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Purpose of Freemasonry
THE CONSTITUTION OF THE FREEMASONS
A Timeless Moral Framework Since 1723
Freemasonry is one of the world’s oldest and most respected fraternal organizations, dedicated to moral growth, personal responsibility, and service to others. While membership is traditionally limited to men, it shares none of the hazing or superficial rituals associated with college fraternities. Instead, Freemasonry exists for a noble purpose: to take good men and help them become better, not to reform criminals or offer shallow promises, but to refine character through timeless lessons and shared values.
A JOURNEY OF MORAL INSTRUCTION
The Masonic path is structured around three progressive degrees: Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft, and Master Mason. Each degree is presented through symbolic, dramatic rituals performed only in the presence of fellow Masons. These ceremonies are not mere tradition—they are moral lessons conveyed through allegory, rich in biblical imagery and spiritual symbolism, most notably the construction of King Solomon’s Temple as described in 1 Kings and 2 Chronicles. At every Masonic lodge meeting, the Holy Bible remains open on the altar, serving as a constant source of light and guidance.
Each candidate undertakes a solemn obligation, not to any man or group, but to his own conscience and duty. Following each degree, he studies a traditional catechism, a set of questions and answers, designed to reinforce the moral teachings of the ritual. This memory work deepens a Mason’s understanding of the Craft and prepares him for further progression.​
A BELIEF IN GOD, NOT A RELIGION
Freemasonry is not a religion, nor does it attempt to replace or redefine a man’s faith. Rather, it requires belief in a Supreme Being and in life after death, while honoring the personal and private nature of those beliefs. Men from all religious backgrounds are welcome, and the topics of religion and politics are never discussed in lodge, ensuring harmony and unity among Brothers.
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CHARITY AT THE HEART OF THE CRAFT
Service to others is central to Masonic life. From caring for widows and orphans to supporting schools, hospitals, and disaster relief efforts, Masons are called to extend the hand of brotherly love. Across the United States, Masonic organizations provide over $1.5 million in charitable aid every single day, a testament to the Craft’s commitment to community and compassion.
Most Grand Lodges, including the Grand Lodge of Texas, maintain homes for aging Masons, their wives, widows, and children in need. These acts of quiet generosity embody the Masonic principle of relieving the distressed and serving as pillars of support within their communities.
THE ROLE OF SECRECY AND THE POWER OF INFLUENCE
Freemasonry has long been associated with ritual secrecy, a feature often misunderstood. The purpose of Masonic secrecy is not to hide something shameful, but to preserve the sacred, enrich the experience for candidates, and protect the integrity of the Craft. Like the ancient stonemasons who guarded their skills to ensure excellence, Masons guard their rites to preserve their meaning and impact.
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“By their fruits ye shall know them.” — Matthew 7:16
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If you question whether Masonic secrecy hides darkness, consider its legacy: leaders like George Washington, Paul Revere, Andrew Jackson, Theodore Roosevelt, Douglas MacArthur, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Harry Truman, Stephen F. Austin, and Sam Houston, all proud Freemasons. Consider the countless Masons working to improve their churches, schools, governments, and neighborhoods. Look into the eyes of a child receiving care in a Shrine Hospital, and you'll see the true light of the Craft.
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We take good men and make them better
Freemasonry is designed to improve a man, and is often represented by making the rough ashlar stone into a smooth stone
A COMPLEMENT TO HOME, CHURCH, AND SCHOOL
Freemasonry, like the home and church, does not promise perfection, only progress. No perfect child has ever been raised, no flawless Christian ever lived, and no flawless Mason ever knelt at the altar. Yet the influence of each, home, faith, education, and fraternity, is essential to the shaping of good men and strong communities.
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Texas Masonry, with its proud 171-year heritage, now looks boldly toward the future.
Our hope is that greater understanding will allow the Lodge to take its rightful place alongside the church, the home, the school, and civic organizations as a trusted force for good. With collaboration and shared values, we believe we can build a stronger Texas together.
Masons You Know
FAMOUS FREEMASONS THROUGHOUT HISTORY
Throughout history, Masonry has attracted many great men, it's debatable whether it was Masonry that made them great or they brought greatness to Masonry. One thing for sure, the lessons taught in Masonry was appealing and attracted men who were great or/ and ended up becoming great
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Masonry is what you bring to it, and if you seek to become a better man, the best version of yourself, and to reach your full potential, then you will find just that in the fraternity but only through your own work and actions
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Here are but some exemplary men who sought Masonry
George Washington
“Be courteous to all, but intimate with few, and let those few be well tried before you give them your confidence..."
The first President of the United States, George Washington was initiated as a Freemason in 1752. He graduated to Master Mason in less than a year and performed Masonic rites when he laid the cornerstone of the Capitol in 1793. He received a Masonic funeral; even today, Masons take pilgrimages to his tomb at Mount Vernon.
Benjamin Franklin
“They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.”
Prominent scientist, inventor, and civic activist, the United States founding father Benjamin Franklin is perhaps one of the most famous Freemasons. Alongside his duties as Grand Master of Pennsylvania, Benjamin Franklin formulated theories of positive and negative electrical charges and invented the lightning rod and bifocal glasses. Benjamin Franklin also printed the first Masonic publication in the colonies - a book called The Constitutions of the Free-Masons. It’s one of the rarest books in the world today.
Winston Churchill
“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.”
Initiated in 1901, this two-time British Prime Minister had family history with the Masons and was a member of Studholme Mason Lodge No. 1591 in England.
J. Edgar Hoover
“The best way to appreciate the nature and objectives of an enemy is to observe him in action.”
One of the Freemason’s most dedicated members was the founder of the FBI, J. Edgar Hoover. He was a Master Mason by 25 years old, became a 33rd-degree Inspector General Honorary in 1955, the highest level in Freemasonry.
Franklin D. Roosevelt
“The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.”
The former Governor of New York and 32nd President of the United States, Franklin D. Roosevelt became an Honorary Grand Master of the Order of DeMolay in a ceremony that took place at the White House.
Voltaire
“Those who can make you believe absurdities, can make you commit atrocities.”
The author of notable books such as Candide, Voltaire was encouraged to join the Freemasons by none other than Benjamin Franklin.
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
“Neither a lofty degree of intelligence nor imagination nor both together go to the making of genius. Love, love, love, that is the soul of genius.”
The famous Austrian composer was the son of a Freemason and wrote several Masonic musical numbers. Composer Franz Joseph Haydn belonged to the same lodge as Mozart. Other notable Johann Christian Bach was also a Freemason.
Sir Alexander Fleming
The man who discovered penicillin, Sir Alexander Fleming, was a Freemason. He became the master of his lodge in 1924 and was awarded the Nobel Prize in Medicine in 1945.
Theodore Roosevelt
“Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.”
Roosevelt, the 26th president, was made a Freemason in New York in 1901. He was known for his virtue and refusal to use his status as a Mason for political gain.
King Edward VII
“No, I shall not give in. I shall go on. I shall work to the end.”
An active Freemason throughout his life, when Edward, as the Prince of Wales, was installed as Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of England (UGLE) in 1874, he gave great impetus to the fraternity. The Prince was a great supporter of and publicist for Freemasonry. As Grand Master, he regularly appeared in public, both at home and on his tours abroad, laying the foundation stones of public buildings, bridges, dockyards and churches with all due Masonic ceremonial. Under his patronage Freemasonry was constantly in the public eye and Freemasons became known in their local communities. Edward VII was a vigorous contributor to the world’s largest fraternity.
Sam Houston
“A leader is someone who helps improve the lives of other people or improve the system they live under.”
General Sam Houston, who presided at the formation of the Grand Lodge of the Republic of Texas in 1837, was President of the Republic of Texas, Governor of Texas, and Governor of Tennessee as well. Sam Houston, who took his Masonic work in Tennessee, became a member of Forrest Lodge No. 19 in 1854.
Davy Crockett
“You may all go to hell and I will go to Texas.”
David “Davy” Crockett remains one of the best-known American folk heroes. ... After serving as a colonel in the Tennessee militia and in a stint in the state legislature, he was elected to the U.S. Congress in 1826. During his tenure in Washington, Crockett was initiated into Freemasonry and became a Master Mason.
Davy Crockett is also one of the defenders of the Alamo