프리메이슨멤버를
Interested in membership?
Here is some basic information which should address the question:
Freemasonry has its lodges throughout
the free world. You’ll find Masons meeting
in almost every town and village and
– except where repressive governments
make their existence difficult
– they’re readily found.
None of these lodges was ever organized
as a result of any type of ‘missionary’ work:
they came into existence because a group
of Masons wanted to share the friendship
and fraternity with others in the area.
What is so often misunderstood
is a simple fact: there are few but important
requirements to become a Freemason!
While they are stated in slightly different
words in various jurisdictions
(and a few jurisdictions may
have one or two requirements
beyond these), they basically are as follows:
· Being a man, freeborn, of good repute
and well-recommended;
· A belief in a Supreme Being;
· Ability to support one’s self and family;
· Of lawful age; and
· Come to Freemasonry of their
“own free will and accord”.
Having expressed a desire to become
a Freemason, we presume you are willing
to consider thoroughly the step you
propose to take. The exact nature of
our Institution being unknown to you,
we deem it advisable that you should be
informed on certain points, the knowledge
of which may affect your decision
to apply for membership.
Freemasonry interferes neither with religion
nor politics, but has for its foundation the
great basic principles of the Fatherhood of
God and the Brotherhood of Man.
No Atheist can be a Freemason.
Freemasonry strives to teach a man
the duty he owes to God, his neighbor,
and himself. It inculcates the practice
of virtue, and makes an extensive use
of symbolism in its teachings.
It cannot be too strongly emphasized
that Freemasonry is not to be entered
in the hope of personal gain
or advancement.
Admission must not be sought from
mercenary or other unworthy motives.
Any one so actuated will be bitterly
disappointed. The aim of
the true Freemason is to cultivate
a brotherly feeling among men, and
to help whomsoever he can.
Freemasonry is not a Benefit Society.
This fact cannot be too strongly emphasized.
We do not subscribe so much a year to
entitle us to draw sick pay or other benefits,
or to make provision for those
who survive us.
There are other excellent Societies
founded for this purpose.
No man should enter the ranks of
Freemasonry in hope or expectation that
he will derive any financial benefit from it.
Masonic Charity is directed towards
those who, from unforeseen circumstances
and through no fault of their own,
have met with misfortune.
Loyalty to one’s country is an essential
qualification in Freemasonry, and only
those are acceptable who cheerfully render
obedience to every lawful authority.
Disloyalty in any form is abhorrent
to a Freemason, and is regarded
as a serious Masonic offense.
Freemasonry has in all ages insisted
that men should come to its doors entirely
of their own free will, and not as a result
of solicitations, or from feelings of curiosity,
but simply from a favorable opinion
of the Institution, and a desire to be ranked
among its members.
We have no authority at the present time
to give you further information regarding
the Brotherhood you propose to join,
but we have imparted sufficient to enable
you to conclude that Freemasonry
is not contrary to the principles
which mark a man of upright
heart and mind, and has in it nothing
inconsistent with one’s civil,
moral or religious duties.
We think it advisable to inform you
that your admission to our Craft will
entail certain financial obligations
which you should be able to discharge
without detriment to yourself or
those dependent on you. In addition to the
fees and contributions payable on your
entrance, there will be an annual
subscription for the support of your Lodge,
and from time to time you may be called
upon to contribute for the relief work
connected with the Craft.
In the event that you are elected to receive
the Degrees of Masonry, and this fact
becomes known, you may be called upon
by someone seeking to take advantage
of that fact by attempting to sell
you insurance in some form, a Bible
with some Masonic information in it,
or other books or items related to the
Craft. Any and all such solicitations are
completely without authorization and
are inviolation of our rules and regulations.
We strongly urge you to decline to talk with
any persons offering such items for sale.
“Such is the ideal of Masonry, and fidelity
to all that is holy demands that we give
ourselves to it, trusting the power of truth,
the reality of love, and the sovereign
worth of character.”