Are you thinking of becoming a Freemason?

Did you know - you don’t have to wait to be asked!!! Read on if you think Freemasonry might be of interest to you. Perhaps the charitable work interests you - or maybe someone in your family is or was a member - or something in the history or worldwide spread of the Craft has caught your imagination. Whatever the reason, the United Grand Lodge of England has produced a booklet to assist those thinking about becoming a Freemason.

How do I Join?

Joining Freemasonry is, quite deliberately, not to be done in haste. Before anyone is accepted, the Lodge will want to be sure that he (and his family) understand what is involved in joining the Craft, and that the candidate’s character, background and motives are worthy. After a man has expressed interest in joining it is usual for at least one interview to be held at which he (and his wife) will meet with members of the Lodge. Many lodges invite prospective Candidates and their partners to social events where they can get to know the members in an informal setting.

Before any man can be admitted to Freemasonry two members of the Lodge must vouch for his character before the rest of the Brethren; also that they have known him for a certain period of time. These are known as his Proposer and Seconder, and continue to have a duty of care for their candidate after he has become a member.

Freemasonry makes few demands upon its new members beyond certain traditional requirements. A candidate must believe in a Supreme Being (although which God he worships is not an issue, and Lodge meetings are not religious ceremonies; neither is the discussion of religion allowed in Masonry). He must be a ‘free man’ and usually at least 18 years of age). At every step in Masonry he will be asked to confirm that he is acting of his own free will and accord. He must be prepared to take a series of solemn oaths concerning his conduct in Lodge and in society. He will promise to keep certain traditional elements of the ceremonies confidential. The candidate also undertakes that he will not make use of his membership for his own personal gain or advancement, and that he will abide by the law of the land.

Most Lodges meet on one evening a month for between four and eight months of the year. Regular attendance is encouraged, and as a Mason begins to gain experience he will be invited to attend a Lodge of Instruction, usually held on a separate evening. Lodge fees vary, but usually consist of an annual subscription (about £120 a year), a voluntary charity donation (usually starting from £50 a year) and a dining fee (about £17 per meal) for the majority of members who attend both parts of the meeting.

How old do you have to be? Twenty-one is the traditional age for membership (with certain well-established exceptions), but that is soon to fall to 18. Shropshire has one lodge (The Iron Bridge Lodge 9897) which meets in Telford, and is part of the nationwide “Universities Scheme”, with meetings tailored to the needs of the younger Mason.

What is the relevance of Freemasonry to the young man? Watch this video from a Staffordshire Mason:

In return for all the above, the newly-made Mason will enjoy the fellowship of his Lodge, which is just a small part of a world-wide Brotherhood. He will meet with like-minded friends, maintain the centuries-old traditions of Freemasonry, help to raise money for charity (and in times of need may benefit from it likewise) and (as most Masons discover) learn a great deal about himself as well!

If you are still interested in joining, approach any Mason that you know, who will be glad to help. A personal contact such as this is ideal, but if you live in or near Shropshire and do not know of anyone in the Craft who lives or works nearby, contact Ian Edgington the Provincial Grand Secretary (pictured below, right), who will do his best to assist you. Hopefully before long you may be welcomed among the more than 1,100 Masons we now have in the Province!