Membership:
In
order to join the fraternity of Freemasonry, you must ask a
member how you may join. This is done to ensure that
you come into Freemasonry of your own free will; without
expectation of material gain. You get out of
Freemasonry only what you are willing to put into it.
If the
Freemason you ask believes you will be a positive addition
to the fraternity, he will give you a petition for
membership in his local or Blue Lodge. All men have to
go through the same initiation procedure, regardless of
their worldly wealth or position.
In a
Masonic Lodge, the President of the United States would be
considered equal to the newest member. When
Washington, Truman, or the Roosevelt's sat in Lodge, they
were addressed as Brother. Everyone is "on the level"
and is judged by how he lives in the community and upholds
the tenets of the Fraternity. As long as he is "on the
square" with his brethren, he will be well regarded.
Your
petition will be read in open Lodge and a Committee of
Investigation formed. This Committee will visit you
and talk with your family. The Committee will give a
report in open Lodge and the membership votes by secret
ballot. A successful ballot means you will have been
elected to membership by initiation.
The
three degrees you will then receive teach serious moral and
ethical lessons. When you complete your third or
Master Mason Degree, you will be a full-fledged member.
As a Master Mason, you have many rights and privileges,
including visitation privileges to sit in Masonic Lodges
throughout the world.
Masonry is
a family organization, and Lodge activities frequently
include the families. There are also other related
organizations for specific members of the family, such as
youth. Our youth groups are the Order of DeMolay for
boys and Job's Daughters and the Order of the Rainbow for
girls. For the ladies there are the Order of Eastern
Star, White Shrine, and the Amaranth. Each group or
order has its particular charity that it works to support.
If YOU believe what you have just read is for you, then it
is up to you to take the next step. Remember, you must
ask for a Petition for Membership if you want to become a
Freemason. The extent of your participation in your
Lodge activities will determine your effectiveness.
~ We look forward to greeting you as a Brother Freemason. |