Hey I could use a bunch of free masons I need some stone and brick work done...
Do you guys still do that or just hide the remains of Mary Magdalene?
OK, guys, a little history...
Long ago, during the middle ages, only the Masons understood geometry and mathematics well enough to build cathedrals that didn't fall down. Of course, building these things was very dangerous work and you didn't want to work with someone who didn't know what he was doing. So the Masons got together and formed a group that trained new workmen and was a kind of union. They took care of the widows and orphans of the workmen who were killed on the job and helped care for the members who became too old to work on the stones. They had different skill levels of apprentices, fellows of the craft, and Masters. They used secret signs and words to identify themselves so they wouldn't employ or assist people who weren't qualified masons. Along with the skills of the trade, they taught morality.
With the Renaissance, the knowledge of mathematics and geometry became more widespread and, soon, anyone who could read could learn the mysteries of building.
The remaining masons decided that the organization and its moral instruction was too important to disappear. They began to admit Noblemen who were of good character into their Lodges as speculative, not operative, masons. These non-working members studied the moral philosophy of the organization and, presumably, became better men because of Masonry's teachings.
The rest is, as they say, history. Today all Freemasonry is speculative, but the bonds of brotherhood remain and those who have learned the lessons of the builder will know one another "in the dark as well as the light."
Doug
OK, guys, a little history...
Long ago, during the middle ages, only the Masons understood geometry and mathematics well enough to build cathedrals that didn't fall down. Of course, building these things was very dangerous work and you didn't want to work with someone who didn't know what he was doing. So the Masons got together and formed a group that trained new workmen and was a kind of union. They took care of the widows and orphans of the workmen who were killed on the job and helped care for the members who became too old to work on the stones. They had different skill levels of apprentices, fellows of the craft, and Masters. They used secret signs and words to identify themselves so they wouldn't employ or assist people who weren't qualified masons. Along with the skills of the trade, they taught morality.
With the Renaissance, the knowledge of mathematics and geometry became more widespread and, soon, anyone who could read could learn the mysteries of building.
The remaining masons decided that the organization and its moral instruction was too important to disappear. They began to admit Noblemen who were of good character into their Lodges as speculative, not operative, masons. These non-working members studied the moral philosophy of the organization and, presumably, became better men because of Masonry's teachings.
The rest is, as they say, history. Today all Freemasonry is speculative, but the bonds of brotherhood remain and those who have learned the lessons of the builder will know one another "in the dark as well as the light."
Doug [FONT="]
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The true treasures of masonry, like all things of lasting value, must be found, they cannot be given.
my wife has family members who are Masons. I've been approached a time or two but didn't understand what they were about.
I'll say Doug's description above has piqued my interest.
OK, guys, a little history...
Long ago, during the middle ages, only the Masons understood geometry and mathematics well enough to build cathedrals that didn't fall down. Of course, building these things was very dangerous work and you didn't want to work with someone who didn't know what he was doing. So the Masons got together and formed a group that trained new workmen and was a kind of union. They took care of the widows and orphans of the workmen who were killed on the job and helped care for the members who became too old to work on the stones. They had different skill levels of apprentices, fellows of the craft, and Masters. They used secret signs and words to identify themselves so they wouldn't employ or assist people who weren't qualified masons. Along with the skills of the trade, they taught morality.
With the Renaissance, the knowledge of mathematics and geometry became more widespread and, soon, anyone who could read could learn the mysteries of building.
The remaining masons decided that the organization and its moral instruction was too important to disappear. They began to admit Noblemen who were of good character into their Lodges as speculative, not operative, masons. These non-working members studied the moral philosophy of the organization and, presumably, became better men because of Masonry's teachings.
The rest is, as they say, history. Today all Freemasonry is speculative, but the bonds of brotherhood remain and those who have learned the lessons of the builder will know one another "in the dark as well as the light."
Doug [FONT="]
[/FONT]
Free and Accepted Mason here.