What is the secret of a Master Mason?

Answer 1

The way to find out what the secret of a Master Mason is to become one. Go to your Masonic Lodge and ask how to become a Mason!

Answer 2

Joe, even if I could put it in words, I guarantee you would not understand. The "secrets" which are communicated during the ceremony (step, grip, and sign) are what we in American Co-Masonry call "the secrets that are not secret." I mean, Joe, you can go up online and look up ritual things and probably get pretty close. It would not get you into a Lodge since most Orders have far more things for you to show (paid up membership card for one *grin*).

I will share with you some things that have happened to me as a Master Mason; perhaps that will help. Do remember that I belong to an esoteric Order, American Co-Masonry (we admit women and well as men to all rites, lights and priviledges), so my experience may differ from masculine only Freemasons. I think it is different for every Mason, no matter which Order.

I have become straighter in my conduct with the rest of the world and with Masons in particular. I will not engage in crooked dealings. We call that "acting on the Plumb." I have also begun treating all folks a tad more uniformly. No matter what their apparent wealth or lack thereof. We call that "meeting on the Level." This has opened my heart more to give to the less fortunate.

Since I have become a Master Mason, I thought the lessons I was getting would taper off. Instead they have increased. One of my Lodges needed an Almoner - someone to watch our members for signs of distress and need, someone to look outside the Lodge membership for good causes. Now I check on our Brothers and also keep track of charities that seem worthy. In my other Blue Lodge, I am now the Secretary - I used to hate snail mail, now I am forced to use it. I have learned to keep good notes and to send out agendas promptly. I am also Junior Deacon. That requires me to walk smartly and to move in unison with the Senior Deacon, to follow her. I have never been much for following, now I have to. My military drill and ceremonies does help me on the walking (although with an artificial knee, I do have some problems.

Being a Master Mason has given me more responsibilities for my own conduct and caring for those who have problems. Being a Master Mason means that sometimes I go to Lodge even when I do not feel like going. Being a Master Mason means that I drive over 800 miles a month in service to the Lodges. I live about 200 miles from each Lodge.

The secret to becoming a Master Mason is to first want to improve yourself and second to help society. In American Co-Masonry, it takes memorization and coming to Lodge regularly. It also takes at least a year.

So, this process, Joe, is an alchemical one. The secrets that can be communicated are not the real deal. Even with the passwords and grips, the steps and the apron, you would not be a Master Mason. Ever since I had the blue apron put on me, I have been working to be worthy of that title, Master Mason.

Sincerely offered,
A Master Mason
American Co-Masonry

Hiram Lodge No. 11 (Santa Cruz, CA)
Amon Ra Lodge No. 9 (Los Angeles, CA)
Sapientia Lodge of Research (Larkspur, CO)
Adamant Mark Lodge No. 3 (Santa Cruz, CA)

Answer 3

Freemasonry is an oath bound fraternal order of men which derives from the medieval fraternity of Freemasonry. We adhere to many of the Ancient Charges, laws, customs, and legends of operative Freemasonry. We are loyal to the civilian government under which we exist. We inculcate moral and social virtues by symbolic application of the operative stonemasons' working tools and by allegories, lectures and charges. Freemasonry obligates its members to obey the principles of brotherly love, equality, mutual aid, secrecy and confidence. We have secret modes of recognition that permit members to recognize each other as brothers. We require a through examination into the mental, moral and physical qualifications of a petitioner and we admit men into the fraternity by secret ceremonies based in part on legends of the Craft.

Once a person has decided to apply for membership he fills out a petition signed by 2 members of the Lodge he desires to join. He gives the petition to one of the members along with the required initiation fee. The petition is read at the next stated meeting when the Worshipful Master will appoint an investigating committee who will interview the petitioner in person. The investigating committee will report back to the Lodge at the following stated meeting when all the members present will vote on the petitioner. Once the petitioner is accepted he is given the three degrees of Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft and the Sublime Degree of a Master Mason. There are certain requirements which a candidate must meet before he can proceed from one degree to the next.

One must obtain the Sublime Degree of a Master Mason before he is allowed to wear any Masonic jewelry. One must have a Belief in a Supreme Being and HOLY BOOKS play an important part in all Masonic Rituals, Ceremonies and Activities. The Tenets of the Masonic Fraternity are " Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth. "
The Masonic Fraternity is NOT a Secret Society but rather a Society With Secrets like many other Fraternal Orders such as the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Moose, Eagles, Elks, Lions, Knights of Pythias, Knights of St. John, Knights of Columbus, etc. etc.

Suggest if you are interested in pursuing interest in the Masonic Fraternity if a male and over the age of 18 you contact a man whom you know to be a Mason for further information and an application. If you are under 18 you can inquire about the DeMolay Organization.

If no local Masonic Lodge is available then you can contact the Grand Lodge of Masons for the State in which you reside.

If you are a Lady the Masonic Fraternity offers the Order of Eastern Star if over 18 or the Order of Rainbow Girls or Job's Daughters if under 18. For requirements please check with a local Masonic Lodge or the Grand Lodge of the State you reside in as these requirements MAY VARY from State to State.

Highly recommend you go to a Mason or a Masonic Lodge for information rather than ask questions here as there is much information which is erroneous and it would be best for you to ask a person who is " in the know " for correct information.

Answer 4

If we knew it would not be a secret. The Masons are a secretive society for men. It goes a long ways back in history.

Answer 5

What about Stonemasons? haha, the secret of a master mason is to get all your apprentices to do all the work! wait, damn, I'm an apprentice.