WHAT MASONRY IS

It is a voluntary association of men.
It is a system of moral conduct.
It is a way of life.
It is a fraternal society.
It is religious in its character.
It teaches the Golden Rule.
It seeks to make good men better men.
It teaches morality through symbolism.
It uses secret rites and ceremonies to instruct its members.
   It is based on a firm belief in the Fatherhood of God, the Brotherhood of man, and the Immortality of the Soul.
   Its purpose is to improve humanity as a whole, each Mason being charged to walk uprightly before God and man, and, by his rectitude of conduct, encouraging others to conduct themselves in like manner.
   Its tenets are ethical principles such as are acceptable to all men. It teaches toleration toward the beliefs of others, and charity toward all mankind. Masons are proud to proclaim that their fraternity consists of men bound together by bonds of brotherly love and affection, universally applicable throughout the world.

WHAT MASONRY IS NOT

It is not an insurance or benefit society.
It does not solicit members.
It is neither a religion nor a creed.
It is not a charity organization.
It is not organized for profit.
It dictates to no man as to his beliefs, either religious or secular.
It seeks no advantages for its members through business or politics.
It is not a forum for discussion of partisan affairs.
It is not a secret society, as it does not conceal its existence, membership or purposes.
   Masonry teaches love and kindness in the home, honesty and fairness in business or occupation, courtesy in social contacts, help for the weak and unfortunate, resistance to wickedness, trust and confidence in good men, forgiveness toward the penitent, love toward one another, and above all, reverence for the Supreme Being.
   One of the outstanding features of Freemasonry, and a quality almost unique among the society, is a rule of immemorial standing, that no man may be asked, invited or solicited to enter the fraternity.