The Petition For Membership

SYMBOLICAL MASONRY – THE PETITION FOR MEMBERSHIP
H. L. Haywood

The first step toward seeking admission into the membership of a Masonic lodge is to file with the Worshipful Master of the lodge nearest one’s residence a petition, which is a printed form fundamentally the same in all jurisdictions; this form sets forth the petitioner’s answers to the usual constitutional questions and solemnly asserts that he has not been “improperly solicited,” but that he has sought the portals of the Fraternity of his own free will and accord. Before this petition can be presented to the lodge, which is usually done at the next regular monthly communication, or business meeting, it must bear the signatures of at least two Masons by way of recommendation; and then, after an interval, usually of one month, is put to the ballot. If the prayer for membership is then granted the petitioner is instructed to present himself for initiation: if the prayer is denied the fee, which has accompanied the petition, is returned, and the petitioner is notified of his rejection. In a majority of American jurisdictions (by “jurisdiction” is meant the territory over which a Grand Lodge holds sway: in the United States it is almost always coincident with the political boundaries of a state) the man is permitted to enter another petition after a certain fixed interval, after which second application the procedure is substantially the same as outlined above. Read more

THE BALLOT

THE BALLOT
By H. L. Haywood 

Freemasonry is a social and moral institution that undertakes to build a symbolic Temple of which its members are the living stones; inasmuch as the stability of the structure depends upon the materials of which it is composed it is obvious that the Craft must exercise every precaution lest unfit men weaken its walls. To guard against this it makes use of the secret ballot as an instrument of selection. Because of this most important use the ballot-box may well be described, as one writer has phrased it, “a bulwark of the Order. It is no exaggeration to say that ninety per cent of the trouble and lack of harmony in our lodges arises from the improper use of the ballot.” I believe that this statement is an exaggeration, for I have observed that many troubles have their origin elsewhere, but for all that there is much sense in it. The ballot is to the Order what the sentinel is to an army, what the tyler is to a lodge. Read more

Canton Viaduct Masonic Memorial and Milestone

Background:
The Canton Viaduct is the longest and oldest stone viaduct in the Western Hemisphere. The foundation stone was laid in 1834, and it was completed in 1835 by operative stone masons, many of whom were also Freemasons from area towns and Lodges. To commemorate the viaduct’s 175th anniversary and the Freemasons who were involved in the construction of this historic structure, it is being proposed that a granite stone obelisk be erected in or near the Canton Viaduct Park next to the waterfall on the west side of the structure near the Neponset Street opening. It is very likely that many of the Towns in the area had Freemasons from various Lodges that existed at the time who worked on the viaduct. This summer or fall, a multitown celebration commemorating the 175th anniversary of this National Historic Monument is expected to be held in Canton at the site of the structure. It is anticipated that numerous dignitaries will be there (It would be nice to get Officers from all the Lodges in the area there as well as other Grand Lodge dignitaries at this event as well) Read more

The Secrets of Masonic Washington by James Wasserman

The book provides a well researched walking tour of the Masonic sites and symbols of the city and explores the critical role of Freemasonry in the founding of the United States.

Crown of Serpents – A Mystery Thriller by Michael Karpovage

A novel based on well researched historical facts. The intricate plot cover Indian sovereignty in New York State, the famed Seneca Army Depot and white deer herd, military history of the 1779 Sullivan Campaign, and a true Masonic battlefield incident outside of Genesee.

Exceptional discovery: a lost copy of the Francken Manuscript found in Lahore

PS Review of Freemasonry has found a lost copy of the Francken Manuscript in Lahore, Pakistan. The manuscript is autographed. This is the major masonic discovery of the 21th century. View video, imagines and read more.

The Formula – A Masonic Thriller by Bert Bijl

Three men all of them Freemasons, fighters in the Second World war in opposing fronts but members of a Dutch, a German and an English lodge are the holders of an "highly explosive" secret, and an unknown man is found dead in a Masonic Hall...

Freemasonry in UK – Judges will no longer have to declare whether they are Freemasons

Judges will no longer have to declare whether they are Freemasons when they take office, Jack Straw, UK Justice Secretary, said yesterday. Read the ministerial statement.

Uomini e logge nella Torino capitale

Dalla fondazione della loggia Ausonia alla rinascita del Grande Oriente Italiano (1859-1862) di Marco Novarino e Giuseppe Vatri

CIEM – Papeles de Masoneria Vol. 3 – 2009

Publicacion del Centro Iberico de Estudios Masonicos, Madrid. Volumen dedicado al tema del exilio masonico.

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