“Freemasonry has promoted fellowship, it has nurtured brotherhood, it has practiced charity. It has education, it has been founded on truth and the cardinal virtues. But what is Masonry’s greatest mission in life today? What should be the thrust of modern Masonry? Those are the answers we are presently seeking, and on our success in finding the answer depends the future of our Fraternity.”
WHAT IS MASONRY?
The Masonic Fraternity is the oldest fraternity in the world. No one knows just how old it is because the actual origins have been lost in time. The most commonly accepted theory is that Freemasonry arose from the guilds of stonemasons who built the castles and cathedrals of the Middle Ages. There are some who believe that Freemasonry was influenced by the Knights Templar, a group of Christian warrior monks formed in 1118 to help protect pilgrims making trips to the Holy Land.
The modern history of Freemasonry begins in 1717, when the first Grand Lodge was formed in England. A Grand Lodge is the administrative body in charge of Masonry in some geographical area. In the United States, there is a Grand Lodge in each state. In Canada, there is a Grand Lodge in each province. Local organizations of Masons are called lodges. There are lodges in most towns, and large cities usually have several. There are about 13,200 lodges in the United States.
THE QUALIFICATIONS TO BE A MASON INCLUDE:
- Must be a man
- Must be 18 years of age or older
- Must be of good moral character
- Must have a belief in a Supreme Being
- Must seek admission of their own free will and accord
- Must ask a Mason to become a Mason
CHARACTER OF A FREEMASON
- The real Freemason is distinguished from the rest of Mankind by the uniform unrestrained rectitude of his conduct.
- Other men are honest in fear of punishment which the law might inflect; they are religious in expectation of being rewarded, or in dread of the devil, in the next world.
- A Freemason would be just if there were no laws, human or divine except those written in his heart by the finger of his Creator.
- In every climate, under every system of religion, he is the same.
- He kneels before the Universal Throne of God in gratitude for the blessings he has received and humble solicitation for his future protection.
- He venerates the good men of all religions.
- He disturbs not the religion of others. He restrains his passions, because they cannot be indulged without injuring his neighbor or himself.
- He gives no offense, because he does not choose to be offended.
- He contracts no debts which he is certain he cannot discharge, because he is honest upon principle.
(From The Farmers Almanac of 1823, Published at Andover, Mass.)
While we do not solicit membership (we will not ask others to join), we are happy to talk to you about the fraternity and membership. You can contact us by email at [email protected] or stop by the lodge before a meeting. We meet the Second Mondays of every month. Dinner generally begins at 6:30 pm, and the lodge Tyles at 7:30 pm.
Throughout history many distinguished men have sought to join us in our labors, among them are men such as George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Voltaire, Bob Hope, Douglas MacArthur, and Buzz Aldrin.
For more information about Freemasonry, we would encourage you to visit the Grand Lodge of Washington website.
[prints on 8.5″ x 14″ legal sized paper, Double sided]. This petition is for non-masons looking to join South Gate Lodge No. 100.
[prints on 8.5″ x 14″ legal sized paper, Double sided]. This petition is for existing masons looking to transfer their membership to South Gate Lodge No. 100.
[prints on 8.5″ x 11″ letter sized paper, Double sided]. This petition is for existing masons looking to belong to multiple lodges, including South Gate Lodge No. 100.