HISTORY OF THE FREEMASONS
No one knows with certainty how or when the Masonic Fraternity was formed. A widely
accepted theory among Masonic scholars is that it arose from the stonemasons’ guilds
during the Middle Ages. The language and symbols used in the fraternity’s rituals
come from this era. The oldest document that makes reference to Masons is the Regius
Poem, printed about 1390, which was a copy of an earlier work.
In 1717, four lodges
in London formed the first Grand Lodge of England, and records from that point on
are more complete.
Within thirty years, the fraternity had spread throughout Europe and the American
Colonies. Freemasonry became very popular in colonial America. George Washington
was a Mason, Benjamin Franklin served as the head of the fraternity in Pennsylvania,
as did Paul Revere and Joseph Warren in Massachusetts. Other well-known Masons involved with the founding of America included John Hancock, John Sullivan, Lafayette, Baron
Fredrick von Stuben, Nathanael Greene, and John Paul Jones. Another Mason, Chief
Justice John Marshall, shaped the Supreme Court into its present form.
Over the centuries, Freemasonry has developed into a worldwide fraternity emphasizing
personal study, self-improvement, and social betterment via individual involvement
and philanthropy. During the late 1700s it was one of the organizations most responsible
for spreading the ideals of the Enlightenment: the dignity of man and the liberty
of the individual, the right of all persons to worship as they choose, the formation
of democratic governments, and the importance of public education. Masons supported
the first public schools in both Europe and America.
During the 1800s and early 1900s, Freemasonry grew dramatically. At that time, the
government had provided no social "safety net". The Masonic tradition of founding
orphanages, homes for widows, and homes for the aged provided the only security
many people knew.
Today in North America, the Masonic Fraternity continues this tradition by giving
almost $1.5 million each day to causes that range from operating children’s hospitals,
providing treatment for childhood language disorders, treating eye diseases, funding
medical research, contributing to local community service, and providing care to
Masons and their families at Masonic Homes.
The four million Masons worldwide continue to help men and women face the problems
of the 21st century by building bridges of brotherhood and instilling in the hearts
of men ideals for a better tomorrow.