phulseapple
Premium Member
I offer this up for contemplation. As speculative masons, we use allegory to symbolically use the working tools of the operative stone mason. An operative stone mason was required to spend a certain amount of time as an apprentice and then as a fellow craft working under the direction of a master stone mason. Applying logic, one of the 7 liberal arts and sciences we learn about in the FC lecture, it would make sense that we as speculative masons should also spend a certain amount of time as an apprentice and as a fellow craft. During these time periods, we practice our "trade" under the guidance of a trusted mentor or master and learn the use of the working tools of the corresponding degree. If I recall correctly, the amount of time one spent as an operative apprentice was 7 years and 3 years as a fellow craft. For us as speculative masons, the use of memorization is merely symbolic of the time spent by our ancient operative brethren working side by side with their teacher to learn the proper use of the operative tools of the trade. When done properly, working with our mentors on the memorization of a few lines is the same thing. It teaches us how to appropriately use the operative tools in a speculative manner. 100% perfect rote memorization is immaterial as long as the understanding is there. If a new EA can't recite the entire Q and A word for word it doesn't matter. I would rather he be able to tell me the significance of the common gavel or why he was prepared in the manner he was for his initiation and the significance of the different objects in the lodge room during the initiation. Over time he will naturally commit the mere words of the ritual to memory as he attends the degrees and other meetings. The basic understanding comes from the mentor and the apprentice applies his lessons to I remember working with my mentor, we would go through the piece maybe once in the 2 hours we met each week, the rest of the time was spent discussing the actual material and what it all meant.