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WHY YOUR FRIEND
ASKED YOU TO READ THIS WEB PAGE
Your friend is a proud
member of Freemasonry and the fine character of it's
Members. He believes that you have the qualities for
Membership and that you deserve the opportunity to
know more about it.
This web page will explain what Freemasonry is, who
Freemasons are, what they believe in and what they do.
It is important for you to know
that those who desire Membership must seek it on
their own. Unfortunately, without this
understanding, many qualified men have not enjoyed the
special rewards of Membership and fellowship in
Freemasonry.
If, after reading this web page, you have any
questions or desire to know more about Freemasonry,
your friend will be pleased to answer your questions
or to obtain the answers for you.
Whether or not you decide to seek Membership in
freemasonry, you can be certain that you have a
special friend within the Masonic Fraternity who
thinks very highly of you. Please consider it the
highest compliment that he has shared this information
with you. It is a message of kindness,,,from
FRIEND TO FRIEND!


Freemasonry is the world's oldest and largest
Fraternity. Its history and tradition date to
antiquity. Its singular purpose is to make good men
better. Its bonds of friendship, compassion, and
brotherly love have survived even the most divisive
political, military and religious conflicts through
the centuries. Freemasonry is neither a forum nor a
place for worship. Instead, it is a friend of all
religions which are based on the belief in one God.

Many of our nation's early patriots were
Freemasons, as well as thirteen signers of the
Constitution and fourteen Presidents of The United
States, beginning with George Washington.
Today, the more than four million Freemasons
around the world come from virtually every
occupation and profession. Within the Fraternity
however, they all meet as equals. They come from
diverse political ideologies, but they meet as
friends. They come from virtually every religious
belief, but they all believe in one God.
One of the most fascinating aspects of
Freemasonry has always been: how so many men, from
so many walks of life, can meet together in peace,
never have any political or religious debates,
always conduct their affairs in harmony and
friendship, and call each other "Brother!"
All Freemasons believe in one God and in respect
for each other.
Freemasons are respectable citizens who are
taught to conform to the moral laws of society and
to abide by the laws of the government under which
they live. They are men of charity and good works.
They remain unchallenged as "the world's greatest
philanthropy!"
The Freemasons of America contribute more than
one million dollars every day to charitable causes
which they, alone, have established. These services
to mankind represent an unparalleled example of the
humanitarian commitment and concern of this unique
and honorable Fraternity.
Freemasonry is proud of its philosophy and
practice of "making good men better." Only
individuals believed to be of the finest character
are favorably considered for Membership. Every
applicant must advocate his belief in the existence
of a Supreme Being (atheists are not accepted into
the Fraternity.)

Anyone seeking Membership in Freemasonry
must ask a Masonic friend to recommend him.
He must sign a Petition, stating his age,
occupation and place of residence. Members of
the Lodge vote by secret ballot. To be accepted,
the ballot must be unanimous.
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The Masonic Lodge meets one evening per month to
conduct its regular business and vote upon Petitions
for Membership. It is here where the bonds of
friendship and fellowship are strengthened.
The Candidate attends three meetings (one per
month) to receive the three Masonic Degrees,
concluding with the Third (or Master Mason's)
Degree. The Degrees are solemn, enlightening, and an
enjoyable experience with no uncomfortable or
embarrassing moment s. It is here where the
principles of Freemasonry are taught and where the
new Member learns that his family and his own
necessary vocations are to be considered above
Freemasonry.
Every Master Mason is welcomed as a "Brother" in
any of the thousands of Regular Masonic Lodges
throughout the world.

The graphic above depicts King
Solomon and some of the most famous Freemasons of all
time: President and Brother George Washington, Brother
Benjamin Franklin, Confederate General and Brother
Lewis A. Armistead being aided by Union Captain and
Brother Henry H. Bingham (as depicted by the Friend to
Friend Masonic Memorial at Gettysburg), President and
Brother Harry S. Truman, U.S. General and Brother
Douglas MacArthur, and U.S. Lunar Astronaut and
Brother Edwin E. (Buzz) Aldrin.
©Copyright 1994 Right Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free
and Accepted Masons of Pennsylvania, Masonic Temple,
One North Broad Street Philadelphia, PA 19107-2598

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