I live in South Carolina and would like to join one of my local lodges. The problem is, I don’t know any Masons to ask. My father was working toward his First Degree when he died of a sudden heart attack 25 years ago. To my knowledge, I don’t have any living relatives who are Masons, and if I did they would all be in Virginia anyway.
I’ve looked at the local lodge’s web site and I know what day of the month they hold their meetings, so would it be proper for me to go to the lodge on that night and let it be know that I’m interested in joining?
Congratulations on your interest in becoming a Freemason. If the lodge you are interested in has a web site like you say I would find the contact information and call or email your interest in meeting with someone and possibly take a tour of the lodge. You’ll find most lodges will reply rather quickly (1-2 days). After that you should be on your way. Good luck on your journey and come back to the forum to let us know how your doing.
Well, it turns out I actually do know a Mason. The only phone number listed on the web site of the lodge I want to join is for the secretary. I thought his name looked familiar. Turns out he’s a man I worked with briefly nearly 20 years ago the summer before I started law school.
Congratulations on the decision. The first step to becoming a mason, is to ask. “2B1 ASK 1”. You need not know any Masons personally, nor do you need to have any Masonic relatives. You need only have the desire to participate.
I encourage you to contact the man, and ask him for assistance. You will need to get a petition(application form), and submit it back to the lodge. Then you are on the way to being a mason.
Well, I met with the secretary of my local lodge last night for about an hour. He answered all my questions, gave me some pamphlets, and a petition. I turned in the petition today along with the fee, so I guess I’m on my way.
Here’s a picture of the Masonic Temple where they meet:
You know, I contacted a Mason and expressed an interest. I even filled out an application. Then there was a long period of silence. When I changed towns 6 months later, I decided enough was enough. So I walked up to the Lodge door, took down the meeting times and returned on a Lodge night and introduced myself. It turns out the Lodge where I first applied simply lost my application. Good grief!
The most important thing I try to convey to those who ask is be persistent. Regrettably, I’ve known a case where a person had called his local lodge where, by chance, the Secretary had dropped by to pick up the mail. A lovely conversation ensued and the Secretary promised to phone back in a few days after setting up a date for this individual to meet with the Master and Wardens. The person inquiring never heard further and assumed that for some reason, he was found ‘wanting’ and was not welcome to join. Nearly six years later he relayed that story to a Mason. Inquiry revealed that the Lodge Secretary had actually died the following evening in his sleep. While he’d mentioned the call to the Master that very evening, he’d failed to provide the phone number and in the confusion following this beloved member’s death, the matter was overlooked. It was unfortunate in more ways than one. The devoted Secretary would have NEVER allowed this man to be ignored nor would the Lodge. He, though, felt shunned and since he didn’t follow up on a timely basis, never knew the true circumstances. The morale to the story is: don’t make assumptions!
How I became a member.I first found out about freemasonry by way of the internet.Then after a few months of trying to find a member of the local lodge.I just walked up to them after I saw them out side the lodge one night and asked to join.They took it from there.After I joined I found out members of my family are members of thier local lodges.On both sides.
Dear Esquire:
Best Wishes on your journey. Feel free to explore this site and give update on the progress. We can see your interest is high and your energy strong. The craft welcomes men like yourself. Ronald Doucette - Moderator
WOW! What a great idea! Interested people could actually go to your blog and see, generally, what happens. This is a great idea and I plan to visit often. I would like to hear your feelings as you become aware of and see things for the fist time. Good luck!
