Section outline

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    General

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    • Some Jargon Explained Glossary
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      There are lots of terms which Freemasons use which may be unfamiliar, or unkown to non-members.

    • Your Questions answered. Assignment
      Opened: Thursday, 24 June 2021, 12:00 AM
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      As a prospective member of a Scottish Craft University Scheme Lodge, you will of course have many questions, and we will endeavour to answer these to the best of our ability.  Some of these questions will no doubt be similar to those which others have asked before, or will ask in the future.

      To assist in your own understanding, and to provide a resource for those who follow you on this path, you are invited to submit your question.  If you have already received an answer, either from your own studies, or in conversation with a University Scheme Lodge member, please also include the answer.

      Questions can either be submitted as online text, or by uploading a file.

      These submitted Questions and Answers will remain anonymous, but will form part of the learning materials presented on Mimir, and will be available to you, and to all Scheme members, and prospective members.

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    General Articles - Videos

    • What Kind of Man Are You? File
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      A short Australian film regarding the kind of men who become freemasons.

    • Not Just a Man, a Mason File
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      A short video from the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania.

    • Becoming a Good Man File
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      A short video introducing Freemasonry from the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania.

    • The Best Version of Himself File
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      A short video describing Freemasonry.

    • The Principles of Freemasonry File
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      A short video from the Grand Lodge of Spain.

    • Run the World? URL
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      Run the world? There’s no way we could organise that! — why one young member believes the Masons are misunderstood

    • Appealing to young people File
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      An article by the BBC following the publication of the UGLE Annual Report in May 2021.

    • The Scottish Key URL
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      The origins of freemasonry can be found in Scotland in the late sixteenth and seventeenth century, rather than in England in the eighteenth century.

    • Clip from "Secrets of the Masons" URL
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      Many believe the Freemasons are the secret hand that has shaped Scotland, but are they?

    • Freemasonry and The Royal Society URL
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      Sir Robert Moray and Freemasonry's part in setting up The Royal Society.

    • The Widow's Son File
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      Masonic BikerFreemasonry may be viewed as a conservative fraternity, but there are many members who are motorbike enthusiasts, and there are masonic bike groups around the world - known as the "Widow's Sons".

      It is the internal, and not the external qualifications of a man which Freemasonry regards.

    • Masonic Royal Mile in Edinburgh URL
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      Join Steve Chalmers, Past Master, for a sunny walk in Edinburgh, as he shows us around the Royal Mile while pointing out the places of Masonic interest.

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    What Freemasonry Offers

    • What is Freemasonry? Page
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      A short article considering what freemasonry is (and isn't).

    • The Benefits of Being a Freemason Page
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      We are all striving to deserve the title of Freemason by earning the benefits each day through action, word, and thought.

    • It's Not About You: Freemasonry and The Self Page
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      While it is undoubtedly a badge of honour to be welcomed into the fraternity, Freemasonry is not about the self.

    • Freemasonry and Stoicism Page
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      Did the Stoics adopt principles of Freemasonry?

    • Some Dificult Questions for Freemasonry Glossary
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      Some FAQs about Freemasonry.

    • Ten reasons why you can't be a Freemason H5P
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      As an organization, we accept individuals who pursue self excellence, service, and the gaining of knowledge.

    • The wages of a Mason Page
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      What wages might you expect to receive as a Freemason?

    • Formality and Ritual have their part to play Page
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      Master - St David (University Lodge) No. 36An article written about a University in Sydney about the virtues and benefits of creating and maintaining traditions, ritual, and formality. 

      These all also play their part in Freemasonry ,within the ceremonies we perform,  the formal attire, and the formal dining following our meetings.

    • What does Craft Freemasonry have to offer? Page
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      Standing on the precipice of their initiation, candidates should be completely unaware of everything Freemasonry has to offer them.

      A short essay by Bro. Luke Watson, MM St David (University Lodge) No. 36

    • What does Craft Freemasonry have to offer? Page
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      A short essay by Craig Smillie.

    • Freemasonry for University Students URL
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      An article from The Square magazine discussing some examples of how freemasonry can help teach valuable life skills.

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    Freemasonry's Principles

    • The Philosophy of Freemasonry URL
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      Dr David Harrison is a Masonic historian and leading academic expert on the study of Freemasonry.

    • Masonic Principles Revisited Page
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      Are the principles on which Freemasonry is founded still relevant today and more importantly are they relevant to the future?

    • Ethics of Freemasonry URL
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      From where are the ethics of Freemasonry derived?

    • Morality and Freemasonry URL
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      Freemasonry teaches a moral system to its members through a series of degrees.

    • An exploration of Moral Virtues as applicable to Freemasonry Page
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      Moral values as defined in Greek, Roman, Christian, Islamic, Vedic, and Buddhist literature and how they may be applied to Freemasonry.

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    Freemasonry and Religion

    • Why Religion Is Not Going Away and Science Will Not Destroy It URL
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      Science and Religion - is there really a fundamental conflict which will see science usurp faith? Our fraternity has a requirement that its members subscribe to a belief in a Supreme Being.

    • Syncretism and Freemasonry Page
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      How to explain to non-Masons that Freemasonry isn't syncretic.

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    Scottish Freemasonry

    • The Essence of Scottish Freemasonry Page
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      A short summary of the unique nature of Scottish Freemasonry by Bro Robert LD Cooper, Grand Lodge Curator.

    • The Structure of Freemasonry in Scotland H5P
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    • The Scots Origins of Freemasonry URL
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      A clip from the BBC Two documentary - Secrets of the Masons explaining how Freemasonry is as Scottish as tartan, whisky,  and shortbread.

    • The Early Scottish Lodges: The Lodge of Edinburgh (Mary's Chapel) No. 1 URL

      A presentation on the history of the Lodge of Edinburgh (Mary's Chapel) No. 1, given by the Master of the Lodge, to the brethren of St David (University Lodge) No. 36 on 17 July 2021.

      Not available unless you are: Prospective Member
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    Famous Freemasons

    There are many who have acheived fame in their public lives, some of whom were also Freemasons.  It can be interesting to see how their personal actions and attributes align with the tenets of Freemasonry.

    • Database of Famous Freemasons

      Freemasonry attracts individuals from many walks of life - some are, or were, famous.  This resource seeks to identify some of those famous members of the fraternity who have reflected masonic principles in their public life.

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    Test Your Knowledge

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    Scottish University Scheme Lodges

    • St David (University Lodge) No. 36 URL
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      Originally known as 'Canongate from Leith', the lodge was constituted on 2 March 1738. The name was changed to 'St David' in August 1756 and University Lodge status granted in November 2013.

    • St Andrew No. 25 URL
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      The exact founding date of the Lodge is not known, but Grand Lodge acknowledges a date before 1720.

    • St Nicholas University Lodge No. 93 URL
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      The lodge recieved its Charter in 1763, and was the first wholly speculative lodge in Aberdeen.

    • Glasgow Kilwinning Lodge No. 4 URL
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      The Charter of the lodge indicates the lodge was founded on the 1st of April, 1735.  The lodge is in the process of joining the University Scheme.

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    Application Process

    • The Application Process H5P
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      The steps involved in joining a University Scheme Lodge.

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    Documentation

    Scheme and Grand Lodge documentation.

    • Scottish Freemasonry File
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      Introducing men to the Craft.

      Click Initiation Leaflet.pdf link to view the file.

    • Application for Initiation File
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      Grand Lodge application form.

      Click the link: Initiation.pdf to save a copy the file.

    • Aims and Relationships of the Craft Page
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      In August 1938 the Grand Lodges of England, Ireland and Scotland each agreed upon and issued a statement regarding the Craft in their respective jurisdictions.

    • The Applicant File
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      A booklet issued by the Grand Lodge of Scotland.