Freemasonry is the oldest fraternal organization in the world. We are a fraternity that believes in morality, charity, and goodness. Our teachings center around the builder's trade, and use ancient stonemason's tools as symbols. Freemasonry has been described as "a peculiar system of morality, veiled in allegory, and illustrated by symbols". Mountain Lodge #99 operates under a charter issued by the Grand Lodge of Maryland A.F. & A.M. (www.mdmasons.org).