by Midnight Freemasons Contributor
Todd E. Creason, 33°
Benjamin Franklin very much wanted to join St. John's Lodge, but at that time, you had to be invited to join the Freemasons. Benjamin Franklin had a difficult time getting invited to join, and he hadn't exacly been subtle in dropping hints that he'd like to join.
Why wouldn't he? He valued many of the same values the Freemasons respected. The Freemasons were dedicated to civic works and
fellowship. They held a nonsectarian
policy about religious toleration which mirrored his own beliefs. And without question, Franklin also saw membership as a step on the
social ladder.
In hopes of currying favor with the Freemasons, he began to publish small, favorable pieces about the Freemasons in his newspaper. But that didn't work. So he tried a slightly different tactic--something a little more noticeable perhaps.
In hopes of currying favor with the Freemasons, he began to publish small, favorable pieces about the Freemasons in his newspaper. But that didn't work. So he tried a slightly different tactic--something a little more noticeable perhaps.
In December of 1730, he published a long article in his paper claiming
to have uncovered some of the secrets of the Freemasons. He claimed one of these secrets was that many
of the so-called “secrets” were actually hoaxes. And he claimed he would soon begin publishing those "secrets" in detail in a series he planned to run in his newspaper.
That got their attention!
Within a couple of weeks, Benjamin Franklin was initiated into the St. John’s Lodge. Shortly after his initiation, his newspaper printed a retraction of the article and put in its place a glowing piece about the positive influences of Freemasonry. Brother Benjamin Franklin became a Master Mason at St. John’s Lodge in Philadelphia in 1731.
That got their attention!
Within a couple of weeks, Benjamin Franklin was initiated into the St. John’s Lodge. Shortly after his initiation, his newspaper printed a retraction of the article and put in its place a glowing piece about the positive influences of Freemasonry. Brother Benjamin Franklin became a Master Mason at St. John’s Lodge in Philadelphia in 1731.
I guess that's one way to do it.
~TEC, 33°
Revised and republished 8/7/2026. Original version published 12/16/13.
~TEC, 33°
Revised and republished 8/7/2026. Original version published 12/16/13.
Todd E. Creason, 33° is the Founder of the Midnight Freemasons blog. He is the award-winning author of the Famous American Freemasons series. He is a Past Master of Ogden Lodge No. 754 (IL) and Homer Lodge No. 199 (IL). He currently serves as Secretary of St. Joseph-Ogden Lodge No. 970 (IL). He formerly served the Grand Lodge of Illinois as the State Education Officer. He is a Fellow at the Missouri Lodge of Research (FMLR) and is a member of the Scottish Rite Valley of Danville.