Freemasons

The origin of Freemasonry, like that of so many things, is clouded in history. Although a great many books have been written about the various theories, and myths, we can't say with certainty what the real story is. Most Masonic scholars believe that the current fraternity of Freemasonry ("speculative masons") simply evolved from the guilds and "Lodges" of the stone masons ("operative masons") in medieval Europe -- particularly in Great Britain. We have records indicating there were "operative lodges" in the early 1600s, but the non-working masons don't start to form lodges until about the end of that century. The formation of the Grand Lodge of England, on June 24, 1717, is considered to be the formalized starting point of the worldwide organization that is known as Freemasonry today. Refer to the related links below for more information.

With regard to the original answer posted here, Freemasonry is not a religion, although it is religious in nature, and requires each member to profess a belief in a supreme being. Masons come from many faiths, and sometimes refer to themselves as a "Brotherhood of men under the Fatherhood of God."

There is no significance to a lock on a chain link fence in Freemasonry.

Unless a person specifically says that he is a member of the Freemasons, it is difficult to say one way or another whether he is.

No.

Unless the person specifically states that he is a member of the Freemasons, it is hard to know for sure. If it is someone you know, you should ask. If it is not, it is none of your business.

60 million

I've been a Master Mason for almost 15 years, and I've never seen this practiced. I don't know where this idea comes from.

Ask him. If he chooses not to answer, it is none of your business.

Ask him. If he chooses not to answer, it is none of your business.

Yes. Samuel Pepys was one. There are Lodges in Scotland which have records of continuous operation since the 16th century.

Unless the person specifically states that he is a member of the Freemasons, it is hard to know for sure.

Habari naitaji kujiunga na chama freemason

If you know what state he lived in, do an internet search for the "grand lodge" of that state. If you are outside of the United States, you can also find Grand Lodges of that particular jurisdiction. Let them know that you are looking for information about your grandfather. The Grand Lodge should be able to steer you into a direction. If you have trouble, find a Masonic lodge in your area and ask for help.

Oldest known Masonic text-1390.

Unless the person specifically states that he is a member of the Freemasons, it is hard to know for sure.

The Anti-Masonic Party's platform was stated as the removal of Freemasons from any position of authority in society. The humorous part of that (at least to me) is that William Wirt, former Attorney General of the United States and Anti-Masonic Presidential Candidate, was himself a Freemason.

GNLD has nothing whatsoever to do with the Freemasons and never has.

You must be a Freemason to be a Knight Templar.

You are probably thinking of Prince Hall, a freedman who was initiated in Massachusetts and who, with a number of his brothers, petitioned for and received a charter for African Lodge on the English Register. After the American Revolution, Hall's Lodge was not permitted to join the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts so it declared itself to be the Prince Hall Grand Lodge.

Unless a person specifically says that he is a member of the Freemasons, it is difficult to say one way or another whether he is.

Stephan Morin; around 1763 Morin created and promulgated a Masonic Rite of 24 Degrees which he called the "Order of the Royal Secret" or "Order of Prince of the Royal Secret" (sometimes mistakenly called the "Rite of the Perfection") This Order included many of the most popular degrees worked at the time.

Page 102 of the 3rd Edition of the "Scottish Rite Ritual - Monitor and Guide" by Arthuro De Hoyos

Presumably you are asking about a photograph which is in the Scottish Rite Masonic Museum. The Museum acquired the photograph in a frame, and the paper frame backing had the notation "AH Blake one of . . ./ AH Blake/ 1863/ Burial of soldier . . . killed." Apparently the photograph itself was annotated "AH Blake/ 83". Unless this is a transcription error it suggests that the print was made in 1883, but the photograph was taken in 1863 of the funeral of a soldier killed in the Civil War. The repeated name "AH Blake" may be the photographer, not the subject.

"The Craft" is another way of referring to Freemasonry, one which Freemasons often use themselves. It derives from the origin of Freemasonry in the guilds of operative practical stonemasons in the middle ages. These workers were able to shape stone not only into foundation and wall stones, but into reliefs, tracery and statues. They were practical artists, and all practical arts of that kind were called crafts--the craft of cabinetmaking, the craft of metal casting, the craft of joining, the craft of goldsmithing, as well as the craft of Masonry.

Eastern Star