Brothers,
Perhaps I am "old school," "set in my ways" or "just plain old fencepost stubborn," but on this matter I am unequivocal:
I am opposed to candidates having any book whatsoever, other than the Monitor of the Lodge. The Monitor is published and approved by the Grand Lodge of Texas and is therefore the only GLOT-approved "aid to memory."
Fifteen years ago, I went through the degrees. My instructor was in his early 70s and possessed a lifetime certificate for instruction. During the winter, we sat in his office one hour a week (all that my schedule allowed). During the spring, we sat beneath a giant Texas live oak tree in his backyard. I would not give up those afternoons for ANY shortcut.
My instructor has always had a special place in my heart as a Brother Mason who took hours of his time for my benefit. I do my best to pass this along to those I instruct. I will try to shape my schedule to fit theirs, as long as they make the first effort to reach out.
I know of other brothers (at least one of them with a Class A certificate) who will let their candidates know that there is an "aid to memory" that they can get from B&N or any other large book seller. In my opinion, this violates that important lesson that was so memorably inculcated in my mind when I first took a chair at the Secretary's desk.
Maybe the best approach is this: Since that illegitimate book as titled "an aid to memory," then it should be just that. To me, this means that candidates who are "learning" their work should not be given the book or even informed of its existence. In fact, I have told my few candidates that if I suspect that they are "cheating" that they will have to find a new instructor.
Certainly, making reference to the "aid to memory" during ritual practice in the lodge room, or in practice with a candidate on lodge property would seem a violation of the law mentioned in so many posts in this thread.
But, men who are told from day one that they should rely on the "aid to memory" instead of the instructive tongue think that the aid is the rule. It is not. When there are difference about the Ritual, they should be answered by the Lodge Instructor, Worshipful Master, DDGM, Committee on Work or District Instructor, not a book that no Texas Mason is allowed to carry onto Lodge property or have in the presence of a candidate.
However, it can act as an "aid to memory" for those who have proven themselves proficient in the work. It is nothing more than an aid. But it SHOULD BE an aid to those who have already "learned" the work.
My opinion.
Tim Fleischer, PM
Salado Lodge #296 AF&AM