Hello,

Thank you for providing this forum to seek information.

My question is: Two of my best friends growing up have become masons, I asked them because of the rings they wear. When I ask them about being a Mason they always reply “Do you believe you are worthy”. They tell me that I would enjoy being a mason. The problem is that I live in South Carolina and they reside in Kentucky, I have been searching in my small group of friends for someone that is a Mason without any luck. About 2 years ago I sent an email to several Mason listed on a website with no reply. My friend tells me that a Mason will let you knock 3 times before answering. My next option is actually going to a lodge and knocking on the door.  There is no doubt in my heart I am a “Good” person and the motto “Making good men better” is what I am trying to achieve in my life. If there is anyone in the Columbia area that is willing to help me please contact me.

Thank you.

Good questions. You can’t heave a dead cat in South Carolina, without hitting a lodge. They are all over the place. There are 10 lodges in Columbia, SC. See:

http://www.scgrandlodgeafm.org/LodgeLocator.htm

Here is the website for one of them:

http://www.acacia94.com

If your interest in Freemasonry is sincere (and it sounds like you are), then the next step is to contact a lodge in your neighborhood, and ask for a petition (application form). The decision must be yours alone, without outside pressure. You must ask to join.  More often, the first knock on the lodge door, is an electronic knock. You may email or telephone the lodge. Here is the contact information for Acacia lodge:

Phone: (803) 256-2538

Email:

You do NOT have to know any masons there in Columbia, personally. You may have to provide the names of two or three people who can vouch for your character (they need not be masons).

You may also wish to contact the Grand Lodge of South Carolina for assistance. Here is their email:

and phone 803-808-4377

Here is an excellent “capsule description” of Freemasonry, with an explanation of the petitioning process.

http://www.masonic-renewal.org/freemasonry_explained.htm

Please feel free to PM me, with any additional questions. Approaching Freemasonry, can be a bit confusing, since the group generally keeps a low profile, and does not seek publicity (in most cases). But once you make your interest known to your local lodge, you will find many men, very anxious to assist you, and help you join the Fraternity.

Thank you for your reply, I have completed my application and patiently waiting to hear from them.

Thank you again.

Ashley Hiott III

Dear interested South Carolina Native:
As a Moderator on this site, I see many opportunities to make connections for interested men. In your case, I have a personal experience to provide you some additional research that I had provided to one of my Mass. Lodge brothers. He was relocating to Columbia, SC. Ironically, our bluelodge is Columbian Lodge A.F & A.M. here in Boston, one of the very few Paul Revere Lodges and one of the nations oldest.
Back to him: He wanted a lodge with younger men, civic minded, family oriented, and active in new membership. As my role as the Lodge Secretary, I reviewed several lodges for him and then let him make those choices. I am not going to speak for him but I will refer your name to this Master Mason in Columbia via email. Contact Paul Lieber and please use my name, his email:
Ronald Doucette- Moderator