The Diary of a Free and Accepted Mason

     The evening had arrived.  The first step to becoming a Mason was at hand as anxiety, anticipation, and pride swept over me like hurricane winds.  I entered into the Masonic Temple not knowing what to expect or what I might endure.

     Before the meeting, the men at the Lodge prepared a dinner and a social hour for everyone to enjoy.  This really helped to lighten the mood and gave me (and 4 other candidates) the chance to talk with the other members.  Eventually, that hour ended.

     The 5 of us were asked to retire to a "preparation room" where we were prepared to be initiated.  Two men from the Lodge stayed with us and kept us all comforable and gave us assurance that nothing embarassing, painful, or immoral would take place.  They were right.

     After we were ready to be initiated, we were.  The ceremony was unlike anything I had every been a part of and the men who performed it really impressed me.  The symbolism and allegory of Freemasonry that I had read so much about was executed in a very dignified way.  We were brought to Masonic light.

     After the initiation, the men from the Lodge approached me with their hands extended and called me "Brother".  I was proud to be a "Brother" with the quality of men I had met that night.  I was an Entered Apprentice....A Mason.

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Before formally petitioning a Lodge, 4 years were spent researching Freemasonry.  Throughout all the negative propaganda, and anti-masonic groups, no truth could be found implicating the Fraternity.  The decision was made.

     Upon handing the petition to the secretary of the Lodge, the realization of the unknown became overbearing.  Even after years of research, there was no way of knowing what would come next.

     A few weeks went by before receiving the call.  A man introducing himself as a member of an "investigation committee" asked for a meeting.  After the call, the internet seemed a good way to find out what this was all about. 

     While at the meeting, no embarassing, rude, or uncomfortable questions were asked.  The men seemed friendly and pleasant, and all fear was extinguished.  At the end of this friendly meeting, one of men said that the Lodge would now vote on the petition and a letter would be sent out from the secretary if the petition was found favorable.

     The letter came in the mail.  Within the letter listed a date and time that a "1st Degree" would be conferred.  Attendance was required.  I would now become what I had hoped to become.....A Mason.

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