M
mark!
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There was a bit of a debate and discussion on when a man becomes a brother and should be called a Mason. Part of the discussion sided that once a man is initiated to the degree of an EA, he is in fact considered a Freemason, a brother among us, only not recieving all the lights in Masonry, and not having privledges and rights and such within the lodge. The other side was that a man is not to be considered a brother until he has been fully erected as a Master Mason within the lodge. My question is this...is there a rule stating what is what within the Grand Lodge of Texas?
My take: I feel once initiated as an EA, that man becomes a Mason, he has boundaries set before him, no Masonic emblems and such, no vote, etc within the lodge and only able to sit in the lodge when opened in the degree of EA. My argument is how can one justify opening a lodge in the degree of EA or FC and allow these "men" to sit in the lodge and not consider them Masons when our Laws state that when the lodge is opened for business, only Masons are permitted to be present in the lodge room. Also, throughout the initiation once the obligation is taken, the candidate goes from that, to a brother. In the FC when there is reference made to the candidate, I believe that's pertaining specifically to that of the degree, a brother Entered Apprentice Mason made Candidate for the degree of Fellowcraft, etc.
Thoughts? Input? Clarification?
My take: I feel once initiated as an EA, that man becomes a Mason, he has boundaries set before him, no Masonic emblems and such, no vote, etc within the lodge and only able to sit in the lodge when opened in the degree of EA. My argument is how can one justify opening a lodge in the degree of EA or FC and allow these "men" to sit in the lodge and not consider them Masons when our Laws state that when the lodge is opened for business, only Masons are permitted to be present in the lodge room. Also, throughout the initiation once the obligation is taken, the candidate goes from that, to a brother. In the FC when there is reference made to the candidate, I believe that's pertaining specifically to that of the degree, a brother Entered Apprentice Mason made Candidate for the degree of Fellowcraft, etc.
Thoughts? Input? Clarification?