Are the Freemasons a well-kept secret?

Steeped in tradition as old as the very annals of history, Freemasonry spans across the globe and is alive and well in many towns and cities in South Africa.

The country even has its very own Grand Lodge, which oversees five provincial lodges which, in turn, regulate the individual lodges under them. In our province, regarded as the Northern Division, there are a total of 22 lodges, one of these being the Libertas Lodge, also known as the Krugersdorp Masonic Centre.

Their Masonic heritage and rituals are not easily made public knowledge – they’re private people, certainly, but don’t hide in the shadows as many would think. In fact, they’re fairly open about who they are and what they’re all about.

“We’re not a secret organisation as many people believe. We have our own secrets like any rugby club or church would, but we are not a secret,” said Hennie Kotze, Almoner to his lodge.

On Wednesday night, 22 May, the lodge opened its doors to the public, and sent out an open invitation for anyone who was curious about what went on past those wooden doors. The women married to the men of the lodge also had the rare opportunity of seeing some of their customs in action. As it was hundreds of years ago, and still is today, women aren’t allowed to attend the main part of normal Masonic meetings, and their men aren’t allowed to tell them about what they do inside.

Before the public was allowed in, a closed business meeting was held. There the members discussed general correspondence received, the Treasurer and Almoner’s report, membership and new applications, Masonic services and social events and general topics.

Thereafter, the doors were opened and the Master of Ceremonies collected the visitors to lead them into the Temple, which stands as the main conference room of the order. Walking in a straight line, following the Ceremony Master, the lodge was ‘squared’ by walking on the outside line of the mosaic black and white square in the centre. The same was done upon exiting the hall.

Members and visitors took their seats. There were three knocks on the double doors, which the Inner Guard opened slightly to check who was knocking. “There is a knock at the Temple Port,” he said. The visitors at the doors were honoured guests of the Provincial Grand Lodge Northern Division of the Freemason order.

“Three request entry,” the Guard said, and his Worshipful Master, Marius Mostert, allowed them in. The Provincial Grand Master, PG Roos, entered with his delegation and stood before Libertas Lodge’s Master Mostert for a formal introduction. Mostert offered Roos his gavel, which was accepted. After a few words, though, Roos handed the gavel back and the rest of the proceedings were set to start.

An explanation was given about the structure of the lodge. The inner structure is made up of the first three degrees. On the sides of the structure lie the Scottish and York Right, each with their own degrees and customs. At the higher level stand the Knights Templar, and all are regulated by the Provincial and Grand Lodges.

The first degree teaches a man to know himself, and to refrain from losing control of his emotions. The second degree is all about “knowing your god and fellow man”. The third brings insight into who you’re meant to be, with some older members admitting to having changed their entire career trajectory because they found themselves. The brothers say, also, that they teach moral symbolism on how to lead your life, with a perception of morality as it stands in the Bible, or whichever spiritual text any member prefers.

It was explained that Freemasonry was forced to go underground, so to speak, during the Second World War as they were being persecuted at the command of Adolf Hitler. Freemasons no longer admitted to anyone that they were in fact members of the order, and their customs became a closely guarded secret. Today, this lodge chose to invite the public to see what they’re all about, to talk to a Masonic member and to better adapt to the modern era.

Freemason lodges participate in many charitable activities. Each lodge has a duty to collect funds, which are sent to the Provincial division. Multiple charities are chosen, and large amounts of funds are sent their way. Sometimes donations are made under the overarching Masonic banner, and sometimes under the specific lodge’s name. But, in general, Freemasons do not announce their charitable activities, and prefer to keep their involvement completely unknown, mirroring the Bible in that “When thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth.”

To become a member, you must first have known another member for some time, then ask him if you could join. This Masonic brother will then introduce you to the order, and the process by which you may be accepted will be started.

Only from then will you be allowed to learn what truly happens behind closed doors.