And we hold ourselves responsible for practicing those values. Yes, it's work. But it's worth it. For you and for those who know you, it's worth it!

Masonry Is Working And Sharing

We work to help our communities grow and prosper, and to take care of community needs.

• Working together in cooperation and harmony;

• Applying our own individual talents and skills to the task at hand;

• Sharing our time for the welfare of our community, state, and country. In Masonry, we really
  do celebrate the dignity of work and the joy of helping each other.

Masonry Is Responsibility

In a recent national survey, Masons were listed as the most trustworthy single group in America, with a large percentage of the survey agreeing with the statement, "You can trust a member of the Freemasons to deal with you honestly and fairly, no matter what." That's flattering, of course, but it's also an awesome responsibility.

We teach that there is no such thing as being "sort of honest," or "generally truthful," or "faithful when it's important." A man must be honest, truthful, and faithful. All the time. In business and in personal life. Since you can never know the final consequences of any act, you must take responsibility for every act.

Masonry Is Generosity

Philosophy which does not find action in the world is meaningless. The test of a belief in helping people is whether people are helped. In America, Masons give nearly $2 million a day to help people. We help children in crisis. We have hospitals where crippled children are treated free of any charge — and those same hospitals are world-famous for their research in treating children's orthopedic problems.

We have burn centers where the most advanced treatments are available. We have clinics where children with language problems (the most common of all children's diseases) are treated free of charge.

We have programs to prevent blindness and to test children and senior citizens for vision problems. We fund research into mental illness. We work at building a better world for everyone.

Masonry Is leadership

We are proud of the contributions Masonry has made to the world. Fifteen Presidents of the United States have been Masons, including George Washington. Eighteen Vice Presidents and five Chief Justices of the Supreme Court have also been Masons. There are many others. Musicians like Mozart and Irving Berlin; Statesmen like Benjamin Franklin and John Hancock; Actors like Ernest Borgnine; Sports men like Arnold Palmer, Religious Leaders like the Reverend Norman Vincent Peale and Joseph Fort Newton; Political Leaders like Senator Robert Dole, it’s a long list.

Masonry Is Tradition

We simply do not know how old Freemasonry is. The oldest Masonic document found so far has been dated by experts as written in the 1300's. That document tells us that Masonry came into England in A.D. 920. From 1717 on, the history is easy to trace. But whenever it started, Masonry has a long tradition of supporting intellectual, political and religious freedom. And Masons like George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, Paul Revere, Joseph Warren, and John Marshal made sure that the Masonic Traditions were written into the Constitution of the United States — to secure those same freedoms for everyone!

Masonry Is For Good Men

We do not ask individual men to join Masonry. Our rule is that men must ask us, instead. It's not that we want to put roadblocks in their way. We believe that a man should seek to become a Mason because he really wants to — not because some friend pressured him into it. But we're always ready to welcome good men into the Fraternity. And if you are a man who believes in honor and integrity, in the importance of individual responsibility and personal freedom, in fellowship and community service and in "fraternity," then you may find as much joy and reward in Masonry as we do. And we welcome you to ask for information about membership.

 Freemasonry is the world's oldest and largest Fraternity. It's history and tradition date to antiquity. Its singular purpose is to make good men better. Its bonds of friendship, compassion, and brotherly love have survived even the most divisive political, military and religious conflicts through the centuries. Freemasonry is neither a forum nor a place for worship. Instead, it is a friend of all religions which are based on the belief in one God.

What Freemasons Do ?

Freemasons are respectable citizens who are taught to conform to the moral laws of society and to abide by the laws of the government under which they live. They are men of charity and good works. They remain unchallenged as "the world's greatest philanthropy!"

The Freemasons of America contribute more than one and a half million dollars ($1,500,000) every day to charitable causes which they, alone, have established. These services to mankind represent an unparalleled example of the humanitarian commitment and concern of this unique and honorable Fraternity.

What goes on in Masonic Lodges ?

The Lodge is the center of all Masonic activities. When Masons meet to discuss business matters, the lodge is closed to anyone who is not a 3rd degree Master Mason

Many Masonic Lodges use their building for stated meetings, and other functions the lodge members agree to be worthy.

Common uses are fund raisers such as fish fries, open house, special recognition ceremonies, and of course, practice for both the older and the newer Masons.

This leads to the question I know is coming next and it is -

Why are the Masons secretive?

If the Masonic Order is a secret society, someone sure messed up. Freemasonry has to be one of the worst kept secrets in history. We are a society of secrets, not a secret society.

Masons wear rings, tie clasps, buttons, pins, etc. in public. The Square & Compass are recognized the world over.

Masons hardly keep it a secret that they belong to the local lodge. Ask a Mason if they are one, and they never deny it. In fact, they are usually quite proud of their membership and quickly tell you so.

The Lodge buildings are clearly marked on the outside. The address and phone numbers are listed in phone books. If there is a Website, it includes an "Upcoming Events" page. The local lodge activities are often announced in newspapers. Answering machines typically list future lodge activities.

Do Masons have secrets?

Of course they do. So do fraternities, organizations, and countless other groups. Most groups have codes, symbols, hand shakes, etc. so they can recognize other members. That keeps pretenders out!

Masonic Symbols and their uses

If you pull up to a stop sign with no words on it, you instantly recognize it as a STOP sign. Ever notice that Masonic rings have only a symbol and yet you recognize it immediately? Stop lights use colors to instantly convey their message. No words needed in these particular instances.

Point is that we all use symbols and signs every day in our lives and have since we began learning. Symbols deliver the message quickly.

Symbols and pictures are the oldest communication techniques known to mankind. It is easily the oldest way of teaching and it works.