Here are many of the most frequently asked questions about Eccles and District Group and our website.
What is Freemasonry?
As well as being one of the world's oldest secular fraternal societies, Freemasonry is an enjoyable association of like - minded men who work towards a common goal of being happy themselves and communicating happiness to others. This is achieved by work in the Lodge, largely based on a series of ritual ceremonies, with much in common with the old passion plays, which follow ancient forms and use stonemasons' customs and tools as allegorical guides. These seek to instil morality in all men: by teaching and practising high standards of conduct in society. These aims are furthered at the dinners held after lodge meetings and at other social occasions.
What do Freemasons aim for?
They strive to be good citizens, to practice the highest moral and social standards, and to be men of friendship, charitable disposition, and integrity. It is often said that Freemasonry makes good men better.
Who can be a Freemason?
Any man who is at least 21, is law-abiding, of good character and believes in God, can become a Freemason. The order is not restricted to Protestants: it is open to all men of all faiths, such as Jews, Muslims, Hindus and Sikhs. Contrary to popular belief, the Order has many Roman Catholics in its membership
When did Freemasonry start?
No one knows. Some say that we evolved from the operative stonemasons who built the cathedrals and castles, and held their own Lodges to discuss trade affairs. In the 1600s non-operatives were invited to join, and formed the basis of Masonic Lodges. Others say that groups of right thinking men got together at about the same time and taught morality by allegory and symbolism, using the story of King Solomon and the building of the first Temple at Jerusalem to illustrate and explain the lessons of morality. These lessons were taught by means of morality plays, and they continue more or less in this form today in our Lodges.
Is Freemasonry a secret society?
Definitely not! If it were, this web site would not exist and be available for public view world-wide. Most people know where the meeting places are, the ritual of the ceremonies and the many books written about Freemasonry can be read in public libraries. Members are encouraged to speak openly about their membership. Like many other organisations, though, meetings of Lodges are held in private.
Is religion relevant to Freemasonry?
Freemasonry is not a Religion, nor a substitute for religion, but it encourages all its members, who are required to believe in God, to follow their own faith and to be active in their own Churches or other places of worship. Lodge meetings are opened and closed with prayers, as are the daily sessions of the House of Commons, but discussion of religion, and indeed politics, is prohibited at Lodge meetings.
So what happens at a Lodge meeting?
Like other organisations there is a certain amount of administration to attend to such as minutes of the last meeting, which have to be approved, balloting for new members, financial matters (subscriptions and expenditure, for example), electing new officers, and dealing with correspondence. The ceremonies for making and progressing new Masons take up a fair proportion of the time, although these do not happen at every meeting. Quite often the members will be given a lecture on an issue of Masonic interest, to increase their knowledge of the fascinating history and meaning of Freemasonry. An important ceremony that does take place every year in every Lodge is the Installation of the new Master, who then appoints the Officers of the Lodge who will assist him with the ceremonial and administrative work for the year that he is in office. Most Lodges meet formally six or seven times a year, in addition to which are management meetings and rehearsals, together with a variety of social activities, many of which include members' partners and families.
Would you like to know more?
Having taken the time to visit this site you may wish to know more about Freemasonry. Please see the Contact Us page of our website; send Graham Halstead an email and he will do his best to help. Alternatively, you may write to our Group Secretary; Graham Wood who will give you more information or will make arrangements to send you written material. One of us will be pleased to show you around either of the Masonic Halls in the Group.
