Who Are The Masons, and What Do We Do?

We Masons are honored to belong to the oldest and largest fraternity in the world.  In Minnesota alone, there are more than 16,000 members.  Masons stem from an extraordinarily diverse cross section of society.  From every walks of life, every background, geographical location and profession, Masons represent all that is good in humankind.  Masons come from a variety of religous beliefs, yet they all believe in one God.

The birth of our great country was spawned with the help of Masons.  Many of the men who sculpted this country from the wild, untamed wilderness to create the original thirteen colonies, and ultimately The United States of America were members of the fraternity.

One of the most significant aspects of Masonry is how such a large and diverse number of men with such diverse viewpoints on politics, economics, world affairs, and religion can meet together in peace and conduct their affairs in harmony and friendship and call each other "Brother".  No other organization prominent in the public eye can boast such a claim.

Freemasonry (or Masonry) is dedicated to the Brotherhood of Man under the Fatherhood of God.  We use the tools of the ancient architectural craftsmen as symbols to aid in our instruction and education in order to build character and morality among our members.

The Freemasons primary focus as a whole, is the helping of people through philanthropy.  In North America alone, over two million dollars per day (yes, per day) is donated to various charities.  The Shrine (an appendant body of the Masons) operates the largest network of hospitals for burned and orthapedically impaired children in America.  And care given at these hospitals is done so free of charge.

While the philanthropic endeavors represent Masonry as an organization, the personal benefits outweigh the charity put forth by each Mason.  Due to our teachings, Masons become better husbands, fathers, friends and neighbors.  Ask a Mason if it's worth the trouble, and you will most definitely receive a puzzled look and the response, "What trouble?"

Masons are men who are improving the world they live in, by first making themselves better men of good character and morailty.