Making a Mason “At Sight”.

What does it mean to make a mason “at sight”?

In the Grand Lodge of New York,

“Making a Mason at sight” is when a gentleman is made a Mason by declaration rather than via the Degree Rituals.  Most often the gentleman is made not only a Mason but a Master Mason at sight, thereby attaining the highest Degree in Craft Masonry without the benefit of any Degree being conferred upon him. This is a controversial and rarely used act that is only permitted in certain jurisdictions, and it is usually an exclusive power of the Grand Master.  §216 in the Masonic Law digest of the Grand Lodge of New York explains that “The making of Masons at sight in private Lodges and under the auspices of officers of Grand Lodge has been approved by Grand Lodge as a prerogative of the Grand Master” and cites to decisions and resolutions extending as far back as 1796. New York Grand Masters have been recorded as making Masons at sight from time to time over the centuries, but the last such occurrence is unknown to this writer.