Dear John, I would like to correct you in the statement that Masonry is a secret society. It is far from being a secret society and is able to be joined by anyone who qualifies for membership and that is quite far reaching. It is a very big organisation in many countries around the world. If it were secret it would be the large organistaion that it is. The present day Freemasonry is a speculative form and originating from the ancient masons leagues who built the large stone & brick structures that still remain today. The present day Masonry has a moral teaching in applying the Stonemason's tools and building science in a symbolic form to have that built into modern men's lives. To be upright people in the community and society similar to the solid buildings that have lasted the passage of time. Simply making good men into better men for the improvement of human society in general. There is much to masonry and the world would be a much better place if there were many more members within its ranks. Freemasonry involves the female gender and families as well in various ways. There is a lot to it and much more than could ever be explained in this message. Best regards, George Currie, Methven, New Zealand.