When Your Husband or Father is a Mason
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Masons - Almost every Father was a Mason.

At the turn of the century, almost every man's father was a Mason. As was his father before him. And his before that. This tradition can be traced all the way back to the Middle Ages.

It was only natural; every man wanted to pass his wisdom, his knowledge, his experience, his good reputation on to his son. And Masonry was one of his most treasured experiences.

It was easier back then. We all lived in the same house, or at least in the same town. Leaving town for a new job was an uncommon opportunity. The family was closer. Fewer things got in the way of family traditions.

By the middle of this century, as the pace of life quickened and families moved apart, centuries-old traditions were stretched, often to the breaking point.

If your father is a Mason, he may not have talked much with you about the Fraternity. Many fathers are not sure what they can say, or how to say it. If you ask, you will probably find that not only your father but also your grandfather and your uncles are or were Freemasons. So why didn't they ask you to join?

One thing is for sure, not because they don't want to share their love of the Fraternity with you or that they weren't very, very hopeful you would join.

For more information or for free brochures go to Steps to Join Masonry.
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 !    Masonic Tidbits

Why are we called "Freemasons" ?

There are many theories: a man was a Freemason because his ancestors were not slaves nor was he a slave; he was so called because he was free within his Guild, or free of the Guild's laws and could thus "travel in foreign countries" and work where he would; he was a Freemason because he worked in freestone, which is any stone which can be cut, smoothed, carved in any direction; he was free when he had passed his apprenticeship and became a Fellow of the Craft; he was free when he had left the status of serf or villain and legally became free. Probably at one time or another masons were called Freemasons for any of these reasons or for all of them. The consensus leans to the theory that the Freemason was such because of his skill, knowledge and abilities which set him free of those conditions, laws, rules and customs which circumscribed masons of lesser abilities in the Cathedral building age.

The Grand Lodge of Michigan - 233 E Fulton Ave - Grand Rapids, MI 49503
phone: 616-459.2451 - fax: 616-249.7349
web: www.gl-mi.org    - email: gl-office@gl-mi.org