Freemasonry is an organization of men, based on the
Fatherhood of God and the Brotherhood of Man, using
builders' tools as symbols to teach basic moral Truths thereby
impressing upon the minds of the members the cardinal
virtues of Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth which should be
applied to everyday activities.
Freemasonry is a system of morality, veiled in allegory and
illustrated by symbols.
Freemasonry is an oath-bound, fraternal order of men,
deriving its origin from the medieval fraternity of operative
Freemasons; adhering to many of their Ancient Charges,
laws, customs and legends; loyal to the civil government
under which it exists; inculcating moral and social virtues by
the symbolic application of the working tools of the
stonemasons and by allegories, lectures, and charges. The
members are obligated to observe principles of brotherly
love, equality, mutual aid and assistance, secrecy, and
confidence, have secret modes of recognizing each other as
Masons when abroad and in the world, and meet in lodges.
Trestleboard Tidbits.