How does a man become a Mason: Some men are surprised that no one has ever asked them to become a Mason. They may even feel that the Masons in their town do not think they are "good enough" to join. But it does not work that way. For hundreds of years, Masons have been forbidden to ask others to join the fraternity. We can talk to friends about Masonry. We can tell them about what Masonry does. We can tell them why we enjoy it. But we can not ask, much less pressure, anyone to join. There is a good reason for that. It is not that we are trying to be exclusive, but becoming a Mason is a very serious thing. Joining Masonry is making a permanent life commitment to live in certain ways. We have listed most of them above -- to live with honor and integrity, to be willing to share with and care about others, to trust each other, and to place ultimate trust in God. No one should be "talked into" making such a decision. So, when a man decides he wants to be a Mason, he asks a Mason for a petition or application. He fills it out and gives it to the Mason, and that Mason takes it to the local lodge. The Master of the lodge will appoint a committee to visit with the man and his family, find out a little about him and why he wants to be a Mason, tell him and his family about Masonry, and answer their questions. The committee reports to the lodge, and the lodge votes on the petition. If the vote is affirmative -- and it usually is -- the lodge will contact the man to set the date for the Entered Apprentice Degree. When the person has completed all three degrees, he is a Master Mason and a full member of the fraternity.

If you are interested in becoming a Mason email Washington Lodge No.1 Secretary, Washington1afam@aol.com. Please provide your name, address, phone number and email address. The Lodge Secretary will be in touch with you within 48 hours of receiving your email.  

"When is a Man a Mason"

M -When he can look out over the rivers, the hills, and the far horizon with a profound sense of his own littleness in the vast scheme of things, and yet have faith, hope and courage--which is the root of every virtue.
A -When he knows tat down in his heart every man is as noble as himself, and seeks to know, to forgive, and to love his fellowmen.
S -When he knows how to sympathize with men in their sorrows, yea, even in their sins--knowing that each man fights a hard fight against many odds.
T -When he has learned how to make friends and to keep them, and above all how to keep friends with himself.
E -When he loves flowers, can hunt the birds without a gun, and feels the thrill of an old forgotten joy when he hears the laugh of a little child.
R -When he can be happy and high minded amid the meaner drudgeries of life.
: When star-crowned trees, and the glint of sunlight on flowing waters, subdue him like the thought of one much loved and long dead.

M -When no voice of distress reaches his ears in vain, and no hand seeks his aid without response.
A -When he finds good in every faith that helps any man to lay hold of divine things and sees majestic meanings in life, whatever the name of that faith may be.
S -When he can look into a wayside puddle and see something beyond sin.
O -When he knows how to pray how to love how to hope.
N -When he has kept faith with himself, with his fellowman, with his God; in his hand a sword for evil, in his heart a bit of song--glad to live, but not afraid to die! Such a man has found the only real secret of Masonry, and the one which it is trying to give all the world."
----Joseph Fort Newton----