From the Worshipful Master

How to explain Freemasonry to potential candidates

Brethren:

One thing I think is important that we do as Masons is have a short elevator-type speech prepared. You never know if you’re going to be walking somewhere and someone sees your ring, or your polo shirt and asks what Masons do.

I start by saying that we’re a fraternity. A group of men who get together because we enjoy each other company and do things for the community.

I find it easiest to then move into the Shriners. They are the group that is the most visible. Everyone has at least heard of the Shriners. They have parades, circuses and people recognize the fezzes. I’ll mention them and say that every Shriner is a Mason.

Then I invite them to our next movie night or public event, and give them my Lodge business card. And cross my fingers that they come.

Fraternally,
Stephen A. Liguori, PM
Worshipful Master

From the Junior Warden

How to explain Freemasonry to potential candidates

Brethren:

As Masons, we are to be constantly be on the lookout for new candidates. This is necessary to the survival of our lodge. What should a mason say to a potential candidate?

Freemasons are not permitted to recruit candidates. All applications for admission to the Order must be entirely voluntary and the initiative must come from the prospective Candidate himself. However, it is obvious that, although a man may be attracted by what he has heard about the Craft or by having relations or friends who belong to it, he would naturally wish to have some information about it before deciding to join. It is not always easy for a Mason to know how to reply to questions. And sometimes he is likely to be over-cautious, for fear of revealing any secrets.

Freemasonry is in no sense a secret society. This is not to deny that it has secrets, but there is nothing in any way secret about its meeting places, its membership, its aims and principles, or even to some extent, its methods. Freemasonry has been defined as “A Speculative Science founded upon an Operative Art”. That is, it is descended directly from the medieval associations of working masons, but has now, for more than two centuries, ceased to have any direct connection with the building trade. It would be crazy to claim that our present system is the same as, or even corresponds very closely to, the organization and methods of the medieval craftsmen. Their aims, however, were very similar to those ours, namely, to regulate the trade, to employ a standard of morals and behavior, and to impart certain trade knowledge to the younger members

The Bible, referred to by Freemasons as the Volume of the Sacred Law, is always open in the Lodges. Every candidate is required to take his obligation on that book or on the Volume which is held by his particular belief. This oath or promise taken upon it is sworn to the individual’s supreme being.

Everyone who enters Freemasonry is forbidden to be a part of any act which may have a tendency to subvert the peace and good order of society. He must pay due obedience to the law of any state in which he lives.

While in lodge he is not permitted to discuss religion or politics. These are volatile discussions and personal to the candidate.

If the candidate decides to join a Lodge and is accepted, his admission will be arranged in the course of a series of ceremonies which have come down to the Craft during the past 300 years. They are very solemn and impressive, and full of old inherited customs.

Each of the ceremonies has, as one of its central themes, an obligation that embraces secrecy, fidelity, service to the Craft and to all masons in the world at large. The traditional penalties of the obligations serve as a basis for the various “modes of recognition. Because the Craft has preserved those traditional penalties in practically the same words as were used 300 years ago, their repetition may cause them some surprise, but they have been retained. They will be asked to bear them in mind-only in order to emphasize the solemnity of the Obligation. The physical penalties, are not, and never were, enforced.

It cannot be emphasized enough that Freemasonry is in no sense an insurance or benefit society. There is no financial benefit or expectation of gaining of power. This is a fraternity, built and maintained to benefit society as a whole.

The annual dues to a lodge are like club subscriptions, and are used to, cover the expenses of the lodge, such as rent, lighting, taxes, stationery, etc.

Freemasonry is set in a religious and moral context, but itself is not in any way a religion. We gather for the purpose to socialize, to provide charity to the distressed and promote the general goodwill of everyone.

All candidates are recommended based on their moral character. Masonry is to make good men better. No make bad men good.

After a full interview with the candidate, if they are deemed as a man of good moral character and they still have the interest in Freemasonry, then the lodge will happily accept his petition to join.

Fraternally,
Christopher Britt
Junior Warden