What is Freemasonry and What are its Objectives?
Freemasonry is a non-religious organization which throughout its very many years of existence has maintained a consistent set of principles which are in parallel and which compliment those of all the major religions of the world while at the same time promoting the simple but important objectives of helping all men and women everywhere to live happy lives. These principles include: kindness and consideration at home; honesty in business; courtesy towards others; dependability in one’s work; compassion for the unfortunate; and being a good citizen of the whole world. Freemasonry helps its members through its lessons and friendships and society as a whole through both its members’ activities and its charitable works.
While Freemasonry’s activities and works may vary from town to town and from country to country, its principles and objectives remain the same wherever it exists in the world. The organization of Freemasonry is based on a system of Grand Lodges, each sovereign within its own territory. There is no central authority governing all Grand Lodges. To be acknowledged by others, however, acceptable traditions, standards and practices must be maintained.
In our Province the governing body is called the Grand Lodge of Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons of Canada, in the Province of Ontario. It is under the leadership of a Grand Master. He presides over the nearly 74,000 Masons in this jurisdiction who belong to one or more of the 642 lodges. Each of these lodges is under the direction of a Worshipful Master.