{"id":20,"date":"2015-07-14T17:53:57","date_gmt":"2015-07-14T17:53:57","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.eb1870.org\/?page_id=20"},"modified":"2020-05-22T17:47:55","modified_gmt":"2020-05-22T21:47:55","slug":"what-is-freemasonry","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.eb1870.org\/home\/what-is-freemasonry\/","title":{"rendered":"What is Freemasonry?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; fullwidth=&#8221;on&#8221; admin_label=&#8221;Section&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;3.22&#8243;][et_pb_fullwidth_header title=&#8221;What Is Freemasonry? &#8221; subhead=&#8221;BROTHERHOOD &#8211; LEADERSHIP &#8211; CHARITY &#8211; EDUCATION&#8221; text_orientation=&#8221;center&#8221; content_max_width=&#8221;none&#8221; title_font_color=&#8221;#ffffff&#8221; subhead_font_color=&#8221;#ffffff&#8221; admin_label=&#8221;What Is Freemasonry? &#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;3.16&#8243; title_font=&#8221;|on|||&#8221; title_text_color=&#8221;#ffffff&#8221; title_font_size=&#8221;32px&#8221; subhead_font=&#8221;|on|||&#8221; subhead_text_color=&#8221;#ffffff&#8221; subhead_font_size=&#8221;28px&#8221; background_color=&#8221;rgba(255, 255, 255, 0)&#8221; background_image=&#8221;https:\/\/eb1870.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/IMG_8653.jpg&#8221; parallax=&#8221;on&#8221; background_layout=&#8221;light&#8221; background_url=&#8221;https:\/\/eb1870.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/IMG_8653.jpg&#8221; button_one_letter_spacing_hover=&#8221;0&#8243; button_two_letter_spacing_hover=&#8221;0&#8243; button_one_text_size__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_two_text_size__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_one_text_color__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_two_text_color__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_one_border_width__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_two_border_width__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_one_border_color__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_two_border_color__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_one_border_radius__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_two_border_radius__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_one_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=&#8221;on&#8221; button_one_letter_spacing__hover=&#8221;0&#8243; button_two_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=&#8221;on&#8221; button_two_letter_spacing__hover=&#8221;0&#8243; button_one_bg_color__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_two_bg_color__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221;] [\/et_pb_fullwidth_header][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; admin_label=&#8221;Section&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;3.22&#8243;][et_pb_row admin_label=&#8221;Row&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;3.25&#8243; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;3.25&#8243; custom_padding=&#8221;|||&#8221; custom_padding__hover=&#8221;|||&#8221;][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;What Is Freemasonry?&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;3.27.4&#8243; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; use_border_color=&#8221;off&#8221; border_color=&#8221;#ffffff&#8221; border_style=&#8221;solid&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>What is Freemasonry?<\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"fb-video\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/Whencecameyou\/videos\/10150489940841540\/?fref=nf\" data-width=\"500\" data-allowfullscreen=\"true\">\n<div class=\"page-content page-body\">\n<div class=\"page-content-inner tinymce\">\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Being a Mason is about a father helping his son make better decisions; a business leader striving to bring morality to the workplace; a thoughtful man learning to work through tough issues in his life.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">What is the typical life of a Mason? It\u2019s a question we get a lot from men who are deciding if they\u2019d like to join the craft. The real answer is: There is no \u201ctypical\u201d life of a Mason. Masons come from all walks of life \u2014 from Corporate CEOs to city bus drivers, from commodities brokers to auto mechanics. What unifies Masons is not where we come from or what we do for a living, but rather what we aspire to be.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Please take a moment to watch this short movie about Freemasonry<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/-Hn9hwIgHgw\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><br \/>\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; fullwidth=&#8221;on&#8221; admin_label=&#8221;Section&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;3.22&#8243;][et_pb_fullwidth_header title=&#8221;Leadership&#8221; text_orientation=&#8221;center&#8221; content_max_width=&#8221;none&#8221; title_font_color=&#8221;#ffffff&#8221; subhead_font_color=&#8221;#ffffff&#8221; admin_label=&#8221;Leadership Fullwidth Header&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;3.16&#8243; title_font=&#8221;|on|||&#8221; title_text_color=&#8221;#ffffff&#8221; title_font_size=&#8221;32px&#8221; subhead_font=&#8221;|on|||&#8221; subhead_text_color=&#8221;#ffffff&#8221; subhead_font_size=&#8221;28px&#8221; background_color=&#8221;rgba(255, 255, 255, 0)&#8221; background_image=&#8221;https:\/\/eb1870.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/10958795_858870004148847_4955210572082625560_n.jpg&#8221; parallax=&#8221;on&#8221; background_layout=&#8221;light&#8221; background_url=&#8221;https:\/\/eb1870.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/10958795_858870004148847_4955210572082625560_n.jpg&#8221; button_one_letter_spacing_hover=&#8221;0&#8243; button_two_letter_spacing_hover=&#8221;0&#8243; button_one_text_size__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_two_text_size__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_one_text_color__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_two_text_color__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_one_border_width__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_two_border_width__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_one_border_color__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_two_border_color__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_one_border_radius__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_two_border_radius__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_one_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=&#8221;on&#8221; button_one_letter_spacing__hover=&#8221;0&#8243; button_two_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=&#8221;on&#8221; button_two_letter_spacing__hover=&#8221;0&#8243; button_one_bg_color__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_two_bg_color__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221;] [\/et_pb_fullwidth_header][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; admin_label=&#8221;Section&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;3.22&#8243;][et_pb_row admin_label=&#8221;Row&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;3.25&#8243; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;3.25&#8243; custom_padding=&#8221;|||&#8221; custom_padding__hover=&#8221;|||&#8221;][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;Leadership&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;3.27.4&#8243; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; use_border_color=&#8221;off&#8221; border_color=&#8221;#ffffff&#8221; border_style=&#8221;solid&#8221;]<span style=\"font-size: large;\">Freemasonry offers its members\u00a0leadership opportunities at the lodge, District, and Grand Lodge level. As\u00a0Freemasons progress through the Craft, they discover different aspects of\u00a0themselves and develop a range of skills that even they might not have known\u00a0they possessed. By developing leadership techniques that fit their personality,\u00a0Masons unlock the door to their full potential. For more than 10 years the Grand\u00a0 Lodge of Massachusetts has sponsored the <\/span><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Masonic\u00a0 Leadership Institute<\/span><span style=\"font-size: large;\"> for its members to strengthen leadership within our\u00a0 Fraternity and to contribute to the personal growth of Massachusetts Masons.<br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"fb-video\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/Whencecameyou\/videos\/10150489940841540\/?fref=nf\" data-width=\"500\" data-allowfullscreen=\"true\"><\/div>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; fullwidth=&#8221;on&#8221; admin_label=&#8221;Section&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;3.22&#8243;][et_pb_fullwidth_header title=&#8221;Charity&#8221; text_orientation=&#8221;center&#8221; content_max_width=&#8221;none&#8221; title_font_color=&#8221;#ffffff&#8221; subhead_font_color=&#8221;#ffffff&#8221; admin_label=&#8221;Charity Fullwidth Header&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;3.16&#8243; title_font=&#8221;|on|||&#8221; title_text_color=&#8221;#ffffff&#8221; title_font_size=&#8221;32px&#8221; subhead_font=&#8221;|on|||&#8221; subhead_text_color=&#8221;#ffffff&#8221; subhead_font_size=&#8221;28px&#8221; background_color=&#8221;rgba(255, 255, 255, 0)&#8221; background_image=&#8221;https:\/\/eb1870.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/1529790_620102548025595_403466977_o.jpg&#8221; parallax=&#8221;on&#8221; background_layout=&#8221;light&#8221; background_url=&#8221;https:\/\/eb1870.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/1529790_620102548025595_403466977_o.jpg&#8221; button_one_letter_spacing_hover=&#8221;0&#8243; button_two_letter_spacing_hover=&#8221;0&#8243; button_one_text_size__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_two_text_size__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_one_text_color__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_two_text_color__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_one_border_width__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_two_border_width__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_one_border_color__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_two_border_color__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_one_border_radius__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_two_border_radius__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_one_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=&#8221;on&#8221; button_one_letter_spacing__hover=&#8221;0&#8243; button_two_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=&#8221;on&#8221; button_two_letter_spacing__hover=&#8221;0&#8243; button_one_bg_color__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_two_bg_color__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221;] [\/et_pb_fullwidth_header][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; admin_label=&#8221;Section&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;3.22&#8243;][et_pb_row admin_label=&#8221;Row&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;3.25&#8243; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;3.25&#8243; custom_padding=&#8221;|||&#8221; custom_padding__hover=&#8221;|||&#8221;][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;Charity&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;3.27.4&#8243; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; text_orientation=&#8221;center&#8221; module_alignment=&#8221;center&#8221; use_border_color=&#8221;off&#8221; border_color=&#8221;#ffffff&#8221; border_style=&#8221;solid&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">In this world of plenty, no one should be in need. Freemasons believe that the desire to help others is a natural by-product of our own personal growth and development. When good men come together, this desire (and our ability to put it into action) grows exponentially. From the earliest days of Freemasonry, providing care and resources for others has been one of our most vital activities. In fact, we give over 3 million dollars to national and local charities every single day. More importantly than financial support, however, is that all Masons give generously of both their time and talents.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<br \/>\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row admin_label=&#8221;Row&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;3.25&#8243; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;3.25&#8243; custom_padding=&#8221;|||&#8221; custom_padding__hover=&#8221;|||&#8221;][et_pb_gallery gallery_ids=&#8221;161,155,157,159,158,154,156,2341,3046,3832&#8243; posts_number=&#8221;12&#8243; zoom_icon_color=&#8221;#2ea3f2&#8243; admin_label=&#8221;Charity Pic Gallery&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;3.0.87&#8243; caption_font=&#8221;Times New Roman||||&#8221; caption_text_color=&#8221;#006ac1&#8243; caption_font_size=&#8221;22&#8243; auto_speed=&#8221;10000&#8243; use_border_color=&#8221;off&#8221; border_color=&#8221;#ffffff&#8221; border_style=&#8221;solid&#8221;][\/et_pb_gallery][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; fullwidth=&#8221;on&#8221; admin_label=&#8221;Section&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;3.22&#8243;][et_pb_fullwidth_header title=&#8221;Education&#8221; text_orientation=&#8221;center&#8221; content_max_width=&#8221;none&#8221; title_font_color=&#8221;#ffffff&#8221; subhead_font_color=&#8221;#ffffff&#8221; admin_label=&#8221;Education Fullwidth Header&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;3.16&#8243; title_font=&#8221;|on|||&#8221; title_text_color=&#8221;#ffffff&#8221; title_font_size=&#8221;32px&#8221; subhead_font=&#8221;|on|||&#8221; subhead_text_color=&#8221;#ffffff&#8221; subhead_font_size=&#8221;28px&#8221; background_color=&#8221;rgba(255, 255, 255, 0)&#8221; background_image=&#8221;https:\/\/eb1870.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Ft.-Adams.jpg&#8221; parallax=&#8221;on&#8221; background_layout=&#8221;light&#8221; background_url=&#8221;https:\/\/eb1870.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Ft.-Adams.jpg&#8221; button_one_letter_spacing_hover=&#8221;0&#8243; button_two_letter_spacing_hover=&#8221;0&#8243; button_one_text_size__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_two_text_size__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_one_text_color__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_two_text_color__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_one_border_width__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_two_border_width__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_one_border_color__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_two_border_color__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_one_border_radius__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_two_border_radius__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_one_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=&#8221;on&#8221; button_one_letter_spacing__hover=&#8221;0&#8243; button_two_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=&#8221;on&#8221; button_two_letter_spacing__hover=&#8221;0&#8243; button_one_bg_color__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_two_bg_color__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221;] [\/et_pb_fullwidth_header][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; admin_label=&#8221;Section&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;3.22&#8243;][et_pb_row admin_label=&#8221;row&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;3.25&#8243; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;3.25&#8243; custom_padding=&#8221;|||&#8221; custom_padding__hover=&#8221;|||&#8221;][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;Education&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;3.27.4&#8243; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; use_border_color=&#8221;off&#8221; border_color=&#8221;#ffffff&#8221; border_style=&#8221;solid&#8221;]<span style=\"font-size: large;\">The Grand Lodge of Massachusetts has\u00a0advocated the education of its members since its earliest years. Its ceremonies\u00a0provide instruction to all members, supplemented by various other activities\u00a0such as seminars, lectures, workshops, and reading. Because Freemasonry is an\u00a0esoteric society, certain aspects of its work are not generally disclosed to the\u00a0 public. Freemasonry uses an initiatory system of degrees to explore ethical and\u00a0 philosophical issues, and the system is less effective if the observer knows\u00a0 beforehand what will happen. It is described in Masonic craft ritual as &#8220;a\u00a0 beautiful system of morality veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: large;\"> Members of Ezekiel Bates and Bristol Lodge formed the study group <a href=\"https:\/\/eb1870.org\/lvmen-scientiae\/\">Lvmen Scientiae<\/a>, which is a monthly lecture group for Masons and Non-Masons alike to expand their minds. The lectures vary from Masonic Artifacts to the Legend of Thoth and the Emerald Tablets.<br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<br \/>\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; fullwidth=&#8221;on&#8221; admin_label=&#8221;Section&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;3.22&#8243;][et_pb_fullwidth_header title=&#8221;Brotherhood&#8221; text_orientation=&#8221;center&#8221; content_max_width=&#8221;none&#8221; title_font_color=&#8221;#ffffff&#8221; subhead_font_color=&#8221;#ffffff&#8221; admin_label=&#8221;Fellowship Fullwidth Header&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;3.16&#8243; title_font=&#8221;|on|||&#8221; title_text_color=&#8221;#ffffff&#8221; title_font_size=&#8221;32px&#8221; subhead_font=&#8221;|on|||&#8221; subhead_text_color=&#8221;#ffffff&#8221; subhead_font_size=&#8221;28px&#8221; background_color=&#8221;rgba(255, 255, 255, 0)&#8221; background_image=&#8221;https:\/\/eb1870.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/button.jpg&#8221; parallax=&#8221;on&#8221; background_layout=&#8221;light&#8221; background_url=&#8221;https:\/\/eb1870.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/button.jpg&#8221; button_one_letter_spacing_hover=&#8221;0&#8243; button_two_letter_spacing_hover=&#8221;0&#8243; button_one_text_size__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_two_text_size__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_one_text_color__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_two_text_color__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_one_border_width__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_two_border_width__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_one_border_color__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_two_border_color__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_one_border_radius__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_two_border_radius__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_one_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=&#8221;on&#8221; button_one_letter_spacing__hover=&#8221;0&#8243; button_two_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=&#8221;on&#8221; button_two_letter_spacing__hover=&#8221;0&#8243; button_one_bg_color__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221; button_two_bg_color__hover_enabled=&#8221;off&#8221;] [\/et_pb_fullwidth_header][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; admin_label=&#8221;Section&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;3.22&#8243;][et_pb_row admin_label=&#8221;Row&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;3.25&#8243; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;3.25&#8243; custom_padding=&#8221;|||&#8221; custom_padding__hover=&#8221;|||&#8221;][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;Fellowship&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;3.27.4&#8243; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; use_border_color=&#8221;off&#8221; border_color=&#8221;#ffffff&#8221; border_style=&#8221;solid&#8221;]<\/p>\n<div class=\"page-excerpt\">\n<div class=\"excerpt-media\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"excerpt-content tinymce\">In today\u2019s world, it is difficult for men to come together in a way that enables them to develop true and lasting connections. Increasing demands from our careers and family makes camaraderie difficult to establish and maintain. Masons develop a connection built on shared beliefs and experiences. This creates a profound bond that transcends ordinary kinship. Brothers support and challenge one another, share knowledge and wisdom, and provide light and hope in times of darkness. As a Masonic brother, you will always have a network of peers who care about you, no matter the hardships you may face.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_gallery gallery_ids=&#8221;149,256,163,2739,2740,2741,2742,3049&#8243; posts_number=&#8221;8&#8243; zoom_icon_color=&#8221;#2ea3f2&#8243; admin_label=&#8221;Fellowship Pic Gallery&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;3.0.87&#8243; caption_font=&#8221;Times New Roman||||&#8221; caption_text_color=&#8221;#006ac1&#8243; caption_font_size=&#8221;22&#8243; auto_speed=&#8221;10000&#8243; use_border_color=&#8221;off&#8221; border_color=&#8221;#ffffff&#8221; border_style=&#8221;solid&#8221;][\/et_pb_gallery][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What is Freemasonry? Being a Mason is about a father helping his son make better decisions; a business leader striving to bring morality to the workplace; a thoughtful man learning to work through tough issues in his life. What is the typical life of a Mason? It\u2019s a question we get a lot from men [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":1669,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","template":"","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"<div class=\"fb-video\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/Whencecameyou\/videos\/10150489940841540\/?fref=nf\" data-width=\"500\" data-allowfullscreen=\"true\">\u00a0<\/div><p>Credit Bro. Robert Johnson of the Whence Came You? Podcast<\/p><p><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Freemasonry is the world's oldest and largest fraternity. It is comprised of adult men\u00a0(18+) of good character from every country, religion, race, age, income, education, and opinion, who believe in a Supreme Being. Its body of knowledge\u00a0and system of ethics is based on the belief that each man has a responsibility\u00a0to improve himself while being devoted to his family, faith, country, and\u00a0fraternity.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Freemasonry (often simplified to \u201cMasonry\u201d) enhances and strengthens\u00a0the character of the individual man by providing opportunities for fellowship,\u00a0charity, education, and leadership based on the three ancient Masonic tenets:<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth. Massachusetts Freemasonry <span style=\"font-size: large;\">is\u00a0a crowning legacy of this venerable heritage as we strive to <strong><u>\u201cmake good men\u00a0better.\u201d<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Men age 18 and older who believe in a Supreme Being and meet the qualifications and standards for membership are eligible to petition\u00a0the Lodge. We welcome men of every country, religion, race, age, income, education, and opinion.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Freemasonry requires that a man cannot be compelled to join our\u00a0Fraternity and that he must seek admission based on his \u201cown free will and\u00a0accord.\u201d Therefore, he must ask a member to sponsor his\u00a0application.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-size: large;\">The process for becoming a Mason is managed at the Lodge level. The\u00a0first step towards joining is to contact\u00a0the Lodge's Masonic Ambassador\u00a0<span style=\"font-size: large;\">for more details or to make the necessary arrangements to visit the Lodge.<\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-size: large;\">For Contact Information please contact an Ezekiel Bates Lodge Ambassador:<\/span><\/p><p>[wufoo username=\"eb1870\" formhash=\"ztcwmr208vwnkh\" autoresize=\"true\" height=\"522\" header=\"show\" ssl=\"true\"]<\/p>","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-20","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2024-12-28 20:57:43","action":"change-status","newStatus":"draft","terms":[],"taxonomy":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.eb1870.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/20","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.eb1870.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.eb1870.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.eb1870.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.eb1870.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=20"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.eb1870.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/20\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7382,"href":"https:\/\/www.eb1870.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/20\/revisions\/7382"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.eb1870.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1669"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.eb1870.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=20"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}