Who are ideal candidates to propose in Freemasonry?
Ideal candidates for Freemasonry are those who embody certain moral, physical, intellectual, and political qualifications. According to Albert Gallatin Mackey in The Principles of Masonic Law, the qualifications can be summarized as follows:
- Moral: The candidate must be a man of irreproachable conduct, a believer in the existence of God, and living 'under the tongue of good report.'
- Physical: He must be at least twenty-one years of age, upright in body, and possess all his natural senses and limbs.
- Intellectual: The candidate should be in full possession of his intellect, not too young or too old, and have sufficient education to appreciate the teachings of Masonry.
- Political: He must enjoy civil and personal liberty, being free-born and not under any external restraint.
Furthermore, it is emphasized that proposers and seconders of candidates should ensure that their nominee is a good man and true, strictly respecting the moral law, as stated in WHAT SHALL WE TELL THE CANDIDATE? by Bro. J. R. Dashwood.