Lodge Home Page What is Masonry? Line Officers Past Masters Trestle Board / Blog Hall Rental Contact Us     WORSHIPFUL MASTER Michael J. Riley	Text Size:  - Smaller Font -  |  Normal  |  + Larger Font + What is Masonry? Seek and you will find. Ask and it will be given unto you, Knock and it shall be opened unto you. “Freemasonry is a system of morality, taught by allegory, and illustrated by symbols” The Masonic Fraternity is the oldest fraternity in the world. No one knows just how old it is because the actual origins have been lost in time. The most commonly accepted theory is that Freemasonry arose from the guilds of stonemasons who built the castles and cathedrals of the Middle Ages. There are some who believe that Freemasonry was influenced by the Knights Templar, a group of Christian warrior monks formed in 1118 to help protect pilgrims making trips to the Holy Land. The modern history of Freemasonry begins in 1717, when the first “Grand Lodge” was formed in England. A Grand Lodge is the administrative body in charge of Masonry in some geographical area. In the United States, there is a Grand Lodge in each state. In Canada, there is a Grand Lodge in each province. Local organizations of Masons are called lodges. There are lodges in most towns, and large cities usually have several. There are about 13,200 lodges in the United States. Freemasonry is inspired by the pure principles of truth and benevolence.  Our principle tenets are Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth.  We are dedicated to making good men better.  The qualifications to be a Mason include: Must be a man Must be 18 years of age or older Must be of good moral character Must have a belief in a Supreme Being Must seek admission of their own free will and accord Must ask a Mason to become a Mason While we do not solicit membership (we won’t ask you to join), we are happy to talk to you about the fraternity and membership.  You can contact us by email at southgate100@hotmail.com or stop by the lodge before a meeting. Throughout history many distinguished men have sought to join us in our labors, among them are men such as George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Voltaire, Bob Hope, Douglas MacArthur, and Buzz Aldrin.  For more information about Freemasonry, we would encourage you to visit the Grand Lodge of Washington website at www.freemason-wa.org. Character of a Freemason The real Freemason is distinguished from the rest of Mankind by the uniform unrestrained rectitude of his conduct. Other men are honest in fear of punishment which the law might inflect; they are religious in expectation of being rewarded, or in dread of the devil, in the next world. A Freemason would be just if there were no laws, human or divine except those written in his heart by the finger of his Creator. In every climate, under every system of religion, he is the same. He kneels before the Universal Throne of God in gratitude for the blessings he has received and humble solicitation for his future protection. He venerates the good men of all religions. He disturbs not the religion of others. He restrains his passions, because they cannot be indulged without injuring his neighbor or himself. He gives no offense, because he does not choose to be offended. He contracts no debts which he is certain he cannot discharge, because he is honest upon principle.   From The Farmers Almanac of 1823, Published at Andover, Mass.   Do you have more questions? email us at: southgate100@hotmail.com. Download a petition here! New Membership Petition [prints on 8.5" x 14" legal sized paper, Double sided] This petition is for non-masons looking to join South Gate Lodge No. 100. Affiliate Membership Petition [prints on 8.5" x 14" legal sized paper, Double sided] This petition is for existing masons looking to transfer their membership to South Gate Lodge No. 100. Plural Membership Petition [prints on 8.5" x 11" letter sized paper, Double sided] This petition is for existing masons looking to belong to multiple lodges, including South Gate Lodge No. 100.
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