Freemasonry is an oath bound fraternal order of men which derives from the medieval fraternity of Freemasonry. We adhere to many of the Ancient Charges, laws, customs and legends of operative freemasonry. We are loyal to the civilian government under which we exist. We inculcate moral and social virtues by symbolic application of the operative stonemasons' working tools and by allegories, lectures and charges.
Freemasonry obligates its members to obey the principles of brotherly love, equality, mutual aid, secrecy, and confidence.We have secret modes of recognition that permit members to recognize each other as brothers. We require a through examination into the mental, moral and physical qualifications of a petitioner and we admit men into the fraternity by secret ceremonies based in part on legends of the Craft.
Once a person has decided to apply for membership he fills out a petition signed by 2 members of the Lodge he desires to join. He gives the petition to one of the members along with the required initiation fee. The petition is read at the Lodge's next stated meeting when the Worshipful Master will appoint an investigating committee who will interview the petitioner in person. this investigating committee will report back to the Lodge at the following stated meeting when all members present will vote to accept or reject the petitioner. upon acceptance the petitioner is given the three degrees of Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft and then the Sublime Degree of a Master Mason. There are certain requirements a candidate must meet before proceeding from one degree to the next.
One must obtain the Sublime Degree of a Master Mason before he is allowed to wear any Masonic jewelry.
One must have a belief in a Supreme Being.
The tenets of the Masonic Fraternity are " Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth. "
The Masonic Fraternity is NOT Secret Society but rather a Society With Secrets like many other Fraternal Orders such as the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Eagles, Elks, Moose, Druids, American Legion, Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, Sons of Confederate Veterans of the Civil War, etc.
Suggest if you are of legal age and are interested in pursuing interest in the Masonic Fraternity you contact a man whom you know is a Mason for further information and an application. If no local Masonic Lodge is available then you can contact the Grand Lodge of Masons for the State in which you reside. The Grand Lodge Officers will be glad to help in any way possible.
Please contact a Mason or Masonic Lodge directly rather than rely on information posted here. there are many who do not have correct information.