WHY YOUR FRIEND ASKED YOU TO READ THIS BROCHURE

Your friend is proud of Freemasonry and the fine character of its Members. He believes that you deserve the opportunity to know more about it.

This brochure will explain what Freemasonry is, who Freemasons are, what they believe in and what they do. It is important for you to know that those who desire Membership must seek it on their own. Unfortunately, without this understanding, many qualified men have not enjoyed the special rewards of Membership and fellowship in Freemasonry.
If after reading this brochure, you have any questions or desire to know more about 
Freemasonry, your friend will be pleased to answer your questions or to obtain the answers for you. Whether or not you decide to seek Membership in Freemasonry, you can be certain that you have a special friend within the Masonic Fraternity who thinks very highly of you. Please consider it the highest compliment that he has shared this information with you.

It is a message of kindness from…FRIEND TO FRIEND!

WHAT FREEMASONRY IS
Freemasonry is the oldest and largest worldwide fraternity dedicated to the Brotherhood of Man under the Fatherhood of a Supreme Being. Freemasonry is not a religion; how ever, it encourages Loyalty to ones own Religious beliefs, Family, Country and Community.

Today, the more than four million Freemasons around the world come from virtually every occupation and profession. Within the Fraternity however, they all meet as equals. They come from diverse political ideologies, but they meet as friends. They come from virtually every religious belief, but they all believe in one God.
In our Province the governing body is called the Grand Lodge of Canada in the Province of Ontario. It is under the leadership of a Grand Master. He presides aver the 80,000 Masons who. belong to one or more of the 650 lodges in our jurisdiction.

WHAT IT DOES
As a fraternity, Freemasonry provides an opportunity for men to meet and enjoy friendly companionship. In the spirit of helpfulness and brotherly love and guided by strict moral
principles it encourages goodwill toward all mankind. Freemasonry is of a personal nature in its private ceremonies. Its ritual dramatizes a philosophy of life based an morality. It promotes self-improvement. The tools of operative masons are used to symbolize and teach the basic principles of brotherly love, charity and truth which Masons are encouraged to practice in their daily lives. Charity is a tangible way in which Masons help those whose circumstances in life fairly warrant it.
The Freemasons of North America contribute almost two million dollars every day to. Charitable causes. These services to mankind represent an unparalleled example of the
humanitarian commitment and concern of this unique and honorable Fraternity.
The Fraternity does not conceal its existence, purpose, aims or principles. Masonic Lodges bearing the lodge name and emblem are familiar sights in towns and cities throughout Ontario.

THOSE WHO SEEK MEMBERSHIP Anyone seeking Membership in Freemasonry must ask a Masonic friend to recommend him.

QUALIFICATIONS
Freemasonry is proud of its philosophy and practice of "making good men better". Only individuals believed to be of the finest character are favorably considered far Membership. Every applicant must express his belief in the existence of a Supreme Being.

The Masonic Degrees
Each candidate receives his degrees at one of the monthly meetings of the Lodge, continuing until he has received the Master Mason's degree, he is able to visit other Lodges, and, indeed be welcomed as a "Brother" into any of the thousands of Regular Masonic Lodges throughout the world.

The degrees are dignified, enlightening and an enjoyable experience, with no uncomfortable or embarrassing moments. It is here where the principles of Freemasonry are taught, and where the new Member learns that his family and his vocation are to be considered before Freemasonry.

About the Cover
The cover of this brochure depicts King Solomon and some
famous Canadian Freemasons:
Prime Ministers, Sir John A. MacDonald and Right Hon. John G. Diefenbaker, Mohawk Chief Thayendanegea (Joseph Brant), hockey great Syl Apps, and Past Grand Masters;
William Mercer Wilson, (Our First Grand Master),
Most Rev. William Lockridge Wright, Archbishop of Algoma, John Ross Robertson (founder of the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto).
Artist: Nicholas Hodson.

PLEASE PASS THIS BROCHURE ON TO A FRIEND
AFTER YOU HAVE READ IT.
For additional information
write to:
The Office of the Grand Secretary
The Grand Lodge A.F. & A. M. of Canada in the Province of Ontario
363 King Street West
Hamilton, Ontario
L8P 1 B4