A Monograph by . . .

In 1717, four Lodges of Freemasons met in London, England and formed the first Grand Lodge. Today, there are more than 150 Grand Lodges in the countries of the world with a membership of approximately six million [6,000,000]. The Grand Lodge is the administrative authority in its' Territory, known as a Jurisdiction.

In the United States, there are 51 Grand Lodges, 50 States and the District of Columbia. These Grand Lodges meet annually at the Conference of Grand Masters in North America and the basic unit of each is the symbolic, or "Blue Lodge" as it is commonly known. It is the symbolic Lodge that issues petitions for membership, acts on petitions and confers the three symbolic degrees, i.e., the Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft and the Master Masons' degree.

Membership is limited to adult males who can meet the recognized qualifications and standards of character and reputation. A man becomes a Freemason through his own volition. No one is asked to join its' ranks. When a man seeks admission to a symbolic Lodge, it is of his own free will and accord. The choice is his.

One of the customs of Freemasonry in South Carolina is not to solicit members. One seeking admission must have a desire and must request a petition from one whom he believes to be a Mason.

In South Carolina we have 330 Chartered Lodges, with a total membership of 57,458. The ten largest Lodges have between 524 and 754 members. The ten smallest Lodges range from 21 to 34 members. Average membership statewide is 174.

For over 42 years the Grand Lodge of South Carolina has shown a net gain, except for the last 16 years which with a total loss of 17,466. We are looking forward to the day when we can turn this around. With the Masonic Education Program that we have in effect in this state today, I feel that this goal can be reached. We do not have a Masonic Home in South Carolina but we have a very active Masonic relief program. Relief for the year covering April 1995 through April 1996 is as follows:

59 Master Masons received: $ 64.800

124 Widows of Master Masons received:$141,884

Donations to the Masonic Service Association $ 14,921

Donations to the George Washington Memorial $ 3,091