THE ARCANE SCHOOLS - Fort Myers Beach Masonic Lodge No. 362

Abraham celebrated the weaning of Isaac, says, that he "had not paid
the
same compliment at the weaning of Ishmael, because he was the son of a
bondwoman, and, consequently, could not be admitted to participate in
the
Freemasonry of his father, which could only be conferred on free men
born
of free women." The ancient Greeks were of the same opinion; for they
used
the word [Greek: douloprepeia] or, "slave manners," to designate any
very
great impropriety of manners.
The Grand Lodge of England extends this doctrine, that Masons should be
free in all their thoughts and actions, so far, that it will not permit
the initiation of a candidate who is only temporarily deprived of his
liberty, or even in a place of confinement. In the year 1782, the
Master
of the Royal Military Lodge, at Woolwich, being confined, most probably
for debt, in the King's Bench prison, at London, the lodge, which was
itinerant in its character, and allowed to move from place to place
with
its regiment, adjourned, with its warrant of constitution, to the
Master
in prison, where several Masons were made. The Grand Lodge, being
informed
of the circumstances, immediately summoned the Master and Wardens of
the
lodge "to answer for their conduct in making Masons in the King's Bench
prison," and, at the same time, adopted a resolution, affirming that
"it
is inconsistent with the principles of Freemasonry for any Freemason's
lodge to be held, for the purposes of making, passing, or raising
Masons,
in any prison or place of confinement."
Section V.
_Of the Petition of Candidates for Admission, and the Action thereon_.
The application of a candidate to a lodge, for initiation, is called a
"petition." This petition should always be in writing, and generally
contains a statement of the petitioner's age, occupation, and place of
residence, and a declaration of the motives which have prompted the
application, which ought to be "a favorable opinion conceived of the
institution and a desire of knowledge."[67] This petition must be
recommended by at least two members of the lodge.
The petition must be read at a stated or regular communication of the
lodge, and referred to a committee of three members for an
investigation
of the qualifications and character of the candidate. The committee
having