‘pen name’ for Brother Samuel Langhorne Clemens. Brother Clemens was born November 30, 1835, and put down his working tools on April 21, 1910. Brother Samuel was better known by his pen name Mark Twain to the world.

Under the pen name of Mark Twain, he was a writer, humorist, entrepreneur, publisher, and lecturer in the United States with popularity internationally. His novels include The Adventures of Tom Sawyer – published in 1876 and its sequel, the Adventures of Huckleberry Finn published in 1885. His sequel was later called by many people as “The Great American Novel“.

Here are a few memorable quotes by Mark Twain – enjoy…

1. “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So, throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”
2. “The secret of getting ahead is getting started.”
3. “Continuous improvement is better than delayed perfection.”
4. “With courage, you will dare to take risks, have the strength to be compassionate, and the wisdom to be humble. Courage is the foundation of integrity.”
5. “Life is short, break the rules. Forgive quickly, kiss slowly. Love truly. Laugh uncontrollably and never regret anything that makes you smile.”
6. “All you need in this life is ignorance and confidence, and then success is sure.”
7. “Give every day the chance to become the most beautiful of your life.”
8. “The world owes you nothing. It was here first.”
9. “Do something every day that you don’t want to do. This is the golden rule for acquiring the habit of doing your duty without pain.”
10. “I can teach anybody how to get what they want out of life. The problem is that I can’t find anybody who can tell me what they want.”
11. “Don’t wait. The time will never be just right.”
12. “It is wiser to find out than suppose.”

Mark Twain / Brother Samuel Langhorne Clemens – The Freemason

Brother Samuel Langhorne Clemens, better known under his pen name as the author Mark Twain, as stated earlier was an accomplished American author. Brother Samuel Clemens was born on November 30, 1835, in Florida, Missouri. In the early years of his life, he worked as an apprentice for a printer. Soon after he went on to work as a Mississippi River pilot. Some Masonic historians think that this was what sparked Brother Clemens’s interest in joining Freemasonry.

Brother Clemens (aka Mark Twain) presented his petition to a local lodge in the city of Saint Louis on December 26, 1860. He was made a Freemason by the brothers of Polar Star Lodge No. 79 on February 18, 1861. This blue lodge was known to be primarily made up of local River Pilots at the time. Thus giving a pausable assumption on how he was introduced and possibly inspired to join our fraternity. He was passed June 10, 1861, to the degree of FellowCraft and soon after was raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason on July 12, 1861.

Soon after being raised, he left for an employment opportunity in the Nevada Territory working for his brother Orion. His brother at the time was the secretary of the Nevada Territory. Brother Samuel was subsequently suspended from his home lodge.  Therefore his Masonic activity was suspended during that time until Brother Samuel returned from the Nevada Territory. He went and petitioned for readmission to his home Lodge and was reinstated.

Some additional quotes from Mark Twain…

• “The trouble is not in dying for a friend, but in finding a friend worth dying for.”
• “Never put off till tomorrow what may be done day after tomorrow just as well.”
• “The reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated.”
• “It is better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you are a fool than to open it and remove all doubt.”
• “Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.”
• “Any emotion, if it is sincere, is involuntary.”
• “To get the full value of joy you must have someone to divide it with.”
• “Man is the only animal that blushes. Or needs to.”
• “Get your facts first, and then you can distort them as much as you please.”
• “I can live for two months on a good compliment.”
• “It’s not the size of the dog in the fight, it’s the size of the fight in the dog.”
• “A lie can travel halfway around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes.”
• “A clear conscience is the sure sign of a bad memory.”
• “I am an old man and have known a great many troubles, but most of them never happened.”
• “Books are for people who wish they were somewhere else.”
• “Never tell the truth to people who are not worthy of it.”
• “The best way to cheer yourself up is to try to cheer somebody else up.”
• “Clothes make the man. Naked people have little or no influence on society.”
• “Out of all the things I have lost, I miss my mind the most.”
• “Action speaks louder than words but not nearly as often.”
• “Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great.”
• “Do the thing you fear most and the death of fear is certain.”
• “Do the right thing. It will gratify some people and astonish the rest.”
• “There’s one way to find out if a man is honest: ask him; if he says yes, you know he’s crooked.”
• “I was gratified to be able to answer promptly, and I did. I said I didn’t know.”
• “Good friends, good books and a sleepy conscience: this is the ideal life.”

Famous Freemason Quotes – Mark Twain

Referred by many as the “Father of American Literature,” Brother Samuel Clemens (aka Mark Twain) was a journalist, writer, and humorist, more commonly known under his pen name “Mark Twain.” Brother Clemens first wrote under the alias as a newspaper reporter in 1863, referencing a Mississippi River term meaning “Mark #2” or the second mark line on a steamboat denoting safe passage depth on the river.

Later in life, our brother became a busy man; writing, tours, and the beginnings of fame kept him away from Saint Louis for long periods of time. On one of his first trips exploring Europe and the Middle East, Brother Samuel was believed to have been so impressed by Lebanon and its connection to Freemasonry. He ended up retrieving a piece of cedar and had it made into a gavel to send back to the Worshipful Master of his Mother / Home Lodge. Soon, after he fell in love and discontinued in his fraternal pursues. This article was made possible by the Freemasonry Report – enjoy reading more of the Famous Freemason Quotes – Mark Twain.

The most famous quote which links closely to Freemasonry is:  “He praised his Maker that he was as he was and went on enjoying his little life just the same as if he really had been deliberately designed and erected by the Great Architect of the Universe.” –  Innocents Abroad, Published in 1869 by Brother Samuel Clemens as known as Mark Twain.

Famous Mark Twain quotes and sayings…

1. “Always do what is right. It will gratify half of mankind and astound the other.”
2. “The finest clothing made is a person’s own skin, but, of course, society demands something more than this.”
3. “The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.”
4. “Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect.”
5. “Nothing so needs reforming as other people’s habits.”
6. “Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.”
7. “I don’t like to commit myself about heaven and hell – you see, I have friends in both places.”
8. “If you don’t read the newspaper, you’re uninformed. If you read the newspaper, you’re misinformed.”
9. “Golf is a good walk spoiled.”
10. “When we remember we are all mad, the mysteries disappear and life stands explained.”
11. “Thunder is good, thunder is impressive, but it is lightning that does the work.”
12. “Man was made at the end of the week’s work when God was tired.”
13. “The most interesting information comes from children, for they tell all they know and then stop.”
14. “Many a small thing has been made large by the right kind of advertising.”
15. “Only one thing is impossible for God: To find any sense in any copyright law on the planet.”
16. “Forgiveness is the fragrance that the violet sheds on the heel that has crushed it.”
17. “Let us endeavor so to live so that when we come to die even the undertaker will be sorry.”
18. “I make it a rule never to smoke while I’m sleeping.”
19. “The more you explain it, the more I don’t understand it.”

Thank you for reading this brief Masonic documented history of Brother Samuel Clemens writing under the pen name of  Mark Twain. I hope you have enjoyed it as much as the Freemasonry Report has researched it.

Please keep up with the Freemasonry Report

The Freemasonry Report will be writing more articles to help grow the fraternity. The Freemasonry Report hopes this information was helpful to you. If you want more Freemasonry topics to read? Good news, the Freemasonry Report is creating plenty for you to enjoy! I have been spending hours creating this information, so take a moment to read each one!  Or maybe you want to find a lodge in your neck of the woods? More good news, the Freemasonry Report is creating a complete review of each Grand Lodge – it will take time but I wanted you to have this information at your fingertips!  If you want to network with other Freemasons – check out our Facebook Group / Page now!

Famous Freemason Quotes – Sir Winston Churchill

Sir Winston Churchill was a shining example of what stability during a crisis and within a functioning democracy should look like. He was a celebrated author, a Freemason, and the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom during World War II. His leadership and his use of the English vocabulary inspired many millions of people during the second world war.

1. ” For my part, I consider that it will be found much better by all Parties to leave the past to history, especially as I propose to write that history of myself.”
2. “When you’re 20 you care what everyone thinks, when you’re 40 you stop caring what everyone thinks, when you’re 60 you realize no one was ever thinking about you in the first place. You have enemies? Good. That means you’ve stood up for something, sometime in your life.”Winston Churchill
3. “You will never reach your destination if you stop and throw stones at every dog that barks.”
4. “Fear is a reaction. Courage is a decision.” – Winston Churchill
5. “To every man there comes in his lifetime that special moment when he is figuratively tapped on the shoulder and offered a chance to do a very special thing, unique to him and fitted to his talents. What a tragedy if that moment finds him unprepared or unqualified for that which would be his finest hour.”
6. “The positive thinker sees the invisible, feels the intangible, and achieves the impossible.”
7. “A good speech should be like a woman’s skirt: long enough to cover the subject and short enough to create interest.”
8. “The optimist was the man who did not mind what happened so long as it did not happen to him. The pessimist was the man who lived with the optimist.”
9. “One man with conviction will overwhelm a hundred who have only opinions.” – Winston Churchill
10. “Life can either be accepted or changed. If it is not accepted, it must be changed. If it cannot be changed, then it must be accepted.”
11. “I’d rather argue against a hundred idiots, than have one agree with me.”
12. “In the course of my life, I have often had to eat my words, and I must confess that I have always found it a wholesome diet.” – Winston Churchill
13. “Life is fraught with opportunities to keep your mouth shut.”
14. “An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile, hoping it will eat him last.”
15. “Diplomacy is the art of telling people to go to hell in such a way that they ask for directions.”
16. “Everyone is in favor of free speech. Hardly a day passes without its being extolled, but some people’s idea of it is that they are free to say what they like, but if anyone else says anything back, that is an outrage.”
17. “A nation that forgets its past has no future.”
18. “Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy.”
19. “The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter.”
20. “If Britain must choose between Europe and the open sea, she must always choose the open sea.”
21. “Many forms of government have been tried, and will be tried in this world of sin and woe. No one pretends that democracy is perfect or all-wise. Indeed, it has been said that democracy is the worst form of government except all those others that have been.”
22. “The inherent vice of capitalism is the unequal sharing of blessings. The inherent virtue of Socialism is the equal sharing of miseries.”
23. “You don’t make the poor richer by making the rich poorer.”
24. “A country which tries to tax itself into prosperity is like a man standing in a bucket and endeavouring to lift himself up by the handle.”
25. “Men occasionally stumble over the truth, but most of them pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing had happened.”

Who was Sir Winston Churchill?

Winston Churchill is considered one of the most sublime British statesmen of all time by many British Scholars.

His full name was Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill. His words provided strength for a nation. Sir Churchill faced adversity even at the very beginning of his life – born two months premature in Oxfordshire on November 30, 1874.

By his own admission, Churchill struggled in school, particularly in mathematics. Although far from the top of his class, he excelled in grammar, rhetoric, and logic – skills that served him substantially in his political career.   His strategy helped create an atmosphere of stability in his country as well as during the dark days of World War II most likely had its origin during his youth.

He was an author and wrote numerous books on a variety of topics.  He is best known for his six-volume anthology on World War II, particularly the first book titled The Gathering Storm is masterful historical prose. With eloquence, Churchill narrates his experience during the war with sharp imagery and poetic grace: “It is where the balance quivers and the proportions are veiled in mist, that the opportunity for world-saving decisions presents itself.”  Sir Winston Churchill received the Nobel Prize for his writing in literature later in his life.

As a Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, his tenacity and commitment to winning were showcased on the world stage during the second world war. He served his country with distinction from 1940 – 1945 and then again from 1951 – 1955.  Following the end of the second world war, he received his investiture as a Knight of the Garter from the Royal Family of England.

Here are a few more memorable quotes by Winston Churchill – enjoy…

1. “You have enemies? Good. That means you’ve stood up for something, sometime in your life.”
2. “Never give in. Never give in. Never, never, never, never—in nothing, great or small, large or petty—never give in, except to convictions of honor and good sense. Never yield to force. Never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy.”
3. “Everyone is in favor of free speech. Hardly a day passes without its being extolled, but some people’s idea of it is that they are free to say what they like, but if anyone else says anything back, that is an outrage.”
4. “Masonic labor is purely a labor of love. He who seeks to draw Masonic wages in gold and silver will be disappointed. The wages of a Mason are in the dealings with one another; sympathy begets sympathy, kindness begets kindness, helpfulness begets helpfulness, and these are the wages of a Mason.”
5. “Success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm.”
6. “Continuous effort – not strength or intelligence – is the key to unlocking our potential.”

Sir Winston Churchill – the Freemason.

Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill was ‘made’ a Freemason at his initiation into Studholme Lodge 1591 on May 24th, 1901.  During the time Churchill was considering joining, Freemasonry was viewed as a fashionable and very popular social pursuit. Receiving a lot of positive publicity, Freemasons were recognized and revered in their local communities.

This was mainly due to the election of the Prince of Wales (later Edward VII) as Grand Master in 1875 gave a huge boost to Freemasonry’s popularity. As the Prince of Wales, he had been an exceedingly popular Grand Master in England at that time.  The membership of the Prince of Wales / Most Worshipful Edward VII had brought with it the benefit of introducing and making other Royals and aristocrats into becoming Freemasons.

Just one year later, John Studholme Brownrigg, Provincial Grand Master for Surrey, whose prominent family gave its name to the new Lodge, consecrated the Studholme Lodge No. 1591 on 31 January 1876. Just 5 years later in 1881, the lodge relocated to London, thus the Craft of this lodge membership roster read like a Who’s Who of the aristocracy and social elite

Therefore, it is clear to see that Brother Winston Churchill’s home lodge benefitted greatly from this as well as numerous other Masonic Lodges around the United Kingdom at the time.  The guest list for the Lodge’s 21st Installation Banquet in 1897 includes 17 Members of Parliament, including the Lord Chancellor, and numerous Lords, Earls, Knights and high-ranking members of the armed forces dispersed throughout the dining room.

It was not by accident that the promising young Winston was introduced to Studholme Lodge in London to understand then. The Lodge records give the date of Churchill’s initiation as 24 May 1901 with his address as 105 Mount Street, his age as 26, and his occupation as a Member of Parliament.

Within two months, on July 19th, 1901 Winston was ‘passed’ to Fellowcraft (or the second degree in Freemasonry).  Finally, on March 5th, 1902, Brother Winston Churchill was ‘raised’ to the Sublime Degree of a Master Mason. Not every Freemason goes thru all three degrees at their home lodge but, for Brother Winston Churchill all three degrees were conducted in Studholme Lodge.

Later, Brother Churchill’s home lodge (Studholme Lodge) merged in 1959 with United Lodge No. 1629 to form United Studholme Lodge and merged again in 1976 with Alliance Lodge No. 1827 to attain its present status as Studholme Alliance Lodge, retaining its original number 1591.

Although he did not hold Masonic office, Brother Churchill was of a faithful brother Master Mason and his regular attendance was recorded when attending a Stated or Called Communication of his lodge.

In 1912, Brother Winston Churchill resigned from his home lodge. Brother Churchill endeavored with a group of Freemasons to form a new lodge in 1918 – the Ministry of Munitions Lodge. Unfortunately, his petition to demit was rejected by the new lodge. Therefore his masonic participation dwindled to the rare visit to the Royal Naval Lodge No. 59. Clearly Winston, in becoming a freemason, complied with the fashion of the time and his friends and colleague’s sociable activities and wishes.

Brother Churchill followed in a long-standing and distinguished Churchill family tradition of freemasons. His respect, affection and the
influence exerted on him by his father Lord Randolph, will have played a part in his joining the craft. No doubt, it also fulfilled Winston’s own curios interest in the fraternity.

It is fair to say that Brother Churchill was a ‘joiner’ by nature. It is known by Historians that Freemasonry was only one area of his interest in similar
organizations. In November 1904 he accepted honorary membership in the Hawthorn Lodge of the British Order of Ancient Free Gardeners, he is recorded as a member of the Loyal Waterloo Lodge of the National Independent Order of Odd Fellows in, Manchester in April of 1907 and of the Albion Lodge, Oxford of the Ancient Order of Druids in September 1908. (his father, was also a member of the Woodstock Lodge of Independent Order of Foresters).

Therefore it is important to note, that Brother Winston Churchill’s association with the fraternity of Freemasonry must be placed within this context of his membership in numerous fraternal based organizations, thus due to his career there is a clear record of a period(s) of equal inactivity in many
of these fraternal groups in England at the time.

Here are a few more amazing quotes from Sir Winston Churchill…

1. We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.
2. If you’re going through hell, keep going.
3. You have enemies? Good. That means you’ve stood up for something, sometime in your life.
4. To improve is to change, so to be perfect is to have changed often.
5. I never ‘worry’ about action, but only about inaction.
6. Success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm.
7. You will never get to the end of the journey if you stop to shy a stone at every dog that barks.
8. One always measures friendships by how they show up in bad weather.
9. Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.
10. For myself I am an optimist — it does not seem to be much use being anything else.
11. Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak. Courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen.
12. The empires of the future are the empires of the mind.
13. To be really happy and really safe, one ought to have at least two or three hobbies, and they must all be real.
14. Nourish your hopes, but do not overlook realities.
15. You must look at facts, because they look at you.
16. It is better to be making the news than taking it; to be an actor rather than a critic.
17. A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.
18. I have in my life concentrated more on self-expression than self-denial.
19. You never can tell whether bad luck may not after all turn out to be good luck.
20. The true guide of life is to do what is right.
21. Things are not always right because they are hard, but if they are right one must not mind if they are also hard.
22. I like things to happen, and if they don’t happen I like to make them happen.
23. You must put your head into the lion’s mouth if the performance is to be a success.

Thank you for reading this brief Masonic documented history of Brother Winston Churchill. I hope you have enjoyed it as much as the Freemasonry Report has researched it.

Please keep up with the Freemasonry Report

The Freemasonry Report will be writing more articles to help grow the fraternity. The Freemasonry Report hopes this information was helpful to you. If you want more Freemasonry topics to read? Good news, the Freemasonry Report is creating plenty for you to enjoy! I have been spending hours creating this information, so take a moment to read each one!  Or maybe you want to find a lodge in your neck of the woods? More good news, the Freemasonry Report is creating a complete review of each Grand Lodge – it will take time but I wanted you to have this information at your fingertips!  If you want to network with other Freemasons – check out our Facebook Group / Page now!

Famous Freemason Quotes – George Washington

America’s most famous Freemason, George Washington was initiated in 1752, in Fredericksburg, Virginia.  George Washington was a founding father of the United States of America, it’s first President, and led the military forces against the British.  He is best remembered as the President that stepped down to allow after his term of office was completed to allow another to be elected as the President of the USA.

Here are some famous and a few less famous quotes of a famous Master Mason named George Washington:

1. “It is better to offer no excuse than a bad one.”― George Washington
2. “It is better to be alone than in bad company.”
3. “If freedom of speech is taken away, then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter.”
4. “My mother was the most beautiful woman I ever saw. All I am I owe to my mother. I attribute my success in life to the moral, intellectual and physical education I received from her.”
5. “But lest some unlucky event should happen unfavorable to my reputation, I beg it may be remembered by every gentleman in the room that I this day declare with the utmost sincerity, I do not think myself equal to the command I am honored with.”
6. “A primary object should be the education of our youth in the science of government. In a republic, what species of knowledge can be equally important? And what duty more pressing than communicating it to those who are to be the future guardians of the liberties of the country?”
7. “Be courteous to all, but intimate with few, and let those few be well tried before you give them your confidence. True friendship is a plant of slow growth, and must undergo and withstand the shocks of adversity before it is entitled to appellation. ”
8. “A free people ought not only to be armed, but disciplined; to which end a uniform and well-digested plan is requisite; and their safety and interest require that they should promote such manufactories as tend to render them independent of others for essential, particularly military, supplies.”― George Washington
9. “In politics as in philosophy, my tenets are few and simple. The leading one of which, and indeed that which embraces most others, is to be honest and just ourselves and to exact it from others, meddling as little as possible in their affairs where our own are not involved. If this maxim was generally adopted, wars would cease and our swords would soon be converted into reap hooks and our harvests be more peaceful, abundant, and happy.”
10. “Human happiness and moral duty are inseparably connected.”― George Washington
11. “However [political parties] may now and then answer popular ends, they are likely in the course of time and things, to become potent engines, by which cunning, ambitious, and unprincipled men will be enabled to subvert the power of the people and to usurp for themselves the reins of government, destroying afterwards the very engines which have lifted them to unjust dominion.”
12. “99% of failures come from people who make excuses.” ― George Washington
13. “I hope I shall possess firmness and virtue enough to maintain what I consider the most enviable of all titles, the character of an honest man.”
14. “There is nothing which can better deserve our patronage than the promotion of science and literature. Knowledge is in every country the surest basis of public happiness.”
15. “Guard against the impostures of pretended patriotism.”
16. “Labor to keep alive in your breast that little spark of celestial fire called conscience.”
17. “Perseverance and spirit have done wonders in all ages.”
18. “Associate yourself with men of good quality, if you esteem your own reputation; for ‘tis better to be alone than in bad company.”― George Washington
19. “Let us therefore animate and encourage each other, and show the whole world that a Freeman, contending for liberty on his own ground, is superior to any slavish mercenary on earth.”
20. “A sensible woman can never be happy with a fool.”
21. “Happiness depends more upon the internal frame of a person’s own mind, than on the externals in the world.”― George Washington
22. “Experience teaches us that it is much easier to prevent an enemy from posting themselves than it is to dislodge them after they have got possession. ”― George Washington
23. “the harder the conflict, the greater the triumph.”
24. “The alternate domination of one faction over another, sharpened by the spirit of revenge, natural to party dissension, which in different ages and countries has perpetrated the most horrid enormities, is itself a frightful despotism. But this leads at length to a more formal and permanent despotism. The disorders and miseries, which result, gradually incline the minds of men to seek security and repose in the absolute power of an individual; and sooner or later the chief of some prevailing faction, more able or more fortunate than his competitors, turns this disposition to the purposes of his own elevation, on the ruins of Public Liberty.”― George Washington, George Washington’s Farewell Address
25. “Worry is the interest paid by those who borrow trouble.”― George Washington
26. “The turning points of lives are not the great moments. The real crises are often concealed in occurrences so trivial in appearance that they pass unobserved.”
27. “As Mankind becomes more liberal, they will be more apt to allow that all those who conduct themselves as worthy members of the community are equally entitled to the protections of civil government. I hope ever to see America among the foremost nations of justice and liberality.”
28. “I regret exceedingly that the disputes between the protestants and Roman Catholics should be carried to the serious alarming height mentioned in your letters. Religious controversies are always productive of more acrimony and irreconcilable hatreds than those which spring from any other cause, and I was not without hopes that the enlightened and liberal policy of the present age would have put an effectual stop to contentions of this kind.

Who was George Washington?

As stated earlier George Washington was commander in chief of the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War (1775-83) and served two terms as the first U.S. president, from 1789 to 1797.

He was the son of a prosperous planter, Washington was raised in colonial Virginia. As a young man, he worked as a surveyor then fought in the French and Indian War (1754-63).

During the American Revolution, he led the colonial forces to victory over the British and became a national hero. In 1787, he was elected president of the convention that wrote the U.S. Constitution. Two years later, Washington became America’s first president.

Realizing that the way he handled the job would impact how future presidents approached the position, he handed down a legacy of strength, integrity and national purpose. Less than three years after leaving office, he died at his Virginia plantation, Mount Vernon, at age 67.

More famous quotes from George Washington…

1. “Let your conversation be without malice or envy, for it is a sign of a tractable and commendable nature; and in all cases of passion admit reason to govern.”
2. “Be courteous to all, but intimate with few, and let those few be well tried before you give them your confidence.”
3. “Every day the increasing weight of years admonishes me more and more, that the shade of retirement is as necessary to me as it will be welcome.”― George Washington, George Washington’s Farewell Address
4. “If the cause is advanced, indifferent is it to me where or in what quarter it happens.”
5. “The reflection upon my situation and that of this army produces many an uneasy hour when all around me are wrapped in sleep. Few people know the predicament we are in.”
6. “A man ought not to value himself of his achievements or rare qualities of wit, much less of his riches, virtue or kindred.”
7. “It is of infinite moment, that you should properly estimate the immense value of your national Union to your collective and individual happiness; that you should cherish a cordial, habitual, and immovable attachment to it; accustoming yourselves to think and speak of it as of the Palladium of your political safety and prosperity; watching for its preservation with jealous anxiety; discountenancing whatever may suggest even a suspicion, that it can in any event be abandoned; and indignantly frowning upon the first dawning of every attempt to alienate any portion of our country from the rest, or to enfeeble the sacred ties which now link together the various parts.”― George Washington, George Washington’s Farewell Address
8. “For myself the delay may be compared with a reprieve; for in confidence I assure you, with the world it would obtain little credit that my movements to the chair of Government will be accompanied by feelings not unlike those of a culprit who is going to the place of his execution: so unwilling am I, in the evening of a life nearly consumed in public cares, to quit a peaceful abode for an Ocean of difficulties, without that competency of political skill, abilities and inclination which is necessary to manage the helm.”
9. “the great mass of our Citizens require only to understand matters rightly, to form right decisions.”
10. “Men may speculate as they will; they may talk of patriotism; they may draw a few examples from ancient story, of great achievements performed by its influence; but whoever builds upon it, as a sufficient Basis for conducting a long and bloody War, will find themselves deceived in the end. We must take the passions of Men as Nature has given them, and those principles as a guide which are generally the rule of Action. I do not mean to exclude altogether the Idea of Patriotism. I know it exists, and i know it has done much in the present Contest. But I will venture to assert, that a great and lasting War can never be supported on this principle alone. It must be aided by a prospect of Interest or some reward. For a time, it may, of itself push Men to Action; to bear much, to encounter difficulties; but it will not endure unassisted by Interest.”
11. “Harmony, liberal intercourse with all nations, are recommended by policy, humanity, and interest.”― George Washington
12. “There might, Gentlemen, be an impropriety in my taking notice, in this Address to you, of an anonymous production, but the manner in which that performance has been introduced to the army, the effect it was intended to have, together with some other circumstances, will amply justify my observations on the tendency of that Writing. With respect to the advice given by the Author, to suspect the Man, who shall recommend moderate measures and longer forbearance, I spurn it, as every Man, who regards liberty, and reveres that justice for which we contend, undoubtedly must; for if Men are to be precluded from offering their Sentiments on a matter, which may involve the most serious and alarming consequences, that can invite the consideration of Mankind, reason is of no use to us; the freedom of Speech may be taken away, and dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep, to the Slaughter.”
13. “How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving, and tolerant of the weak and the strong. Because someday in life you will have been all of these.”
14. “Its good to live alone than to live in a bad company”― George Washington
15. “The unity of government which constitutes you one people is also now dear to you. It is justly so, for it is a main pillar in the edifice of your real independence, the support of your tranquility at home, your peace abroad; of your safety; of your prosperity; of that very liberty which you so highly prize. But as it is easy to foresee that, from different causes and from different quarters, much pains will be taken, many artifices employed to weaken in your minds the conviction of this truth; as this is the point in your political fortress against which the batteries of internal and external enemies will be most constantly and actively (though often covertly and insidiously) directed, it is of infinite moment that you should properly estimate the immense value of your national union to your collective and individual happiness; that you should cherish a cordial, habitual, and immovable attachment to it; accustoming yourselves to think and speak of it as of the palladium of your political safety and prosperity; watching for its preservation with jealous anxiety; discountenancing whatever may suggest even a suspicion that it can in any event be abandoned; and indignantly frowning upon the first dawning of every attempt to alienate any portion of our country from the rest, or to enfeeble the sacred ties which now link together the various parts. For this you have every inducement of sympathy and interest. Citizens, by birth or choice, of a common country, that country has a right to concentrate your affections. The name of American, which belongs to you in your national capacity, must always exalt the just pride of patriotism more than any appellation derived from local discriminations. With slight shades of difference, you have the same religion, manners, habits, and political principles. You have in a common cause fought and triumphed together; the independence and liberty you possess are the work of joint counsels, and joint efforts of common dangers, sufferings, and successes. But these considerations, however powerfully they address themselves to your sensibility, are greatly outweighed by those which apply more immediately to your interest. Here every portion of our country finds the most commanding motives for carefully guarding and preserving the union of the whole.”― George Washington, George Washington’s Farewell Address
16. “Associate yourself with Men of good Quality if you Esteem your own Reputation; for it is better to be alone than in bad Company.”
17. “The nation which indulges toward another a habitual hatred or a habitual fondness is in some degree a slave. It is a slave to it animosity or two its affection, either of which is sufficient to lead it astray from its duty and it’s interest.”
18. “Having now finished the work assigned me, I retire from the great theatre of Action; and bidding an Affectionate farewell to this August body under whose orders I have so long acted, I here offer my Commission, and take my leave of all the employments of public life. (Address to Congress on Resigning Commission Dec 23, 1783)”
19. “I had rather be on my farm than be emperor of the world.”― George Washington

George Washington’s Known Masonic History…

George Washington joined the Masonic Lodge in Fredericksburg, Virginia, at the age of twenty in 1752. During the War for Independence, General Washington attended Masonic celebrations and religious observances in several states. He also supported Masonic lodges that formed within army regiments.

At his first inauguration in 1791, President Washington took his oath of office on a Bible from St. John’s Lodge in New York. During his two terms, he visited Masons in North and South Carolina and presided over the cornerstone-laying ceremony for the U.S. Capitol in 1793.

In retirement, Washington became charter Master of the newly chartered Alexandria Lodge № 22, sat for a portrait in his Masonic regalia, and in death, was buried with Masonic honors.

Such was Washington’s character, that from almost the day he took his Masonic obligations until his death, he became the same man in private that he was in public. In Masonic terms, he remained “a just and upright Mason.” Brother Washington was, in Masonic terms, a “living stone” who became the cornerstone of American civilization.

Here is the known chronology of George Washington’s Documented Masonic Activities

This chronology contains only those that are documented by letters, lodge minutes, objects, or other artifacts in which George Washington is on record for.

September 1st – 1752: This is the first recorded meeting of the Masonic Lodge at Fredericksburg, Fredericksburg, Virginia.

November 4th – 1752: George Washington is ‘Made’ a Freemason by being initiated an Entered Apprentice Freemason (First Degree) in the Lodge at Fredericksburg, Fredericksburg, Virginia. The Lodge records show he paid 2 pounds, 3 shillings and no pence when he joined.

March 3rd – 1753: Brother George Washington is ‘Passed’ to the Degree of Fellow Craft Freemason (Second Degree) in the Lodge at Fredericksburg, Fredericksburg, Virginia.

August 4th – 1753: Brother George Washington is ‘Raised’ to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason (Third Degree) in the Lodge at Fredericksburg, Fredericksburg, Virginia.

September 1st – 1753: Brother George Washington attends the Lodge at Fredericksburg.

January 4th – 1755: Brother George Washington attends the Lodge at Fredericksburg, Fredericksburg, Virginia.

December 28th – 1778: Brother George Washington attends the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania’s Feast of St. John the Evangelist service at Christ Church (Anglican).

June 24th – 1779: Brother George Washington attended a meeting at the West Point, New York, American Union Lodge’s minute books record Gen. Washington attending St. John the Baptist celebration.

December 27th – 1779: Brother George Washington attended a meeting at American Union Lodge’s minute books record Washington attending St. John the Evangelist celebration at Morristown, New Jersey.

March 23rd – 1782: Brother George Washington receives a letter with an embroidered silk Masonic apron from Elkanah Watson (an American) and Francis Corentin Cossoul (a Frenchman) two commercial agents in Nantes, France.

Masonic scholars agree that it is generally accepted that Washington wore this apron at the 1793 U.S. Capitol cornerstone ceremony.

Further, Masonic scholars and historians agree that in 1812, Lawrence Lewis, Washington’s nephew, gave it to Alexandria-Washington Lodge № 22, Alexandria, Virginia. The apron remains in the lodge’s vault within the George Washington Masonic National Memorial.

August 10th – 1782: Brother George Washington writes a reply letter to Watson and Cossoul, acknowledging the Masonic apron.

December 27th – 1782: The Solomon’s Lodge № 1, Poughkeepsie, New York, official minutes record Washington attending the lodge’s St. John the Evangelist celebration.

December 26th – 1783: A letter from Alexandria Lodge № 39, Alexandria, Virginia, congratulating Washington on his happy homecoming and inviting him to attend St. John the Evangelist’s Day celebration.

December 28th – 1783: Brother George Washington writes a reply letter that respectfully declines the invitation to the Master and Wardens of Alexandria Lodge № 39.

June 19th – 1784: Brother George Washington writes a letter accepting the invitation from Alexandria Lodge № 39, to attend St. John the Baptist Day celebration.

June 24th – 1784: Brother George Washington attends Alexandria Lodge № 39 Feast of St. John the Baptist Day and is elected to receive an honorary membership from the lodge.

At some point between August 17th to 29th  -1784: Brother Lafayette visits Mount Vernon and he presented Brother Washington with a Masonic Apron.

January 21st – 1785: A group of Freemasons in Newport, Rhode Island send a letter and an address to Washington seeking support to regain lodge charter. There is no record of a written reply was returned by Brother George Washington.

February 12th – 1785: Brother George Washington records in his diary that he walked in the Masonic funeral procession of Brother William Ramsay, Alexandria Lodge № 39, Alexandria, Virginia.

Sometime between January to March in 1788: A committee is formed from Alexandria Lodge № 39 to visit with Brother George Washington at Mount Vernon. This committee asks him to serve as “Charter Master” of the lodge as it seeks to move from under the authority of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania and be re-chartered by the Grand Lodge of Virginia. Brother George Washington agrees.

April 28th – 1788:  The Grand Master of Masons in Virginia – Edmund Randolph, grants a charter to Alexandria Lodge as the twenty-second lodge in Virginia. The charter names George Washington as the lodge’s Worshipful Master. This charter is still in use by Alexandria-Washington Lodge № 22.

December 20th – 1788: Worshipful George Washington is re-elected Master of Alexandria Lodge № 22 for one year: 27 December 1788 to December 27, 1789.

March 7th – 1789: The officers and members of Holland Lodge 8, New York, send a letter to Worshipful George Washington informing him of his election as an honorary member and enclosing a membership certificate.

April 30th – 1789: In New York City, George Washington is inaugurated President of the United States using a Bible from St. John’s Lodge № 1. The oath is administered by Chancellor and Grand Master of New York, Robert R. Livingston. Inaugural Bible owned by St. John’s Lodge № 1, New York, New York.

August 17th – 1790: The King David’s Lodge № 1 of Newport, Rhode Island, official minutes record a unanimous resolution to present Worshipful George Washington a Masonic letter and address. Letter and address drafted, approved and delivered to Washington.

August 22th – 1790: Worshipful George Washington replies to King David’s Lodge № 1, Newport Rhode Island, stating in part: “. . . I shall always be happy to advance the interests of the Society, and to be considered by them as a deserving brother.”

April 20th – 1791:

• A welcome address is delivered to Worshipful George Washington from officers of St. John’s Lodge № 2, New Bern, North Carolina.
• Worshipful George Washington delivers a reply to St. John’s Lodge № 2, New Bern, North Carolina.

April 30th – 1791: A welcome address is delivered to Worshipful George Washington from Georgetown Lodge № 16, Georgetown, South Carolina.

April 31st – 1791: Worshipful George Washington delivers a reply to Prince George Lodge № 19, Georgetown, South Carolina.

May 2nd  – 1791: Worshipful George Washington is greeted by Grand Master of South Carolina, Mordecai Gist and is given a letter, Charleston, South Carolina.

May 4th – 1791: Worshipful George Washington delivers a reply to Grand Master Gist and Grand Lodge of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina.

May 14th – 1791:

• Washington is greeted by Grand Master of Georgia – George Houston and is given a letter, Savannah, Georgia.
• Washington replies to Grand Master Houston and Grand Lodge of Georgia, Savannah, Georgia.

January 2nd – 1792:  A letter written by the Rev. Dr. William Smith from the “Ancient York Masons” of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, was delivered in person to Worshipful George Washington at his house in Philadelphia.

January 3rd – 1792: Worshipful George Washington replies to the “Ancient York Masons” of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania.

December 27th – 1792:  The Grand Lodge of Massachusetts  – Grand Master John Cutler and other grand lodge officers send a letter and enclose a copy of its newly published Grand Constitutions to Worhsipful George Washington.

January 22nd – 1793: Worshipful George Washington replies to Grand Lodge of Massachusetts’ letter and its Grand Constitutions.

August 29th – 1793:

• Letter from the Master and officers of Alexandria Lodge № 22, Alexandria, Virginia to Pres. Washington requesting he sit for portrait artist William Williams.
• Worshipful George Washington did sit for the portrait and it was completed in September 1793.
• William Williams’ portrait of Washington wearing Masonic jewel, sash and apron is displayed in the Replica Lodge Room of the George Washington Masonic National Memorial, Alexandria, Virginia.

September 18th – 1793:

• The cornerstone of the U.S. Capitol is laid by three Masonic Lodges, Potomac Lodge № 9 and Federal Lodge № 15, under the Grand Lodge of Maryland, and Alexandria Lodge № 22, under the Grand Lodge of Virginia with Worshipful George Washington presiding as “Acting Master” of the ceremony with the title of President of the United States.
• Items Used at the Cornerstone Ceremony:
  • Silver Trowel with Ivory handle made by John Duffy owned by Alexandria-Washington Lodge № 22, Alexandria, Virginia.
  • Wood T-Square and Level own by Alexandria-Washington Lodge № 22, Alexandria, Virginia.
  • Marble Gavel with wood handle, made by John Duffy owned by Potomac Lodge № 5, Washington D.C.
  • Masonic Scholars and Historians agree that Washington wore the Watson-Cassoul apron sent to him in 1783 to the ceremony. In 1812, Lawrence Lewis, nephew of Washington, gave it to Alexandria-Washington Lodge № 22, Alexandria, Virginia where it remains today.

December 27th – 1796: The Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania delivers a letter and congratulatory address, written by the Rev. Dr. William Smith, to Worshipful George Washington at his house in Philadelphia.

December 28th – 1796: Worshipful Washington replies to Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania.

March 21st – 1797: The Grand Master of Massachusetts – Paul Revere and its officers send a congratulatory letter to Worshipful Washington.

March 28th – 1797: At Mount Vernon, Worshipful George Washington receives a Masonic delegation of Dennis Ramsay and Phillip G. Marsteller of Alexandria Lodge № 22, with an address and invitation to dine with the lodge.

April 1st – 1797: Worshipful George Washington dines with Alexandria Lodge № 22 and presents a reply to the lodge’s address.

November 5th – 1798: While visiting Baltimore, Worshipful Washington receives William Belton, the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Maryland, the Deputy Grand Master and other brethren, who hand-deliver a letter and a gift of the Grand Lodge of Maryland’s 1797 edition of George Keatinge’s The Maryland Ahiman Rezon of Free and Accepted Masons, (Grand Constitutions).

November 8th – 1798: Worshipful George Washington replies to William Belton, who is the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Maryland.

December 18th – 1799:

• Worshipful George Washington is buried at Mount Vernon with Anglican Christian Burial Rite accompanied by a Masonic funeral ceremony conducted by members of Alexandria Lodge № 22.
• The Bible used at Washington’s funeral is owned by Federal Lodge № 1, Washington, D.C.

January 11th – 1800: John Warren, Grand Master, and other officers of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts send a letter conveying the sorrow and sympathy to Martha Washington on the death of her husband, and requesting a lock of his hair as “an invaluable relique of the Hero and Patriot . . . ”

January 27th  – 1800:

• Washington’s private secretary, Tobias Lear, replies for Martha Washington to the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts thanking them for their sympathy and support and enclosing a lock of Pres. Washington’s hair.
• The Grand Lodge of Masons in Massachusetts keeps the lock of hair in a gold urn made by Paul Revere in 1800.

Thank you for reading this brief Masonic documented history of Brother George Washington. I hope you have enjoyed it as much as the Freemasonry Report has researched it.

Please keep up with the Freemasonry Report

The Freemasonry Report will be writing more articles to help grow the fraternity. The Freemasonry Report hopes this information was helpful to you. If you want more Freemasonry topics to read? Good news, the Freemasonry Report is creating plenty for you to enjoy! I have been spending hours creating this information, so take a moment to read each one!  Or maybe you want to find a lodge in your neck of the woods? More good news, the Freemasonry Report is creating a complete review of each Grand Lodge – it will take time but I wanted you to have this information at your fingertips!  If you want to network with other Freemasons – check out our Facebook Group / Page now!

Can I wear a Freemason Ring as an Entered Apprentice or FellowCraft?

Well, the answer is maybe. Yes, maybe. Why? Well, the Worshipful Master in your lodge has the final say on if and when you are allowed to wear a masonic symbol prior to being raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason.  Now, keep in mind that this may vary from Grand Lodge to Grand Lodge and Blue Lodge to Blue Lodge.

Is an Entered Apprentice or Fellowcraft considered a Brother in Freemasonry?

Yes, you are a brother in the brotherhood of Freemasonry.  But keep in mind, you are still learning the ropes of the organization and from time to time, local lodges create unique traditions within their lodge.  It is important to ask these questions prior to getting started.  I suggest you always check the rules of your respective jurisdiction.  Most Grand Lodges have a website with these rules readily available to new brothers to review. If you can not find it, just call up your lodge secretary to start the conversation.

Are there rules for wearing a Masonic Ring?

The rules vary from Grand Lodge to Grand Lodge. Some have a generalized rule regarding the paraphernalia is that you can only display what you’ve earned, while others don’t. In some cases, an Entered Apprentice or Fellowcraft is confronted with being quite limited in their options. During my time, in the 1st and 2nd degree of the fraternity, I felt no need to wear a ring or show off my status as a Freemason.  It seemed to be something I wanted to reserve for my achieving my Master Mason Degree. Most Freemasons, I know personally have waited until they are raised before investing in jewelry.  This is typically the respected path for earning the respect of your local brothers. If you look at Freemasonry as a lifelong commitment, it does not feel like a big deal to wait until you’ll have learned what the symbols mean during the Master Mason degree. As a 3rd Degree Mason, you are the highest rank in the fraternity, thus you are entitled to all the rights and privileges of a Master Mason.

Most everyone in the fraternity and those not in the fraternity is aware that the square and compasses are a big identifiable image of our fraternity. Most lodges have it on their building and their letterhead too because it is the most common and recognizable symbol of the Fraternity. Most of the time, the square and compasses are worn with pride by many Master Masons.

Is a 1st or 2nd Degree Entitled to wear a Masonic ring?

Yes, unless told otherwise. Any 1st or 2nd Degree Mason can wear a ring of an Entered Apprentice or Fellowcraft.  He should think twice about wearing the Master Mason symbol prior to being raised as one.  As a brother, you are entitled to display the Square & Compasses of the rank you currently hold. Many brothers have rings for various degrees and it is not uncommon to find these rings because a brother holds the teachings close to his heart.

Is a family member of a Freemason entitled to wear a Masonic ring?

No, unless he has been made a Mason.  Remember just because your father, grandfather, brother, uncle, or son have been made a Mason doesn’t entitle you to wear any Masonic emblems.

Any local Freemason(s) may see it as an insult. Some may test you on the spot, while others will ask you to kindly remove the ring and to return to your family member. If you are lucky, that Freemason will have a conversation with you and help you learn “how to ask” to earn the right to wear the ring.

Unfortunately, if your family member learns of you are being a faker in the community. I guess it is best to have to answer to them about your actions. I know I would not ever want to embarrass my dad publicly. I also know I would not look forward to having to answer my actions to him either.

In our current environment, so many Freemasons have strong emotions on this, it would be wise not to wear your family member’s Masonic jewelry. Keep in mind, that many Freemasons worked hard to earn the right to wear the emblem. The ring was never meant to be a fashion statement. It represents the teachings of the degrees and that a man has been made, passed, and raised in our fraternity. The emblem is way to remember our obligations and promises to the fraternity.

Is an operative Mason entitled to wear a Masonic ring?

Yes but keep in mind, it doesn’t represent the Speculative Masonic Fraternity. He or she is a literal Mason, but not a Freemason. So, they could but it is very rare to see a man or woman who is working with their hands daily to wear such a fine piece of jewelry. It would most likely be damaged or lost based on their labors.

What is the Grand Lodge’s mindset of a brother wearing a Freemason Ring?

Depending on your Grand Lodge, you may be part of a conservative or liberal Masonic Grand Lodge. Please note, this can evolve from one Grand Master to the next. So don’t be surprised if you may receive a very different answer from one year to the next.

Ask your sitting Worshipful Master.
Being new to the fraternity, it is best to ask the sitting Worshipful Master of the lodge. He will inform you of his decision based on the annual communications of the Grand Lodge. The rulings and decisions of the Grand Lodge are final and if anything is set in the Grand Lodge Masonic Law then it needs to be enforced. Only the Grand Master can interpret the Masonic Law and give direction to his District Deputy(s) and Worshipful Master(s) on this topic if need be. If there is nothing written in the Masonic Law of the Grand Lodge, then a particular lodge’s Worshipful Master can determine to allow to wear an Entered Apprentice (1st Degree Mason) or a Fellowcraft (2nd Degree mason) to be allowed to wear a ring or simply deny such a request.

Just remember that your Worshipful Master has only the best interest of the overall fraternity in his heart. So, if you do approach him with any request, keep in mind his answer is mostly for what is in the best interest of the Craft.

Please keep up with the Freemasonry Report

The Freemasonry Report will be writing more articles to help grow the fraternity. The Freemasonry Report hopes this information was helpful to you. If you want more Freemasonry topics to read? Good news, the Freemasonry Report is creating plenty for you to enjoy! I have been spending hours creating this information, so take a moment to read each one!  Or maybe you want to find a lodge in your neck of the woods? More good news, the Freemasonry Report is creating a complete review of each Grand Lodge – it will take time but I wanted you to have this information at your fingertips!  If you want to network with other Freemasons – check out our Facebook Group / Page now!