Dear Editor:

The following is meant to clarify the mystique of Freemasonry:

The role of Freemasonry is to take a good man and make him a better man. The rite of passage into Freemasonry is based on ancient ritual, which has been passed on through oral tradition for centuries. By conforming to the rites of initiation, the candidate is forming a fraternal bond with other Freemasons – past, present and future. The work the candidate will be entering upon is designed to help him successfully build a moral foundation upon which to improve his character and his deportment.

The right of initiation into Freemasonry is not given gratuitously. To qualify for membership, the successful applicant must, first and foremost, profess a belief in Deity. He must be a man of high moral standards yet desire to better himself. He must be a man of good standing in his community; and, in Texas, he must be at least 18 years of age.

The rites, the ceremonies and the obligations of Freemasonry will never interfere with one’s religious, political or philosophical beliefs. It is neither a cult, a church nor a religion. Freemasonry is a fraternal brotherhood rich in ancient tradition striving to make a community a better place in which to live – one good man at a time.

Finally, if you feel you qualify for membership and desire to become a better man, Freemasonry could provide a pathway toward that goal.

Charles C. Courser

Mineola Masonic Lodge No. 502