The Universal Language of Freemasonry - ArchiMeD - Johannes ...

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Chapter 8 - Categorization of Rituals
The quotation above shows a number of exceptions insofar, as advertising
within the Masons' own circle and solely for the benefit of Masonry is allowed.
For example, a printer of Masonic books may use the Masonic name or emblems
as a logo, an example of which will be added on one of the following pages of
this section. Advertisements for employment are illustrated in Section 3.3.5, and
an ad for a hospital is depicted in Section 8.4.1. The Constitution and Code of
the Grand Lodge of Iowa, 1928, makes a similar distinction between allowed and
non-allowed marketing strategies:
f. Use of Word 'Masonic.'
No Mason shall use or be a party either as principal or employee to the
use of the word 'Masonic' as a part of the style or title of designation, or
any business firm, concern, company, corporation, association or
enterprise whatsoever; unless such business shall be for the authorized
printing or publication of Masonic books, papers or periodicals, or for
the manufacture and sale of Masonic supplies; or unless it be a
cemetery, burial association, temple association, hospital, employment
bureau, or relief association controlled and conducted wholly by
Masons or Masonry. The same rule shall apply to the use of Masonic
symbols and phraseology peculiar to Masonry.
The solicitation of business in violation of this section is
prohibited. 1629
An example for "phraseology peculiar to Masonry" will be furnished in this
section with regard to an advertisement for a Bank with the title "He Has Taken
Three Degrees." Finally, the last book of constitution examined is The Masonic
Code of the Grand Lodge of Tennessee, in its seventh and revised edition from
1958. The Tennessee laws do not make any exceptions but declare that misusing
Masonry as a commercial institution is un-Masonic:
12. Masonry is not a commercial institution, and it is unmasonic [sic]
for any member to use his Masonic membership or his membership in
any organization requiring Masonic membership as a prerequisite, as a
basis for promoting the sale of a commercial product or for soliciting
funds or other contributions in connection with an advertising campaign
or commercial enterprise. 1630
Oddfellowship seems to have the same high demands as Freemasonry and
likewise reproaches traders who misuse the abbreviation I.O.O.F. or the initials
of the order's tenets, "friendship, love, truth," for marketing purposes:
Odd Fellowship was growing in popularity as the Order increased in
wealth and influence. Odd Fellows were to be met on every hand, and
1629 Grand Lodge of Iowa, The Constitution and Code, p. 141.
1630 Grand Lodge of Tennessee, The Masonic Code, p. 83/84.