Travis Lodge #117

Ancient Free & Accepted Masons
Chartered by The Grand Lodge of Texas
February 10, 1852
The Lodge was set to Labor
on August 28th, 1852

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Who are those guys?

There Is No Secret To What We Believe

How To Become A Mason

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From the Travis Lodge WebMaster: Send all suggestions and comments to Travis Lodge (Masonic Hall) 2817 N. Travis Street, Sherman Texas, 75090 (903) 893-8948 webmaster@travis-lodge.com

This page was last updated on 03/06/2009

"Who are those guys?"

Solomon, King of Israel , according to Masonic tradition one of the Ancient Grand Masters; First U.S. President, General, and Brother George Washington; Brother Benjamin Franklin; Confederate General and Brother Lewis A. Armistead being aided by Union Captain and Brother Henry H. Bingham (as depicted in the Friend to Friend Masonic Memorial at Gettysburg, PA.); U.S. President and Brother Franklin D. Roosevelt; U.S. President and Brother Harry S. Truman; U.S. General and Brother Douglas S. MacArthur ; and U.S. Lunar Astronaut, the second human being to walk on the moon (July 20, 1969), Brother Edwin E. (Buzz) Aldrin.

Designed: Dean E. Vaughn, P.M
Artist: Frank M. Hummel

Freemasons.
There Is No Secret To What We Believe.

We believe in some pretty "old fashioned things". Such as the brotherhood of man. Service to those who are less fortunate. Helping young people get a head start toward a promising life. And we believe in God. Surprised? Some people are. They somehow have come to consider us a secret society. Yet our constitution and regulations are open for all to see. And our membership is open to men of all religious convictions. Our only requirement is a belief in a Supreme Being. This faith leads Masons to provide homes for the elderly and for orphans. We provide college scholarships to promising young men and women. We contribute to blood banks, fund medical research, and maintain hospitals for crippled children. And the Scottish Rite maintains over 100 Childhood Language Disorders clinics in Texas and across the United States. That's why its not surprising that 14 presidents have been Masons (including George Washington), along with five Chief Justices of the Supreme Court. Masons are soldiers (Gen. Douglas MacArthur), businessmen (Henry Ford), entertainers (John Wayne), and even astronauts (Wally Shirra). If all this surprises you, that's good. Because sometimes, we're surprised at all the wrong ideas people have about us. Freemasons. We want you to get to know us better. Masons From All Walks Of Life Stand Tall.

How To Become A Mason

If you are not already a member of our honorable fraternity, comprising millions of members worldwide, and would like additional information, contact any Mason.

No man has ever been recruited into joining a Masonic Lodge. In fact, our rules prohibit Masons from actively pursuing someone for initiation. Instead, a man interested in becoming a Mason must, "of his own free will and accord," actively seek out a member of the Lodge which he wishes to join and ask him for a petition for membership. However, any Mason will be pleased to respond to your interest by answering questions and will be happy to provide you with a "Petition for the Mysteries of Freemasonry" that you can present to the Lodge of your choice.

Requirements For Becoming A Mason: There are only two absolute requirements for becoming a Mason.

• Be a man, at least 18 years old.
• Have a belief in a supreme Being (of any faith. No particular religion or faith is required or excluded. All are welcome.)

Things To Consider In Seeking Membership.

• You should enjoy, or want to learn to enjoy, the company of men from all different social stratas, faiths, backgrounds, races, countries, and ages, since Masonry is universal in its ideals.
• You should consider your family obligations. In Masonry, your family and your obligations to them come first. You should have the time to participate in Masonic activities. Initially, this will require two or three evenings per month for meetings and instruction. After that, you will need at least one evening per month for stated meetings. If you wish to be more involved in Lodge activities, you will need a couple of more evenings per month for called meetings.
• You should be able to afford the initiation fees and the annual dues without hardship to yourself or your family.
• You should come to Masonry "of your own free will and accord." You should come because you want to improve yourself, to enjoy the company of other good people, and to help others.
• Masonry is built upon the tenents of Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth. Masons are expected to demonstrate moral character, integrity, charity, and honesty. You must be willing to strive to live your life accordingly.

If You Are Interested In Joining, ASK A MASON. They can answer your questions and give you a petition to complete. When you have answered all the petition questions, return it to the Mason you got it from or take it to the Lodge of your interest.

Preferably, you should ask a Mason you know, and who knows you. It could be a relative, someone who lives nearby, or someone you work with. Having someone who can vouch for you and your character is essential to becoming a Mason.

If you don't know a Mason, you can begin the process in a number of ways.

• You could post to the netnews group "alt.freemasonry" and ask that a Mason who lives near you reply to you.
• Check you phone book white pages. Many Lodges are listed under "Masons", "Freemasons", "Masonic Lodge", or "Masonic Temple". Sometimes, the name of a town precedes one of the above.
• Find your state's Grand Lodge from this list of Grand Lodges. Call, write, or e-mail them and ask to speak with someone in the Grand Secretary's office.

2B1 ASK1

This site is maintained by David Hall.
Copyright © 2000 by [Travis Lodge, Sherman Texas]. All rights reserved.
Revised: This page was last edited - 03/06/2009