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Master Mason Proficiency

Companion Joe

Premium Member
That's up to the individual lodges. Some lodges do, some lodges don't, some lodges do if a friend/family member paid for it. It's not automatic or guaranteed.
 

Dontrell Stroman

Premium Member
I'm in the MWPHGL and it is the same. That's why I asked. Me don't give a bible but the apron is presented to the Master mason. I like how both Grand lodges operate close to each other.
 

Companion Joe

Premium Member
My lodge used to give a Bible all the time, but for some reason, we discontinued the practice (cost maybe?). Last year, I proposed raising our fee for the three degrees and resuming giving the Bible, but several people didn't want to hear of it. I pointed out that unless they planned on taking the degrees again, it wouldn't cost them anything or we weren't raising it just for the sake of raising it, but it still didn't fly. "Raise the fee? The Horror. The HORROR!" ;)
 

Dontrell Stroman

Premium Member
Hi everybody! For all the new guys it is great to have you and for all the regulars welcome back!
Your not the only one. Our lodge has never have out bibles. To be honest I don't know of any Prince Hall lodges that do. I'm sure there somewhere though. Please don't talk about raising dues, mine are already high enough and high when I joined ha ha
 

Companion Joe

Premium Member
That's the same argument and frustration I faced:
Fee - a one-time expenditure paid by a new candidate receiving the three degrees.
Dues - paid annually by members.

No one suggested raising dues. The fee is something entirely different.
 

Dontrell Stroman

Premium Member
That's the same argument and frustration I faced:
Fee - a one-time expenditure paid by a new candidate receiving the three degrees.
Dues - paid annually by members.

No one suggested raising dues. The fee is something entirely different.
Your lodge cause probably go up a little on the fee and it wouldn't matter. You raise it up on a lodge like mine and you are paying nearly 300 dollars
 

drw72

Premium Member
Thanks for all of the replies. Just to catch everyone up, I passed my MM Proficiency. I will be presented my Apron, Bible, and Certificate at a future meeting.

Apparently Florida (not sure if GL or just my lodge) stopped giving out the Bibles and certificates for several years. According to our secretary they just started giving them out again this past year (2015).
 

Browncoat

Registered User
In Ohio, upon returning your MM proficiency (in open lodge):
  • Receive lambskin apron (has dates of degrees on inside flap)
  • Receive Bible (was used @ all 3 of your degrees)
  • Receive dues card once dues are paid
  • Receive copy of New Member's Guide to Freemasonry (gift from GL)
I also received a few goodies from members: a small S&C and a lapel pin. The book is a re-title of S. Brent Morris' Complete Idiot's Guide to Freemasonry.

For me, the most impressive item was the Bible. I knew I would get an apron, but the Bible was a nice touch. The one my lodge gives out is very, very nice with gold trimmed pages and an incredible leather cover. It's also a very large Bible, and the pages that were open during my degrees are bookmarked, with the passages noted.
 

drw72

Premium Member
In Florida:

“The presentation of the apron as part of the ritualistic work of the Entered Apprentice Degree is purely symbolic, and the short form set forth in the Florida Monitor shall be used. The presentation of a lambskin apron to keep permanently is optional with the Lodge, but if a lambskin apron is to be presented it shall be done in the long form set forth in the Florida Monitor after the Brother has passed satisfactory examination upon the catechism of all Three Degrees. The presentation of an apron may be made in a public ceremony at the option of the Lodge.” - Masonic Law of Florida (38.15)
 

Warrior1256

Site Benefactor
In Kentucky you can advance no farther than Senior Deacon in the officer line unless you have done your MM proficiency. You have to have it to occupy the chairs of JW, SW and WM.
 

Randy81

Premium Member
To my knowledge, there is only EA and FC proficiency in my jurisdiction, however, once you're raised you can get a proficiency certification from the grand lodge if you prove proficiency in all three degrees. That includes everything though.
 

Dontrell Stroman

Premium Member
To my knowledge, there is only EA and FC proficiency in my jurisdiction, however, once you're raised you can get a proficiency certification from the grand lodge if you prove proficiency in all three degrees. That includes everything though.
Which jurisdiction are you in ?
 

Radical540

Registered User
In Michigan, (no offense), but it's like the wild wild west, and every lodge seems to do whatever they Damn well please, and whatever the "good ole' boys" of the lodge feel like. No consistency whatsoever!
 
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