Tigs,
I have no axe to grind about masons, they are a fact of life, but I KNOW that secret advantage is given by masons to masons. That is what secret societies are for, not only yours. Why else do they exist? You don't need one to do good and since masons tell of the good work they do (you can't get more public than the large number of masonic hospitals), it can't be for that reason.
As I said in my earlier post, masonic lodges are not corrupt, they are corrupting; it is human nature to use systems to advantage and sectret societies give that option and many use it.
Sorry, but I don't accept your view.