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What is Freemasonry?
Principles and Purposes of Freemasonry Grand Jurisdiction of the State of New Jersey
Freemasonry is not a religion, a political organization, or a social club. It interfaces with none of these, but has for its foundation the basic principles of the Fatherhood of God and the Brotherhood of man. It believes in a Supreme Being, the immortality of the soul, and that the Holy Bible is the inestimable gift of God to man as the rule and guide for his faith and practice.
Freemasonry is the oldest and one of the largest fraternity in the world. Comprised of men, a brotherhood pledged to the building of character – thoughts, words, motives and deeds being the materials used. There are approximately 2.5 million Masons in the United States, and nearly 6 million throughout the world.
Freemasonry strives to teach man the duty he owes to God, his country, his neighbor, and himself. It inculcates the practice of virtue and morality in daily conduct, and conveys its teachings through rites and symbols.
Freemasonry is not a secret society. It is a worldwide society which has secret modes of recognition and the manner in which the three Degrees (plays) are conferred.
The Masonic fraternity is in no sense an insurance society; neither does it pay benefits in case of sickness or death. In a correct or broad sense, it is both educational and charitable. It extends such assistance only as it is willing and able to grant. It knowingly admits none to membership except those who are able to provide for themselves and those dependent upon them.
There are several Charities that we as Masons support, such as the 32nd Degree Learning Centers for Children with dyslexia, Shriner’s Children’s Hospitals, The National Student Model Assistance Program, the Child ID Program, as well as other local charities. However, our crowning jewel in New Jersey is our Masonic Home, a state of the art care facility with 500 residents and the largest employer in Burlington.
The Masonic family of organizations is open to all. Freemasonry admits only men, but many Masonic-related organizations, such as the Eastern Star, Amaranth, Job’s Daughters, Rainbow for Girls, and DeMolay for Boys offer ample opportunities for young men and women.
Freemasonry teaches and gives opportunity to its members to inculcate morality, honesty and integrity in all walks of life, and to worthy members renders assistance to a limited extent. It expects its members to obey the moral law and to practice charity towards all mankind. It believes its members should have a strong desire to aid their fellow creatures. It has its own, rules and regulations, and requires a strict obedience thereto.
Freemasonry has no single spokesman. Freemasonry is made up of many individuals in numerous organizations, all subordinate to the Grand Lodge within their jurisdiction (ie state). None of these members or organizations can speak for all of Freemasonry; that is the responsibility of each Grand Lodge within its jurisdiction. No Masonic body, nor author, however respected can usurp the authority of a Grand Lodge. When in doubt, ask a Freemason.
Freemasonry is not entered into through mere curiosity, ambition for honors, or in hope of personal gain or advancement. Admission must not be sought for mercenary or other unworthy motives. The aim of a true Freemason is to cultivate a brotherly feeling among men, and to help, aid and assist whomever we can.
The right to petition for the degrees of Ancient Craft Masonry is rarely denied to any man, but this right goes no further than granting the privilege of petitioning, and all who petition are not admitted. The Masonic Fraternity wants and welcomes only men of high character and integrity, who seek admission of their own free will and accord. Should a petitioner be accepted, he gets no more out of Masonry than he puts into it, and for every benefit received a member is expected to render some equivalent.
Ask yourself if you can say:
I believe in the existence of a Supreme Being, state that of my own free will and for the genuine desire to learn the mysteries of Freemasonry, hereby make application for membership in the Fraternity. I do so for the favorable opinion I have for the Fraternity, my desire for knowledge, and my wish to be of service to my fellow man. I have received and read the Principles and Purposes of Freemasonry, understand them, and I am in full agreement with them. I promise, if admitted to the Fraternity, to abide by those Principles and Purposes as well as its established customs, usage’s, rules and regulations.