Masonry and Citizenship;

The Charge.

In the charge of the Entered Apprentice Degree, you are enjoined to be exemplary in the discharge of your duties as a citizen by never proposing or countenancing any act which may have a tendency to subvert the peace and good order of society, by paying due obedience to the laws under whose protection you live, and by never losing sight of the allegiance due to your country.

In some parts of the world, men of many nationalities belong to the same lodge. Many of our members retain membership in lodges in England, Scotland, or elsewhere. Citizenship in another country is not, of itself, a bar to membership in our great fraternity.

Loyalty to one’s country, and loyalty to one’s lodge are never in opposition to each other. We expect the individual Mason to work at the duties of citizenship, making himself available for service to his community, state and nation. Only through this can the privileges which we enjoy as Masons and as men be saved for our children’s children.

As religious differences exist between men, so do political differences show in partisan politics. No proposal advanced in political debate is without its adherents and dissenters. No individual, striving for political preferment, is without his supporters and opponents.

That such differences may be eliminated from Lodges, discussion of political issues and candidates, as well as religious issues, is prohibited by our ancient law.

Public education, having become the cornerstone of our freedom, is not considered a political matter and since 1919 the Grand Lodge of California has sponsored and supported, through the lodges, the annual observance of Public Schools Week.

The annual review of our national Constitution, an instrument shaped in large part by Masons, occupies our attention in September of each year.

Man little realizes the power for good of precept and example and one active citizen has an influence on the deeds of others far beyond his own acquaintance. We hope that you will be, through Masonry, a better citizen.

Excerpted from “Handbook for Candidate’s Coaches”

By The Committee on Ritual and Donald G. Campbell, Past Grand Lecturer.

Grand Lodge F.&A.M. of California.