• Founded: 1757 in Lancashire, England
• Motto: Friendship, Truth, and Love dictate that we should be friends and truthful to all Mankind and above all “be our Brother's keeper”, which is in keeping with the teachings of the Volume of the Sacred Law. Our aim is to practice and promote justice, philanthropy, charity and benevolence, and that through our example; society at large will know the true meaning of fidelity, benevolence, and truth.

The Independent United Order of Mechanics, Friendly Society, Western Hemisphere Incorporated (I.U.O.M., W.H., Inc.), is a world-wide friendly organization that was founded during the building of Kings Solomon’s Temple in Jerusalem in One-Thousand Years, BC.

The Order, in its present form, was established in Lancashire, England in 1757 and received its authority by an Act of the British Parliament. Branches were established in South Africa, followed by other branches in Jamaica, Demerara, Trinidad & Tobago, Cuba, Panama, Canada, Barbados, Grenada, St. Lucia, Suriname, Dutch West Indies, Belize, Spanish Honduras, and Guatemala. Presently, there are Lodges, Chapters, and Juvenile branches in Holland and French Guyana.

In January 1910, the Order was established in the United States of America. On September 19, 1910, it was incorporated under the laws of the State of New York. The headquarters of the Independent United Order of Mechanics, Friendly Society, Western Hemisphere, Incorporated, was transferred from England to New York in 1941, where it is presently maintained.

— www.floridamechanism.org/intro

The Independent United Order of Mechanics, Friendly Society is among the most ancient of the great secret fraternal Orders. It is to be found throughout the civilized world. It numbers among its members persons who occupy some of the highest positions in all branches of government. It makes its appeal not only to the opulent and powerful, but to all those who are physically and morally sound, to the end that it may carry out those humane principles of Charity and Benevolence, not only among its initiates, who are banded together by those solemn and indissoluble ties which are the characteristics of the Order, but that through them it may be instrumental in spreading to society at large the true meaning of Fidelity, Benevolence and Truth.

No agency for good that has yet been evolved by human mind has been so potent a factor in alleviating the sufferings of mankind, and in bringing us into closer relationship and a more perfect understanding of our oneness of interest. This is true whether the Society be one of great antiquity and surrounded with ancient rites, ceremonies and secrecy, or one of the numerous benevolent and friendly societies that are to be found in any clime where the veil of night and darkness has been penetrated by the refulgent rays of civilization.

For, underlying all forms, ceremonies and usages, disregarding the countries where found and the peoples by whom they are practiced, is the desire to promote Honor, Justice, Chastity, Philanthropy, Patriotism and Industry, and, in so far as it can be effected by the power of organization, to promote those pure and lofty principles which are in the interest of humanity; and to develop the intellectual, moral and spiritual character, not alone of its votaries, but of mankind in general.

— www.iuom.org/MechanicOrderHistory.htm

Membership is open to men and women, boys and girls, of “high moral and ethical standards, who believe in “A Supreme Being” who rules and governs the Universe.” In this photograph, several of the group’s values are painted on the wall in back: Brotherly Love, Relief, Truth, Secrecy, Fidelity, and Benevolence.

Links

• www.iuom.org
• Source

Districts and Lodges