What is Masonry?

Masonry is the building of structures from individual units laid in and bound together by mortar, and the term "masonry" can also refer to the units themselves. The common materials of masonry construction are brick, stone such as , marble, sandstone, cobblestone, flintstone, granite, slate, travertine, limestone ; concrete block, glass block, and tile. Masonry is generally a highly durable form of construction. However, the materials used, the quality of the mortar and workmanship, and the pattern the units are put in can strongly affect the durability of the overall masonry construction. Masonry is commonly used for the walls of buildings, retaining walls and monuments. Brick is the most common type of masonry and may be either weight-bearing or a veneer. Concrete block masonry is rapidly gaining in popularity as a comparable material. Blocks - most of which have hollow cores - offer various possibilities in masonry construction. They generally provide great compressive strength, and ... more

The term “masonry” refers to construction with stone. There is some dispute over the root of the word, but all of the candidates for the root are related to building with stone, such as the Latin maceria, which means “wall.” The term may be used to describe an entire building or a carved stone feature such as a headstone or bench. Someone who practices the art of masonry is called a stonemason or mason, and the skills of a mason tend to command high prices, since working in stone is very tricky. When referring to a building, masonry describes the stonework which is incorporated into the building. One might say, for example, “the masonry in that building is quite distinctive,” Many old buildings were built entirely from stone, since it was a readily available construction material; many medieval cathedrals, for example, have stunning examples of masonry. Although stones can simply be piled on one another and anchored, most masonry is decorated with carvings to make it beautiful as well ... more

Masons believe in independence, liberty, freedom and constitutional rights for all, and oppose special privileges for a few! As a way of life, Masonry may be explained as follows: In the home it is kindness. In the business it is honesty. In society it is courtesy. In work it is fairness. Toward the unfortunate it is pity. Toward the wicked it is resistance. Toward the weak it is help. Toward the strong it is trust. Toward the penitent it is forgiveness. Toward the fortunate it is congratulations. Toward God it is reverence and Love. Yes, Masonry is good so let s talk about it always and clear up mistaken beliefs about this wonderful way of life, which teaches men how to live. A good education furnishes the tools to work with, and experience in Masonry teaches how these things can and should be done. Freemasonry does ALL this .and Much More Freemasonry is a staunch supporter of the Public School System, of law and order, and patriotism. Freemasonry develops your ability to speak before ... more

I ve been a Mason six months now and I ought to know something about Masonry. But there are more secrets in the fraternity I don't know than those I have been told!'' The New Brother was puzzled. The Old Tiler laid down his sword, picked up a half-smoked cigar and lit it, and settled back in his chair. "Get it out of your system," he invited. "Is Masonry a religion," continued the New Brother, "or a system of philosophy, or a childish getting together of men who like to play politics and wear titles? I have heard it called all three. Sometimes I think it's one and sometimes the other. What do you think?" "It isn't a childish getting together for the love of titles and honors," answered the Old Tiler. "Men would soon' invent a much better organization for the satisfaction of such purposes. In fact, he has invented better ones. Men who want to play politics and be called the Grand High Cockalorum of the Exalted Central Chamber of the Secret Sanctorum can join these. If Masonry were nothi ... more

What is Freemasonry? Masons, also known as Freemasons, belong to the oldest and largest fraternal organization in the world. There are more than 2 million Freemasons in North America. Masons represent virtually every occupation and profession, yet within the fraternity, all meet as equals. Masons come from diverse political ideologies, yet meet as friends. Masons come from varied religious beliefs and creeds, yet all beleive in one God. One of the most fascinating aspects of Freemasonry is how so many men, from so many walks of life, can meet together in peace, always conducting their affairs in harmony and friendship and calling each other "Brother". Freemasonry is a fraternal order whose basic tenets are brotherly love, relief (philanthropy), and truth. We strive to enjoy the company of our brother Masons, assist them in times of personal trouble, and reinforce essential moral values. There is an old adage that Masonry "takes good men and makes them better", which is our goal. It has ... more

So, is Masonry education? Yes. In a very real sense, education is at the center of Masonry. We have stressed its importance for a very long time. Back in the Middle Ages, schools were held in the lodges of stonemasons. You have to know a lot to build a cathedral -- geometry, and structural engineering, and mathematics, just for a start. And that education was not very widely available. All the formal schools and colleges trained people for careers in the church, or in law or medicine. And you had to be a member of the social upper classes to go to those schools. Stonemasons did not come from the aristocracy. And so the lodges had to teach the necessary skills and information. Freemasonry's dedication to education started there. It has continued. Masons started some of the first public schools in both Europe and America. We supported legislation to make education universal. In the 1800s Masons as a group lobbied for the establishment of state supported education and federal land grant c ... more

Masonry is the building of structures from individual stone units laid and bound together by mortar. Common materials used in masonry construction are bricks, stones, concrete blocks, glass blocks, and tiles. ... more

Masonry (Freemasonry) is the oldest and one of the largest fraternities in the world, and encourages good citizenship and political expression, but is not a political or religious organization. Its charitable activities are manifold; yet, it is not a welfare or benefit organization. Masonry teaches that each person has a responsibility to make things better in the world. Most individuals will not be the ones to find a cure for cancer, or eliminate poverty, or help create world peace. Yet, every man, woman, and child is capable of doing something to help others, or to make things a little better. Masonry is deeply involved with helping people -- it contributes millions of dollars every day in the United States alone, just to make life a little easier. The great majority of that help goes to people who are not Masons. Some of the Masonic charities are vast projects. ... more