Every Freemason is taught to build his life upon three foundations. Understanding them is the clearest window into what the Craft actually asks of a man.
Strip away the ceremony and the symbolism, and Freemasonry rests on three principles that any good man can recognise. They are not slogans; they are a way of living, and every lodge measures itself against them.
Brotherly Love
Freemasons are taught to regard the whole human family as one — to show tolerance, respect and kindness toward others, and to see past the differences of wealth, background and belief that so often divide the world. In the lodge, a labourer and a judge meet as equals. That habit of respect is meant to follow a Mason out of the lodge and into every part of his life.
Relief
Relief is charity in its truest, oldest sense: the practical care of those in need. Freemasons give generously — to one another in times of hardship, and, far more, to the wider community through hospitals, scholarships, disaster relief and countless local causes. Much of it is done quietly, without fanfare, because the giving matters more than the credit.
Truth
Truth is the aim of every Freemason — truth in his dealings with others and truth about himself. The Craft asks a man to look honestly at his own character, to correct his faults, and to be, in private, the same man he appears to be in public. It is the hardest of the three, and the work of a lifetime.
“On these three great principles — Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth — the whole of Freemasonry is founded.”
If these are values you already try to live by, you may find in Freemasonry not something foreign, but a home for convictions you already hold. We would be glad to talk with you about it.
Considering the Craft?
If Freemasonry speaks to you, the next step is simply a conversation. Lodge St Andrew at Bexley No. 7 would be glad to answer your questions — there is no obligation, only a warm welcome.
