OPENING THE DOOR TO FREEMASONRY
How the Masonic Lodge Strengthens The Family and the Community
WHEN YOU JOIN the Masonic Fraternity, you become part of the oldest and largest fraternal organization in the world. Today, there are more than 5,000,000 Masons in virtually every free country on earth. Yet, Freemasonry is deeply rooted in the local community. The Masonic Lodge in your area, like the more than eleven Lodges throughout Hawaii, is involved in a variety of programs that make for a better society. Freemasons actively support the concept of free public education and development and support programs to support the local schools. They sponsor activities that bring greater awareness of the Constitution and representative government to youngsters and adults alike. We get involved in other community projects like the Special Olympics and Child Identification programs, and are continually finding new ways to strengthen our community. Freemasonry nurtures the family unit, through affiliated organizations such as Eastern Star for the ladies, Rainbow for Girls and DeMolay for boys. There is an appeal in Freemasonry for all family members.
A MASON IS BOUND by oath to build his character as carefully as ancient stonemasons built the great cathedrals of Europe. But quality of character is not enough. Masons also believe in practicing their beliefs through helping the less fortunate in our society. There are approximately 2,000 Masons in Hawaii and throughout the other forty-nine states who have made possible the expenditure of $1.5 million each day to support and maintain a variety of philanthropic activities. Freemasons finance medical research in childhood language disorders and in diseases of the eye. They provide college scholarships for needy and worthy students. Twenty-three hospitals are operated throughout the country by Shrine Masons for crippled and burned children. And Masons maintain a unique care system for aged masons their widows, and children. When you join your local Masonic Lodge, you become part of an organization that cares for other people from all walks of life.
FREEMASONRY was established in England in 1717. Since then its lodges have spread to the free countries throughout the world. Members of the Fraternity like Simon Bolivar, Voltaire and Garibaldi helped champion the cause of freedom, peace and independence in Europe and South America. In the 20th Century American astronauts, who were Masons, pushed out to the frontier of space. When Freemasonry reached the shores of the New World in the early 18th Century, Masonic Lodges produced leaders who would make a lasting impact upon our emerging nation. Of the thirty-nine men who in Philadelphia in 1787 affixed their signatures to the United States Constitution, Thirteen were Masons. George Washington and Benjamin Franklin were members of Masonic Lodges, as were thirteen of the American Presidents who would follow, including Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Harry S. Truman and Gerald R. Ford. Members of the Fraternity have made valuable contributions to our society, from government, business, and space exploration, to the arts, sports, and entertainment.
THE SQUARE AND COMPASS is the best-known symbol of Freemasonry. It represents one of the great and lasting values of Masonic membership. It is a reminder to each member to live by high moral standards by: Maintaining honesty in business, Fairness in work, Courtesy and deference to neighbors, compassion for the less fortunate, and Love for our fellow man and our Country. Life-long friendships are marks of Masonic membership. As you travel throughout the United States and to countries around the world you will find yourself as much at home in that faraway Masonic Lodge room as you do with your own Lodge.
Perhaps you have asked yourself if you are ready to join the gentle craft of Freemasonry. Perhaps you haven't, but would like to see what is needed of you in order to join. Although it is a privilege to be a member of the fraternity, a lot of people find it surprising that one of the most important things you have to do in order to join Freemasonry is ASK A MASON.
"2B1 ASK1"
To be one of us, you have to ask one of us. Why ? Because you have to join on your own free will and accord. No one from a lodge can legally ask you to join. It has to be your own decision, Your own desire, Your own action. If you know someone who is a Mason, he will gladly get you a petition to join a lodge. If you don't know one, then it would be best to check out a lodge nearest you. Someone will gladly give you the information you need.
Aside from asking a Mason, you will also have to fulfill the following requirements:
You have to be a man of lawful age (18 years old)
You must profess a belief in a Supreme Being
If you meet all the requirements, and are ready to join, please download the following application and present it to a member of the Pearl Harbor Lodge F&AM. The document will open in a new browser window, print the application and fill it out.
Application for Degrees MS Word document
For more information please contact our Secretary