1. Freemasonry for Non-Masons

A group of Freemasons assembling under the authority of a charter issued by a Grand Lodge; also a building or a room where Freemasons meet.

The solemn promise made by a Freemason on his admission into any Degree is technically called his obligation.  In a legal sense, obligation is synonymous with duty. 

Its derivation shows its true meaning, for the Latin word obligatio literally signifies a tying or binding.  The obligation is that which binds a man to do some act, the doing of which thus becomes his duty. 

By his obligation, a Freemason is bound or tied to his Order.

The completion by a candidate of the First Degree.

The completion by a candidate of the Second Degree.

The completion by a candidate of the Third Degree.

The method of opening and closing a Lodge, of conferring the Degrees, of Installation, and other duties, constitute a system of ceremonies which are called the ritual. 

Much of masonic ritual is esoteric, and uses language which may now be perceived as archaic.

The act by which a Lodge Office-Bearer is installed to the position of authority he is to fill.  In Freemasonry it is, therefore, applied to the induction of one who has been elected into his office. 

The Officers of a Lodge, before they can proceed to discharge their functions, must be installed.  The ceremony is an old one, and does not pertain exclusively to Freemasonry.  The ancient Romans installed their priests, their kings, and their magistrates; but the ceremony was called inauguration, because performed generally by the augers. 

The word installation is of comparatively modern origin, being medieval Latin, and is compounded of in and stallum, meaning a seat.

A classification of Freemasonry that practices customs which conform to the "Basic Principles of Grand Lodge Recognition" agreed by individual sovereign Grand Lodges.

Leather aprons were worn centuries ago by stonemasons to protect their skin and clothing, as well as to carry their tools. Today, lambskin or cloth aprons, often elaborately decorated or embroidered, are worn by members as a symbolic connection to those medieval craftmen from which we derive our Masonic tradition.

Scotland is unique in the title given to the head of its Grand Lodge.  Other Grand Lodges around the world use the local language equivalent of "Grand Master", only Scotland uses the title "Grand Master Mason".