MassPreApplication

PRE-APPLICATION STATEMENT

To be filed with the Pre-Application Committee before an application is issued.

To Applicant for Membership.

As the nature of Freemasonry is very little known to you, it is deemed advisable that before you present a formal petition with your signature you should be informed of certain features and phases of the institution which may affect your decision as to seeking membership therein.

1. Freemasonry has always required that men should come to its doors entirely of their own free will and accord; not as a result of importunity or idle curiosity, but from a favorable opinion of the Fraternity, a desire for knowledge, and a sincere wish to be serviceable to one's fellows.
2. Freemasonry is a fellowship of friends and Brothers who meet together for fraternal intercourse and association. This fellowship is founded upon a system of morality based on a belief in the existence of God. No atheist can be made a Mason. It teaches the Brotherhood of Man and the Immortality of the Soul. It constantly holds before man the duty he owes to God, his country, his neighbor, and himself. It interferes with neither religion nor politics, but endeavors always to bring out man's highest and noblest qualities. The aim of the true Mason is to promote a brotherly feeling among men and to help the distressed and afflicted to the best of his ability.
3. The purpose of Freemasonry is moral and spiritual improvement, not the gaining of any material advantage. It should be deeply understood and borne in mind that Freemasonry is not to be entered in the hope of material gain or advancement. Admission must not be sought for mercenary or selfish motives. Anyone so actuated will be disappointed.
4. It cannot be too strongly emphasized that Freemasonry is not a benefit society. Membership will not confer upon you any right to sick benefits, death benefits, burial expenses, the education of your children, or the support of your dependents. Failure to understand this has sometimes caused families to hold false impressions which have led to disappointment, misunderstanding, and embarrassment. The practice of charity is, however, a fundamental virtue taught in Freemasonry. It must, nevertheless, be limited in its extent by the means available. It is obvious that the membership must carry the burden of the cost of Lodge operations and functions. An applicant must, therefore, be in position to meet his obligations for the degree fees without material handicap or detriment to his family or dependents.
5. Loyalty to one's country is an essential qualification in Freemasonry, and only those are acceptable who cheerfully conform to every lawful authority. Disloyalty in any form is abhorrent to the teaching of Freemasonry.
6. The aims of Freemasonry are noble and unselfish. It deserves and expects your sincere attachment and your faithful service. It will make certain demands upon your time and energies. We ask you to consider that it will be a duty and privilege to attend our meetings and to contribute your share to any of our useful undertakings. If admitted, you will be required to obligate yourself to secrecy in purely Masonic matters, such as the ritual, means of recognition, names of candidates, results of balloting and the like.

If after serious consideration of the foregoing you feel sincerely disposed to seek to enter our portals, you may register your intentions by a formal petition, a blank form for which will be presented to you when you have signed this statement.

I have read, understood and accept the foregoing.

Signature of candidate below