Where’s he going with this I hear you ask? – All Freemasons are aware of the recommend procedure for taking a prospective candidate through from ‘I would like to become a Freemason’ to ‘I would be honoured to propose you as a member of my lodge’. Sounds simple doesn’t it? For the first time in many years there is a general feeling that membership of our wonderful Craft is growing.
     That’s great news, but were we not taught to be cautious? Is the standard of membership of the same ilk as, let’s say, one hundred years ago? Of course not, times have changed and so have people too. Having been involved in home visits where enquiries are made as to the prospective candidate’s understanding of and suitability for our membership, should the question ‘Is there greatness in you’ not be asked or at least seriously considered? When asked what Freemasonry does for the individual my answer is simple… ‘it makes good men better men’ I usually reply. An absolute fact is that by applying the principles inculcated in the three degrees of Craft Freemasonry you will become a better all round individual. - I know I was that soldier! More and more men are making their first step on the ladder of Freemasonry via the internet; in fact my own lodge initiated a candidate in January this year who had made his first enquiry to our Provincial Grand Lodge website www.worcestershirepgl.org.uk. He was initially interviewed by W.Bro Colin Young, Asst.PGM, who recommended that our Worshipful Master and I make a home visit, where we found Mr Wayne Howles to be a truly enthusiastic individual. We noticed that his wife Donna was also very supportive of his interest.
     Welcome Brother Wayne! There is no getting away from it this is becoming the norm, but just because it’s now easier to make the initial enquiry doesn’t mean that we should make the process itself easier.
     Always ask the question… Is There Greatness In You? The website which inspired the body of this article is a site from Massachusetts USA, where www.askafreemason.org quotes that great Freemason – Benjamin Franklin. Askafreemason is also a good example of how easy it is to do just that! Another superb example of how the world wide web is offering information for those who are just bursting to ask is www.tryfreemasonry.com – take the time to check out their ‘recruiting’ membership video, which you can download from the home page. Ok, it’s very American, but boy is it good!
     A new Toast Masters’ lodge, The Gavel and Staff Lodge No 9835 was consecrated at Great Queen Street on 26th November 2007 and can be found at www.gavelandstaff.org.uk.
     Other sites worth mentioning are a couple of Royal Arch Provincial websites; www.berkshireprovincialgrandchapter.org which was launched mid 2007. Another Royal Arch site to check out is www.worcestershirepgchapter.org.uk.

If you know of any other sites we should take a look at email us at online@thefreemason.com