Conducting Business on the EA Degree

[Warrior1256]

it's always going to take an EA not less than 12 months here to get his MM.... and the reality is in a busy lodge.. it can take a lot longer.. we did a batch of thirds this year, because some of those guys were initiated more than 2 years ago... that's a lot of time to be sitting outside, and I know from experience, they will stop comming to every meeting and start to ask how long they can expect to be in the lodge room before deciding if they will show. Not all are like that, but the ones who always show - they always end up being the best members..

In this case I would more understand opening in the EA degree. But here in my jurisdiction you can become an MM in a matter of two months after receiving your EA degree if you work diligently on your proficiency. Therefore, I do not see the need to change the rules to opening on the EA degree.

 

[Bloke]

In this case I would more understand opening in the EA degree. But here in my jurisdiction you can become an MM in a matter of two months after receiving your EA degree if you work diligently on your proficiency. Therefore, I do not see the need to change the rules to opening on the EA degree.

It would be a big factor.. a few months is nothing and actually incentives the new brother to make progression. Here, progression is controlled and stretched out by our Const - and just the operational pace of the lodges I am in.....

 

[MarkR]

Recently, I traveled to a lodge in the Twin Cities to put on a presentation about my Masonic trip to Scotland, where I saw all three degrees conferred on different nights in different lodges. Since an EA was present, and I was talking about the differences in the degrees from the way we do things, after I covered the EA section, he was excused from the lodge room and went out into the ante-room to work on his proficiency with his coach while I talked about the FC and MM degrees. It was really not a big problem.

 

[goomba]

Working mainly on the 3rd degree is a result of the Morgan Affair and Convention of 1843. So I support going back to working mainly on the 1st degree.

 

[Warrior1256]

Working mainly on the 3rd degree is a result of the Morgan Affair and Convention of 1843. So I support going back to working mainly on the 1st degree.

I don't quite understand Brother. Could you give a brief explanation?

 

[Ripcord22A]

Cpt Morgan wrote an expose on freemasonry and then was never heard from again. It was believed he was "dealt" with by freemasons. So as a way to keep off cowans many US GLs went to only opening on the MM. there are a few GLs, NJ comes to mind, that don't even have ritual to open on the EA or FC.


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[goomba]

I don't quite understand Brother. Could you give a brief explanation?

Sorry for the delay. I work night shift and sleep during the day.

The Morgan Affair prompted a wave of anti-masonic sentiment in the USA. As a result some grand lodges began looking at ways to prevent bad apples from harming the fraternity.

The Convention of 1843 was a convention requested by GL of Alabama for reps of all US grand lodges to meet. The purpose of the meeting was to unify the work and address other concerns. One of those concerns was security.

There was a trestle board (book of work) that was published to help unify the work and the suggestions to open on the 3rd degree unless you were preforming degree work. I would argue that each of us who have visited other jurisdictions see the unification of work was an utter failure since each GL is different. I also don't think the 3rd degree requirement worked either.

 

[Warrior1256]

Cpt Morgan wrote an expose on freemasonry and then was never heard from again. It was believed he was "dealt" with by freemasons. So as a way to keep off cowans many US GLs went to only opening on the MM. there are a few GLs, NJ comes to mind, that don't even have ritual to open on the EA or FC.

The Morgan Affair prompted a wave of anti-masonic sentiment in the USA. As a result some grand lodges began looking at ways to prevent bad apples from harming the fraternity.

Thanks. I knew of the Morgan incident but didn't know how it affected the operations of the lodges.

 

[jermy Bell]

Paying bills in any degree. Just gives them a better understanding on the business end of the lodge.

 

[Brother_Steve]

Cpt Morgan wrote an expose on freemasonry and then was never heard from again. It was believed he was "dealt" with by freemasons. So as a way to keep off cowans many US GLs went to only opening on the MM. there are a few GLs, NJ comes to mind, that don't even have ritual to open on the EA or FC.


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Correct. We only have ritual to open on the third. The next GM wants to change it so the lodge can open and do business on any degree it wishes.

Saluting the master is going to be fun next year.

 

[Brother_Steve]

Thanks. I knew of the Morgan incident but didn't know how it affected the operations of the lodges.

Read up on the Baltimore Convention of 1843. It is very interesting.

 

[Warrior1256]

Read up on the Baltimore Convention of 1843. It is very interesting.

Will do! Thanks.

 

[David Duke]

.....,

Saluting the master is going to be fun next year.

Where that really comes into play is balloting.


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[Bro. Stewart P.M.]

Where that really comes into play is balloting.


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It wasn’t as big of an issue as you might think. The year that the GLoTX opened up to EA’s and FC’s I was an Entered Apprentice.

Some of the older Brethren were a little forgetful in the early stages and needed gentle reminders when opening as to what degree the Stated Meeting was being conducted under. However, I was unaware of any slip ups, personally... if you catch my drift.

 

[David Duke]

There are still the occasional slip ups including myself guess I classify now as on if the "older" Brethren


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[Bro. Stewart P.M.]

There are still the occasional slip ups including myself guess I classify now as on if the "older" Brethren


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Well, the point was directed more to the drawing attention to the mistake more so than the physical age... Masonic age has a LOT to do with it, as in old habits. Our 40 & 50 year Brethren were notorious about balloting in the wrong degree.

It’s amazing what “mistakes” don’t get caught by not so well versed individuals when attention is not drawn to it.

Of course, in TX the decision is left to the Worshipful Master as to what appropriate degree to conduct the meetings. My year I chose to conduct all of our Stated Communications in the Masters Degree. I always personally enjoyed the extra study time with the Tiler, when I was going through the degrees even though I could go inside the door. I purposely placed a well versed Brother outside as a Tiler for this study. Obviously, this received mixed reviews, but was non the less accepted.

 

[dfreybur]

Opening for business is the worldwide standard. I favor needing a reason to diverge from the worldwide standard. it was that way when I petitioned is not in the list of reasons I support. At this point all 3 of my jurisdictions allow opening for business on any degree.

Charging dues to EA and FC is the worldwide standard. As is allowing them to vote. I think it's time to return to the worldwide standard on this. If they want to go away, they can do so NPD knowing they made that choice.

I have no idea if the worldwide standard allowed EAs or FCs to participate in the ballot.

To my knowledge being installed to a chair is reserved for MM. Sitting in a chair pro tem for one meeting by an EA or FC is something I think should be called mentoring one of the new guys up.

 

[CLewey44]

I have been thinking of this some more and it seems we sort of have two categories of BL masons. We have Master Masons and the 'other two'. There is no advantage of being an FC really and lets be honest, back in the day, most members were FCs and EAs, not mostly MMs with a few new guys moving up. I think if the standard was a several year progression vs. several weeks or even same day conferrals, it may mean something more to folks too. I'd have no problem being an FC now if that were the standard. It allow for true mastery of each degree perhaps and make us want to strive for the MM degree. Idk, just a thought.

 

[Bro. Stewart P.M.]

Opening for business is the worldwide standard. I favor needing a reason to diverge from the worldwide standard. it was that way when I petitioned is not in the list of reasons I support. At this point all 3 of my jurisdictions allow opening for business on any degree.

Charging dues to EA and FC is the worldwide standard. As is allowing them to vote. I think it's time to return to the worldwide standard on this. If they want to go away, they can do so NPD knowing they made that choice.

I have no idea if the worldwide standard allowed EAs or FCs to participate in the ballot.

To my knowledge being installed to a chair is reserved for MM. Sitting in a chair pro tem for one meeting by an EA or FC is something I think should be called mentoring one of the new guys up.

As far as Texas is concerned, EA’s and FC’s are not “dues paying” and do not go NPD. Only once raised as a Master do these come in to effect. An EA or FC can go for any length of time, and can come back upon completion of their proficiency in their current degree, and pay for their next degree. These wayward students may come and even study with current Brethren, once proof of their current degree level can be made by the Lodge, but may not attend any meetings until completely current and proficient.

 

[HoldenMonty]

It does make me wonder how it would go if you were in a jurisdiction where you open on an EA or FC degree and have an EA or FC visiting. I think I just don't understand how it would work because in my jurisdiction part of the examination of a visitor is for them to prove they are a MM. Or maybe the jurisdictions that open in the EA or FC degree to conduct business tell their members that it's better to be a MM before you visit other lodges, and would you get your dues card as an EA or an FC.