The Investigator's Responsibility to Masonry

The investigation of a Petiton for the Three Degrees is a serious matter and should not be considered routine.

When the Master of a Lodge assigns one of its members a petition to be investigated, he is saying, in substance, to that member, "You know the type of man the Masonic Fraternity accepts.  The recommenders on this petition say the applicant quailifies.  Now I want to know your opinion."  From there it becomes a matter for that member, acting not only as a member of that Lodge, but as a representative of the entire Masonic Fraternity, to investigate the petitioner as sincerely and honestly as he is capable of doing.

Let us first think of Masonry.  It is an organization composed of men who believe in the Deity; who believe in righteousness and justice; who live by and adhere to a moral code of ethics, and who practice a philosophy of life second to none. Here are men of every walk of life who compose a fraternity of moral, social and intelligent persons creditably recored in every community, men who believe in each other, thier fellow members.  Masonry is the binding together of this type of men and cementing them into an everlasting fraternal association.  Masonry, which asks no man to join its ranks, will accept no less. 

Now comes the petitioner - a stranger - wishing to become a member of that group!  WHO IS this stranger?  What are his motives for wishing to gain membership?  Will he be worthy and well qualified?  The investigation process is to determine the answers to these quesitons.

Upon accepting the assignment, the Investigator is now employed by your Lodge and the entire masonic family, world-wide, to investigate the petiton of an applican who wishes an intimate knowledge of Masonry and association with its members. The petitioner is actually being considered not only for membership in our Lodge, but for world-wide Masonic membership with the opportunity to visit and associate with Masons everwhere.  Each visitation the new member may make, in any Lodge in the world, will be as a member and representative of your Lodge.  He should, therefore, be the type of man of whom you can be proud and honored to have represent you and your Lodge.

It now becomes obvious, as you evaluate your investigative assignment, that it is important -- important that only the right type of man is accepted, for the Mason of today, more so than ever, is an intregal part of our nation and our way of life. 

Masonry was instrumental in the founding of this country and so will be its re-founding. In the Masons' hands and those of his associates, lies the future of the America of tomorrow.

(Sourced from a California publication by Walter Van Wagern - affiliation unkown)