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Used in a Program at Federal Lodge #1 in Washington DC, April 24, 2000, by
Worshipful Master Alfred C. Boswell, Jr., and reprinted
with
the gracious permission of Bro. Paul
Bessel, PM,
past Senior Grand Warden of the Grand
Lodge of Washington DC.
http://bessel.org/
Need the answers?.... Ask the
webmaster at
masonic574@irfutures.com
1.
How many Landmarks of Freemasonry
are there, and where do they come from?
a. 25, written by Albert G. Mackey and printed in the D.C. Code book
b. 6, explained by Roscoe Pound, a prominent Mason and Dean of Harvard Law
School
c. 3, adopted by the Conference of Grand Masters of Masons in North America
d. No one knows — most Grand Lodges, including D.C., have not adopted any
Landmarks
2.
When was the Grand Lodge of the
District of Columbia founded, and who was its first Grand Master?
a. It was founded in 1776, and its first Grand Master was Brother George
Washington
b. It was founded in 1776, and its first Grand Master was Valentine Reintzel
c. It was founded in 1811, and its first Grand Master was Valentine Reintzel
d. It was founded in 1811, and its first Grand Master was Benjamin B. French
3.
When and where does solid evidence
indicate that Freemasonry begin?
a. It began in King Solomon’s time, about 1,000 B.C., in Jerusalem.
b. It began with Adam, at the start of the world.
c. It began in England, toward the end of the 1600s and early 1700s.
d. It began in the United States, in 1800.
4.
Who were the “Ancients” and the
“Moderns”?
a. A rock group from the 1970s
b. Old men and young men in the early 1900s who argued about what our Grand
Lodge should be called.
c. British Masons in the late 1700s who disagreed about membership, ritual,
and other aspects of Freemasonry.
d. Groups in India who developed mystical ideas about Freemasonry and
Hinduism.
5.
How many of the 41 men who have been
U.S. Presidents were Freemasons?
a. A majority of them, 25.
b. All 41 of them.
c. 14 of them, if you don’t include the one who was an EA but didn’t become
a Master Mason.
d. Only 5 of them, George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Theodore and Franklin
Roosevelt, and Harry S. Truman.
6.
What was the “Enlightenment” and how
did it relate to Freemasonry?
a. The Enlightenment was a philosophical and political movement of the
1700s, that promoted the use of rational thinking and science to improve
society. Its ideas became included in Freemasonry.
b. The Enlightenment was a group of people in the 1800s who attacked
Freemasonry because they felt it was a counterfeit religion that was
attempting to destroy Christianity and Judaism.
c. The Enlightenment was the name of a book written by a famous Mason in the
early 1900s who urged the elimination of war and bigotry throughout the
world, and the spread of Masonic concepts of brotherhood.
d. The Enlightenment was a 1950s rock group made up of Masons who tried to
encourage young men and women to join Demolay and Jobs Daughters and the
Rainbow groups.
7.
Where did most of our Masonic ritual
come from?
a. It was written in the Bible.
b. It was written by 2 men — an Englishman of the late 1700s named William
Preston, and an American of the early 1800s named Thomas Smith Webb.
c. It was written by Isaac Newton and Benjamin Franklin in the 1700s.
d. It was written in books written in King Solomon’s time and rediscovered
in the 1600s in caves in the Holy Land.
8.
Why is the language used in Masonic
ritual different from the language we use in normal conversation?
a. To make it more mysterious.
b. Because it is the language that was commonly used 200 years ago
c. Because Masonry is supposed to be a system of morality, veiled in
allegory, and illustrated by symbols.
d. To make it more difficult for non-Masons to break our secrets.
9.
Who was Prince Hall?
a. The King of an island in the Caribbean, who forced all his people to
become Masons.
b. A black man who became a Mason in Boston in 1775 and who founded a system
of Masonic lodges for black men.
c. He wasn’t a person. Prince Hall is just a name that is given to Black
Masonry in the United States.
d. Prince Hall is the name of the building where the first Black Masonic
Lodge in the United States met in the 1700s.
10.
What are Masons required to keep
secret?
a. Everything about Freemasonry
b. Everything that happens in our Lodge meetings.
c. The names of all Masons.
d. Our due guards, signs, handshakes, and the exact words of our ritual.
11.
What subjects are not permitted to
be discussed in Lodge meetings?
a. Religion
b. Religion and politics
c. Religion, politics, and sex
d. Religion, politics, sex, and food
12.
Why is it said that symbolism is
very important in Freemasonry?
a. It’s easier to hide secrets when you use symbols.
b. The Constitutions of Masonry require us to use symbolism.
c. Symbolism makes us think more about the meaning of each symbol.
d. It’s fun to see if anyone can guess what each symbol stands for.
13.
In the Temple of Solomon in
Jerusalem, who was allowed to enter the Sanctum Sanctorum or Holy of Holies?
a. Only the High Priest, only once a year
b. King Solomon, when he was married
c. No person was allowed to enter it. Only God dwelled there.
d. Only Hiram Abif could enter it, to pray at high twelve each day.
14.
How much money do American Masons
contribute to charity?
a. Several thousand dollars a day
b. About $2 million dollars each day
c. More than $100 million dollars each day
d. No one knows, because it can’t be calculated
15.
What is the Scottish Rite called the
Scottish Rite?
a. It was started in Scotland
b. Its degrees are based on Scottish folk tales
c. The man who founded it was named John Scottish
d. The people who started it thought the name sounded exotic.
16.
What is the “lost word” in Masonry,
which is referred to in the 3rd or Master Masons degree?
a. Divine Truth, which is lost but which we are all seeking in our own way
b. The constant search for what God intends each person to do with his life
to make it a worthwhile life
c. The fact that each of us needs to triumph over any prejudices, passions,
or conflicts we may have been taught or picked up
d. It is up to each one of us to decide for himself what this means.
17.
Who decides which Grand Lodges are
regular and recognized?
a. Each Grand Lodge decides for itself.
b. The Conference of Grand Masters of the United States decides.
c. The World Conference of Grand Masters decides.
d. The United Grand Lodge of England decides.
18.
You cannot object to the presence of
a member of your Lodge in your Lodge meeting. Who else can you NOT object to
visiting in your lodge?
a. The Grand Master
b. The Grand Master and Deputy Grand Master
c. The Grand Master and all other Grand Lodge Officers
d. You cannot object to any visitor unless you give the Worshipful Master a
good reason for your objection.
19.
In our Grand Lodge, and others, who
is entitled to a Masonic funeral or burial service?
a. Any Mason in any Grand Lodge
b. Any Mason, including Entered Apprentice and Fellowcraft Masons, in any
Grand Lodge
c. Only Master Masons in some Grand Lodges, but Entered Apprentices and
Fellowcraft Masons in some Grand Lodges
d. Only Masons who were active in attending their Lodge meetings before
their death
20.
What happened to the Anti-Masonic
Political Party in the 1830s?
a. It was laughed at and quickly disappeared.
b. It nominated a candidate for President who was an active Mason.
c. It elected Governors in 3 states, and several dozen Congressmen and State
Legislators, and was a major force in politics for many years.
d. It was the successor of the Whig Party, and supported the Confederacy in
the Civil War.
21.
Which of the following men was
strongly opposed to Freemasonry?
a. Adolph Hitler in Germany
b. Francisco Franco in Spain
c. Pat Robertson in the United States
d. All of the above
22.
Where is the largest Masonic library
in the world?
a. The George Washington Masonic National Memorial
b. London
c. New York
d. Cedar Rapids, Iowa
23.
Why are Masons are proud of George
Washington?
a. He was a Masonic Grand Master the same time he was President of the
United States
b. He attended Masonic lodge meetings frequently
c. He supported Freemasonry in his letters, and he sometimes attended
Masonic events, but not lodge meetings
d. He encouraged all his generals and cabinet officers to become Masons
24.
How many Grand Lodges are there in
the United States?
a. 51, one for each State plus the District of Columbia
b. All the above, plus one Prince Hall Grand Lodge in each State and the
District of Columbia
c. All the above, plus Grand Lodges for women only, and for men and women
together
d. All the above, plus other Grand Lodges that ours does not recognize
25.
What is the Hiram Key?
a. Hiram Abif’s key to the Temple of Solomon
b. A book about Freemasonry, written in the 1990s
c. A Masonic song written by Mozart
d. The first Grand Lodge that was established in the United States
26.
What is Anderson’s Constitutions?
a. The first book about Freemasonry as we know it
b. The first document written about Freemasonry in the 1300s
c. The first Masonic ritual cipher
d. A collection of all the U.S. Grand Lodge constitutions that is on file at
the House of the Temple
27.
Who was Leo Taxil?
a. A Grand Master of the District of Columbia in the 1950s
b. A man in the 1890s who created hoaxes about the evils of Freemasonry
c. The founder of the Royal Arch of Freemasonry
d. The man to discovered the Masonic apron worn by King Solomon
28.
The Knights Templar of the 1200s,
who some think were the forerunners of Freemasons, were —
a. Soldiers and Princes and Kings
b. Soldiers and bankers
c. Soldiers and leaders of the strongest families in Europe
d. Soldiers and Popes
29.
Does Freemasonry allow men of all
religions to become Masons?
a. Yes, everywhere, because that is a fundamental principle of Freemasonry
b. No, in some countries, Grand Lodges that we recognize prohibit anyone who
is not Christian from becoming a Mason
c. No, in Israel only Jews can become Masons
d. No, in Arab countries only Moslems can become Masons
30.
Who was the first Grand Master in
England, in 1717?
a. Anthony Sayer
b. King George
c. James Anderson, the author of the Constitutions
d. The Duke of Tyre
31.
Can there be more than one regular
Grand Lodge in any State or Country?
a. No. There can only be one
b. Yes. For example, our Grand Lodge recognized 2 Grand Lodges in France for
many years.
c. Yes, but only if we receive permission to do that from the Conference of
Grand Masters.
d. No. There can only be one Grand Lodge in each place, but we can change it
every year if we want.
32.
What are the Philalethes Society and
the Phylaxis Society?
a. Religious groups that believe Masons are devil worshipers
b. One is a Masonic group for doctors who are Masons, and the other for
lawyers who are Masons
c. Masonic research groups for Masons, one mainly for whites, and the other
mainly for black Masons
d. Masonic research groups for male Masons and for female Masons
33.
What does “low twelve” mean?
a. The 12 Fellowcraft Masons who engaged in an evil plot
b. The hour of midnight
c. The first 12 degrees in the Scottish Rite
d. Appointed officers in a Grand Lodge
34.
Who is called the “poet laureate” of
Masonry?
a. Rob Morris
b. Robert Frost
c. Dr. James Anderson
d. Valentine Reintzel
35.
Can Masons everywhere belong to more
than one Lodge?
a. Yes
b. No. Only in the Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia can Masons belong
to more than one lodge.
c. No. Some Grand Lodges permit Masons to belong to as many lodges as they
wish, some to only 2, and some to only 1.
d. No. Only in the United States are Masons permitted to belong to as many
lodges as they wish.
36.
Why does the Tiler hold a sword?
a. To symbolize that he will fight to prevent non-Masons from illegally
entering a Masonic lodge
b. To symbolize that he will fight to prevent Masons from leaving the Lodge
before it closes
c. To give him something to do while he is waiting outside the lodge room
d. To prove that Freemasonry is derived from the Knights Templar of old
37.
A Mason should cast a negative
ballot against a petitioner if you believe —
a. he would not be similar to those who are already in your lodge
b. his lifestyle is not one you approve of
c. his vouchers are not men in whom you have confidence
d. his character is morally bad
38.
Why is a Master of a Lodge called
“worshipful”?
a. In ancient times he led the lodge in worship
b. “Worshipful” means “honorable” and is a title of respect
c. He is considered the most religious member of the lodge
d. Masons like to use fancy titles
39.
What is a “cowen”?
a. A coward
b. An eavesdropper
c. A Mason who pretends to be an officer
d. A Mason who doesn’t have the Mason’s word
40.
What must be included on altars in
Lodges in our jurisdiction?
a. Only the Bible is required
b. The Bible and square and compasses
c. The Bible, square and compasses, and the Charter must be on the altar
d. The Bible, square and compasses, Charter, and lesser lights must be on
the altar
41.
If Benjamin Franklin was a Past
Grand Master, why didn’t he receive a Masonic funeral?
a. He said he didn’t want one
b. Masons didn’t know when he died
c. He belonged to the “Moderns” — but the “Ancients” had taken over the
Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania and considered the “Ancients,” including
Benjamin Franklin, to be clandestine
d. His son had become an Anti-Mason and would not permit the Masons to
conduct a service for his father
42.
How was Freemasonry involved in the
inauguration of President George Washington in 1789?
a. Washington was a Mason. That’s all.
b. Washington was a Mason, and the man who administered the oath, Robert
Livingston, was a Mason.
c. Washington and Livingston were Masons, and Washington used the Bible
belonging to the nearest Masonic Lodge to take his oath.
d. Washington and Livingston were Masons, Washington used a Masonic Bible,
and Washington said, “So Mote It Be” after he took his oath as President.
43.
Who was James Hoban?
a. The founder of Federal Lodge #1, and also the architect of the White
House and the U.S. Capitol.
b. The founder of the Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia, and U.S.
Attorney General.
c. The founder of Freemasonry in America, and the first Governor of
Massachusetts.
d. The composer of a Masonic opera about the landing of the Pilgrims at
Plymouth Rock.
44.
What are Masonic “Short Talk
Bulletins”?
a. Urgent messages about Masons who are poor and distressed
b. Monthly pamphlets with information about Masonic topics
c. The official publication of the Grand Masters of the United States
d. Booklets that help Masons learn the ritual
45.
What does “MSA” stand for?
a. Masons Stand Allied
b. Masonic Standards Association
c. Masonic Service Association
d. Masonry Supports America
46.
When Harry S. Truman won the
Presidential election in 1948, which of the candidates were Masons?
a. Only the Democrat, Harry S. Truman
b. The Democrat, Harry S. Truman, and the Republican, Thomas E. Dewey
c. The Democrat, Harry S. Truman, the Republican, Thomas E. Dewey, and the
Progressive Party Candidate, Henry A. Wallace
d. The Democrat, Harry S. Truman, the Republican, Thomas E. Dewey, the
Progressive, Henry A. Wallace, and the States Right Party candidate, Strom
Thurmond.
47.
How many U.S. Grand Lodges now
recognize Prince Hall Grand Lodges, and which was the first?
a. 31 of the 51, and Connecticut was the first
b. 49 of the 51, and New York was the first
c. 10 of the 51, and California was the first
d. 51 of the 51, and Alabama was the first
48.
At what Civil War battlefield is
there a large Masonic statue dedicated to brotherhood?
a. Bull Run
b. Vicksburg
c. Gettysburg
d. Chancellorsville
49.
Why is Albert Pike important in
Freemasonry?
a. He wrote the ritual of the Master Mason degree
b. He was a forceful leader of the Scottish Rite
c. He was the first Grand High Priest of Royal Arch Masons in the United
States
d. He had the largest waistline of any Grand Master in history
50.
What is the symbolic meaning of the
“all seeing eye” used in Freemasonry, and pictured on the dollar bill?
a. Big brother is always watching us
b. God is omnipresent
c. We should always be vigilant to preserve our freedom
d. Optometrists are the most important doctors
51.
In balloting on a candidate for
Masonry in different States of the United States, how many negative votes
does it take to “blackball”?
a. In every State, 1 black cube keeps someone out
b. In most States, 3 black cubes are needed to reject
c. In many States, a majority of black cubes are needed to reject
d. None of the above
52.
What is the minimum age to become a
Mason in each State of the United States?
a. 21 in almost all States
b. 18 in almost all States
c. 21 in about half the states, and 18 or 19 in the other half
d. It’s evenly divided between 18, 19, 20, and 21
53.
What is a dimit?
a. The symbol of Freemasonry
b. The same thing as a debit, a debit
c. The youngest Mason in a lodge
d. A resignation from a lodge
54.
What are the tenets of Freemasonry?
a. Brotherly love, relief, and truth
b. Brotherly love, truth, and justice
c. Truth, justice, and the American way
d. Faith, hope, and charity
55.
Which Presidents on Mount Rushmore
were Freemasons?
a. George Washington and Theodore Roosevelt
b. George Washington and Thomas Jefferson
c. George Washington and Abraham Lincoln
d. All of them
56.
What day is the feast of Saint John
the Evangelist?
a. June 24
b. June 27
c. December 27
d. December 24
57.
In what Lodge did George Washington
receive his Masonic degrees?
a. Federal Lodge No. 1 in the District of Columbia
b. Fredericksburg Lodge No. 4 in Virginia
c. Alexandria Lodge No. 22 in Virginia
d. Washington Lodge #1 in Maryland
58.
What percentage of U.S. Supreme
Court Justices have been Freemasons?
a. 10%
b. 33%
c. 67%
d. 90%
59.
Which country's Embassy is across
the street from the Eastern Star's Belmont Mansion and has a Masonic symbol
in its flag?
a. Panama
b. The Philippines
c. France
d. Nicaragua
60.
Which U.S. President was Grand
Master of the Grand Lodge of Tennessee?
a. Andrew Jackson
b. Andrew Johnson
c. William Henry Harrison
d. Ulysses S. Grant
61.
Which U.S. President was made a
Mason "on sight" in 1909?
a. Theodore Roosevelt
b. William Howard Taft
c. Woodrow Wilson
d. Warren G. Harding
62.
Which U.S. states have had the
largest number of Freemasons in recent years?
a. Pennsylvania and Ohio
b. New York and California
c. Texas and Illinois
d. Massachusetts and Pennsylvania
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