A WORD TO THE CANDIDATE BEFORE INITIATION

THE BUILDER, June 1922

My Friend: Before we proceed with the ceremony of admitting you into our Order I
wish to make a few remarks concerning the nature of Freemasonry, so that you
may understand in a general way what you may expect and what will be expected
of you.

Some of your friends may have referred jokingly to your initiation, and may have
led you to believe that you will be required to submit to certain humiliating or
embarrassing experiences, in order to provide amusement for those of us who are
already members. If you have any such idea, I beg of you to dismiss it from your
mind at this moment.

Masonry is a serious undertaking. Its ceremonies are intended to teach great
moral truths. Some of these ceremonies partake more or less of a religious nature.
And while Masonry does not adopt any particular form, or creed, or denomination
of religious observance, yet one of its fundamental and essential requirements is a
belief in a true God as the Father of the universe; and if you cannot earnestly and
conscientiously subscribe to such a belief, I would advise that you withdraw now
and make no further attempt to proceed in our ceremonies.

You will find that Masonry has no place for frivolity. You will perhaps find it entirely
different from all your preconceived ideas, and you will possibly be surprised at the
character of the ceremonies through which you will pass. You will, I hope, be
pleased and benefitted by the revelations which will be made to you, and by the
associations which will come to you through membership in our Fraternity.

I have simply to suggest; therefore, that as you pass through these ceremonies,
you place yourself as much at ease and in as receptive a frame of mind as
possible. Let your mind be open to receive impressions as they come to you. Pay
close attention to what is said and done at all times, and try to remember as much
as possible of what occurs. At each stage of the ceremonies there will be
someone near at hand to assist you, and to tell you or show you what to do and
how to do it. And you need have no fear of humiliation, embarrassment or
annoyance.

With these preliminary suggestions I beg to request that you make yourself as
comfortable as possible here until your presence is desired in the preparation
room of the lodge.

George Helmer
Senior Warden, Norwood #90
Grand Lodge of Alberta