Our Mission Statement
The mission of freemasonry in Florida is raise the moral, social, intellectual, and spiritual. Though our members and the community, by teaching ancient and enduring philosophical tenets of Brotherly Love, Relief And Truth. Freemasonry is charitable organization through the improvement and strengthening of the character of freemasonry seeking to improve our community.
Freemasonry And Religion
Freemasonry, while religious in nature, is not, does not profess to be, and does not wish to be, a religion. Nor does it promote any particular religion. So long as they meet the qualifications for membership, Masonry accepts men from every religious faith - Protestant, Jewish, Roman Catholic, and others. It does not bar any man because of his religious leanings, so long as he believes in a Supreme Being and so long as his beliefs are not characterized by that which is generally deemed morally unacceptable.
The Secrets of Freemasonry
The fraternity is often called a secret society. This, of course, implies that Masons conceal the fact of their membership that they meet in secret that their purposes are secret.
Nothing could be more remote from the truth.
Masonry is definitely not a secret society. Its members make no attempt to conceal their Masonic affiliation, often proudly wearing rings or other jewelry marking them as Masons. Meeting places are prominently located and clearly marked. Dates and times of meetings are often advertised in newspapers or posted on bulletin boards. The history, the teachings, and many records of the order are available in any good public library. The rules and regulations of Masonry are in print and no effort is made to lock them away from interested persons. Minutes are made of its meetings and are often studied by those who are not members. These practices are clearly not those of a secret society.
And Masonry has its secret ritual, its mode of instructing new members in the three symbolic degrees. This ritual originated, in large part, with the old cathedral builders earlier mentioned and has been handed down over the centuries. Most of the secret rituals are based upon writings in the Holy Bible and the writings of other great philosophers, so they are secret only in their unique adaptation and presentation. This ritualistic mode of instruction has proven remarkably effective over the centuries and its use, being peculiar to Freemasonry, has kept the fraternity apart from those that would imitate it The lessons taught in the Masonic ritual are in no way secret, they may be obtained from many and various Masonic writings, available to all.
To Become a Mason
One of the ancient landmarks of the fraternity is that it does not solicit new members. Were prohibited by Masonic law from issuing such invitations. A man must seek Masonic membership of his own free will and accord. He should make certain he has a general idea of what Masonry is all about. That is one of the prime purposes of this booklet, the man who reads it in its entirety should be able to determine if the fraternity is really what he thought it was, if it is really something he wishes to become a part of. Freemasonry is not for everyone, if a man is not going to be an interested member he will do himself and the fraternity a service if he never applies. (In later chapters we will discuss some of the attractions that draw men to and keep them in Freemasonry, this should aid the average individual in making his own determination.)
A man interested in applying for Masonic membership should inquire into the financial obligations membership in his particular area would entail. The initiation fees and annual dues can and do vary from state to state, and within states. With rare exception, though, the cost of Masonic membership is well within the means of the average man. Once a man decides to seek Masonic membership members of the lodge must recommend him and he must submit to a background investigation. Following a prescribed waiting period, his petition will be balloted upon during a regular meeting of the lodge. The vote is by secret ballot and election of a petitioner requires a unanimously favorable ballot.
Appendant Orders
There are many Masonic and Masonic-related orders or organizations in which membership is predicated, to varying extent, upon membership in a Masonic lodge. Included are such well-known bodies as the Scottish Rite, the York Rite, the Shrine, the Eastern Star, and many others. The blue lodge, as it has been referred to and described in the preceding chapters, is recognized as the root and foundation of all Freemasonry. Once a man has received the three symbolic degrees in a blue lodge, thus becoming a Master Mason, he is often invited to become a member in one or more of the appendant orders. Many Master Masons accept these invitations and eventually become quite active in various areas of Freemasonry, being constantly reminded all along the way that they must remain faithful to their blue lodges.
Masonic lodges, in cooperation with other Masonic and Masonic-related orders, often sponsor various youth organizations in which the teachings are much like those a Mason receives during the three degrees. It is not the purpose of this booklet, though, to go beyond the blue lodge. For the reader, Mason or non-Mason, that seeks information concerning Masonic and Masonic-related organizations other than the blue lodge, there are many fine publications available.
The Vision of Freemasonry in Florida
Freemasonry in Florida will be the outstanding fraternal organization for men. It will enhance and strengthen the character of the individual man by providing meaningful opportunities for fellowship, charity, education, and leadership.
These principles will guide the attainment of the Vision of Freemasonry in Florida:
Freemasonry will promote the highest standards of honesty and integrity and the enhancement and strengthening of the character of its members.
Freemasonry will be open to all men of ethical and moral quality regardless of race, creed, or national origin who believe in a Supreme Being.
Freemasonry will promote and provide opportunities for involvement of its members in individual and organized charitable activities.
Freemasonry will promote and provide opportunities for education of its members and the community as a means of encouraging freedom, tolerance, and understanding.
Freemasonry will strive to be viewed by the family as an outstanding organization. It will provide opportunities for family enrichment through programs of fellowship, discovery, learning, involvement and entertainment.
Academic Scholarships Endowment Fund:
· Grand Lodge has made a significant commitment to dramatically enhance its scholarships program. In 2004-2005, and the campaign will provide funds to ensure this program continues to grow and is enhanced for future generations.
Local Lodge Charitable Funds
All funds raised through each lodge’s efforts will be used to address the local charitable efforts of that lodge. To provide local lodges with the ability to identify and support their local charitable priorities, the campaign seeks to ensure support at the local level that would strengthen its charitable abilities. A fund would be held at Grand Lodge for each lodge to use for their charitable works, which could include scholarship programs, low-income families, helping the homeless, join others non-profit organizations.
