Master Mason’s ring
Fraternal groups are special from several points of view. They are the oldest of the different types of groups. They are the largest of the world wide groups. They are also among the most misunderstood.
Fraternal groups are closed groups, not usually subject to the rules that are placed on civic groups. They can for instance, admit only those who are eligible.
They also vote on membership in a secrete ballot and from that process came the famous “black ball”. In reality it is a cube shape and not a ball, but the effect is to reflect the fact that one member in secrete ballot has objected to the candidate and in most cases this is followed by a termination of the candidates petition for membership.
Freemasonry is the oldest and largest of the world wide fraternal groups, going back in its current modern form to 1717. Several other groups have Masonic ties or even were patterned on this group. Freemasonry and its subordinate groups will be discussed in detail in posts to follow. So will many other fraternal groups and the charities they support.
