Lodge Waikato No. 475 Freemasons Lodge in Hamilton NZ

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I am sure you know that Freemasonry started as a guild in ancient times.  The guild contained freemen that were skilled builders.  These master builders, masons, were more than builders, they were the architects and engineers of their time.   If you saw the TV Mini-Series, “The Pillars of the Earth”, you saw a dramatized example of these men.

These masons were responsible for multi-year building projects that required a lot a skilled men. Those apprentices needed to be trained in the secrets only the master builder knew, such as “Lintels and Key Stones”.  The masons also taught apprentices the use of simple tools, Compass, Square and Ruler, along with the Morals and Ethics required to start and then finish these massive building projects of their day.

Modern Freemasonry are teachers of men still.  No longer builders of Cathedrals and Castles they are builders of men.  They do that through symbols, rituals and allegories that highlight the three great principles and goals of Freemasonry; Brotherly Love (Fraternity), Relief (Charity) and Truth (Wisdom).  For 300 years Freemasonry strives to help good men become better.

What is Freemasonry?

Freemasonry offers its members an approach to life that seeks to reinforce thoughtfulness for others, kindness in the community, honesty in business, courtesy in society and fairness in all things. Members are urged to regard the interests of the family as paramount but importantly Freemasonry also teaches and practises concern for people, care for the less fortunate, and help for those in need.

On the site is a series of videos about Freemasons which will be of interest see button below.
Masonic Videos

Masonic Videos

What Promises do Freemasons take?

New members make solemn promises concerning their conduct in the Lodge and in society. These promises are similar to those taken in court or upon entering the armed services or many other organisations. Each member also promises to keep confidential the traditional methods of proving he is a Freemason, which he would use when visiting a lodge where he is not known.

Members also undertake not to make use of their membership for personal gain or advancement. Failure to observe this principle, or otherwise to fall below the standards expected of a Freemason, can lead to expulsion.

Is Freemasonry a religion?

Freemasonry is not a religion. It has no theology and does not teach any route to salvation. A belief in a Supreme Being (The Great Architect of the Universe), however, is an essential requirement for membership and Freemasonry encourages its members to be active in their own religions as well as in society at large.

Freemasonry embraces all men who believe in God. Its membership includes Christians, Jews, Hindus, Sikhs, Muslims, Parsees and others. The use of descriptions such as the Great Architect prevents disharmony. The Great Architect is not a specific Masonic god or an attempt to combine all gods into one. Thus, men of differing religions pray together without offence being given to any of them.

Although every lodge meeting is opened and closed with a prayer and its ceremonies reflect the essential truths and moral teachings common to many of the world’s great religions, no discussion of religion is permitted in lodge meetings.

Corn, wine and oil

Corn, wine and oil were the Masonic wages of our ancient brethren. 

How do you earn Masonic wages? 

Operative Freemasonry Wages:

Master of the Work:  In ancient operative times, the Master of the Work received the highest wages.  His wages were corn, wine, oil and sometimes the coin of the realm.

Fellowcraft and Entered Apprentice wages were less than the Master, but they were kept in “mete and drynk” (meat and drink).

Speculative Freemasonry Wages:  In Speculative Freemasonry, Masonic wages are not earned in coin.  They are the rewards earned through acts of kindness, good deeds of service, and the gift of your time to others. 

They are earned by Mentoring other brethren, helping others, remembering the widow and the orphan and visiting the sick.  In short, wages are earned much as the biblical verse says:

“Do unto others as you would HAVE them do unto you.”

What is Freemasonry

Ask any of the 10,000 Freemasons in New Zealand this question, and you’ll probably get 10,000 different answers!

Freemasonry means different things to each member.

Some say it’s a personal development which promotes family and community values.

Others describe Freemasonry as a chance for social interaction.

Some see it as an opportunity for public service, involvement in charitable or community issues.

Freemasonry is the world’s oldest and largest fraternal organisation.

Who can join Freemasonry

The basic qualifications for becoming a Freemason are:

  • that your decision to join is made without improper inducement by others.
  • that you don’t want to join for personal gain.
  • that you don’t want to join for reasons of idle curiosity.
  • that you believe in a ‘Supreme Being’.
  • that you are a law-abiding person.
  • that you are over the age of 18.