Outsiders to Freemasonry are often confused, or even offended, about the membership policies and qualifications of the Craft. Put simply, Freemasonry is a fraternity that does not recruit for membership. These are among the specific rules that are so old, and held to be so inviolable, that they are termed the "Ancient Landmarks of Freemasonry". We make no excuses for, nor exceptions from them. Fathers do not ask their sons to join, no matter how much they hope for it. We do not solicit our oldest and dearest friends. Because we do not invite men to join us, no matter how deserving we may think they are, we may appear aloof, secretive and even ominous to the outside world. To become a Mason, a man must first ask a Mason about joining the organization. We will not approach him, he must show a distinct initial interest "of his own free will and accord", based on his having formed a "favorable opinion of the Craft". Once he has broached the subject of joining us, however, the prospective Candidate will suddenly find Masons to be remarkably open, supportive and helpful in his search for "Light". Through casual conversation on a variety of topics, the Brothers will satisfy themselves that the man is sincere and qualified. By their generally open responses to his inquiries, he will come to know for himself whether this is the kind of group with which he would be comfortable. We are at least as concerned that he approve of us as that we approve of him.

There are certain very particular prerequisite qualifications for membership in any California Masonic Lodge. To be "made a Mason", the Candidate must be "a man, freeborn, under the tongue of good report, and coming well recommended". He must be "neither a young man in his non-age, a old man in his dotage, an atheist, a madman nor a fool". He must be willing to declare that he places his trust in a Supreme Being. He will be asked to make certain serious declarations "on his Honor" and to swear certain binding Obligations, asking his god's help in maintaining their observance. Those declarations and Obligations pertain only to his relationship to Freemasonry and do not "interfere with the duty you owe to God, your Country, your Neighbor or Yourself". These prerequisites are to be taken quite literally. We seek only the kind of mature, sincere, upstanding, well-regarded man who will bind himself to high ideals "without equivocation, mental reservation or secret evasion of mind whatever". The Obligations are taken under the threat of horrible (but fortunately only symbolic!) penalties for their violation.

It should be especially noted that Freemasonry is not a religion. There is no test of religious affiliation in the qualifications to become a member. Aside from needing to satisfy the Brethren that the Candidate takes solemn obligations to heart, his choice of church is of no matter to us. Masonry "unites men of every country, sect and opinion, and causes true friendship to exist among those who might otherwise have remained at a perpetual distance". We do not require a man to accept another man's god as valid or equal with his own. We do require him to put religious and political differences aside while in the Lodge. This enables us, perhaps more than any other grouping of men, to cooperate on the more important business of promoting "Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth".

The prospective Candidate will complete a written application form addressed to the Lodge of which he hopes to become a member. Two members of the Lodge must sign the petition and it must list other character references. The salient points of the petition will be read in Lodge at its next Stated Meeting, the monthly business meeting. The Master will appoint a committee of three members to investigate the applicant. The investigators are not known to the Lodge nor to one another. They may wish only to meet the applicant and talk for a few minutes, or look more seriously into his background, as they wish. They will often ask to meet him and his family in their home. The three investigators will report their recommendations to the Master. At the next Stated Meeting, the Master will announce the recommendations of the committee in very general terms and the membership will ballot on the petition. In California, a single negative vote is sufficient to reject the petition, a rare event. This requirement is so stringent because we hold that "Harmony is the strength and support of all societies, especially of ours". A California Mason will always know that his presence among the Workmen was approved by each and every man who was present that day.

Once his application is approved, the Candidate for Freemasonry will participate in a ceremony called the "Degree of Entered Apprentice", or "First Degree". He will be assured that nothing will befall him that has not been experienced by all who have gone before. He will reaffirm his declarations and then be Entered into the Lodge and made an Apprentice Mason in "due and ancient form". He will learn that he is required never to divulge the Secrets of Masonry to any person "under the canopy of Heaven". He will receive a white Lambskin Apron, the badge of a Mason. He will be introduced to the working tools of a Mason. He will receive preliminary instruction on the nature of his new association and an important lesson in Masonic Charity. He will be assigned to a Candidate's Coach, who will meet with him as often as it takes to teach him the question-and-answer summary of the Degree. When his Coach is satisfied with his command of the Work, he will be scheduled to perform the Proficiency in Lodge. If done well enough, he will receive the Second Degree.

The "Degree of Fellowcraft", or "Second Degree", is widely regarded as the most poetic and instructive of the Masonic degrees. In it, the Apprentice is Passed to the Degree of Fellowcraft Mason in due and ancient form. He learns many of the more expressive symbols of his Craft and hears references to the philosophical basis for his conduct as a Mason. He will learn that he is obliged to "aid and assist all distressed, worthy Brother Fellowcraft Masons, whithersoever dispersed". His knowledge of the working tools of Masonry will be increased. The importance of the study of the Liberal Arts and Sciences, especially of Geometry, is emphasized. The Precious Jewels of a Fellowcraft will be presented to him and he will thenceforth be entitled to receive the Wages of a Fellowcraft. He will again meet with a Coach to learn the summary of the Work and will pass a Proficiency examination.

In the "Degree of Master Mason", the famous "Third Degree", the Fellowcraft will be Raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason in due and ancient form. He will receive further explanations of his specific duties to his Brethren and his instruction in the working tools of a Mason will be completed. He will participate in a brief traditional reenactment designed to impress upon him the virtue of Fidelity. Upon completing this Degree, the Brother is a fully qualified Master Mason, entitled to all the rights and privileges of that Degree. He is entitled to "travel in foreign countries, work, and receive Master Masons' wages". Among us, there is no higher rank than that of Master Mason.