Freemasonry is a way of life, open to every respectable man who believes in his own personal Supreme Being, regardless of the name given. Three great but simple principles, Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth, unite Freemasons of every colour and many creeds. Every Freemason is taught how he can become a better man by the teaching of principles through a series of degrees. These degrees have a natural progression and their traditional framework is based upon the story and symbolism of King Solomon's Temple, especially those who designed and built it. Freemasonry is not a religion and because so many religious orders are represented within a Freemasons lodge there can be as many as 5 or 6 'Holy Books' open during Lodge meetings. Freemasonry is not a secret society. Many books about it are available in public libraries to read, Masonic Temples are readily seen within communities, many meetings are advertised in local newspapers and the Grand Lodge in Edinburgh has a museum and library which is open to members of the public who are not masons. Freemasonry is an ancient and honourable society. Its principles are just steady standards of life and conduct in a changing world. The practice of these principles and others will go a long way to making a good man better. |