
° What is a Mason
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° Requirements
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Membership, because it is a fraternity, is limited to men. He who would become
a member must meet certain recognized requirements--high standards of character
and reputation. It does not require that its members subscribe to any particular
creed, or belong to any particular church. Church membership does not keep one
out of or secure him admission into any Masonic Lodge. The profession of a belief
in God and in a future life are the sole absolute requirements.
No one is excluded because of his membership in a particular church. There
are, however, a few denominations which do not allow their members to become
Masons. In some instances there is a mistaken impression that Freemasonry
refuses admission to those who are members of certain denominations. This
is inaccurate - it is the church, rather than Freemasonry, that denies
them membership.
Many men do not understand the process of acquiring membership in a Masonic
Lodge. No one is ever invited to become a Mason or to join a Masonic Lodge.
Though all morally good men would be welcome in any Masonic Lodge, the
man himself must first ask some Mason about becoming a member. Once he
has done so, the requested Mason will secure an application blank, called
a petition by our Lodges, and he has thus taken the first step. He must
have two Master Masons who know him, or have interviewed him, sign his
petition, vouching for his character and qualifications. A vote will be
cast by the members of the Lodge to which he applies for membership, and
generally, will be notified of his acceptance, and his initiation will
be scheduled.
Having passed this ballot, the candidate receives the first of three degrees
which make up the symbolic or Craft Lodge. This is designated The Degree
of Entered Apprentice. The second degree is designated The Degree of Fellow
Craft and the third as the Degree of Master Mason. Each Degree is a separate
entity, and each of these degrees has certain rights and privileges, but
all of the rights and privileges are attained only after the candidate
has received the Degree of Master Mason.
After he has received each of the degrees, the candidate
must commit to memory a catechism covering the degree received. He must
be examined in open Lodge and prove his right to be advanced to the next
degree. This serves a useful purpose, for it assures the Fraternity that
each will know himself to be a Mason and be able to recognize others as
members of the Craft by their manner of speaking. He will be enabled by
such knowledge to visit other Lodges where he is not known, and where
he most probably would be examined to prove his right to be admitted.
Write call or email
us of your interest in becoming a Mason. Someone form our lodge will respond
and will gladly attempt to answer all of your questions.
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