Since I am only an Entered Apprentice I am not allowed during stated meetings, since they are opened and closed in the Master Mason Degree. So, I have felt somewhat disconnected from my brothers. During the degree they emphasize that you are a Mason, and you are charged to ever act and walk as such, yet I am excluded from all stated meetings, unless they open the meetings in the EA degree. What difference of what business can be conducted during the separate degrees is beyond me, but in my short time since being in the Craft my selected lodge has only open lodge business in the Master Mason Degree. A certain brother only refers to me as a candidate and not as a brother, a term that reminds me of a pledge in an old college fraternity system.
Back to my main point, I was more excited about being in the lodge room with my brothers than the actual memorization/regurgitation. Don’t get me wrong, I believe that the memorization is the best way to go as an introduction and learning of the Craft. If I had done a One Day or only needed to memorize the Obligation than the subtle nuances would have been lost that so much of the beauties and teachings of Freemasonry that it would come across more as hokey play, than a sacred ritual.
So I did my best and fumbled a few times during the examination. I have read some blogs where they just cruised, but the subtle words started to get to me and I was having a hard time not inferring other oaths I had taken in my life (My service to country for instance). Still, the brothers voted and I passed, so now I will nail down the next two parts for my next examination. I don’t want to rush this process, as I am afraid I will miss something, yet I want to move forward as quickly as possible, so I guess I am contradicting myself a little.
5 comments:
Congratulations on becoming an Entered Apprentice, my Brother. Welcome to the fraternity.
I'm sorry to hear about your WM fumbling your name. Long after I first became an EA, I found my name written on a slip of paper, pushed way back in the cubbyhole of the WM's station. At least they had a cheat sheet. Sounds like your Master could have used one.
Like Texas, Georgia lodges open and close in the 3rd degree, too, which really makes no sense, other than just being a tradition held over from times past, when something secret might actually be going on. You're not missing anything, other than a typical business meeting, I would imagine. You'll see one (or many) soon enough; nothing to get all that excited about, I promise you.
Good luck with your catechisms.
Widow's Son
BurningTaper.com
Welcome to the both the fraternity and to the Masonic blogging community. You will find that there are a lot of people who are interested in reading about the experiences of a new Mason!
Its also great to find another brother who is right at the same stage as me. We should both be Fellow Crafts within a month of each other.
Keep up the good work!
ShoesAndGrenades.com
In many US states, the Grand Lodge rules determine what degree the business meetings must be held. Since EAs are generally not allowed to vote, they tend to keep them out.
In Conn, lodges may open and do business on the EA and FC, although we still can't vote. But at least we can listen.
In theory, lodges that have to work on the MM should open, take care of MM business, and then "step down" to the FC or EA degree so you can enter. However, most lodges are lazy^H^H^H^H don't want to take the time.
Tom Accuosti
The Tao of Masonry
Good to meet you thus brother.
Your story is beautifully told, and probably emblematic of all of ours in some ways. The end result isn’t necessarily how the ritual is delivered, or where, but that it was delivered in the first place.
Truthfully, I have traveled more than 10 years now, as a MM, and I am still discovering nuances within the degrees. I have a feeling you will too.
I look forward to reading about your next degrees.
Br. Greg
Congrats Brother.
I like your blog, it feels very warm. I have had my Last name messed up by the WM a couple of times. I have even had Jerome come out and my name is not close, well the "Je" is about it.
Good luck with all your future journeys.
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