While Freemasonry supports homes for members and their spouses, most Masonic services, including Shrine medical and burn centers, are available to all citizens. Freemasonry is an open, not secretive, society. Masonic meetings are announced publicly, Masonic buildings are marked clearly and are listed in phone directories, and Masons proudly wear jewelry identifying their membership. Freemasonry inherited a tradition of trade secrets from the cathedral-building guilds of medieval Europe. Freemasonry teaches in steps.
Masons learn through a series of lessons.
This no more hides the nature of Freemasonry from novice members than does having a student understand fractions before calculus. Masonry is practiced worldwide. There are over 2 million Masons in North America and nearly 5 million throughout the world. Freemasonry has no single spokesman. No Masonic body nor author, however respected, can usurp the authority of a Grand Lodge.