FREEMASONRY
MASONIC PRINCIPLES
"Freemasonry is a charitable, benevolent, educational and religious society. Its principles are proclaimed as widely as men will hear. Its only secrets are in its methods of recognition and of symbolic instruction.
It is charitable in that it is not organized for profit and none of its income insures to the benefit of any individual, but all is devoted to the promotion of the welfare and happiness of mankind.
It is benevolent in that it teaches and exemplifies altruism as a duty.
It is educational in that it teaches by prescribed ceremonies a system of morality and brotherhood based upon the Sacred Law.
It is religious in that it teaches monotheism; the Volume of the Sacred Law is open upon its altars whenever a Lodge is in session; reverence for God is ever present in its ceremonial, and to its brethren are constantly addressed lessons of morality; yet it is not sectarian or theological.
It is a social organization only so far as it furnishes additional inducement that men may foregather in numbers, thereby providing more material for its primary work of education, of worship and of charity.
Through the improvement and strengthening of the character of the individual man, Freemasonry seeks to improve the community. Thus it impresses upon its members the principles of personal righteousness and personal responsibility, enlightens them as to those things which make for human welfare, and inspires them with the feeling of charity or good will toward all mankind which will move them to translate principle and conviction into action.
To that end it teaches and stands for the worship of God; truth and justice; fraternity and philanthropy; enlightenment and orderly liberty, civil, religious and intellectual. It charges each of its members to be true and loyal to the government of the country to which we owe allegiance and to be obedient to the law of any in which we may be.
Believing these things, this Lodge affirms its continued adherence to that ancient and approved rule of Freemasonry which forbids the discussion in Masonic meetings of creeds, politics or other topics likely to excite personal animosities.
The true Freemason will act in civil life according to his individual judgement and the dictates of his conscience."
You may visit The Grand Lodge of Georgia F&AM website for learn more information about Freemasonry and our history.
BECOME A MASON
Joining the fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons requires that a man, of his own free will, petition Pace Lodge #558 for the Degrees in Masonry. No Georgia Mason should ever ask you to join our fraternity.
Below are the general steps that a man seeking membership in Freemasonry may consider.
ASK FOR INFORMATION
If you know a Mason, ask him about the fraternity. Don’t be shy, we love talking to those interested in Masonry. If you don’t know a Mason, you can use the Lodge Directory to find a lodge near you and contact them.
VISIT THE LODGE
Try to find out if there is a good time for you to visit the lodge. Take this as an opportunity to meet some of the members and ask questions. Don’t be intimidated, we will be happy to see you. Guests are always welcome to dinner before our regular stated meetings on the 1st & 3rd Tuesdays of each month. Dinner time is promptly at 6:30pm.
REQUEST A PETITION
Request a petition from a member of our lodge. Your petition will require the signature of several Masons. If you don’t know any Masons, ask any member of Pace Lodge #558 for advice. Ask if there are any fees that need to accompany the petition.
SUBMIT YOUR PETITION
Turn in your completed petition to the lodge. Your petition will be received by the lodge and will be read during a stated meeting.
Now that the lodge has your petition, these are the actions you can expect the lodge to take:
THE INVESTIGATION
The Master of the lodge will assign three members of the lodge to interview you and investigate your background. The investigators may want to meet with you at home. There is a standard set of questions that all investigators must ask, but many will ask additional questions. Be honest with the investigators. No Mason is perfect, and we don’t expect petitioners to be perfect, either.
THE BALLOT
Your investigators will be given a deadline by which to return their completed investigation reports to the lodge. Their reports along with their recommendation will be read to the lodge at a stated meeting. At this time, the Master of the lodge will usually call for a ballot to be taken on your petition. Eligible Masons will then vote on your petition and the outcome of the ballot will be announced to the lodge.
AFTER THE BALLOT
Soon after the stated meeting, a member from the lodge should contact you with the outcome of the ballot and provide you with additional instructions.