I am the past, present and future - I belong to all ages.

I circle the globe and I stand at the crossroads of the world.

I am steeped in tradition and I tread the pages of history.

I have rites and words that have beauty, sympathy and rhythm.

I have knowledge, wisdom and secrets locked in my bosom, which I give to men who come desiring me in their hearts.

I place upon my pedestal holy writ and I turn to God in prayer.

I speculate with all the tools of operative masonry and I translate their use into moral and spiritual building.

I await free men of mature age, sound judgment and strict morals, and of good report - but I solicit none.

I admit them of their own free will and accord and teach them brotherhood and charity.

I travel the roads of peace and harmony and I walk in the ways of charity.

I render aid to the poor, the sick and the distressed.

I answer the cry of the orphan and sustain the widow and the aged.

I am a way of life which teaches immortality.

I lead men from darkness to light.

… I AM FREE MASONRY

I was born in antiquity, in the ancient days when men first dreamed of God. I have been tried through the ages and found true. The crossroads of the world bear the imprint of my feet, and the cathedrals of all nations mark the skill of my hands. I strive for beauty and symmetry.

Freemasonry refers to the principles, institutions, and practices of the fraternal order of the free and accepted masons.

The largest worldwide society, freemasonry is an organization of men based on the fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man, using builders’ tools as symbols to teach basic moral truths generally accepted by persons of good will. It is religious in that a belief in God is the prime requirement for membership, but it is nonsectarian in that no religious test is used.

The purpose of freemasonry is to enable men to meet in harmony, to promote friendship and to be charitable. Its basic ideals are that all persons are children of one God, that all persons are related to each other, and that the best way to worship God is to be of service to people. Freemasons hold that the organization is religious but not a religion, and that is not a secret organization since it works openly in the community. Freemasonry has always been suppressed in totalitarian states.

Among millions of Masons, not one was lawfully invited to apply for membership. Our code of conduct prevents it. Thus, no faithful Mason can invite you. A Mason can obtain a Petition for the Degrees of Masonry for you, but you must ask for it and for good reason.

You must first ask yourself if you’re suitably prepared to enter the “gentle craft of Masonry” . . . to become a brother in the world’s most exclusive fraternal order.

Few men are intellectually or spiritually prepared to understand or appreciate even the more apparent meanings of Masonry.

Do you reflect on the nature of man’s existence and your obligations to God, your family, and yourself? If such ethical and moral questions hold little interest for you, then you will gain little benefit from the teachings of the Craft. But if you seek a more meaningful quality of life - and the spirit of charity and good fellowship, which flow,  from it then Freemasonry has much to offer.

We want you to know what we believe, how we act, and what we do… then, should you become a Mason, to be proud to be our Brother and to participate in our work. Only those who desire membership because of their favorable impression of us should seek a petition.

That’s why you  must “ask yourself.”