In the true sense of the words 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.
Many Grand Lodges publish lists of their members. Many Grand Lodges maintain card indexes of all members in the jurisdiction so that it is easy to ascertain whether or not a man is a Mason.
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.
The initiate takes an obligation of secrecy; if he will carefully consider the language of that obligation, he will see that it concerns the forms and ceremonies, the manner of teaching, certain modes of recognition.
There is no obligation of secrecy regarding the truths taught by Freemasonry, otherwise such a book as this could not lawfully be written.
Sometimes the question is asked by a profane; ‘Why have any secrets? If what you know and teach is worth so much, why not give it to the world?‘
Secrecy is a common fact of everyday life. Our private affairs are ours, not to be shouted from the housetops.
Business secrets are often of value in proportion to the success of keeping them.
Diplomacy is necessarily conducted in secret. Board meetings of companies, banks, business houses, are secret.
A man and his wife have private understandings for no one else to know.
The lover tells the secrets of his heart to but one ear.
From all of us some things are secret and hidden that might be open and known – if we had the wit or would take the trouble to learn.
Fine music is a secret from the tone deaf. Mathematics are a secret from the ignorant. Philosophy is a secret from the commonplace mind.
Freemasonry is a secret from the profane – and for the same reasons!
The secrecy of Masonry is an honourable 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 but 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 out of curiosity for her secrets must be bitterly disappointed.
In school the teacher is anxious to instruct all who seek the classroom in the secrets of geometry, but not all students wish to study geometry and not all who do have the wit to comprehend.
Freemasonry is anxious to give of her secrets to worthy men fit to receive them . .
but not all are worthy, and not all the worthy seek.
Article by: Carl H. Claudy
Carl Harry Claudy (1879 – 1957) was an American author, magazine writer, and journalist for the New York Herald.
His association with Freemasonry began in 1908, when, at the age of 29, he was raised a master Mason in lodge Harmony No. 17 in Washington, DC. He served as its master in 1932 and eventually served as Grand Master of Masons in the District of Colombia in 1943.
His Masonic writing career began in earnest when he became associated with the Masonic service Association in 1923, serving as associate editor of its magazine, The master mason, until 1931.
Under his leadership the service Association was brought to a place of predominance through his authorship and distribution of the short talk bulletin which made his name familiar to virtually every lodge in the country.
Recent Articles: by Carl Claudy
Old Tiler Talks - Masonic Libraries
The Old Tilers talks first published in 1925, by Carl Claudy, is a series of short anecdotal stories told in the setting of a new member asking an old tiler for his opinion on various masonic topics. These short articles are still very relevant, 100 years on, and hopefully provide some insight to new members today.
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Old Tiler Talks - So Many Rascals
"Why are there so many rascals in the Fraternity, and why don't we turn them out?" a new member voiced to the old tiler for his opinion. These short articles are still very relevant, 100 years on, and hopefully provide some insight to new members today.
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Old Tiler Talks - The Greatest Work
The Old Tiler asked, "what is the greatest work of Masonry?" The New Brother sat by the guardian of the door and pulled out his cigar case. - Another instalment of wisdom by Carl Claudy, The Greatest Work
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Old Tiler Talks - Why Men Love Freemasonry
The 'Old Tiler Talks' first published in 1925, by Carl Claudy, is a series of short anecdotal stories told in the setting of a new member asking an old Tiler for his opinion on various Masonic topics. These short articles are still very relevant, 100 years on, and hopefully provide some insight to new members today.
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Old Tiler Talks - Seeking a Little Light
The Old Tilers talks first published in 1925, by Carl Claudy, is a series of short anecdotal stories told in the setting of a new member asking an old tiler for his opinion on various masonic topics. These short articles are still very relevant, 100 years on, and hopefully provide some insight to new members today.
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Old Tiler Talks - Failure
The new mason laments that practically speaking, Masonry is a failure, and it depresses me … Masonry cannot be a failure, because men fail as Masons. The Old Tilers talk by Carl Claudy
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Old Tiler Talks - Country Lodge
A lesson in the importance of an open mindset to observe, not to judge, but to learn and accept that we can achieve the desired outcome employing a different process. by Carl Claudy
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Old Tiler Talks - The Ideal Mason
"What's your ideal of Freemasonry?" asked the Younger Mason - A short anecdotal story told in the setting of a new member asking an old tiler for his opinion on various masonic topics by Carl Claudy
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Old Tiler Talks - Learning the Work
A short anecdotal story told in the setting of a new member asking an old tiler for his opinion on various masonic topics by Carl Claudy
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Old Tiler Talks - Promotion
Masonic first appointments and promotions might appear to be inequitable for one point a view, but some times, one point does not show the whole picture. A perfectly articulated story by Claudy, we should not compare one persons abilities with another.
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Old Tiler Talks - Masonry's "Failure"
Masonry fails because it doesn’t interest men sufficiently to make them practice what they preach. A perfectly articulated story by Claudy Masonry does not fail men. Men fail Masonry. Masonry has the teachings.
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Old Tiler Talks - Judge Not!
A perfectly articulated story by Claudy reminds us of a lesson from the Second Degree Charge; in the decision of every trespass against our rules, judge with candour, admonish with friendship, and reprehend with mercy.
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Old Tiler Talks - A Masonic Speech
A Masonic Speech - I can tell you the essence of appeal. It is drama. If you want your hearers to hang on your words, dramatize your subject
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Old Tiler Talks - A Mason's Christmas
A Mason's Christmas - Do you believe in Christmas celebrations should be held by the lodge ? Should members be asked to contribute to one and engage in Christmas festivities ? What is the old tilers take on this ?
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Old Tiler Talks - Advertising
Advertising - We would do more good in the world if we advertised ourselves more… Why ?
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The All Seeing Eye
Uncover the mystery behind one of the oldest and most widespread symbols denoting God.
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The Five Points of Fellowship
Do you want to discover the originals of the five points of fellowship ?
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The Two Pillars
The mystery behind the two great pillars that stood at the porchway entrance of King Solomon Temple
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Three Five Seven
Three numbers, what are their masonic significance? Pythagoras has something to say about them
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Three Grand Pillars
What are the Three Grand Pillars ?, wisdom, strength, and beauty - then later we hear of the Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian columns
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The 47th problem of Euclid
This emblem contains more real food for thought than any other in the lecture of the Sublime Degree.
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The Hiramic Legend
The Hiramic Legend is the glory of Freemasonry; the search for that which was lost is the glory of life
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The Five Senses
How are the Fellowcraft's five steps connected the five senses of human nature
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The Principal Tenets
How to explain the principle tents of the craft to a newly made brother
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The Lesser Lights
What are the lesser lights and where are they placed on our Lodges
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The Winding Stairs
Like so much else in Freemasonry the Middle Chamber is wholly symbolic
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Secrecy
In the true sense of the words Freemasonry is not a secret society but a society with secrets.
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Three Great Lights
Three Great Lights – the Volume of the Sacred Law, the Square, and the Compasses
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Lambskin Apron
Introduction to Freemasonry – Entered Apprentice Lambskin Apron
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Penalties
To the initiate, the penalty in his obligation comes with a shock of surprise and sometimes consternation.
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Point Within A Circle
What is a point within a circle
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Meet the Author
This month in 'Meet the Author' we look at the life and work of Carl H. Claudy, a prolific Masonic author who believed that Masonic education is the foundation for the Fraternity.
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masonic knowledge
to be a better citizen of the world
share the square with two brothers
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