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How does one become a Mason? |
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It is against Masonic Law and custom for a Mason to invite a non-Mason to join the Fraternity.
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| Q: | |
I want to become a Mason. What qualifications must I have, and what are the steps taken to become a Master Mason? |
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In Georgia, a candidate petitioning for the degrees of Masonry must: be at least 21 years of age; be free-born and his own master; be in respectable circumstances; be able to read and write; believe in a Supreme Being; have a good reputation in and conform to and with the laws of the community.
In summary:
-You must believe in a Supreme Being.
-You must live a moral and ethical life.
-You must have a strong desire to make yourself a better man and make your community and the world a better place to live.
-You must be tolerant of other religions, cultures, and points of view.
-You must have a good reputation in the community.
If you have made the decision that you would like to become a Master Mason, the next step is to contact one.
-If you know a Mason, ask him.
-If you don't know someone whom you know to be a Master Mason, contact a nearby Lodge. There are several ways to contact Dallas Masonic Lodge No. 182, Dallas, GA on this website. For instance, you can click on the "Contact Email" tab on the left and send an email, which will be routed directly to the Masonic Webmaster.
-Request a Petition. The person you contacted will take it from there.
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| Q: | |
Will being a Mason help me in my business? |
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Probably not. Most Masons base their business dealings on fairness, integrity and honesty. Favoritism in business based solely on mutual membership in the Masonic Fraternity is frowned upon, and something that most Masons would not do anyway.
That being said, friends in any circumstance are friends because of shared beliefs and respect; it's often easier to do business with someone that you know than with a complete stranger. But if gaining a business advantage is one of the reasons for your decision to become a Mason, you will be disappointed.
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What is Freemasonry? |
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It is the largest and oldest active fraternity in the world. Its aims are to make good men better, through an emphasis on morality, brotherly love, charity, and Truth. It is not a Secret Society, in that its membership rolls are not secret, nor are the times and places of its meetings. Like all fraternities, it has passwords, etc. that allow one Mason, although he may be a stranger, to identify himself as such to another Mason. Many of its lessons in morality and other virtues are passed on to members by way of rituals, symbols and dramatizations. Its members profess a belief in the Fatherhood of God and the Brotherhood of Man.
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How old is Freemasonry? |
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Operative Masonry, which includes the design and construction of structures, especially those made of stone, reaches back into the dim recesses of written history, and beyond. Speculative Masonry refers to the educational and moral teachings transmitted to us by our ancient Operative Brethren. Speculative Masonry, which is what is meant today by the term Freemasonry, had its beginnings in the guilds and other associations of Operative Masons. There is no exact date when Speculative Masonry came into being. Suffice it to say that based on the discoveries of very old manuscripts that have been verified by experts we know that Speculative Masonry was being practiced many centuries ago.
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Is there a National Grand Lodge that oversees all lodges in the USA? |
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No. Each state has its own Grand Lodge. The many Lodges located in the cities and towns of each state are referred to as Subordinate Lodges, and their activities, to one degree or another, are governed by the rules and regulations of that state's Grand Lodge. Georgia's Grand Lodge, the Grand Lodge of Masons in Georgia, is located in Macon. The Subordinate Lodges have their own set of By-Laws, which however must conform to the general rules and regulations of the Grand Lodge under which they operate.
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Is Freemasonry a religion? |
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No. Many of its teachings are based upon Old Testament Scripture and events, but it does not teach any one "flavor" of religious belief, other than the belief in one Supreme Being. One of the Officers of every Lodge in Georgia is the Chaplain, whose duties are similar to those of the Chaplain of the United States Senate or the United States House of Representatives.
It has been said that a common belief in Almighty God unites people, but that religions often divide them.
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THE BLUE LODGE AND ITS DEGREES |
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THE SYMBOLIC (BLUE) LODGE
The Symbolic Lodge is the foundation and cornerstone of Freemasonry. This is the local unit which has the daily responsibility for implementing the programs and policies of the fraternity. The primary mission of a lodge is to create Master Masons. This activity should extend beyond the Conferral of the degrees and continue to provide general Masonic education for all members.
These Lodges have been termed “Blue Lodges,” because “blue is emblematic of friendship, a peculiar characteristic of ancient craft Masonry.” The color for borders of aprons, collars, and other regalia of the Symbolic Lodge is blue.
THE DEGREES OF THE BLUE LODGE
During the centuries of cathedral building, there were two classes of workmen, the Apprentices and the Fellows of the Craft (or journeyman). A Master was in a class by himself and few workmen attained this position. Therefore, when the ancient ceremonies of advancement became the degrees of
Speculative Freemasonry, after 1700, only two degrees were practiced, those of Entered Apprentice and Fellowcraft. The earliest record of a conferral of a Master’s Degree in a chartered lodge was in 1732. The 1738 edition of Anderson’s Constitutions used the term Master Mason.
From this beginning, the three degrees of the symbolic lodge eventually evolved into our present system. Additionally, a number of English lodges began to confer the degrees of Mark Master, Installed Master, The Royal Arch and the degree of Knight Templar.
The Symbolic Lodges in the United States and England confer the degrees of Entered Apprentice, Fellowcraft and Master Mason.
The Entered Apprentice degree conveys the principal tenets of Freemasonry which are Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth. These are necessary ingredients for a well ordered life and are the
foundation for additional lessons in moral and spiritual development. The entered Apprentice begins to utilize the working tools that will bring spiritual, moral and philosophical light to his future endeavors.
The Fellowcraft degree conveys the candidate to the status of the finished workman. While not yet equipped with the secrets and wisdom of a Master, it was the Fellows of the Craft who performed the major part of the construction on the ancient cathedrals. This degree stresses the application of
the liberal arts and sciences.
The Master Mason’s degree, while symbolically imparting additional wisdom, endeavors to direct the candidate toward a daily search for additional light and wisdom. The degree reveals the sublime truths necessary for a well grounded life and hope for eternal life in “that house not made with hands,
eternal in the heavens.” The Master’s Word was lost in this degree.
Freemasonry is a progressive science. The Lost Master’s Word is found in the Royal Arch Degree of York Rite Masonry.
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