1735

"Freemasony in South Carolina began in 1736 when Solomon's Lodge was granted a Warrant issued the year before by the Grand Master of England."

~M.W. Joel W. Frampton, Jr., P.G.M.

Freemasonry: What is it?

"Freemasonry is one of the oldest secular fraternal societies. . . .[it] is a society of men concerned with moral and spiritual values. Its members are taught its precepts by a series of ritual dramas, which follow ancient forms and use stonemasons' customs and tools as allegorical guides." ~from United Grand Lodge of England (1984)

Basic Principles:

Freemasonry is not a religion, nor is it a substitute for religion. It requires of its members belief in God as part of the obligation of every responsible adult, but advocates no sectarian faith or practice. Masonic ceremonies include prayers, both traditional and extemporaneous, to reaffirm each individual's dependence on God and to seek Divine guidance. Freemasonry is open to men of any faith, but religion may not be discussed at Masonic meetings .

The Supreme Being:

Masons believe that there is one God and that people employ many different ways to seek, and to express what they know of God. Masonry primarily uses the appellation, "Grand Architect of the Universe," and other non-sectarian titles, to address Deity. In this way, persons of different faiths may join together in prayer, concentrating on God, rather than differences among themselves. Masonry believes in religious freedom and that the relationship between the individual and God is personal, private, and sacred .

Volume of the Sacred Law:

An open Volume of the Sacred Law, "the rule and guide of life," is an essential part of every Masonic meeting. The Volume of the Sacred Law to a Christian is the Bible; to Freemasons of other faiths, it is the book held holy by them .

The Oath of Freemasonry:

The obligations taken by Freemasons are sworn on the Volume of the Sacred Law. They are undertakings to follow the principles of Freemasonry and to keep confidential a Freemason's means of recognition. The much discussed "penalties," judicial remnants from an earlier era, are symbolic, not literal. They refer only to the pain any honest man should feel at the thought of violating his word.

Freemasonry Compared to Religion:

  • It has no dogma or theology, no wish or means to enforce religious orthodoxy.
  • It offers no sacraments.
  • It does not claim to lead to salvation by works, by secret knowledge, or by any other means.
  • The secrets of Freemasonry are concerned with modes of recognition, not with a means of salvation.

    • Freemasonry Supports Religion:

    Freemasony is far from indifferent toward religion. Without interfering in religious practice, it expects each member to follow his own faith and to place his Duty to God above all other duties. Its moral teachings are acceptable to all religions.

    -Masonic Information Center (12/93)

    Links

    Past Masters Caucus

    Sesquicentennial

    Strict Observance Lodge No. 73 A.F.M.

    December 26, 5849 ~ Images of Our Past

    A Picture is Worth...

    One Quarter Millennium

    Schedule of Meetings ~First & Second Districts

    Personal Masonic History, Observations, Comments

    Birthplace of SC Masonry & Scottish Rite

    Famous Past Master's Jewels

    Mackey & Lafayette

    Historical Sketches ~VI

    Provincial Grand Masters 5736 ~ 5767

    Jesse C. Branham, P.G.M. 
    [complete]

    James B. Browder, Sr., P.S.G.D.

    Albert G. Mackey

    Lexicon & History

    Festival ~ December 27

    Poem:EURIKA!

    "The Old Clay House"

    King Solomons Temple

    Looking East Revised

    Joel W. Frampton, Jr. P.G.M.

    Past Grand Masters Gravestone Consecration & Dedication

    "Freemasonry in S.C. Today"~ Jesse C. Branham, P.G.M.

    "The Meaning of Masonry"~Paul Handley, FMR Secretary, SCMRS

    The Lafayette Jewel

    Grand See

    Masonic Trivia

    The First Lodges

    Music in Masonry

    "Regius Manuscript"

    About J.Hyatt, P.M.