What are the historical practices of membership selection in Freemasonry?
The historical practices of membership selection in Freemasonry have evolved significantly over time. Initially, membership was restricted to those who were of good character and respectable profession. For instance, in Prussia, it was mandated that no person should be made a Mason unless his character was unimpeachable and his manner of living respectable.
In the early days, particularly during the medieval period, the operative Masons had strict criteria for accepting apprentices, requiring a significant commitment and a lengthy apprenticeship before one could become a Fellow of the Craft. As Freemasonry transitioned from operative to speculative, the criteria for membership began to include non-operative members, known as 'Accepted Masons', who were often individuals of good standing in society but not necessarily involved in the building trades.
By the time of the formation of the first Grand Lodge in 1717, the process of selection had become more formalized. Candidates were required to be free-born, meaning they were not slaves or under any form of servitude, and they needed to have a good reputation among their peers. The application process typically involved a petition to a lodge, followed by an investigation into the candidate's character, and a secret ballot among the lodge members to determine acceptance.
Moreover, Freemasonry has maintained a policy against canvassing for recruits, meaning that all applications for membership must be voluntary, ideally initiated by the candidate himself. This practice emphasizes the importance of personal choice and commitment in the selection process.