Entered Apprentice!

[Mark Petro]

I have the book "Building Boaz", which really helps fill in the blanks that might be glossed over during wrote memorization. Researching and understanding the subjects I need to memorize is so much easier IMHO, they are the pieces of the puzzle I am trying to put together in my mind and fully understand the deeper meaning. Just because I memorize an answer word-for-word does not mean I grasp the concepts.

 

[hfmm97]

Mark, I was waiting for YOU to arrive at that conclusion: excellent thinking on your part. It is not enough to just memorize stuff for the different EA, FC, and MM degrees-you have to be able to discuss and think about what you are memorizing. When I was initiated as an EA back in 1996 (and also for the FC & MM) the candidates in my lodge did not have to memorize the questions as well-but my mentor and I would sit and discuss what all that work meant-because he was a professional woodworker he and I built from a kit out of thin balsa wood a 3-D model of King Solomon's Temple (the kit was from Israel!)


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[hfmm97]

After 21 years and being in my mid-50s, I can say for sure that I am still learning and as I'm sure you know that one way to make sure that you REALLY know something is to TEACH it to someone else.


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[hfmm97]

And also my mentor was also my examiner in open lodge for all 3 degrees and he would not let me take the exam until I learned the questions and answers-in my new lodge (as of 2012) we give the brothers the option of being asked the questions or reciting the questions and answers (testing themselves) Even the older brothers want to learn both the questions and answers so that when they complete the memory work for the MM degree, they can start training and get certificates in the esoteric work


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[hfmm97]

instructor certificates that is


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[Bloke]

I have the book "Building Boaz", which really helps fill in the blanks that might be glossed over during wrote memorization. Researching and understanding the subjects I need to memorize is so much easier IMHO, they are the pieces of the puzzle I am trying to put together in my mind and fully understand the deeper meaning. Just because I memorize an answer word-for-word does not mean I grasp the concepts.

Make sure you thank the Author - he is here after all

 

[Mark Petro]

Make sure you thank the Author - he is here after all

I have, profusely. His work is absolutely Priceless to a Mason learning what it is to be a mason. I would recommend that book for New E/A, or anyone pursuing a masonic degree. It really fills in the blanks on the work you have to do. Especially in Texas.

E/A, Raised 7/31/2018, Wallace Hughston 1393, El Paso

 

[Mark Petro]

I have, profusely. His work is absolutely Priceless to a Mason learning what it is to be a mason. I would recommend that book for New E/A, or anyone pursuing a masonic degree. It really fills in the blanks on the work you have to do. Especially in Texas.

E/A, Raised 7/31/2018, Wallace Hughston 1393, El Paso

I bought it from his website, and he personally signed it. That makes it so special to me, and more of a heirloom then a reference. I value anything that my brothers can add to my journey.

E/A, Initiated 7/31/2018, Wallace Hughston 1393, El Paso

 

[Mark Petro]

I was thinking in terms of the memory work-some states have ciphers, some have a very small amount of memory work, and some had one-day classes (which might be legitimate, IMHO, if you are soon to be deployed to overseas military service) which I doubt that Texas ever had those (even during WW II). Just my humble opinion...


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I have purchased the Macoy cipher book for Texas, and I'm waiting for it to be delivered. The green, Lone Star edition supposedly back-checked by the GLTX. The trick is knowing enough to fill in the blanks, I suppose all TX lodges use the same wording? Are there any TX Brothers on here who have any input on the cipher book?

 

[hfmm97]

You should not really be in possession of it as an EA-if it is for anyone, it's probably intended for instructors-you cannot bring it to lodge with you-talk to the brothers at the lodge. Do you not have an instructor? Also, if you really think that you need a cipher, don't discuss it in public...


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[CLewey44]

I have purchased the Macoy cipher book for Texas, and I'm waiting for it to be delivered. The green, Lone Star edition supposedly back-checked by the GLTX. The trick is knowing enough to fill in the blanks, I suppose all TX lodges use the same wording? Are there any TX Brothers on here who have any input on the cipher book?

Usually that is pretty tough to get and usually can only be purchased via your BL or at GL. Are you certain its the correct cipher? If it's not the correct one for TX, it may actually sidetrack you more than assist you.

 

[hfmm97]

There are vendors that sell the Texas cipher - perfectly legal to buy but there are errors-I think mine came with an errata sheet.
But then again, next March I will have been a Mason for 22 years (1997) and I cannot bring it into lodge with me.


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[hfmm97]

IMHO, unless one has been an active Master Mason for a few years, the cipher will only confuse. Masonic rituals SHOULD be learned face to face from experienced brethren and not from a cipher. Ritual is first learned at lodge and that's where you become a Mason-there is a lot to learn that is not found between the pages of a cipher or on at an internet forum. When I mentor newer brothers going through their degree work, I recommend that they STAY OFF the INTERNET so that they neither get distracted nor confused.


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[hfmm97]

of course I mean "stay off the internet" with respect to looking for ritual sources or going to forums (fora) and asking questions that should be asked of their local Masonic groups (more common with new non-US brothers that seem to think that their form of Masonry is 'universal').


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[CLewey44]

There are vendors that sell the Texas cipher - perfectly legal to buy but there are errors-I think mine came with an errata sheet.
But then again, next March I will have been a Mason for 22 years (1997) and I cannot bring it into lodge with me.


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Oh ok. In OK, and I may be wrong, we had to get our 'red book' through the GL. Our WM went there and came back with some. They were about $50 a piece.

 

[hfmm97]

Yep, the vendors were selling the "green" covered TX ciphers for $30.00 each-let's say that I was somewhat 'underwhelmed' by the value for money.

But having worked in two bookstores early in my university career, in general I was taught that books of limited market (particularly technical books) would tend to be sold for a higher price


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[hfmm97]

Macoy Masonic sells them for US$29 + S&H


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[Keith C]

Wow.

Our Ritual Manuals are assigned to each lodge by the DDGM. The WM must track who has each one and they must be turned in to the DDGM each November, examined, then are given to the incoming WM to distribute for the next year.

Even if they were available for purchase somewhere, you would be looked upon with great suspicion if you had a copy that was not numbered by the Grand Lodge and accounted for by the WM.

 

[Mark Petro]

I was supposed to do my E/A proficiency last night but there weren't enough people at the lodge to even open it up. Does anyone else on here have this problem? It wasn't our stated meeting, but we usually get more than 6.

 

[CLewey44]

I was supposed to do my E/A proficiency last night but there weren't enough people at the lodge to even open it up. Does anyone else on here have this problem? It wasn't our stated meeting, but we usually get more than 6.

Seven or more but not sure how they were going to vote on your proficiency outside of a stated meeting or special degree night.