What is Freemasonry?
Freemasonry is a society of men concerned with moral and spiritual values, and is founded on three great
principles:
· Brotherly Love
Tolerance and respect for the opinions of others and an obligation to behave with kindness and understanding to our fellow creatures.
· Relief
The practice of charity. Freemasonry is known above all else for its substantial outward giving to many worthy causes, donating currently in the region of £15m a year to masonic and non-masonic charities.
· Truth
Masons strive for truth, aiming to achieve high standards in their public and private lives.
Freemasonry demands from its 320,000 members under the United Grand Lodge of England a respect for the law, with which its principles do not in any way conflict.
A freemason's duties are first to his God, then, without detriment to his family and those dependent upon him,
to his fellow men. A freemason's duty as a citizen must always come first and it is a serious disqualification to attempt to use membership of the order to promote one's own or anyone else's personal interests.