CHAPTER VIL

Pre-requisites /or a Candidate.

BY a late regulation, adopted by most of the
grand lodges in America, no candidate for the
mysteries of masonry can be initiated without hav-
ing been proposed at a previous meeting of the
lodge ; in order that no one may be introduced
without^ due inquiry relative to his character and
qualifications.

All applications for initiation should be made by
petition in writing, signed by the applicant, giv-
ing an account of his age, quality, occupation^
and place of residence, and that he is desirous of
being admitted a member of the fraternity ;
•which petition should be kept on file by the secre*-
tary.

Form of a Petition to be presented by a Candi"

date for Initiation.
<*To the Worshipful Master, Wardens ancF
Brethren of •.••••••#•• Lodge of Free and Accepted

Mason^r

et FREEMASON'S MONITOR^

*' The petition of the subscriber respectfully
sheweth, that, having long entertained a favoura-
ble opinion of your ancient institution, he is desir-
ous of being admitted a n^ember thereof, if found
worthy.

" His place of residence is his age ......•••

years; his occupation

[Signed] A B."

After this petition is read, the candidate must
be proposed in form, by a member of the lodge,
and the proposition seconded by another member >
a committee is then appointed to make inquiry
relative to his character and qualifications.

Declaration to be assented to by a Candidate,
in an adjoining Jpartment, previotis to Ini-
iiation.

^ Do you seriously declare, upon your honour,
before these gentlemen,* that, unbiassed by
friends, and uninfluenced by mercenary motives,
you freely and voluntarily offer yourself a candi-
date for the mysteries of masonry ?'' I do.

" Do you seriously declare, upon your honour,
before these gentlemen, that you arc prompted to
solicit the privileges of masonry by a favourable
©pinion conceived of the institution, a desire of

♦ Tlx« stewarils of the lodg^e arc usually pres«nt.

raEEMASON'S MONITOR. 33

knowledge, and a sincere wish of being servicea-
ble to your fellow creatures ?" I do.

** Do you seriously declare, upon your honour,
before these gentlemen, that you will cheerfully
conform to all the ancient established usages and
customs of the fraternity ?" I do.

After the above declarations are made, and re^
ported to the master, he makes it known to the
lodge, in manner following, viz.
^ Brethren,

" At the request of Mr. A B, he has been pf^
posed and accepted in regular form ; 1 therefor^
recommend him as a proper candidate for ih(t
jnyjsteries of masonry, and worthy to partake of
the privileges of the fraternity ; and, in conse-
quence of a declaration of his intentions, volunta-
rily made, I believe he will cheerfully conform to
the rules of the order."

If there are then no objections made, the can-
didate is introduced in due form.