Also known as a
Speculative Mason, an Accepted Mason is a
Freemason who does not actually work in stone.
In ancient times, Freemasonry was THE organisation of scientists and thinkers. The Church considered much science to be heretical, yet needed such science to build the beautiful Gothic Cathedrals in Europe.
Freemasons thus taught their craft in secrecy for this reason, as well as to protect their own economic welfare.
With the completion of the Cathedrals, membership of Masonic Lodges declined, and to preserve the secrets of the Order, non-Masons were "accepted" as members of the Lodge, and the phrase "Accepted Mason" was thus coined.