About Freemasonry

The following is a brief response to questions often asked about Freemasonry: what is Freemasonry, what is its origin, when and where did it start, who started it, and what is its purpose.

Freemasonry is the oldest and the largest fraternal order in the world. It is a universal brotherhood of men dedicated to serving God, family, fellowman and country.

The heritage of modern Freemasonry is derived from the organized guilds or unions of stone masons who constructed the beautiful cathedrals and other stately structures throughout Europe during the middle ages. The skills and architectural genius of these craftsmen and their commitment to the highest standards of moral and ethical values were universally applauded, and unlike other classes of people, they were allowed to travel freely from country to country. Thus, during this period, the word "Free" was prefixed to the word mason, and these craftsmen, and the generations of masons who followed, were referred to as Freemasons.

Until about the sixteenth century, masons were strictly an operative craft-stone masons and architects building those magnificent cathedrals and palaces, many of which still adorn the landscape of the European country side. Early in the seventeenth century, membership in these unions or operating lodges of stone masons began to decline, and probably to compensate for their loss in members, they began to admit certain men of prominence in society who were not craftsmen or stone masons. This class of members were initially considered patrons of the Fraternity, and over the years became known as "accepted masons." At the conclusion of the seventeenth century, a radical transformation had evolved; these accepted masons had become predominant, and the older lodges of Freemasons began to emphasize and teach moral philosophy rather than the technical and operative art of earlier centuries. Tools of the stone masons are still used in the Fraternity today, but only to symbolize moral virtue, not to build cathedrals.

Although the moral philosophy of Freemasonry is founded upon religious principles, it is not a religion, nor is it a substitute for religion. Candidates for membership (adult males) are however, expected to profess a belief in God, and be of good moral character.

Courtesy of Alexandria-Washington Masonic Lodge
(original version 1988, Revised 1995)
Alexandria-Washington Lodge #22 meets the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month in the George Washington Masonic National Memorial.

What is a Mason?

Mason is a man and brother whose trust is in God. He will meet you on the Level and upon the Square. Truth is his compass and he is ever Plumb. He has a grip on all that is right. He is loyal to his order and whatever his degree, he is master of himself. In the lodge of life he wears unstained the white lambskin of innocence. From his initiation as Entered Apprentice he travels ever toward the East in search of light and wisdom until he receives the Final, the divine Password that admits him into the ineffable presence of the Eternal Grand Master of the Universe - GOD

How do I become a Mason?
The absolute requirements for becoming a Mason are:
  • Be a man, at least 18 years old.
  • Have belief in a Supreme Being (of any faith. No particular religion or faith is required or excluded. All are welcome.)
Also:
  • You should be someone who does, or want to learn to, enjoy the company of other men from all different social classes, faiths, backgrounds, races, countries, etc. Masonry is universal in its ideals.
  • If you are a family man, Masonry considers that your family obligations come FIRST, so you must be sure that:
    • You have the time to participate (usually two or three evenings/month at first for meetings and instruction, and then at least one evening per month for meetings from then on -- often more if you get involved in lodge activities.)
    • you can afford the initiation fees and the annual dues without hardship to yourself or your family.
  • You should be coming to Masonry "of your own free will and accord", to learn to improve yourself and to enjoy the company of other good people, not because someone keeps pestering you to join or because you think it will help you "get ahead" in business.

To join, all you have to do ask a Mason:
  • Preferably someone you know or at least who lives or works nearby, or...
  • If you think that don't know any Masons in your area, you could post to the netnews group alt.freemasonry and ask that anyone who lives in your general area reply to you, or...
  • You can call Santa Rosa Lodge No. 16 at (850) 623-4113 and/or contact a member of the lodge.
    • The person will give you a petition to fill out.
    • Answer all of the questions and then return it to the person or go to the Lodge and give it to a member or the Secretary