Freemasonry is a 600-year old fraternity with a much older tradition. Ancient, Free, and Accepted Masons are members of the oldest, largest, and most widely known fraternal organization in the world. It is a universal society of friends and brothers who seek to become better men through association with one another and their families.

Based on the fatherhood of God, the brotherhood of man, it uses builders' tools as symbols to teach basic moral truths that impress upon members the cardinal virtues of brotherly love, relief, and truth.

Its mission is to help build a better world through its unique process of building better men to live in it, and by urging the practice of brotherly love, charitable relief for those who may be in need, and morality and good citizenship in every community.

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There are approximately six million Masons in the world -- four million of them in the United States, with over 100,000 in Missouri.

The unit of organization is the Lodge, which may consist of a few dozen or a few hundred members, and each Lodge is associated with a Grand Lodge. There are over 30,000 Lodges in the world and more than 100 Grand Lodges, the latter, in most cases exercising exclusive territorial jurisdiction.

There is a Grand Lodge in each state and in most European and South American countries. Grand Lodges also exist in Africa, Asia, and Australia. There is no single central authority, although world organization is maintained by a system of mutual recognition among Grand Lodges.

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Freemasonry as we know it today originated among medieval stonemasons, particularly in England. The oldest known Masonic record which has been accepted as authentic is the Regius Manuscript of about 1390. Now in the British Museum, it claims an introduction of Freemasonry into England around 925AD.

Modern Freemasonry dates from 1717 when four existing Lodges in London joined together to form the first Grand Lodge. After organization of the Grand Lodge of England -- thereafter known as the Premier Grand Lodge of the World -- Freemasonry became more active. Formation of the Grand Lodges of Scotland and Ireland just a few years later encouraged added interest in the ritual and work, and it is from these Grand Lodges that present day symbolic Freemasonry has evolved.

By 1730 Freemasonry was active in America. There were Provincial Grand Masters in several American colonies in the early 1730s, and by the end of the Revolution there were independent Grand Lodges in each of the 13 states.

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A Mason is a member of the world's largest fraternal organization. He can enjoy the friendship of other Masons in his community, and he will be welcomed as a brother by masons anywhere in the world.

A Mason shares the aspiration and obligations of men of good will who seek to make themselves better than they are - not better than others.

A Mason worships in his own fashion according to his own religious preference whether he be a Christian, Jew, Moslem, Protestant, Roman Catholic, Buddhist, or Hindu.

A Mason holds that the brotherhood of man is imperative - the bond that unites him to other men.

A Mason endeavors to grow in spirit through the exercise of truth, justice, charity, and faith in God.

A Mason insists that every man has the right to freedom of worship and freedom of expression, the right to vote according to his conscience, and the right to an education.

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For many centuries the ancient craft of builders, masons who worked in stone erecting temples, cathedrals, and public edifices, shared high standards of workmanship and conduct. The brotherhood of such Masons working in imperishable stone gave rise to the ranks of Apprentices, Fellows, and Master Masons.

The tools of their trade were the square, compasses, plumbline, level, trowel, and other instruments of precision workmanship. Eventually the great principles of operating masons were adopted by countless others who did not necessarily work in stone, but who have joined voluntarily in thousands of local groups called Lodges that are dedicated to the same principles of brotherhood, rectitude, and charity, and are invigorated by a common dedication to high ethical and spiritual purposes.

Employing the words and titles of the ancient craft of masonry allegorically, Masons today join together for building, not structures of stone, but men of good character. There is a dynamic force in the ancient institution of the lodge that continually gives fresh impetus to a man's individual striving.

Freemasonry does not seek members through solicitation or membership drives. The individual must seek Masonry of his own free will and accord, and makes known his desire to become a Mason.

A man who wants to become a Mason asks for an application from the Mason he knows best - a relative, friend, or acquaintance. The application form, called a "Petition for the Degrees", requests information about the man's character, personal history, and his family status.

The applicant signs the petition form and two Masons who are members of the lodge being petitioned sign it as recommending him for membership. Obviously, the masons who sign as sponsors should be well acquainted with the petitioner.

The applicant gives the petition to his Masonic friend who turns it in to the Master or Secretary of the Lodge. The petition is read in the lodge, after which an investigating committee is required to make diligent inquiry into the character and fitness of the applicant. The committee reports at a regular meeting of the lodge following which the lodge will act upon the petition. Upon acceptance the petitioner will be notified and a time for the initiation scheduled.

The basic tenets of Freemasonry are taught in three degrees: Entered Apprentice, Fellowcraft, and Master Mason.

They consist of ceremonies of a serious nature in which each candidate takes part with dignity and solemnity. Through initiation the candidate is taught to identify himself with the fraternity, to learn its language, to understand its teaching, and generally acquire the sense of pride that comes from belonging to a time honored institution. Its many beautiful lessons are acceptable to every man who desires to have a closer sense of relationship with the world and its Creator.

The degrees employ the tools of operative stonemasons as symbols to emphasize basic moral truths which are fundamental to society as well as to the fraternity. Many symbols are used and each man gains an understanding of the mystic tie which binds together all true Freemasons of the world into one universal brotherhood.

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The word Freemasonry has always been associated with secrecy, and yet the fraternity is not a secret society. As long ago as 1630 there was printed reference to "the Mason word" and there have always been special signs and hand grips by which the initiated might make themselves known to one another, as well as private rituals which are not shared with non-members.

In this respect it lives up to its centuries old reputation for secrecy, but the secrecy is largely ceremonial. The fraternity does not hide its existence or its membership, its purposes, aims and principles are not secret, and it meets in Masonic temples and Masonic halls which are familiar sights in thousands of towns and cities.

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Good citizenship and a belief in God are requirements for the individual Freemason. Lodges, Grand Lodges, and related Masonic organizations are non-political and non-denominational. In fact, partisan discussion is forbidden within lodges.

Lodge membership consists of men of good character who have diverse political views and various religious beliefs. As Freemasons, the recognize another only as friends and brothers, without regard to political party or religious allegiance.

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For further information have a look at the Grand Lodge of Missouri 'Be A Mason' section.