On the surface, Freemasonry is a fraternal and charitable organisation, There are social and family events as well as formal meetings, ceremonies and opportunities to visit other lodges and districts.
However, Freemasonry is a much deeper, contemplative journey that leads men to develop in themselves the ideals of honour, mercy and virtue.
Veiled in allegory and symbols, Freemasonry expresses a virtue theory of ethics which was first expressed by Plato and Aristotle. It was embraced and expanded by the Stoics and ramed for theology by Thomas Aquinas. It is sometimes expressed as temperance, fortitude, prudence and justice, and as virtue, mercy and honour.