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| | ~ Grand Master's
February 2010 Article ~
By Barry A. Rickman
Grand Master
On occasion, we see a bumper sticker that says “TO BE ONE, ASK ONE.” It is
referring to what must be done to become a Mason but if we give it only a small
amount of thought we know it just is not true. In fact, that statement cannot be
any further from the truth. Nevertheless, to the non-Mason and some Masons alike
it implies all that is required to gain membership in a Masonic Lodge is to ask
a Mason and it will be done. It is true a man must ask to enter our Honorable
Institution but that does not secure his place among us. It is sad to say that
many within our Lodges believe this to be the truth.
First
and foremost, the man asking should not receive a petition “unless you are
convinced he will conform to our rules; that the honor, glory, and reputation of
the Institution may be firmly established, and the world at large convinced of
its good effects.” That is one of our first lessons learned as a Mason in the
Charge of an Entered Apprentice. It is our duty to decide if he is worthy long
before we ever give him a petition to our Lodge. I know of Masons who believe
they must give a man a petition merely because he asks for one. The man must
next find a second Mason who is a member of his Lodge of choice who knows him
well and will also sign his petition. We should never be a second-signer unless
we do indeed know the man. Hearing about him for the first time at the
Secretary's desk is not knowing the man.
If he is found worthy to
receive a petition from the two of you, he must complete it in his own
handwriting and present it to the Lodge. His name and information is then read
in Open Lodge and he must be able to pass an investigation of a committee
composed of three Master Masons. These Brethren are to check into the life and
character of the man. Interviews are to be conducted with his employer and
fellow employees, his family and neighbors along with anyone else who may be
able to shed light on the prospective member. Once all this is complete, the
committee must next agree the man would still be worthy to be called a Mason. If
he is, it is on to the next step.
The time has now arrived when the
Lodge decides if he will join the Fraternity. His name is once more brought
before the members and he must be approved at the ballot box by unanimous
consent. Therefore, you see, one does not become a Mason simply by asking one.
Much has to happen before that day may or in some cases may not come.
Our Institution of Freemasonry could be at jeopardy. Our
Lodges today have many members who do not contribute of themselves to the
Fraternity. They may have influence within our membership, be a member of many
Masonic organizations, come to all the meetings and be some of our best
ritualists but they have no concept of what it is to be a Master Mason. It never
occurs to them that their daily life, the window for the world, is being looked
at by the public every day and that the Fraternity at large judged by their
public dealings, associations, actions and language. These Brethren through no
fault of their own were allowed to enter through the West Gate without being
properly investigated and we are now suffering from this deplorable mistake. Our
once brilliant luster is now faded.
We must be jealous of our membership
and hold it in highest regard. It must mean more to us than merely having a dues
card in our pocket. We are members of an Honorable Institution. We have
standards to live up to and obligations to keep and that is why “Our Focus is on
Quality.” We have got to have quality with our candidates. Starting now, we must
guard the entrance to Freemasonry much closer, which begins at the end of our
hand. Be cautious to whom you give a petition, because the future but more
especially the “honor, glory and reputation” of Freemasonry depends on it…one
new member at a time.
May God continue to bless America and
our great Fraternity and may the blessings of Heaven rest upon you and your
families. | |
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