Our traditions go back over the centuries to the days of the "Operative" masons. the men who 
built the cathedrals, abbeys and castles in times long past. In the 17th century the need for such 
builders declined, but the practices and customs of the Operative craft left an influence on a new 
movement that began in the second half of that century.  Groups of men began to meet occasionally in 
various places in England, men who were not actual builders, but who evidently had an interest in the 
old craft.
        Some, no doubt, had had an actual connection with it.  But these new groups had no direct 
concern with the building trade.  It would appear that they were men of integrity who enjoyed 
fellowship in an atmosphere of mutual trust amid the bitter divisions of the time.  In order to give a
basic form to their meetings it seems they adapted certain of the traditions and practices of the
operative or working masons, and were influenced by the Scottish Operative Lodges.  They called 
themselves "masons", and when a man was admitted is a member of the group or Lodge he was said to have
 been "made a mason".
        In the year 1717 four such Lodges that had been meeting regularly in London and Westminster 
decided to unite in forming a "Grand Lodge" and elect a "Grand Master" as their head.  As more Lodges
were established in England they looked to this Grand Lodge for guidance.  Thus over the years 
regulations were set up to govern the Craft, a Constitution was adopted, and the simple ceremonies of 
the earlier years were elaborated until they finally became the three degrees, or steps which we now 
have.  It was in this way that what we call Speculative masonry gradually evolved.
        From England Freemasonry spread to other countries where Lodges were formed, and eventually 
Grand Lodges were set up.  There are now about 150 Grand Lodges inn the world, with a total membership
 of nearly six million. One of these is the Grand Loge of British Columbia with 173 Lodges and almost 
23.000 members.