CHAPTER IV.

PREREQUISITES FOR 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 having 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, giving 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 recommended by a member of the Lodge, and after having been recorded, should be kept on file by the Secretary.
FORM OF PETITION
TO BE PRESENTED BY A CANDIDATE FOR INITIATION^
To the W. Master, Wardens, and Brethren of Lodge,
No. , of Free and Accepted Masons:
The subscriber, residing in , of lawful age,
and by occupation a , begs leave to state that,
unbiased by friends and uninfluenced by mercenary motives, he freely and voluntarily offers himself as a candidate for the mysteries of Masonry, and that he is prompted to solicit this privilege by a favorable opin- ion conceived of the institution, a desire of knowledge, and a sincere wish of being serviceable to his fellow- creatures. Should this petition be granted, he will cheerfully conform to all the ancient established usages and customs of the Fraternity.
(Signed) A B .
Recommended by C D .
30 UNIVERSAL MONITOR.
After this petition is read, the candidate must be proposed in form by a member of the Lodge, and the proposition sec- onded by another member. A committee is then appointed to make inquiry relative to his character and qualifications.
DECLARATIONS
TO BE ASSENTED TO BY A CANDIDATE, IN AN ADJOINING APARTMENT, PREVIOUS TO INITIATION.
Do you seriously declare, upon your honor, that you have not made application to any other Lodge for in- itiation, and been rejected?
Do you believe in the Eternal God, as revealed in the Holy Bible, and that it is your duty to pay him that homage which is due from the creature to its Creator?
Do you seriously declare, upon your honor, that, unbiased by friends and uninfluenced by mercenary motives, you freely and voluntarily offer yourself a candidate for the mysteries of Masonry?
Do you seriously declare, upon your honor, that you are prompted to solicit the privileges of Masonry by a favorable opinion conceived of the institution, a desire of knowledge, and a sincere wish of being serviceable to your fellow-creatures?
Do you seriously declare, upon your honor, that you
will cheerfully conform to all the ancient established
usages and customs of the Fraternity?
If there are then no objections made, the candidate is intro- duced in due form.
CHARGES OF A FREEMASON. 31