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Tilers Oath

Blake Bowden

Administrator
Staff Member
I was taught the Oath because my father, who was my instructor, believed it to be the best thing in case I do ever go out of state, or even out of country. I believe it should be taught none the less. Besides, you have to know it to get your C Certificate last I heard.

When I visited the Masonic Lodge in Ruidoso, NM, I had to recite it. I memorized it in about 10 minutes before I left the cabin, but there were slight variations in theirs. They were still impressed that I could do it from memory. Sad thing is they had cards for people to read from if they didn't know it :/
 

dfreybur

Premium Member
When I visited the Masonic Lodge in Ruidoso, NM, I had to recite it. I memorized it in about 10 minutes before I left the cabin, but there were slight variations in theirs. They were still impressed that I could do it from memory. Sad thing is they had cards for people to read from if they didn't know it :/

In my mother jurisdiction the Test Oath is a part of the MM proficiency. Different lodges require different tests to confirm you're qualified to visit. The committee at one lodge watched me chose among the stack of name badges in my PM apron brief case then offer to give a Masonic Education talk at their Stated. The committee at one lodge put me through the central part of the MM proficiency. I've done the Test Oath a few times most recently at New Breufels.
 

otherstar

Registered User
I don't recall if I had to learn the Tyler's Oath as part of my proficiency, but I know my instructor made me learn it after I was raised because he knew I was going to go for an "A Certificate" (which I did get in 1998, and had it lapse in 2000--I'm working on getting it again). When I came back to active status in the craft after a 9 year period where I was demised (I had demitted in 2004), I was examined by the officers of the lodge. I was still able to recite most of the Tyler's Oath from memory and they seemed impressed enough by that to let me visit (having a Certificate of Good Standing helped). Once I'm ready to teach candidates again, I will make sure they learn the Tyler's Oath so that they can visit other lodges with ease.
 

usmcvet

Registered User
I just learned there is no proficiency testing for a MM here in VT. I see the "Visitor's (or Tiler's) Oath" on the last page of my code book. It shows four lines for the Tiler and two words for the visitor which I have figured out. My mentor did not know the oath, I asked to work with him so we could learn it together. Not sure if it's appropriate to share a photo of the page with someone by PM. I'd be interested to see if it is the same.
 

Brother_Steve

Premium Member
I just learned there is no proficiency testing for a MM here in VT. I see the "Visitor's (or Tiler's) Oath" on the last page of my code book. It shows four lines for the Tiler and two words for the visitor which I have figured out. My mentor did not know the oath, I asked to work with him so we could learn it together. Not sure if it's appropriate to share a photo of the page with someone by PM. I'd be interested to see if it is the same.
I would recommend against this.

Visit another state if you wish to see variations on the oath :17:

It is a part of the New Jersey Master Mason proficiency exam.
 

Warrior1256

Site Benefactor
Would the Tilers oath be considered Esoteric work? Unfortunately I was never taught the oath, and it doesn't appear in the Codebook.
Here in Kentucky when visiting other lodges when going through trial it is more likely than not that you will be asked to recite the Tiler's oath.
 

Levelhead

Premium Member
I am from florida. And i DID NOT SAY IT HAS to be coded. In florida they really don't ask for a tilers oath. But if they did they sure aren't gonna give you a book to read it out of! What would be the purpose then?

Its the fact that you KNOW IT. Not can READ IT!

I was saying that in the brothers jurisdiction who is allowed to READ IT, i was hoping it was coded. ANYONE can read anything!
 

Levelhead

Premium Member
Actually since its about exact answers here. The "Chairman" will say and you repeat after him.

Thats how its done here in florida.
 

admarcus1

Registered User
But if they did they sure aren't gonna give you a book to read it out of! What would be the purpose then?

The purpose would be that it is an oath. You are swearing that you are a Freemason. "But anyone could swear to that and lie" you may argue. That's true, but I would assume that anyone who would take the trouble to lie their way into a lodge might take the few minutes to look it up on the internet. I just searched for it and found it in under a minute. As a test, whether memorized or not, it is not useful. If the visitor's dues card and word are not enough, the. There should be additional examination.

The oath is not used in my jurisdiction (MA) but it is recommended that we
Earn it for travel outside our jurisdiction.
 

Willys

Premium Member
I'll recite it verbatim. Most will respond, 'That's the way they have it'. Before doing so I'll tell them I'll be glad to examine but only if I can see their furniture first.
 

hanzosbm

Premium Member
Speaking of the tiler's oath, I just came back froma visit to Alexandria-Washington #22 at the George Washington Masonic Memorial tonight and when they examined me they handed me a card with the tiler's oath on it and told me to read it while my hand was on the bible.

I had a similar experience here in California. I've visited two lodge here and neither of them ever asked for it, although I know it. The interesting thing is, the first one had me repeat it after him, but it was different than the Tyler's oath from Kentucky. Even more interesting, the second Lodge gave me a card to read from, and it was different from both the Kentucky oath AND the previous California one. So, while I think every MM should know it, don't expect it to be the same.
 

Roy Vance

Certified
Premium Member
In my jurisdiction, it is not an actual part of the MM proficiency, but we teach our new MMs the Tiler's Oath as a matter of standard practice, that they may be able to recite it when traveling to a lodge outside our district. Another point, the member of the Committee on Work who does our certification here in this part of Texas, requires us to recite the Oath before we really get started. That is his way, I guess, of telling where to start his forum and instruction. Just sayin'.
 

Brother_Steve

Premium Member
I am from florida. And i DID NOT SAY IT HAS to be coded. In florida they really don't ask for a tilers oath. But if they did they sure aren't gonna give you a book to read it out of! What would be the purpose then?

Its the fact that you KNOW IT. Not can READ IT!

I was saying that in the brothers jurisdiction who is allowed to READ IT, i was hoping it was coded. ANYONE can read anything!
Think about an oath or obligation that anyone takes. You're technically not proving yourself to someone at this point. You're reassuring that you're making true and factual statements to whom you attest yourself to be. In the case of Masonry, before man and "God."

The examination ends off with the Tiler's oath. It's the other stuff that precedes it that is done from memory to validate who and what you are.
 
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