THE CANDIDATE
Prepared for the Lodges by 
THE GRAND LODGE OF SCOTLAND

FOREWORD

This pamphlet comes into your hands because you have been elected
a member of a Freemasons' Lodge.  You may, indeed, be attending
your first masonic meeting and waiting for 'initiation' into our
ancient Craft.  On the other hand you may have received this
pamphlet with a letter from the Secretary of the Lodge intimating
that you have been elected a member and that you will be admitted
at a future date.

In either case read it carefully so that you may enter the Craft
intelligently, fully aware of the duties you owe to God, to your
neighbour and to yourself.

Before becoming a fully-fledged Freemason you will pass through
certain ceremonies.  After each you will be given another pamphlet
to help your understanding of those ceremonies.  These and the
pamphlet you are now reading call for and deserve your full
attention.

THE CANDIDATE

What is Freemasonry?

There have been a great number of definitions of Freemasonry. 
Perhaps the best, and certainly the simplest, is "Freemasonry is a
system of morality, veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols".
The idea of teaching by allegories and symbols is not new.  All
great teachers have, more or less, followed this method.

The system of morality to which we have referred as Freemasonry is
that which every Freemason is bound to profess and practise.  If it
includes principles with which he was familiar before his entrance
into Freemasonry, he will nevertheless find these presented in new
ways and in forms different from those with which he was previously
familiar.  If he finds in Masonic teachings nothing startlingly
new, he must remember that, in some respects at least, there is
"nothing new under the sun" and that the essence of morality is to
be found in the utter simplicity (though not the ease) of its
requirements.

The elementary principles of Freemasonry are exemplified in the
three degrees worked in every regular masonic Lodge throughout the
world.  Nearly every community of any size in the British Isles has
one or more masonic Lodges in it.  The same is true in many other
parts of the world, notably in the English-speaking countries.

Each Lodge has its own Office-bearers, headed by a Master; its own
Committees and, in many cases, its own property.  On the other
hand, each Lodge is subject to the authority of the Grand Lodge of
the Country or State under which it holds its Charter.  The three
British Grand Lodges have also many Lodges in countries
overseas-particularly in countries of the Commonwealth, and many of
the Commonwealth countries have Grand Lodges of their own.  In
becoming a member of a Lodge under The Scottish Constitution you
become subject not only to the general customs and usages of the
Craft, but also to the Laws and Regulations of the Grand Lodge of
Scotland, as well as to the Bye-Laws of the particular Lodge which
you join.  However, Freemasonry will never require of you anything
which might conflict with your duty to God, to your Country, to
your neighbour or to your family.

In your progress through Freemasonry, which may well take some
weeks or even months, you will be 'initiated' as an Entered
Apprentice; 'passed' as a Fellow Craft and 'raised' as a Master
Mason.  There is a ritualistic ceremony of a most serious character
appropriate to each stage in your progress. You will be asked, too,
to give a most solemn and binding promise never to disclose the
nature of these ceremonies under any circumstances.  Bearing in
mind what has been said in the previous paragraph you will not be
asked to promise anything which will conflict with your religious,
civil or other duties.  Your first duty is to approach each
ceremony calmly and solemnly, with mind and spirit attentive to the
lessons which will be imparted.

WHAT FREEMASONRY IS NOT

So that you may not have a mistaken idea of what Freemasonry is, it
may be well to point out some of the things which Freemasonry is
not, and which it has never claimed to be.

1. Freemasonry is NOT a religion nor a substitute for religion.  It
has a philosophy of its own which it beheves to be acceptable to
the Church, the Synagogue, and other similar religious
institutions.  The teachings of Freemasonry transcend all
denominational and sectarian divisions.  In the field of human
conduct it is complementary to religion, but religious topics may
not be discussed in any Lodge.

2. Contrary to the opinion held by many, Freemasonry is not a
charitable institution, as such.  It is true that one of the
fundamental principles of Freemasonry is the practice of relief,
and a Freemason will necessarily minister to the 'widows and
fatherless in their affliction'. But these and other similar modes
of conduct, must proceed from that "purity of life and conduct"
which is one of the great objectives of all Masonic teachings.

3. Freemasonry does not insure its members against the vicissitudes
of old age; provides no sick benefits as such; issues no insurance
policies on the lives of its members and pays no death benefits of
any kind.  Not that Freemasonry disbelieves in these and other
means by which modern civilisation undertakes to reduce suffering
and privation - quite the contrary.  But it confines the matter of
individual relief to those cases where such relief becomes
necessary, in spite of all the efforts of a Brother or his family
to maintain their economic independence.  Your part in this work is
far more likely to be that of a contributor than a beneficiary,
except in the larger sense, in which every man benefits from the
fact that "it is more blessed to give than to receive ".

4. Freemasonry does not lend itself to the promoting of selfish or
mercenary interests.  Any underlying purpose of such a nature in
your mind will eventually become apparent to your Brethren and you
will inevitably suffer the loss of their respect.  A Freemason may
support any good cause that he will, but he may not persuade or try
to persuade his Lodge to lend their support to his chosen
charitable work.

5. Freemasonry is not connected in any way with a political creed. 
A Freemason's political views are his own and a Lodge may well have
members belonging to many different political parties.  For that
reason, no discussion of political matters is permitted in a Lodge. 
A Brother may not seek to persuade his Brethren in Lodge to adopt
this or that view in matters of government - local, national or
international.

WHO MAY BECOME A FREEMASON?

Not every man can fulfil the requirements that Freemasonry asks of
her aspirants.  The primary requirement is, of course, moral
character.  One whose reputation in the Community is in any way
questionable cannot expect to become a Mason.  But there are other
requirements which the petitioner must have, such as:-

He must be a believer in God, The Supreme Being.

He must be a loyal citizen, willing to discharge his duties to God,
to his neighbour and to himself.

He must be at least twenty-one years of age (unless his father is
or was a Freemason when the age of admission may be reduced, at the
discretion of the Lodge, to eighteen).

He must be in such financial circumstances that he can maintain
himself as a Member of his Lodge, meeting the monetary obligations
imposed by being a member, without detriment to his family or
himself.

You, as a potential Freemason, and like Masons in all ages before
you, have come of your own accord to knock at the door of the
Craft.  Two Brethren have recommended you indeed they have done
more - they have vouched for your character and the sincerity of
your motives.  In a very real sense they are your Masonic sponsors. 
You, for your part, have the responsibility of seeing that they and
others who have accepted their assurances will not be disappointed.

WHAT FREEMASONRY EXPECTS OF YOU

The privileges of Freemasonry are no greater than the
responsibilities of its members.  Your obligations will not
conflict with those you have already assumed by virtue of your
membership in modern society.  On the contrary, Freemasonry
reiterates, reinforces and re-emphasises them.

Thus, in asking Freemasonry to share with you its past, its present
and its future and all the privileges of its Brotherhood, you must
bear in mind the fact that the relationship is a reciprocal one and
that certain things are expected of you.  Remember always:-

The calling of a Freemason is a high one and you should never
suffer yourself to depart from it.

Loyalty to home, to country and to the Craft is expected of you at
all times.

Patriotism is a bounden duty and you must not countenance
disloyalty or rebellion.

That Freemasonry recognises that all men, whether Masons or not,
are Brothers by birth, endowed with the same nature, and sharing
the same hopes.

That Freemasonry champions the cause of the widow, the fatherless,
the weak, and the distressed.

That the time-honoured virtues cherished by our forefathers are
still to be observed among Masons and that humility, patience,
charity and gentleness are among the hallmarks of purity and
integrity of character.

THE LODGE

The Lodge to which you have applied for admittance is one of the
working units which form the Grand Lodge of Scotland and also of
the Craft as a world-wide institution.

It dispenses charity, encourages and contributes, through its
members, to the moral and spiritual uplift of the community in
which it is located.  Thus your Lodge deserves your loyal
cooperation in all its activities.  There is always work for the
new member and his punctual and regular attendance at its meetings
is one of his first duties.  Through these means, as well as
through a study of Masonic literature, conversing with
well-informed Brethren, and otherwise, the young Mason obtains that
store of information which enables him to become an efficient and
useful member.


While each Lodge is, as has already been said, an integral part of
the Grand Lodge of Scotland, it is important to remember that it is
nevertheless a separate entity and has its own office-bearers and
Bye-Laws.  The presiding officer is addressed as the Right
Worshipful Master and he is assisted by Wardens, Deacons and
Stewards.  There is also a Secretary, a Treasurer, a Chaplain and
other Office-bearers.

In your masonic career you should take advantage of opportunities
for rendering such service as you can, though never in a forward,
aggressive or unseemly manner.  Visit other lodges whenever
possible, always being ready and prepared to prove your identity as
a Mason in whatever degree you may have reached. In these ways not
only will you enable Freemasonry to mean much to you but you will
broaden your masonic experience and fit yourself to make a real
contribution to the Craft, of which you should form a vital part.

THE GRAND LODGE OF SCOTLAND

The Grand Lodge of Scotland was formed in the year 1736 by some
thirty-three Lodges then working in Scotland.  Some of these
thirty-three Lodges were old at that time - at least three of them
were at work in 1598.  There are now over one thousand Lodges on
the Roll of the Grand Lodge of Scotland and nearly as many which
used to be under the Grand Lodge of Scotland now form part of other
Grand Lodges all over the world.

The Grand Lodge of Scotland is composed of the Grand Master Mason,
its Office-bearers and the Master and Wardens of every Lodge under
its authority.  It is the supreme masonic authority, legislative,
executive and judicial within Scotland and has exclusive
jurisdiction over the degrees of Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft
(including the Mark) and Master Mason.

The presiding Officer in our Grand Lodge is the Grand Master Mason. 
He is assisted by Grand Wardens and other Grand Office-bearers. 
Like every Lodge, Grand Lodge has its Committees and Benevolent
Funds.  The day-today administration of Grand Lodge is carried out
by the Grand Secretary and his staff.  The headquarters of Grand
Lodge are in Edinburgh, and four Meetings (called Quarterly
Communications) are held every year.  While only members of Grand
Lodge can speak or vote at a meeting, visitors are always welcome
and once you have been admitted to the degree of Master Mason you
will be free to attend Grand Lodge as a Visitor.

PROVINCIAL AND DISTRICT GRAND LODGES

Grand Lodge delegates certain powers to Provincial and District
Grand Lodges.  Fuller details will be found in the Grand Lodge Year
Book which you will receive on becoming a Master Mason.

CONCLUSION

As you progress in your Lodge you will find that there are many
more things for you to learn; these will all be explained to you at
the proper time.  In addition, there will be much knowledge for you
to acquire through your own efforts.  You will have abundant
opportunity to talk with well-informed Brethren, to read masonic
books and publications and to meditate upon the truths derived from
all these sources.  In the meantime, keep well in mind the contents
of this pamphlet and the solemn obligations and covenants into
which you will engage yourself.

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