THE OBJECTS OF MASONRY

THE OBJECTS OF MASONRY

Author: The Builder Magazine

Year: 1930

This piece of architecture from 1930 addresses the question of whether Freemasonry has any specific objects or purpose beyond its own existence. The author refutes both the wild claims of anti-Masons and the internal Masonic view that the fraternity is entirely self-centered. The text makes its case by citing numerous passages from Masonic ritual to show that the fraternity's aims are universal. These include the candidate's declaration of a "sincere wish of being serviceable to your fellow creatures," the tenet of brotherly love which teaches Masons "to regard the whole human species as one family," and the duty of relief which is "incumbent upon all men." The author emphasizes that the original context of these teachings, as found in historical works like Preston's Illustrations of Masonry , proves they were intended to apply to all of humanity, not just to fellow Masons. The piece of architecture then argues that the idea of restricting Masonic benevolence to only within the Craft is a recent and unfortunate development, found mostly in the United States. The author warns that for an institution, like a person, to become self-centered is the "beginning of moral deterioration" th