Many a newly made Mason, reviewing the lessons and teachings of Masonry, thinks of many men who he believes would become strong and active members if they could only get the message of Masonry.

Yet, one of the strictest, unwritten laws of Freemasonry is the rule that prohibits the solicitation of a Candidate by any Mason. Every man who enters our portals must come of his own free will and accord. So deeply rooted is this rule against solicitation that is has unquestionably cause many Masons to refrain completely from discussion of Freemasonry with friends and acquaintances who are not Masons.

Our failure to make known to non-Masons the principles and purposes of Masonry, has, in the past, resulted in both suspicion and antagonism toward Masonry, for people fear the thing which is unknown.

It should be clear that we are not a secret society, but rather a society possessing certain secrets. We do not hide our membership; we wear pins, rings, and emblems widely known to be emblems of the Craft. We do not meet secretly. Our temples are listed, they usually bear the lodge name, and the emblem of freemasonry is lighted as we hold our meetings.

All that is secret about Masonry is its ritual. Dr. Mackey’s 23rd landmark, “The secrecy of the Institution” embraces nothing more than its ritual, which we must conceal and never reveal.

Therefore, the question of what we can tell the non-mason embodies the principle of non-solicitation on one hand, and the duty to properly inform on the other. The applicant is required to declare to the Marshal, upon his honor, that he is prompted to solicit the privileges of Masonry by a favorable opinion conceived of the Institution, a desire for knowledge, and a sincere wish to be serviceable to his fellow men.

A first question by the uninitiated might well be “What is Freemasonry?” To such a person we might define it as a fraternally society which is based on certain moral and religious doctrines; the moral doctrines including Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth, Temperance, Fortitude, Prudence and Justice, and the religious doctrines comprising a belief in God and a future existence.

There is no reason to believe at all why this subject should not be discussed quite freely with a non-Mason. As a matter of fact, thousands of printed volumes dwell on Masonic philosophy and are available to Masons and non-Masons alike.

A question often coming from non-masons is this: “how does one become a member?” and “Why have I not been asked to join?” In any such discussion, of course, the non-Mason should be told that, unlike the members of other fraternal organizations, Masons are forbidden to solicit anyone to become a member, and that any prospective member must apply of his own free will and accord, and must pass a unanimous ballot. Free will must apply on each side.

Masonry does not require membership in any church as a condition of membership in a lodge. Conversely, membership in any church is no bar to admission to Masonry. There is nothing in our requirements to prevent a Roman Catholic, a Muslim, a Buddhist, a Mormon, a Protestant, or a member of any religious sect from becoming a Mason, and we have within our membership adherents of each of these religious groups. There is nothing wrong in telling a non-Mason that any bar is raised by the hierarchy of the church, not by the Masonic fraternity.

It is perfectly proper to explain that the discussion of political matters or candidates is prohibited to secure the peace and harmony of the lodge but that as individuals we have the right, outside the lodge, to engage in political affairs. Indeed, civic duty requires the individual Mason to take such a apart as he may be fitted for in the community of men.

The Mason may not, of course, discuss with a non-mason anything concerning the ritual or the internal affairs of the lodge other than to say that the ceremonies of Masonry are of a serious and dignified nature, without levity or horseplay. Intimations which demean the ritual are unworthy of the serious institution which Masonry is.

While we do not boast of our relief, we can certainly say, when questioned, that the arm of Masonry reaches around the world in alleviating the distress of our brethren, their widows and orphans, and that such relief is not a part of a beneficial aid society but truly charity in the largest sense.

Many people do not fully understand our support of the Public School. We can, and should, be proud of our founding and continued support of the Public School. Not to advertise ourselves, but to add strength to this great bulwark of freedom, are we aligned with Free Public Schools.

As an outstanding Mason recently said, “If Freemasonry is good, lets talk about it. Its Quality, its dignity, and its Substance.”