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. Freemasonry is made up of many organizations. Masonry has many groups, each with a special social, educational, or philanthropic focus.