THE GRAND LODGE OF 
It is accepted that the history of modern Freemasonry begins in 1717, when the First Grand Lodge was founded in London. Some titles and also many symbols have come down to us from those ancient times. We continue to use them in our lodges; they sound unfamiliar to modern ears, but similar ones are still used in the UK. For example, the title "Most Honorable Milord". The earliest Freemasons built the cathedrals of Europe; they were religious men. Therefore, the starting point of the Masonic philosophy is the belief in God, the Supreme Being. From this basic idea are derived four foundational concepts of Freemasonry.
1. Paternal name of God;
2. Spiritual brotherhood in man;
3. Supremacy of Man over the spiritless Material Creation;
4. Man's ability to achieve higher levels of excellence through education and training.
Belief in the existence of a Supreme Being has always been present as a fundamental principle in Freemasonry. James Anderson's Constitutions of Freemasons, first published in 1723, is a fundamental source for modern Masonic law. Compiled on the basis of the so-called "Gothic Constitutions" or "Old Obligations," which date from the beginning of the fifteenth century, he decreed that a Freemason could not be a "silly atheist" or an "irreligious libertine." This essential belief underlies the teachings of all regular Masonic institutions today. Apart from that, we are not interested in personal religious attitudes.
As Freemasons, we often present ourselves as "a system of morality veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols." This is a simplified way of saying that we resort to allegory and symbolism in order to inculcate moral lessons.
Freemasonry does not preach any particular form of government, nor is it a supporter of any particular political beliefs. It is a savior for the Truth, for itself, and not as a creed of an individual person, party or human community. Our Fraternity does not engage in political controversy, nor does it attempt to provoke illegal or immoral political changes. We do not preach specific class political, managerial or economic ideas.
Freemasonry is a struggle towards the Light both for the individual and for the nations. Light is virtue, manhood, intellect and freedom; the opposite is darkness, which is tyranny over soul and body. Freemasonry is the supremacy of Morality and Reason over Appetites and Passions; ceaseless effort, struggle and battle of the Spiritual against the Material and the Sensuous. It is for this reason that we say that we erect temples of virtue and build dungeons for vice.
Various forms of Freemasonry arose to preach these ideas, and they preserve legends and traditions presented to members in symbolic form in our initiation ceremonies and rites.
Freemasonry teaches that the nobility of human nature is manifested in work; that the nature of each one is to work; that only work, persistent and purposeful, brings blessing over the days of men; that life is a battle to be fought bravely, in which no faint-hearted man can win; that rest is a blessing that is attainable by overcoming temptation, difficulties, and one's own passions. Obligation is a law in Freemasonry. Obligation is Freemasonry.
It is useful to all people: it enables scientists to apply their gifts in a meaningful way; offers important guidance to the uneducated; to the young - a positive example, teaching them to choose the right way of life; to the secular person - fruitful recreation; to the traveler - an opportunity to find friends and brothers anywhere in the world; to the person in trouble - support; to the victim - consolation; provides the benefactor with an opportunity to connect with others like him; to all who appreciated its meaning—the charm of a friendship founded on the principles of religion, morality, and philanthropy.
A Freemason must be a conscientious man of honor, putting his duty above all else. He is uncompromisingly moral, respects the law, devoted to humanity, to his country, to his family, kind and indulgent to his brothers. He is a friend to all virtuous men, and is always ready to help them according to his means.
As Freemasons, we find the noblest application of our strength and energy, of our gifts and mind, in working for the benefit of others, for their moral and intellectual growth.
Freemasonry is not intended for cold souls and limited minds who do not understand its mission and its truths. It does not need indifferent members. It needs men of action who take up the working tools of life and build. It teaches men to respect order and good order in life, it shows the way to true happiness, it prepares them for those bright times when all the members of the Human Family will be one household united by the bonds of Tolerance and Brotherhood. These are all tasks that should arouse zeal and enthusiasm in a faithful brother.
Freemasonry is not a reformatory for bad people, but rather a school for the education of good ones. "The laws of Freemasonry, superior to all others, are incapable of fundamentally changing human nature. They enlighten people, they point to the right path, but they can only lead them to it if they extinguish the flames of their passions and control their selfishness.
In its most general orientation, Freemasonry is markedly philanthropic, philosophical and progressive, having for its dogmas a firm belief in God and his providence, in the immortality of the soul. And its immediate goals are the inculcation of moral, political, philosophical and religious truth, as well as the application of virtues in life.
At all times it stands for Truth, Equality and Fraternity under a constitutional system, legality, order, discipline and obedience to lawful authority - government, not anarchy. But it is neither a political party nor a religious sect. It accepts all parties and all sects, to form from them one vast fraternal community, respecting the dignity of human nature and the right to such liberty as the individual is fit for, knowing nothing that places one man below another except ignorance, meanness, and crime, and the necessity of subordination to the will of law and lawful authority.
Freemasonry is philanthropic and recognizes the great truth that all men are of the same origin, have common interests and should unite efforts in the name of a common goal. That is why it requires its members to love each other, to help and support each other in all life circumstances, to share sorrow and pain, joy and sorrow, to protect reputation, to respect opinions and to show full tolerance for each other's mistakes, or speech about faith and beliefs.
Freemasonry seeks to build bridges of friendship and brotherhood across natural boundaries and artificial barriers. It does not meddle in politics, but declares that all men are brothers, and that we are capable of uniting for our own and the world's improvement. In our lodges the brethren cast off the artificial titles and decorations of the world to "come together on the same level." We work together, regardless of where we come from, and our doors are open to all good men who wish to come in and share in our efforts.
A distinctive feature of Freemasonry is the myths, metaphors and symbolism used to instill ideas of freedom, equality and fraternity. It offers views on life, looking more broadly at its lessons and duties. Practical guidance in wise morality and philosophy inspires us with confidence in the face of obstacles in fulfilling our duty and striving to be men.
Freemasonry affects not only the good of the world, but also on us as individuals. We instill our ideas in the hope that they will penetrate deep into the heart to pause, reason and become better: this is the enlightenment of Freemasonry - it makes us become better than ourselves.
Arturo de Oyos, 33., Grand Cross,
is Grand Archivist and Grand Historian at the Supreme Council, 33., Yu. yu. He was among the three invited by the Roman Catholic Church to the Vatican to discuss Masonic issues. He has appeared on ABC, CNN, NBC, DC's FOX 5 News, WAMU Radio's "Metro Connection," Voice of America, The History Channel; he has been interviewed by the New York Times, US News & World Report, El Pa.s and others. Past Master of McAllen Lodge No. 1110, Texas, and honorary member of John Blair Lodge No. 187, Alexandria, Virginia. Full Member of Quatuor Coronati Lodge No. 2076, London1. Winner of two Mackey Awards at SRRS (Scottish Rite Research Society), Deputy Grand Abbot at Society of Blue Friars2, KYCH, IX. SRICF (Societas Rosicruciana in Civitatibus Foederatis - Rosicrucian Society in the United States) and Knight Grand Cross in the United Masonic Degrees and Grand Rite Consistory. A bibliophile, madly in love with history and science, polyglot and music lover, he is a member of the Society of American Archivists, a lifetime member of the NRA (National Rifle Association) and VCDL (Virginia Citizens Defense League to protect residents in Virginia)3. Among his many "vices" are a weakness for spicy foods, sweet desserts, horror films and the yodeler Franz Lang.
Watch the Enlightenment of Freemasonry lecture on YouTube
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1 Founded in 1884, it was the first research lodge in the world to devote efforts to
survey of Masonic history and issues. – B. pr.
2 Brotherhood of the Blue Monks - an organization for honoring Masonic authors. – B. pr.
3 The latter two structures unite supporters of the Second Amendment to the Constitu-
tion of the United States, which was adopted in 1791 and decreed the right to own and
carries a personal weapon. – B. pr.