[Abot]

When and from where did free masonary actually start? and is there any difference between masonary and free masonary?

[Ashlar521]

Originally Posted by Abot

When and from where did free masonary actually start? and is there any difference between masonary and free masonary?

We are known as both Freemasons or Masons , ergo you will find Freemasonry or Masonry . As for the history , that would make for a lot of typing . Here's what the Masonic Service Association of North America has to say :

History of Freemasonry
No one knows with certainty how or when the Masonic Fraternity was formed. A widely accepted theory among Masonic scholars is that it arose from the stonemasons’ guilds during the Middle Ages. The language and symbols used in the fraternity’s rituals come from this era. The oldest document that makes reference to Masons is the Regius Poem, printed about 1390, which was a copy of an earlier work. In 1717, four lodges in London formed the first Grand Lodge of England, and records from that point on are more complete.

Within thirty years, the fraternity had spread throughout Europe and the American Colonies. Freemasonry became very popular in colonial America. George Washington was a Mason, Benjamin Franklin served as the head of the fraternity in Pennsylvania, as did Paul Revere and Joseph Warren in Massachusetts. Other well-known Masons involved with the founding of America included John Hancock, John Sullivan, Lafayette, Baron Fredrick von Stuben, Nathanael Greene, and John Paul Jones. Another Mason, Chief Justice John Marshall, shaped the Supreme Court into its present form.

Over the centuries, Freemasonry has developed into a worldwide fraternity emphasizing personal study, self-improvement, and social betterment via individual involvement and philanthropy. During the late 1700s it was one of the organizations most responsible for spreading the ideals of the Enlightenment: the dignity of man and the liberty of the individual, the right of all persons to worship as they choose, the formation of democratic governments, and the importance of public education. Masons supported the first public schools in both Europe and America.

During the 1800s and early 1900s, Freemasonry grew dramatically. At that time, the government had provided no social "safety net". The Masonic tradition of founding orphanages, homes for widows, and homes for the aged provided the only security many people knew.

Today in North America, the Masonic Fraternity continues this tradition by giving almost $1.5 million each day to causes that range from operating children’s hospitals, providing treatment for childhood language disorders, treating eye diseases, funding medical research, contributing to local community service, and providing care to Masons and their families at Masonic Homes.

The four million Masons worldwide continue to help men and women face the problems of the 21st century by building bridges of brotherhood and instilling in the hearts of men ideals for a better tomorrow.


Anyone who wants to add to this ?

[Rolez]

I would like to add a question Where do you gather funds from? Are all masons well off? Sorry for my silly questions, but I am just too curious

[BG_TRBL]

Originally Posted by Rolez

I would like to add a question Where do you gather funds from? Are all masons well off? Sorry for my silly questions, but I am just too curious

This isn't a silly question, however, by no means are all mason's "well off". Membership into the fraternity should never create a hardship on the member, however, the costs involved in membership are a bit steep by some.
I am a middle class worker, with a family and monthly payments. I am by no means "well off", but I am not scraping by either.
Fund raising is done by the individual lodges, as well investments made by the lodges. Overall, collectively, masonry around the globe gives millions, yes MILLIONS of dollars per day to charitable causes. Fund raising, either by things such as sandwich sales, or dinners, or dances, or gatherings, even anual fundraisers asking for donations. Collectively, these go toward the total philanthropic stance of the fraternity.
I hope this assists in answering your question.

[Ashlar521]

I agree with BG_TRBL's post . No , not all Masons are well off . We have Masons who make minnimum wage , we have Masons who are on disability and we have masons who are well off also . We do not care of a mans wealth or worldly possesions , it is what's inside that counts . I'm middle class . There are months that the wife and I do scrape by , yet I sit in lodge with judges , lawyers , doctors and big buisness owners and none look down on me , we all meet on the level . I bump into them outside of lodge and they greet me with a smile a hand shake or a slap on the back and chat with me .