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Clifton Lodge #203 F.&A.M Clifton Masonic Temple 1484-1510 Van Houten Ave. Clifton, NJ 07013
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Secrecy*
In the true sense of the word, Freemasonry is not a secret society but a society with secrets. A secret society is one the members of which are not known; a society which exists without common knowledge. Freemasonry is well known. Men proudly wear the emblem of the Order on coat and watch, charm and ring. Grand Lodges publish their proceedings, a Masonic Press caters to the Masonic world, and thousands of books have been written about Freemasonry. Obviously it is not the society which is secret.
Sometimes the question is asked, “Why have any secrets? If what you know and teach is worth so much, why not give it to the world?”
The secrecy of Masonry is an honorable secrecy; any good man may ask for her secrets; those who are worthy will receive them. To give them to those who do not seek, or who are not worthy, would impoverish the Fraternity and enrich not those who received them.
It is sometimes suggested that Freemasonry pretends to possess valuable secrets merely to intrigue men to apply for them through curiosity. How mistaken this is understood by every Freemason. He who seeks Freemasonry for her secrets must be bitterly disappointed. Freemasonry is anxious to give her secrets to worthy men fit to receive them, but not all are worthy, and not all the worthy seek.
*excerpted from “Introduction to Freemasonry I: Entered Apprentice” by MW. Carl H. Claudy. |