THE BUILDER APRIL 1915

'WORTHY AND WELL QUALIFIED"

ARCANA Lodge No. 87, of Seattle, Washington, has a custom well
worth considering by the Craft at large, its intent being to
discover, so far as possible, the internal qualifications of
candidates for the Degrees. Also, it serves to induce in the mind
of an applicant a sense of the seriousness of the step he is about
to take, and to obliterate every vestige of the absurd idea that
Masonry is a "goat-riding fraternity." After a man has petitioned
for the Degrees of the Lodge, the secretary sends him the
Preliminary statement reproduced below for his consideration. His
first knowledge of its existence is when he receives it in the
mail, and naturally it arouses some thought. If he applies, as
occasionally one does, for assistance in formulating his reply, he
is told that none can be given; that it is for him to study and
make his own reply, whatever that may be. After the reply is
received, the petition is presented to the Lodge and follows the
usual course. In no case is the Statement sent to any man prior to
his petitioning the Lodge, as that would be regarded as an improper
use of it. The statement here follows:

PRELIMINARY STATEMENT.

You have expressed a wish to become a Freemason. Before going
further we deem it essential to meet you with candor and
courteously request your careful consideration of this Preliminary
statement and certain questions concerning yourself.

Masonry is a universal system of morality to which all good men may
subscribe. Its teachings are based upon belief in the existence of
God, the immortality of the soul and the brotherhood of man. While
acknowledging with deep reverence the eternal and all-powerful
Creator, it places no restrictions upon a man's religious or
political opinions, striving to unite all men as brothers and to
free them from darkness and error. Indeed, its moral and
philosophic instructions are drawn from Truth itself and harmonize
with the highest and best that are to be found in every religion
which makes for the enlightenment of mankind.

The realization of your desire to become a part of this Fraternity
will depend upon the judgment of the members as to whether you are
suitable material for the Order and whether the Order is suitable
for you. It will, therefore, be their duty-- in case your petition
is presented to the Lodge--to institute diligent inquiries about
you; after which a vote by ballot will be taken, wherein a single
negative will preclude your admission. Examine yourself, therefore,
and see whether you can answer the expectations of the Order; and
above all, endeavor to settle clearly and honestly in your own mind
the motives which lead you to seek our society. The following will
serve to facilitate this self-examination and to guard both you and
ourselves against mistakes:

1. Do you expect by becoming a member to obtain any outward
advantage relative to your position as a citizen and as an
individual? If so, you will be disappointed.

2. Would your present convictions prevent you from disregarding
distinctions which society has made between individuals, as to
their station, wealth, religious opinions, politics, etc. ? If so,
relinquish the idea of becoming a Freemason, as no notice is taken
of those discriminations in our meetings.

3. If, however, you believe that we advocate a civil relation that
is chimerical or a liberty and equality neither good nor practical,
then you should reconsider your resolution to join us because with
such views you would not suit our Order.

4. Curiosity, ambition for honors, and desire to enlarge the circle
of your social acquaintance, are not suitable motives for seeking
admission into Freemasonry.

5. To those who voluntary knock at its doors and whose character,
motives and daily lives are in harmony with its high ideals, the
Temples of the Order are open. To preserve and perpetuate its
teachings, every initiate is required to make vows of the most
inviolable secrecy as to its rites and ceremonies. These
obligations in no wise conflict with the duties he owes to God,
humanity, the country of which he is a citizen, the community in
which he lives, or himself.

6. Since the Masonic Order, as has already been said, consists of
men of all classes and circumstances, you might perhaps find
someone among us with whom you have been or are at variance.
Therefore, determine to your own satisfaction, whether you will be
strong and charitable enough to acknowledge such a man as your
brother.

7. Our membership is attended with some necessary expense, which we
require to be promptly and punctually paid, that our good works may
not suffer for want thereof. The amount you can readily ascertain
(by reference to our By-Laws), and you will give this due
attention.

We trust you will consider these statements in the same spirit of
honesty and friendship in which they have been presented. It is of
the utmost importance to you as well as to the Fraternity that the
motives and ideals governing your daily life be in substantial
accord therewith. A frank and voluntary expression of your views,
together with any explanations you may wish to make regarding these
or other matters, is desired and will receive careful, sincere and
conscientious attention.

Kindly return this paper with your communication to the Secretary
of the Lodge on or before..........................

After the petitioner has been elected, the secretary of the Lodge
sends him notice to that effect, in the following letter, which
gives him something further to think about while waiting
Initiation.

It affords me pleasure to inform you that you have been duly
elected to receive the degrees of Masonry and become a member of
this Lodge by Initiation, in accordance with your petition. As soon
as the exact date has been set for conferring the first, or Entered
Apprentice Degree, you will be informed. Meanwhile, you may reflect
with much profit upon the step you are about to take, and the
motives which prompt you to seek admission into an institution
inspired by the pure principles of Truth and Benevolence, the
ceremonies and allegories of which are intended as useful Moral
lessons, illustrative of Light and Truth to the mind of him who
seeks to enter--lessons to be cherished among life's fondest
memories.

