This is actually true for a lot of secret societies emerging between th 18th-19th but the Masons have been around since the 16th century so I'm wondering what's going on there. Could just be a social club as others have pointed itt but I'm inclined to thinking theres more.

Edit: I also don't like calling them "social clubs" because it's an innocuous way to frame their function as political networks and organizing bodies (ex: Mason Lodges and Operation Gladio as Bunhead mentioned, or Italian Carbonari in the 19th century)