Becoming a Mason

Have you ever thought about becoming a Mason?

Perhaps you’ve seen the Square and Compasses like the one above on a pin, tie tack, or bumper sticker. It is the universal symbol of Freemasonry known around the world.

Freemasonry is the world’s largest, oldest and best-known fraternity. It is based on the medieval stonemason guilds who built the great castles and cathedrals of Europe. The Freemasons among our founding fathers brought to their work the ancient landmarks of brotherly love, relief, and truth. They fashioned a constitution which, by the depth and strength of its conviction, embedded those principals in the conscience of a nation. While we, as a people, have not always lived up to them, neither have we been able to ignore them.

Modern Freemasons use the tools, traditions and terminology of those stonemasons as allegories for building temples in the hearts of men. It’s said that we are a secret society, and yet we prominently emblazon our buildings with our well known emblems, we offer support and relief to the community, to widows and crippled children, and to the speech and language impaired. We do indeed have secrets—secrets that each individual man has to discover for and about himself.

We count among our number kings and presidents, construction workers, generals, firemen and police officers, corporate CEO’s, office workers, opera stars, truck drivers, movie stars, and perhaps, your next door neighbor. Membership is for men, 18 years of age or older, who meet the qualifications and standards of character and reputation, who are of good moral character, and who believe in the existence of a supreme being. Freemasonry isn’t for everybody, but perhaps, it’s for you. Masonry is always ready to welcome good men into the Fraternity. It’s ready to welcome YOU, if in your heart you can answer “yes” to a few questions.

Do you believe in God?
No atheist can be a Mason. Masons do not care what your individual faith is, that’s between you and your God, but we do require that a man believe in a Supreme Being.

Are you willing to allow others the same right to their beliefs that you insist on yourself?
Masonry insists on toleration – or the right of each person to think for himself in religious, social and political matters.

Do you believe that there is such a thing as honor and that a man has a responsibility to act honorably in everything he does?
Masons teach this principle. We believe that a life not founded on honor is hollow and empty-that a man who acts without honor is less than a man.

Do you believe that you have a responsibility to leave the world a better place than you found it?
Masonry teaches that each man has a duty not only to himself but to others. We must do what we can to make the world a better place. Whether that means cleaning up the environment, working on civic projects, or helping children to walk or read or see – the world should be a better place because we passed through it.

Do you believe that it is more blessed to give than to receive?
Masons are involved with the problems and needs of others because we know it gives each of us a feeling – unlike any other – to help. Much of our help is given anonymously. We’re not after gratitude; we’re more than rewarded by that feeling that comes from knowing we have helped another person overcome adversity, so that their life can go on.

Do you believe that a person should strive to be a good citizen and that we have a duty to be true to the country in which we live?
Masons believe that a country is strong as long as freedom and equality are afforded to all. A Mason is true to his government and its ideals. He supports its laws and authority when both are just and equitably applied. We uphold and maintain the principles of good government, and oppose every influence that would divide it in a degrading manner.

Do you believe that men should strive to live a brotherly life?
Masons see brotherhood as a sort of bond that holds men together – a private friendship that tells us, that we owe it to each other to be just in our dealings, and to refuse to speak evil of each other. Every Mason makes it his duty to follow the golden rule. This is why Masonry has been called one of the greatest forces for good in the world.

If you answered “yes,” to the questions, then you should consider becoming a Mason.
Freemasonry offers much to its members – the opportunity to grow, the chance to make a difference, to build a better world for future generations of children. It offers a chance to be with and work with men who have the same values and ideals – men who have answered “YES” to these questions.

Find a Mason and ask him about Masonry and his Lodge. You may already know several Masons among family members, friends and co workers. If you still have questions about Masonry, we’d like the opportunity to talk with you. You may want to visit our Lodge before a scheduled meeting begins and get aquatinted with the members and officers of the Lodge.

Our Lodge building is located at 5500 Bethlehem Road (near the corner of Bethlehem & Dickens Roads, in Richmond’s West End). We meet on the first Thursday of each month at 7:15 PM for our monthly business meeting, and on most other Thursday evenings at 7 PM for a Masonic class and candidate instruction. Also, come to any of our fundraisers, public blood drives, or other open meetings to meet our Lodge members. Let them know of your interest, and ask any questions you may have about joining our fraternity.

Masons do not solicit for membership…all you have to do is ‘ask’.

Ask a Mason you know for a Petition for Membership, or get a Petition and a release form from the Secretary of the Lodge you wish to join, or you can download a petition for Tuckahoe Lodge, along with the required background check release form by clicking here.