Wherever Masons are to be found, there is an invisible cord which binds them together in ties of indissoluble friendship and sincere affection.

What is this sacred and inviolable bond which unites these men, often of the most discordant beliefs and opinions, into one band or society of friends and brothers, a bond which brings them together regardless of religion, around one altar, and regardless of from what nation they originate enables them to speak the same language? It is not something tangible that you can put your finger on or point to as fact. It is much more than common interests, having gone through the same experiences, or having travelled the same road.

There are other groups and organisations which offer social or fraternal programmes. They fill may needs and do good work, and there are may Masons who belong to them, but none stir the heart or touch the soul like Freemasonry. Nor do they approach the high purpose and ideals of our ancient institution.

Man is gregarious by nature. He likes to be with his fellow man. I believe this can be best illustrated by some of the stories that our prisoners of war tell when they return from the camps. These men say that the hardest part of the ordeal which they go through is the isolation, the being deprived of the company of fellow human beings.

God made man independent of all other creatures, but He made them dependent on one another. This dependence is one of the strongest bonds of our society. Masons recognise this; however, it is not the sole reason for our closeness with each other. The things that bind men together in Freemasonry are the things that attract them to it.

Brotherly Love is the strongest tie or bond of our institution, and without it our Fraternity would cease to exist. When a brother clasps the hand of brother, strength is established through their unity, and the spirit of Freemasonry is fused into both. By it we are taught to regard the whole human species as one family, to aid , support and protect each other. It is our solemn obligation and the Law of God.

A Mason has Faith in God. The same obligation which we take as Masons and which binds us together as brothers, also binds us to The Great Architect of the Universe. It is a prerequisite that we as Masons believe iin the omniscient, omnipotent and omnipresent Supreme Being, that we worship him to the dictates of our own consciences, and that we bow with the deepest reverence before His name.

Relief is one of the principal tenets of Freemasonry. It is incumbent on all men, but particularly Masons, to soothe the unhappy, relieve the distressed, and restore peace to their troubled minds. On this basis we form our friendships and establish our connections.

Being a man, a good man, is characteristic of the Mason. The aim of Masonry is to make good men better men

Through self-improvement. A desire for knowledge and for a service to others is the attribute that builds this type of individual.

The character of the Craft is reflected in its membership. Freemasonry seeks to admit only those who will bring honour and dignity to it. When a man knocks at the door of Freemasonry, he must come well recommended and be of good reputation.

Truth is the mother of virtue, and it is the first lesson we learn in Masonry, We are taught as Masons to be zealous and unrelenting in the pursuit of truth and to distribute it freely.

Mystery has charms for all men. Those who seek admission into the Fraternity find we have certain signs, grips, and tokens, and these are not made available to the uninitiated, but Freemasonry is not secret. Our principles and our philosophy of life are held high for all the world to see. Our mystery lies in the search for knowledge and what it holds for us.

Antiquity attracts some men to Freemasonry. Our ancient brethren were operative masons, and they built edifices. We are speculative masons, and we build character. They were tied together by the skills and secrets of the trade. Similarly, we are tied together by our philosophy of life.

Immortality of the soul is every Masons faith. Our spirit always was, and it shall ever be, and we shall pass from darkness to the light of eternal day and everlasting peace, for Masonry teaches there is no death.

It is all these things and more which bind men together in Freemasonry and make them men of the mystic tie. It is Duty, Responsibility, Kindness and Mercy. It is Temperance, Fortitude, Prudence and Justice. It is the high standards of Moral Conduct which cause men to admire the purposes of our unique organisation and seek our companionship. And seek they must, for no man must be solicited to join our ranks. It is strictly voluntary.