Freemasons, as compared with operative masons who build homes and offices, date back at least three hundred years to the guilds of England and France, and perhaps back a thousand years to the Knights Templar. Freemasonry uses the tools and values of masonry as a metaphor for building a worthy life. King Solomon's Temple is a poetic model for striving to achieve service and good proportions in our lives. Masonry is religious, because these are values common to all religions, but masonry is not a religion and its members are drawn from all faiths, even ones that have traditionally frowned on masonry as a threat to authority.
Ever fearful that such lofty goals will be viewed with jealousy, masons have historically met secretly and had secret passwords. Today, all Masonic "secrets" are available to any serious historic research or other genuinely interested persons. Masons, like some religions, do not urge others to join them. Rather, if you are interested, ask and Masons will give you information about masonry. You must ask if you are interested in joining.
Masonry has many branches, or "bodies". Local blue lodges are spread across the world, organized into state-sized Grand Lodges. Shriners are a branch of Masons, well-known for their free children's hospitals, and wacky fun and circuses to raise money. Every Shriner is also a blue lodge member. Scottish Rite and York Rite masons have French and English roots respectively. Eastern Star is a women's masonic group. Rainbow Girls for girls, and DeMolay for boys. Even college fraternities and sororities and Boy Scouts' Order of the Arrow are clearly variations of masonry. To some extent, each group uses a metaphor (the Shriners use the wisdom of the Golden Age of Islam; Scottish Rite uses medieval morality plays, often updated) to help members improve their lives. Each Masonic body has favorite charities with which it is associated.
The square and compass symbol you see refers to making plans and building with proper bounds and geometry, so that parts are strong and harmonious. The letter G stands for God or Geometry. Masons view them as similar, requiring no member to conform to any belief other than some true and everlasting entity for good in the universe. The beauty, usefulness, and simplicity of geometry might be one member's connection with the divine just as another member may view God as a bearded gentleman in the clouds.
Masonry has always been a friend of learning and knowledge, both for the improvement of members and society in general. In Vermont, numerous Masonic Scholarships are given, and the Scottish Rite is expanding a national network of Learning Centers for kids with learning disabilities.
Masonry is also a friend of democracy. Many of the founding father of the USA were masons. Masons call each other brothers. Our local leaders- called Worship Master- are elected, and serve with great power, but limited terms. Every member has an opportunity to be a leader, to make the designs for others to follow.
Masonry endeavors to build men and women with moral and intellectual strength and balance. We are not perfect, and all too well aware that we can improve. Masonry provides an opportunity for fellowship and structure in the struggle to build better lives for ourselves, our families, and our community.

webmaster Rick Rayfield rayfieldvt@aol.com

see the Grand Lodge of Vermont web site at www.VTFreemasons.org

see Scottish Rite Masons at www.ScottishRiteVermont.org

  Our Chicken Pie Supper sign attracted a Washington Times photographer,  Mary F Calvert, before the rain washed it clean.    Four of her photos ran in the Washington Times on October 24th, 2007.