Many men live a lifetime and never know they must ask for admission to the worlds oldest, most purposeful, and greatest fraternity. They do not realize that they will not be invited. They must come in of their own free will and accord, without persuasion. They must ask a Mason for a petition. The prescribed requirements for membership in Tennessee are: being a man, at least 18 years of age, having a belief in a Supreme Being and in the immortality of the soul, being capable of reading and writing, being of good moral character, having been a resident of Tennessee for at least one year preceding the presentation of his petition, and being recommended by two Master Mason members of the Lodge to which he desires to apply plus, two references who may or may not be Masons.  A Multi State Background Check will be mandatory as of January 1, 2016.