What is Freemasonry?

Freemasonry is an advance toward the Light: a constant endeavor to take the Divine that is in a man, the Spiritual portion of his compound nature, his Reason and his Moral Sense, and elevate it above, and make it dominant over, and master of, the human, earthly, and material portion of his nature, his passions, and his sensual appetites. In so doing, Freemasonry takes good men and makes them better.

How do you become a Freemason?

The following requirements and guidelines are adapted from the Grand Lodge of South Carolina web site and are applicable only to membership in Lodges operating under its authority.

General Requirements

1. You must believe in a Supreme Being.
2. You must be male.
3. You must be 18 years of age, or older.
4. You must have resided in the State of South Carolina for twelve consecutive months prior to petitioning for membership.
5. You must be able to read and write English.
6. You must be recommended by two Masons.
   

Investigation and Balloting

1. You must apply by petition at a regularly scheduled business meeting of the Lodge you wish to join.
2. Your petition must be in your own handwriting.
3. Your petition must be accompanied by the specified fee.  Fees are set by the individual Lodges and approved by the Grand Master.
4. Once your petition is submitted, the Lodge will assign a committee of three to inquire into your qualifications and make a report at the next scheduled business meeting.
5. If the committee report is favorable, a vote of the Lodge members present at a business meeting is taken.
6. If the vote is unanimous, you are invited to take the First Degree of the three Degrees of Ancient Free Masonry.
   

Process

After your petition receives a favorable vote, the process of becoming a member of a Lodge of Ancient Free Masons consists of three Degrees: the Entered Apprentice Degree, Fellowcraft Degree, and Master Mason Degree.  Each of these Degrees represents the three stages of a man's life as well as the stages an operative Mason would go through in his life of learning his craft.

During the course of taking the Degrees, all candidates are required to commit certain parts of our teachings to memory.  A "coach" is assigned to teach the candidate.  After the candidate has demonstrated that he has memorized the required material, the Lodge membership votes again. If the ballot is unanimous, the candidate is invited to take the next degree.

General Requirements and Investigation and Balloting information can be found in Section 99 Code of the Grand Lodge and  Articles 130-131 of the Constitution of the Grand Lodge.

If you have questions about membership and becoming a Mason, please contact us at info@Spartan70AFM.org.