Chapter 3 · Study

Craft Membership

Print study sheet Read first, then practise.

Vocabulary · 10

Petition: The written application by which a man requests the privileges of Masonry. It states his name, age, place of residence, and occupation, and affirms his belief in a Supreme Being and his desire of his own free will and accord.
Of his own free will and accord: The published affirmation that no candidate may be solicited or pressured. The decision to petition must be the candidate's own, made without inducement.
Recommenders: The Master Masons in good standing who sign the candidate's petition, vouching for his character. The number required is set by the Grand Lodge's published Code.
Investigation Committee: A committee of Master Masons appointed by the Master to interview the candidate, verify the statements in his petition, and report to the Lodge.
Qualifications: The published requirements of a candidate for Masonry: of mature age, of good repute, of sound mind, free, and a believer in a Supreme Being.
Mature age: A candidate must have reached the age set by his Grand Lodge, historically twenty-one years, though some jurisdictions accept eighteen with additional requirements. The Grand Lodge of New Mexico publishes its current minimum in its Code.
Ballot: The vote by which the Lodge decides whether to admit a candidate. The instrument is a ballot box with white and black balls; the result must be unanimously favorable.
White ball: A white ball cast in the ballot signifies a favorable vote: the brother is willing to receive the candidate.
Black ball / black cube: A black ball (in some jurisdictions, a black cube) cast in the ballot signifies an unfavorable vote: the brother objects. Even a single black ball is decisive against the candidate.
Unanimous favorable result: The published rule that a Lodge ballot must be unanimously favorable for a candidate to be elected. The rule preserves harmony, the central concern of a Masonic Lodge.

Sequences · 1

From petition to election

The published sequence of steps between a candidate's first written application and his election to receive the degrees.

Candidate signs the petition of his own free will and accord
Two Master Masons in good standing recommend the petition
Petition is read in open Lodge at a stated communication
Master appoints an Investigation Committee
Committee interviews the candidate and reports back
Lodge ballots: unanimous favorable result is required
Candidate is notified and degrees are conferred

Practice questions · 7

Which of the following is NOT among the published qualifications of a candidate?
- a. Of mature age
- b. Of good repute
- c. Of substantial financial means ✓
- d. Of belief in a Supreme Being
What does the phrase "of his own free will and accord" preserve?
- a. The candidate's right to withdraw any time after initiation
- b. The Lodge's right to refuse any candidate without reason
- c. The principle that a candidate may not be solicited or pressured ✓
- d. The Grand Lodge's authority to set fees
What color ball signifies a favorable vote in the ballot?
- a. Black
- b. White ✓
- c. Red
- d. Green
How many unfavorable votes are needed to reject a candidate?
- a. A simple majority
- b. Two-thirds
- c. Three
- d. Even a single black ball is decisive ✓
Who sits on an Investigation Committee?
- a. Master Masons of the candidate's Lodge, appointed by the Master ✓
- b. Officers of the Grand Lodge
- c. A representative of each appendant body
- d. The candidate's recommenders only
What does the published phrase "of mature age" require?
- a. That the candidate is over fifty years old
- b. That the candidate has reached the age set by his Grand Lodge ✓
- c. That the candidate is at least a college graduate
- d. That the candidate has been employed for ten years
What is the central concern that the unanimous-ballot rule is designed to preserve?
- a. The financial solvency of the Lodge
- b. The harmony of the Lodge ✓
- c. The Grand Master's prerogative
- d. The size of the membership