Every Freemason has thoughts on what it is to be a mason – at least, he should. Previously we talked about voting for the good of the order and accepting those that had desirable qualities and characteristics. We are now faced with a difficult question:
What qualities should a candidate, a potential brother, or a Mason possess?
As long as being numbered a Freemason has been considered a badge of honor, brothers have asked themselves this very question every time a man has requested a petition. There is no definite answer to this question. Nonetheless, Freemasons would likely agree that the following characteristics should be easily identified in a candidate and potential brother.
- Faithful – True to one’s word to his wife, his family, his church, his job, and his lodge.
- Dependable – Worthy of trust; Reliable.
- Integrity – Honest, moral, and ethical. A Freemason’s reputation should precede him.
- Charitable – Generous in donations to relieve the needs of others.
We undoubtably should be looking for these qualities in candidates. We should remember, however, that Freemasonry has as its goal the growth of a man. None of us, as we stood as a candidate in waiting, were blameless. None of us, upon entering the lodge, possessed all the traits of a Mason. When we investigate a brother, we should not be looking for a man who has already pinnacled to the height of masonic teaching. Rather, we are looking for a man whose existing foundation is strong enough to support a life’s work of building with the tools of Masonic teaching. We are looking for an upright candidate who is willing to learn and grow.
Brothers, what qualities and traits do you believe a Mason should possess?
If you have stumbled across this site and are not a Freemason but believe yourself to have the traits discussed here, there are hundreds of thousands of Freemasons world-wide who would be honored to discuss our honorable fraternity with you.
Enter your email address to subscribe to our site and receive notifications of new posts by email.